Battle Through the Heavens: Top Talent

Chapter 54 Snake People Tribe

High above the clouds, Xiao Yun's azure fiery wings flapped continuously, generating tremendous wind pressure, making him appear like an azure roc soaring freely in the sky.

"I think I haven't gone to the wrong place, right? According to the map, I should have arrived at one of the eight tribes of the Snake People. I hope I don't run into those hot-tempered Snake People leaders, otherwise the transaction might fail." Hovering a thousand meters in the air, looking at the city in the desert below, Xiao Yun looked at the map in his hand and said with some uncertainty.

Now that his strength has greatly increased, and with the terrifying power of the Azure Lotus Earth Core Flame, he is confident that he can escape unscathed even if the Snake-People, who are naturally cold and afraid of fire, are Queen Medusa. That's why he ventured deep into the desert, intending to trade with the Snake-People for the Sand Mandala.

The Serpent People are composed of a holy city, eight major tribes, and countless smaller tribes. The leaders of the eight major tribes are called the Eight Commanders, and each of them is at least a Dou Wang level. Such strength is incredibly formidable in the Jia Ma Empire.

Although Xiao Yun didn't have much of an impression of these minor characters, he had heard Hai Bodong mention them a few times in Stone Desert City. Some of the eight commanders were volatile and had deep-seated hatred for humans, making communication almost impossible. The rest, while also having blood feuds, were relatively normal and could be traded with.

"Forget it, whatever. At worst, I'll just give them a little more benefit." With that thought in mind, Xiao Yun no longer concealed his aura and swept towards the snake-man tribe below. At the same time, he shouted loudly, "Snake-men below, listen up! Is there anyone who can talk? Come up here!"

The azure battle qi amplified the sound, and it quickly reached the snake-people tribe.

"A powerful human is approaching! Everyone on alert!"

"Ugh!"

The sound of horns echoed across the towering city walls, and countless snake-men soldiers immediately sprang into action, armed with powerful bows and even siege crossbows, their massive arrows gleaming with a chilling light as they aimed at Xiao Yun in the sky.

In the blink of an eye, the once peaceful city was filled with a sense of urgency. The snake-men on the street split into two lines: the male snake-men were twisting their bodies and rushing towards the city gate, while the female snake-men were retreating in an orderly manner.

Seeing the snake-men's movements below, Xiao Yun could only say, "Sorry, I can fly. No matter how many snake-men there are, they can't hit me."

A moment later, just as he was getting impatient, a powerful aura finally erupted from within the city. Immediately afterward, a figure in black, accompanied by a sharp whooshing sound, rapidly approached Xiao Yun from below.

A hundred meters away from Xiao Yun, the jet-black figure suddenly stopped in mid-air, a slightly chilling voice emanating from his mouth: "Human, coming to my snake-people tribe alone, do you want to die?"

It seems like someone I can communicate with.

Seeing that the other party did not attack immediately, Xiao Yun breathed a sigh of relief and said loudly, "I have no ill intentions. My name is Xiao Yun. I am a disciple of the head of the Alchemy Department of Canaan Academy, and also a sixth-grade alchemist. I have come here only to make a deal with the Snake-People."

Hearing Xiao Yun's words, the dark-skinned figure was somewhat surprised and uncertain. Xiao Yun looked to be only thirteen or fourteen years old. It was already outrageous that he could become a Dou Wang, let alone claim to be a sixth-grade alchemist.

Staring intently at Xiao Yun's figure, the dark-skinned figure finally spoke after a long while: "Hmph, you say you're a sixth-grade alchemist, is that all? How can you prove it?"

"Hmm?" Xiao Yun had a headache. Why was it always this stupid question of me proving myself?

"Hmph, I bet you're not an alchemist. Get out of here!" Seeing Xiao Yun's hesitation, the snake-man expert confirmed his suspicions and shouted loudly.

"Take a look at this. Although I haven't taken the sixth-grade alchemist exam yet, my alchemy skills have already reached that level." Ignoring the warning in the snake-man's words, Xiao Yun took out his fifth-grade alchemist badge from his storage ring and threw it at him.

"I think no one would dare to forge a fifth-grade alchemist's badge, right?"

The snake-man expert took the badge and examined it carefully. Although the snake-man race did not have any alchemists, they had at least seen how things worked. He could still tell the badge was genuine.

He was quite certain that the badge in his hand was genuine, which meant that the young man in front of him was at least a fifth-grade alchemist.

"Hahaha, I didn't expect that I was blind. I hope Master Xiao won't take it to heart." The dark-skinned figure returned the badge to Xiao Yun, his attitude changing completely, and laughed loudly.

A powerful alchemist of at least the fifth rank would earn the respect of the snake-people, after all, an alchemist of Xiao Yun's caliber wields considerable influence. The snake-people may have a grudge against humans, but they are not fools.

Because of their cold and yin-like constitution, the snake people are unable to produce alchemists. Therefore, compared to humans, the snake people actually prefer to befriend a master alchemist so that they can make use of the medicinal resources they have accumulated over generations.

"My name is Mobas, and I am the leader of the Ink Serpent Clan. What kind of deal is Master Xiao referring to? Perhaps we can discuss it further down here?" Mobas grinned, speaking to Xiao Yun with some respect.

"No need. I just want to find a sand datura. You can name some conditions that I can help you with."

A wise man does not stand under a dangerous wall. Although Xiao Yun is not a wise man, he is not a fool either. What if he goes down there and the snake people are not afraid of offending Canaan Academy and insist on killing him?

"Alright, but Master Xiao is a bit late with the matter of the Sand Mandala. My tribe just ran out of Sand Mandala a few days ago. I guess right now, only the Queen might have some left."

"Oh? That's all?" Xiao Yun said, somewhat disappointed.

"Why don't you come with me to the Snake People's Holy City, Master Xiao? If the Queen still has any, we can definitely exchange them."

Could this snake be cunning?

Xiao Yun looked at Mobas with some suspicion. This guy had invited him to the Snake People's Holy City. What if Queen Medusa took a liking to him and forcibly kept him there? If he were a Dou Huang, it would be fine, but he was only a Dou Wang. In the Snake People's lair, if Queen Medusa really wanted to keep him, he would have no chance to escape.

"Let's forget about it for now, but if your queen is willing to come here and make a deal with me, I can wait."

After some thought, Xiao Yun still refused to go to the Serpent People's Holy City, and smiled, "My condition is the opportunity to help the Serpent People refine three Rank 5 pills, or one Rank 6 pill. Commander Mobas, would you be willing to pass on my message to your Queen?"

"Alright, I will definitely convey Master Xiao's words. Please be patient and wait. I will bring back the results in less than two days."

Seemingly sensing Xiao Yun's concerns, Mobas said no more, agreed to Xiao Yun's request, and shot off into the depths of the desert.

Watching Mobas depart into the distance, Xiao Yun did not land on the snake-man tribe below. Instead, he casually found a sand dune, sat down cross-legged, closed his eyes slightly, and waited quietly.

……

Although Mobas said he would bring back the results in two days at most, only one day had passed when Xiao Yun's soul power, which was constantly probing the surrounding situation, sensed two powerful auras rapidly approaching him.

Xiao Yun stood up from the sand dune and looked into the distance. He saw two streaks of light, one black and one purple, speeding across the sky. In the blink of an eye, they left two dazzling trails across the sky.

"Luckily, only two came. If there had been one more, I would have run away." Watching the rapidly approaching figures, Xiao Yun murmured, his battle qi surging as he unleashed his aura to guide the two in the sky.

After sensing Xiao Yun's presence, the two streaks of light gradually slowed down, eventually stopping a hundred meters away from him. This distance made him feel very safe.

Two figures flashed across the desert. Xiao Yun looked up and saw the muscular old acquaintance Mobas, needless to say. As for the other person, he immediately guessed his identity.

"I didn't expect this woman to come in person. Damn, she's really beautiful!" Startled, Xiao Yun swore, a rare occurrence for him. Seeing this woman with his own eyes, Xiao Yun finally understood the true meaning of "a beauty that could bring ruin to a country and destroy a nation!"

The beautiful woman before him wasn't just pretty; she was truly stunning. It was hard to imagine that such captivating qualities as alluring, charming, and noble were all concentrated on one face. The feeling was something Xiao Yun had never experienced before.

"So you're the fifth-grade alchemist that Mobas mentioned?"

A clear, cold voice woke Xiao Yun from his daze. Looking at the smile on Queen Medusa's exquisite face, he took out an Ice Heart Pill and swallowed it. If he didn't take it soon, his virile little brother would be unable to restrain himself.

"To correct you, I am actually a sixth-grade alchemist, but I haven't had a chance to take the exam yet."

Xiao Yun felt better after taking the Ice Heart Pill; at least he could speak normally!

"So you're a sixth-grade alchemy master. It was my oversight." Seeing Xiao Yun's actions, Queen Medusa smiled, exuding extreme allure, and slowly walked towards Xiao Yun, saying with a smile, "Master Xiao has traveled thousands of miles to my Snake-People race. You must be tired. Why don't you come with me to the Snake-People Holy City so that my Snake-People race can properly show us hospitality?"

"This vixen, she actually wants to seduce me?" Xiao Yun, who was almost tempted, suddenly bit his tongue. His fighting spirit surged, and a wisp of blue flame emerged from his palm, shooting straight in front of Queen Medusa.

"Stop, my teacher is still waiting for me to return to Canaan Academy, so let's not go to the Serpent People's Holy City." The slightly threatening words came out of his mouth, and Xiao Yun turned his head away, trying not to look at the other person's face.

The Azure Lotus Earth Core Flame fell onto the desert, its terrifying heat rapidly vitrifying the surrounding yellow sand, and a destructive wave slowly seeped out from the flames.

"A strange fire?!" Staring at the azure flame before her, Queen Medusa stopped in her tracks, a look of shock crossing her face. "You actually possess a strange fire!" she exclaimed in surprise.

(End of this chapter)