Above the boundless desert, a massive python soared through the sky.
Standing firmly on the python's back was a lone figure, gazing down at the scene below.
"We're approaching the Snake-People's territory."
After probing the distance with his soul power, Gu He soon reached a conclusion.
Three full days had passed since he left the Misty Cloud Sect.
In those three days, Gu He had ridden the Black Scaled Cold python from the imperial capital all the way to the Tagore Desert at the empire's border.
"I wonder how those little ones are doing?"
The images of the Little Fairy Doctor and Nalan Yanran flashed through his mind.
Given their speed, they likely hadn't reached their destinations yet.
Although Little Fairy Doctor flew on her Iron-Winged Giant Eagle, the distance to the Chu Yun Empire was vast, requiring passage through numerous imperial checkpoints. It would probably take the Little Fairy Doctor nearly twenty days to arrive.
As for Nalan Yanran, without a flying beast, her journey to the Magic Beast Mountain Range would take at least ten days.
Liu Ling, however, possessed a Tier 5 Amethyst Winged Lion King. At its speed, he should have already reached the Great Tagore Desert in about ten days. From there, it would take another two days to arrive at Stone Desert City.
After a moment of contemplation, Gu He pushed aside his thoughts and focused ahead.
Not far away, a towering city wall gradually came into view.
This marked the entrance to the Snake-People's core territory—the first checkpoint of their domain.
The massive wall, dozens of meters high, was lined with densely packed arrow towers. Under the moonlight, the lavender arrowheads gleamed with a sinister sheen.
Even though this was his second time witnessing this fortress, Gu He couldn't help but marvel at its scale. It was even larger than Stone Desert City—proof of the Snake-People's vigilance against human invasion.
Without concealing his presence, Gu He rode the Black Scaled Cold python straight toward the heart of the Snake-People's territory.
Below, on the city wall, hundreds of heavily armed Snake-People patrolled with sharp spears in hand.
Suddenly, a strange howl—neither wolf nor fox—echoed through the night sky.
Gu He's expression shifted slightly as he looked up. Several enormous black birds circled ominously in the sky.
"A warning system?"
It seemed that after the last incident, the Snake-People had bolstered their defenses. These birds hadn't been here before—they were a recent addition.
"Alert! Intruder in the sky! Spearmen, ready your poisoned arrows!"
A cold shout rang out from the city wall.
At the command, the previously disorganized Snake-People guards swiftly fell into formation. They coated their spears with venom and raised them toward the sky, their eyes widening in shock at the sight of the colossal Black Scaled Cold python—and the human riding it.
"By the heavens! What kind of beast is that?!"
"It must be at least a fifth-tier magical beast!"
"No—it looks like a sixth-tier!"
"Look! There's a human on its back!"
Their voices buzzed with disbelief.
"To be discovered at the first fortress…"
Meeting the fierce gazes of hundreds of Snake-People, Gu He merely smirked and continued forward without hesitation.
"Aim for that beast—shoot it down!"
On the wall, a stunning Snake-Woman with a graceful figure glared at the sky, her beautiful eyes burning with fury.
"These damned humans… Do they think the Snake-People are easy prey? How dare they invade our lands again and again!"
Her silver teeth clenched as she spat out the order.
"Today, I'll make sure this human never leaves alive!"
Murderous intent radiated from her icy gaze.
Yet, as the venomous spears rained down, the Black Scaled Cold python's body shimmered, instantly forming a crystalline barrier.
"Clang! Clang! Clang!"
The spears struck the barrier, their poisoned tips useless against its defense.
Under the stunned eyes of the guards, the massive beast soared through the hail of spears without pause, vanishing into the night in the blink of an eye.
"Damn it!"
The glamorous Snake-Woman slammed her fist against the wall, sending cracks spider webbing across its surface. The nearby soldiers trembled, not daring to utter a word.
"Secure the city! Repair the wall! Send word to all nearby tribes—notify the eight great leaders! Dispatch our strongest warriors to intercept and kill that human!"
Her voice was laced with cold fury as she glared into the darkness.
…
Deep in the Tagore Desert – Medusa's Temple
A powerful aura suddenly erupted from a hidden chamber, surging toward the main hall.
"Great Elder… You've truly broken through!"
Queen Medusa's beautiful face revealed a trace of astonishment as she observed the transformed elder. His once-aged features had grown younger, streaks of black now mingling with his gray hair.
The Great Elder smiled faintly. "Indeed. I have now reached the Dou Ancestor realm."
Three months ago, in a fierce battle, the four great elders had been gravely injured, their life force nearly depleted.
At the critical moment, Medusa had used the Life-Preserving Pill to save the First Elder, while sealing the other three with the Snake-People's secret arts to halt their deterioration.
With time, and if they could obtain rare natural treasures, there was still hope for their recovery.
After consuming the pill, the First Elder had not only regained most of his vitality but also seized the opportunity to break through.
Now, after three months of secluded cultivation, he had finally ascended to Dou Ancestor.
However, his smile soon faded as his tone turned solemn.
"Your Majesty… That thief truly made an agreement with you? He promised to return to our tribe after three months?"
…
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