The Snake-People Holy City.
The eight leaders of the Snake-People Tribe gathered together, their gazes slightly grave as they watched the two terrifying auras in the distance.
Those were the auras of their queen and the Great Elder!
"I never expected the Queen to be so furious today. That aura doesn't look like she's playing around."
Watching the two Dou Emperor auras surge ever more violently in the sky, Yin Shi's aged face grew solemn.
As the oldest and wisest of the Eight Great Elders, Yin Shi knew that their queen was truly enraged this time.
"Indeed!"
"Ever since the Queen's younger sister killed herself right before her eyes, the Queen has directed her fury at the Great Elder. That has never changed."
A trace of sorrow crossed Yue Mei's delicate face.
The Queen's twin sister, Die.
She had also been immensely powerful, far surpassing their eight leaders and reaching the strength of a Mid-Rank Dou Emperor.
Yet the Snake-People Tribe's cruel rules dictated that only the strongest could become queen. The weaker one had to die.
Thus, their Snake-People Tribe had lost a Dou Huang expert.
And their queen had lost her own sister!
Hearing Yue Mei's words, the other leaders' eyes flickered, as though they were pondering something.
The Snake-People Tribe's ruthless laws were deeply rooted in everyone's hearts. Yet Medusa, their queen, could not fully control the tribe, and the Great Elder was the reason.
Their Snake-People Tribe had a council of elders.
The Snake-People Tribe's Four Great Elders!
Every elder was an expert whose strength had reached the Dou Emperor level!
Although they were all low-level Dou Emperors, they were genuine Dou Emperors nonetheless.
Because of the elders' faction, even the support of all eight leaders could not help their queen.
Not only were the four elders extraordinarily powerful, but the Great Elder was also the previous queen of the Snake-People Tribe and deeply beloved by its people.
This meant that even if their queen wanted to reform the Snake-People Tribe, countless obstacles stood in her way!
That was why none of the leaders went to mediate between the Great Elder and Queen Medusa.
Even if they went, they would accomplish nothing. They might even force the other three elders to come forward.
If internal strife broke out within the Snake-People Tribe, outside enemies might invade, placing the entire tribe in danger.
Meanwhile, Chen Xuan and the Great Elder of the Snake-People Tribe had already left the Snake-People Tribe Ancestral Grounds and appeared in the sky.
Their two terrifying Dou Emperor energies continued to radiate unchecked, making space itself tremble slightly.
"Queen, do you intend to fight me?"
"Don't you know this will terrify the entire Snake-People Tribe and might even invite outsiders to invade?!"
Her face blazing with anger, Great Elder Snake Ji addressed Chen Xuan in the sky.
"Hmph!"
"Great Elder, times have changed. Starting today, I will let the entire Snake-People Tribe know who the queen is, and who truly rules this tribe!"
Chen Xuan's expression was icy as he spoke coldly to Great Elder Snake Ji.
Naturally, Chen Xuan had his reasons for displaying such fury.
Earlier, within the consciousness space, Chen Xuan had already thought through the direction the Snake-People Tribe's development should take.
But he had never expected that Medusa did not fully control the tribe, or that there was a Great Elder whose strength made her unwilling to submit.
To Chen Xuan, this was unacceptable!
Therefore, he had to make this Great Elder submit here and now, while telling the entire Snake-People Tribe that everything would change starting today!
"You...!"
Great Elder Snake Ji raised her right index finger and pointed fiercely at Chen Xuan. "Since that's how it is, let us fight!"
"Queen, don't think victory is already in your grasp just because you've broken through to Nine-Star Dou Emperor!"
In an instant, Snake Ji's body trembled. Green Dou Qi surged rapidly from within her, erupting violently as she pushed her strength to its utmost limit.
The peak of Six-Star Dou Emperor!
Chen Xuan remained indifferent, utterly calm.
Only a Six-Star Dou Emperor. With my Nine-Star Dou Emperor strength, I can crush her completely.
"Queen, this old woman's strength doesn't stop there!"
Seeing that Chen Xuan seemed entirely unconcerned, Snake Ji revealed a cold smile. She slowly raised both hands, touching her fingertips together to form a strange gesture.
The instant that strange gesture took shape, the Dou Qi around Snake Ji abruptly changed, its power rising continuously.
"Ten Thousand Snakes Secret Art!"
Snake Ji smiled coldly, then let out a sharp shout.
Rumble!
With her body at the center, Dou Qi within dozens of meters surged and roiled. Tens of thousands of energy threads writhed like long snakes through the air before rushing straight into her body.
Her strength increased visibly!
The peak of Six-Star Dou Emperor!
Seven-Star Dou Huang, mid-stage Seven-Star Dou Huang, Peak Seven-Star Dou Emperor...
Eight-Star Dou Emperor...
Even after reaching Eight-Star Dou Emperor, her aura showed no sign of stopping.
Rumble!
Then a terrifying surge of energy erupted.
Nine-Star Dou Emperor!
Snake Ji had risen straight from the peak of Six-Star Dou Emperor to Nine-Star Dou Emperor, advancing three levels in succession.
At this sight, even Chen Xuan's expression grew somewhat grave.
This so-called Ten Thousand Snakes Secret Art could actually raise a Dou Emperor's strength by three levels.
"It's actually the Ten Thousand Snakes Secret Art!"
Elsewhere within the Snake-People Tribe, Yin Shi, one of the eight leaders, exclaimed in shock.
"What is the Ten Thousand Snakes Secret Art, Leader Yin Shi?!" Yue Mei asked beside him, equally shaken.
All she had seen was the Great Elder's aura suddenly surging. In an instant, her strength had grown terrifyingly, becoming no weaker than their queen's.
The other leaders also looked puzzled.
"You're all still young. You don't know this Great Elder's deeds!" Hearing Yue Mei's question, Yin Shi slowly spoke with a solemn expression. "Hundreds of years ago, the Snake-People Tribe's queen suddenly passed away from old age. The tribe was left terribly vulnerable, and outside enemies invaded."
"The entire Snake-People Tribe hung by a thread. At that moment, Elder Snake Ji stepped forward. With only Peak Dou Wang strength, she defied the odds and slew a human Four-Star Dou Emperor, striking awe in all directions. What she relied upon was this Ten Thousand Snakes Secret Art."
What?!
How was that possible?!
Killing a Four-Star Dou Emperor with Peak Dou Wang strength—that was a Mid-Rank Dou Emperor!
"The Ten Thousand Snakes Secret Technique is a Secret Technique created by Great Elder Snake Ji herself. It can greatly increase her strength, allowing her to contend with opponents stronger than herself!"
Ignoring everyone's astonishment, Yin Shi continued, "That single battle made Elder Snake Ji a legend, and she became the next queen of the Snake-People Tribe. Under her resounding reputation, the entire tribe returned to the right path and grew even stronger. It is fair to say that Elder Snake Ji deserves immense credit for the strength our tribe possesses today."
That...!
Hearing this, Yue Mei, Mo Bass, Yan Ci, and the other leaders were utterly stunned.
The Great Elder actually possessed such strength. Didn't that mean their queen was in danger?!
"Your Majesty, as the Former Snake-People Tribe Queen, how could this old woman have protected the tribe without a few tricks?"
Looking at the slightly startled Chen Xuan, Snake Ji lifted her chin and spoke.
"Enough nonsense. Let's begin!"
At her words, Chen Xuan immediately regained his composure. He raised his right hand slightly and swept his palm.
A terrifying surge of energy swept through the sky, and a pitch-black weapon resembling a spear appeared in midair.
The moment that spear-like weapon appeared, black lightning flashed through the surrounding air, its terrifying aura shaking the space for hundreds of meters around.
With a slight movement of Chen Xuan's palm, the spear flickering with black lightning appeared in his hand!
The Fangtian Painted Halberd!
The Heaven Tier weapon Chen Xuan obtained through Sign-In!
Although Great Elder Snake Ji had surprised him somewhat, Chen Xuan remained unruffled.
Snake Ji was relying on a Secret Technique. Such a powerful Secret Technique was bound to have a time limit. As long as he could withstand her initial attacks, she would collapse without him even needing to strike.
The moment the Fangtian Painted Halberd entered his hand, Chen Xuan felt a jolt within.
It was as though the Fang Tian Painted Halberd possessed a soul. Once he held it, its energy began pouring continuously into his body.
As that energy flowed into him, Chen Xuan's strength actually began rising as well.
Nine-Star Dou Emperor, mid-stage Nine-Star Dou Emperor...
Finally, he reached Peak Dou Emperor!
As vast, surging energy poured into his body, surprise crossed Chen Xuan's face. He had actually reached Peak Dou Emperor strength!
"The Queen's strength has increased too! Peak Dou Emperor—this is the power of a Peak Dou Emperor!"
Mo Bass stared fixedly at Chen Xuan in the sky, his eyes filled with shock.
Their queen had only broken through to Nine-Star Dou Emperor yesterday, yet now she had reached Peak Dou Emperor!
Unbelievable. Simply unbelievable!
The other leaders also wore stunned expressions.
"It must be because of that weapon!"
Yue Mei's face was solemn as she watched the weapon in Chen Xuan's hand.
Ever since the Fangtian Painted Halberd appeared, Yue Mei had felt her heart quail.
A weapon could actually make her heart quail. It was simply inconceivable.
"It is indeed because of that weapon!" Yin Shi's expression was equally grave, his eyes fixed on the Fang Tian Painted Halberd in the sky. "I can sense how terrifying it is. It contains endless slaughter and bloody energy. It must be a weapon steeped in countless killings."
"And I'm afraid its true terror has yet to reveal itself."
Everyone looked extremely solemn, staring intently at the Great Elder and Chen Xuan in the sky.
They knew this battle was now inevitable.
In the sky, Great Elder Snake Ji's expression also darkened. She had truly never expected Medusa to possess such a terrifying weapon.
It could actually channel its energy into its wielder, directly increasing the wielder's strength.
Such a weapon was simply unheard of!
Their gazes met in midair. In the next instant, both figures vanished.
Rumble!
The power of two High-Rank Dou Emperors collided in the sky. A terrifying shock wave swept across the entire Snake-People Holy City, and countless members of the tribe looked up at the two figures, fear filling their eyes.
Shock and terror rose in their hearts.
They truly could not understand why their tribe's two strongest experts were fighting each other!
Boom! Boom! Boom!
While everyone stood stunned, the two did not pause at all. Terrifying clashes erupted directly in the sky.
A streak of black Dou Qi and a streak of green energy collided repeatedly in midair.
In only a few dozen breaths, they exchanged hundreds of blows before coming to a halt at opposite ends of the sky.
Chen Xuan's expression remained unchanged, utterly calm.
Great Elder Snake Ji's face was dark, her eyes fixed fiercely on Chen Xuan.
She had never expected Queen Medusa's strength to improve so much in such a short time.
Although his fine control of Dou Qi seemed far inferior to before, the violent power of that strange black Dou Qi seemed capable of suppressing everything.
Even her own Dou Qi was devoured during their clashes.
That even more formidable weapon was terrifying beyond measure. Every casual swing unleashed an attack comparable to a High-Rank Dou Emperor's full-powered strike.
After only a few dozen breaths of fighting, Snake Ji had already fallen into a disadvantage.
Whoosh!
The next moment, Snake Ji's figure flashed. The wings on her back beat as she flew straight toward the endless desert outside Snake People City.
Chen Xuan's figure flickered as well, vanishing directly from above the Snake-People Holy City.
Seeing this, Yue Mei, Mo Bass, Yin Shi, and the others immediately gave chase.
These were the Snake-People Tribe's two strongest experts. If anything happened to either of them, it would be a loss for the entire tribe.
In the Tagor Desert, two terrifying auras collided repeatedly in the sky. Countless desert magical beasts vanished from sight, leaving only the two Dou Huang experts' Dou Qi clashing overhead.
After a long while, the two halted in the sky again.
"Impossible! How could you be this powerful!"
Great Elder Snake Ji stared at Chen Xuan in the sky, her face filled with shock.
She knew Medusa's strength. She was merely someone who had just broken through to Nine-Star Dou Emperor.
But the power he now displayed was completely different from what she had shown before.
Black Dou Qi, a strange weapon!
Great Elder Snake Ji had been suppressed by him throughout the entire battle, without any chance to fight back.
"Have you noticed that the Dou Qi the Queen is using is different from before?!" Yue Mei, who had followed them, suddenly asked. "The Queen has never used a weapon, and her Dou Qi has always been red. Why is it black this time?"
"Indeed. The Queen's control over Dou Qi is also far worse than before. One could even call it extremely crude. She is simply crushing her opponent with her boundless, overwhelming power." Yin Shi opened his narrowed eyes, a peculiar gleam flashing through them.
Hiss... hiss, hiss...!
While everyone was puzzling over this, Great Elder Snake Ji's aura suddenly soared in the sky. Green Dou Qi surged and compressed continuously, giving off sharp hissing sounds.
Then the Dou Qi gathered in midair, and an enormous, illusory Snake Shadow appeared. As more Dou Qi poured into it, it gradually solidified.
Moments later, a massive energy snake dozens of meters long appeared in the sky. Its terrifying energy sent ripples through space, as though space itself could not withstand such a dreadful attack.
"That's an Earth-Rank Dou Technique!"
At this sight, Yin Shi could not help exclaiming in horror.
Gathering the energy of heaven and earth and throwing space into turmoil-these were the hallmarks of an Earth-Rank Dou Technique.
Hiss, hiss!
"Serpent Shadow Tribulation!"
Great Elder Snake Ji's face was utterly grim. As she slowly raised both hands, the enormous Snake Shadow swept toward Chen Xuan like lightning, making even the void hiss.
"Azure Dragon Break!"
Seeing this, Chen Xuan's expression remained unchanged. He lightly touched the void with the Fang Tian Painted Halberd in his hand.
Thud!
Like a dragonfly skimming the water, the touch sent a ripple of black energy through the void, which then spread outward in ever-widening waves.
Black Dou Qi surged within Chen Xuan's body, instantly taking the form of an enormous black dragon.
A terrifying dragon's roar shook the space for tens of thousands of meters!
Crack! Crack!
As the enormous black dragon appeared, the surrounding space actually began to crack.
"This is bad!"
At the sight, Yue Mei shouted, "Run! Space won't be able to withstand this!"
She instantly retreated hundreds of meters, still fleeing desperately for her life.
The other leaders reacted swiftly as well, each mustering every last ounce of strength to escape the area.
Rumble!
The next instant, the dragon and serpent collided head-on in the void.
Crack! Crack! Crack!
Rumble!
The instant the energies collided, the void suddenly shattered, and black spatial ruptures ran rampant across heaven and earth.
A spatial storm engulfed the surrounding void for thousands of meters.
Pfft!
The next instant, Great Elder Snake Ji spat out a mouthful of blood. Her aura steadily weakened, her strength plunging straight from Nine-Star Dou Emperor back to Six-Star Dou Emperor.
The shattered space continued to expand, sweeping straight toward Great Elder Snake Ji.
At the sight, Snake Ji's face filled with despair.
Whoosh!
Just as the spatial storm was about to swallow her, a streak of black light flashed out of the void.
A spear materialized and struck directly at the heart of the spatial storm.
Rumble!
The two terrifying forces clashed relentlessly, each seemingly bent on devouring the other, neither yielding an inch.
As they wore each other down, the two forces gradually dissipated, and peace returned to heaven and earth.
Elder Snake Ji raised her head slightly and looked at the figure slowly emerging. She sighed. "You've won. I'm at your mercy!"
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