Battle Through the Heavens: The Rise Begins at Canaan Academy — Part 17

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

Xiaocai nodded as if half-understanding, then turned into a streak of light and slipped into Qin Chen's sleeve. It coiled around his arm and 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 now?" The moment Qin Chen stepped outside, the four elders eagerly surrounded him. The First Elder spoke first.

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

The little fellow's seven-colored scales shimmered faintly. Even in sleep, it still radiated a heart-palpitating aura.

At the sight of the little Heaven-Swallowing Python, all four elders' pupils shrank. They could clearly sense the terrifying power contained within the small snake's body. Clearly, Her Majesty the Queen's evolution had succeeded far beyond their expectations.

The First Elder drew a deep breath and respectfully cupped her hands toward Qin Chen. "Little friend, our tribe will never forget this great favor. 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 regain control of her body. However, if it recovers naturally, I estimate it will take at least several years."

The moment Qin Chen finished speaking, the Second Elder anxiously asked, "Is there any way to speed up her recovery?"

His gaze swept over the four worried elders as Qin Chen slowly said, "Of course there is. I know of some pills that can accelerate the process."

"Then Her Majesty the Queen will be in your care, little friend. When the time comes, our Snake-People Tribe will surely reward you generously." The Third Elder cupped her hands, her eyes full of expectation.

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-element magical beast. Treasures rich in fire-element energy would be of great help to her. You should keep an eye out for them."

"Rest assured, little friend."

In Snake-People Holy City, an atmosphere of tension and oppression filled a lavish hall supported by more than ten enormous stone pillars.

A male and female snake-person sat facing each other across a crystal table.

The male snake-person was powerfully built, his bare arms covered in strange tattoos that faintly exuded a savage aura. The female snake-person had a voluptuous figure and skin as white as snow, her snake tail lazily curled beneath her seat.

At that moment, both wore gloomy expressions.

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

Some time ago, he had taken a Battle Spirit Pill and successfully advanced to the nine-star Battle King realm. He had just been stabilizing his cultivation when Yue Mei came looking for him. He had hurried over as soon as he could.

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

Yue Mei's willow brows were tightly furrowed as she said solemnly, "Mr. Qin Chen, several humans forcibly entered our tribe's territory last night. They must be nearing 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 damage her foundation."

The two leaders' expressions grew even uglier.

"What exactly is their strength?" Qin Chen asked.

Pressing her alluring red lips together, Yue Mei softly replied, "One Battle Emperor, three Battle Kings, and four Battle Spirits."

Gu He Arrives ### So it is Gu He and the others, Qin Chen thought.

Thinking about it, that made sense. Half a year ago, traces of the Green Lotus Core Flame had been left behind at the site of his battle with Medusa. Coupled with the massive commotion caused by Medusa Queen's evolution not long ago, there was no way an alchemist who had spent years searching for a Heavenly Flame would fail to notice the Snake-People Tribe.

The reason he had not come earlier was likely because he had been preparing to enter the desert. After all, in the original story, he had only gathered people to venture 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 it over, Qin Chen asked, "How do you think we should deal with these people?"

"Her Majesty the Queen is not in good condition right now, so it would be unwise to start a war. It would be best if we could drive them away, but the leaders of the other tribes have not arrived. The two of us may have difficulty stopping them..." Mo Ba Si took over, rising from his seat as he spoke in a deep voice.

The corner of Qin Chen's mouth lifted into a confident smile. "In that case, I have a way to make them retreat on their own. I hope the two of you can cooperate with me when the time comes."

Mo Ba Si and Yue Mei's thoughts aligned perfectly with Qin Chen's. Gu He truly could not be killed. After all, he was from the Misty Cloud Sect. If that drew out Yun Shan behind him—or even some cackling freak—that would be troublesome.

Mo Ba Si and Yue Mei exchanged a glance. Though full of doubt, 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 enormous beast, radiating terrifying auras.

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

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

A distinguished-looking middle-aged man slowly stepped out from the group. "I assume this is Leader Mo Ba Si of the Black Serpent Tribe?"

"Who are you?" Mo Ba Si's cold gaze swept over the middle-aged man as he asked icily.

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

As the Jia Ma Empire's only sixth-tier alchemist, he indeed had the right to be proud.

Qin Chen had once imagined that if he had not been a transmigrator with godlike foreknowledge, but merely a native of the Battle Qi Continent, then after achieving such accomplishments, he would likely have been far prouder than Gu He.

"Pill King Gu He?"

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

Had they been who they were half a year ago, they might have been wary upon hearing that title. But after witnessing Qin Chen's alchemy and taking the Battle Spirit Pills he refined...

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

Seeing how calm they were, Gu He's brow twitched almost imperceptibly. He was just about to speak when—

Whoosh!

A piercing sound suddenly tore through the air. A black-robed figure shot out from the holy city and, after a few 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 indeed Gu He. May I ask who you are?" Gu He's gaze sharpened.

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

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

"Green Lotus Core Flame!?"

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

He swallowed hard. This fart... no, this Pill King said in a trembling voice, "Could you give the Green Lotus Core Flame to me, sir? 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 figure sneered, his voice carrying a trace of mockery. "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 moved, but not a single word came out.

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 cost one's life.

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

"Old He, why waste words with him?"

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

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

Beneath the black-robed figure's pitch-black hood, those deep eyes narrowed slightly as a frigid killing intent quietly spread.

"Be careful. That person on the other side is no ordinary opponent." The black-robed person among Gu He's group suddenly spoke.

Buzz!

The energy of heaven and earth suddenly began to churn violently, converging toward Qin Chen.

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

Eight Wastes Burning Heaven Palm!

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

"Defend yourselves!" the black-robed figure shouted sharply.

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

However, Qin Chen's attack was overwhelmingly tyrannical. With a thunderous boom, the energy shield shattered, and blazing green flames engulfed every one of them.

Only after the flames burned for the time it took an incense stick to burn did they gradually disperse. Yue Mei and Mo Ba Si beside Qin Chen looked as though they had been struck by lightning, their faces filled with horror. Qin Chen's strength had clearly shocked them greatly.

As the smoke and dust cleared, several bedraggled figures were revealed. Their auras were weak, their clothes covered in scorched black marks, and blood seeped from the corners of their mouths.

Only the black-robed figure barely remained 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 do not leave now, do not blame this old man for being ruthless." The hoarse voice rang out once more.

"Go!" Gu He decisively shouted.

They did not dare linger. Turning into streaks of light, they shot into the distance.

The black-robed figure gave Qin Chen a deep look, then spread a pair of energy wings and vanished into the heavens with the others.

Watching Gu He's group retreat in such a miserable state, Yue Mei and Mo Ba Si finally came back to their senses. Yet the shock in their eyes did not fade for a long time.

Above the desert, atop the giant beast.

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

"Indeed. We've never heard of such a person before."

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

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

At that moment, the usually refined Gu He was full of murderous fury. Gritting his teeth, he said, "My storage ring is gone!"

"Ah..."