Qin Hao also greeted the group directly.
Qin Hao could more or less guess why they had come. First, they wanted to meet him. Second, they wanted to display their strength, flex their muscles, intimidate him, and make him think twice before trying anything underhanded.
Qin Hao did not waste any words and directly listed all the spiritual herbs needed to refine the Heavenly King Heart-Protecting Pill.
"Good. These medicinal herbs are not particularly rare, so we should be able to gather them. Then we will have to trouble Master Qin Hao."
After glancing over the list of required herbs, the First Elder immediately nodded, a smile appearing on his face.
"By the way, Your Majesty, there is one more matter I need to warn you about in advance."
As though he had suddenly remembered something, Qin Hao's gaze fell upon Medusa once more.
"Please speak, Master Qin Hao."
Medusa's expression turned solemn as she quickly replied. She looked extremely serious, while the other four elders also fixed their eyes on Qin Hao, their gazes full of curiosity.
"As far as I know, after members of the Snake-People Tribe are born, you infuse the soul of a snake-type magical beast into their bodies, creating something similar to a companion soul. In battle, it can also greatly increase the strength of your Snake-People Tribe.
"Under normal circumstances, this companion soul becomes an assistant to its host and will not backfire against them. But the Queen's situation is very special. When you draw the Heavenly Flames into your body, it will not only affect your physical body, but also your soul.
"Once your soul falls into a weakened state, it may be turned against you. You had better prepare yourselves mentally."
Qin Hao explained.
"What!? Something like that could actually happen..."
Upon hearing Qin Hao's words, Medusa and the four elders all changed expressions. They did not doubt him, because after his reminder, they realized that this was indeed highly possible.
"Does Master Qin Hao have a solution?"
"If Master Qin Hao can eliminate this hidden danger, our Snake-People Tribe will certainly present you with a great gift. We will not disappoint you!"
"That's right. Master Qin Hao, please name any conditions you have!"
Very quickly, Medusa and the elders all turned their gazes toward Qin Hao and spoke in unison.
"This... to be honest, if it were any other situation, it truly would not be difficult for me. But this is different. It concerns the state of the soul. I need not explain how troublesome it is when something goes wrong with the soul.
"Once the Medusa Queen's soul is suppressed, the best solution would be to use treasures or medicinal herbs that restore and strengthen the soul, helping the Queen recover her soul power.
"Once the Queen's soul power surpasses that of the newly born companion soul, she can then take a pill that fuses souls and completely merge the two souls, with the Queen's soul as the primary one."
Qin Hao explained.
"Master Qin Hao, please tell us what medicinal herbs are needed. We will do everything in our power to collect them!"
The First Elder spoke directly.
"Soul-Nourishing Flower, Soul-Containing Fruit, Spirit-Calming Herb..."
Qin Hao immediately listed a string of medicinal herbs, all of them related to the soul.
Upon hearing those names, neither Medusa nor the elders looked very pleased. Compared to the herbs needed for the Heavenly King Heart-Protecting Pill, the ones Qin Hao had named this time were far more troublesome.
Even if they emptied their entire treasury, they could not gather even a third of them.
"Moreover, that is not the most crucial part. Nourishing the soul is not as simple as taking these medicinal herbs. Since there will be two souls within the body, taking them directly will not only fail to solve the Queen's problem, but may instead strengthen the newly born soul, placing the Queen at an even greater disadvantage.
"There must be someone whose soul realm has reached the Spirit Realm to act, suppressing the newly born soul and allowing more of the medicinal power to be absorbed by the Queen's soul. And the duration cannot be too long each time, or it may harm the newly born soul.
"Although this newly born soul may suppress the Queen's soul, the two are ultimately one entity. If the newborn soul is injured, it will also be very detrimental to the Queen's soul. Therefore, this cannot be completely resolved in a short period of time.
"If there are sufficient soul treasures and medicinal herbs, it will normally take at least three months. Otherwise, it will take even longer."
Qin Hao's voice rang out again.
Qin Hao had not actually deceived them. The plan he had proposed was absolutely the most suitable one for Medusa's recovery, unlike in the original story, where Xiao Yan had spent such a long time struggling with it.
Of course, Qin Hao had not told them everything. In fact, in Medusa's situation from the original story, even if Xiao Yan had not intervened, the newly born soul ultimately would not have been able to do anything to the Medusa Queen.
The growth rates of the two souls were simply not on the same level. Medusa was recovering her soul power, while the newly born soul had to slowly grow stronger on its own.
It was just that doing so would take a very long time.
The reason he did not say so was naturally because he had his own plans.
"This..."
As expected, after hearing Qin Hao's words, their expressions turned even uglier. They had clearly not expected the situation to be so difficult.
They still did not doubt Qin Hao's words, because there was not the slightest flaw in his logic.
If they could still find a way to obtain treasures and medicinal herbs that restored the soul, then a Spirit Realm soul was something they truly had no way of dealing with. Not a single member of the entire Snake-People Tribe had reached the Spirit Realm in soul cultivation.
"Master Qin Hao, must it be a soul at the Spirit Realm?"
The Medusa Queen could not help asking.
"What do you think? Your Majesty, do you believe that with your soul realm, you can precisely suppress the companion soul inside another member of the Snake-People Tribe without affecting the other soul? If you can, then pretend I said nothing..."
Qin Hao spread his hands and spoke.
"This..."
Sure enough, after hearing that, the group was stunned for a moment before quickly understanding Qin Hao's meaning. Just as Qin Hao had said, they truly could not do it. In fact, they were nowhere close.
"Master Qin Hao, has your soul realm reached the Spirit Realm?"
The First Elder suddenly asked.
Upon hearing the First Elder's words, everyone's gazes fell on Qin Hao once again.
"I understand what the First Elder means. Just as you guessed, my soul realm has indeed reached the Spirit Realm. But I cannot remain in the Snake-People Tribe for such a long time over this matter. I have important things of my own to attend to."
Qin Hao answered directly.
Upon hearing Qin Hao's words, their eyes first lit up, but they soon fell silent again. They could fully understand his reason for refusing.
"Of course, these are only my guesses. Perhaps Her Majesty's soul will be able to easily suppress the newly born soul."
Qin Hao added.
However, after hearing Qin Hao's words, their expressions did not ease in the slightest. Their brows remained tightly furrowed.
"Enough. We need to discuss this matter carefully. We will give you an answer tomorrow. It is getting late, so I will have Hua She'er take you to rest first."
After a moment of silence, Medusa spoke. She clearly needed to discuss this matter thoroughly with the four elders.
"Alright."
Naturally, Qin Hao had no objection. Before long, Hua She'er led him to a side hall.
As for Medusa and the others, they returned to the main hall from before.
"What do the elders think?"
Medusa was the first to break the silence.
"This matter is indeed extremely troublesome. I never expected the secret technique of our Snake-People Tribe to bring such great trouble to Her Majesty!"
The Fourth Elder was the first to lose patience, anxiety evident in his tone.
"I think he has not told us the full truth. He must be hiding something else!"
The Third Elder also spoke.
"That is indeed possible. Could he have some other scheme?"
The Second Elder frowned deeply, a trace of worry appearing in his eyes.
"He may have some designs, but that is not the most important issue. What matters most now is whether he bears us any ill intent. If he can help Her Majesty evolve successfully, then even if he does have some designs...
"As long as it does not harm our Snake-People Tribe, we can accept paying some price."
The First Elder said in a deep voice.
"Mhm."
After hearing the First Elder's words, the other three elders all nodded.
"He may have other calculations and motives, but I did not sense any hostility from him. He should not be targeting our Snake-People Tribe. After all, I was the one who sought him out this time, not the other way around.
"More importantly, we have no other choice now unless I give up this attempt. But that is clearly impossible. This may be the only chance I will ever have in my life."
An incomparably determined look appeared in Medusa's eyes.
"Then what does Her Majesty intend to do?"
The First Elder asked.
"If the situation truly turns out as he predicted, and he cannot remain within the Snake-People Tribe, then I will temporarily leave with him. At worst, I will pay a greater price. So long as I can recover in the future, I will repay everything twofold!"
Medusa's expression was resolute.
"What!? How can that be acceptable? What if he means Her Majesty harm? If that situation truly arises, Her Majesty will practically have no ability to resist. It is far too risky!"
The Fourth Elder could not help saying.
"I have no other choice now. I can only gamble! Besides, if he truly intended to harm me, then given his status and strength, he likely would not need to go through so much trouble!"
Medusa said in a deep voice, clearly having made her decision.
"Ah, let us hope so."
The others could all see Medusa's determination and did not know what else to say. In the end, the First Elder let out a sigh.
Early the next morning, the Medusa Queen came to find him. This time, Medusa had come alone, without the four great elders.
"Master Qin Hao, the medicinal herbs for refining the Heavenly King Heart-Protecting Pill have been prepared!"
Medusa said.
"That is simple enough. I can refine it very soon."
Qin Hao nodded.
"Also... Master Qin Hao, regarding yesterday's matter, I have an idea. I need to seek Master Qin Hao's opinion, and I hope you will grant my request."
The Medusa Queen said.
"Oh? What does Her Majesty intend to do?"
Before you continue