On the small island, Gu He stared unblinkingly at the enormous purple snake suspended in midair.
The massive purple snake hovered in the void, its body radiating a dense violet light that soon enveloped nearly the entire Medusa Temple.
After circling the sky a few times, the snake let out a low, resonant cry before plunging decisively into the azure flames below.
Under Gu He's unwavering gaze, the purple snake dove into the eerie blue fire without hesitation. The moment it made contact, Queen Medusa's piercing scream erupted—so shrill it sent chills down one's spine.
Hearing her agonized cries, Gu He's expression turned grave. Having endured the torment of tempering his body with a heavenly flame, he understood all too well the excruciating pain she was enduring.
Peering through the bamboo leaves, Gu He observed the azure flames. Inside, the colossal snake thrashed violently.
The once-gleaming scales on its body rapidly twisted and blackened under the fire's merciless heat before crumbling away.
Fresh blood welled up, only to be instantly vaporized by the scorching temperature, leaving behind streaks of searing crimson.
"Crack… sizzle…"
Even from the island, Gu He could hear the sickening sound of flesh charring. The snake's massive frame withered visibly as its lifeblood was scorched away.
For a proud and mighty ruler like Queen Medusa to scream so madly—it was unimaginable the agony she was suffering. This was no mere physical torment; even her soul was being seared by the flames.
Near the pool, the Great Elder watched with a pale face, his voice trembling with worry. "Your Majesty… you must succeed!"
The sheer intensity of Queen Medusa's screams sent shivers through all who heard them.
Not far away, Gu He observed the scene, silently acknowledging the queen's terrifying resolve. "This woman is truly insane."
The agonized shrieks echoed through half the temple, drawing countless Snake-People experts to the rooftops.
Some tried to rush forward but were repelled by the violent purple energy, leaving them no choice but to watch helplessly from afar as their queen writhed within the blue inferno.
Two streaks of light shot across the sky, stopping just outside the purple barrier—Yue Mei and Mo Ba Si, their faces tense.
"Has Her Majesty begun her evolution?" Yue Mei murmured in shock.
Mebas clenched his fists, his voice grim. "So she truly took this path… Now, all we can do is wait for the outcome."
Above the pool, towering cyan flames blazed, distorting the very air. The Green Lotus Core Flame had been driven to its limits, incinerating everything within its reach.
Gu He glanced below—the once-pristine Ice Spirit Cold Spring pond had been reduced to a dark, gaping pit at least ten meters deep.
The surrounding bamboo forest had vanished, leaving only barren earth in the wake of the flames.
Inside the fire, Queen Medusa's screams gradually weakened after nearly half an hour of relentless torment.
By now, the snake's massive body had ceased its thrashing. Its once-magnificent purple scales were now charred black, its length reduced from over ten zhang to a mere two or three.
It was horrifying to imagine how much flesh and bone had been consumed by the flames.
Outside the purple barrier, more and more Snake-People gathered atop the surrounding rooftops, staring in stunned silence at the churning violet fire.
Then—a mournful cry resounded through the city, casting a pall of sorrow over the sacred Snake-People capital.
Within the flames, Queen Medusa's scorched body lay motionless as the Green Lotus Core Flame continued its relentless assault, the stench of burning flesh thick in the air.
The Great Elder, who had been guarding her all this time, turned deathly pale. Her body trembled as she muttered in despair, "It's over… Is the heavens truly abandoning our race…?"
"Failed?" Gu He frowned, sensing through his soul power that Queen Medusa's aura had vanished entirely.
"Hah…" He sighed softly, staring at the flames.
Had the legendary Queen Medusa—the woman who once brought countless Jia Ma Empire powerhouses to their knees—truly fallen like this?
How tragically ironic.
As her screams faded, the entire city fell into a suffocating silence. Grief hung heavy over the Medusa Temple, and the Snake-People mourned their fallen queen.
Gu He's gaze remained fixed on the distant flames. After a long pause, he frowned slightly, raising his eyes to the suddenly darkened sky.
Then—his soul power detected a flicker of new life.
A faint smirk tugged at his lips.
"Heh… I knew a woman like her wouldn't die so easily."
Strangely, he felt a spark of relief knowing she still lived.
He hadn't even realized it himself.
Perhaps… he simply didn't want such a peerless beauty to vanish from this world.
…
Enjoying the story? Get early access to 70+ advanced chapters.
👉 Join me on Patreon: patreon.com/DarkLord621