This was a small, slender snake about seven centimeters long, its entire body covered in multicolored scales. Its eyes, a blend of purple and blue, emanated an eerie aura.
The most eye-catching feature was the flame-shaped mark on the snake's forehead, resembling a lotus petal.
The Green Lotus Core Flame.
Not only had Queen Medusa successfully evolved, but she had also refined the Green Lotus Core Flame.
The small snake didn't look particularly fierce; in fact, it appeared rather cute, tempting one to keep it as a pet. Yet, within its tiny body resided a terrifying power that even a Battle Emperor would fear.
"Next, I need to complete my mission: abduct Queen Medusa."
Chen Mo crouched down, putting on a friendly face. He reluctantly pulled out a Green Lotus seed and coaxed, "Hey little one, come over here. I've got something tasty for you."
As he spoke, he made a clucking noise reminiscent of how people in his past life would call chickens to feed.
The multicolored little snake wagged its tiny tail, its purple and blue eyes staring intently at Chen Mo. Its body wriggled slightly, cautiously inching forward.
Chen Mo extended his hand, placing the seed in front of the snake.
The little snake sniffed the seed, then flicked its tongue to taste it. Finding the flavor agreeable, it quickly swallowed it.
After consuming the seed, the little snake lifted its small head, letting out a few soft hisses, almost as if it were purring affectionately.
Seizing the opportunity, Chen Mo gently extended his hand. The snake coiled around his hand, slithering up his arm.
Once atop his hand, the snake nudged Chen Mo's thumb with its head, seemingly craving more of the lotus seed's taste.
With a pang of reluctance, Chen Mo fed it another seed.
This time, the little snake seemed satisfied, curling up in Chen Mo's palm and falling asleep.
At that moment, the system notification sounded, indicating the mission was complete and the rewards were issued.
[Randomly awarded 1,600 fortune points.]
[Received: 1x King's Treasure Chest.]
Chen Mo opened the system menu to check his status:
[
Name: Chen Mo
Race: Human
Cultivation Level: 3-Star Battle Master
Fortune Points: 6,460
Battle Techniques: Dark God's Spear, Flowing Dragon Movement, Thousand Thunder Technique.
Items: Concealment Technique, Lust Pill, Advancement Pill, 1x King's Treasure Chest.
Functions: Treasure Chest Lottery, Store, Plunder.
Affiliation: Lingyan Pavilion.]
Feeling fortunate, Chen Mo carefully placed the now curled-up multicolored snake into his robe.
Whether it might suffocate in there was not Chen Mo's concern.
Retracing his steps, Chen Mo quietly snuck out of the temple.
However, just as he exited the temple, he encountered the leaders of the eight tribes and an elder in gray robes, all heading toward the temple to check on their queen.
"The High Priestess means that although Her Majesty appears to have failed in her evolution, this might not be the case."
"Indeed, I've known Her Majesty since she was young. She wouldn't fall so easily."
Chen Mo quickly pressed himself against a stone pillar, holding his breath.
Fortunately, under the cover of darkness, he managed to avoid detection as the voices faded into the distance.
But when Chen Mo reached the city's central area, he found that, due to the news of Queen Medusa's supposed failed evolution, the entire city was now under strict lockdown.
Guards patrolled everywhere, both inside and out.
The central city was much brighter than the area around the temple, and it didn't take long for a patrol team to spot Chen Mo.
But this wasn't the worst part.
The real issue was that the city gates were closing.
"Damn it, gotta make a break for it."
Summoning the Dark God's Spear, Chen Mo activated Flowing Dragon Movement and dashed toward the gate.
"Who goes there?"
"Sound the alarm! Intruder!"
As the alarm sounded, more and more patrol teams began converging on Chen Mo.
The eight tribal leaders, who were heading to the temple, heard the alarm and their expressions changed.
"Could it be that those humans have returned?"
The eight immediately rushed toward the city gate.
"Get out of my way, or die!"
The patrols weren't very powerful, and Chen Mo was cutting through them, spear in hand, creating a bloody path.
Just as the gates were about to close, Chen Mo hurled a black spear, lodging it between the closing doors.
Following quickly, Chen Mo gathered all his strength in his right knee.
With a powerful kneeling kick, he forced the gate open.
Once through, Chen Mo wasted no time and fled into the night.
Meanwhile, Yue Mei and the others arrived at the gate, watching the fleeing figure. She shouted coldly, "You think you can just come and go as you please? Do you think the Serpentfolk's territory is a playground?"
"Chase him!"
Eight figures transformed into streaks of light, pursuing Chen Mo.
...
"Phew, I finally escaped. That was intense."
Chen Mo stopped to catch his breath.
His fortune points had increased from 6,460 to 6,600.
Just as he was about to open the King's Treasure Chest to see what he could get, he heard a hissing sound. To his left, a large swath of trees suddenly withered.
Turning his head, Chen Mo saw a streak of light speeding toward him, followed by seven more streaks.
Chen Mo felt his scalp tingle.
Eight Battle Kings coming after me? You've got to be kidding!
Without thinking, he resumed his escape.
But how could a mere Battle Master outrun eight Battle Kings?
Soon, Chen Mo found himself surrounded by the eight leaders.
A moment earlier...
The Sixth Elder and Gu He's group crossed paths.
"Sixth Elder, what are you doing here?" Yun Yun, clad in a black robe, asked in surprise.
"What? You say Chen Mo went into the Serpentfolk's territory?"
After hearing the Sixth Elder's account, Yun Yun frowned. An immense pressure erupted from her as she spoke, then she turned and flew toward the Serpentfolk's territory.
The others around her were taken aback. She hadn't shown this level of concern even when facing the eight tribal leaders.
Gu He's expression changed, and he cupped his fists toward Yan Shi and Feng Li. "I leave it to you two."
...
"Kid, you dare invade our Serpentfolk territory with just the power of a mere Battle Master? Are you tired of living?" Yue Mei's red lips parted slightly, and thousands of multicolored snakes slithered out from various parts of the oasis.
"Yue Mei, what's with all the talking? Let me tear this brat apart," Yan Ci, with a fiery temper, looked ready to rip Chen Mo in half.
The other six tribal leaders weren't exactly kind either, each suggesting a different gruesome fate for Chen Mo.
Chen Mo's throat tightened, and he swallowed hard. "Uh, let's talk this out, okay? No need for all the violence; it's so uncivilized."
"Civility? Can you eat that?" Yan Ci wasn't in the mood for conversation. He raised his massive hammer, ready to smash it down on Chen Mo, but Yue Mei stopped him.
"Yue Mei, what are you doing?"
"Wait, Yan Ci. That might really be Her Majesty."
Yue Mei had seen in an ancient text from her tribe that Her Majesty, being a sixth-tier magical beast known as the Purple Phantom Serpent, would, after evolution, become the ancient beast capable of contending with Battle Saints—the Seven-Colored Heaven Swallowing Python.
"Its body is seven-colored, its eyes slightly purple, its body exudes a fragrance, and its power is unmatched..." Yue Mei confirmed, "That's definitely Her Majesty."