The next day.
The sky was filled with yellow sand. Yun Xiu took the two little girls, Xiao Yixian and Qing Lin, away from Stone Dessert City and appeared in the Snake Tribe's territory.
At this time, the strong men of the Snake Tribe formed an encirclement, surrounding Yun Xiu and the two girls.
The leader of the snake warriors was a beautiful snake woman. She was not Medusa but Yue Mei, one of the eight tribe leaders under Medusa.
Yue Mei, along with many powerful Snake Tribe members, surrounded Yun Xiu and the two girls who had entered their territory. However, they refrained from attacking rashly.
This was the heart of the Tagor Desert.
Reaching this place without any strength was impossible.
Moreover, the Snake Tribe hadn't detected them along the way and only discovered their presence in the capital.
Although they were spotted, the masked man accompanying the two little girls did not appear afraid. His mask concealed any fear, making it difficult for anyone to perceive his emotions.
The man wore white and exuded an extraordinary temperament.
Just as Yue Mei hesitated to take action, Yun Xiu calmly spoke:
"We are here to see Queen Medusa."
"Her Majesty is not someone you can see just because you want to," Yue Mei sneered, her tone carrying a hint of disdain.
Upon hearing this, Xiao Yixian and Qing Lin, already frightened by the powerful Snake Tribe warriors, grew even more terrified.
Subconsciously, they moved closer to Yun Xiu, almost clinging to him.
"Women are women after all. Not up to much use," Yun Xiu thought at that moment.
However, he did not voice this thought aloud. After all, they were still young—mere children. It was unnecessary to demand too much from them.
After all, in this Dou Qi continent, he and the protagonist were the only travelers.
Their maturity and steadiness were unparalleled.
Yun Xiu calmly said, "That's not necessarily true. I met with Her Majesty last night and said I would return."
"What?" Yue Mei was slightly stunned. She quickly compared the voice of the man from last night to Yun Xiu's voice.
They matched perfectly.
"So it was you who broke into my Snake Tribe last night," Yue Mei sneered.
"Indeed, It was me," Yun Xiu admitted. Then, he added, "Now, will you take me to see Medusa?"
"You?" Yue Mei sneered with disdain. "Just you?"
"Just me," Yun Xiu replied calmly. "How about it?"
"You're just a coward hiding behind a mask, yet you want to meet Her Majesty the Queen? You're dreaming. We let you escape last night, but I didn't expect you to walk into our den today. You can't blame us now."
"Someone, seize them!" Yue Mei ordered with disdain.
"Yes!"
The snake warriors did not hesitate, pointing their spears at Yun Xiu and charging forward.
"Did you know?" Yun Xiu sighed, shaking his head. "This is an ignorant choice on your part."
The words had barely left his mouth when a terrifying aura erupted from Yun Xiu.
An invisible might weighed down on the snake warriors like a thousand-pound boulder. Unable to resist, they collapsed to the ground, their spears falling from their hands.
They struggled to move but couldn't.
Yue Mei frowned, her expression turning serious. She realized this intruder was no ordinary individual.
She considered sending a signal flare to summon the other leaders of the Snake Tribe. Although this man showed no intent to kill, his mere presence in their capital made him an enemy.
Just then, Medusa's voice echoed in Yue Mei's mind:
"Yue Mei, bring them to the main hall!"
Yue Mei hesitated for a moment, then suppressed her urge to send the flare. She looked at Yun Xiu with a complex expression before saying, "Come with me! The Queen has sent word to see you."
Without further words, Yue Mei turned and led the way.
"Let's go," Yun Xiu said lightly to Xiao Yixian and Qing Lin, who clung to him.
"Sorry, sir," the two girls apologized quickly, stepping away. "We were too nervous just now."
"Hmm." Yun Xiu nodded slightly and said no more.
He began walking, and the two girls exchanged a glance before following him closely.
As Yun Xiu walked away, the oppressive pressure dissipated, and the snake warriors were finally able to move again.
---
The majestic hall was empty. At the far end of the hall was a throne, upon which a beautiful snake woman lay lazily.
Her proud figure was fully displayed, though her snake tail might be considered a flaw. Had it been replaced with long, slender legs, her allure would have been unparalleled, enough to captivate countless admirers.
"Your Majesty," Yue Mei bowed to the snake woman on the throne.
This snake woman was none other than Queen Medusa—a renowned beauty throughout the Northwest Region.
However, she was as fierce as she was beautiful. Without her formidable strength, she would have long been captured as a concubine of some strongman.
Medusa was both beautiful and infamous for her ruthlessness.
Medusa acknowledged Yue Mei with a nod. Yue Mei tactfully stepped aside as Medusa turned her gaze to Yun Xiu and the two girls.
While Yun Xiu remained calm, Xiao Yixian and Qing Lin cowered behind him under Medusa's gaze.
Their behavior made Yun Xiu sigh inwardly. "It's okay. They'll grow up."
Medusa wasn't surprised by the girls' reaction. As the notorious Medusa, her very presence was enough to intimidate children.
After observing Yun Xiu for a few moments, Medusa spoke:
"Sir, what do you intend to do in my territory?"