Roles Have Reversed
The next morning, two figures emerged from Thousand Mountains City and sped off in the northeast direction.
After crossing the last mountain ridge on the border of the Thousand Mountains Empire, Gemer Volcano finally came into view at the edge of the horizon.
The volcano was much larger than Qin Yu had imagined. Its body was dark brown, and the upper part of the mountain was covered with large areas of gray-black volcanic ash and solidified lava.
Several dark red fissures meandered down from the mountaintop, faintly emitting a scorching red light.
But what truly caught Qin Yu's attention was the massive fortress perched halfway up the volcano.
The fortress was built against the mountain, with towering gray stone walls, and patrolling figures could be vaguely seen on the battlements.
In terms of layout, this fortress almost completely blocks all routes to approach the volcano from the front, making it virtually impossible to get close to the crater undetected.
"These Snake People... they really know how to pick their spots."
Qin Yu slowed down and looked toward the fortress.
Yun Yun hovered beside him, followed his gaze, and spoke:
"This fortress is not easy to breach. Although those Snake People look quite different from the Snake People of the Tagor Desert, their intelligence is no different from that of humans."
"Many people are prone to misconceptions when they first see them, thinking they are just a group of Magical Beast that have evolved malfunctions."
So you can't get through head-on?
"It's not that it can't be done, it just would be a bit troublesome."
Yun Yun shook her head and explained:
"Although the Snake People in the fortress vary in strength, alerting them will allow their Snake People Chieftain Latad, to prepare in advance."
Yun Yun had already told Qin Yu the name Latad on the way to Gemer Volcano today.
Now, all that's left is to see the true face of this Snake People Chieftain.
Incidentally, let's see if this Snake People Chieftain will pull a sword out of his mouth.
"Although it's entrenched in the mountain pass, it can still provide some support."
"My suggestion is to take a detour and climb over the other side of the volcano."
Qin Yu nodded, offering no objection.
The two figures changed direction and flew north along the outline of the volcano, skimming the low sky at the foot of the mountain.
The closer you get to the volcano, the higher the temperature in the air, and the ground gradually changes from hard rock to brittle volcanic ash.
Occasionally, wisps of hot steam could be seen escaping from the cracks in the mountain, carrying a faint smell of sulfur.
During the detour, Yun Yun turned her head and her gaze fell on Qin Yu:
"By the way, you mentioned before that you could sever the connection between Latad and the volcano. How exactly would you do that? Do you need my cooperation?"
Qin Yu smiled mysteriously, without giving a direct answer:
"I have a clever plan."
Yun Yun waited for a long time but received no further comment, so she couldn't help but roll her eyes at him:
Speak like a human being.
In layman's terms, you don't need to do anything. When you see Latad later, just go up and fight him.
"However, it will take me time to cut off communication. Remember to temporarily avoid direct confrontation at the beginning of the war."
"How long?"
"It's hard to say, but it won't be long."
Yun Yun pondered for two seconds, then nodded decisively:
"Understood, but you'd better hurry. Although I'm not afraid of him, this is his home turf, and dragging it out won't do me any good."
It is widely known that Latad fears powerful individuals with Wind-Attribute Battle Qi.
Therefore, even though Yun Yun herself only possesses the strength of Five-Star Dou Emperor, she is confident that she can fight him.
Since they can't win, they can just run away. Latad doesn't dare to leave Gemer Volcano easily; if it leaves Gemer Volcano, it will truly become a fish on a chopping board.
"Rest assured."
Qin Yu silently calculated in his mind that cutting off the connection between Latad and the Gemer Volcano was not that complicated for him.
We can simply use the Earth Sovereign's power to seize control of the volcano's Earth Vein from Latad, and that will be the end of it.
Latad was able to manipulate the power of the volcano simply because he had merged with the giant serpent that resided there, and over the long years, he had gradually gained control over the Earth Vein.
But this isn't something exclusively for one person; anyone can take it. The only difference is the difficulty of taking it.
What Qin Yu needed was to keep Latad temporarily distracted from his efforts to seize control.
The two figures continued to circle around the north side of the volcano. Just as Qin Yu was about to speed up and cross the ridge ahead, he suddenly paused slightly.
The Treasure-Seeking Sacred Body's sensation... has returned.
This time, the direction is very clear: it comes from the Heavenly Qilin Empire.
Moreover, this feeling is different from all the previous ones; it is extremely special and may be a brand new opportunity.
Now, there's another reason to go to the Heavenly Qilin Empire.
"What's wrong?"
Yun Yun noticed his unusual behavior and slowed down to approach him.
"Nothing."
Qin Yu withdrew his gaze, his expression remaining unchanged.
"Let's go, we're almost there."
Yun Yun glanced at him but didn't ask any further questions.
The two sped up again, crossed the last towering ridge, and the crater of Gemer Volcano finally came into full view before them.
A dark red light surged within the mountain pass, and scorching air rose from its depths, carrying waves of heat that swept towards us.
In the very center of the mountain pass, on a raised lava platform, a huge black shadow was coiled up – that was Latad.
Qin Yu finally saw through the true nature of this Snake People Chieftain:
An extremely large body, with a thick snake tail coiled around the lava platform, its gray-black scales shimmering in the light of the lava.
The snake's body had completely merged with the human upper body.
Or rather, it looked more like the upper body of a person, "growing" out from the snake's throat.
"Tsk, this is the first time I've seen Latad's true face."
Yun Yun frowned; she had never imagined that Latad would be like this.
The Snake People in the Tagor Desert clearly exhibit both human and snake-like physical characteristics; the Snake People of Gemer Volcano look rather strange, but at least they resemble normal creatures.
And Latad...
This thing doesn't seem like something that could exist in the normal world.
"Hey? What kind of look is that?"
When Yun Yun turned her head, she noticed that Qin Yu's gaze towards Latad was actually somewhat...
fiery?
Latad clearly sensed the arrival of the uninvited guests. His ugly head slowly rose, and his vertical pupils locked onto two figures at the edge of the mountain pass.
"Hmm..."
Latad grinned, revealing a mouthful of jagged, sharp teeth, and let out a low chuckle, as if admiring two prey that had willingly delivered themselves to his doorstep.
"I'll go first, you hurry up."
Yun Yun drew her longsword, her Battle Qi Wings flapped behind her, and she swooped down to attack Latad.
"Arrogance..."
Seeing that Yun Yun was about to make a move, Latad immediately raised his deformed hand and pulled a strangely shaped giant sword from the snake's mouth.
The greatsword's blood-red blade was covered with layers upon layers of dark red patterns, like countless devoured remnant souls struggling and writhing on the blade.