Boom! Boom! Boom!
A terrifying series of explosions echoed from within the mountain forest.
A figure was sent flying backward at extreme speed, crashing through countless trees before being embedded deep into the mountainside.
The impact was so great that the very earth trembled.
In an instant, dust and debris filled the air as shattered rocks flew everywhere.
"Ahem, ahem..."
"I say, Your Majesty, aren't you being a bit too ruthless? Aren't you worried this frail little body of mine won't be able to take it?"
A moment later, a figure shot out from the mountain, landing on the ground. He began dusting himself off while complaining theatrically.
Just then, a graceful, red-clad figure suddenly appeared not far from him. Her beautiful eyes were serene as she spoke softly, "If I didn't use some real strength, how would you test the limits of your own?"
"Besides, you were the one who launched a sneak attack. How can you turn around and blame me for being heavy-handed?"
"Alright, alright, you're the Queen. Whatever you say goes."
Zhou Changqing quickly waved his hands in surrender, muttering under his breath, "You're a peak Dou Huang. If I didn't try a sneak attack, I'd never even get close to you. What's the point of even fighting then? I'd just be a punching bag..."
"What did you say?"
Queen Medusa glanced at him sideways.
Her gaze was placid, yet it carried a bone-chilling sensation, like being stared down by a tigress.
Zhou Changqing shivered and quickly forced a smile, changing the subject. "Hahaha, it's nothing, nothing at all! I was just saying you did a brilliant job! You had to strike hard like that to help me find my limits."
"So, uh, Your Majesty, after that exchange, what do you think? What level is my strength at now?"
Seeing that Zhou Changqing had turned to a serious matter, Queen Medusa retracted her gaze. She pondered for a moment before answering, "You are currently an eight-star Dou Ling, and your combat strength has already surpassed the peak of the Dou Ling realm. However, you have not yet reached the point where you can rival a Dou Wang."
"The gap between a Dou Ling and a Dou Wang is the second great divide in Dou Qi cultivation. The difference is as vast as the heavens and the earth. Unless there is a massive disparity in the quality of your Cultivation Methods and Dou Skills, or you rely on external aid, it's impossible to overcome."
(The first great divide is between a Dou Shi and a Da Dou Shi.)
Hearing this, Zhou Changqing nodded in agreement.
Indeed, the chasm between a Dou Ling and a Dou Wang was immense. For a Dou Ling to challenge a Dou Wang, their Cultivation Methods and Dou Skills would need to be at least a full tier higher than their opponent's. For example, if the opponent used a Xuan class, low-tier technique, you would need at least a Di class, low-tier one to even stand a chance. The other way was to rely on external power, like spirit possession or the high-tier weapons Zhou Changqing himself had forged.
Thinking of this, he couldn't help but think of Xiao Yan, that Child of Fortune.
At his peak as a Dou Wang, that guy had been able to leap an entire realm to fight Yun Shan, a low-level Dou Zong.
Although the battle was incredibly brutal and ended with both of them grievously injured, he had ultimately won.
Such a feat would be difficult to replicate even for the most talented prodigies of the same generation and rank within the eight ancient clans.
Compared to Xiao Yan, his own foundation was far shallower. But then again, he didn't have a teacher like Yao Lao. More importantly, Zhou Changqing lacked a monstrous Cultivation Method like the Flame Mantra or a trump card like the Angry Buddha Lotus Flame.
"Angry Buddha Lotus Flame..."
Muttering the name to himself, Zhou Changqing's desire to have his own devastating trump card grew even stronger.
Unfortunately, he'd had this idea for a long time. Despite spending years poring over countless Dou Skills, he still had no clue how to create a technique of that caliber, let alone where to even begin.
It was something he would have to work on slowly.
Zhou Changqing sighed inwardly.
Queen Medusa seemed to notice the dip in his spirits and didn't interrupt his thoughts. She waited until he looked back at her before continuing.
"However, compared to your Dou Qi cultivation, the strength of your physical body has far exceeded my expectations."
Hearing the faint note of amazement in her voice, Zhou Changqing's eyes lit up. He looked at her expectantly and asked, "How is it? What level has my physical strength reached?"
Queen Medusa considered for a moment, then said slowly, "Based on your performance just now, in terms of pure physical power, you should be no weaker than a two-star Dou Wang."
"If you combine that with your Dou Qi cultivation, you should be able to fight and defeat a three-star Dou Wang. You could even hold your own against a four-star Dou Wang without being defeated, and likely retreat unscathed from a five-star Dou Wang."
"I'm that strong?!"
Zhou Changqing was overcome with pleasant surprise.
Unlike Dou Qi cultivation, physical strength didn't have such clearly defined ranks and characteristics. He could only make a rough estimate of his own power; the only way to know for sure was to fight. That was why he had sought out a powerhouse like Queen Medusa to act as an inspector and give him a proper assessment.
He never expected his physical body had already become so terrifying, breaking into the Dou Wang realm ahead of his Dou Qi and reaching the level of a two-star at that.
Queen Medusa shot him a sideways glance and said dryly, "So, if you still call your body 'frail,' I don't know how many Dou Wangs would bash their heads against a wall and die of shame."
Zhou Changqing simply filtered out her sarcastic words, basking in the glow of his tremendous improvement.
Seeing this, Queen Medusa shook her head slightly and, with a flick of her snake tail, headed back toward the cave.
The little monster had no concept of what his physical body represented. A Dou Ling possessing the physical strength of a Dou Wang. Even she, a peak Dou Huang, did not possess such a powerful physique. This meant that even if he exhausted his Dou Qi, he could continue fighting with his body until his physical stamina was completely spent.
Furthermore, methods that sealed or obstructed Dou Qi would be completely useless against him. He was a pure humanoid beast.
She couldn't imagine how strong his body would become if he continued to improve at this rate. Perhaps in the future, he would be able to match a Dou Zong with his physical strength alone.
Once this shocking thought emerged, it was impossible for Queen Medusa to dismiss it from her mind.
Seeing Queen Medusa leave, Zhou Changqing finally pulled himself from his joy and followed after her.
Soon, the two returned to the cave.
Afterward, Zhou Changqing headed out. He was planning to hunt a third-tier Magical Beast, a rarity in this region, to properly reward himself.
A few days later.
Inside the cave.
Zhou Changqing was summoned from his stone chamber by Queen Medusa.
"We need to go back," Queen Medusa said succinctly, giving Zhou Changqing no room to refuse.
Zhou Changqing was stunned. "Why?"
"A message came from Yue Mei. A group of experts has entered our tribe's territory. Among them is a Dou Huang."
Queen Medusa grabbed Zhou Changqing's shoulder, and with a single flash, they were outside. As she explained, she unfurled her Dou Qi wings and soared into the sky, heading toward the distant horizon.
"..."
Hearing her words, Zhou Changqing was momentarily taken aback. Then, as if remembering something, a strange expression appeared on his face.
"It's been five months since we left the Snake-People Race. If I calculate the time, this should be it."
Although he was reluctant to leave, Zhou Changqing knew he had no right to refuse.
Besides, he was also curious to see how this event would unfold, thanks to the butterfly effect he had set in motion.
Speaking of which, this was Xiao Yan's first major opportunity.