On the Dou Qi Continent, strength reigned supreme-subduing Medusa!

"Tsk, tsk. So this is the legendary Queen Medusa..."

Lin Chen stood with his arms folded, his eyes burning as he studied Queen Medusa, whose fearsome reputation resounded throughout the Jia Ma Empire.

A moment later, he stroked his chin and offered his verdict. "Truly formidable..."

Meanwhile, Queen Medusa swept her regal eyes over Lin Chen's party, instinctively passing over the three Dou Wang experts. Her gaze settled on Hai Bodong and the others before, after a moment's consideration, finally fixing on Hai Bodong.

Her eyes narrowed, a cold gleam flashing within them. "So it's you. I spared you back then, yet you still dare to come here. Have you gathered so many experts today to seek revenge?"

Hai Bodong's expression changed instantly under Queen Medusa's stare. He instinctively retreated several steps to Lin Chen's side and glanced at him, receiving a slight nod in return.

Emboldened, he declared loudly, "Your Majesty misunderstands. I came here with Master Lin Chen. I stopped taking those old grievances to heart long ago."

"The one who summoned us here today is the Sixth-Grade Alchemist standing before you!"

With that, Hai Bodong stepped behind Lin Chen, placing him out in front like a bodyguard who followed Lin Chen's every lead.

"A Sixth-Grade Alchemist?"

Queen Medusa's expression shifted slightly. Her chest heaved for an instant, sending milky-white waves rolling, before she fixed her gaze on Lin Chen, inwardly appalled.

Why would a distinguished Sixth-Grade Alchemist visit my tribe's remote backwater? Has the heavenly flame been exposed?

But I haven't finished my preparations. Damn it, is my Snake-People Tribe truly so ill-favored by fortune?

Lin Chen knew nothing of Queen Medusa's thoughts, though he could more or less guess some of them. He stepped forward.

Cupping his hands, he said with a smile, "I am Lin Chen. I have long heard that Queen Medusa of the Snake-People Tribe possesses beauty fit to topple a nation, enchanting and alluring—the foremost beauty of the four neighboring empires. Seeing you today, I can say your reputation is well deserved."

"To be frank, I came for the green lotus core flame in Your Majesty's possession. I hope you would be willing to part with it."

"I will certainly offer compensation that satisfies Your Majesty."

"What green lotus core flame? I have no idea what you mean, Master. This is sacred ground belonging to my Snake-People Tribe, and humans have never been permitted to set foot here. Unless you have important business, leave at once."

"Since this is your first offense, I will not hold you accountable. But if you refuse to leave, do not blame me for showing no mercy."

Queen Medusa snorted coldly. The aura of a Peak Dou Emperor spread outward as purple flames surged around her, forming the phantom of an immense purple serpent that roared in every direction.

"Roar!"

Overwhelming pressure spread out. "Xiao Yan," possessed by Yao Lao, narrowed his eyes and raised a hand slightly. The others reacted as well, preparing to resist.

Lin Chen merely chuckled. The Dark-Blue Flame rose, cascading like a waterfall and forming an equally massive serpent of fire. It coiled upward into a blue flame barrier before the group.

Bang!

The two terrifying auras collided. Purple waves surged endlessly like a raging tide, while the blue barrier trembled without pause. Ripples spread across its surface like rings on water, accompanied by piercing hisses.

It swayed from side to side and shook up and down, looking as though it would shatter at any moment, yet it held firm.

Finally, with a pop, a large section of the curtainlike flame barrier abruptly caved inward. As though it had finally gathered enough power, it burst into brilliant light. Countless watery ripples converged, forming a dazzling pillar of flame that shot outward!

Turning the opponent's strength against them—what masterful flame control. This boy actually has such talent for manipulating fire?

High in the sky, "Xiao Yan's" pupils contracted slightly. His raised hand slowly lowered again as he marveled inwardly. Even I couldn't have done that at his age.

"Simply unbelievable. How many years has this boy even cultivated? He truly was born to be an alchemist!"

"Little Yanzi, remember this: you must befriend him in the future. Never make an enemy of him!"

"Teacher, didn't you say last night that Senior Lin Chen was as crafty as a fox, and tell me not to get too close to him?"

Xiao Yan's surprised voice rang out within his mind.

Without a change in expression, Yao Lao countered, "Did I ever say that? You remembered wrong. Enough. Your green lotus core flame should be assured this time. Watch this boy fight."

"Queen Medusa may be no ordinary opponent, but two fists cannot contend with four hands. She'll probably fall this time."

Meanwhile, high in the sky, a dazzling blue pillar of light shot toward the Snake-People Holy City.

Queen Medusa's expression changed drastically. She formed seals with both hands, and her abundant Dou Qi surged out, transforming into a gigantic purple-flame serpent head. Visible strands of heaven and earth energy converged, howling above the Holy City.

"Purple Flame Snake Demon Seal!"

The next moment, Queen Medusa's cold shout rang out. The purple-flame serpent head swelled in the wind, growing dozens of zhang across as it lunged to swallow the blue pillar of light!

Crack!

The giant serpent opened its blood-red maw and instantly swallowed the thick blue pillar. Then it slowly closed its jaws, countless purple flames rising around it. Like an enormous purple sun, it was about to hurtle toward Lin Chen!

Lin Chen remained unhurried. He simply snapped his fingers and chuckled. "Burst!"

Boom!

In an instant, countless streams of dark-blue frost burst from the serpent's mouth. A terrifying temperature erupted into the utmost cold, instantly freezing the giant serpent into a lifelike ice sculpture.

Then, beneath Medusa's incredulous gaze, it exploded!

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!

Countless ice crystals scattered in every direction. The terrifying shards, like the sharpest blades in the world, tore through the air with explosive cracks and rained down on Medusa, blotting out the sky!

Damn it, he definitely possesses a heavenly flame. Only a heavenly flame could have such power!

Queen Medusa clenched her teeth. Dou Qi poured from her body, forming a purple dome of light around her. Before she could catch her breath, however, an earth-shaking dragon's roar suddenly erupted!

Roar!

Invisible sound waves spread outward, instantly passing through the energy barrier and penetrating Queen Medusa's ears. There was simply no guarding against them!

Queen Medusa's vision went black. The Dou Qi barrier surrounding her suddenly slipped out of her control, splitting with several almost imperceptible cracks.

The instant those cracks appeared, a hand wreathed in dark-blue flames slipped unhindered through the barrier and wrapped around her waist. An extreme chill then seeped into her body, instantly stiffening her once-warm, delicate frame and leaving her unable to move!

"Forgive the offense, Your Majesty."

When Queen Medusa regained her senses, she raised her imposing eyes and found herself lying in the arms of the man she had just fought. He wore a smile and gazed at her gently, but her expression instantly changed.

"You..."

"Release me!"

A blush rose across Medusa's face. Whether it came from anger or embarrassment at lying in a man's arms for the first time, she could not tell. She instinctively tried to summon her Dou Qi, only to discover that every meridian in her body had been frozen by an inexplicable chill!