"This commotion... it is..."
In the endless sands of the Tager Desert, a middle-aged man in a black robe was in the midst of collecting a rare medicinal herb. Just as he was about to finish, he suddenly looked up, gazing at the distant direction of the Snake-People's Divine Hall, sensing intently.
"That's right, the fluctuation of a Grade-Six medicinal pill. This is the location of the Divine Hall. I never thought the Snake-People race would have such a high-grade alchemist..."
The middle-aged man looked surprised. After collecting the herb, he unfurled his Dou Qi wings and hurried towards the Snake-People's Divine Hall. However, midway, he stopped again, staring at a rapidly mobilizing Snake-People tribe beneath the clouds. The other Snake-People tribe he had seen earlier also seemed to be acting strangely.
"No, no, the Snake-People race is mobilizing so frequently and guarding so strictly, with the fluctuation of a Grade-Six medicinal pill appearing... something big might be happening in the Tager Desert. I need to go back and inform Yun'er."
The middle-aged man's eyes flickered for a moment, and he ultimately chose to fly back, rapidly heading towards the direction of Jia Ma Sacred City.
…
The Breakthrough and the Pill
Inside the quiet room of the Snake-People's Divine Hall, the light pillar that shot straight into the sky gradually faded, but the pill fragrance emanating from it grew even more intense.
As the light pillar became fainter, a storm of energy was completely shattered into tiny specks of light. The light pillar fully dissipated, and a thumb-sized ball of light was drawn back by a suction force.
This suction force, after completely engulfing the massive energy fluctuation of the palm, continued to emit a powerful suction, even triggering a tornado-like energy storm, and a certain aura within the quiet room rapidly grew stronger.
"This is... he's breaking through to Dou Emperor."
Queen Medusa's expression changed once more. Sensing Yan Qingshan's constantly expanding aura, on the verge of breaking through, her face shifted uncertainly. In the end, she slowly lowered her jade hand, choosing not to harbor any ulterior motives.
Although a Dou Emperor-level Yan Qingshan made her even more wary, she had already intended to win him over, and sudden changes in attitude were not her style.
Moreover, for this operation, she had mobilized all the Snake-People's powerhouses to guard the Divine Hall, so even if Yan Qingshan wanted to cause trouble, he wouldn't have the ability.
The lingering pill fragrance gradually dissipated, and the phenomena of advancement were also nearing their end. Under the Queen's command, the Snake-People powerhouses slowly dispersed, and within the pill chamber, Yan Qingshan also completed his advancement. The Dou Emperor-level Dou Qi flowed within his body, and he felt immensely powerful.
"The pill is a Six Tier, with purple patterns flowing. This Breaking Adversity Pill is quite good!"
A light purple medicinal pill appeared in Yan Qingshan's palm. Holding this light purple pill, Yan Qingshan flipped it back and forth, nodding slightly and praising himself.
The Tier Six Breaking Adversity Pill was light purple on the surface, perfectly round and lustrous throughout. Furthermore, on the surface of the pill, there seemed to be faint, peculiar patterns that weren't man-made.
These patterns were winding and intricate, like a special, deeply meaningful drawing. Observing the Breaking Adversity Pill up close, Yan Qingshan could vaguely sense the strange power contained within it.
This was the main component of the Breaking Adversity Pill that could break seals. The power of the Heavenly Flame contained within it had its wildness extracted, leaving only mysterious Dao principles, undergoing an extremely miraculous transformation under the alchemy's creation.
Interactions and Preparations
After putting away the pill, Yan Qingshan stepped out of the quiet room. Queen Medusa had been waiting for him. Seeing him emerge, she swayed her figure and gracefully approached him.
Queen Medusa's beautiful eyes flickered as she smiled and teased Yan Qingshan, "Mister Yan certainly deceived me thoroughly. You said you were a Grade-Five alchemist, but I see you were quite humble!"
"It was merely luck. I've tried refining Grade-Six pills many times before and failed each time. This time, I also obtained a relatively lower-grade pill formula, but I never expected a double blessing. Not only did my alchemy make a breakthrough, but my cultivation also naturally followed suit."
Yan Qingshan smiled faintly, his gaze quickly shifting from Queen Medusa and Yue Mei, falling more on Hua She'er. It seemed he had given a secret signal, and Hua She'er's small face flushed.
"I congratulate Mister Yan."
Queen Medusa naturally noticed Yan Qingshan's small actions. This time, even she felt a little displeasure. She thought of herself, Queen Medusa, what an exquisite beauty, a peerless goddess. Yet, this man often got distracted when facing her, and even with her own guard captain…
Could it be that she, the dignified Queen, was truly inferior to her own guard captain? She naturally wouldn't know that Yan Qingshan, this mischievous fellow, harbored ulterior motives.
For haughty and aloof women like Queen Medusa, and alluring and bold ones like Yue Mei, ordinary pursuit methods are difficult to make progress. Taking an unconventional approach might open up possibilities.
His repeated attention to Hua She'er while neglecting the two more charming beauties was actually like playing with a fish, keeping them at arm's length. Women often have a sense of rivalry, and among best friends, there's a saying: "Guard against fire, guard against thieves, and guard against..."
"Your Majesty, how are your secret techniques progressing?"
After chatting with Queen Medusa and the two for a while, Yan Qingshan brought up the main topic. Hearing his question, Queen Medusa also grew serious.
This matter was no small feat. Success would mean the Snake-People race breaking out of the Tager Desert, while failure would mean her death and the temporary decline of the Snake-People race.
Queen Medusa's smile faded, and she said calmly, "The various materials are almost ready. In about ten days, the ritual can be performed for the secret transformation."
"Your Majesty!"
Yue Mei and Hua She'er both spoke with concern, but they didn't know what to advise. Once the arrow is shot, there's no turning back. Queen Medusa had already caused such a huge stir, there was no reason to give up halfway.
Yan Qingshan smiled at Queen Medusa, then stepped out of the room. "I'm a bit tired these past few days, so I'll go rest first. As for the rest, Your Majesty can arrange it."
"Hua She'er!"
Queen Medusa, Yue Mei, and Hua She'er silently watched Yan Qingshan leave. After his back had disappeared for a long time, Queen Medusa suddenly spoke. Hua She'er looked up at the Queen.
Queen Medusa beckoned to her, then looked at Yue Mei. "Yue Mei, Hua She'er, you are my trusted sisters. I have a secret matter I must entrust to you. If my secret technique fails... don't speak yet, let me finish.
If my secret technique fails, both of you must win over Mister Yan, no matter the cost. Yue Mei, you should understand what I mean. At that time, it will be up to you..."
This secret command from Queen Medusa made both beautiful snake women a little awkward, but upon hearing the end, they both accepted this special task with a solemn expression. And at the corner of the passage, as they whispered, a mysterious smile appeared on Yan Qingshan's lips.
…
In the core eastern region of the Snake-People race's Divine Hall in the Tager Desert, countless soldiers guarded a massive temple tightly. Numerous Dou King-level powerhouses protected the surroundings, and there was even a Dou Emperor-level elder sitting in charge.
Within the temple was a clear lake. In the center of the lake was a small island, surrounded by shimmering water, with no bridges leading to it.
In an open area in the center of the small island, there was a circular open space. The surrounding bamboos and flower bushes had been completely cleared. Small and smooth pebbles were scattered within, forming a small pool in the open area.
The small pool was filled with crystal-clear liquid. White mist enveloped the surface of the liquid, containing an extremely low temperature. This was an entire pool of Ice Spirit Cold Fountain, a treasure of immense value.
Yan Qingshan sat not far from the pool, cross-legged on a Profound Green Lotus Platform. He tossed a jade bottle to Queen Medusa, who was beside him. "The Blood Lotus Pill contains extremely strong healing power. It might save your life at a crucial moment."
A cluster of green flames, under Yan Qingshan's control, slowly landed on the Ice Spirit Cold Spring. This cluster of green flames was highly spiritual, occasionally forming a lotus flower shape as it subtly surged, and at times, condensing into a small, slender green flame snake, looking incredibly adorable in its docile manner.
"Thank you!"
A trace of emotion rippled across Queen Medusa's alluringly beautiful face. She thanked Yan Qingshan faintly, then took a deep breath, adjusting her state.
Queen Medusa wore a luxurious and expensive purple brocade robe, enveloping her graceful and delicate figure. Her voluptuous and fiery hourglass figure exuded an enchanting allure.
A pair of narrow, light purple eyes, with their captivating gaze, were naturally alluring, almost able to draw in the gaze of every man.
Beneath the purple brocade robe, a section of her purple snake tail was revealed, sweeping lazily, radiating a wild and exotic charm.
Her beautiful eyes were tightly fixed on the green flames in the small pool. In the reflection of the light, the arc of the flames danced in her light purple eyes.
"The time is almost right..."
Queen Medusa murmured softly. A rare hint of hesitation flashed across Queen Medusa's alluring face. In an instant, the hesitation turned into determination. She gently sighed, swayed her snake tail slightly, and her fiery, delicate body slowly stood up.
"You, can... never mind..."
Queen Medusa was about to tell Yan Qingshan to close his eyes, but then, remembering the need for cooperation later, she lightly bit her red lip. Her jade hands slowly unbuttoned her brocade robe, and then, a perfect, jade-like body, a masterpiece from the heavens, was thus exposed nakedly to a certain wolf's gaze.
Within the lush green bamboo forest, her perfect, full, jade-like body exuded a captivating allure that left one parched. Her beautiful face inadvertently revealed a hint of enchanting charm, like a temptress. Her long, fair neck revealed an elegant curve.
Her slender waist seemed too delicate to grasp with a full hand, yet amidst its slenderness, there was a sense of suppleness. Her flat and tender lower abdomen was without a single bit of excess flesh. At a glance, it truly created an urge to reach out and subtly feel it.
Below her slender waist was her purple snake tail, full of wild allure. The snake tail swayed slightly, revealing its exotic charm completely.
In the small bamboo forest, this delicate body, which countless men surely coveted, was thus laid bare, satisfying someone's eyes. Even Yan Qingshan, who was feigning composure, couldn't help but stare, his throat unconsciously bobbing, betraying his lack of calm.