Chapter 275: Following
"This little girl possesses the fire attribute. Do you have any natural treasures that contain fire energy? Perhaps we could use them to lure it," Xiao Ming suggested.
The Snake-People exchanged glances and shook their heads in disappointment. They mostly had a yin constitution and had not collected any natural treasures with fire attributes.
The First Elder turned to Yan Ci, one of the tribe's eight commanders, and asked, "Do you have any of those treasures in your Yan Snake Tribe?"
Yan Ci responded with a hint of regret, "We did have some, but in the battle with the Chu Yun Empire, our Yan Snake Tribe was at the forefront, and those treasures were destroyed."
The other Snake-People's faces fell upon hearing Yan Ci's response.
The situation seemed bleak.
However, their disappointment was short-lived as the Seven-Colored Heaven Swallowing Python, having absorbed part of the Amethyst Lion Birth Essence earlier, shook its head and fell asleep on Xiao Ming's neck.
Seeing this, Xiao Ming carefully lifted it up and handed it over to the First Elder.
The First Elder took it cautiously and then passed it to Yue Mei.
"Yue Mei, take Her Majesty down and settle her in. I need to consult something with Master Xiao Ming. The rest of you may leave," the First Elder instructed.
"Yes." Since the Queen had successfully evolved, there was no need for them to stay here any longer.
The Snake-People left one by one.
Eventually, only Xiao Ming and his group, along with the Snake-People First Elder, remained.
"First Elder, if you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask," Xiao Ming said, addressing the old woman who appeared hesitant to speak in front of him.
"In truth, this old woman simply wants to know how long Her Majesty's current condition will last?" The Snake-People First Elder sighed, her face lined with concern.
Most of the Snake-People were immersed in the joy of the Queen's successful evolution just now and did not consider that her condition seemed somewhat abnormal. Even if someone noticed something amiss, they quickly brushed it aside.
After all, it was normal for the Snake-People to have two souls, one of which was artificially fused using secret methods. In their view, once Her Majesty the Queen awakened, this soul would disappear as before, so there was no need to worry.
The Snake-People's First Elder was the only one who had keenly sensed that something was amiss.
"Your Snake-People Tribe does not have any records?" Xiao Ming asked, surprised at the First Elder's question.
"To be honest, our records are incomplete, and this situation is also the first of its kind that we have ever encountered," the First Elder replied, her tone tinged with frustration.
"I see." Xiao Ming nodded in understanding and continued, "Without external interference, this situation will last for at least ten years. It will take about ten years for Medusa to fully control her body for an extended period of time."
"Ten years?!" The First Elder couldn't help but exclaim upon hearing this.
Realizing her outburst, she quickly regained her composure and apologized.
"I'm sorry, it was this old woman who lost her composure."
Xiao Ming shook his head to indicate that she had nothing to worry about.
"But is what you said true, Master Xiao Ming? I'm not questioning you, but ten years seems a bit exaggerated, doesn't it?" the First Elder asked.
"Exaggerated?" Xiao Ming couldn't help but laugh.
This was not an exaggeration at all. In this evolutionary process, it wasn't just Medusa who benefited; the soul of the Seven-Colored Heaven Swallowing Python, the former Quiet Purple Flame Serpent, also gained considerable improvement. The soul had made significant progress and was no longer under Medusa's control.
Of course, in comparison, Medusa's soul definitely had the advantage, but it was still difficult for her to control the newborn soul of the Seven-Colored Heaven Swallowing Python and merge it with her own soul without a prolonged struggle.
Ten years might even be an understatement.
After listening to Xiao Ming's explanation, it was difficult for the First Elder to hide the bitterness on her old face.
"Master Xiao Ming, do you know of a solution to our Queen's problem?"
Naturally, there was a solution, and Xiao Ming narrowed his eyes, not hiding it.
"You can find a sixth-tier Alchemist or higher to refine a pill that will merge their souls."
Upon hearing this, the First Elder's old face lit up with a hint of surprise.
"Then I wonder if Master Xiao Ming can help us?"
"I've been in the Snake-People Tribe long enough, and I'll be leaving tomorrow. I don't have the time to help you refine the pill. Besides, collecting the herbs for a sixth-tier pill also takes time. There's no need to bring this up again," Xiao Ming decisively refused and left with Zi Yan and Xiao Yi Xian.
The First Elder sighed, 'Never mind, Master Xiao Ming has already helped us enough. Asking for more would only be pushing it.'
...
Walking through the tunnels of the cave, Zi Yan skipped ahead, holding Xiao Ming's hand. Xiao Yi Xian walked beside Xiao Ming, taking his other hand.
Xiao Ming could smell the faint fragrance of both girls, and suddenly he heard Xiao Yi Xian's voice beside him.
"Xiao Ming, are we really going back to the Academy tomorrow?"
"Yes, we need to pick up Qing Lin at the Academy before heading to Central Plains."
"Central Plains?"
"Yes, Central Plains is the most prosperous place in the entire continent. With my status as a seventh-tier Alchemist, we will be able to grow faster, and maybe we can find Zi Yan's home there."
Xiao Ming hadn't told Zi Yan that she was an Ancient Void Dragon. After all, Xiao Ming had never seen her true form, and it would be hard to explain if he suddenly said she was an Ancient Void Dragon.
After they arrived in Central Plains, Zi Yan would naturally sense the location of the Ancient Void Dragon Tribe and return home. Once she returned to the Ancient Void Dragon's territory, her strength would quickly improve.
She would also be a powerful ally.
Zi Yan, who was walking ahead, heard Xiao Ming mention her and paused for a moment before immediately turning her head.
"Hee hee, if we find it, Xiao Ming, you have to make sure to go with me."
Xiao Ming glanced at Zi Yan and noticed that her smile was somewhat stiff.
Zi Yan had been wandering since she was young, so returning home could also be a knot in her heart.
Reaching out and stroking Zi Yan's head, Xiao Ming said: "If there's a chance, I'll go with you."
He said that, but deep down, Xiao Ming sighed.
Although Zi Yan came from a powerful background, the Ancient Void Dragon Tribe had many issues that needed to be dealt with. When they arrived there, she might not be able to be as carefree as she was now.
'Well, why think so much? Let's wait until we get to Central Plains.'
...
The following morning, at dawn.
Xiao Ming and the girls were sent off by the Snake-People Tribe's First Elder as they rushed towards the Jia Ma Empire.
Not long after their departure, a commotion erupted in the territory of the Snake-People Tribe.
Half an hour later, the Snake-People's experts gathered together and the Second Elder asked, "Hua She'er, where is Her Majesty the Queen?"
"We haven't found her." Hua She'er replied helplessly.
"Not found? The cave isn't that big, and you can't find her? Didn't I tell you to take good care of the Queen?! What kind of Medusa Royal Guard are you?" the Second Elder scolded.
Hua She'er felt wronged. Although the small snake that her Queen had turned into seemed harmless, its strength was indeed real.
If she blinked, the other party would disappear. What could she do?
However, this was indeed her dereliction of duty, so she could only bow down and say, "I am willing to accept punishment!"
"Forget it, this is also our mistake." The First Elder waved away the Second Elder and continued, "Let's search for another half hour. If we can't find her, then let it be." The First Elder thought of the Seven-Colored Heaven Swallowing Python's dependence on Xiao Ming yesterday and a hint of helplessness flashed in her eyes.