Conditions for Cooperation

Only the words "bewitchingly gorgeous" could describe a woman like her. Yet beneath that seductive beauty lay the grace and nobility of an empress. Lin Qing had never seen such a captivating aura in anyone else. Perhaps only Yun Yun, the sect leader of the Misty Cloud Sect, or the Little Dragon Maiden, who would one day become the Dragon Emperor, could compare.

He had to admit that even without her bloodline evolution, Medusa was exceptionally beautiful. Of course, he did not dare say that now. He was not the sort to flirt with women; he was a proper gentleman. Besides, after today, he would be Medusa's partner.

When Medusa saw a handsome young man with a gentle, jade-like bearing walk in, she immediately sensed the extremely blazing Heavenly Flames aura within Lin Qing. Although her cultivation had been sealed, the Snake-People Tribe's naturally cold constitution made her perception especially sharp.

She could not help narrowing her eyes. She should not have acted so hastily back then. If she had waited until this youth was alone and abducted him directly, that would have been enough. Then she remembered that her cultivation was sealed and her life was still in his hands, so she could only suppress the greedy thought in her heart and speak first. "Where are those two women?"

Lin Qing sat down boldly, picked up the teapot on the table, and poured Medusa a cup of tea before pouring one for himself. Then he slowly said:

"Oh, Qingzhu and Qing Chan are probably bathing. Queen Medusa, hello!"

"Human, who are you?"

Medusa did not return Lin Qing's greeting. Her imposing phoenix eyes stared fixedly at him as she asked in a somewhat unfriendly tone.

Even though her cultivation was currently sealed, she was strong-willed and arrogant by nature. Whether fighting or speaking with others, she was used to looking down from above.

Lin Qing shook his head. She was a prisoner, yet her words were still so sharp. Medusa truly had no self-awareness at all.

"Shouldn't you, Queen Medusa, introduce yourself first? You entered my territory and were then captured by Qingzhu and Qing Chan. You should know that you are now a prisoner."

People had to remember that when out in the world, one's status was something one gave oneself.

There was an older acquaintance from his previous life who had relied on nothing but his mouth to contract an entire logistics station despite having no money at all, then became his own boss.

He remembered the man telling him that when outside, one could make things up freely. As long as it sounded reasonable and no one exposed it before getting on board, one could make it.

In any case, once Medusa successfully evolved and got on board, she could forget about getting off! With Battle Saint potential, she was like an incomparably rare treasure, deeply attracting Lin Qing.

Thus, Lin Qing continued, "Since Your Majesty asked, I shall introduce myself first. I am Lin Qing, twelve years old, a Nine-Star Dou Spirit from Wutan City of the Jia Ma Empire, and a Sixth-Grade Alchemist."

Medusa's pupils contracted slightly. She did not know how the youth before her had achieved so much at such an age, but he definitely could not simply be from the Jia Ma Empire. He could command two Dou Zongs and two Dou Emperors to serve him; there might be an extraordinarily formidable teacher behind him.

She was also a prisoner. She knew that remaining forceful would only harm her, so her tone softened considerably at once.

"Medusa, Queen of the Snake-People Tribe. I accidentally entered your territory. May I ask if you can release me? If you do, my Snake-People Tribe will allow you to enter our treasury and choose whatever you wish."

Seeing that Medusa's tone had improved but that she was still unwilling to tell the truth, Lin Qing smiled faintly.

"Heh heh, my master is an Eighth-Rank Alchemist, and I have heard quite a few things about the Snake-People Tribe. Your Majesty did not accidentally wander in, did you? You came to seek the Heavenly Flames, break free of your bloodline shackles, and advance to the Dou Zong realm, correct? As for entering the treasury, the Snake-People Empire's treasury is indeed tempting, but how can I be sure you will not go back on your word? Your Snake-People Tribe still has five Dou Emperors! Your Grand Commander is a High-Rank Dou Emperor, and there are also four elders at the Dou Emperor Peak, just like you."

Looking at the smiling Lin Qing, a flash of alarm passed through Medusa's eyes, and her hand involuntarily trembled. The Snake-People Tribe's high-level combat strength had always been a secret. Even the newly promoted eight commanders did not know it, yet this human did.

And bloodline evolution was one of the Snake-People Tribe's most closely guarded secrets. Where had this human learned of it?

Still, Medusa suppressed the fear in her heart and asked calmly:

"Since you know everything, what is the meaning of telling me this?"

Seeing that Medusa had taken the bait, Lin Qing said seriously:

"I believe Your Majesty is unwilling to remain stuck at the Dou Emperor realm, right? Although the Snake-People Tribe is relatively safe at present, being wedged between several Empires is never a long-term solution!"

"Several Empires around the Snake-People Empire possess Dou Zong-level strength. Even the weakest Jia Ma Empire has Yun Shan and Jia Xing Tian, both of whom have already begun attempting to break through to the Dou Zong realm."

"So I wish to make a deal with Your Majesty. I can have Qingzhu remove your seal, but you must also remove someone else's seal for me. I can lend Your Majesty the Heavenly Flames I obtained underground for several months to aid your evolution. If you evolve successfully, I need Your Majesty to work for me for three years."

Once she got on board, she could forget about leaving. As for three years later? After evolving, a Spirit-Merging Pill alone could add another year or two. Four or five years later, he could offer her something else, such as the Myriad Beasts Fruit and Medicinal Pills.

As long as he understood and satisfied Medusa's needs, keeping her as his subordinate forever was not impossible.

Hearing Lin Qing's words, Medusa understood that after saying so much, he had merely taken a liking to her future potential and did not truly intend to destroy the Snake-People Tribe. Still, he was different from those fools whose minds were filled only with women. The way he looked at her was not lecherous; it was the gaze one used on a subordinate. This man wanted to bring her under his command. Thinking of this, the queen smiled.

"Removing the seal is acceptable, but evolution is far too dangerous. I cannot guarantee success. Besides, I will not work for someone for three years merely to borrow a Heavenly Flames."

Lin Qing tapped the table with his right hand.

"Then what if I add two Sect-Breaking Pills?"

Medusa was slightly stunned upon hearing Lin Qing's words. She had not expected him to be so straightforward and so lavish.

However, she still refused, though her tone had completely softened. "No!"

Lin Qing continued:

"I'll add one Transformation Pill, two Imperial Extreme Pills, two Dou Spirit Pills, and two Supreme Emperor Pills. You understand the first three without my explanation. The Supreme Emperor Pills were developed by my master; they can allow someone stuck at the Peak Dou King stage to directly advance to Dou Emperor. But the term must increase to four years."

Is this the generosity of an Eighth-Rank Alchemist's disciple? Medusa was shaken inwardly, marveling at Lin Qing's extravagant offer.

Faced with such generous terms, she could only agree.

"Fine! But you must give me the pills first! And if my evolution fails, you cannot take your anger out on the Snake-People Tribe."

She had no choice. Lin Qing was offering too much, and she was currently his prisoner. He might kill her because of her refusal and even vent his anger on the entire Snake-People Tribe.