Chapter 45: You've Got the Wrong Person

A blazing sun hung high in the sky, like a great ball of fire endlessly radiating flames. The scorching sunlight poured down upon the golden desert, baking the tiny grains of sand until they glowed like red-hot iron filings.

With a rough map of the Tagor Desert in hand, and recalling that Yaochen had visited the Tagor Desert several times in his youth, it was not difficult for them to find their way. Furthermore, the serpentfolk were the only tribe that dwelled within the Tagor Desert, making their discovery a simple matter.

Within the Tagor Desert, there were eight powerful tribes of the serpentfolk, each holding great authority in the desert. Aside from the Queen Medusa herself, the tribes were far from harmonious and often at odds with one another.

To reach the tribe of Queen Medusa, it was necessary to pass through the territories of some of these formidable tribes. Though with Yunshan present, there was no real fear of opposition, Lin An was a man who loathed trouble. Yet, it seemed the more one wished to avoid it, the more trouble would come seeking him out.

At last, with no other option, Yunshan took action, capturing a Dou King from one of the tribes. Under force, this captive led them directly and unobstructed toward Queen Medusa’s tribe.

Before they even reached the serpentfolk’s settlement, they saw from a distance rows of serpentfolk warriors, well-organized and gripping their weapons, ready to do battle. In truth, they were there to guard against Lin An and his companions.

Word had spread that Lin An had easily subdued a tribal chieftain, then made his way unimpeded to Queen Medusa’s tribe—clearly, they were here for the Queen. The serpentfolk took Lin An’s arrival seriously; nearly all the experts from the eight great tribes had gathered at this place.

“Humans, why have you trespassed into our land without permission? If you do not wish to provoke war between the Jia Ma Empire and the serpentfolk, I advise you to return the way you came!” one of the serpentfolk declared.

Had he not heard that among these visitors was a master of at least the Dou Sovereign level, he would not have wasted so many words on them.

“And who are you? Summon Medusa at once!” Lin An replied.

“You speak boldly. All the warriors of our eight great tribes are now assembled outside the temple. You should know that some of them harbor deep hatred for your kind. If you have any sense, I advise you to leave at once. Otherwise, should conflict arise, it will be a battle to the death,” said Mebas of the Black Serpent tribe.

Even Yunshan, among Lin An’s group, felt he could not fully gauge Mebas’s strength. Thus, he preferred to persuade them to leave if possible.

“If we cannot see Medusa today, we will not leave,” Lin An said resolutely.

“As for a battle to the death, I suspect it will be your serpentfolk who suffer most,” he added with a shake of his head. His purpose here was far from accomplished—how could he simply leave now?

“Where did this wet-behind-the-ears brat come from? Old man, will you allow your junior to speak so disrespectfully?” Mebas’s patience snapped. He had assumed Lin An was only a messenger, but as the youth grew more insolent, murderous intent flared within him.

Yunshan gave a cold snort, about to teach Mebas a lesson, when a woman’s voice suddenly interrupted.

“So, at last, a Dou Sect practitioner has appeared within the Jia Ma Empire!” High above the city wall, the air twisted strangely, and, in the next instant, a graceful figure materialized beneath the astonished gaze of all.

This striking woman wore a luxurious purple robe, which accentuated her voluptuous, alluring form. Her raven-black hair tumbled carelessly over her fragrant shoulders, falling down her slender waist, while beneath the robe, a serpentine tail was exposed, swaying gently and stirring inexplicable heat within those who saw it.

Medusa’s beauty was renowned throughout the Jia Ma Empire—perfection itself. Even Lin An had to admit that Queen Medusa’s allure was simply overwhelming for any man, and most of all... it was her status as a queen that made her irresistible.

To conquer a flawless sovereign beauty like her—what a sense of accomplishment that would be.

Medusa smiled with faint disdain. She imagined this country boy would be struck dumb at the mere sight of her.

“Your Majesty!” At her appearance, a dense throng of serpentfolk below the walls fell to their knees, voices resounding with reverence that soared to the heavens. This made clear the supreme status Medusa held among her people.

“Who are you, and why have you forced your way into our tribe?” Queen Medusa demanded.

“I am Lin An, and behind me stands Yunshan, former leader of the Cloudmist Sect,” he replied.

“So, you are Yunshan of the Cloudmist Sect,” she remarked. Yunshan was a renowned Dou Emperor of the previous generation, long retired from public life. No one expected that, upon returning, he would already have advanced to the Dou Sect level.

“Speak, then. Why have you come to seek me out? Although your forced entry was deeply discourteous, we serpentfolk are not an unreasonable people,” Queen Medusa finally said after a long pause.

A chasm separated Dou Sect practitioners from Dou Emperors, a gulf as wide as the heavens. Even she, for the sake of her tribe’s dignity, had to show some restraint.

“My purpose here is to request the Heavenly Flame Your Majesty possesses,” Lin An declared.

“Heavenly Flame? Are you referring to the Green Lotus Core Flame?” Medusa asked in return.

“Yes, that is precisely the one,” Lin An replied.

Medusa was speechless. She had not expected Yunshan and his companions to cause such a stir—alarming the entire serpentfolk tribe—merely for the Green Lotus Core Flame, which she herself had not yet retrieved.

“Who told you that the Green Lotus Core Flame is in my possession?” Queen Medusa asked.

“What do you mean? Is it not in your hands?” A sense of unease crept into Lin An’s heart.

“I have indeed been preparing to retrieve the Green Lotus Core Flame hidden within the Tagor Desert. I intend to use it to help me break through to the Dou Sect realm... but I have not yet claimed it,” Medusa explained.

“So, you mean the Green Lotus Core Flame is still in the Tagor Desert?” Lin An asked, somewhat at a loss. The details of the story had long since faded from his memory—only the major events involving the main character lingered.

He recalled only that Xiao Yan obtained the Green Lotus Core Flame from Medusa, but not when she had acquired it.

“Exactly so. If you are searching for the Green Lotus Core Flame, I can tell you plainly—you have come to the wrong person,” Medusa replied with a light laugh.