The Snake-People Sacred City was bustling with experts today, as the leaders of the eight great tribes were all present.
Inside the spacious and luxurious grand hall, Queen Medusa reclined against a massive purple crystal throne. Her exquisite, alluring figure leaned against the broad backrest like a blooming crystal flower.
At this moment, her expression was languid, her gaze distant, as though concealing countless thoughts. Her delicate brows occasionally knitted together, then relaxed, her glamorous, mature, and dignified charm making it almost impossible for Mo Ba Si—one of the eight Snake-People tribal chiefs below to conceal the deep admiration in his eyes.
Forcing himself to withdraw his attention, Mo Ba Si turned his gaze toward Yue Mei, who had arrived the earliest today.
"Yue Mei, you came early. Do you know why Her Majesty summoned us today?"
The other six tribal chiefs also looked toward Yue Mei. Since their arrival, Queen Medusa had not explained the reason for this gathering, so they could only inquire of Yue Mei, who had arrived first.
Yue Mei naturally knew the reason. The Queen had likely summoned everyone because today was the day that terrifying Alchemy Elder was to arrive. However, recalling the Great Elder's instructions, Yue Mei put on a puzzled expression. "I only arrived a little earlier than everyone else. I don't know the specifics either. We should wait for Her Majesty to explain."
As she spoke, Yue Mei looked toward Queen Medusa on the throne, and the others followed suit.
At this moment—
A powerful aura surged in from outside the grand hall. Sensing this familiar yet formidable presence, Queen Medusa's eyes sharpened, and she subconsciously straightened her posture.
"He's here?"
The crowd was still reeling from the shock of this unfamiliar yet powerful aura when Queen Medusa's clear, resonant voice rang out, the meaning of her words stunning everyone present.
"Welcome, the fifth elder of my Snake-People Clan."
"Everyone, receive with the highest courtesy our clan's new elder, the Fifth Elder in charge of alchemy, the Alchemy Elder."
Queen Medusa's voice was firm and resolute, carrying an authority that brooked no defiance.
Though filled with doubts, the absolute authority of Queen Medusa compelled everyone to suppress their emotions. All of them performed the highest salute, preparing to welcome the newcomer.
At this moment, four streaks of light descended. To the astonishment of the crowd, the figures of the four great elders—who had long lived in seclusion for cultivation, also appeared within the divine hall.
"Welcome, Alchemy Elder!"
"Welcome, Alchemy Elder!"
"Welcome, Alchemy Elder!"
"Welcome, Alchemy Elder!"
All four great elders voiced their welcome in unison. Seeing this, everyone below immediately understood, this appointment was a decision made by the entire upper echelon.
Amid the rippling echoes, two figures strolled calmly into the grand hall, one before the other. Unlike the Snake-People present, who had human upper bodies and serpent tails, these two were completely human in form: a young man in green robes who looked about twenty-one or twenty-two, and a girl in green attire around fourteen or fifteen.
Instinctively, everyone focused their gaze on the man at the front, whose presence was as deep and imposing as a mountain. The powerful aura from earlier must have come from him. Over a dozen gazes at the Dou King level and above swept toward him simultaneously.
Behind Lin Yuan, even though the crowd's attention did not linger on her, Qing Lin—experiencing such a scene for the first time—could not help but feel nervous. As her thoughts raced, she recalled what Lin Yuan had told her earlier.
"Qing'er, if you feel nervous after we go in, it's fine. Don't mind anything else. Just look at my back and follow my steps."
Remembering Lin Yuan's words, Qing Lin focused on his steady, mountain-like back. A thought stirred, and her hand inside her sleeve clenched slightly, her fingernails piercing her palm.
"I can't embarrass Young Master in front of outsiders."
Encouraging herself with Lin Yuan's words and using the pain in her palm as a reminder, Qing Lin gradually calmed her nerves. When she looked around again, her gaze was far more composed.
Walking ahead, Lin Yuan sensed Qing Lin's change, and the smile on his face deepened. This was one of the reasons he had brought Qing Lin here to temper her beyond mere cultivation. To him, the grand display the Snake-People Clan had arranged today was insignificant compared to Qing Lin's growth.
Lin Yuan walked to the center of the hall. Under everyone's gaze, he cupped his hands toward Queen Medusa. "Your Majesty, honored elders, the Alchemy Elder has arrived as promised."
"Mm. Alchemy Elder, your punctual arrival is an honor to my Snake-People Clan. This item is the token to the medicinal treasury. All matters related to our clan's pills and medicinal materials will be entrusted to you." As she spoke, Queen Medusa took out a purple token from her storage ring. She then rose from her throne, walked to Lin Yuan's side, and solemnly handed the token to him.
"Rest assured, Your Majesty. Leave it to me." Amid the complex gazes of the crowd, Lin Yuan smiled as he accepted the token and placed it into his storage ring.
Lin Yuan was in an excellent mood. The medicinal materials he needed to study and comprehend that Eighth-Grade alchemy inheritance were now in his hands. He believed that the Snake-People Clan's accumulated treasures over the years would allow his alchemy skills to take another great step forward on the long road of the sixth-Grade.
"However, a display of authority is still needed," Lin Yuan thought as he glanced at the eight tribal chiefs.
Using his soul power, Lin Yuan transmitted a message to Queen Medusa. After receiving it, she blinked her delicate eyes, pondered for a moment, then nodded slightly, agreeing with his suggestion.
Lin Yuan turned his gaze to the eight chiefs. The looks they gave him varied—confusion, wariness, reverence, hostility…
Lin Yuan smiled calmly and said indifferently, "I know that some of you are dissatisfied with a human like me becoming the Fifth Elder above you. In that case, I'll give you a chance. If you wish to overturn this appointment, then step forward and defeat me. Let us speak by the absolute rule of the Dou Qi Continent, where the strong reign supreme."
"You may choose to come one by one, or you may come together. After all, sweeping away a single speck of dust or several specks makes little difference."
"Arrogant! To dare look down on us so blatantly—arrogant brat! I will fight you. Remember the name of the one who defeats you: Mo Ba Si, Commander of the Mo Snake Tribe, one of the Eight Great Commanders of the Snake-People!" Mo Ba Si took a step forward, staring fiercely at the youth before him. Among the snake-people, he was one of those most hostile toward humans, and he was the one most dissatisfied with Lin Yuan's appointment as an elder.
"Anyone else?" Lin Yuan tilted his head slightly and glanced at the others.
"Damn it! How dare you look down on this commander!" Seeing Lin Yuan's utterly casual attitude, Mo Ba Si's eyes turned icy and his expression fierce as he hurled a punch straight at Lin Yuan.
"It seems there's no one else. What a pity."
Lin Yuan slowly raised his palm and lightly blocked Mo Ba Si's incoming heavy punch. From start to finish, he did not even move his feet.
"The strength is decent," Lin Yuan said calmly, "but it is still far from enough."
Looking at the human before him, shock crept into Mo Ba Si's eyes. What he prided himself on most was his strength—among Dou Kings, he was considered outstanding. Yet that seemingly effortless block had made him feel an insurmountable gap between them. The power he was so proud of vanished like a clay ox sinking into the sea, unable to stir even the slightest ripple.
His gaze sharpened as Mo Ba Si launched a rapid assault. However, the opponent effortlessly blocked every attack. Lin Yuan did not even counterattack; merely the rebounding force from those blocks was enough to split Mo Ba Si's mouth open.
Seeing that close combat would yield no results, Mo Ba Si abruptly retreated, widening the distance and preparing to use a Dou Technique. Yet when he focused his eyes, he discovered that the opponent's figure had already vanished from both his sight and his perception at some unknown moment.
Just as Mo Ba Si was about to search for him
"Looking for me?" A cold, indifferent voice sounded from behind.
Mo Ba Si spun around in shock, only to see Lin Yuan's right hand held in a snapping-finger pose, flickering with a cyan light. The glowing fingertip was pointed straight at his heart.
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