"You're serious?" Upon hearing Xiao Yan's words, Queen Medusa was taken aback, her eyes staring at him in disbelief. "You'd be so kind?"
One couldn't blame her for being this cautious. After all, she had crossed paths with this man before, and every encounter left her at a disadvantage. Based on his character, there was no way he'd suddenly grow a benevolent heart. Why the sudden change?
"If you don't believe me, that's fine. I'll be on my way," Xiao Yan said, turning around as if ready to leave.
"Wait!" Seeing that he was actually leaving, Queen Medusa quickly stopped him. A flicker of inner struggle appeared in her eyes. Though she suspected Xiao Yan had ulterior motives, this was her only shot at a breakthrough. Left with no better choice, she gritted her teeth and decided to trust him one more time. "Give me the Heavenly Flame."
"Now that's more like it." Xiao Yan smiled, casually tossing the ball of Dou Qi-wrapped Green Lotus Core Flame over to her. "Time is tight. Start the evolution already, Your Majesty."
"Can you... turn around at least?" Queen Medusa's expression brightened as she received the flame, but just as she was about to start the ritual, she paused and glanced at Xiao Yan.
"My time is precious. If you keep dawdling, I'll take the flame back," he said impatiently, casting a disinterested glance her way.
"You..." Queen Medusa clenched her jaw. Though angry, she saw the unmistakable firmness in Xiao Yan's eyes. She knew he meant what he said. Gritting her teeth harder, she reached up and began unfastening the clasps of her robe. In an instant, a figure so perfect it defied reason was revealed before Xiao Yan's eyes.
A rare blush crept across her regal features. Though she had always ruled with iron resolve, standing completely exposed in front of a man still sent a ripple of embarrassment through her.
She stole a glance toward Xiao Yan, only to see him roll his eyes in frustration. "Hurry up. Stop wasting time. You're not the first woman I've seen naked. Can't believe how long it's taking you just to take your clothes off."
Despite her flawless allure radiating a lethal charm, it had no effect on Xiao Yan. With the iron will of someone who'd walked the line between life and death countless times in his past life, even if Queen Medusa herself pressed against him and offered herself, he'd still shove her aside and tell her to get on with the evolution.
His indifferent attitude stirred a mix of shame and fury in her heart. If she were stronger, she might have slapped him before even thinking about evolution. But with the gap in strength between them so vast, all she could do was swallow the humiliation and focus.
Turning her gaze to the flame hovering in the air, she took a deep breath and began weaving complex hand seals. In an instant, her body turned into an enormous violet serpent—her true form.
"A Violet Serpent Flame Python?" Xiao Yan murmured as he watched the massive creature before him. He waved his hand, casting a spatial barrier that sealed off the area. The evolution ritual would surely unleash massive waves of power, and this would save her the trouble of managing it herself.
The serpent glanced at him once, but after sensing the terrifying aura wrapped around Xiao Yan's frame—one akin to a primordial beast—it swiftly turned away and fixed its eyes on the Green Lotus Core Flame. Letting out a solemn hiss, it dove headfirst into the blazing flame.
As the serpent plunged in, Xiao Yan flicked his wrist and collected the Ice Spirit Cold Spring from the pool below. Once the evolution began in full force, that spring would undoubtedly be evaporated in a matter of seconds—a complete waste of valuable resource.
Though Xiao Yan had no use for it now, old habits died hard. He couldn't help but scoop up anything valuable he encountered. Besides, this was Queen Medusa's bathwater—if auctioned, it'd probably sell for far more than ordinary Ice Spirit Cold Spring.
Within the fire, the violet serpent began to writhe in agony. A heart-wrenching screech erupted as the ferocious power of the Heavenly Flame lashed out. Flames surged, sweeping across the entire island, reducing everything in their path to ash in mere seconds.
However, just as the firestorm approached Xiao Yan, it abruptly dispersed, as though encountering some unknowable force. The area surrounding him became the safest haven amid the inferno.
He stood still, arms crossed, observing the evolution ritual with a placid expression. Outside this spatial barrier, the disturbance might have shocked the entire continent. Yet within this sealed realm, not even the snake-people noticed what their queen was enduring.
But neither did Queen Medusa, now struggling in the flames, realize that a faint wisp of spiritual energy had seeped into her body when she collided with the Heavenly Flame. It was a soul imprint Xiao Yan had left behind long ago.
Roughly half an hour later, the serpent ceased its convulsions. Charred and motionless, it appeared completely lifeless. Yet Xiao Yan could sense a powerful new life force quietly stirring beneath that blackened shell.
Suddenly, dark clouds formed from nowhere and blanketed the entire island. With a thunderous boom, a bolt of silver lightning crashed down from the heavens and struck the heart of the flame—right on the charred body of the serpent.
A thin mist of pale green vapor began to spread outward from the point of impact.
"Hm?" Xiao Yan's brows twitched. He stared at the green mist with curiosity. This substance, formed from the fusion of Heavenly Flame and lightning, seemed capable of completely blocking out spiritual perception. If it could be weaponized, might it become an exceptionally potent tool against soul-based entities?
His gaze flicked toward his Nether Sea storage ring. Within it, he still had over a thousand Thunder Bead Pills, each packed with the purest lightning energy. Normally just throwing one caused decent damage. But if combined with his Heavenly Flames and released through his Annihilation Flame Eyes, the destructive potential might be utterly terrifying.
Ideas whirred through his mind, strategies blossoming and evolving like seeds in spring soil.
Back within the flames, Queen Medusa's charred husk suddenly trembled. Cracks began to run through the blackened outer layer, and soon after, glowing violet scales slowly emerged beneath.
Then, with a loud crack, the shell shattered completely—and from within, a breathtakingly beautiful woman stepped forth.
Her long violet hair cascaded down her bare back like silk. Violet-golden eyes flickered with ancient majesty. From her lower waist extended a shimmering purple serpent tail, more exquisite than before.
Her aura surged skyward, sharp and majestic. No longer was she the Queen Medusa who had once relied on authority alone. She had now truly evolved into a transcendent being—half-human, half-serpent, and brimming with divine majesty.
Xiao Yan's eyes narrowed slightly. "Dou Zun, huh?"
That lightning bolt from the heavens had been a true baptism. The power of nature itself had acknowledged her transformation.
Standing barefoot amidst the fading flames, Queen Medusa opened her eyes and looked at Xiao Yan. Her gaze was filled with pride, strength, and a bit of the old disdain—but also, deep within, a faint trace of humility.
"Thank you," she said softly.
Xiao Yan smiled faintly. "Don't thank me yet. You still owe me."
(End of Chapter)
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