Through the black-and-white flames in his eyes, Xiao Jian watched as Queen Medusa transformed into a massive purple serpent over ten meters long.
Her body was sleek and powerful, exuding a strange elegance. Her pale violet eyes were calm.....almost serene.
The giant serpent twisted slowly, then turned her head toward the chaotic battle outside the palace. Cold killing intent flickered within her gaze.
Outside, Yun Yun...locked in battle with the Snake Guard Captain Hua She'er—seemed to sense something.
After forcing her opponent back, she turned toward the purple glow.
"Has the evolution begun?" she murmured.
"Damn humans!" Hua She'er spat blood, snarling.
"Once Her Majesty succeeds, none of you will escape!"
"If the evolution fails," Yun Yun replied calmly,
"She'll disappear without us lifting a finger."
"Her Majesty will succeed!" Hua She'er roared, charging again.
"I'm actually curious to see the result myself," Yun Yun said lightly.
With a casual wave, dozens of massive green wind blades—each over ten meters long...swept forward.
Back inside, Xiao Jian lowered his hands as the massive snake head slowly turned toward him.
He blinked, tilted his head… and raised both hands over his head, forming a heart.
Queen Medusa froze.
She had seen countless men covet her body.....but never a weak human daring to make such an open gesture of affection.
Interesting little thing.
But now was not the time.
She shook her head gracefully. Purple light surged from her body, forming a massive barrier that enveloped the palace.
An energy barrier.....clearly meant to block outside interference.
Xiao Jian was already inside the core. She couldn't expel him.
Without hesitation, the purple serpent let out a low cry and charged straight into the raging green flame.
Watching this moth-to-flame scene, Xiao Jian's heart clenched.
Compared to her, his own flame absorption had been practically babysat.
The moment she plunged in, a piercing scream echoed.
Xiao Jian shuddered as goosebumps covered his body.
Within the flame, the massive serpent thrashed violently.
Her scales twisted, blackened, and peeled away under the heat, falling off one by one.
The wounds didn't bleed....seared shut instantly by the flame.
Unable to help, Xiao Jian could only silently pray.
The screams echoed across half the city. Countless snakefolk rushed onto rooftops, staring in horror at the blazing purple glow.
They wanted to rush forward....but were blocked by the violent barrier, left pacing anxiously at a distance.
The Ice Spirit Cold Spring was long gone, leaving only a deep, blackened pit over ten meters deep. Space itself warped from the heat.
Even Xiao Jian had to retreat further to endure the scorching waves.
Outside the palace—
"Teacher… the evolution has begun. What about my brother?" Xiao Yan asked anxiously.
"Relax," Yao Lao replied.
"I can still sense him. His condition… is actually better than Queen Medusa's."
Xiao Yan froze.
He's fine?
How tough is my brother?!
Half an hour later, the screams weakened.
The serpent barely moved. Her once massive body had shrunk to just a few meters, charred black.
It looked like failure.
But Xiao Jian sensed it clearly...
A new life force was forming.
Suddenly, the天地 shook.
Dark clouds rolled in, dimming the desert sky.
BOOM!
Thunder roared. Silver lightning writhed like serpents.
A massive bolt descended, piercing the purple barrier and slamming into the green flame.
The lightning vanished as quickly as it came.
Only then did the thunder explode.
BOOM!
Green mist spread, obscuring everything.
"How is it?" Yun Yun asked Gu He, unease in her heart.
"The mist comes from lightning colliding with the Heavenly Flame," Gu He said, frowning.
"Soul perception can't penetrate it. Everything inside is sealed off."
At the same time, Yao Lao spoke gravely:
"…I can only faintly sense Xiao Jian now."
Inside the mist—
Xiao Jian lay charred on the ground.
The lightning had detonated the flame, triggering a chain reaction.
He'd been caught directly.
Without his Heavenly Flame, he'd already be dead.
"Hiss…"
He gasped, circulating wood and water Dou Qi, swallowing pills desperately.
Just as he stabilized—
An invisible force dragged him deeper into the mist.
Outside, Yao Lao's voice trembled.
"Not good—Xiao Jian's aura is weakening!"
Xiao Yan's eyes turned blood-red.
"Your Majesty?!"
At the very core of the island, above the charred remains of the massive serpent's body, a graceful figure floated silently in midair.
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