Chapter 76: You Should Be Grateful That a Certain Lord Forbade Me from Killing You

'Dān Wáng Gǔ Hé, you're quite a troublesome one.'

Queen Medusa stared at Gu He, who didn't dare move an inch. Her voice, though calm, held a seductive allure that would drive any man mad.

But she didn't strike.

Gu He's strength was negligible—she could easily crush him. However, his identity made things complicated.

Killing a sixth-tier alchemist would bring trouble she had no desire to endure. Even after advancing to Dou Zong, Queen Medusa wasn't inclined to bear the consequences lightly. Rather than snuffing out a life of little value to her, she saw the potential for a much greater profit.

'Previously, for the sake of one Heavenly Flame, you were willing to trade two Dou Spirit Pills and one Form Shifting Pill. So tell me, what do you think your own life is worth now?'

Gu He's face turned grim. He hadn't expected that the newly advanced Queen Medusa would become this powerful. In mere moments, she had broken through Yun Yun's defense and slain Yan Shi, Feng Li, and the others.

Even his own life now hung by a thread.

'Your Majesty's strength… is truly suffocating,' Gu He said, drawing in a deep breath and shaking his head. 'Those two Dou Spirit Pills and one Form Shifting Pill were already the most precious items I could offer. If I surrender them to you, along with my friendship… might Your Majesty consider sparing me this once?'

'The friendship of a sixth-tier alchemist?' Queen Medusa's charming expression revealed a trace of mockery. 'I doubt there's room for anything like friendship between you and me.'

'If you cannot present something of real value, then I fear the Jia Ma Empire will soon be without its only sixth-tier alchemist.'

Her gaze shifted suddenly. 'And I suggest you don't act rashly, Yun Zōngzhǔ.'

Queen Medusa's cold eyes landed on Yun Yun. 'Of course, if you'd rather see Gu He die, then by all means—ignore my warning.'

The moment those words fell, Yun Yun halted her advance.

She didn't hold any deep bond with Gu He. At most, the two were acquaintances. But his importance to the Yun Lan Sect—and to the entire Jia Ma Empire—could not be overstated.

A sixth-tier alchemist was enough to elevate the power of a sect or a nation by an entire realm.

And alchemists were not like typical cultivators. Nurturing one took not only resources and techniques but immense talent. If Gu He died today, no one could say how long it would take for the Jia Ma Empire to see another of his caliber.

'What exactly does Your Majesty want?' Gu He asked with a clenched jaw.

'Nothing much. I simply think Master Gu He should raise his bid,' she said lazily. 'Perhaps a few more pills—say, a Monster Form Pill or a Sovereign Extreme Pill. It depends entirely on how much you think your own life is worth.'

Gu He's expression grew uglier. He gritted his teeth, trying to keep his anger in check. 'Two Dou Spirit Pills, one Sovereign Extreme Pill, and one Form Shifting Pill. That's all I can offer.'

'Three Dou Spirit Pills, two Sovereign Extreme Pills, and one Form Shifting Pill,' Queen Medusa replied indifferently. 'If you meet my price, I'll let you live.'

'You—!' Gu He's face twisted. He clenched both fists tightly. He was furious—but he had no choice.

He looked to Yun Yun, hoping for support, but Yun Yun could only give him a helpless shake of her head. That subtle gesture finally crushed the last trace of defiance within him. With great reluctance, he nodded to Queen Medusa.

'Fine. As Your Majesty demands.'

He retrieved several jade boxes from his storage ring and tossed them to her.

Queen Medusa took them with a smile, inspecting the contents carefully. After confirming their authenticity, she lowered her seven-colored snake sword and let out a stunningly alluring smile.

'As expected of Master Gu He. Let us say this incident never happened. You may go.'

Gu He exhaled deeply. Queen Medusa had been like a blade hanging over his head. Now that she had relented, he felt immense relief.

But he frowned again moments later.

'Your Majesty… what about Sect Leader Yun?'

'Don't push your luck, human,' Queen Medusa said coldly, casting him a glance. The terrifying pressure of a Dou Zong radiated out once more, instantly choking the words in his throat.

The oppressive force, coupled with Queen Medusa's infamous ruthlessness, left him with no courage to resist.

'Gu He, go,' Yun Yun said softly. 'You must report Her Majesty's breakthrough to the Yun Lan Sect and the imperial family. Don't worry—I'll be fine.'

'But… fine.' Gu He looked deeply at her one last time, then clenched his jaw, summoned his Dou Qi wings, and flew off.

Now that the bothersome man was gone, the two women faced each other once again.

With a sudden sweep of her sleeve, Yun Yun's aura became sharp and forceful. She kicked off the air, soaring a dozen meters upward. Her hands formed seals at lightning speed. With a cold shout, she cried, 'Winds Return to Earth!'

As her voice fell, thick waves of green wind gathered above her head—vast, oppressive like storm clouds.

She swung her hand downward. The cyclone compressed, and sharp wind blades rained down like a deadly green storm.

'Hmph.'

Queen Medusa gave a cold snort. With a flick of her wrist, the snake-sword shimmered. Her Dou Qi surged like a tidal wave through her meridians, causing the space around her to visibly ripple.

A moment later, brilliant seven-colored energy exploded from her body. Her sword transformed into a radiant arc of light that slashed into the sky.

The downpour of wind blades was obliterated instantly.

'What?!' Yun Yun gasped, reeling from the counterattack.

Before she could react, Queen Medusa appeared in front of her like a ghost. Her slender palm struck Yun Yun squarely in the abdomen and sent her hurtling down like a falling star.

'Urgh!'

The intense pain and internal damage made Yun Yun cough up a mouthful of blood. Her vision darkened, and she lost consciousness.

Just before everything faded, she vaguely heard Queen Medusa's voice:

'You should be grateful. If not for a certain lord's order forbidding me from taking your life… your fate wouldn't have been any better than theirs.'

'Yue Mei, take Sect Leader Yun below. See that she's cared for.'

'Yes, Your Majesty.'

(End of Chapter)