"So soon?" Yun Yun asked with a surprised expression. "According to our calculations, you originally needed at least another year to break through using the power of the Green Lotus Core Flame, right?"
"Mhm." Queen Medusa's lips curved as she rested one hand on her cheek, leaning against the nearby table. "So the plane blessing is truly fragrant. Of course, this also has to do with this Queen previously obtaining the remnant magic core and remnant soul of the Seven-Colored Heaven Swallowing Python. Otherwise, even with daily bloodline improvement, it would probably still take about three months."
"But this Queen obtaining the Seven-Colored Heaven Swallowing Python's remnant magic core and remnant soul was also because of the plane blessing, so in the end it's the same."
"Advancing the breakthrough by at least a year, and more smoothly and perfectly without risk." Yun Yun felt genuine envy from the bottom of her heart, but she immediately became a little worried. "But if you break through so quickly, won't Xiao Ting suspect something?"
"Moreover, if you break through on your own, it seems there would be no reason to continue staying by Xiao Ting's side, right?"
"Since this Queen plans to break through, of course I have a way." Medusa smiled calmly, full of confidence. "Xun Er thought of a method long ago. At that time, we'll just tell Xiao Ting that she found a Seven-Colored Heaven Swallowing Python's remnant magic core and remnant soul for this Queen, so the transformation is happening early."
"The condition for him giving me these resources is that after this Queen breaks through to Dou Ancestor, I must protect Xiao Ting for at least three years."
"This way, this Queen can reasonably ask him to assist with the final transformation."
"And my protecting him becomes a transaction with Xun Er, which is also perfectly logical."
Xiao Ting likes to eat soft rice, and he eats it openly, confidently, and with peace of mind, doesn't he?
Then Xun Er would help him make this rice even softer, and Medusa would come to help set the stage too.
How difficult could it be to fabricate an excuse to give Xiao Ting some benefits?
"I see." Yun Yun felt this plan was truly flawless, much better than her own idea of staying by Medusa's side as a maid.
"When did you all come up with these plans?" Yun Yun asked curiously.
"A few days ago, while eating pastries, reading books, and chatting, we just set the plans." Medusa lightly raised her chin. "Why? Maid Yun Yun, does this Queen and Xun Er need to report to you in advance?"
"I didn't mean that." Yun Yun immediately waved her hands and smiled. "I was just thinking that you didn't discuss it in the group."
"What's there to discuss?" Medusa gently shook her head, then said, "Go to the kitchen and bring this Queen a plate of fruit."
Yun Yun: ?
"Sister Medusa, you're really treating me as a maid." Yun Yun showed a somewhat helpless expression. This Queen Medusa had gotten too deep into the role.
"What do you mean 'treating you as a maid'?" Medusa leaned closer, reached out to pinch Yun Yun's cheek, and her narrow eyes carried a teasing look. "To make the act complete, there really is this Queen's snake seal inside your body. It's just not as strong as Hai Bodong's and is easy to remove."
"When you proposed this script, Xun Er already said we must strive for realism and that we should all act in ways that match our own personalities."
"You said—if this Queen captured you, wouldn't I assign you quite a few tasks?"
"Little Yun Er, the act must be realistic."
"Is my script correct?" Yun Yun suddenly felt like she had been outsmarted by her own cleverness.
…
At the same time, inside the most luxurious restaurant in Jia Ma Empire's Jia Ma Holy City, Huo Zhi and Yao Ling sat facing each other. Beside them sat a woman with a charming and alluring temperament.
"You said your name is Yao Ling?" The imperial sister beauty in the red dress leaned closer to examine Yao Ling.
"Yes, Senior Fairy Huo Ling." Yao Ling answered somewhat nervously.
Although what stood before her was only the Huo Ling's soul energy avatar, it was still a powerhouse comparable to a Three-Star Dou Saint. Her main body was an even more powerful late-stage Seven-Star Dou Saint than her grandfather, the Yao Clan's strongest expert.
"This 'Fairy' address saved you." The Huo Ling pointed a finger at Yao Ling's forehead. "Otherwise, I would have to go to the Yao Clan and ask that old fellow Yao Dan what he means by giving his granddaughter the same name as this fairy. Does he want to be this fairy's grandfather?"
"My grandfather definitely didn't mean that." Yao Ling's heart tightened and she immediately explained, "He said he hopes I will understand reason and be clever and quick-witted, so he chose the character 'Ling.' Colliding names with Fairy can only mean that this name is truly good."
"You really know how to talk." A trace of surprise flashed in Huo Zhi's eyes. She asked with interest, "Why have you come to this remote place in the northwest continent?"
She actually had the exact same goal as her own little niece. It felt a bit too coincidental.
"Training." Yao Ling's gaze was sincere as she told the truth. "I heard that the northwest continent is the place where the Xiao Clan—the strongest ancient clan a thousand years ago—rose to power. This junior has heard legends about Xiao Xuan and wanted to come here to see for myself."
"Oh?" This time the Huo Ling was truly surprised. She chuckled. "It's rare for someone from the Yao Clan to have the idea of leaving the Yao Realm to see the outside world. You're different from those other self-important, arrogant, and insular fools from the Yao Clan."
Yao Ling immediately showed an awkward smile, thinking to herself that this was how people from other ancient clans viewed the Yao Clan?
Seeming to guess what she was thinking, the Huo Ling leaned back in her chair and said, "Leaving aside the Yao Clan and Hun Clan, just take my Yan Clan and the Lei Clan. We both have Eight-Star Dou Saints alive in the world, yet we still don't forget to frequently go out into the world to train, seek opportunities left by predecessors, and discover civilian geniuses."
"Back then, Xiao Xuan discovered the Burning Flame Valley's Burning Flame Ancestor—a person without Dou God bloodline who actually grew to the Nine-Star Dou Saint level. That set a good precedent."
"But your Yao Clan—your entire clan's strongest is only Yao Dan, a Seven-Star Dou Saint who isn't even this fairy's opponent, yet you look down on this and that. How ridiculous."
"Take Yao Chen for example. If your Yao Clan had taken him back, you would have gained another Dou Saint long ago, one who could refine ninth-grade pills. But you refused."
"This fairy often thinks that if the Yao Clan is ever destroyed one day, it will definitely be because of excessive arrogance."
In the Fairy Huo Ling's view, as descendants of an ancient clan, having an invincible heart, feeling pride in one's bloodline, and believing one is not inferior to anyone was natural and correct.
But being as blindly conceited as the Yao Clan was a path to self-destruction.
"Senior's criticism is right."
If this had been in the past, Yao Ling would have outwardly agreed but inwardly disagreed.
Across the entire Battle Qi Continent, even if you added up all high-level alchemists, they wouldn't compare to the number in the Yao Clan.
The Yao Clan was also a Dou God descendant and possessed countless pills, so feeling they were powerful was normal.
But now that she had the Journal, she was no longer a frog at the bottom of a well. However, some habits formed since childhood wouldn't change overnight.
"Senior, I get along quite well with Sister Huo Zhi." Yao Ling's beautiful eyes moved as she smiled and spoke. "My elder brother Yao Tian is a few years older than me and has already broken through to Dou Venerate. His soul state has reached the peak of the Spirit State. Do you think he is qualified to propose marriage to Sister Huo Zhi?"
Fairy Huo Ling: ?
The conversation topic jumped so drastically that this Seven-Star Dou Saint nearly strained her waist.
The corner of Huo Zhi's mouth twitched: This Yao Ling—whatever else you could say about her, her execution was quite strong.
…
PS: Support me and read advanced chapters at patreon.com/AbsoluteCode