The Queen's Kin Arrived; Off to the Snake-People Tribe

At those words, Xiao Yan glanced at Medusa, who stood beside him in a maid's outfit, and smiled faintly. He joked with Yao Lao in his mind, Looks like her family has come calling.

(With Yao Lao present, it was an ordinary, modest maid's outfit.)

Even Yao Lao was taken aback by his shamelessness. He laughed and scolded him, "You little brat. You're getting more thick-skinned by the day."

"It's only a matter of time," Xiao Yan said confidently.

Beside him, Medusa remained focused on feeding Xiao Yan, unaware of their private exchange.

Medusa's ability to learn was remarkable.

After all the time he had spent training her, she had become quite adept at serving him.

If the Snake-People Tribe's fervent devotees learned that the queen they revered like a goddess was serving a human as a maid, they would probably come for Xiao Yan's life on the spot.

Xiao Yan had enjoyed himself enough for now. He decided to take the opportunity to return to the Snake-People Tribe with Medusa and help her awaken her bloodline.

Awakening it here might attract unnecessary trouble.

It would be nothing he and Yao Lao could not handle, but the less trouble, the better.

He patted Medusa's bottom, stood up, and said with a grin, "Little Sasha, go change. It's time to meet your family."

It was hardly the first time Xiao Yan had called her that. At first, Medusa had been so unused to it that her face flushed with anger every time. But he kept saying it, and over time she had gradually grown numb to it.

What embarrassed and infuriated her most was his talk of "her family." What was that supposed to mean? He made it sound as though they truly had that kind of intimate relationship.

Embarrassed and annoyed as she was, Medusa hurried off to change.

If her subordinates caught her dressed as a maid, how could she ever show her face as their queen again?

While Medusa changed, Xiao Yan found Hai Bodong and briefly told him he was going to visit the Snake-People Tribe.

"Young Master, I'll go with you!" The prospect made Hai Bodong uneasy, but he offered to accompany Xiao Yan without hesitation.

Ever since Medusa had personally sealed him years ago, the sight of her had sent a chill through Hai Bodong.

Even though Xiao Yan had now brought Medusa under his control, that lingering fear had never entirely faded.

For Hai Bodong to volunteer to go along had taken considerable courage.

Pleased with his attitude, Xiao Yan patted him on the shoulder and smiled. "Don't worry, Elder Hai. I can go alone. Please protect Qing Lin and her mother, as well as my two elder brothers."

He had not forgotten the two potential threats posed by the Heavenly Snake Mansion and the Mo Family.

Qing Lin had awakened her Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils ahead of time, and he could not be sure whether events might unfold early as a result. Leaving Hai Bodong in Stone Desert City was the safer choice.

Seeing that Xiao Yan had made up his mind, Hai Bodong accepted his orders and stayed behind, though he remained worried.

After settling matters with Hai Bodong, Xiao Yan returned to his residence.

Medusa had changed back into her usual clothes. Once more, she was the aloof and noble Queen Medusa.

The sudden change in her bearing made even Xiao Yan pause, struck by her beauty and poise.

Sensing his momentary daze, Medusa felt a tiny, almost imperceptible thrill.

She thought smugly, Didn't you say I was too old for you, that you weren't interested in me? And yet here you are, captivated all the same.

Xiao Yan came to his senses and scratched his head with a smile. He released the seal on Medusa's Dou Qi, then left Stone Desert City with her.

Along the way, he explained the awakening of her bloodline in detail.

Medusa readily agreed, excitement rising within her.

They had not been there long when two figures appeared in the distance, racing toward them on Dou Qi Transformation Wings.

They were two of the Snake-People Tribe's Four Great Elders, both elderly women.

Each of the Four Great Elders possessed the strength of a Dou Emperor. They were the tribe's last line of defense.

They usually spent their time in secluded cultivation. Only the queen's sudden disappearance had caused them to be awakened early.

The moment the two Elders saw Medusa, they hurried forward. "Your Majesty, are you all right?"

"I am unharmed," Medusa replied, her former cool pride restored.

Only after confirming again and again that Medusa was safe did they let out a long breath of relief.

Queen Medusa was vital to the Snake-People Tribe. She was not only its strongest protector, but also an irreplaceable pillar of faith for every Snake-Person.

If anything had truly happened to Medusa, it would have been a devastating blow to the tribe.

Once reassured, the two turned their attention to Xiao Yan.

They had not noticed him earlier. They had been too worried about their queen, and a mere Dou Ling seemed so weak to them that they had overlooked him without thinking.

"Your Majesty, why is there a damned human at your side?" the Fourth Elder asked, frowning with distaste.

"Mind your manners!" Medusa's brows drew together. Her regal presence surged outward as she snapped at the Elder.

The two Elders had never seen Medusa react like this.

Come to think of it, the last time the queen had been so angry was over an incident many years ago.

They could not help growing curious about Xiao Yan. Who was this human, that the queen would defend him so fiercely?

Xiao Yan watched the exchange and nodded to himself, pleased with Medusa's response.

Thinking of the relationship she could not speak of, Medusa blushed faintly. She held her composure and introduced him to the two Elders. "This is Lord Xiao Yan. From this day forward, he is an honored guest of the Snake-People Tribe. Treat him as you would treat me. No one is to show him disrespect!"

To preserve at least some dignity before her subordinates, Medusa left out part of the truth about their relationship. She said nothing of master and servant.

After speaking, she cast Xiao Yan a worried glance, afraid he might take offense and expose her in front of the two Elders.

But Xiao Yan only winked at her and smiled. He said nothing more.

In private, he could train and humble this queen as he pleased. Before her people, though, he would give her the respect she deserved.

The two Elders were stunned to see their queen speak so highly of a human.

They could hardly imagine why a mere Dou Ling would receive such special treatment from her.

Looking at Xiao Yan's handsome young face, they could not help wondering, Surely this boy isn't the queen's pretty boy?

Still, they asked no questions. Their queen had spoken, and they would obey.

But when they exchanged a glance, each saw the same trace of concern in the other's eyes.