The moment Xiao Tian's words echoed through the throne hall—
"I want you."
The entire palace fell into a deadly silence.
Every Snake People guard froze.
Even Xiao Yan felt his heart stop for a second.
"You… want… the Snake Queen?"
He muttered in disbelief.
Beside him, Gu Xuner also stared at Xiao Tian with a strange expression.
But the most dangerous reaction came from the throne itself.
A terrifying aura suddenly exploded from Medusa.
BOOM!
The floor cracked under her pressure.
Golden energy swirled violently around her body.
Her beautiful face became ice cold.
"Human…"
Her voice echoed like a blade.
"You dare say such words to this queen?"
In the entire Tagore Desert—
No one had ever spoken to her like that.
Even powerful Dou Huang experts treated her with caution.
Yet this young human dared to demand her directly.
For a moment…
It looked like Xiao Tian might be killed instantly.
But Xiao Tian didn't move.
His expression remained calm.
"Why not?"
The answer shocked everyone again.
Even Medusa narrowed her eyes.
"You must have great confidence to speak like this."
Her aura suddenly intensified.
"If you want this queen…"
"Then prove you deserve it."
The temperature in the hall dropped sharply.
Medusa slowly raised her hand.
"Fight me."
A Queen's Pressure
The moment the words left her mouth—
A terrifying pressure descended on the hall.
The guards quickly retreated.
Even Xiao Yan felt his legs become heavy.
"That pressure…"
He whispered.
"She's too strong."
Although Medusa was not yet at her peak, she was still a terrifying expert of the Snake People race.
Her aura alone could suppress most young cultivators.
But Xiao Tian simply stepped forward calmly.
"Alright."
His answer was simple.
Direct.
Medusa's golden eyes flashed with interest.
"Good."
"Let us see what you're capable of."
The Battle Begins
The throne hall was quickly cleared.
Soon—
Only five people remained inside.
Medusa.
Xiao Tian.
And the three spectators: Xiao Yan, Gu Xuner, and the nervous Snake People elder.
Medusa stood in the center of the hall.
Her long purple hair flowed like a waterfall.
Her golden snake pupils stared directly at Xiao Tian.
"Attack."
She said coldly.
But Xiao Tian shook his head.
"Ladies first."
The Snake People elder almost fainted.
Provoking the queen like this was pure madness.
Medusa laughed softly.
"Very well."
Suddenly—
She disappeared.
SWOOSH
Her speed was terrifying.
In the blink of an eye she appeared directly in front of Xiao Tian.
Her palm shot toward his chest like lightning.
BOOM!
A powerful shockwave exploded.
Dust filled the hall.
Xiao Yan's eyes widened.
"That hit landed!"
But when the dust cleared—
Everyone froze.
Xiao Tian was still standing.
His hand had caught Medusa's wrist.
The queen's attack…
Had been stopped.
Medusa's golden eyes narrowed.
"You blocked it."
Xiao Tian smiled slightly.
"Barely."
The Crimson Flame Appears
Medusa suddenly twisted her body.
Her snake tail swept toward Xiao Tian's legs with terrifying speed.
But Xiao Tian jumped backward lightly.
His palm opened.
And suddenly—
A crimson flame appeared.
The blooming lotus-shaped fire illuminated the entire hall.
The legendary Purifying Demonic Lotus Flame.
The moment the flame appeared—
The temperature skyrocketed.
Even Medusa stepped back slightly.
Her eyes filled with shock.
"Such a powerful Heavenly Flame…"
Even Gu Xuner looked surprised.
Although she also possessed a Heavenly Flame, the aura of Xiao Tian's flame felt different.
Older.
More terrifying.
Inside Xiao Yan's ring, Yao Chen suddenly gasped.
"That flame…"
"It can't be…"
Xiao Yan asked quickly.
"What is it?"
Yao Chen's voice trembled slightly.
"If I'm not mistaken…"
"That's the legendary flame once controlled by the Demonic Lotus Saint."
Xiao Yan's eyes widened.
"One of the strongest Heavenly Flames ever recorded…"
A Brief Clash
Medusa's aura became serious.
Her snake pupils glowed brightly.
"You truly possess something extraordinary."
Her body suddenly erupted with powerful Dou Qi.
A massive energy wave surged forward.
Xiao Tian stepped forward as well.
The crimson lotus flame wrapped around his fist.
BOOM!
Their attacks collided.
The explosion shook the entire palace.
Even the stone walls cracked slightly.
After a moment—
Both figures stepped back.
The hall became silent.
Xiao Yan stared in disbelief.
"They're evenly matched…"
Medusa slowly exhaled.
Her golden eyes looked at Xiao Tian with a new expression.
Respect.
Interest.
And something deeper.
Because she realized something important.
The flame inside Xiao Tian's body…
Was exactly the kind of power she needed for her evolution ritual.
And perhaps…
The only power capable of guaranteeing her success.
She slowly spoke.
"You passed the test."
The guards outside gasped in shock.
The queen had acknowledged him.
Medusa returned to her throne.
Her gaze never left Xiao Tian.
"Now tell me."
"How exactly will you help me evolve?"
Xiao Tian extinguished the flame.
Then he answered calmly.
"With the power of the Purifying Demonic Lotus Flame."
"And my control over it."
Medusa leaned slightly forward.
"And the price?"
Xiao Tian smiled.
"You already know the answer."
The queen stared at him silently.
Then…
For the first time…
The proud Snake Queen smiled.
A dangerous and beautiful smile.
"Very well, human."
"Let us see if you can truly change my fate."