By the Queen's Command, Kill Without Mercy

"Arrogant!"

Looking at Bingxuanzi, who stood with his hands behind his back and looked down upon everyone, the crowd frowned in unison.

Only Medusa's lips curled into a faint smile.

Fight.

The longer they fight, the better.

Her favorite spectacle was watching these humans slaughter each other. Before she even had to make a move, they had already started infighting.

"Who do you think you are! Do you really think there is no one in this world who can match you?"

Mu Yunxi was the first to attack. Her longsword left its sheath, and a fierce burst of sword qi shot straight toward Bingxuanzi.

Bingxuanzi neither dodged nor evaded; he simply extended his right hand.

He pointed out a single finger.

Crack—

The sword qi collided with his fingertip and instantly shattered into endless snowflakes, dissipating into the air.

"Nothing more than this."

Bingxuanzi withdrew his hand and said indifferently, "Although this old man's cultivation has been sealed for years, and even though I am trapped within this grand array with my current strength far below its peak, I am still..."

Before his voice faded, his figure abruptly vanished.

In the very next second, he appeared right in front of Mu Yunxi and threw a punch!

"Invincible in this world!"

The wind from this punch was majestic, imbued with Bingxuanzi's understanding and enlightenment of martial arts, along with the laws of the Ice and Snow Dao. A ten-foot-wide ice dragon followed the fist, crashing toward Mu Yunxi's chest!

Mu Yunxi's expression changed drastically. She hastily raised her sword to block. The ice dragon collided with the blade, erupting into a piercing screech and a sky full of ice crystals. The immense force sent her sliding back dozens of feet. The reef beneath her feet shattered and fell into the magma, splashing up a wave of crimson.

"Master!"

Zheng Yunshu and the others cried out in alarm.

Mu Yunxi steadied her body. Her sword-wielding hand trembled slightly, the webbing between her thumb and index finger split open and oozing blood. She looked at Bingxuanzi with eyes full of horror.

This person's cultivation was suppressed, and he was under the restriction of the Snake-People's grand array, yet he still possessed such strength?!

Bingxuanzi pulled back his hand, his gaze tranquil.

It was as if that move was effortless for him.

Ye Shu watched, dumbfounded.

He had thought this old geezer was strong, but he never imagined the old bastard would be ridiculously strong.

Wu Tianxing's face looked ugly.

This guy was still the same as always, completely lacking any sense of the big picture, only caring about his own amusement.

But!

He wasn't here to fight today; snatching the Spiritual Fire to stop Medusa's breakthrough was the main objective.

"Snatch the Spiritual Fire first."

With this thought in mind, Wu Tianxing's figure suddenly vanished from his spot, dashing toward the burning Green Lotus Heavenly Fire in the center of the lake.

However, a figure was even faster than him.

That was... Master Mochen!

He had somehow already arrived beside the lotus pedestal; what remained in his original spot was merely a phantom.

"Hehehe... The Spiritual Fire belongs to the capable."

Laughing, he pulled a small black pouch from his robes.

Yet in the next second.

The phantom of a spiritual snake arrived in a flash, slamming ruthlessly into Master Mochen's chest, forcing him to retract his hand and retreat in a hurry.

"Are you all taking this Queen too lightly?"

Medusa stood suspended in the void, staring coldly at the crowd running amok before her. She raised her right hand slightly, and wisps of golden snake phantoms rose from the armored soldiers present, converging together to form a giant golden python that coiled around her side.

At this moment.

Her aura was stronger than anyone else present!

Fiercer!

More domineering!

"Imperial Dragon Aura? You actually!"

Wu Tianxing's pupils shrank drastically, staring in disbelief at the snake phantom coiling around Medusa. This was the closely guarded secret of their Great Wu Dynasty, a technique that used the faith of the masses to condense Imperial Dragon Aura, empowering oneself and harnessing the momentum of heaven and earth.

But Medusa was just a Snake-People Queen, how could she...

Where on earth did this woman obtain this method?

She had naturally learned it from that little booklet. She had spent two months hastily condensing it just for today, but why would Medusa tell him that?

Feeling her steadily climbing aura, everyone present wore grave expressions, except for Bingxuanzi, who burst into loud laughter.

"Good, good, good!"

"This old man has never felt so exhilarated! This is the kind of battle I should be fighting! Come! Let's fight!"

A chaotic melee was on the verge of breaking out.

Meanwhile, outside, the Snake-People City seemed somewhat peaceful, even a bit lively.

The ignorant Snake-People masses were still celebrating the grand ceremony.

The festivities proceeded as usual.

Under the guidance of the guards, Xiao Qingli and the others wove through the crowded throngs, heading toward the tallest and most magnificent palace in the center of the city.

This was the Queen's exclusive palace.

It was also the sacred temple of the Snake-People.

All important ceremonies were held in its great hall.

Looking at the approaching palace, Xiao Qingli suddenly felt a wave of nervousness. She anxiously gripped Qingyuan's hand and whispered, "Sister Qingyuan, do you think they will like Xiao Qingli's dance?"

"They will, they definitely will."

Sensing Xiao Qingli's nervousness, Qingyuan squeezed her hand tightly, rubbed her little head, and smiled. "Our Xiao Qingli is so adorable and works so hard. Unless they are blind, anyone who sees it will absolutely love it."

Hearing this, Xiao Qingli's nervousness eased slightly.

She held Qingyuan's hand tighter, and a confident smile blossomed on her face once again.

"Xiao Qingli will definitely work hard!"

"I'll make those elders love it so much they won't be able to get enough, and they'll never want to let Xiao Qingli leave."

"That way, everyone can stay."

"We can all live a good life!"

Her eyes sparkled, as if she could already see the beautiful scene of the clan elders applauding and cheering, and Her Majesty the Queen revealing an approving smile.

When that time came, no one would have to suffer beatings or starvation anymore!

This beautiful imagination gave her immense courage.

She straightened her back, her previously trembling shoulders steadied, and she walked toward the palace with confident strides.

The guards led them into the great hall.

The interior was resplendent and magnificent, yet it felt vast, empty, and chillingly cold. The massive domed ceiling felt as if it were pressing down on their faces.

Rows of heavily armed Snake-People stood on both sides of the hall, completely surrounding the incoming half-snake dance troupe.

Xiao Qingli stood in the center of the hall, curiously looking at these armored Snake-People. Seeing their stern and unsmiling expressions, she couldn't help but mutter in her heart.

Are all these important figures this weird?

Wearing armor even to watch a performance.

And being so serious.

But it didn't matter!

Xiao Qingli put her hands on her hips, brimming with confidence, because next, she was going to conquer everyone with her performance.

She took her position and just bowed down.

She was about to begin her dance.

Before she even raised her head.

A sharp clang rang out!

The surrounding Snake-People drew the longswords from their waists, staring at them coldly. "The Queen has ordered: Anyone who entered the Holy City two months ago is to be killed without mercy."

Xiao Qingli, who had just struck her opening pose, froze in place, staring at the gleaming swords, her mind turning completely blank.