Ten-Thousandfold Returns for Taking Disciples: Starting from Battle Through the Heavens

Qin Hao greeted them directly as well.

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 keep him from doing anything underhanded.

Without further nonsense, Qin Hao directly listed all the spiritual herbs needed to refine the Heavenly King Heart-Protecting Pill.

"Good. These herbs aren't particularly rare, so we should be able to gather them all. Then we'll have to trouble Master Qin Hao."

After glancing over the list of required spiritual herbs, the First Elder nodded at once, a smile appearing on his face.

"Oh, right, Your Majesty. There's something else I need to remind you of in advance."

As if recalling something, Qin Hao's gaze fell on Medusa again.

"Please speak, Master Qin Hao."

Medusa's expression turned serious as she hurriedly responded. She looked incomparably solemn, while the other four elders also fixed their gazes on Qin Hao, their eyes full of curiosity.

"As far as I know, after the Snake-People Tribe is born, you infuse the soul of a snake-type magical beast into your bodies, forming something akin to a companion soul. During battle, it can greatly increase the strength of your Snake-People Tribe.

"Under normal circumstances, this companion soul becomes an assistant to its host and will not devour its master. But Your Majesty's situation will be extremely special. When you draw the Heavenly Flame into your body, it won't be just your physical body that is affected, but your soul as well.

"Once your soul falls into a weakened state, there is a possibility of being suppressed in turn. You'd best prepare yourselves mentally."

Qin Hao explained.

"What? So something like that could happen..."

Upon hearing Qin Hao's words, Medusa and the four elders all changed expressions. They did not doubt him. After his reminder, they realized that this was indeed highly possible.

"Does Master Qin Hao have a solution?"

"If Master Qin Hao can resolve this hidden danger, our Snake-People Tribe will certainly offer a generous gift. We will not disappoint you!"

"That's right. Master Qin Hao, feel free to name any conditions!"

Medusa and the elders quickly turned their eyes toward Qin Hao and spoke in succession.

"This... to be honest, if it were another situation, it truly wouldn't trouble me. But this is different. It concerns the state of the soul. I needn't tell you how difficult it is when something goes wrong with the soul.

"Once Medusa Queen's soul is suppressed, the best solution would be to use treasures or spiritual herbs capable of restoring and strengthening the soul to help Her Majesty recover her soul power.

"Once Her Majesty'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 into one, with Her Majesty's soul as the main body!"

Qin Hao explained.

"What spiritual herbs are needed? Please tell us, Master Qin Hao. We will do everything in our power to collect them!"

The First Elder immediately said.

"Soul-Nourishing Flower, Soul-Containing Fruit, Spirit-Calming Herb..."

Qin Hao promptly named a long list of spiritual herbs, all of them related to the soul.

Upon hearing those names, neither Medusa nor the elders looked pleased. Compared to the ingredients required for the Heavenly King Heart-Protecting Pill, the herbs Qin Hao had named this time were far more difficult to obtain.

Even if they emptied the entire treasury, they could not gather even one-third of them.

"Moreover, that isn't the most critical issue. Nourishing the soul isn't as simple as taking these spiritual herbs. Since there will be two souls within the body, taking them directly will not only fail to resolve Her Majesty's problem, but may instead strengthen the newly born soul, putting Her Majesty at an even greater disadvantage.

"There must be someone whose soul has reached the Spiritual Realm to suppress the newly born soul and allow more of the medicinal power to be absorbed by Her Majesty's soul. And each session cannot last too long, or it may harm the newly born soul.

"Although this newly born soul may suppress Her Majesty's soul, the two are ultimately one. If the newly born soul is injured, it will also be extremely harmful to Her Majesty's soul. Therefore, this cannot be completely resolved in a short time.

"If there are enough soul treasures and spiritual herbs, it will take at least three months under normal circumstances. Otherwise, it will take even longer!"

Qin Hao's voice rang out again.

Qin Hao was not actually deceiving them. The plan he had proposed was absolutely the most suitable for Medusa's recovery, unlike in the original story, where Xiao Yan had struggled with it for so long.

Of course, Qin Hao had not told them everything. In truth, with Medusa's situation in the original story, even if Xiao Yan had not intervened, the newly born soul would ultimately have been unable to do anything to Medusa Queen.

The growth rates of their 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 would simply take a very long time.

Naturally, he had his own reasons for not saying so.

"This..."

Sure enough, after hearing Qin Hao's words, their expressions became even uglier. They had clearly not expected the situation to be so troublesome.

Likewise, 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 spiritual herbs that restored the soul, then they truly had no solution when it came to a Spiritual Realm soul. Not a single member of the Snake-People Tribe had a soul that had reached the Spiritual Realm.

"Master Qin Hao, must it be a soul at the Spiritual Realm?"

Medusa Queen could not help asking.

"What do you think? Does Your Majesty believe that, with your soul realm, you can precisely suppress the companion soul within another member of the Snake-People Tribe without affecting the other soul? If you can do that, then pretend I never said anything..."

Qin Hao spread his hands and replied.

"This..."

Sure enough, upon hearing this, they were stunned for a moment before quickly understanding Qin Hao's meaning. Just as he had said, they truly could not do it. In fact, they were not merely a little short of being capable.

"Master Qin Hao, has your soul realm reached the Spiritual Realm?"

The First Elder suddenly asked.

Upon hearing the First Elder's question, everyone's gaze fell on Qin Hao again.

"I understand what the First Elder means. Just as you suspect, my soul realm has indeed reached the Spiritual Realm. But I cannot stay in the Snake-People Tribe for so long over this matter. I have important matters of my own to attend to."

Qin Hao answered directly.

At Qin Hao's words, their eyes lit up at first, but they soon fell silent again. They fully understood his reason for refusing.

"Of course, these are only my guesses. Perhaps Her Majesty will be able to easily suppress the newly born soul."

Qin Hao added.

However, after hearing this, their expressions did not ease in the slightest. Their brows remained tightly furrowed.

"Alright, we need to discuss this matter carefully. We'll give you an answer tomorrow. It's getting late, so I'll have Hua She'er take you to rest first."

After a moment of silence, Medusa spoke. She clearly needed to discuss the matter properly with the four elders.

"Alright."

Naturally, Qin Hao had no objections. Hua She'er soon 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 our Snake-People Tribe's secret technique to bring such enormous trouble to Her Majesty!"

The Fourth Elder was the first to speak, his tone somewhat anxious.

"I think he hasn't told us the whole truth. He must be concealing something else!"

The Third Elder said as well.

"That is indeed possible! Could he have some other scheme?"

The Second Elder frowned deeply, concern flashing in his eyes.

"He may have a scheme, but that isn't the most important thing. What matters most right now is whether he bears us ill intent. If he can allow Her Majesty to successfully evolve, then even if he has some scheme...

"As long as it does not harm the Snake-People Tribe, we can accept paying a certain price!"

The First Elder said solemnly.

"Mm."

Upon hearing the First Elder's words, the other three elders nodded one after another.

"He may have other calculations and motives, but I did not sense any malice from him. He should not be targeting the Snake-People Tribe. After all, I was the one who approached him over this matter; he did not come to contact me first.

"More importantly, we have no other choice now unless I give up on this attempt. But that is obviously impossible. This may be the only opportunity I will ever have in my life!"

Medusa's eyes revealed incomparably resolute determination.

"Then what does Your Majesty intend to do?"

The First Elder asked.

"If the situation truly turns out as he predicted, and he cannot remain in the Snake-People Tribe, then I will temporarily leave with him. At worst, I'll pay some additional price. So long as I can recover in the future, I will repay everything twofold!"

Medusa's face was full of resolve.

"What? How can that be? What if he means Her Majesty harm? If that situation truly arises, Her Majesty will practically have no ability to resist at all. It is far too dangerous!"

The Fourth Elder could not help saying.

"I have no other choice now. I can only gamble on it! Besides, if he truly wished to harm me, then given his status and strength, he might not need to go through so much trouble!"

Medusa said in a deep voice, clearly having made her decision.

"Sigh, let's hope so."

They 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, Medusa Queen came to find him. This time, she had come alone, without the four great elders.

"Master Qin Hao, the spiritual herbs for refining the Heavenly King Heart-Protecting Pill have been prepared!"

Medusa said.

"That is easily handled. I can refine it very soon."

Qin Hao nodded.

"Also... Master Qin Hao, regarding yesterday's matter, I have an idea and need to seek Master Qin Hao's opinion. I hope Master Qin Hao will grant my request!"

Medusa Queen said.

"Oh? What does Your Majesty intend to do?"