Chapter 103: Facing Queen Medusa Head-On
Boom!
Mobaas's Dou Qi streak shot forth in an instant, but just before reaching Xiao Yan, it was frozen into a long, white icicle that fell to the ground.
Then, Xiao Yan—dressed in black, wearing a hood that concealed his face and exuding a Dou Huang-level aura—flicked his finger, and Mobaas's attack shattered into a shower of ice shards. These fragments reversed direction, carrying even more ferocious force and terrifying speed as they blasted back toward Mobaas.
Mobaas quickly tried to block it, but was nonetheless sent flying by the sheer power of the impact!
"A Dou Huang powerhouse!?"
Mobaas stabilized his body, his expression darkening.
Meanwhile, Gu He and his group in the sky were visibly stunned by the sudden appearance of a Dou Huang.
A dignified Dou Huang, sneaking in like some shady thief?
More importantly, he nearly succeeded!
Queen Medusa looked at the newly emerged Dou Huang with little emotion, though a sly glint flashed deep within her eyes.
Gu He's gaze flickered momentarily before he spoke loudly: "Friend, I am Gu He, a sixth-tier alchemist. I imagine our goals may be aligned. Would you be willing to cooperate with us? We can discuss any kind of reward!"
Under the hood, a strange expression appeared on Xiao Yan's shadowed face.
"No need."
Yao Lao's aged voice rang out, and Gu He's expression immediately changed as he exclaimed:
"You're a sixth-tier alchemist too?"
At this, everyone present reacted with shock.
"Sixth-tier?" Yao Lao sneered faintly. "Call me that if you like."
Gu He wasn't a fool. He could hear the disdain in Yao Lao's tone. Given the man's strength as a Dou Huang and the sound of his voice, which hinted at old age, it was very likely he was actually a seventh-tier alchemist.
That realization doused the excitement in Gu He's heart like a bucket of cold water.
The nearby powerhouses accompanying him were also confused.
When did the Jia Ma Empire gain an alchemist of such strength?
Could he be from elsewhere on the continent?
Yun Yun, too, curiously glanced at the mysterious figure. Though Xiao Yan had moved swiftly to put on the hood earlier, she'd caught a glimpse—it was clearly the face of a young man.
In fact, his appearance bore a striking resemblance to that little rascal…
Could they be related?
Meanwhile, Xiao Yan was rather helpless.
He hadn't expected to be exposed so early!
"Teacher, what should we do now? Fight?"
Xiao Yan asked mentally, clearly frustrated.
"Hmm… don't be hasty. That Queen Medusa's aura is stronger than mine. We can't act rashly. Let's observe for now. Besides, Xiao Yuan has already gone in—we can afford to stall a bit."
Yao Lao's calm and calculated response eased Xiao Yan's nerves somewhat.
"You all carry on. Since I've been discovered, I'll keep out of your affairs."
Yao Lao waved dismissively at the people in the sky, then led Xiao Yan to sit cross-legged atop a dune, looking as though he truly had no intention of getting involved.
Of course, no one believed that.
Both Gu He's and Queen Medusa's sides turned their gazes toward him.
"How about I send a soul transmission to summon a few Dou Huangs to keep you company?"
Yao Lao sneered, unleashing an overwhelming wave of soul force. All present, except Queen Medusa and the black-robed Yun Yun, were forced to retreat. Even the flying magical beast in the sky showed fear and flapped away quickly.
Gu He sighed and whistled, releasing his soul force to calm the fleeing beast.
But after the blast, Yao Lao suddenly grew uneasy.
"Damn it! That Queen Medusa is only a Dou Qi avatar! Xiao Yuan is in danger!"
His irritated voice echoed in Xiao Yan's mind.
"What? She's a fake?"
Xiao Yan asked in shock.
"That's right. I didn't dare probe too deeply earlier, just sensed some instability in her aura. But during the soul flare, I realized she's merely an energy body imbued with a trace of Queen Medusa's consciousness. The real Queen Medusa must be elsewhere… preparing to evolve."
Yao Lao paused at the end, clearly hesitant.
Could it be… Xiao Yuan had seen through the fake and charged in precisely because of that?
After all, interrupting Queen Medusa during her evolution could be disastrous—but with Xiao Yuan's strength and his Heavenly Flame, it wasn't impossible.
"Teacher, we have to go in!"
Xiao Yan didn't overthink it. He only knew his third brother might be facing a Dou Huang-level threat any moment—and he needed help.
But Yue Mei was already standing guard at the temple entrance.
Mobaas also watched Gu He and his party warily.
"Yeah, that brat was too reckless!"
After some thought, Yao Lao decided to enter the temple. He couldn't afford to lose either of these precious disciples!
A terrifying aura erupted as Yao Lao took control of Xiao Yan's body, and the two charged toward the temple.
Seeing the mysterious figure, who moments ago claimed neutrality, now sprinting toward the temple, everyone present cursed inwardly at his shamelessness.
"Stop him!"
Queen Medusa ordered coldly.
Too late!
Mobaas and Yue Mei immediately moved to intercept the intruder.
Gu He frowned. Send two Dou Wangs to stop a Dou Huang?
What was Queen Medusa thinking?
Yun Yun's gaze flickered slightly as she stared at the seductive figure. A strange look crossed her eyes.
Moments later, she murmured, "Something's not right with that Queen Medusa."
—Meanwhile—
Outside was locked in stalemate, but Xiao Yuan's infiltration was going smoothly.
Using the resonance between Heavenly Flames and his powerful soul perception, he quickly pinpointed the flame's location. Avoiding patrols along the way, he soon reached a small, crystal-clear lake.
At the center was a tiny island, surrounded by rippling water, with no bridges or paths leading to it.
Standing by the lake, Xiao Yuan observed the clear waters, then tossed in a rock.
Immediately, a strange energy surged and vaporized the rock to nothing.
"No flying allowed—and poisonous?"
Narrowing his eyes, Xiao Yuan released the Yin-Yang Twin Flames to envelop his entire body.
"Wish me luck!"
Muttering to himself, he jumped straight into the lake.
Like a diver, he broke the surface and plunged into the water. Glancing at the black and white flames around him, his pupils contracted—the lake around him was already boiling violently due to the intense heat of his Heavenly Flame.
Tiny streams of deep purple liquid, barely visible, began to emerge from the bubbling water. As they neared the black and white flames, they burned away into nothing.
"Such potent poison!"
Feeling his Dou Qi rapidly draining, Xiao Yuan's face darkened. He swam swiftly toward the island.
As he neared the center, his soul perception picked something up. Alarmed, he drew a spear from his storage ring and unleashed Gale's Edge: Execution, hurling the weapon forward.
He then launched himself from the water like a wisp of wind.
The spear, cloaked in wind Dou Qi, shot through the water like a swordfish and struck a massive snake with emerald scales and a triangular head. Though incredibly powerful, the attack only pierced its armor, forcing it back.
Luckily, that gave Xiao Yuan just enough time to land safely on the central island.
"That was close…"
Looking back at the snake that now hesitated outside the island, he breathed a sigh of relief.
So far, everything had gone according to plan.
No jinxing!
He banished those thoughts and turned to survey the island. It wasn't large, but was lush with bamboo and flowers, full of vibrant life.
Suppressing his aura, Xiao Yuan returned to looking like a normal person and strode into the bamboo grove.
Though the path had many twists, the fluctuation of the Green Lotus Core Flame was now strong enough for even someone without a Heavenly Flame to sense.
Soon, his vision opened up, and as he turned a corner, he immediately ducked into the bushes, peering through the leaves at a clearing.
At the center of the clearing was a small pool filled with smooth stones and crystal-clear water, from which a cold mist rose. Even from afar, Xiao Yuan could feel the biting chill.
"A whole pool of Ice Spirit Cold Spring… impressive."
This was the perfect medium to subdue a Heavenly Flame.
Too bad he couldn't take it with him—he'd be rich.
But soon his gaze landed on the flame itself.
Hovering above a crystal lotus pedestal in the center of the pool was a small, azure flame.
It danced with life—sometimes forming a lotus, sometimes a tiny serpent that floated and curled adorably in the air.
Though Xiao Yuan had never seen it before, having consumed a Ground Fire Lotus Seed, he could sense the same origin.
The crystal lotus pedestal was clearly special too. Whenever the flame tried to escape, a faint white shield would appear and bounce it back.
Meanwhile, the Ice Spirit Cold Spring subtly decreased, showing it was being used to trap the flame.
Then, Xiao Yuan looked to the left—and his heart skipped a beat.
There she was.
Queen Medusa, as stunning as before, dressed in luxurious purple robes that hugged her seductive figure. Her long, narrow purple eyes shimmered with a natural allure.
But…
Why was she staring at him and not the flame?
A chill crept up Xiao Yuan's spine.
She was definitely looking at him. Her lips curled into a dangerous, seductive smile. Her gaze held teasing amusement.
She'd spotted him.
Why?
Then it hit him. His eyes darted to the Green Lotus Core Flame.
The flame!
Queen Medusa must have some way to sense Heavenly Flames. That's how she found it—and how she detected him.
As for Yao Lao, his Heavenly Flame was sealed in a storage ring, so it wouldn't be detected.
Should've stayed away!
Xiao Yuan forced a bitter smile and stepped out into the open. Looking at Queen Medusa, he smiled.
"Greetings, Your Majesty."
Queen Medusa showed no surprise, smiling gracefully and saying, "Such a handsome little thing—and so bold."
"Well, I'm not small."
Xiao Yuan flipped his palm, summoning the Yin-Yang Twin Flames.
"Your Majesty, though I'm not strong, if I detonate my Heavenly Flame, the Green Lotus Core Flame in your hand will likely spiral out of control. I doubt you'd enjoy that outcome."
(END CHAPTER)
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