Using the Alien Fire to evolve the bloodline of the Snake People, while feasible, has a meagre success rate. Otherwise, the Four Elders wouldn't have been stuck at the peak of the Dou Emperor level for so many years.
"No! Master didn't fail!"
Qing Lin suddenly shook her head and said, "I can feel a powerful presence emerging from that charred body."
"Boom…"
As soon as Qing Lin finished speaking, the energy of heaven and earth suddenly surged. In the sky above the small island in the lake, a massive dark cloud began to gather.
Seeing the rolling lightning snakes in the cloud, the pupils of the Four Elders shrank suddenly. "It's the Magic Beast Thunder Tribulation!"
It's said that when certain legendary magic beasts are born or advance in rank, the enormous energy within them can become unstable, triggering celestial phenomena.
Since the Magic Beast Thunder Tribulation appeared, it meant that Queen Medusa's bloodline had already halfway evolved successfully.
The reason it's considered halfway successful is that the Magic Beast Thunder Tribulation is not easily overcome. Many powerful bloodline magic beasts perish under it.
Feeling the increasingly terrifying aura in the thundercloud, the Four Elders grew tense. They quickly led Qing Lin out of the small island's vicinity.
"Boom!!!"
When the energy in the thundercloud reached its limit, a dazzling lightning pillar descended from the sky, flattening the entire island.
In the worried gaze of the Four Elders, the dust gradually dissipated, revealing the Heavenly Flame, now the size of a fist, and the charred remains of a massive snake, less than half a meter long.
"Crack… crack…"
Suddenly, a faint cracking sound came from the charred snake corpse, and a colourful figure shot out, flying toward Qing Lin and the others.
It was a small seven-colored snake, no thicker than a thumb, covered with tiny seven-colored scales.
Its light purple snake eyes emitted a pure and simple aura, and a faint fragrance lingered around its body as it curiously observed Qing Lin.
"Master, is that you?"
Seeing this, Qing Lin tentatively reached out her tiny hand and gently held the seven-colored snake.
"It's the Seven-Colored Heaven Swallowing Python!"
"Her Majesty the Queen has truly succeeded in evolving, and she has even transformed into this legendary ancient beast."
"Legend has it that once the Seven-Colored Heaven Swallowing Python matures, it can rival Dou Saint-level experts. Truly, the heavens have blessed our Snake People…"
No wonder the Four Elders were so excited. With both Qing Lin and the Seven-Colored Heaven Swallowing Python now present, either of them could grow strong enough in the future to lead the Snake People to dominate part of the Dou Qi Continent.
After a brief period of excitement, the Four Elders finally realized that Queen Medusa's soul had brealisedred and that she had fallen into a deep sleep.
Noticing the newly-born soul of the Seven-Colored Heaven Swallowing Python following Qing Lin closely, and since Qing Lin was Queen Medusa's direct disciple, the Four Elders entrusted the Seven-Colored Heaven Swallowing Python to her care.
To aid in Queen Medusa's recovery, the Four Elders even took some soul-healing elixirs from their private stash and handed them to Qing Lin for safekeeping.
…
The next morning
"Something's wrong! Something's wrong! Four Elders, something's happened…"
Just as the Four Elders were meditating in seclusion inside their bamboo house as usual, a panicked shout came from outside.
"What's with the panic? Keep your composure!"
The Great Elder frowned at the intruder, scolding them with some displeasure, before asking, "Hua Snake, why aren't you attending to the Saintess? What's brought you here so early?"
Hua Snake, one of Queen Medusa's most trusted aides, had already reached the Dou King level and was also the leader of the Queen's guards.
Since Queen Medusa evolved into the Seven-Colored Heaven Swallowing Python, Hua Snake and over a hundred of the Queen's guards had shifted their allegiance to Qing Lin, tasked with protecting her and the Seven-Colored Heaven Swallowing Python.
"Great Elder, the Saintess has run away from home! She left a letter for you!"
"What did you say?!"
The once-calm faces of the Four Elders suddenly changed at the news of Qing Lin's departure. They hurriedly snatched the letter from Hua Snake's hands and began reading.
The letter explained that Qing Lin had decided to follow Xiao Feng and his group to the Black Corner Region for training. She planned to tame a few seventh-tier serpent magic beasts and heal Queen Medusa's soul before returning.
"…"
After reading the letter, the Four Elders exchanged helpless glances.
Though they wanted to curse, the situation had already unfolded, and they couldn't very well drag Qing Lin back now.
Fortunately, with Qing Lin's current strength and the three sixth-tier serpent pets by her side, the Four Elders didn't have to worry too much about her safety.
They only hoped she wouldn't get too caught up in her adventures and forget about the Snake People.
Meanwhile, Xiao Feng and his group were racing ahead, riding the Eight-Winged Black Serpent Emperor, swiftly arriving at the headquarters of the Steel Mercenary Group.
Upon seeing Xiao Feng return, Xiao Ding and Xiao Li warmly welcomed him and immediately prepared a banquet to celebrate their arrival.
After settling Qing Lin and Little Doctor Immortal, Xiao Feng discussed essential matters with Xiao Ding and Xiao Li.
Since Xiao Feng didn't know when he'd be returning to the Tagore Desert after leaving, he specially crafted several magic treasures for Xiao Ding and Xiao Li.
There were only four treasures in total—two defensive and two offensive—explicitly designed for Xiao Ding and Xiao Li's protection.
In addition to these treasures made from fifth-tier magic beast materials, Xiao Feng also gave them dozens of low-tier magical tools to help them cultivate their trusted followers.
As the Steel Mercenary Group continued to grow, the small city of Shi Mo could no longer satisfy Xiao Ding and Xiao Li's ambitions, and they were already preparing to expand into nearby towns.
At that point, they would need to train a powerful group of loyal followers to oversee the mercenary group branches in other cities.
Rather than waiting for their followers to improve their skills slowly, it was more effective to arm them with offensive and defensive magical tools for immediate results.
While Xiao Feng and Xiao Ding were chatting, dusk quietly settled in, and the celebratory banquet officially began.
The veteran mercenaries of the Steel Mercenary Group had experienced Xiao Feng's terrifying drinking ability before, so none dared challenge him.
However, many new recruits, fearless in their youth, want to offer Xiao Feng drinks, egged on by the older mercenaries.
To the amusement of the veterans, dozens of these eager new recruits were soon outdrunk by Xiaog.
Even Xiao Ding, who out drunk Li, eventually succumbed to Xiao Feng's drinking prowess, and the lively celebration finally came to an end amid much laughter and playful scolding.
(End of Chapter)
Incursio with upper moon demon arts is a real deadly combo!
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