Chapter 165: The Ten-Year Agreement! Medusa: I'm Ready Again!
Xiao Ze sat in the chair, absentmindedly playing with the ring that Medusa had tossed to him.
Watching Xiao Ze silently, with a calm expression, Medusa's heart clenched. Although she spoke confidently, she knew that deceiving this old fox would be extremely difficult. After all, someone like Xiao Ze, who had lived for so long, surely had experienced many betrayals and deceptions, probably more than Medusa had seen in her life.
Before, Xiao Ze had been willing to use the resurrection pill to save her, not only because he saw the possibility of her becoming a powerful Douzong, but mainly because he had secured the earnings of the next five years from the serpent tribe as a minimum. With Xiao Ze's network and influence as a seventh-level alchemist, the serpent tribe wouldn't dare to break the agreement.
This meant that once the contract was signed with the serpent tribe, Xiao Ze would undoubtedly receive the earnings of the next five years. If the serpent tribe broke the agreement, surely several powerful Douzongs would come to the Tagore Desert and exterminate the serpent tribe.
However, the deal she was proposing now had no guaranteed minimum gain. If she failed in her evolution, Xiao Ze could lose everything, including a precious breakthrough pill and a resurrection pill.
"Haha, Queen Medusa, you have a special gift for trying to get everything without offering anything in return," said Xiao Ze with a smile, making Medusa clench her hands tightly. She knew her trick hadn't gone unnoticed by those sharp eyes.
"Doubling the time, six full years of protection, isn't bad. In addition to being a bodyguard, you could be someone who works for me, gaining benefits in this northwest continent," continued Xiao Ze. "Normally, it would be a great gain for me, using a resurrection pill, a breakthrough pill, and getting a powerful Douzong to work for me for six years, collecting various treasures."
"But..." Xiao Ze paused, looking at Medusa with interest. "All of this depends on your successful evolution. If you fail and perish in the celestial fire, everything I've invested will be lost."
"Your trick to get everything without giving anything in return doesn't fit the image of violent and unintelligent serpents."
"There's no need to mock me. I dare to propose this because I have confidence in my success," replied Medusa, trying to keep calm. "After my failure, I've already adapted somewhat to the celestial fire; I have high chances of evolving. I just want to ensure it even more."
Xiao Ze remained silent, knowing he shouldn't press her too much. He was also very interested in the rainbow blood that Medusa would obtain upon evolving. Helping her evolve, if he could, posed no loss to him. However, if he accepted too quickly, it might seem suspicious, as if he had ulterior motives. Moreover, things obtained too easily can raise suspicions, making Medusa think he was plotting something.
Xiao Ze's silence made Medusa increasingly anxious, knowing that the longer it lasted, the more doubts would arise and the less likely the deal would be closed.
Medusa took a deep breath to calm herself. She hadn't lied to the elders; she truly believed she could evolve. But she wanted to make sure as much as possible, as the serpent tribe couldn't afford another failure. Another mistake would not only deplete their resources, but they would also lose their queen, leading the tribe to ruin.
Now, with a seventh-level alchemist before her, Medusa knew that this was a unique opportunity that she must seize at all costs.
"Queen Medusa, the deal you propose involves a great risk for me..." Xiao Ze broke the silence, and Medusa felt her heart sink at the thought that the deal wouldn't be closed. "...But, if the potential gains are large enough, I'm willing to take the risk."
Medusa was stunned for a moment.
"What do you mean, Mr. Xiao Ze?" asked Medusa.
"If you're willing to extend the time to ten years, I'm willing to take the risk of you failing. Even if I lose the breakthrough pill and the resurrection pill, I won't mind."
"Agreed!" exclaimed Medusa, rushing to accept. Ten years weren't much for a powerful Douzong. The remaining time would be enough to bring glory to the serpent tribe.
"Then, Queen Medusa, please take charge of gathering the ingredients for the pills," said Xiao Ze. "If you want to evolve through the celestial fire, I also have some pills that can help you."
Medusa was delighted to hear this, surprised by the unexpected benefit.
"No problem. The serpent tribe will do everything possible to gather the ingredients."
Medusa deeply understood the great help having a high-level alchemist for cultivation represented. Not to mention that Xiao Ze had already used a resurrection pill to save her, an almost miraculous medicine.
With Xiao Ze's help, Medusa was confident she could successfully evolve.
As she wrote down the names of the ingredients, Xiao Ze asked curiously:
"If you become a powerful Douzong, aren't you worried about your serpent tribe if you have to follow me for ten years?"
"Just becoming a Douzong could offer a layer of protection to the tribe," replied Medusa softly. "Spreading this news would make neighboring empires hesitate before attacking."
"It's a good plan," admitted Xiao Ze, nodding as a sheet of paper flew towards Medusa.
Reading the list of ingredients, Medusa took a deep breath when she saw how expensive they were.
"Yue Mei," called the queen, and Yue Mei quickly appeared.
"Mobilize the entire tribe and gather these ingredients at all costs."
Yue Mei, surprised, accepted the paper with respect, glancing at Xiao Ze, amazed by his youth and attractiveness. However, she knew she couldn't afford to approach someone so powerful, and quickly withdrew.
Xiao Ze, bored, began to chat with Medusa, who didn't dare to be rude. After all, she needed Xiao Ze for his pills and her evolution.
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