When the Great Elder suddenly brought up the matter, Queen Medusa was momentarily taken aback before replying, "Indeed, that man made an agreement with me. In three months, he would lend us the Heavenly Flame."
The Great Elder snorted coldly. "Hmph! In my opinion, that thief won't return. Humans are never to be trusted. Now that he has the Heavenly Flame, why would he keep his word?"
Queen Medusa shook her head. "No, I have a feeling he will return as promised."
"You actually trust a human?" The Great Elder's dissatisfaction was evident. "Have you forgotten who reduced the other three elders to their current state?"
Queen Medusa fell silent.
Yes.
That thief had forcibly seized the Heavenly Flame she had worked so hard to obtain, injured the four elders, and dealt a heavy blow to the Snake-People.
How could she still defend him?
With this thought, Queen Medusa said coldly, "Great Elder, this Queen was mistaken."
The Great Elder nodded slowly, his tone grave. "Your Majesty, you must not be deceived by that thief's meager offering of a Life-Preserving Pill. Compared to the Heavenly Flame, what value does a mere pill hold?"
"In my eyes, that thief is nothing but a hypocrite, thinking a petty gesture would make us forget this deep-seated hatred?" The elder's voice was icy.
"Your Majesty, we must avenge this blood feud!" The Great Elder's piercing gaze fixed on Queen Medusa.
Seeing his unyielding stance, Queen Medusa frowned slightly, a flicker of displeasure in her heart.
Ever since the Great Elder had broken through to the Dou Ancestor realm, it seemed as though he no longer held her, Queen Medusa, in high regard.
However, in this world where strength reigned supreme, she could not easily voice her dissatisfaction under the current circumstances.
"That man wore a silver mask that day—we didn't even see his face. Tell me, Great Elder, how do you propose we take revenge?" Medusa's expression was frosty as she stared at him.
"It matters not. As long as we confirm he is human, that is enough."
The Great Elder's face remained indifferent. "We need not concern ourselves with his identity. If we cannot deal with him directly, we shall declare war on the surrounding human empires."
"War?!"
Queen Medusa was stunned.
"No. Absolutely not!"
The Great Elder replied coolly, "Why not? Now that I have reached the Dou Ancestor realm, I possess the strength to challenge humans."
"For too long, our people have suffered in this scorching desert. It is time we claimed a new territory."
Queen Medusa remained opposed. "Great Elder, do not underestimate human strength."
"Setting aside other human powerhouses, consider only that man from before. If we encounter him again, can you confidently defeat him?"
"Of course!"
The Great Elder's confidence was unshaken.
"Has Your Majesty forgotten the sacred artifact of our Snake-People?"
Queen Medusa was taken aback. "The sacred artifact? You intend to use our clan's sacred artifact?"
"But… isn't it already unusable?"
She had some knowledge of the Snake-People's sacred artifact. However, as far as she knew, during the ancient war with humanity, it had been damaged by human experts and rendered powerless.
"Do you truly believe our sacred artifact could be so easily destroyed by humans?" The Great Elder sneered.
"True, its core was damaged in the war. But for generations, we have sought to restore it. Though it cannot unleash its full power, it is more than sufficient now."
Feeling the immense Dou Ancestor dou qi within him, the Great Elder's expression brimmed with confidence.
"With my current strength, I can awaken the artifact's power. A Dou Ancestor, bolstered by the sacred artifact, can contend even with a four-star Dou Ancestor!"
"So, Your Majesty—let us go to war!"
A fanatical gleam flashed in the Great Elder's eyes as he stared at Queen Medusa.
"It is time for our people to leave this cursed desert!"
Seeing his fervor, Queen Medusa fell into deep thought.
After a long silence, she finally spoke. "This matter requires careful planning… Great Elder, this Queen believes…"
Before she could finish, an overwhelming aura suddenly descended upon the Medusa Temple.
"Queen Medusa, the three-month deadline has arrived. As promised, I have come to see you again."
A clear voice echoed through the temple.
Sensing the familiar dou qi, Queen Medusa's expression shifted. Only after hearing the voice did she react.
"It's him!"
She was astonished—he had actually returned.
Beside her, the Great Elder of the Snake-People burst into laughter.
"Hahaha! To think that thief would dare show his face!"
His eyes burned with murderous intent. "This time, I will ensure he does not leave alive."
Feeling the Great Elder's chilling aura, Queen Medusa frowned.
"Are you truly confident in facing him? His strength is unfathomable. This Queen advises caution."
But the Great Elder, blinded by hatred, paid no heed.
"Your Majesty, this is a heaven-sent opportunity! I will avenge the three elders."
His tone brooked no argument. "I understand Your Majesty's concerns. Once I capture him, the Heavenly Flame will be ours as well."
A cold smirk played on his lips, as though victory was already assured.
"Then… Great Elder, proceed with caution."
Seeing that persuasion was futile, Queen Medusa relented.
In truth, a sliver of hope lingered in her heart.
'What if the Great Elder truly wins?'
"Hahaha! Your Majesty, await my triumph!"
"The humiliation this thief brought upon our clan—today, I will make him repay it tenfold, a hundredfold!"
With those words, the Great Elder's figure flickered, vanishing from the hall in an instant.
…
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