The Black-Robed Woman

"So do I."

Long Xiao did not hold back either. Gazing at Medusa's irresistibly alluring figure, he broke into a brilliant smile.

"What are you trying to do?"

Sensing a hint of ill intent in Long Xiao's smile, Medusa's expression turned cold faster than someone could turn a page.

"What do you think?"

Long Xiao suddenly slipped an arm around Medusa's waist, pulled her into his embrace, and kissed her red lips.

His kiss left Medusa a little dazed, her heart racing.

"Your Majesty, surely I can't be expected to obey whenever you want it, only to be refused when I do?"

"You..."

Fuming, Medusa placed her hand on Long Xiao's waist again, ready to pinch hard if he misbehaved.

Seeing how flustered and angry she was, Long Xiao stopped teasing her and hurriedly released her. He really was afraid she would pinch the tender flesh at his waist.

Just then, a figure flashed over. It was a guard.

"Reporting to Your Majesty, Commander Yue Mei sent word that Gu He has arrived."

"Oh? Has he finally come?"

At the guard's report, Medusa's expression grew inscrutable.

Then she flew outside with Long Xiao.

Outside, the Eight Great Commanders were confronting Gu He and his three companions.

Among the four was a Black-Robed Woman who made the Eight Great Commanders wary.

Her black robe concealed her features, but the aura coming from her carried a hint of danger.

The middle-aged man leading them was Gu He. Two others were Feng Li and Mad Lion, both among the Ten Great Experts of the Jia Ma Empire. Yue Mei knew them all; they were all Dou Wang experts.

"Gu He, you actually dared to trespass into the Snake-People Tribe? Do you intend to wage war against us?"

Yue Mei's slender brows rose sharply as she stared at Gu He, her voice icy. She did not back down in the slightest because of his status.

Gu He's expression darkened slightly. Just as the rumors claimed, these snake-people were no kindly souls.

At those words, Mad Lion could no longer stand still beside Gu He. His gong-sized eyes locked onto Yue Mei as he snapped, "Such insolence! As it happens, I've been wanting to see what the Snake-People Tribe's experts can do!"

"Mad Lion, don't act recklessly," Feng Li warned.

Their only purpose on this trip was to help Gu He obtain the heavenly flame. This was the Snake-People Tribe's territory. Even with the Black-Robed Woman beside them lending a hand, they would be hard-pressed to gain any advantage.

Queen Medusa's fearsome reputation was no empty tale.

Mad Lion looked at Feng Li and sneered, "Feng Li, are you scared? Sect Master Yun hasn't said anything, so why are you yammering?"

"Fine! If you want a fight, I'll play with you!"

Yue Mei snorted angrily, a tremendous surge of Dou Qi erupting from her body. She, too, had reached the Dou Wang level.

She had long wanted to teach Mad Lion a lesson.

Mad Lion had a fiery temper as well. Without wasting another word, he swung his fists and charged at Yue Mei.

Both possessed Dou Wang-level cultivation, so they could naturally fight on equal footing.

But Mad Lion was heavily muscled, while Yue Mei was delicate and slender. After several exchanges, Mad Lion gradually gained the upper hand. He punched, and the phantom of an enormous lion emerged.

"Mad Lion Demon-Shattering Fist!"

With Mad Lion's sharp cry, the lion phantom appeared, baring its fangs and claws as it lunged to tear into Yue Mei.

"Enough! Mad Lion, stand down."

The Black-Robed Woman slashed her sword, sending a streak of azure sword energy shooting out to cleave the lion phantom apart.

"A Dou Huang expert?"

The Eight Great Commanders were shaken when they saw her act. Only a Dou Emperor could destroy Mad Lion's attack with such an effortless sword strike.

Though unwilling, Mad Lion could only stop attacking and retreat to one side. He looked at the black-robed Dou Emperor beside him, wariness surfacing in his eyes.

The Black-Robed Woman turned toward the Eight Great Commanders and said calmly, "We aren't here to cause trouble for the Snake-People Tribe. We simply have something to discuss with Queen Medusa. Sorry for the trouble, but please announce our arrival."

"Her Majesty is not someone you can see whenever you please. If you still refuse to leave, don't blame us for attacking!"

Mo Bass and the others looked at the Black-Robed Woman and her companions, killing intent surging in their eyes.

Their queen was now a Dou Zong expert, and they also had the mysterious Long Xiao. Even if the woman before them was a Dou Emperor, she was no match for the Snake-People Tribe.

"Are you sure you want to fight?"

The Black-Robed Woman looked at Mo Bass. Her gaze was calm, yet it carried an inexplicable pressure.

"Gu He, is this your attitude?"

Suddenly, a woman's voice rang out, brimming with authority. Then a graceful figure in red slowly approached from afar.

Nine-colored radiance shone around her.

She walked through the air, and with every step, the space around her trembled.

Beautiful, coldly alluring, noble, and regal.

She exuded a sovereign's commanding presence, inspiring awe and fear in all who beheld her.

The newcomer was none other than Queen Medusa!

"We pay our respects to Your Majesty."

Upon seeing Medusa, everyone from the Snake-People Tribe hurriedly bowed.

Wariness also appeared in the Black-Robed Woman's eyes as Medusa arrived. She sensed a dangerous aura emanating from her.

That dangerous aura left her struggling to breathe.

Hmm? Her gaze darkened. She had actually caught sight of Medusa's long, flawless, white-jade legs-and Medusa was walking through the air!

That was the hallmark of a Dou Zong!

Even a Dou Emperor could only fly by forming wings from Dou Qi.

"You successfully evolved?!"

The Black-Robed Woman stared at Medusa as she asked.

"That's right."

Medusa looked at the Black-Robed Woman, a mocking smile curling her lips.

The Black-Robed Woman's expression changed, and intense fear rose within her.

Medusa had successfully evolved and broken through to Dou Zong. That meant the Jia Ma Empire was in danger. The scales had already tipped to one side, and Medusa would surely turn her spearhead toward the Jia Ma Empire.

Seeing this, Gu He sighed as well. Obtaining the heavenly flame today would probably be impossible. They no longer had any bargaining power at all.

Gu He cupped his hands. "Queen Medusa, we came here with no ill intent..."

Medusa cut him off. "I know. You came for the heavenly flame."

"Unfortunately, it is no longer in my possession. Besides, even if I had it, I would not give it to you. Leave, or else..."

Before Medusa finished the latter half of her sentence, a mighty pressure radiated from her, killing intent filling the air and making their hearts tremble.

Such was the terror of a Dou Zong expert!

"Pfft!"

Mad Lion was hurled hundreds of meters away, his fate unknown.

That power was far too strong. They simply could not withstand it.

"Medusa, you've gone too far."

Seeing Mad Lion grievously injured, the Black-Robed Woman immediately rebuked her coldly.

"I've gone too far? Sect Master Yun, are you making a joke at my expense? Weren't you the ones who barged into my Snake-People Tribe?"

A cold smile appeared on Medusa's face as she continued, "Sect Master Yun, you wronged us first. How can you speak of me going too far?"

"Besides, what can you do to me?"

"You..."

The Black-Robed Woman's lovely face turned deathly pale with anger. She clenched the Three-Foot Sword in her hand, but there was nothing she could do.

Before a Dou Zong expert, their strength truly was not worth mentioning. Medusa could undoubtedly keep them all here.

Long Xiao merely watched from the air, with no intention of intervening. This was Medusa's own affair, and her current strength was more than enough to deal with these people and ensure her safety.

Still, he was a little surprised. The woman beneath that black robe was also such an exceptional beauty. Could most of this world's experts be women?

Then Long Xiao turned his gaze toward a large boulder. Beside it lurked a young man carrying a huge black ruler on his back. He was probably the person Yue Mei had mentioned.

"This brat wants to fish in troubled waters? Interesting."