Outside the Medusa Temple, the colossal form of the Black-Scaled Cold Python coiled ominously in the sky. A thick, oppressive aura clung to the outer city walls like a suffocating shroud.
Standing atop the python, Gu He's hands clasped behind his back remained motionless, his silver mask glinting coldly under the dim light.
On the city walls, rows of Snake-People guards stood at the ready, their sharp weapons gleaming as they glared at the lone man and beast hovering in the sky.
Among them were survivors of the great battle three months prior—their eyes flickered with fear as they recognized Gu He perched upon the monstrous python.
This scene… it was all too familiar.
That damned demon had returned!
Glancing at their fellow tribesmen, those who had narrowly escaped death last time couldn't help but sigh inwardly.
'How many of us will this time?'
"Why is there no movement?"
Gu He frowned slightly, his gaze fixed on the silent Medusa Temple.
'Could it be that Queen Medusa isn't here?'
Just as the thought crossed his mind, his powerful soul perception suddenly picked up a surge of dou qi rushing toward him from the temple.
"Has Queen Medusa broken through?"
A flicker of speculation arose, but he quickly dismissed it.
'No… this isn't her aura.'
Gu He was intimately familiar with Queen Medusa's unique presence. The Dou Ancestor-level dou qi approaching him now was unmistakably someone else.
Before he could ponder further, a streak of light shot out from the temple, landing swiftly in the sky before the Black-Scaled Cold Python.
"The Great Elder of the Snake-People?"
Gu He's eyes narrowed as he recognized the old man before him—one of his former adversaries.
The Great Elder's icy glare bore into him. "You dare show your face here again, thief?"
Gu He blinked, momentarily puzzled by his audacity. Then, with a faint smile, he clasped his hands in mock courtesy.
"Congratulations, Great Elder. I never expected you to achieve a breakthrough at your age."
The Great Elder's expression remained frosty. "I owe it to your pill. Without it, all four of our elders would have perished by your hands."
'Ah, so that's why.'
Understanding dawned on Gu He. The Great Elder had used the pill to refine his bloodline, shattering his bottleneck and ascending to the Dou Ancestor realm.
Of course, such a feat wasn't something just anyone could accomplish—it required decades of accumulated cultivation. Still, Gu He hadn't anticipated that the pill he'd left behind would birth a Dou Ancestor expert.
Not that it mattered.
A mere one-star Dou Ancestor was hardly worth noting.
"Where is Queen Medusa?" Gu He asked calmly. "I've come to fulfill our agreement. Kindly inform her."
His tone was polite. Unlike those who grew arrogant with power, Gu He preferred diplomacy—most of the time.
Except, of course, when it came to seizing the Heavenly Flame. But even then, he had extended courtesy before resorting to force.
In the end, the Snake-People's heavy losses weren't his fault. He had shown mercy. They were the ones who'd forced his hand.
Unfortunately, the Great Elder was in no mood for courtesy.
"Hand over the Heavenly Flame," he demanded coldly, her voice dripping with disdain. "Return what you stole, and we may yet spare you."
Gu He stared at him, realization dawning.
'Ah. So he's here for a fight.'
The undisguised killing intent in his eyes left him speechless.
'Are the Snake-People truly this stubborn?'
'Was last time's lesson not harsh enough?'
'Do they really need a repeat?'
He sighed inwardly.
'Why must you force my hand?'
'I truly wish to be a good man.'
"Great Elder," Gu He's voice turned icy, his earlier gentleness gone. "I suggest you summon Queen Medusa."
For a fleeting moment, he hesitated, recalling Qing Lin's dream of liberating her people. Perhaps the Snake-People deserved one last chance.
But the Great Elder was determined to reject it.
"So you refuse to return the flame?" Her eyes hardened. "Then I'll take it from you myself!"
As he spoke, his aura surged violently—the full might of a Dou Ancestor expert erupting without restraint.
Gu He watched, unimpressed.
'Qing Lin, my dear disciple…'
'It seems your teacher can't help you with this after all.'
A faint smirk curled his lips as he studied the Great Elder.
'What gives a one-star Dou Ancestor the confidence to challenge me?'
"Arrogant fool!"
Enraged by his dismissive gaze, the Great Elder snarled. Then, with a flick of his wrist, a cyan orb materialized in his palm.
"Today, I will repay every ounce of humiliation you brought upon my people!"
As he channeled her Dou Qi into the orb, a brilliant cyan light erupted, illuminating the heavens.
"Snake Spirit Orb—Activate!"
Strange hand seals flashed as the orb trembled violently, then levitated above her head. A radiant cyan glow enveloped her body.
Gu He's eyebrows rose.
'What is this?'
"Heh. This is my people's sacred treasure," the Great Elder gloated, her voice dripping with malice. "Don't worry—for the sake of that pill, I'll spare your life."
"But I will break your limbs and toss you into the snake pit… Let you suffer the agony of being devoured alive!"
Her aura skyrocketed.
Two-star Dou Ancestor!
Three-star!
Four-star!
In moments, her power had climbed to the level of a four-star Dou Ancestor.
Gu He's eyes lit up with genuine interest.
"The Snake-People actually possess such a treasure?"
"Now this is a fine treasure!"
He studied the orb covetously, his earlier amusement replaced by fascination.
"Die, thief!"
With the orb's power amplifying him, the Great Elder shot toward Gu He like a bolt of cyan lightning.
Gu He snapped out of his reverie, his lips quirking into a smirk.
Then, with a casual wave of his hand—
"Boom!"
The very air trembled as a colossal dou qi palm materialized, slamming down upon the Great Elder with crushing force.
"Crack!"
His eyes widened in horror as the palm struck—
"Thud!"
His body hurtled backward like a broken doll, smashing into the distant city wall with bone-shattering impact.
Meanwhile, in Gu He's palm, the cyan orb now rested innocently.
"A fine treasure indeed!" he marveled, turning it over in his hands. "To think it can elevate a one-star Dou Ancestor to four-star… The Snake-People truly hide unexpected riches."
After admiring it for a moment, his gaze shifted to the Great Elder's crumpled form, now being frantically dug out by his tribesmen.
"Hei Lin," Gu He said idly. "You've worked hard on this journey. Go ahead—eat him."
"Yes, Master!"
The Black-Scaled Cold Python's eyes gleamed with hunger as it locked onto the Great Elder.
'A Dou Ancestor-ranked Snake-Person… What a delicacy.'
With a thunderous roar, it lunged toward the city walls, jaws gaping wide—
"Wait!"
A sharp cry rang out as a figure burst from the temple.
Gu He's smile deepened.
"Finally, you show yourself."
…
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