Gu He Arrives

"Since that's the case, I'll call you Xiaocai from now on." Qin Chen chuckled, pulled open his sleeve, and motioned for the little fellow to climb in.

Xiaocai nodded as if she understood, transforming into a streak of light and slipping into Qin Chen's sleeve. After coiling around his arm, she gradually fell asleep.

Satisfied, Qin Chen patted his sleeve, laughed heartily, and strode out of the temple.

"Little friend, how is Her Majesty the Queen doing now?" The moment Qin Chen stepped outside the temple, the four elders impatiently surrounded him. The First Elder spoke first.

"The Queen has successfully evolved, but her soul is somewhat weakened, so she has temporarily fallen asleep." Qin Chen smiled and lifted his sleeve, revealing Xiaocai quietly coiled around his arm.

The little fellow's seven-colored scales glimmered faintly. Even in her sleep, she still radiated a palpitating aura.

When the four elders saw Little Swallowing Heaven Python's appearance, their pupils contracted. They could clearly sense the terrifying power contained within the little snake's body. Evidently, Her Majesty the Queen's evolution had been far more successful than they had imagined.

The First Elder took a deep breath and respectfully cupped her hands toward Qin Chen. "Little friend, our tribe will never forget your great kindness. But when will the Queen awaken?"

Qin Chen's smile faded as he explained, "The Queen fell asleep because her soul power was damaged during the evolution. The one controlling this body now is Her Majesty the Queen's companion magical beast, the Purple Nether Flame Serpent."

"Once the Queen's soul power gradually recovers, she will be able to reclaim control of her body. However, if she recovers naturally, I estimate it will take at least several years."

As soon as Qin Chen finished speaking, the Second Elder anxiously pressed, "Is there a way to speed up her recovery?"

His gaze swept over the four worried elders before Qin Chen slowly replied, "There is naturally a way. I know of some medicinal pills that can accelerate the process."

"Then Her Majesty the Queen will be in your care, little friend. Our Snake-People Tribe will surely reward you handsomely afterward." The Third Elder cupped her hands, her eyes filled with anticipation.

Qin Chen waved a hand. "Third Elder, there's no need to be so polite."

What reward could possibly compare to Medusa?

"Oh, right."

Qin Chen added, "Her Majesty the Queen's evolved form is a fire-attributed magical beast. Natural treasures rich in fire-attributed energy will be quite beneficial to her, so you should keep an eye out for them."

"Rest assured, little friend."

Snake-People Holy City. A tense, oppressive atmosphere filled a luxurious hall supported by more than ten enormous stone pillars.

A male and female snake-person sat facing each other on opposite sides of a crystal table.

The male snake-person was powerfully built, with strange tattoos covering his bare arms and a faintly vicious aura about him. The female snake-person had a voluptuous figure and skin as white as snow, her snake tail lazily curled beneath her chair.

At this moment, both wore gloomy expressions.

"Leader Yue Mei, why did you summon me earlier?" Qin Chen flashed into the hall, his gaze sweeping over Yue Mei and Mo Ba Si.

Some time ago, he had consumed a Dou Spirit Pill and successfully advanced to a Nine-Star Dou Wang. He had been stabilizing his cultivation just now, but he had not expected Yue Mei to come looking for him then, forcing him to rush over only now.

As for why Mo Ba Si had arrived so quickly, it was because he had already been in the Holy City, having specifically come to ask Qin Chen to refine pills.

Yue Mei's willow brows were tightly furrowed as she said gravely, "Mr. Qin Chen, several humans forcibly entered our tribe's territory last night. They have likely approached the temple by now. I wanted to ask whether Her Majesty the Queen can come out and take charge of the situation."

Qin Chen vaguely guessed what was happening, then calmly lied, "Her Majesty the Queen's soul is still asleep. Forcibly awakening her may harm her foundation."

The two leaders' expressions became even uglier upon hearing this.

"What are their exact strengths?" Qin Chen asked.

Pressing her seductive red lips together, Yue Mei softly replied, "One Dou Emperor, three Dou Wangs, and four Dou Lings."

Gu He Arrives

So it's Gu He and the others, Qin Chen thought.

But it made sense. Half a year ago, the site of his battle with Medusa had been left with plenty of Green Lotus Core Flame aura. Coupled with the massive disturbance caused by Queen Medusa's evolution not long ago, there was no reason for an alchemist who had sought Heavenly Flames for years not to notice the Snake-People Tribe.

The reason Gu He had not come earlier was probably that he had been preparing to enter the desert. After all, in the original story, he had only gathered his men and ventured deep into the desert more than half a year after Medusa took the Heavenly Flame.

But his timing is perfect. It saves me the trouble of looking for him.

After thinking this over, Qin Chen asked, "How do you think we should deal with them?"

"Her Majesty the Queen is currently in poor condition, so it would be unwise to start a war. It would naturally be best if we could drive them away, but the leaders of the other tribes have not arrived. The two of us may find it difficult to withstand them..." Mo Ba Si took over, rising from his chair as he spoke gravely.

The corners of Qin Chen's lips curled into a confident smile. "In that case, I have a way to make them retreat willingly. I only hope the two of you can cooperate with me when the time comes."

Mo Ba Si and Yue Mei shared Qin Chen's thoughts. Gu He truly could not be killed. After all, he belonged to the Misty Cloud Sect. If that brought out Yun Shan behind him, or even that cackling freak, it would be troublesome.

Mo Ba Si and Yue Mei exchanged a glance. Though full of doubts, they still nodded.

A quarter of an hour later, a massive magical beast approached Snake-People Holy City. Several figures floated not far from the giant beast, each radiating a terrifying aura.

Above the city walls, two figures slowly rose into the air and faced the newcomers from afar.

Staring directly at the uninvited humans, Mo Ba Si's gloomy face held undisguised fury as he shouted in a deep voice, "Humans, why have you trespassed into our tribe's territory without permission? Leave immediately if you know what's good for you, lest you provoke a war between the Jia Ma Empire and the Snake-People Tribe."

A refined middle-aged man slowly stepped out from the crowd. "You must be Leader Mo Ba Si of the Black Serpent Tribe?"

"Who are you?" Mo Ba Si swept the middle-aged man with an icy gaze and asked coldly.

"I am Gu He." Gu He chuckled, his voice carrying a trace of calm confidence and pride.

As the Jia Ma Empire's only Tier 6 Alchemist, he indeed had the qualifications to be proud.

Qin Chen had once imagined that if he were not a transmigrator with godlike foresight, but merely a native of the Battle Qi Continent, he would likely be even prouder than Gu He after achieving such accomplishments.

"Pill King Gu He?"

Mo Ba Si and Yue Mei exchanged a glance, but neither showed any shock.

Had they been the same people from half a year ago, they might have felt wary upon hearing that name. But after witnessing Qin Chen's alchemy and consuming the Dou Spirit Pills he had refined...

Heh. Gu He's status was no longer enough to surprise them.

Seeing their calm expressions, Gu He's brow twitched imperceptibly as he prepared to speak.

Whoosh!

At that moment, a sharp sound of tearing air suddenly rang out. A black-robed figure shot from the Holy City and, after several flashes, landed not far in front of Mo Ba Si.

"I have long admired the great name of Pill King Gu He." A hoarse voice came from beneath the black robe.

"I am Gu He. May I ask who you are?" Gu He's gaze sharpened.

"Who I am is unimportant. You want this, don't you?" The black-robed man extended his right hand, and a cluster of green flames surged from his palm.

The flame hovered in the air like a pure green lotus, radiating a heart-pounding temperature. Even the surrounding air seemed to warp from the scorching heat.

"Green Lotus Core Flame!?"

The instant the flame appeared, Gu He's pupils shrank sharply, his eyes filling with incredulous ecstasy and greed.

Swallowing hard, this fart... no, this Pill King said in a trembling voice, "Could you give the Green Lotus Core Flame to me? No matter what conditions you name, I, Gu He, will agree!"

So long as there was even the slightest chance, he did not want to give up.

"Hahaha..."

The black-robed man let out a mocking laugh, his voice carrying a hint of teasing. "Stripping away a Heavenly Flame affects one's foundation. If it were you, would you agree?"

"Uh..."

Gu He's expression instantly froze. His lips trembled, but he could not utter a single word.

Of course, he knew what stripping away a Heavenly Flame meant. At best, it would cause one's cultivation to decline; at worst, it could endanger one's life.

But the Heavenly Flame before him was something he had dreamed of his entire life. He truly did not want to give up.

"Old He, why waste words with him?"

A rough voice suddenly sounded from behind Gu He. A burly man strode forward, his face full of impatience. "What good could anyone mixed up with these snake-people possibly be?"

"It's just a lousy flame. If you want it, take it by force. Why fear this skulking bastard?"

Upon hearing this, the black-robed man's deep eyes narrowed slightly beneath his pitch-black hood, and a frigid killing intent quietly spread.

"Be careful. The person opposite us is not simple." The black-robed person among Gu He's group suddenly spoke.

Buzz!

The energy of heaven and earth suddenly erupted violently, converging toward Qin Chen.

Qin Chen formed seals with both hands as blazing flames ignited around him. Surging battle qi continuously gathered in his palms, emitting a scorching aura that made hearts tremble.

Eight Wastes Burning Heaven Palm!

The dazzling crystalline battle qi seal in Qin Chen's hand shot forth, carrying the force to burn the heavens and boil the seas as it crashed toward Gu He and the others.

"Defend yourselves!" the black-robed person shouted.

None of them dared to hesitate. Battle qi surged from their bodies, weaving together before them into a thick shield of energy.

However, Qin Chen's attack was overwhelmingly tyrannical. With a thunderous boom, the energy shield shattered on impact, and scorching green flames engulfed all of them.

Only after the flames burned for the time it took an incense stick to burn did they gradually dissipate. Yue Mei and Mo Ba Si, standing beside Qin Chen, looked as though they had been struck by lightning, their faces filled with horror. Clearly, Qin Chen's strength had given them no small shock.

As the smoke and dust dispersed, several bedraggled figures were revealed. Their auras were weak, their robes covered in charred marks, and blood seeped from the corners of their mouths.

Only the black-robed person was barely able to remain standing, though he too had suffered serious injuries. A corner of the black robe covering his body had been burned away, revealing a fair wrist marked by faint scars.

"If you still refuse to leave, do not blame this old man for being ruthless." The hoarse voice rang out once more.

"Leave!" Gu He decisively shouted.

They did not dare linger any longer, transforming into streaks of light and fleeing into the distance.

The black-robed person gave Qin Chen a deep look, then spread his energy wings and vanished into the heavens alongside the others.

Only after watching Gu He's group retreat in such a sorry state did Yue Mei and Mo Ba Si finally snap back to their senses, though the shock in their eyes did not fade for a long while.

Above the desert, atop the giant beast.

"Damn it, when did the Snake-People Tribe gain such an expert?" Lion King Yan Shi's face was livid, his clenched fists trembling slightly with "rage."

"Indeed. We have never heard of such a person before."

"Oh no!" Gu He's expression suddenly changed drastically as he cried out.

"Elder Gu He, what is it?" A pleasant voice came from the black-robed person nearby.

At this moment, the normally gentle and refined Gu He's face was full of murderous fury. Gritting his teeth, he said, "My Storage Ring is gone!"

"Ah..."