Chapter 20: Hidden Agendas, Unexpected Gains

“How could this happen!”

On the ground, Yue Mei stared wide-eyed at the scene before her. Why was the Queen showing hostility toward the four Elders and the Grand Commander?

“Humans, this must be your doing!”

The Grand Commander of the Serpent Tribe, a bald burly man, roared angrily and was about to strike at Su Yun.

“Wait!”

The Serpent Tribe’s Grand Elder raised his hand to stop him.

“Grand Elder, what should we do now...”

The other three Elders were equally perplexed, feeling utterly at a loss.

Su Yun remained composed, a mocking smile playing on his lips.

The Grand Elder frowned deeply. “The Queen’s soul suffered severe damage during her evolution. It is now likely that the soul controlling her body is that of the Seven-Colored Devouring Python.”

The Grand Commander snapped, “But why would this newly born Seven-Colored Devouring Python be hostile toward us?”

“Rather than calling it the Seven-Colored Devouring Python, it is better described as the Purple Flame Serpent soul that merged with the Queen’s soul long ago...

Our Serpent Tribe uses ancient rites to implant the soul of a serpent-type magical beast into newborns as a symbiotic companion beast.

The Purple Flame Serpent’s soul has been suppressed by the Queen all these years, even to the point of merging with her.

Now, with this evolutionary opportunity, the soul has broken free... This is far from good news for us.

It was I, with my own hands, who implanted its soul into the Queen’s body back then. This little creature clearly remembers that.

After losing its freedom for over a century, its resentment runs deep.”

Having explained the root of the problem, the others were left dumbfounded.

This was truly a difficult situation. It meant that even forcibly keeping the Seven-Colored Devouring Python within the Serpent Tribe would provoke its fierce resistance!

“What are we to do then?”

The Grand Elder’s voice was tinged with despair. The Serpent people wailed mournfully — were they really to let this human take their Queen away?

“Hiss, hiss!”

The Seven-Colored Devouring Python flicked its tongue, its violet serpent eyes glimmering with light.

“Oh, you say you want them to pay the price?”

“Hiss!”

Su Yun’s expression remained calm as he lifted his gaze. The aura of a Dou Zong erupted once more, causing the others’ faces to change drastically.

The overwhelming pressure swept over their bodies; under this oppressive force, all schemes and cautious thoughts dissolved into nothingness.

Even the hot-tempered Grand Commander looked fearful.

Just moments ago, Su Yun had been negotiating with them amiably, causing them to forget, instinctively, the terrifying power of a Dou Zong!

Now, the question was no longer whether the Queen could remain with the Serpent Tribe, but that the entire tribe faced the threat of a Dou Zong under the wrath of the Seven-Colored Devouring Python!

“They are not even on the same level. What exactly did the Queen face alone...”

The Grand Elder muttered bitterly.

The air around them grew heavy, the atmosphere chilling to a near freeze. Another great battle was brewing silently.

Su Yun’s palm flickered with the eerie Nether Poison Flame. Even the five Dou Huang peak experts might only hold out a little longer against him.

“Master, shouldn’t we just run for now?”

Xiao Yan swallowed nervously at the sight.

“Wait a bit longer, maybe it won’t come to a fight.”

Yao Lao pondered deeply.

“Wait!”

Just as Su Yun was about to make his move, Yue Mei’s voice rang out again.

“Human warrior, do not forget—you promised the Queen that as long as she survived, you would not harm the Serpent Tribe!”

Her hysterical shout was the last chance the Queen had fought so hard to secure for the Serpent Tribe.

Su Yun lowered his eyes, his sleeve fluttering as the terrifying aura dissipated.

“You have a fine Queen.”

The Grand Elder exhaled in relief. Her eyes flickered thoughtfully before she clasped her hands respectfully. “Sir, we entrust the Queen to your care...

If one day she wishes to return, please allow her to leave.”

“Why would I look after your Queen for no reason?”

Su Yun smiled faintly.

The Grand Elder’s aged face forced a smile. “Of course, we will provide a reward satisfactory to you.”

“Very well.”

Su Yun’s fingers gently stroked the serpent head of the Seven-Colored Devouring Python, soothing it.

“Hiss, hiss.”

The python slipped back into his sleeve.

“Let’s go.”

With a step, Su Yun mounted the Amethyst Winged Lion King. The massive wings flapped, purple flames engulfing its body as it soared toward the horizon.

Xiao Yan clicked his tongue. “This Serpent Tribe is hopeless, just handing over their Queen so easily?”

“Fool!”

Yao Lao slapped his head.

“Hey, Master, why’d you hit me?”

Xiao Yan protested.

Yao Lao scolded, “You only focus on the immediate situation, ignoring the bigger picture. No wonder you can’t grasp the deeper meanings between these two sides.”

“Is there really more going on?”

“Hmm.”

Yao Lao nodded. “On the surface, it looks like the Serpent Tribe is compromising with Su Yun, but that’s not the case.

For the Serpent Tribe, this is leveraging Su Yun’s power to protect Medusa.”

Xiao Yan was even more confused. “Master, just tell me the answer.”

“Why do you grow in cultivation but not in sense?”

Yao Lao made a move to strike again, but Xiao Yan dodged this time.

“Medusa’s public evolution will spread quickly, inevitably alerting the surrounding empires.

In her current state, she cannot fend off their scrutiny; even the Serpent Tribe can’t protect her!

The Gama Empire is weak and no match for the Serpent Tribe, but empires like Yunyun and Luoyan have Dou Zong experts. They won’t tolerate a Dou Zong rising within the Serpent Tribe!

I see now,” Xiao Yan exclaimed. “So having the Seven-Colored Devouring Python follow Senior Su Yun actually ensures Medusa’s safety.”

“Exactly. And Su Yun likely intends to use the python’s soul to control Medusa for his own purposes. Both sides harbor their own motives, which led to this arrangement.

However, this will cause the major empires to pressure Su Yun, plunging the Gama Empire into turmoil.

It’s foreseeable that this region won’t find peace for quite some time...”

Yao Lao stroked his beard, analyzing the situation for Xiao Yan.

In truth, he left unsaid that Su Yun’s strength might allow him to suppress the major empires in a short time.

After all, the Calamity Poison Body’s growth speed was unimaginable.

“Master, enough of that. Let’s think about what to do with the different flames...” Xiao Yan said timidly.

“That is indeed a problem.”

Yao Lao fell silent.

...

Su Yun rode the Amethyst Winged Lion King back to the imperial capital.

“This haul is not bad.”

Half a fragmented map, the Azure Lotus Earth Core Flame, the Seven-Colored Devouring Python, and a simulation of the “Azure Miasma Ghost Soul Sword” — progress on this low-grade Earth-level Dou Technique had advanced considerably.

In fact, Su Yun could have simulated three Dou Techniques in succession for even greater progress.

But he chose not to.

What a joke—he was a Dou Zong. Using even one Dou Technique to take down a peak nine-star Dou Huang was already indulgent. Using three techniques to finish them off would only raise suspicions that he was a mediocre fighter.