After receiving the news of Medusa's intention to form an Alliance, the Jiama side moved very quickly.
Soon, the high-level officials of the Jiama side headed to the border between the two Empires, waiting for the arrival of Queen Medusa.
Among them, the representative of the Jiama Royal Family was the Peak Dou Huang, Jia Xingtian.
Representing the Cloud Mist Sect were Sect Master Yun Yun and guest elder Gu He.
Gu He's presence this time was not without the intention of taking the opportunity to inquire about the Heavenly Flame.
After all, he had learned through certain channels about the Demonic Beast lineage's method of evolving with a Heavenly Flame.
In other words, a Heavenly Flame might be in the hands of either Xiao Xue or Medusa.
After a successful evolution, the Heavenly Flame would actually be useless to Queen Medusa.
As for Xiao Xue, a Water Attribute Dou Qi cultivator, she would have even less use for a Heavenly Flame.
Therefore, perhaps if he was willing to bleed a little and pay a price, he could obtain the Heavenly Flame he had always dreamed of.
This held an immense attraction for Gu He.
Of course, what Gu He didn't know was that Medusa's original form after her successful evolution, the Seven-Colored Sky Swallowing Python, was an ancient Fire Attribute exotic beast.
The current Medusa was no longer an ordinary snake-person who viewed Heavenly Flames as deadly poison; she could even refine and use them for herself.
So, for one, even if Medusa had a Heavenly Flame, it wouldn't be Gu He's turn to get it.
Secondly, Medusa didn't actually have a Heavenly Flame.
The ones who possessed Heavenly Flames were Ahri, who was idling inside a storage ring, and Xiao Xue, who was currently forced to lie flat in the palace.
The Clan Chiefs of the other families in the capital also came in person.
For example, Miteer Tengshan of the Mittel Family, Mu Zhan of the Mu Family, and Nalan Jie of the Nalan Family.
Logically, since Xiao Xue had been titled a Prince of the Snake-People Clan by Medusa, the Xiao Family, as her Family, should definitely attend.
However, the current Clan Chief of the Xiao Family, Xiao Zhan, was only a Great Dou Master.
Though he was only two stars away from being a Dou Ling, he was still just a Great Dou Master.
So, although Xiao Zhan really wanted to see his daughter, his cultivation was simply too low.
Medusa was already a Dou Zong; therefore, for these Alliance discussions, no one with strength below the Dou Wang level went.
After all, when facing a powerhouse, if the difference in strength is too great, the weak will unconsciously submit to the other party.
Especially since Queen Medusa's reputation for both ferocity and beauty was far too great in the surrounding Empires.
Xiao Zhan didn't think too much about it; he was just worried that if he went, he might accidentally show cowardice and embarrass his daughter.
Another point was that he was currently at a critical stage of his cultivation.
Xiao Zhan had already consumed two purple heart barrier-breaking pills, and for the time being, the Xiao Family didn't have any other Medicinal Pills that could directly increase strength.
However, after learning about the Alliance, the Jiama Royal Family and the Alchemist Guild quickly came to the Xiao Family with generous gifts to express their gratitude.
Among the gifts was a Three-Pattern Azure Spirit Pill refined by Fa Ma, the president of the Alchemist Guild.
The Three-Pattern Azure Spirit Pill was a Peak fourth-grade pill; if a Great Dou Master consumed it, there was a chance to increase their strength by three-stars in a short period of time.
Of course, this kind of pill also had a certain chance of causing a medicinal backlash.
Those who suffered the backlash might have their strength reduced by about one to two stars, but there was no danger to their lives.
Xiao Zhan was currently a seven-star Great Dou Master; after taking the Three-Pattern Azure Spirit Pill, in the best-case scenario, he could directly reach the Peak of the Great Dou Master level.
Even if the Three-Pattern Azure Spirit Pill couldn't help Xiao Zhan break through directly to Dou Ling, it would greatly shorten the time it took for him to reach that level.
And while things like Medicinal Pills didn't have an "expiration date," it was naturally better to consume them as early as possible.
Over time, even with the protection of a jade bottle, the medicinal properties would slowly dissipate.
Therefore, Xiao Zhan intended to go into seclusion in the Xiao Residence recently, wanting to adjust himself to his optimal state.
Ideally, he could use the Three-Pattern Azure Spirit Pill to directly reach the Peak of the Great Dou Master level and strive to reach the Dou Ling level sooner.
Since Xiao Zhan wasn't going himself, the other members of the Xiao Family were clearly not qualified either.
Thus, regarding the Alliance matter, Xiao Zhan first asked Nalan Jie to look out for Xiao Xue a bit.
To this request from Xiao Zhan, Nalan Jie naturally agreed immediately.
Then, Xiao Zhan went to ask the Dou Huang expert who had a good relationship with the Xiao Family, Ice Emperor Hai Bodong, to go in his stead.
This way, it would avoid any potentially awkward situations and also help Xue'er gain some face in front of Medusa.
—The Clan Chief of the Xiao Family didn't even bother to come in person, sending a Dou Huang instead; the focus was on the participation.
When Xiao Zhan came to his door and stated his intentions, Hai Bodong couldn't help but have his mouth twitch.
After all, others didn't know what had happened during the decades he had disappeared.
But Hai Bodong could not forget that Medusa had sealed him for decades with a single move.
If it weren't for Xiao Xue's poe pill, he would probably still be drawing maps in Mo City right now.
—He already had PTSD.
And now, Queen Medusa had broken through to Dou Zong, so she would only be stronger than before.
To be honest, Hai Bodong was somewhat reluctant.
However, thinking back, Xiao Xue had used a favor to call people into the deep desert to gather herbs, helped him break the Seal, and even promised to refine a spirit revival purple pill for him.
Xiao Xue had helped him so much, yet he hadn't done much for the Xiao Family.
Hai Bodong gritted his teeth and finally agreed.
After all, so what if Queen Medusa had broken through to Dou Zong? She couldn't possibly attack him during the Alliance negotiations.
Besides, going over to see Girl Xue wouldn't be too bad.
Thus, Xiao Zhan stayed in the capital for seclusion, while Hai Bodong went in his place, joining Jia Xingtian, Fa Ma, and others to head to the border of the Jia Ma Empire and the Snake-People Empire.
———
A few days later.
On the outskirts of Stone Desert City.
Heading further out from Stone Desert City into the endless desert region was actually the territory of the Snake-People Empire.
There was no clear boundary line between the Snake-People Empire and the Jia Ma Empire.
Generally, people would not go further than a few dozen miles out from Stone Desert City.
Similarly, snake-people usually wouldn't approach Stone Desert City unless... they wanted to start a fight.
Today, however, several figures stood suspended in the air dozens of miles outside Stone Desert City.
Without exception, these people were floating in the sky using Dou Qi Wings.
—The entire group consisted of Dou Wangs and above.
On the side closer to Stone Desert City was the Jia Ma Empire's faction:
Dou Huangs Jia Xingtian, Hai Bodong, and Yun Yun; Sixth-Rank Alchemist Pill King Gu He; Fifth-Grade Alchemist Fa Ma; and several Dou Wangs.
On the other side were the eight Dou Wang leaders of the Snake-People Clan.
Among them, although some snake-people were not fond of humans, they also knew the benefits of the Alliance for the Snake-People Clan.
So, they didn't say anything to Jia Xingtian and the others in their local dialect but waited quietly.
Even with the eight leaders out, and Medusa temporarily away, the Snake-People Clan had four Dou Huang Elders presiding, so there would be no trouble in the short term.
Although it seemed the Snake-People side had fewer people, the group from Jiama did not dare to show even the slightest hint of contempt.
As the representative of the Jiama Royal Family, Jia Xingtian stepped forward and cupped his hands. "Her Majesty Queen Medusa, I am Jia Xingtian."
"I have come specifically to discuss the Alliance with Your Majesty. Please appear for a meeting!"
The next moment, high in the sky on the Snake-People side, the space suddenly warped in a strange manner.
Watching this scene, Gu He and the others were all slightly startled.
Except for the three Dou Huangs and the two Alchemists, Fa Ma and Gu He, everyone else took a small step back and gazed solemnly at the distorted space.
In the next instant, a graceful and curvaceous figure slowly appeared under the gaze of countless people.
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