The island is small, with lush bamboo groves and grass growing on its ground.
A faint fragrance filled the air, giving people a feeling of vitality.
Nie Yuan walked openly and honestly along the path into the island.
If Medusa hadn't noticed the commotion outside, then her title as queen, which struck fear into the hearts of the empire's powerful figures, would have been meaningless.
The path through the bamboo forest is narrow and winding at first.
After several turns, the view suddenly opened up.
A circular, open area appeared in front of us.
The ground vegetation was cleared away, and small pebbles were laid on top, with some depressions in the center, to create a small water storage pool.
The pool water was crystal clear, with white mist floating on its surface.
Standing at a distance, Nie Yuan could feel a slight chill seeping through his black robes and murmur, "Ice Spirit Cold Spring..."
"Good taste."
Beside her, a cold voice rang out. Medusa, dressed in an expensive purple brocade robe, had a faint chill on her face, which was so beautiful that it was flawless.
Those long, narrow, pale purple eyes were fixed on him.
[Ding! Medusa has developed murderous intent; emotion value +10]
"Queen Medusa, it's not easy to see you."
Ignoring the flashing notification, Nie Yuan proactively lifted his black hood, revealing his equally handsome face, a faint smile playing on his lips.
"You're quite lucky; you actually managed to break my Serpent Seal Curse."
Medusa did not show any surprise. When Nie Yuan first appeared outside the city, she only felt that he was familiar.
When Nie Yuan appeared again this time, he was quickly recognized.
A hint of curiosity appeared in her pale purple eyes as she looked her up and down. "How did it feel to be injured by Yun Yun? You humans always like to describe women as having a heart of a snake or a scorpion, but after thinking it over, I don't think I can be as ruthless as Yun Yun towards a savior."
He rose to fame at a young age, was born into the Yunlan family, and had a promising future.
Medusa often heard about Nie Yuan's deeds, even if she didn't deliberately inquire about them.
Her impression of this man was neither of his talent nor his achievements.
The most profound thing is that Nie Yuan, facing his own snake seal curse, actually stood in front of another person without hesitation.
Looking back now, how touching Nie Yuan's scene was back then seems all the more ironic.
The woman he once risked his life to protect, for another man, unhesitatingly unleashed a deadly attack on Nie Yuan.
[Ding! Medusa has developed feelings of curiosity and regret, emotion value +20]
"You have shattered the image of Queen Medusa in my mind."
Nie Yuan shook his head slightly.
Medusa paused for a moment, then a chilling smile curled at the corners of her lips. "Does this king still hold any good image in your heart?"
[Ding! Medusa has developed an expectant mood, mood value +5]
His strength was sealed by himself, and he went from being a young Dou Huang who was admired by thousands to an ordinary Da Dou Shi.
Three years were wasted as a result.
She didn't think Nie Yuan would have a good opinion of her.
If such a thing happened to me, I would absolutely want to grind the other person to dust!
Nie Yuan said calmly, "I just didn't expect the Queen to be interested in other people's love affairs, especially at this time."
[Ding! Medusa is showing surprise and doubt; emotion value +20]
Medusa asked, puzzled, "At this time? What do you mean?"
Nie Yuan looked towards the center of the pool, his gaze rising to reveal a cluster of blue flames flickering there.
"Using a different kind of fire to achieve evolution, this must be a matter of life and death for the Queen, and she probably doesn't have much confidence in it, right?"
Turning to look at Medusa, Nie Yuan's face showed a faint smile.
[Ding! Medusa is panicked, emotion value +30] Medusa's face was tense, and she said coldly: "Whether I succeed or not is my own business, it has nothing to do with you, and before we begin, to ensure absolute safety, I will kill you first."
"You can kill me, at most I'll just be waiting for you on the road to the underworld."
Nie Yuan shrugged. "Isn't the Queen interested in romance? I can teach you later."
How dare you curse me to die?
Whoosh!
Medusa suddenly appeared in front of Nie Yuan, her fair hand landing on his neck.
Nie Yuan's expression remained unchanged.
With his current strength, facing Medusa would be certain death, so there's no point in resisting.
"Aren't you afraid of me?"
Medusa scrutinized every detail of Nie Yuan's face with her pale purple eyes, and after drawing her conclusion, she was somewhat surprised.
[Ding! Medusa is confused; emotion value +20]
"The others came to steal the strange fire, but I... genuinely wanted to help the Queen complete her evolution smoothly. I have a clear conscience, so why should I be afraid?"
Nie Yuan faced Medusa's gaze without backing down.
"You want to help me? I once caused your strength to plummet, and you're willing to help me? Besides, don't think I don't know how treacherous and cunning you humans are."
Medusa said coldly, and increased the pressure on her fingers.
[Ding! Medusa has become alert; her mood score has increased by 30.]
The blood flow to Nie Yuan's neck was blocked, and the veins bulged from under his skin. His face was flushed, but a smile still lingered on his lips. "Of course, I also have my own purpose."
I knew it!
A glint of shrewdness flashed in Medusa's beautiful eyes, and she slightly loosened the pressure on her fingers. "Speak! What is your true purpose?"
"Now that the Queen has successfully evolved, can she advance to the Dou Zong level and transform into human form?"
Nie Yuan didn't answer but asked a question instead.
Medusa frowned slightly, but still wanted to know Nie Yuan's true purpose, so she nodded gently in acknowledgment.
Nie Yuan's eyes curved slightly as he said, enunciating each word clearly, "I hope that after the Queen succeeds, she will become my woman!"
"How dare you! You're dreaming!"
Medusa was stunned for a moment, her beautiful eyes widened instantly, and the veins on the back of her fair hand bulged. She immediately wanted to finish off Nie Yuan.
This guy is incredibly audacious! How dare he set his sights on her!
[Ding! Medusa has experienced shock, fright, and rage; her emotion level has increased by 100.]
Even before Medusa was stunned, Nie Yuan had already mobilized his fighting spirit.
When she got angry, he immediately dodged away.
"Wait a minute, let me finish!"
Nie Yuan secretly rejoiced, thankfully he understood Medusa's cold-blooded and murderous nature.
He was also aware of Medusa's suspicious nature.
If he hadn't said that, Medusa might not have believed his excuse.
If you take out the purple pot directly, you can indeed put the strange fire inside.
But right under Medusa's nose.
There are still no-fly zones outside, so it's still a dead end for them!
After all, Medusa had already reached the peak of the Douhuang realm many years ago.
"If you cannot provide a reasonable explanation, I will make you taste the agony of being devoured by ten thousand snakes!"
Medusa's chest heaved, her face was icy, and her eyes were filled with murderous intent as she looked at Nie Yuan.
"In the Jia Ma Empire, there aren't many Dou Huangs, and among female Dou Huangs, besides Yun Yun, you're the only one left..."
Nie Yuan pointed at Medusa.
The latter frowned, a hint of doubt flashing across his face, as he continued, "Yun Yun has made me lose face in the Empire. I hope the Queen can pretend to pursue me and help me regain some dignity. In exchange, I will help you complete your evolution safely."
Upon hearing this, Medusa parted her red lips slightly and asked skeptically, "Can you do it?"
[Ding! Medusa experiences surprise and secret delight, emotion value +50]