Medusa's feelings towards Hun Changqing were complex at this moment. The "labor" of the past year, day and night, had long since made her body unconsciously accustomed to him.
Moreover, Hun Changqing would occasionally utter sweet words, softening her initially hostile heart.
Furthermore, her beliefs were the same as those of previous Medusas: fidelity. It could be said that since Hun Changqing's actions towards her, regardless of the methods he used, regardless of how despicable he was, Hun Changqing was already her man.
Unless she killed Hun Changqing and then committed suicide, she would not make any other choice.
This was Medusa's initial thought, but after a year, the thought of killing Hun Changqing gradually faded. Not only was her strength insufficient, but her heart had also been touched by Hun Changqing's sweet words, though she herself was unaware of it.
At this moment, her words, filled with murderous intent, about killing Hun Changqing, were merely a facade; she hadn't yet realized her true feelings. Hun Changqing's words had provoked her, and in her shame and anger, she recalled her earlier resolve to kill him.
Moreover, as Queen Medusa, she possessed her own pride, and hearing Hun Changqing's words made her feel utterly ashamed.
She felt her royal dignity had been completely lost. Medusa didn't want this, so she forced herself to revert to the tone she had used in the Snake-Man Desert, stubbornly uttering those cold words.
Hun Changqing frowned slightly upon hearing Medusa's words. Over the past year, he had used almost every kind word—good, bad, and threatening—yet Medusa still acted as if she wanted to kill him, her hatred overflowing.
Hun Changqing had no idea what Medusa was thinking. Seeing her resolute expression and rising murderous intent, he was somewhat annoyed; he had already tried to appease her.
It's not that Hun Changqing wasn't perceptive enough to notice a woman's thoughts; women's minds are never easy to fathom.
A woman's attitude changes daily, making her thoughts incredibly difficult to decipher, and the same goes for her words. A single sentence can have countless meanings, and you can never truly understand what she's trying to express.
Hun Changqing didn't have the time to speculate on a woman's thoughts and the hidden meanings in her words; he could only interpret them literally.
So, since Medusa so desperately wanted to kill him and displayed such overwhelming murderous intent, Hun Changqing believed that since he couldn't appease her, he shouldn't keep someone constantly filled with murderous intent by his side, especially a Seven-Colored Devouring Python with limitless potential. Keeping her around would only bring endless trouble.
However, Hun Changqing didn't intend to kill Medusa. Didn't Medusa value the Snake-People Clan immensely? He could simply release her and let her stay within the Snake-People Clan. Staying in the snake den every day wouldn't significantly improve even the best talent.
In any case, he no longer needed Medusa to help transfer energy and lighten his burden. He only needed to seclude himself for a period of time to fully control the energy within his body.
Thinking this, Hun Changqing coldly said to Medusa,
"Since you want to kill me so badly, I can't let you stay by my side. You showed me murderous intent, and according to my nature, I should kill you. But we've spent over a year together, and you've helped me cultivate. Fine, go back to your snake-people clan. From now on, we'll never see each other again."
"You..."
Hearing Hun Changqing's cold and resolute words, Medusa was stunned. Her heart clenched, and she found it hard to breathe. She often cursed Hun Changqing, but he never cared much, even comforting her gently and sweetly, always able to coax her.
Although he would sometimes get angry and threaten her with the snake-people clan, he had never let her leave so directly, bidding her farewell with a tone as cold as a block of ice.
She felt a sudden pang of panic, overwhelmed by the stark contrast. She even wished Hun Changqing would threaten her again with the safety of the Snake-People, instead of uttering such resolute words.
Medusa's mind was a jumbled mess, her thoughts racing through the events of the past year. She was unsure what to do.
"I...no! I'm going back to the Snake-People!"
Medusa instinctively tried to explain, but her stubbornness flared up again. Remembering her dignity as queen, she couldn't simply give in to Hun Changqing. Remembering Hun Changqing's previous gentleness and his current coldness, Medusa felt incredibly wronged and angry. In a moment of impulsiveness, she readily agreed.
Hun Changqing, oblivious to the complex expression on Medusa's face, nodded without saying anything.
With a wave of his hand, the flower bud enveloping them instantly split open, letting in sunlight that had shrouded them in darkness for over a year.
Medusa stared at Hun Changqing's actions, her eyes filled with confusion.
The next moment, Hun Changqing grabbed Medusa and "sent" her through the opening. The flower bud closed again, making no sound.
Medusa, now "sent" out of the bud by Hun Changqing, stared blankly at the slowly closing bud.
Her exquisite body trembled uncontrollably, her chest heaving, her breathing rapid. Her cherry-like lips inhaled and exhaled incessantly, her slender, alabaster-white hands clenched into fists, her heart filled with immense grievance and anger.
"Ah! Lin Changqing, you bastard!"
Medusa suddenly roared to the sky, her entire body surging with battle qi. The aura of a fifth-level Dou Zong was unleashed without reservation. She gathered her battle qi in her hand and swung it towards the flower bud in front of her.
Countless seven-colored rays of light shot towards the flower bud, each beam of energy tearing through the air with a piercing buzz, instantly striking the flower bud.
"Rumble!"
The entire mountain began to shake violently, rocks tumbling down, dust flying everywhere.
Soon after, the dust settled, and the ground was a pitted mess, a scene of devastation. Only the black flower bud remained as before, undamaged.
It didn't react to the sudden attack, nor did a sound emanate from within the flower bud. It stood silently in the very center of the mountaintop.
Medusa's chest heaved, her beautiful eyes fixed on the flower bud, her teeth clenched.
After staring at it for an unknown amount of time, Medusa finally turned around angrily, took out a purple brocade robe, and covered her exquisitely alluring body that had been exposed to the air. Her face was full of gloom, and she said through gritted teeth,
"You bastard Lin Changqing! You're a bastard! A beast! Did you really think I wanted to be with you? And you want me to leave? I've wanted to leave for a long time. My people are waiting for me! Don't regret what you said! Even if you come looking for me later, I won't go with you!"
Then she left in a fit of rage. After descending the mountain, Medusa met Hai Bodong on the other side of the river, who had just broken through to the Dou Zong realm and was arrogantly demanding revenge.
Her anger surged even more intensely. In a flash, she slowly appeared before Hai Bodong, unleashing the full power of a five-star Dou Zong...
Hai Bodong: ...