"Human, the day you successfully took away the Heavenly Flame, I underestimated you."
"Today, you bring the Heavenly Flame and intrude into the territory of my Snake People Tribe alone, it can't be just to provoke me, right?"
Queen Medusa narrowed her eyes, but did not immediately attack.
"Of course not, I came here this time to make a deal with Her Majesty the Queen."
Yun Tianming got straight to the point.
"Trade? I never cooperate with humans."
"But considering your exceptional courage, I'll listen for now."
Queen Medusa's words surprised Yue Mei and Hua She'er, as Her Majesty the Queen had always been aloof and ruthless. She held great authority within the Snake People Tribe, and no one had ever been able to converse with her on equal terms. It was unprecedented for her to be willing to listen to a human's conversation.
Yun Tianming chuckled lightly, then turned his gaze to Yue Mei and Hua She'er. "This matter may involve the secrets of the past queens of the Snake People Tribe. Commanders Yue Mei and Hua She'er, could you please step aside for now?"
The two looked puzzled. How could a human possibly know about the secrets of the past queens of the Snake People Tribe?
"Your Majesty, this..."
Queen Medusa's gaze hardened as she looked at the Heavenly Flame, as if remembering something. Her beautiful face instantly turned serious, and she waved her hand to signal the two to leave.
Yue Mei and Hua She'er glanced curiously at Yun Tianming, then both left.
"Human, if this is the third time you're playing games, I swear I'll make you stay here forever!!" Queen Medusa warned coldly.
"Don't worry, Your Majesty. I never speak lightly," Yun Tianming replied seriously, then gestured towards her. "Your Majesty, could you come closer?"
"Are you going to say it or not?" Queen Medusa's face showed impatience. She was about to scold him when she heard two words.
"Evolution."
"!!!" Almost reflexively, Queen Medusa flew closer to Yun Tianming. The distance between them was less than a meter, and they could almost feel each other's breath as they spoke.
"Your Majesty, I know you're anxious, but please don't rush," Yun Tianming said, waving his hand to create a barrier that blocked perception. Queen Medusa frowned but didn't stop him.
"Now, can you tell me?" Queen Medusa pursed her lips, involuntarily lowering her voice. This was indeed the most important secret of the Snake People Tribe, passed down by each generation of queens. Even the eight commanders didn't know about it. So why would an outsider know?
"I can use the power of the Heavenly Flame to assist Your Majesty in evolution," Yun Tianming said succinctly, each word falling on Queen Medusa like thunder.
"So you do know about this! Who are you?" Queen Medusa was about to ask, but was interrupted by him.
"Where I know it from is not important," he said. "What's important is that this is real."
"Hmph! I can evolve with the Heavenly Flame on my own. Why would I need someone else's help?" Queen Medusa snorted.
"Your Majesty is indeed courageous! But forgive my bluntness, using the Heavenly Flame for rebirth, such Secret Techniques are too dangerous. Are you confident, Your Majesty?"
"What if Your Majesty fails to evolve and falls? Where will the Snake People Tribe go from there?" Yun Tianming's words hit Queen Medusa's heart directly. Throughout the history of the Snake People Tribe, queens had attempted such Secret Techniques for evolution, but eight or nine out of ten had perished in the Heavenly Flame. Although she, proud as she was, didn't believe she would fail, she had to consider the consequences of failure.
The Snake People Tribe lived in the heart of the Tager Desert, but this was not their ideal habitat. Their constitution leaned towards coldness, and ideally, they thrived in moist and warm places. However, surrounded by enemies—Jia Ma Empire, Chu Yun Empire, Luo Yan Empire, and Mulan Empire—they had little room to expand and survive.
The only opportunity to break free from this predicament was for Queen Medusa to evolve, to become a Dou Ancestor powerhouse!
"Even so, I must give it a try!" Queen Medusa's expression was resolute. For the survival of the Snake People Tribe, she had to take this risk!
"That being the case, if the Heavenly Flame is under my control, I can adjust the flame's power at any time to maximize the safety of Your Majesty's evolution," Yun Tianming proposed his plan.
Queen Medusa's eyes flickered. The wild state of the Heavenly Flame had too many uncontrollable factors. If the other party refined the Heavenly Flame, it could indeed greatly reduce its danger.
"I see. So this is the purpose of your visit to me."
"Speak up!"
"What are your conditions?"
There's no such thing as a free lunch. Queen Medusa didn't believe the other party would help her evolve for no reason. There was clearly an ulterior motive. Wait a minute! This guy is also a man, could he be plotting against me?
As if realizing a certain possibility, Queen Medusa's face turned cold, her beautiful eyes glaring sharply at Yun Tianming.
This gaze... Tsk tsk! It's somewhat similar to when Sister Yun'er gets angry.
Yun Tianming smiled, suddenly feeling mischievous. He joked, "Conditions? Of course, it's Your Majesty the Queen!"
"Bold! Human, you're asking for death!!" Queen Medusa was furious, thinking to herself, "Indeed, just lusting after my body. You men are all the same!!"
With the terrifying aura of a Peak Dou Emperor emanating from her, she pressed down heavily on Yun Tianming as if Mount Tai was bearing down on him.
Damn it! Are you serious?
Yun Tianming inwardly cursed.
Unlike Yun Yun's annoyance, after all, they had spent several years together at the Misty Cloud Sect and Yun Yun had a good impression of him. There was a limit to her anger even if he teased her with words.
But Queen Medusa before him was different. It was their first meeting today, with no emotional foundation. If he provoked her, she might really kill him!
"Cough cough~ Your Majesty, please calm down. I was just making a small joke," Yun Tianming apologized, though he was backing down with his words, he formed a soul seal with his hand, and his Soul Power erupted, instantly dispelling the oppressive aura of the Peak Dou Emperor.
"Human! You better not get too cocky!" Queen Medusa's face was cold, reluctantly accepting Yun Tianming's apology. But it wasn't because she found his apology sincere; rather, it was because he successfully neutralized her overwhelming aura.
This once again proved that on the Dou Qi Continent, strength was the ultimate truth! Even if Yun Tianming had knelt down and begged for forgiveness, Queen Medusa wouldn't have easily pardoned him if he didn't have enough power!
With the joke over, Yun Tianming's expression turned serious as he presented his conditions.
"As part of the deal, I hope Your Majesty agrees to two conditions: first, to lift the seal on Hai Bo Dong. Second, accompany me to the Black-Corner Region and kill someone."
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