The Snake-Man woman flew to the top of the city wall and hovered, staring at Xiao Ling and Zi Yan with a stern gaze. She spoke in a hostile tone, "What brings two powerful human Dou Wangs to the depths of the Tagor Desert? We Snake-Man do not welcome humans."
Yue Mei perceived that the blue-haired, white-robed youth's cultivation was slightly weaker than hers and therefore not a concern. However, the little girl behind him was much more powerful, and the pressure she felt was like facing a peak-level Snake-Man Dou Wang. Whenever she looked at the little girl, a wave of fear welled up in her heart, leaving her feeling uncertain. If these two had ill intentions, the Mei Snake Tribe was in serious trouble today.
Seeing Yue Mei's wary expression across from him, Xiao Ling waved his hand, then pulled out the Canaan Academy elder token from his storage ring. He spoke calmly, "I'm an elder from the Alchemy Department at Canaan Academy. Behind me is my companion, Zi Yan, a shapeshifting demon beast. We hold no hostility toward the Serpent People. Commander Yue Mei must have misunderstood. I've come directly to you to conduct business with you Serpent People. Believe me, this will only benefit you."
Xiao Ling's explanation, coupled with the fact that the two men hadn't attacked the Serpent People before she arrived, and that neither of these Dou Wang masters hailed from the surrounding empires, and the little girl herself was a shapeshifting demon beast, gave her a subtle sense of oppression. It seemed her bloodline must be extraordinary, and therefore she held no grudge against the Serpent People. She had heard before that Canaan Academy boasted a Dou Zong master, so they couldn't afford to offend.
Although the Snake People were sworn enemies of humanity, if they truly held a grudge against every human on the Douqi Continent, how could they possibly survive? Douqi Continent boasts numerous races, but humanity remains the dominant race. If a powerful human, displeased with the Snake People's cruelty to humanity, were to directly exterminate them, it would be a disgrace.
The wary expression on her face faded somewhat, revealing a charming smile. She spoke softly, "So you two are elders from Canaan Academy. You were so cautious just now, and it was us Snake People who were disrespectful. Since you wish to make a deal with us, we can discuss it properly. Follow me into the city for a detailed discussion." With that, she swung her graceful waist, flicked her serpent tail, and flew towards a building within the city.
Seeing Yue Mei flying toward the city ahead, Xiao Ling didn't want to waste time there. He took Zi Yan and chased after her. With a slight flutter of their fighting spirit wings, the two quickly landed in front of a loft.
The serpent people in the city, who had been a little nervous before, breathed a sigh of relief when they saw that it wasn't a neighboring nation attacking. A clash between these powerful warriors would surely bring disaster to the defenseless civilians.
Yue Mei, who had arrived two steps ahead, saw Xiao Ling and Zi Yan already following. She gave them a polite smile and addressed the surrounding serpent people, "I will discuss something with the two distinguished guests here. You all stand guard outside. No one is allowed to enter without my permission. Violators will be severely punished!"
The surrounding serpent people nodded in agreement and proceeded to surround the loft. It was unclear whether this was to prevent the discussion from being leaked or to gather reinforcements in case of conflict between the two sides.
Xiao Ling didn't care about this at all. These great Doushi and Douling spirits posed no threat to him and Zi Yan.
After Yue Mei finished making arrangements with the snake people, she smiled and said to Xiao Ling, "Please follow me, we'll have a chat inside." She pointed to a private room and walked in first.
Xiao Ling also took Zi Yan's hand and followed her into the room.
After seeing that both parties were seated, Yue Mei, as the host of the place, spoke first, "You two have come to the snake people this time. What kind of deal do you want to make with us? Why not tell us now?"
Xiao Ling didn't keep the secret and said directly, "We are here to exchange a Sand Mandragora with the snake people. I'm short of this medicinal ingredient for refining the elixir. I wonder if you can help me."
Zi Yan, sitting nearby, also spoke up, "Sister Yue Mei, Xiao Ling is a sixth-rank alchemist. His creations will surely satisfy your Serpent People."
Yue Mei, sitting across from them, was somewhat surprised by what they said. Sand Mandragora was traditionally used to allow gifted Serpent People to fuse with snake beasts that suit them. She didn't have any of this medicinal herb herself, and only Queen Medusa in the Serpent People's Holy City had a few in stock. Upon hearing Zi Yan mention Xiao Ling as a sixth-rank alchemist, she scrutinized him again, a hint of surprise in her eyes. She hadn't observed him closely before, but now, closer, she realized that while he was tall, he looked remarkably young, perhaps only fifteen or sixteen. To have achieved Dou Wang status at such a young age, and to be a sixth-rank alchemist at that age, she had never seen or even heard of such a talent in all these years. It was fortunate that he wasn't trained by the surrounding empires, otherwise the Serpent People would have faced another formidable enemy with such exceptional talent.
Yue Mei stared at Xiao Ling's face with complicated eyes for a while, then smiled and said softly: "I didn't expect that it was a sixth-grade alchemist in front of me. I was a little impolite just now. I hope Master Xiao Ling can forgive me. I didn't expect that Master Xiao Ling has reached the Dou Wang level at such a young age, and his attainments as an alchemist are also quite extraordinary."
After a slight pause, she spoke again: "But I'm really sorry, among the snake people, Sand Mandragora is also a very rare medicinal material. It is strictly controlled by the top leaders and is stored in the hands of Queen Medusa in the Holy City. The Mei Snake Tribe has no stock at present. I'm afraid that Master Xiao Ling will return disappointed."
After listening to Yue Mei's explanation, Xiao Ling did not have much emotional fluctuation. After all, such a situation had been anticipated long ago, so he said: "Then please ask Commander Yue Mei to help us meet Queen Medusa and take us to the snake people. Let's make a deal. After the deal is done, I can give you a corresponding reward. "
After a brief moment of thought, Yue Mei replied softly in an embarrassed tone, "I wonder what kind of reward Master Xiao Ling can use to impress me. The Queen and the elders are very disliked by humans. If I bring two unfamiliar Dou Wang strongmen to the Holy City, I might anger the Queen and several elders, and I will have to suffer some punishment."
Knowing that this was intended to be a benefit, Xiao Ling thought for a moment and said, "As long as you can prepare the medicinal materials for three Dou Ling Pills, I can refine a Dou Ling Pill for you. With the help of this Dou Ling Pill, it won't be long before Commander Yue Mei can enter the Dou Huang realm."
Yue Mei was obviously tempted. Her cultivation had already reached the peak of the Seven-Star Dou Wang. After breaking through to the Eight-Star Dou Wang, taking another Dou Ling Pill would reach the Nine-Star Dou Wang level. Breaking through to the Dou Huang level would indeed not be far away. Thinking of this, Yue Mei replied delicately, "That's a good suggestion indeed. I'll take Master Xiao Ling and this little sister to the Holy City. Once Master Xiao Ling gets what he wants, you must keep your promise."
Seeing Yue Mei's agreement, Xiao Ling nodded. After all, refining a Dou Ling Dan for Yue Mei wouldn't waste much time, and he'd also earn two Dou Ling Dan ingredients. As expected of a Tier 0 professional alchemist on the Dou Qi Continent, his status was truly remarkable.
Holding Zi Yan's hand, Xiao Ling stood up and addressed Yue Mei across from him, "There's no time to lose. Let's set off. Don't worry, I still have my reputation as an alchemist. Once you've exchanged for the Sand Mandala and prepared the ingredients, I'll help you refine it."
Seeing Xiao Ling and Zi Yan both stand, Yue Mei also stood up and said, "Since Master Xiao Ling is so anxious, let's set off now." With that, she led the two of them out of the attic.
After greeting the guards outside the attic, Yue Mei spread her fighting spirit wings and flew towards the Serpent Tribe Holy City with Xiao Ling and Zi Yan.
(End of this chapter)