They glanced at the departing patrol and exchanged helpless smiles.
"This is getting more troublesome," Xiao Yan said bitterly.
"Patrols are everywhere now."
Xiao Jian shook his head.
"That's manageable. The real issue is that Snake-People elites are gathering fast.
Even Gu He's group can't stay long once they all arrive."
Xiao Yan nodded.
"They must know that too. They'll probably make their move by this afternoon."
Taking out the detailed map, Xiao Yan fixed his gaze on the fierce snake-head symbol at the desert's center.
"That's Queen Medusa's palace. Medium and small tribes surround it, and the closer you get, the tighter the defenses.
Her personal guards....the Medusa Serpent Guards—are stationed there. They're the Snake-People's elite."
Xiao Jian almost blurted out Good, I specialize in fighting elites, but held it back.
They weren't here to show off.
They were here to fish.
With Yao Lao's warning and concealment, the brothers pressed on toward the palace.
Traveling on foot was slower than flying, but with Yao Lao's powerful soul perception, every patrol was detected and avoided in advance.
Even so, they narrowly dodged dozens of patrols. After half a day, they finally reached the palace outskirts.
"We finally made it," Xiao Jian said, wiping sweat as he leaned against a massive stone near the palace wall.
"Yeah…" Xiao Yan replied weakly while chewing a recovery pill.
"For that Green Lotus Core Flame, I've really gone all out."
Xiao Jian, however, was still in good shape. With five qi seas supplying Dou Qi in rotation, endurance had never been an issue.
While Xiao Yan rested, Xiao Jian peeked around the stone.
The palace stood within the Snake-People holy city.
The gates were sealed shut, guards patrolled the walls, and more than a dozen black birds circled above, their sharp eyes scanning endlessly.
The defense was airtight.
Without Gu He's group stirring things up, they'd have no chance at all.
Then Xiao Jian's brow lifted.
Within him, the Yin-Yang Twin Flames stirred—it had sensed the Green Lotus Core Flame.
Yao Lao felt it too and passed the news to Xiao Yan, who smiled despite his fatigue.
The journey had been worth it.
Just then, Yao Lao warned urgently, "Careful....something powerful is approaching."
The brothers immediately pulled out a golden sand-colored blanket and covered themselves, blending perfectly with the desert. Their auras were suppressed to the limit as Yao Lao completely masked them.
Through the blanket's gaps, they saw a black figure arrive at high speed, stopping in midair a hundred meters from the city.
"Mo Snake Tribe Chief, Mo Bas—here to pay respects to Her Majesty!"
Xiao Jian and Xiao Yan exchanged looks.
Where the hell is Gu He?
Mo Bas was broad-built, wearing light clothing.
His arms were covered in black tattoos that formed two vicious snake heads at his palms, radiating danger.
The guards welcomed him eagerly. Without a word, Mo Bas flew straight into the palace.
Moments later, Xiao Jian mouthed silently to Xiao Yan:
"They're here."
Several powerful auras appeared outside the city.
Mo Bas and Yue Mei shot out of the palace, faces dark, staring at the massive shadow in the sky.
An enormous flying beast hovered beyond the walls, four winged figures floating before it—their terrifying pressure filling the air.
Mo Bas flew forward, his voice cold.
"Humans, why trespass into our lands without permission? If you wish to avoid war between the Jia Ma Empire and the Snake-People, leave immediately."
"They're negotiating," Xiao Jian thought quickly and signaled Xiao Yan.
They began crawling toward the palace entrance.
Above them, Gu He's amplified voice rang out:
"I am Gu He of the Jia Ma Empire. I've come not to start a war, but to speak with Queen Medusa. Please, have her appear."
The brothers kept crawling.
Then—
A terrifying aura erupted as space distorted above the city wall.
Queen Medusa appeared.
She wore a regal purple robe. Her mature, voluptuous figure exuded irresistible charm, long hair cascading to her waist.
Beneath the robe, a purple snake tail swayed, radiating wild allure.
Without looking up, Xiao Jian and Xiao Yan seized the moment and crawled faster.
"Queen Medusa!"
All Snake-People knelt, voices shaking the heavens.
Seeing the palace guards kneel, the brothers were about to slip inside.....
When Medusa suddenly turned, eyes locking directly onto them.
"Who's there?! Come out!"
Xiao Jian gritted his teeth and lunged inside.
Xiao Yan froze for half a second.
Mo Bas instantly fired a Dou Qi blast at the entrance.
"Damn it—how did she notice us?!" Xiao Yan cursed, tearing off the blanket as pale flame surged in his eyes.
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