Desert City.
Upon a tall tower, the Medusa Queen gazed into the heavens, her delicate and enchanting features suddenly turning cold at the echoing roars above.
"Move out!"
Her rose-red lips parted slightly, and in her narrow phoenix eyes a flash of ruthless light gleamed. Her calm voice carried an undertone of icy menace.
At her command, the Serpent Tribe's army, lined below like rows of wooden stakes, surged forward. They quickly mounted massive avian beasts bred for war.
These creatures were bulky second-tier magical beasts, easy to tame, captured in the Magical Beast Mountain Range, and perfectly suited for transport.
At the same time, Die, Yue Mei, Du Qianteng, and others unfurled vast Dou Qi wings behind them. With a single beat, they shot into the skies.
Seeing her forces assemble, the Medusa Queen stepped forward and rose steadily, walking into the air itself.
At the Dou Zong realm, one could walk upon the void.
Her gaze fixed upon the distant Qinghong City — where the armies of the Jia Ma Empire and Yunlan Sect elites gathered. Without pause, she strode across the skies in that direction.
With her advance, the avian beasts beneath her gave low roars, spreading their wide wings. Winds howled as hundreds of massive shadows rose together into the heavens.
A storm churned above. Die looked at the countless soaring beasts, heat surging in her chest. With a sharp cry, she beat her violet wings and shot forward after the queen.
Behind her, Yue Mei, Du Qianteng, and the three Great Elders followed in swift pursuit.
On the beasts' heads, Yuenü, Hua She'er, and others clutched their garments as the gales whipped around them.
They glanced down at the shrinking ground, then raised their heads, grim determination in their eyes.
They knew — the true battle was about to begin.
Time passed.
With signal flares echoing across the land, battalions were mobilized toward the northwestern and northeastern provinces of the Jia Ma Empire.
Qinghong City.
On the towering walls, Yun Shan stood with Yunlan Sect's high elders and Jia Ma's top generals.
Sensing the sudden, overwhelming pressure descending from afar, Yun Shan's brows furrowed. "They're here."
Everyone lifted their heads. From the horizon, countless dark figures approached in dense formation.
As they drew nearer, the sunlight reflected off their spears and blades, casting a chilling brilliance down upon Qinghong City, making soldiers' hearts freeze.
"Mu Chen, Yun Fan — the two of you will command within the city. As for the Serpent Tribe's main force, I'll take people to block them."
He addressed Mu Chen, one of Jia Ma's ten strongest experts, and an elder of Yunlan Sect.
Then he stamped his foot.
His figure shot skyward, followed by Yun Yun and the Yunlan Sect's Dou Wangs, who surged after him.
Soon, they floated outside Qinghong City, standing opposite the tide-like Serpent Tribe army.
Suspended mid-air, Yun Shan's white robes fluttered, hands clasped behind his back. His icy gaze locked on the enemy, and a torrent of Dou Qi burst from his body.
A vast aura swept across the skies, bearing down with crushing oppression.
But before it reached the Serpent Tribe's lines, an even greater pressure surged forth from their camp.
The void rippled — and a stunning woman in a scarlet gown stepped into view.
Cold, breathtakingly beautiful, devastating enough to topple kingdoms. The moment she appeared, every man present felt his blood stir uncontrollably… and at the same time, a chill of fear seeped deep into their bones.
The Medusa Queen.
"Yun Shan," she said, her voice laced with frosty contempt, "how many times will you provoke this queen? What is your intent?"
With her words, an unstoppable force of pressure erupted from her body. Like a collapsing mountain, it crushed through Yun Shan's aura and spilled into Qinghong City.
At her Dou Zong level, her pressure alone threw the city into chaos.
Yun Shan's face darkened. Beside him, Yun Yun frowned. Yun Shan snorted, "Hmph. Such audacity. To covet my empire's northeastern and northwestern provinces and even the Magical Beast Range — aren't you afraid your teeth will shatter?"
"It was your kind who disregarded this queen first. Consider this no more than my reply. As for shattering my teeth…"
Murderous light flared in her eyes.
Behind her, a colossal beast spirit with dragon horns — an ancient creature — materialized, its hundred-zhang-long body roaring with fury.
"Just your Yunlan Sect alone — do you seek your own annihilation?!" she thundered.
Boom!
The oppressive aura intensified again. On the walls, soldiers gripping weapons felt their limbs go cold, fear and awe taking root in their hearts.
Yun Yun's face paled, glancing at Yun Shan.
Yun Shan's expression grew unsettled. He had already sensed in their last meeting that the Medusa Queen's momentum was overwhelming. But now, after such a short time, her strength seemed even greater.
Still, he reassured himself. Lifting his gaze, he chuckled coldly. "Self-destruction? You should worry for yourself. After today, there will be no Serpent Tribe left on the continent."
He clapped his hands. The crisp sound echoed across the skies.
"Law Protectors — the Medusa Queen is yours."
At his words, an ocean of black mist surged from Qinghong City's lord mansion, spreading into the sky and condensing overhead.
"Medusa Queen, long time no see. Today, this will be your grave."
"Medusa Queen, where is that little human boy by your side? Tell him to crawl out here and die!"
Several eerie voices slithered from the mist. Familiar to her ears, they made the Medusa Queen's brows crease. Her voice was frigid:
"A pack of defeated dogs… and you dare bark at this queen?!"
The sudden development stirred uproar among Yunlan Sect and Jia Ma's forces alike. Eyes filled with shock and confusion fixed upon the sinister figures hidden in the mist.
Mu Chen's face twisted in disbelief. "So this is the outside aid Yun Shan spoke of?"
High in the air, Yun Yun's pretty face paled as she watched the scene. From their appearance alone, she knew these newcomers were nothing good.
Mocking laughter echoed from within the fog.
Then—
One…
Two…
Three… Three Dou Zongs. Four Dou Huangs.
Boom!
The revelation sent waves of uproar rippling through the ranks.
****
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