Medusa frowned, sizing Yun Yun up from head to toe, making Yun Yun feel a bit uneasy.
Yun Yun was absolutely, positively certain that she and Queen Medusa had never met before today.
However, Medusa's attitude toward her made Yun Yun feel inexplicably nervous.
"Your name is Yun Yun, the Sect Master of the Cloud Mist Sect?" Medusa asked, looking at Yun Yun.
"Yes, Queen Medusa, Your Majesty," Yun Yun replied.
"What is your relationship with the Prince of my Snake-People Clan, Xiao Xue?"
Medusa's gaze narrowed, and her voice suddenly turned cold, a sharp departure from her previous charm.
In just an instant, she transformed from a captivating serpent beauty into the Iron-blooded Empress of the Snake-People Clan.
Though she didn't release any pressure, the aura of a superior that she unconsciously emitted startled everyone from the Jia Ma side.
For a moment, the atmosphere became tense.
The people from the Jia Ma side looked at each other, seeing the confusion and suspicion in each other's eyes; they clearly had no idea what was happening.
Aside from Hai Bodong, who had instinctively ducked to the side, this was also the first time they had seen Queen Medusa's majestic side.
The current Medusa was markedly different from before.
If the charm, elegance, and kindness in Medusa's previous demeanor were a sheath wrapping around her;
Then the current Medusa had cast that sheath aside.
And as everyone knows, being without a sheath is a very dangerous thing.
And Queen Medusa was no exception.
While the Jia Ma side grew wary, Medusa's beautiful eyes remained fixed on Yun Yun, waiting for her response.
Just now, when she thought that the little fellow in her bedchamber might have had some history with this woman named Yun Yun...
In an instant, a surge of anger from out of nowhere rushed into Medusa's mind.
Fortunately, Medusa had extraordinary self-control and didn't lose her composure on the spot or do anything unwise like releasing her Fighting Qi.
Behind Medusa, the Eight Snake-People Leaders all lowered their heads, focusing on their own noses and hearts as if they were eight floating specimens.
They even used Fighting Qi to plug their ears—hearing nothing, saying nothing, and seeing nothing.
After all, they were all too familiar with Queen Medusa's personality.
If they dared to eavesdrop on the Queen's gossip, they might actually be turned into specimens.
So, although they were very curious about the gossip between the Queen and His Highness the Prince.
The few of them were quite decisive; between 'eating the melon' and 'attending a funeral feast,' they chose to stay hungry.
Medusa was actually a very rational person; few things could make her wear her emotions on her face.
Precisely because of this, despite being fuming with rage right now, she was very clear about the reason for her emotions.
—Xiao Xue was considered her forbidden plaything.
A possession that others were not allowed to touch, reserved solely for her own private use!
And the reason for this, Medusa herself knew:
Although she hadn't known Xiao Xue for long, some 'accidents' had even occurred between the two of them.
And that accident was something she had subconsciously caused while losing her mind.
So, when she was alone, Medusa would often find reasons to excuse herself.
—It was just an accident; her actions toward that little fellow Xiao Xue were only to protect the Snake-People Clan, without any other feelings involved.
She didn't even need to try and please Xiao Xue.
After all, making Xiao Xue one of the Snake-People Clan's own was simply too difficult, with little chance of success.
Therefore, she only needed to temporarily deceive others and, in the process, ensure that Xiao Xue's life was safe.
In a few more years, after she broke through to become a Dou Venerate, she would take the Snake-People Clan and hide away somewhere on the continent, and the clan would basically be safe.
At that time, it wouldn't matter what happened to Xiao Xue.
As long as the Snake-People Clan's location wasn't exposed, even if she died outside, it would have nothing to do with her.
Perhaps this was the best solution.
This way, there was no need for her to invest any feelings in a human she had only recently met.
Gambling the fate of an entire clan on a relationship with almost no future was a very unwise thing to do.
Medusa was not just one person; she carried the weight of a whole clan and an Empire on her shoulders.
That was why Medusa had hesitated.
However, at the thought of certain possibilities, her heart suddenly felt empty.
All her previous thoughts lost their meaning in an instant.
What was touched was touched; what happened had happened.
She, Medusa, was no'scumbag woman'; on the contrary, for all these years, she had always been a very conservative woman.
If something that shouldn't be touched was moved, a price had to be paid.
And since she had touched something she shouldn't have, she should take the corresponding responsibility.
If she didn't even have this much accountability, she wouldn't be fit to be the Empress of the Snake-People Empire.
More importantly—
Deep down, she didn't actually reject Xiao Xue.
Medusa had no real objection to the Elders' suggestion of 'making Xiao Xue one of our own.'
On the contrary, she highly approved of it.
Whether from the perspective of talent, strength, background, the benefits she could bring to the Snake-People Clan, or Xiao Xue's other personal qualities;
From any angle, Xiao Xue was the best choice for a Queen Consort.
And, though it sounded a bit absurd.
But after the events of that day, Medusa faintly felt that there seemed to be a Soul resonance between her and that little fellow.
As for why this situation occurred, Medusa couldn't explain it either.
She could only speculate that it was because when the accident happened, her Soul had just evolved into a Heaven Swallowing Python and was not yet stable.
And Xiao Xue was affected, causing their Souls to develop a certain connection.
Soul resonance was one thing, but at the same time, if things worked out between her and Xiao Xue, the benefits to the Snake-People Clan and herself would be immeasurable.
Medusa's only concern was simply how to achieve this.
However, a Seven-Colored Sky Swallowing Python could become a Dou Venerate even while lying down; with enough Opportunity, reaching the level of a Dou Sheng was not impossible.
Even if Xiao Xue had Heaven-Defying talent and the background of a Grade 8 Alchemist, she, Medusa, was actually not far behind.
So... it serves you right for being stuck with this Queen!
That little fellow belongs to me, and no one else has the right!
Now, Medusa had figured it out; she was just waiting for Xiao Xue to come around.
Demonic Beasts have a very strong sense of territory; once they've decided something is their possession, they won't allow anyone else to intervene.
Especially when the other party's strength was inferior to their own.
Medusa stared straight at Yun Yun, as if trying to read something from her face.
Yun Yun felt as though she were being watched by a venomous snake.
It felt as if the moment she said the wrong thing, those sharp fangs would instantly pierce her throat.
Yun Yun was momentarily choked up; she didn't understand Medusa's meaning.
But as the Sect Master of the Cloud Mist Sect, she had seen something of the world.
No matter what, she wouldn't be stared into silence by a single look from Medusa.
After all, this was a critical period for the Alliance; under normal circumstances, neither side of the negotiations would resort to violence.
After a pause, Yun Yun finally replied, "It was just a chance encounter."
A chance encounter?
Just a chance encounter, and your relationship is already close enough to share an Inner Armor?!
Are you trying to fool a snake?!
Medusa frowned, but in the end, she didn't ask the question out loud.
Because for now, the Alliance was the priority; it would be easier to just ask the little fellow directly after returning.
They had plenty of time to get to know each other slowly.
At least, that would be the case for the next few years.
The most important thing now was to finish dealing with the Alliance matters and then begin the upcoming 'Tempering.'
To gain the recognition of Xiao Xue and the power behind her, one had to have sufficient strength.
On the Fighting Qi Continent, strength is the only thing that gives one a voice.
If she could become a Peak Dou Venerate or even a Dou Sheng, then nothing could stop her from being with the little fellow.
Even if Xiao Xue's teacher was a Peak Dou Venerate, it still wouldn't work!
Medusa nodded nonchalantly, accepting Yun Yun's explanation and letting the topic drop.
Then, Medusa spoke the words she had prepared long ago:
"The Prince of my Snake-People Empire, Xiao Xue, is currently in secluded cultivation and recovery, so it's inconvenient for her to come for now."
"If you need proof of her identity... will this do?"
As Medusa spoke, she casually took out a black token engraved with the character for 'Soul.'
Looking at the token in Medusa's hand, the people from the Jia Ma side looked at each other, unsure of what Medusa was up to.
Compared to the confusion of the Jia Ma group, another power in the shadows was startled upon seeing the token in Medusa's hand.
Not far away, seeing the token in Medusa's hand, a mass of black mist slightly solidified, followed by a low chuckle:
"Jie jie jie, interesting, interesting!"
"The Queen Medusa, famous throughout the Northwest Continent, is actually one of our Hall of Souls! How interesting!"
------------------------
I've posted 40+ chapters in advance on Patreon.
Webnovel updates will still be daily, as usual.
It might not seem tempting right now but who knows what the future holds?
[email protected]/DaoistRoeoNQ
"And If you're enjoying it, drop a Power Stone for me!"