Cai Lin's smile was as beautiful and captivating as a blossoming flower, drawing fawning gazes from the powerful members of the Snake-People. Ever since the Queen broke through to become a Dou Ancestor-level powerhouse, she had not only become more beautiful but also more feminine. Especially those slender, jade-like legs—if they could just touch them once, they would die without regret.
However, the Snake-People didn't dare cross that line, for they knew their queen's temperament well. If they infuriated her, not only themselves but possibly even their families would be implicated.
Cai Lin then relayed, word for word, the rules set by the Heaven Ascending Pavilion for the Snake-People. This immediately provoked disgruntled questioning from dozens of the tribe's strong warriors.
The Snake-People were naturally lustful, enjoying ravishing human women. This custom had been passed down for a thousand years; how could they possibly give it up now?
"Your Highness, this isn't fair! We Snake-People are the most noble species; we should be our own rulers!"
"Yes, Your Highness! Human women are our playthings—we can't let this go!"
The eight chiefs of the Snake-People tribe wore stern expressions. One of them drew his weapon and immediately grabbed one of the troublemakers, slamming him forcefully to the ground. He then drove his blade into the man's head, decapitating him on the spot.
"Anyone else who dares disturb Her Highness will meet the same fate!"
Mo Ba Si brandished his sword, his face cold and menacing. Since the Queen had made such a decision, it was clearly the will of Pavilion Master Li of the Heaven Ascending Pavilion. Who would dare defy that?
What if they accidentally earn his ire, forcing their tribe back into the depths of that damned place?
That was something they absolutely could not allow to happen.
Queen Medusa's cold eyes swept over all her people as she shouted sternly, "Insolence! I am the Queen!"
The moment these words left her mouth, all the Snake-People warriors froze in place, their eyes filled with fear. It had been a long time since they had seen their queen lose her temper. Just a single shout made their blood boil, nearly causing them to collapse.
Medusa raged, "Have you forgotten the days in the Tager Desert? That damned place! Without the Heaven Ascending Pavilion, you would still be struggling in that shithole. Now that you've been brought to the Magic Beast Mountain Range, you are receiving the greatest blessing. Yet, instead of showing gratitude, you only show petty selfishness and vulgar desire—how disappointing!"
"I despise war, despise this game of harvesting lives. Only we have the right to choose our path. Now that we've returned to the Magic Beast Mountain Range, we must not repeat the mistakes of the past!"
"From today on, I will abolish all unreasonable rules and lead the Snake-People my way, so that we may live here forever!"
As her voice fell, all the strong warriors of the Snake-People tribe knelt on the ground, their eyes full of reverence.
"Swear eternal loyalty to Her Majesty!"
"Swear eternal loyalty to Her Majesty!"
Queen Medusa looked up at the blazing sun, a complex expression flashing in her eyes. Finally, the Snake-People could break free from the so-called Tager Desert.
It had been a thousand years; now the Queen Medusas of past generations could finally rest in peace!
Sitting in the Riverside Bamboo Pavilion, Li Xiao gently set down his teacup, a smile on his face. This was the Queen Medusa he fancied. Only this way could she intimidate her people and spare them from the suffering of war.
Otherwise, within a hundred years, the Snake-People would inevitably fall into crisis again. But next time, it wouldn't be as simple as just returning to the Tager Desert.
Great Elder Nu Wa heaved a deep sigh, but instead of angered by the queen's domineering attitude, she felt a sense of relief. With Her Highness here, the Snake-People tribe was sure to regain its former glory or even more flourishing than ever before!
As there were still important matters within the tribe, the four great elders finished their tea and bid farewell to Pavilion Master Li Xiao. They then returned to the Snake-People tribe to help their people build a new home.
Li Xiao also led his people to start picking peaches. Halfway through, Queen Medusa joined them, and everyone had a great time.
…
In the depths of the night, the Magic Beast Mountain Range was exceptionally quiet. Heavy breaths rose and fell rhythmically as everyone sat under the Heaven Ascending Pavilion, savoring a long-awaited tranquility.
This was the most comfortable kind of life—enjoying the evening breeze, drinking the peach wine brewed by the Pavilion Master, and feasting on the meat of high-level magical beasts. What a delight.
Lian Xue pouted, wrapping her arms around Ling Long's neck, and complained tearfully, "The Pavilion Master hasn't come out for two hours already. Seriously, I miss him."
Ling Long chuckled softly, "Sister Xue, do you miss the Pavilion Master, or do you miss the ice popsicle he makes? If you can't stand it, ask Sister Bing Shuang to make you a few to cool off."
"Ice popsicle? Where is the ice popsicle? I want the blueberry flavor!"
The Brute Queen, Zi Yan, who was sitting on the ground devouring the meat before her, quickly raised her hand, eager for the special blueberry-flavored ice popsicle from the Heaven Ascending Pavilion.
Bing Shuang smiled and with a slight movement of her fingers, a few ice popsicles of different flavors landed steadily in front of them. "When the Pavilion Master comes out, he definitely won't let you off."
"Bleh bleh bleh~"
The group stuck out their cute little tongues at Bing Shuang, made funny faces, and continued to enjoy the different flavored ice pops at their own pace.
The same taste as the Pavilion Master's—so delicious.
...
Central Plain.
The Gu Clan's Main Hall.
Seated at the head of the hall was a man, around forty years old. He looked like an ordinary middle-aged man, dressed in simple linen clothes with a faint smile on his face that gave others a sense of reassurance.
His calm gaze seemed to be able to see through people's hearts. Often dressed in unremarkable linen garments, beneath his ordinary exterior lay an incredibly terrifying power.
"So it seems that the Heaven Ascending Pavilion indeed has such strength. They even managed to acquire something as precious as the Nine Nether Wind Flame. Heh heh heh."
Gu Yuan looked at the strange flame in the palm of his hand, a smile spreading across his face. "Xun'er, you've made a great contribution this time."
Xiao Xun'er, kneeling on the ground, slowly raised her head.
"Father, there's something else I want to tell you."
Gu Yuan said, "Speak."
Xiao Xun'er bit her red lips, thought for a moment, then took out a scroll from her storage ring that she had obtained from the Heaven Ascending Pavilion auction, and handed it over with both hands.
Gu Yuan squinted slightly, not quite understanding what Xun'er intended, but he still instinctively accepted the scroll.
"Xun'er, what's the matter? Is there something unusual about this scroll?"
"You should open it and see for yourself," Xiao Xun'er responded somewhat sheepishly, because even she herself thought that if she explained it, her father might not believe her.
Gu Yuan opened the scroll half-convinced, but the moment he saw the words inside, he jumped up from his seat. Several Gu Clan elders around him also cast curious glances. What could possibly cause the clan leader to react so strongly?
Could it be a high-level Dou Technique?