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

However, she never imagined that the person who was "affectionately" talking about her at this moment was not the mysterious Mr. Su, but her own sister, Cai Die, who never hesitated to betray her.

The atmosphere in Cao Ying's room remained "touching".

"Sister Butterfly, you...you are so amazing!" Cao Ying's voice was thick with nasal tone, clearly still reeling from that "heart-wrenching" story.

"Of course!" Butterfly turned around smoothly, the "sadness" on her face vanishing instantly, replaced by arrogance. She even patted her rather large chest, making a soft "thump-thump" sound: "Back in the day, I was the undisputed rising star of the entire clan, the future number one of the Snake-People! This sacrifice is nothing!"

She boasted without batting an eye, as if the "tragic hero" from before and the "proud peacock" of today were a perfectly unified whole.

Seeing that the groundwork had been laid and the timing was just right, Cai Die changed the subject, returning to the main topic with a more serious expression, carrying the authority of a supervisor: "Alright, alright, that's enough of the 'story.' Little Cao Ying, what should you do now?"

Cao Ying was still immersed in the halo of being called "the great younger sister" and didn't react for a moment.

The colorful butterfly "kindly" reminded him, "Cultivation! If you don't go and cultivate in peace, when the young master comes out to check your studies, I will 'truthfully' report it if I see that your progress is lagging behind!"

She deliberately emphasized the word "truthfully," then winked mischievously: "I can't guarantee what methods you'll use to 'urge' me on, young master. I suppose you don't want to relive the taste of that 'bamboo shoots stir-fried with pork' (the master's special version)?"

The mere mention of "master" and "stir-fried bamboo shoots with pork" sent a chill down Cao Ying's spine; all her emotion and admiration were instantly replaced by a chill that ran deep in her heart.

The "steady, accurate, and ruthless" way that master struck left a very deep impression on her; it was no joke in terms of its intimidating power.

"Okay, okay, I'll go cultivate right now, I'll go right now!" Cao Ying's face fell. She didn't dare to delay any longer and quickly ran to the futon in the center of the room, assumed a cultivation posture, and tried her best to calm her mind.

After confirming that Cao Ying had entered a meditative state, a seemingly empty space in the room rippled slightly.

A figure completely hidden within the spatial rift vanished silently, like a ghost.

The figure seemed to be holding an ancient-looking mirror with strange runes engraved on its edges.

At this moment, the shimmering light on the mirror's surface, like ripples on water, was slowly subsiding. Everything that had just happened in the room had clearly been recorded without a single detail by this mirror with its special function.

Chapter 39 The Queen's Admiration (1)

In the Serpent Clan's plaza, Su Baichen leaned against the shadow of a huge stone pillar, idly playing with a small mirror in his hand, its edges inlaid with strange silver patterns.

The mirror danced between his slender fingers, tossed high into the air, tracing a silvery arc before landing steadily back in his palm, repeating the cycle endlessly, as if performing some mysterious ritual.

A playful smile played on his lips as the vivid story told by the little maid, Cai Die, echoed in his mind.

"Oh my, she's just as good as my little maid."

He muttered to himself, his voice filled with undisguised admiration and a hint of mockery: "That lie was so seamless and so sincere."

"The hurt in her eyes, the certainty in her voice, tsk tsk, I almost believed she was a pitiful little thing who sacrificed herself for her sister."

He recalled Cai Die's tearful appearance, and compared it with her older sister's seemingly strong but actually doting sisterly personality, which was completely controlled by her younger sister, and his smile deepened.

"If I hadn't known beforehand that this butterfly's true nature was like that of a cunning little fox, I might have actually been fooled by her superb acting skills."

Thinking of this, Su Baichen shook his head with feigned maturity and sighed, like a worried teacher: "Little Cao Ying, you are still too naive. With such limited skills, you were completely fooled by Cai Die."

"It seems that my education of you has not been comprehensive or profound enough."

"You, a delicate flower in a greenhouse, have never truly experienced the harsh realities of the outside world, and you have no idea how treacherous people can be."

However, this sense of "helplessness" was quickly replaced by another emotion: a deep-seated pride.

He stroked the smooth mirror surface and continued to murmur, "However, putting aside this naivety (cuteness), Cao Ying's talent is truly outrageous. It hasn't been long, and she's already at the eighth level of Dou Qi, with such a solid foundation."

He clearly sensed that, with the aid of the Foundation Establishment Elixir, Cao Ying's battle qi was not only progressing rapidly, but every bit of power was also incredibly refined, without any sense of emptiness.

"At this rate, becoming a Dou Zhe at the age of six and simultaneously becoming a prestigious alchemist... such a heaven-defying achievement is entirely possible for her."

As he spoke, Su Baichen's eyes were almost overflowing with pride, as if he could already see the day in the future when he would hold the little hand of this prodigy disciple and appear in front of his old friends, and the scene of their jaws dropping and their eyes filled with envy and jealousy.

Just thinking about that scene made him feel incredibly relaxed, and even the scorching heat of the desert seemed to cool him down a bit.

Just as he was immersed in the wonderful fantasy of "his apprentice making a dazzling appearance and blinding his old friends", a respectful voice sounded from behind him, interrupting his thoughts.

“Mr. Su, Her Majesty the Queen requests your presence in her palace for a discussion.”

Queen Medusa is looking for me?

Su Baichen was slightly taken aback, and subconsciously tightened his grip on the mirror in his hand. He quickly reviewed his interactions with this highest ruler of the snake people in his mind: apart from helping to solve several thorny tribal governance problems at her request, the only other interaction was the brief cooperation during the last exploration of the Azure Lotus Earth Core Flame.

He usually kept to himself, focusing on alchemy and teaching his disciples, and almost never provoked the queen who was known for her beauty and majesty.

But the doubt was fleeting, and then a flash of inspiration struck, bringing to mind something that had been put aside for a long time.

Yes, that's probably it!

Moreover, they will have to stay in the Serpent People's territory for some time to come, where they will inevitably run into each other.

In a flash, Su Baichen regained his calm and collected demeanor. He turned around, gave a slight nod to the respectfully waiting snake-man guard, and spoke in a calm tone:

"Okay, I understand. Please lead the way."

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

Meanwhile, inside Queen Medusa's magnificent yet somewhat empty palace.

Unlike the usual solemnity, a rare, slightly unsettling fragrance permeated a corner of the sleeping quarters.

Queen Medusa did not sit on the throne, but stood in front of a huge dressing mirror made of a single piece of crystal.

Not long ago, a trusted maid reported that Mr. Su, who had been in seclusion for a long time, had finally emerged and was now leisurely strolling in the central square.

Upon hearing the news, her heart was like a stone thrown into a still lake, rippling outwards. Without any hesitation, she immediately dispatched her most capable personal guards to invite them.

Her fingertips gently brushed against a jade hairpin on the dressing table, but her thoughts drifted away.

What came to mind was Su Baichen's wisdom and composure in effortlessly resolving the tribe's long-standing problems; his profound knowledge, casually uttered while exploring the strange fire, which was truly impressive; and the focused and earnest profile he showed when teaching Cao Ying as she occasionally passed by the alchemy room...

She is skilled in both literature (governance) and martial arts (above the Dou Zong level), and is proficient in alchemy. What is even more remarkable is that she has observed Su Baichen for a long time and discovered that although he often teases those around him, such as his own sister, he is actually extremely protective of her and cares for her deeply.

And his... well, unique sense of humor (although Cao Ying might accuse it of being based on her "blood and tears") also made him seem vivid and real to her.

Moreover, every time I think of him these past few days, my heart starts racing, and I realize that I have fallen in love with this young master Su.

The face reflected in the mirror was still breathtakingly beautiful, with deep, star-like purple eyes. But today, those eyes held less of their usual coldness and majesty, and more of an imperceptible anticipation and nervousness.

Her fingertips lightly brushed over the carefully chosen dress she was wearing—no longer the elaborate queen's robes that symbolized power and status, but a light purple outfit with a clean cut and bright colors. The collar and cuffs were embroidered with delicate butterfly patterns, and the skirt only reached above the knee, making her movements appear even more light and lively.

Even her usually meticulously combed hair was slightly relaxed today, with a few strands playfully falling beside her cheeks.

"Hey……"

A barely audible sigh escaped her lips. Looking at herself in the mirror, she adjusted her already impeccably styled collar once more: "I wonder what Young Master Su would think if he saw me like this?"

This outfit is almost her most treasured possession, the one that best embodies her "lively" and "youthful" spirit.

Why do we need to do this? The reason is as simple as it gets.

On ordinary days, apart from necessary exchanges when she asked him about political issues or when they collaborated on finding the strange fire last time, Su Baichen always maintained a proper distance from this queen, being polite but aloof.

However, he could chat happily with his younger sister, Cai Die, and would often make her giggle. When the two were together, Su Baichen seemed relaxed, natural, and unrestrained.

This stark contrast led Queen Medusa to a somewhat disheartening yet unavoidable conclusion—Su Baichen might not really like her type of noble, aloof, and powerful "queen."

Don't like it? That's okay. Since he likes someone lively and friendly, she can try to change that.

Queen Medusa was never one to sit idly by and easily admit defeat, whether facing a powerful foe or... the one she loved.

As her thoughts wandered, she looked at her reflection in the mirror again. Her stunningly beautiful face had lost some of its queenly aura, gaining instead a touch of feminine charm and vitality. She had always been extremely confident in her looks and demeanor, and now she felt even more certain that this meticulous preparation was—

"Perfect."

She parted her red lips slightly and whispered to herself, as if giving herself a final confirmation and encouragement. A determined glint flashed in her beautiful eyes.

Chapter 40 The Queen's Admiration (2)

Boom boom boom!

Just as Queen Medusa was still immersed in her own world, a knock sounded on the door, crisp and abrupt, like a pebble thrown into a calm lake, breaking the tranquility of the room.

"Who?!"

Her voice unconsciously carried the usual queenly authority, but upon closer listening, it seemed less cold and hard than usual, and more subtly... tense?

“Your Majesty, Mr. Su has arrived!” the maid outside the door reported respectfully.

Upon hearing the name "Mr. Su," Queen Medusa's heart skipped a beat. She hurriedly checked herself again, scrutinizing her reflection in the mirror.

Her dark hair, like clouds, was not styled into the traditional bun that symbolized power and maturity, but instead flowed down smoothly, with only a few strands loosely held up by a simple jade hairpin.

Wearing the clothes she favored during her teenage years, she exuded a softer, more feminine charm than usual.

She turned slightly to make sure every fold of her clothes was smooth and perfect, and even the drape of the silk sash at her waist was adjusted to the most pleasing shape. Only then did she cough twice, trying to restore her voice to its usual calmness.

"Cough cough!"

"Please invite Mr. Su in!" she ordered, trying to make her tone sound as normal as possible.

The door was gently pushed open, and Su Baichen, led by a maid, slowly walked in. However, the moment he stepped into the room, he stopped abruptly, as if frozen in place.

The maid behind him gasped sharply, her eyes widening in disbelief as she stared at the scene in the room.

Even the guards who were diligently guarding outside the door were so startled by the sight inside that they loosened their grip and dropped the heavy spear onto the smooth floor with a loud thud, without the guards even noticing.

"This...this is Her Majesty the Queen?!" The maid leading the way was shocked. Her eyes darted back and forth between Queen Medusa and the familiar furnishings around her, trying to find any evidence that she was seeing things.

Is the woman before them, with her exquisite features and graceful demeanor, truly their ruthless and domineering queen, whom no one dares to look directly at?

"Where is our powerful Queen, whose gaze can freeze you to death?!" The guard outside the door subconsciously rubbed his eyes, almost thinking he was hallucinating from standing guard.

The difference is even more outrageous than a lotus flower suddenly blooming in the desert!

Su Baichen was even more shocked than they were. An utterly absurd thought instantly filled his mind: "Holy crap! Did I accidentally go into the wrong room and end up at Cai Die's place?"

Almost instinctively, he quickly glanced around—the familiar giant serpent sculpture, the throne symbolizing the queen's authority, and that iconic flame-patterned screen… “That’s right, this is clearly Queen Medusa’s bedroom and study!”

"My God!"

Su Baichen felt his understanding was severely shaken: "Is this really the Medusa Queen whose name can stop children from crying at night and who makes the surrounding countries tremble with fear?"

"This isn't right! Could it be that I got too engrossed in refining weapons last night and accidentally triggered some kind of spatial teleportation, ending up in some weird parallel world?!"

Just as everyone was stunned and their minds were frantically flooded with comments, wondering if the Medusa Queen inside the room had been replaced by some kind of monster.

Queen Medusa, who was in the center of attention, took in everyone's undisguised astonishment, especially that of Su Baichen.

Far from being angry at this rudeness, she felt a secret, joyful excitement that she herself was unaware of!

"It seems... my outfit really works. Even the well-traveled Mr. Su looks so surprised." A faint smile almost broke through her restraint and crept onto the corner of her mouth, but she forcibly suppressed it.