Battle Through the Heavens: Starting with Cao Ying as an apprentice

The Fourth Elder, who had been keeping his head down, suddenly raised his head upon hearing the Third Elder's words, and for the first time, his cloudy eyes revealed undisguised worry for Cai Die.

Seeing this, Cai Die quickly waved her hand, her smile still bright and reassuring: "It's alright, it's alright, don't worry! Young Master knows, and I only dared to take it out after he nodded his approval. So you can eat in peace, don't worry about me."

She paused, then continued in a soft but firm voice, "Moreover, the young master has already agreed to my request and will not make things difficult for the snake people. You don't need to worry too much about the clan's affairs."

"Senior Su... agreed?" The Third Elder and the Fourth Elder were stunned almost simultaneously, staring blankly at Cai Die as if they were frozen in place.

An indescribable emotion, a mixture of shock, shame, and immense gratitude, instantly overwhelmed their hearts like a tidal wave.

Not long ago, they were still on orders to hunt her down, and the Fourth Elder was particularly ruthless, almost causing a major disaster.

In the blink of an eye, the "rebellious" second young lady in their eyes not only repaid evil with kindness by bringing emergency food, but also disregarded her own safety to ask that unfathomable powerhouse for forgiveness and a promise for them and for the entire snake-people race!

Gazing at the face before them, which appeared exceptionally pure in the moonlight and wore a kind smile, the two elders' thoughts involuntarily drifted back to several years ago.

Although the second young lady was not as strictly trained as the eldest young lady Medusa to be her successor, she was always a bit playful and lazy and unwilling to deal with tedious political affairs. However, her innate kindness and innocence were like a spring in the desert, nourishing everyone around her.

Compared to the increasingly dignified and emotionally reserved eldest daughter, the second daughter, Cai Die, is more like a child they watched grow up, who has never been completely tainted by the world.

And now, after all these changes, her kind heart remains unchanged. Even after they did such a thing, she still chose to forgive and help them.

"Second Miss...I'm sorry!"

A deep, hoarse apology suddenly burst forth from the Fourth Elder, who had been silent all along. His voice was filled with regret, guilt, and a complex mix of emotions, including a sense of relief.

Upon hearing the apology, Cai Die's delicate body visibly trembled.

A slight smile curved her lips, forming a softer, more relieved smile. She recognized the voice all too well; it belonged to the Fourth Elder, the one who had once taught her combat techniques, a man of fiery temper yet also straightforward character.

“Mm!” Cai Die responded softly, her gaze sweeping over the two elders who had watched her grow up. Her tone was calm and sincere: “After all, you watched me grow up. The Snake People… no matter what, are still my home. No matter what has happened in the past, as long as I am alive, I will do my best to protect it.”

She pushed the food towards the two elders again: "Alright, let's not talk about this anymore, you should eat it while it's hot."

As she spoke, she took out a warm jade bottle from an antique-style storage ring on her finger, poured out two pills the size of longan fruits that emitted a faint medicinal fragrance, and handed them to the two men: "This is a storage ring that the young master gave me. There are some pills inside. These two are fifth-grade pills, which are very effective for internal injuries. Especially for Fourth Elder, your injuries are quite serious. Quickly take them and circulate your internal energy to heal your wounds."

Having done all this, Cai Die seemed to have completed an important task. She breathed a sigh of relief and, without lingering any longer, turned and walked quickly toward the cave, her figure soon disappearing into the shadows at the cave entrance.

The Third Elder and the Fourth Elder stood there, stunned, their gazes following the direction in which the colorful butterfly had disappeared, unable to look away for a long time.

Looking at the steaming food on the ground, and then at the valuable fifth-grade pill in their hands, their throats felt as if something was tightly blocking them. A thousand words churned in their chests, but in the end, they couldn't utter a single word.

In the cold night wind, only the rising steam from the food proved that the warmth that transcended grudges had truly existed.

Chapter 25 Queen Medusa

翌日清晨，天光微亮.

Su Baichen slowly exhaled a breath of stale air, ending his meditation that lasted all night.

As soon as he opened his eyes, he met a pair of bright, sparkling eyes—Cai Die was already waiting by his side, her hands supporting her chin, gazing at him expectantly, her undisguised anticipation almost overflowing from her eyes.

His gaze swept past her and looked out of the cave; his spiritual power had already taken in the entire scene outside.

Su Baichen raised the corners of his lips slightly, revealing a knowing smile, his tone casual yet unquestionable: "Alright, let them in."

Upon hearing this, Cai Die's face instantly blossomed like spring flowers, her eyebrows curved, and she responded crisply, "Yes, young master!" Then, like a joyful butterfly, she turned and gracefully flew out of the cave.

In fact, not long after Butterfly delivered food to the two elders last night, Queen Medusa had already led the core members of the Snake People to the outside of the cave.

However, just as everyone was about to announce their request for an audience, Queen Medusa raised her hand to stop them. She gazed at the deep cave entrance, her beautiful face appearing exceptionally calm and composed in the moonlight.

"It's getting late, there's no need to disturb your cultivation. We can wait here until dawn." Her voice wasn't loud, but it carried the unquestionable majesty of a queen.

She had her own considerations. The soul power of that mysterious expert inside the cave was terrifying; they probably sensed it as soon as they entered this mountain range.

Since the other party has not expressed their opinion, it would be unwise to disturb them late at night. This caution is both a sign of respect for the powerful and a responsibility for the safety of the snake people.

As expected, everything unfolded exactly as Queen Medusa had anticipated.

Even when the snake-people were still several miles away from the cave, Su Baichen's vast and boundless spiritual power had already sensed their arrival.

Queen Medusa's subsequent order to wait naturally caught his eye. Su Baichen simply smiled noncommittally, offering no further comment, and continued to concentrate with his eyes closed until dawn.

Last night, while waiting outside the cave, the Third Elder whispered to Queen Medusa and her entourage the details of how Cai Die had pleaded with her elders and even offered her freedom in exchange for the tribe's safety for the sake of the Snake People.

Apart from Queen Medusa, everyone else felt a burning sensation on their faces after hearing this. Recalling their past misunderstandings and coercion of Cai Die, they all lowered their heads in shame.

Only Queen Medusa, with a faint yet genuine smile on her cold and beautiful face, gleaned more information: this undoubtedly indicated that the snake-people's crisis might be turning around, her sister was safe and sound, and more importantly, her sister seemed to have secured a place in the heart of this unfathomable elder. Although she didn't know the source of this special favor, it seemed beneficial to the snake-people, her sister, and herself at the moment.

—Timeline Regression

Outside the cave, Queen Medusa and the snake people had been waiting for a long time, and the air was filled with a silence that was a mixture of anticipation, tension and awe.

When the colorful butterfly appeared at the cave entrance, everyone's eyes were instantly focused on her.

As soon as the butterfly stepped out, her gaze immediately locked onto the stunningly beautiful purple figure.

She could no longer contain herself, and like a fledgling returning to its nest, she rushed straight into Queen Medusa's arms, her voice filled with deep longing: "Sister, I missed you so much."

Feeling the genuine warmth in her arms, Queen Medusa's usually aloof face thawed like a frozen river, revealing a gentle smile from the bottom of her heart.

She gently hugged her sister back, but then deliberately put on a stern face, stretched out her slender fingers, and flicked Cai Die's smooth forehead lightly.

With a soft "thud," followed by a colorful butterfly's exaggerated cry of pain: "Ouch—!"

"You still dare to say you miss me? Using forbidden techniques to escape without permission, you're getting bolder and bolder!" Queen Medusa's tone was reproachful, but her eyes were full of heartache.

Butterfly rubbed her forehead and pouted, explaining, "I know my limitations... I know I'm not capable enough. If I really became queen, wouldn't I be leading the snake people astray?"

"Besides...besides, I can't bear to hurt my sister!" she said, tilting her head back and playfully sticking out her tongue at Queen Medusa, looking both charming and mischievous.

Looking at her younger sister's perpetually childlike and mischievous appearance, Queen Medusa's last trace of anger turned into a helpless sigh.

She shook her head, ultimately unable to bring herself to truly blame her. After all, this was her own younger sister; if she didn't pamper her, who else could she rely on? After all, she was her older sister.

"Alright, enough with the banter." Queen Medusa composed herself and steered the conversation back to the main topic: "Did the senior send you to call us in?"

Upon hearing this, all the snake-people around focused their attention on Cai Die, their eyes filled with tension, anticipation, and unease.

The key to this trip lies entirely in the attitude of the senior in the cave.

Seeing that her sister had brought up serious matters, Cai Die also put away her playful expression, tried her best to put on a serious face, and nodded: "Yes, it was Young Master who sent me."

But then she seemed to remember something, scratched her head somewhat embarrassedly, and added, "Uh... actually, before I even opened my mouth, it seemed like the young master already knew what I was going to say, and directly asked me to take you in."

Her slightly embarrassed and confused appearance stunned everyone who was already on edge. They exchanged bewildered glances, their hearts pounding with anxiety: "Second Miss, is this...is this message reliable? We mustn't misunderstand!"

Queen Medusa knew her sister's impulsive nature all too well. She glanced helplessly at Butterfly, but quickly made a judgment in her mind.

That senior was an alchemist, and alchemists generally have stronger mental power than those of the same level. Combined with the fact that the senior must have already sensed their presence.

Therefore, it is not surprising that she could foresee the purpose of the butterfly's visit. On the contrary, it makes her even more unfathomable. She knew that the crisis of this meeting had probably passed, and the snake people might even be able to achieve their wish of leaving the desert with the help of this senior.

Thinking of this, she no longer hesitated. Her gaze swept over everyone, and she calmly gave the order: "The Grand Elder and I will go in with Cai Die to pay our respects to the senior. The rest of you, stay where you are and wait for orders. Without my command, you shall not move or make any noise."

"Yes, Your Majesty!" the crowd responded in unison, though they were apprehensive, they had no objection to the Queen's decision.

Queen Medusa exchanged a glance with an elderly man beside her, who held a snake-headed cane and exuded a calm demeanor—the Great Elder of the Snake-People Clan. Both of their eyes revealed solemnity and determination.

Afterwards, the two straightened their robes and followed the light-footed butterfly into the cave that exuded a mysterious yet unsettling aura.

Chapter 26 The Clever Butterfly (Data Requested)

The cave was dimly lit, with only a few moonstones embedded in the stone walls emitting a soft glow.

As Queen Medusa and the Grand Elder stepped into the cave, they felt an invisible gaze upon them, seemingly coming from all directions, piercing their skin and reaching the depths of their souls. They both paused simultaneously, exchanging a glance—

It's that senior!

What terrifying soul pressure!

A single glance was enough to send chills down the spines of two individuals who were considered top experts in the Northwest Continent.

Queen Medusa's purple eyes narrowed slightly, and the Grand Elder's grip on the snake-headed staff tightened unconsciously. After a brief exchange of glances, the two suppressed their inner turmoil and followed behind Butterfly more cautiously into the depths of the cave.

After turning a corner, a spacious stone chamber suddenly appeared before you.

When their gazes fell upon the white-clad figure sitting cross-legged on a futon in the center of the stone chamber, even Queen Medusa, with her composure, couldn't help but have her pupils shrink slightly, and she and the Grand Elder both gasped.

Too young!

The person before them was handsome, appearing to be no more than twenty years old, with an ethereal and otherworldly air, like a banished immortal. If it weren't for the indescribable vicissitudes and majesty contained in his deep, star-like eyes, and the faint yet unsettling aura emanating from him, they would never have associated such a youthful appearance with an unfathomable powerhouse.

The thought of the Third Elder's report about him being an "eighth-grade alchemist" sent a huge shock through the two of them. An eighth-grade alchemist!

In this Northwest Continent, seventh-grade alchemists are already legendary figures, enough to make various forces frantically try to win them over.

If the news of an eighth-grade alchemist were to spread, the top powers across the entire continent would likely be mobilized and spare no expense to pay him a visit!

Although they knew that their senior had profound cultivation, they never expected that he would be so young.

For a moment, both of them couldn't help but curse the three elders in their hearts: such crucial information, yet they were so vague, failing to clearly state the senior's appearance and age, truly... a disaster!

However, his mind raced, but he dared not show the slightest negligence.

Queen Medusa and the Grand Elder quickly composed themselves, stepped forward, and bowed respectfully, their voices filled with utmost reverence:

"Medusa of the Snake-People Clan (this old woman) greets Senior Su."

Su Baichen's gaze calmly fell on the two of them, especially pausing slightly on the Grand Elder, making the latter feel as if a mountain was pressing down on him, and cold sweat almost soaked his back.

A faint, ambiguous smile played at the corners of his lips; his voice was clear and resonant, yet carried an undeniable air of authority.

"Heh, so they're all family members of my little maid."

He emphasized the words "little maid," his gaze sweeping over Queen Medusa before finally settling on the Grand Elder: "Speaking of which, my little maid was truly 'well taken care of' when she was in the clan."

As she spoke, the pressure emanating from her body continued to increase, but the pressure on Medusa did not increase much. Unfortunately, the Grand Elder next to her was the one who suffered, his face almost touching the ground under the pressure.

"Please calm down, senior!" Queen Medusa reacted quickly and immediately took over the conversation, her tone firm: "There were indeed some outdated rules within the clan that almost led to a serious mistake."

"Now that you are the Queen, Ding Dang is in charge. Upon returning, I will definitely abolish the relevant clan rules, strictly discipline the clan members, and never allow such things to happen again!"

Her words were crisp and decisive, without the slightest hesitation. Under the palpable pressure of Su Baichen, the Grand Elder didn't even dare to raise his head; any potential objections he might have harbored were already drowned out by fear.

She clearly felt that if she dared to show even the slightest dissatisfaction, she would probably be destroyed in the next second.

Rules are rigid, but people are flexible. In the face of absolute power, any outdated customs and bad habits are insignificant. Preserving one's life and one's community is the top priority.

“Your Majesty is absolutely right! Our clan has long intended to reform our outdated customs, and we beg you, elder, to see the truth!” The Grand Elder quickly echoed, his voice trembling slightly.

Seeing this, Su Baichen's cold expression softened slightly, and he nodded slightly, acknowledging their attitude.

Queen Medusa, feeling somewhat relieved, immediately seized the opportunity and took out an antique-style storage ring from her bosom. She presented it with both hands and respectfully placed it on the ground: "Senior, our people have offended the Butterfly in the past. This is a small token of our apology, a collection of local specialties and treasures. We hope you will accept it with a smile."