The next day, inside the Medusa Temple.
Gu He sat leisurely in the hall, carefully examining the Snake Spirit Orb in his hand. Over the past few days, he had devoted considerable effort to understanding the artifact, yet he remained unable to activate it.
At this moment, a troubled expression crossed his face as he studied the orb. He had already begun to suspect that this sacred treasure of the Snake-People might not be meant for human use.
"This Snake Spirit Orb is a sacred artifact of our race. Without our bloodline, it cannot be awakened. Your efforts are in vain, Your Excellency."
Just as Gu He frowned in frustration, a cold, languid voice echoed through the hall.
Gu He's spiritual perception had already detected Queen Medusa's arrival, so he wasn't startled. Instead, he calmly lifted his gaze toward the entrance.
There, a breathtaking figure slowly approached.
The Queen Medusa before him now was vastly different from the one he had seen the previous day.
A luxurious purple brocade robe draped over her graceful, alluring figure, accentuating her voluptuous curves. Her long, narrow lavender eyes held a natural charm that could ensnare any man's attention.
Gu He's throat moved slightly as he subtly shifted his posture, his eyes sweeping over the beauty before him. Though it wasn't his first time seeing her, he couldn't help but marvel inwardly at her mesmerizing allure once more.
Her figure was like a perfectly ripened peach, exuding an intoxicating temptation.
His gaze drifted downward, lingering on the lower half of Queen Medusa's robe. Her original serpent's tail had transformed into a pair of slender, snow-white human legs. Her delicate feet hovered just above the ground, pristine and untouched by dust.
"Have you seen enough?"
Unbeknownst to him, Queen Medusa had closed the distance between them. Her bewitching eyes, now tinged with a frosty sharpness, bore into him with a dangerous aura.
Gu He's eyes lingered on her flawless face—a masterpiece of heavenly craftsmanship. Even with her piercing, hostile gaze, she radiated an undeniable, enchanting charm.
This woman was the epitome of temptation in the hearts of countless men.
"Congratulations, Queen Medusa, on achieving your wish. Truly a joyous occasion."
Meeting Medusa's indifferent stare, Gu He smoothly averted his gaze and offered a light, courteous smile.
Queen Medusa's expression remained cold. After a moment of silence, she glanced at the Snake Spirit Orb in his hand and spoke. "Since Your Excellency cannot awaken my clan's sacred artifact, it would be best to return it."
Hearing this, Gu He deftly stored the orb into his spatial ring and replied with a smile, "Queen Medusa may have forgotten—I have a disciple with Snake-People blood. Though I cannot activate the orb, it suits her perfectly. I intend to gift it to her. What does Queen Medusa think?"
Qing Lin possessed Snake-People lineage, making her the ideal candidate to wield the artifact. The moment Gu He realized he couldn't awaken it himself, he had already decided its fate.
Thinking of the lonely little girl waiting in the Nine-Colored Valley, a pang of guilt struck him. This orb would be his way of making it up to her.
At his words, Queen Medusa recalled the green-robed girl from years past.
'Give it to her…'
Considering the girl's heritage and her rare Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils, Queen Medusa felt a flicker of approval.
With such talent, the girl was indeed worthy of the Snake Spirit Orb.
"Very well. It would not disgrace our sacred artifact to be in her possession."
After scrutinizing Gu He's face for a long moment, Queen Medusa finally spoke, her voice a sultry, languid murmur that could melt a man's bones.
Gu He's lips twitched.
'What kind of logic is that? If it were in my hands, would it be a disgrace?'
This woman was undeniably stunning—if only she didn't have such a sharp tongue.
"Queen Medusa, now that you've successfully evolved, it's time to return the Heavenly Flame."
Gu He thought of his Green Lotus Core Flame and promptly made his demand.
"Return it…?"
Queen Medusa's eyes flashed coldly at his words.
This Heavenly Flame had been something she obtained through immense hardship—it was rightfully hers.
Yet this thief had brazenly seized it and now had the audacity to demand its return?
'How preposterous!'
Sensing the sharpness in her gaze, Gu He merely quirked a faint smile, his expression unreadable as he met her eyes with calm indifference.
Their gazes locked in the hall, an unspoken tension thickening the air. A chilling hostility lingered between them, the atmosphere growing increasingly stifling.
Gu He's dark eyes remained composed as he observed the newly empowered Queen Medusa, whose aura had grown even more domineering after her breakthrough. His expression betrayed no fear, his demeanor as steady as still water.
Meanwhile, Queen Medusa's eyes burned with barely restrained fury, her fingers twitching with the urge to strike.
The once-subdued rage she had suppressed due to her weakened state now surged forth.
In the past, no one had ever dared to take what was hers—yet this human had broken that unspoken rule.
Back then, she had no choice but to endure, lacking the strength to retaliate.
But now, she had successfully evolved, her power now reaching the Eight-Star Dou Ancestor level.
The invincible Queen Medusa had fully returned.
The sudden surge in strength emboldened her, igniting the desire to reclaim what was rightfully hers.
A frigid aura enveloped her as she glared at Gu He, whose unshakable composure slowly chipped away at her confidence.
Narrowing her eyes, she suddenly recalled the battle from months ago—when this very man had effortlessly repelled the Four Great Elders and even deflected their sacred artifact with a single strike.
A cold realization seeped into her heart.
The man before her… was not someone she could easily contend with, even now.
…
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