Chapter 20: The Battle Begins

Chapter 20: The Battle Begins

Flying magical beasts, accompanied by over a dozen Dou Wang powerhouses, approached rapidly, arriving just outside the city walls in a blink of an eye. Leading these formidable figures were naturally the powerhouses from the Jia Ma Empire, including a few Dou Wangs and two powerful Dou Huangs. One of them was Jia Ma Empire's ancient monster, Jia Xing Tian, and the other was the exceptionally beautiful and dignified sect master of Yun Lan Sect, Yun Yun.

In addition to them, there was a middle aged man exuding an overwhelming presence, appearing almost on par with the two Dou Huangs. This man, feeling the violent aura of the Heavenly Flame, was none other than the so called Dan Wang Gu He of the Jia Ma Empire.

Gu He spoke gravely, "Jia Lao, Sect Master Yun, Medusa has provoked the Heavenly Flame into a frenzy. It seems she is using it to become stronger. We must act quickly!"

Jia Xing Tian and Yun Yun paid no mind to the flamboyant Dan King Gu He. They were leading this mission, not here for alchemy but for a battle of life and death. Gu He might have considered himself important, but without his alchemy skills, they might have dismissed him long ago.

Everyone could feel the terrifying energy bursting from within the palace. Only Gu He seemed oblivious, continuing to prattle on.

Yun Yun's expression grew solemn as she shared, "I once read about the Snake People's Queen in an ancient text. It mentioned that if Queen Medusa reaches the pinnacle of Dou Huang and if the conditions are right, she might undergo a rare evolution. After this evolution, not only could she transform freely between snake and human forms, but her strength might also advance naturally to Dou Zong. However, the success rate of such evolution seems very low, and crucially, it requires a Heavenly Flame... It seems she is indeed using the Heavenly Flame to evolve!"

Hearing Yun Yun's confirmation, the Jia Ma Empire's powerhouses were alarmed. Gu He had told them on the way that Queen Medusa acquiring the Heavenly Flame might elevate her to Dou Zong, which they had doubted. Now, with Yun Yun's and Jia Xing Tian's involvement, they gathered to confront this threat, fearing the implications of Medusa's potential evolution.

If Medusa succeeded, she would become a formidable Dou Zong, which could spell disaster for them.

Jia Xing Tian, an old monster well versed in such lore, nodded in agreement, "Indeed, I have seen similar records. It seems we are a bit late."

Gu He felt a mix of joy and worry joy that his casual mention had turned out to be true, and worry about the consequences. If Medusa's evolution failed, the Heavenly Flame would be his. However, if she succeeded, despite the Heavenly Flame not disappearing, he would likely be the first to fall, as he had led the discovery of the Heavenly Flame.

Yun Yun, catching a glimpse of resolution in Jia Xing Tian's eyes, suggested, "Jia Lao, let's break in! Queen Medusa might be at a critical moment now. She likely cannot afford any disturbances. We need to take a gamble."

Jia Xing Tian readily agreed, knowing this was a critical matter for their empire, "Alright!"

Turning to Gu He, Yun Yun instructed, "You follow us. If you can control or capture the Heavenly Flame, now is the best chance to interrupt Queen Medusa's evolution."

Gu He, not one to dawdle and known for his cunning, nodded. Although resolute, he planned to stay safely behind the two Dou Huangs.

"Attack!" With Jia Xing Tian's command, the human forces launched their assault on the Snake People, initiating a fierce battle. Ten mighty Dou Wangs, including Yan Shi, Feng Li, and Mu Chen, confronted the Snake People's eight chieftains.

The Empire might have been short on Dou Wangs, but they compensated with Dou Ling warriors. Though they couldn't overpower the numerous Snake People elites, they could buy time for Yun Yun and Jia Xing Tian.

Breaking through the Snake People's defenses to reach Queen Medusa was no easy task, especially with three obstinate elders in their way. These elders, normally quiet, were fully prepared to defend their race in this dire hour. All three were strong Dou Wangs, with the middle elder at the pinnacle of Dou Wang.

Despite their strength, they could at most hold off one Dou Huang specifically, Jia Xing Tian, fittingly matching the old against the ancient.

As the four elders clashed, it almost seemed like a reunion of old friends.

"Jia Xing Tian, you old immor haven't you died yet?!" "If you three don't die first, I won't rest easy. So today, you shall fall!"

Meanwhile, Yun Yun and Gu He, although faced with opposition, were undeterred. Yun Yun's speed, augmented by her wind attributes, allowed them to quickly reach the lakeside. Gu He followed closely, his cunning evident as he took a speed enhancing pill to keep up.

At that moment, the energy in the sky surged violently, causing Yun Yun and Gu He to look up abruptly, their expressions shifting.

The sky, previously clear, was now ominously overcast with clouds gathering from nowhere, casting a shadow over the impending battle.

(End of Chapter)