"The bloodline left by snake-human and humans?"
Upon hearing Gu He's words, Queen Medusa was momentarily stunned before realization dawned in her beautiful eyes. A complex emotion flickered across her face, followed by silence.
As the queen of the snake-human, she was well aware of the deep-seated enmity between their race and humans.
Humans often captured snake-women to serve as playthings for nobles. Conversely, many snake-human also took pleasure in tormenting humans, regardless of gender.
She knew, for instance, that Yue Mei, leader of the Mei Snake Tribe under her command, delighted in capturing strong human men for her own amusement.
Near the Tagore Desert, tales of human women suffering at the hands of snake-men were far from rare.
By all accounts, relations between snake-human and humans rarely resulted in offspring—yet exceptions existed. On exceedingly rare occasions, a human woman who lay with a snake-man might conceive and bear a child...
Clearly, the disciple Gu He spoke of was one such mixed-blood.
The hatred between humans and snake-human was ingrained in their very blood—a feud as irreconcilable as fire and water.
Yet the children born of both bloodlines were innocent.
For these half-breeds who carried the blood of the snake-human, Queen Medusa couldn't help but feel a pang of compassion.
After a long silence, she finally lifted her head, her mind seemingly made up.
She met Gu He's gaze and declared, "I can give you the cultivation method. But I must see this disciple of yours."
The snake-human's dou techniques could only be practiced by those of snake-blood. Queen Medusa had no fear of Gu He attempting to use them himself.
What intrigued her was why a Dou Ancestor Realm expert like Gu He would take in a half-blood as his disciple. She wanted to see for herself what made this human so special.
"You wish to see my disciple?"
Gu He was momentarily taken aback by her request. After a brief hesitation, he nodded.
"Very well. Your Majesty, prepare the Sand Mandala and the dou technique. I will bring my disciple here tomorrow."
Queen Medusa gave a slight nod in agreement.
With her approval secured, Gu He wasted no time. He approached the Ice Spirit Cold Spring pool and collected half of its waters into his system space.
Once finished, he departed the Medusa Temple, mounting the Scarlet Flame Demon Python and soaring beyond the city walls.
Three thousand meters away from the temple, in the barren desert...
Qing Lin sat atop the massive Golden Eagle, her emerald eyes fixed anxiously in the direction of the Medusa Temple—where her teacher had vanished.
"Teacher will be alright..."
Her small hands clenched nervously as she murmured to herself.
Not long ago, the snake blood within her had reacted sharply, sensing an overwhelming surge of dou qi from that very direction. Since Gu He had gone there, she couldn't help but fear the worst.
"Xiao Jin, should we go find Teacher?"
She gently stroked the golden feathers of the eagle, her voice soft and hesitant.
Xiao Jin's youthful voice responded confidently, "Don't worry. Master will be fine."
The Golden Eagle had absolute faith in its master's strength. A mere snake-human tribe was no threat—especially with the Scarlet Flame Demon Python by his side.
Yet, recalling that Gu He had taken the python instead of him this time, Xiao Jin couldn't help but sulk.
"Hmph! So what if that ugly brute is a bit stronger?" he grumbled internally. "Once I break through to the seventh tier, Master will favor me again!"
Just then, his golden eyes sharpened as he detected movement in the distance. A massive figure streaked across the sky, rapidly approaching.
…
The next day...
Gu He returned with Qing Lin, riding the Golden Eagle toward the Medusa Temple.
As they neared the city walls, a voluptuous figure descended to greet them—Yue Mei, leader of the Mei Snake Tribe.
Clearly, Queen Medusa had ordered her to await their arrival.
Yue Mei's gaze lingered on the Golden Eagle, and memories of her humiliating encounter at the lake resurfaced, sending a shiver down her spine.
'Another peak sixth-tier magical beast!'
Her eyes flicked to Gu He, seated atop the eagle, and a trace of fear flashed in her gaze.
'This human man is truly terrifying. With just his pets alone, our entire race would be helpless against him.'
Suppressing her unease, she addressed Gu He with forced composure: "Your Excellency, the Queen awaits you."
Gu He gave a slight nod.
Beside him, Qing Lin stared at Yue Mei's snake tail, her emotions a tangled mix of fear and an inexplicable sense of kinship.
Leaving Xiao Jin outside, Gu He and Qing Lin followed Yue Mei into the temple.
Soon, they arrived at a grand hall where Queen Medusa stood waiting.
Yue Mei bowed respectfully. "Your Majesty, they have arrived."
Queen Medusa's cold, regal voice echoed through the hall: "You may leave."
With a final glance at Gu He, Yue Mei withdrew, leaving the trio alone.
"Is she your disciple?" After Yue Mei left, Queen Medusa turned slowly, her mesmerizing eyes lingering on Gu He before settling on Qing Lin.
Perhaps sensing the snake-blood within Qing Lin's veins, Queen Medusa's gaze softened with a rare trace of tenderness and pity.
"Child, come here." Her voice was uncharacteristically gentle.
Having just heard Yue Mei address her as "Your Majesty," Qing Lin immediately recognized the woman before her.
'This… is Queen Medusa!'
Qing Lin was stunned. She had grown up in a human city like Stone Desert City, where tales of Queen Medusa's name were both feared and revered.
Now, standing before the legendary queen, Qing Lin hesitated. The rumors of Medusa's ruthlessness made her shrink back slightly, her fearful eyes darting toward Gu He as if seeking reassurance.
"Go ahead. There's no need to be afraid while I'm here." Gu He patted her head gently, his voice soothing.
"O-Okay…"
Encouraged, Qing Lin mustered her courage and stepped forward.
As she approached, Queen Medusa's expression grew even softer.
'This poor child…'
Her heart ached as she took in Qing Lin's delicate features—until her gaze locked onto the girl's eyes.
A flicker of realization struck her.
Qing Lin's pupils held a faint emerald hue, and deep within them, three tiny green dots shimmered.
Queen Medusa's breath hitched.
'Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils!'
A legendary trait recorded in the ancient scrolls of the snake-folk—one even rarer than her own Petrifying Serpent Eyes.
As a queen, she knew exactly what this meant.
Long ago, she herself had been elevated to holy maiden and crowned ruler solely due to her Petrifying Serpent Eyes. Yet compared to Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils, her own gift paled in significance.
If the elders of the tribe learned of this girl's existence, they would lose their minds.
Even now, Queen Medusa struggled to steady her racing thoughts.
'This child must remain with the tribe.'
After a long silence, she made her decision.
Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils was a once-in-ten-millennia phenomenon. She could not let such potential slip away.
With proper nurturing, this girl could lead their race to unprecedented glory.
But taking her from Gu He… that would be no easy feat.
Her mind raced until Qing Lin's timid expression snapped her back to reality.
She glanced at Gu He, wondering if he already knew of Qing Lin's gift.
If he did, convincing him would be near impossible.
After a brief hesitation, Queen Medusa turned to him, her voice carefully measured.
"Since this child shares our blood, why not let her stay by my side? I will ensure she receives the finest training."
Gu He, who had missed her earlier reaction, blinked in surprise.
"You want to keep my disciple with the snake-human?"
Without a second thought, he flatly refused.
"No."
'Absolutely not.'
After all his efforts, he wasn't about to hand Qing Lin over.
Queen Medusa's eyes chilled, but the memory of Gu He's overwhelming strength made her swallow her frustration.
Instead, she turned back to Qing Lin, softening her tone.
"Child, would you like to stay?"
"If you remain with us, I will make you the holy maiden of the snake-human—second only to myself in status."
When direct persuasion failed, she opted for a subtler approach.
From their brief interactions, she sensed Gu He was not unreasonable. If Qing Lin agreed, perhaps he would relent.
Gu He's frown deepened, a cold glint flashing in his eyes.
'So she's noticed Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils…'
Though displeased, he didn't interfere.
He trusted Qing Lin's choice.
Faced with Queen Medusa's enticing offer, Qing Lin's small face twisted in confusion, clearly caught off guard.
As she stared at the queen before her, unpleasant memories suddenly flashed through her mind.
"No!"
"I don't want to stay with the snake-human!"
Qing Lin shook her head resolutely before immediately turning and darting toward Gu He, throwing herself into his arms. Her crisp voice trembled with unshed tears:
"Teacher… do you not want Qing Lin anymore? I don't want to stay with the snake-human…"
A faint smile tugged at Gu He's lips as he glanced at Queen Medusa, a trace of mockery in his eyes.
"Silly girl, how could I ever abandon someone as adorable as you?" Gently patting her back, he soothed her with soft words.
Once Qing Lin had calmed, Gu He turned his gaze back to Queen Medusa, his voice icy.
"Queen Medusa, it's time to honor your promise."
The moment Qing Lin had rushed to Gu He's side, Queen Medusa knew her scheme had failed.
Her eyes narrowed as she studied Gu He. Though reluctant, she could only nod stiffly, her tone frigid.
"This Queen always keeps her word. But don't forget about the heavenly flame, Your Excellency."
Gu He inclined his head. "As agreed, I shall return to the snake-human in three months."
With that, he led Qing Lin out of the Medusa Temple.
…
In the blink of an eye, seven days passed.
At the border where the desert met the land, sparse patches of blue grass dotted the landscape. Though scarce, they were a welcome contrast to the endless golden sands.
Since this area lay on the desert's edge, occasional travelers and mercenary teams returning from hunts could be seen passing through.
Amid this setting, two figures—one tall and clad in white, the other small and dressed in blue—emerged slowly.
As the scorching sun dipped toward the horizon, the pair finally halted. The man in white lifted his gaze to the sprawling city in the distance, a faint smile gracing his handsome features.
"Mo City… at last."
These two were none other than Gu He and Qing Lin.
After departing the Medusa Temple, they had journeyed for seven days before finally arriving at Mo City.
Before long, they reached the end of a street and stopped before an old map shop.
Stepping inside, Gu He immediately spotted Hai Bodong, busy at work.
"Old Hai, I have returned." His hearty voice echoed through the small shop.
Startled, Hai Bodong turned, his initial surprise quickly giving way to delight.
"Haha! Gu He, you're finally back! You've kept me waiting long enough!"
Setting down his ink brush, Hai Bodong swept an appraising glance over Gu He, excitement flickering in his eyes.
With a slight smile, Gu He extended his hand.
"I've brought what you asked for. Now, about that fragment…?"
"Ah…" Hai Bodong gave a dry chuckle, rubbing his palms together.
"Gu He, we agreed—once you refine the pill to break my seal, I'll hand over the fragment and owe you a favor besides."
"Hmph." Gu He studied him for a long moment before withdrawing his hand, his tone light but pointed.
"Let's hope Ice Emperor Hai Bodong doesn't find another excuse once he has his pill."
Not that Gu He was concerned. Even at full strength, Hai Bodong was no match for him.
"Hah! Do you take me for some petty swindler?" Hai Bodong thumped his chest in exaggerated offense.
"My word is my bond! Once you refine that pill, I'll uphold my end without fail!"
"Good. Then let's begin."
"Now?" Hai Bodong blinked, then eagerly nodded. "Yes, yes! This way!"
He hastily cleared the counter and ushered Gu He into the back room.
Before following, Gu He turned to Qing Lin.
"Wait here for me."
At this, Hai Bodong finally noticed the girl.
"And who might this be?"
"My new disciple," Gu He replied simply.
"Your disciple?" Hai Bodong's eyes widened as he scrutinized Qing Lin with newfound interest.
'Just what's so special about this girl to earn Gu He's favor?'
"Hai Bodong, the pill first."
"Ah—right, right! Come, come!"
Once inside, Gu He took a seat, then glanced expectantly at Hai Bodong.
"The recipe. The ingredients."
"Sometimes, I truly envy you alchemists," Hai Bodong grumbled with a sigh. "Do you know how much blood and sweat I shed to obtain this Breaking Adversity Pill recipe? And now, just like that, it's yours to take…"
Despite his grumbling, he reluctantly produced several rare ingredients from his storage ring, along with a yellowed ancient parchment.
The pain on his face was genuine—this recipe had cost him dearly.
Gu He's smile deepened.
As an alchemist, he understood the immense value of such a recipe. Though the fragment was his primary goal, acquiring a sixth-grade pill recipe as a bonus was a pleasant surprise.
Even with the legacy of a ninth-tier alchemist, creating new recipes was no simple feat. Obtaining one so effortlessly was a rare windfall.
Taking the parchment, his eyes gleamed as they fell upon the elegant, time-worn script: "Breaking Adversity Pill."
The three characters, faint yet dignified, exuded an aura of antiquity.
A satisfied smile curved his lips as he studied the recipe further.
The Sixth-Grade Breaking Adversity Pill possesses the miraculous effect of dismantling most types of seals.
After consumption, it also builds resistance within the body against similar seals in the future, granting a chance to evade their effects.
"Tsk tsk, truly remarkable..."
Flicking his gaze over the aged leather parchment, Gu He couldn't help but smack his lips in admiration.
Not only could this pill break seals, but it also enhanced the body's resistance against them afterward. Such potency lived up to its reputation as a sixth-grade pill.
"Of course it's remarkable. The price I paid to obtain this recipe still makes my heart ache when I recall it..." Watching Gu He's eager expression, Hai Bodong replied with a bitter smile.
"Heh, no matter the cost, it's nothing compared to restoring your strength as a Dou Emperor," Gu He reassured before unceremoniously tucking the ancient prescription into his storage ring.
In the world of alchemy, certain unwritten rules prevailed. If one sought a alchemist's aid in refining rare or obscure pills, they had to provide not only the recipe but also the materials—leaving the alchemist free to claim even the prescription itself as their own.
Creating a pill recipe was no simple matter of pen and ink. A alchemist had to infuse their soul power as "ink," guiding it with precision to craft a viable prescription.
When using such a recipe, the alchemist had to channel their soul power into it to extract crucial details—such as the required quantities of ingredients, refining temperatures, and other critical parameters.
Without these, even the most skilled alchemist would need extensive trial and error, wasting precious materials in the process.
Thus, despite having possessed the recipe for some time, Hai Bodong had been unable to replicate it.
Seeing Gu He pocket it so effortlessly made his eye twitch, but he could only sigh in resignation, watching his hard-won treasure slip away.
With a satisfied smile, Gu He stowed the Breaking Adversity Pill recipe away and turned his attention to the pile of rare medicinal ingredients on the table.
Many of these herbs were exceptionally valuable—some could fetch 50 thousand gold coins or more at auction, yet they rarely appeared on the market.
After all, those who recognized their worth would never sell them so carelessly. These ingredients were treasures to be hoarded until the right alchemist came along, ensuring a far more lucrative exchange.
Perhaps fearing failure, Hai Bodong had prepared two or three sets of each material.
After meticulously inspecting them, Gu He nodded in approval and met Hai Bodong's expectant gaze with a faint smile.
"Old Hai, you're aware that pill refinement carries a risk of failure, yes? Before I begin, let me be blunt—while I'm confident in refining this sixth-grade pill, I can't guarantee success. If it fails due to unforeseen circumstances... well, the responsibility..."
Of course, Gu He had no real doubts about his ability. The Breaking Adversity Pill might be complex, but his skills were more than sufficient. His true aim was to secure an excuse to keep the leftover materials.
"I know, I know—no liability, right? You alchemists are all the same. If you fail, it's not like I can chain you here," Hai Bodong replied with a resigned wave.
"Heh, I'm glad you understand. Now, could you prepare a quiet chamber for me? Once I begin, no one—including you—must disturb me." As he spoke, Gu He swept the remaining ingredients into his ring.
"Follow me." Nodding, Hai Bodong led him through a side door into a dimly lit corridor. At its end stood a plain door, which opened to reveal a tidy, well-kept room—perfect for secluded alchemy.
After a brief inspection, Gu He gave an approving nod.
"Will this suffice?" Hai Bodong asked.
"It will."
"Then I'll leave you to it. I'll guard the corridor—no interruptions, I promise."
"Mm."
As Hai Bodong withdrew, Gu He shut the door softly behind him. With a thought, he summoned the Dragon Soul Cauldron, ready to begin.
…
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