When Queen Medusa noticed the expression on Lin Yuan's face, she paused her explanation.
"You're plotting something again, aren't you? Who's going to be unlucky this time?" Queen Medusa asked softly, a hint of amusement appearing in her gaze as she looked at Lin Yuan.
Hearing her words, Lin Yuan smiled faintly and reined in his wandering thoughts. He raised a hand slightly, signaling for Queen Medusa to continue.
"Your Majesty, you're overthinking it. Please, go on."
Seeing this, Queen Medusa resumed explaining the intelligence she had gathered. "As I mentioned earlier, Ice–Fire Valley within the Mu Lan Empire should meet the conditions you described. That place is covered in ice and snow all year round, yet within the valley lies an active volcano. The volcano erupts from time to time, creating a rare environment where ice and fire intertwine. In the past, in order to seize control of the Mu Lan Empire, the Mu Lan imperial army and the disciples of Mu Lan Valley fought numerous battles there. In the end, the Mu Lan imperial clan was defeated, and Mu Lan Valley came to dominate the entire Mu Lan Empire."
"So that's how it is. No wonder the Jia Ma Imperial Family is so wary of the Misty Cloud Sect, there's a precedent in the Mu Lan Empire."
Lin Yuan suddenly understood. The hostility and vigilance the Jia Ma royal family held toward the Misty Cloud Sect were not without reason; a clear example existed right next door.
He then looked at Queen Medusa and asked, "What are Your Majesty's plans?"
Queen Medusa said in a low voice, "I intend to personally make a trip to Ice–Fire Valley. Unfortunately, that place is not far from Mu Lan Valley, and the relationship between the Snake-People Tribe and Mu Lan Valley has never been amicable. Therefore, I may need your assistance on this journey."
Lin Yuan nodded, expressing his agreement. "That's fine. I'll go with you."
Queen Medusa looked at him in mild surprise. "You're agreeing that easily?"
Lin Yuan chuckled softly and replied, "As the fifth elder of the Snake-People Tribe, isn't it perfectly natural to help our queen resolve her troubles?"
Queen Medusa frowned slightly. She seemed to see through Lin Yuan's true intentions and said in a deep voice, "Smooth talker. I suspect you've set your sights on Mu Lan Valley. I should remind you, although Mu Lan Valley doesn't have a Dou Ancestor-level expert, they possess a peculiar cultivation method. When several elders work together, they can unleash strength comparable to that of a Dou Ancestor."
Lin Yuan admitted frankly, "That's right. That's exactly it. I'm interested in that cultivation method and plan to take it for myself."
Looking at Lin Yuan, who spoke so openly, Queen Medusa found herself momentarily speechless. After pondering for a moment, she said in a low voice, "Is this your way of doing things? Whenever you encounter something you want, you simply find a way to seize it?"
Lin Yuan nodded. His light smile carried a trace of inexplicable emotion. "On the Dou Qi Continent, the strong rule supreme. I don't particularly like this chaotic state of affairs, but I'm very accustomed to these rules, because they allow me to become stronger at the fastest possible pace."
"Perhaps one day, when I'm powerful enough to say 'no' to this world, I'll try to change it. For now, I'll first make use of these rules to grow stronger within them. After all, the cries of the weak go unheard, while the whispers of the strong can pierce straight into the heart."
"When you say powerful enough to say 'no' to this world, you mean…?"
Queen Medusa looked into Lin Yuan's deep, unfathomable eyes and asked in a low voice.
"Dou God," Lin Yuan said softly, his voice faint and distant.
'His goal is Dou God?'
If anyone else had said such words, Queen Medusa would likely have mocked them with a scornful, 'A fool's dream!'
Yet when Lin Yuan spoke in that ethereal tone, Queen Medusa could clearly sense his seriousness and determination. Not knowing what she was feeling at that moment, she merely said calmly, "Is that so?"
Lin Yuan nodded, then turned his gaze toward Queen Medusa and asked in return, "And you, Your Majesty? Why did you choose to walk this perilous path of using Heavenly Flames to evolve, a path where survival is uncertain and death ever-present?"
Queen Medusa gazed into the distance. Her seductive voice seemed to gain a layer of solemn depth and age. "For my people. To lead the Snake-People Tribe out of this desert that is not suitable for our survival."
"So that's how it is."
Lin Yuan let out a soft sigh, a hint of respect arising in his heart.
Lin Yuan considered himself a very selfish person. For Jia Nan Academy, a place that felt like home to him, he would find ways to make it better, but he could not bring himself to gamble his life for it. Though he could not do so, he never belittled such actions. On the contrary, he deeply respected them. Thus, for someone like Queen Medusa, who was willing to stake her life for her people, he held great respect, along with a faint trace of envy.
'When will there be something in my heart—besides power, that I'd willingly risk my life for?'
Lin Yuan asked himself inwardly. He then looked at Queen Medusa, intending to say, "The Snake-People Tribe is fortunate to have a queen like you."
However, before the words could leave his mouth, he felt Queen Medusa's clear, sharp gaze lock firmly onto him.
"What I said earlier was once my entire goal. However, since meeting you, my objective in evolving through a Heavenly Flame has gained one more purpose."
Queen Medusa's voice carried a moving sense of sincerity and resolve.
"Oh? And what is it?" Lin Yuan asked.
Queen Medusa stared at Lin Yuan and said slowly, word by word, "To defeat you fair and square, once."
Lin Yuan was momentarily stunned, speechless in his heart. He then composed himself and said solemnly, "Is that so? Then let us make a battle pact here and now. After Your Majesty completes your evolution, we shall fight again!"
Queen Medusa's evolution would be accompanied by immense pain. To endure it, one needed obsession—powerful obsession. If a battle with him could become Queen Medusa's obsession, then he was more than willing to deepen it.
He raised his right palm toward Queen Medusa. Seeing this, Queen Medusa did not hesitate and extended her own palm, striking it firmly against Lin Yuan's.
Pa!
A crisp sound rang out as their palms met, and their battle pact was officially sealed.
Queen Medusa seemed to be in good spirits. She smiled faintly and said, "How about adding another stake? The winner may make one request of the loser."
"Any request?" Lin Yuan asked with a hint of amusement.
"Any request," Queen Medusa replied seriously.
Lin Yuan raised an eyebrow and laughed. "Since Your Majesty is in such high spirits, I'll gladly accompany you."
"Then it's settled!"
With the next steps decided, Lin Yuan and Queen Medusa began discussing their itinerary.
"When does Your Majesty plan to depart?" Lin Yuan asked.
"As soon as possible, preferably within the next few days. I hope to complete my evolution as quickly as I can," Queen Medusa answered without hesitation.
After a brief moment of thought, Lin Yuan proposed, "Could we delay the departure by half a month?"
Queen Medusa revealed a look of confusion and asked, "Why?"
Lin Yuan explained, "I expect that in a little over half a month, my cultivation will reach the peak of Dou King. With greater strength, I'll be more at ease if we truly encounter the Mu Lan Three Elders."
"Peak Dou King in half a month?"
Queen Medusa nodded after hearing this. "It seems your cultivation method is indeed extraordinary. Very well, then we'll set out half a month from now."
After some thought, Lin Yuan made another suggestion. "I recommend that Your Majesty bring all the materials required for this evolution."
Seeing the hint of confusion in Queen Medusa's eyes, Lin Yuan continued, "I've studied the evolution secret technique. The Snake-People constitution is inherently yin-cold, and your evolution requires the assistance of a Heavenly Flame. If the environment of Ice–Fire Valley is as you described, then a place where both extreme cold and heat coexist would be more suitable for performing the evolution technique than the Tager Desert."
After a pause, Lin Yuan added, "Bring everything with you. If all conditions are right, once we obtain the Soul Origin Fruit, I'll refine the Heavenly Soul Pill directly within the valley and then assist Your Majesty in carrying out the evolution ritual."
"I understand. I will make the necessary preparations. Farewell."
With that, Queen Medusa spread her wings, turned around, and flew back toward her palace.
Lin Yuan also returned to his own pill-refining hall.
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