Getting to the Point

Ink-black hair poured down her back like a waterfall, her slender waist swayed with effortless grace, and her flaming red lips seemed to burn with desire. With jade bones and icy skin, her allure came naturally.

Only after truly seeing Medusa Queen did Chen Xiao understand that her reputation for beauty was no baseless rumor.

This woman could indeed only be described as bewitching, yet her allure was not vulgar. Instead, she possessed a distinct, dignified elegance.

"Mite'er Teng Shan. That is a rather familiar surname. Speak plainly. Why have you come seeking me with such fanfare? I remember that the Snake-People Race and the Mite'er Family have had no dealings."

Medusa Queen glanced at Teng Shan walking ahead, her gaze sweeping over the mysterious Black Robe beside him and the little Da Dou Shi protected in the center, her tone calm.

The Mite'er Family was known to almost everyone in the Jia Ma Empire, so Medusa Queen naturally understood it as well.

More importantly, seeing Teng Shan made her think of an old acquaintance, an old fellow who held the status of Grand Elder of the Mite'er Family, whose strength was only average, yet whose mouth was full of shameless nonsense.

Teng Shan smiled politely and saluted with one fist pressed into his palm.

"Many thanks to Your Majesty for granting us this meeting. We came to the Holy City today because this junior of mine has a request. There are some matters he wishes to discuss with Your Majesty. He is young and has not dealt with many people before. If he causes any offense, I hope Your Majesty will be magnanimous."

Courtesy never hurt, so Teng Shan gave a warning in advance.

With that said, he shifted one step to the side, revealing the young man he had been protecting behind him.

It would have been impossible to say he was not nervous. Being watched by a Peak Dou Huang expert was immensely pressuring, even if she had done nothing at all.

Fortunately, Chen Xiao was no ordinary teenage boy. His mental composure was quite good even compared with an adult's.

Taking a light breath, Chen Xiao stepped forward and raised his hand slightly in greeting.

"Seven Star Da Dou Shi. Your talent is indeed remarkable. Are you a member of the Mite'er Family?"

Just as Chen Xiao was about to speak, the woman on the throne spoke first.

With her forceful personality, whether in battle or in ordinary conversation, she was used to taking the initiative.

It was an ordinary, calm question that seemed to carry no deeper meaning.

But after learning about the grudge between her and Hai Bo Dong, and even that she had once placed the Serpent Sealing Curse on him, everyone's hearts tightened slightly at once, afraid that Chen Xiao would simply agree and thereby make Medusa Queen become wary, giving rise to the thought of eliminating in advance this variable who might become a threat.

For everyone to imagine this was somewhat like judging a gentleman by a petty man's standards, but it was not completely impossible.

Fortunately, Chen Xiao did not disappoint them. Under everyone's gazes, he slowly shook his head.

"No. My name is Chen Xiao. I only met that Ice Emperor of the Mite'er Family a few days ago. Seeing that my attribute was suitable and that I had some talent, he wanted to take me as his disciple, but I refused, because I already have a teacher."

After spending a few days with Hai Bo Dong, Chen Xiao had learned many things.

Not just combat experience, but also how to deal with people.

When away from home, one had to remember that identity was something one gave oneself.

Just like Hai Bo Dong. He himself might never even have used a Royal Extreme Pill, yet he could use a Royal Extreme Pill as bait to entice Chen Xiao into becoming his disciple.

In short, it came down to one sentence: as long as it was reasonable and would not be exposed in a short time, you could make up whatever you wanted.

Medusa Queen nodded lightly without showing any change in expression and continued asking casually, "Little one, how old are you?"

"Twelve."

Hearing this answer, not only Medusa Queen, but even Teng Shan and the other five experts who had traveled with him could not help feeling shocked.

Nalan Jie in particular felt that the comparison he had made back then seemed utterly laughable.

A twelve-year-old Da Dou Shi—its value was far beyond that of an eleven-year-old Dou Zhe.

"Hai Bo Dong truly is not qualified to be your teacher."

After making that casual comment, a faint, slender curve lifted the red lips on Medusa Queen's stunning face. In an instant, her exquisite features became even more richly bewitching, and every frown and smile carried boundless temptation.

"Speak. Why have you come to me?"

They had finally gotten to the point!

Chen Xiao relaxed inwardly and cupped his fists. "It is still because of that Ice Emperor. A few days ago, although I refused the Ice Emperor's offer to take me as his disciple, he also proposed some conditions that tempted me. I could not become his disciple, yet I still wanted those things, so I made a bet with him. I would ask Your Majesty to undo the Serpent Sealing Curse for him. If I failed, he would become my second teacher."

Ninety-nine percent honest.

Medusa Queen understood, and a trace of curiosity immediately rose in her heart.

From her perspective, having Chen Xiao become Hai Bo Dong's disciple was also something she did not want to see.

Leaving aside whether the other teacher Chen Xiao mentioned existed or not, Chen Xiao's talent alone was worth taking seriously.

If Hai Bo Dong took him in, then perhaps in less than twenty years, the Snake-People Race might gain another great enemy.

However, if this reason alone was meant to make her remove Hai Bo Dong's seal, it was still far from enough.

There was more than one way to eliminate a hidden danger.

"You seem quite confident. I would like to hear how you intend to persuade me."

Hearing this, Chen Xiao flipped his palm and took out a sheet of paper from his Storage Ring, giving a slight gesture.

Medusa Queen raised her hand and beckoned, and the paper fell into her jade-like hand.

Turning it over, she saw that there were only two neat words written on it.

Heavenly Flames!

Medusa Queen's pupils narrowed slightly.

In recent years, she had long since sensed that though she had clearly reached Peak Dou Huang and could advance almost no further, there had never been any sign of a breakthrough. She had tried many times, all to no avail.

Left with no choice, she could only seek another method.

And so, one secret art of the Snake-People Race had entered her sights.

However, that secret art was not only extremely dangerous, the Heavenly Flames it required were even harder to find. Countless alchemists had no clue about them, let alone her.

Looking at the two words on the paper before her, Medusa Queen could not help but wonder, could this little fellow know of the Snake-People Race's secret art?

Otherwise, why would he use Heavenly Flames as bait?

Moreover, whether he truly knew the whereabouts of Heavenly Flames was also a question.

But no matter what, to Medusa Queen, who was desperate to break through, this was a hope, and she was willing to listen to Chen Xiao ramble on a little more.

With a casual wipe, the paper in her hand turned to ash. Medusa Queen looked toward Teng Shan and the others.

"You lot, leave the temple and wait outside."

The matter of Heavenly Flames had to be kept secret. The fewer people who knew, the better.

Chen Xiao had informed her in writing, clearly knowing this as well.

Hearing Medusa Queen's order, Teng Shan and the others hesitated somewhat.

"Then we ask Your Majesty not to close the temple doors. I already promised Old Hai that I would ensure Chen Xiao's safety. He must remain within our sight."

Medusa Queen neither agreed nor disagreed, too lazy to answer.

If I truly intended to act, what difference would it make whether the five of you were inside the hall or outside it?

However, after Teng Shan and the other four withdrew from the great hall, she did not close the temple doors either.

With a casual motion, she laid down a soundproof Barrier, then Medusa Queen turned her gaze back onto Chen Xiao.

"I hope you are not toying with me. Speak. What do you know?"