The Green Lotus Core Flame still blazed at his side, and the surrounding air grew hotter by the moment.
Medusa took out a purple brocade robe and covered herself, her expression unreadable.
"What... did you call me?" Fan Tian's breathing grew slightly uneven, but his face betrayed nothing.
"Little man, what are you hoping for?" Medusa asked coldly, a chilling gleam in her narrow eyes.
"If you are willing to lend the Snake-People Tribe a hand, I might grant you a chance," she added, her expression aloof.
Fan Tian fell silent.
The Snake-People Tribe was Medusa's Achilles' heel. If he stood by and let Jia Xingtian and the others slaughter her people, she would surely harbor resentment. That was the last thing he wanted.
Besides, the queen had always been proud, yielding to neither coaxing nor force. Threatening her with her people's lives now would only be a low move.
To subdue a woman stubborn to her very bones, he had to overwhelm her openly and honorably in every respect, first winning her recognition, then conquering her pride. The queen admired strength, so he would show her what true strength meant; if she refused to bow, he would crush her stubbornness with his power. Only then would she truly submit.
"Your Majesty, I have no desire to exploit your distress, but expecting me to risk my life for you on the strength of a few words is hardly realistic."
Fan Tian raised a hand and gently lifted Medusa's chin.
Medusa did not pull away.
She tilted her face upward, a complex emotion churning in her serpentine eyes. It was neither fear nor anger.
Three parts coldness, three parts allure, three parts curiosity, and one part provocation.
"Then... what do you want?"
"The fire within me is difficult to quell just