Within the bamboo abode, the atmosphere seemed to have frozen, Xiao Yan and Medusa both stared in disbelief at the Grand Elder who had spoken so shockingly. No matter how calm they usually were, at this moment, they were undoubtedly stunned. Pregnancy? The corners of Xiao Yan’s mouth twitched, and he couldn’t help but feel a bit restless. This was the first time, how could it be so coincidental?
Medusa’s reaction wasn’t any better. Her usual decisiveness and ruthlessness had all disappeared, her rosy lips parted slightly, and her slender neck moved, but she couldn’t utter a word due to the tumult in her heart. For a woman like her, who could take a life without blinking, such a situation left her as flustered as a little girl, with no idea how to cope.
“Grand… Grand Elder, could your sensing have been mistaken? Uh, you see… after the incident underground, it’s been about a year. As far as I know, pregnancy doesn’t usually take that long, does it?” After a while, Xiao Yan slowly came back to his senses, stammering.
“The Snake People and humans are different. Moreover, the Clan Leader’s evolved form is the ancient beast, the Swallowing Heavenly Python. It’s natural for her to be somewhat different. A pregnancy lasting a year or even several years is not uncommon.” The Grand Elder shook his head.
Hearing this, Xiao Yan’s forehead broke out in a cold sweat instantly.
“Grand Elder, could it be that your sensing was incorrect? Why wouldn’t I even know about something like this?” Medusa, finally coming out of her stupor, asked urgently.
“The life energy was very weak. If we hadn’t used a secret method to probe, we wouldn’t have sensed it. It’s normal that you didn’t notice anything,” the Grand Elder explained. “As for whether this subtle life energy is a sign of pregnancy, further investigation is needed. But if it’s true, then our Snake People will have another heir with the Medusa bloodline. This is a significant matter for our clan!”
As the Grand Elder spoke, a flush appeared on his face, and his eyes were filled with excitement. Hearing that the Grand Elder hadn’t confirmed it yet, both Xiao Yan and Medusa breathed a sigh of relief. Perhaps this was just a mistake…
“Regardless of whether it’s true, you must be extra careful from now on. Wait a little longer, and we should be able to determine the cause of this condition within your body.”
Seeing Medusa’s reaction, the Grand Elder furrowed his brows and spoke sternly.
“How long do we need to wait?” Xiao Yan asked with a forced smile.
“The Snake People and humans are different, especially with the Medusa bloodline. If it’s really a pregnancy, it will definitely last for a significant period, three to five years being normal,” the Grand Elder said calmly.
Xiao Yan felt a wave of relief. If it had been confirmed in a month or two, he would have been devastated. He was not yet ready to be a father.
“But this is a critical matter for our Snake People. The Medusa bloodline is extremely powerful, so when the child is still in the womb, it needs to be nourished with countless elixirs and medicines. This will make the child stronger and more terrifying in potential after birth.”
The Grand Elder glanced at Xiao Yan and continued, “According to our clan’s secret methods, nurturing a Medusa baby is divided into three tiers: upper, middle, and lower. The potential of the baby nurtured by these tiers will differ. A baby nurtured by the lower-tier method, without great fortune, would stop at the Battle Emperor level. A middle-tier method would allow the child to reach the Battle Sect level, and an upper-tier method would be even more powerful…”
Hearing this unique nurturing system, Xiao Yan became curious and asked, “What tier is Medusa?”
“Middle-tier,” the Grand Elder smiled. “But, of course, this is not absolute. With enough opportunity and talent, one can achieve higher levels. However, the effort required would be several times more than for those nurtured by the upper-tier method.”
“She’s only middle-tier?” Xiao Yan was surprised. Medusa’s current strength was formidable even in the entire northwest region. He hadn’t expected her to be only middle-tier.
“The conditions for nurturing with secret methods are very strict. Using the middle-tier method on her exhausted most of the Snake People’s resources, and it took a high-rank alchemist many days to complete the nurturing. The lower-tier method only requires ordinary, energy-rich elixirs. The middle-tier method requires a rank-six ‘Python Bone Transformation Pill’ as the main medicine. The upper-tier method requires a ‘Heavenly Soul Blood Bone Pill,’ which is a rank-seven pill. This pill maximizes the potential of the Medusa baby, making its future achievements terrifying. However, it’s extremely difficult to refine, and because it has the power to defy nature, there’s often a pill calamity. Any mistake, and the pill and the person are destroyed. In all these years, our Snake People haven’t produced a single Medusa with an upper-tier nurture method.”
As the Grand Elder spoke, a hint of regret colored his tone. After listening to the Grand Elder, Xiao Yan’s face showed a flicker of surprise. He hadn’t expected the Snake People to have such a mysterious nurturing method. No wonder every generation of Medusa was so powerful; it was because their bodies were infused with medicinal power from the womb.
“However, this might be a misunderstanding. Medusa once merged with the soul of the Swallowing Heavenly Python. Perhaps this weak life energy is from the python.”
“That’s not impossible, but this concerns the continuation of our Snake People. Even if there’s only a small chance, we must start the nurturing process now. Otherwise, if we delay too long, we’ll miss the best opportunity.”
The Grand Elder nodded and spoke slowly. Xiao Yan’s face held a forced smile, and he cast a glance at Medusa. At this moment, her hand was gently touching her abdomen, and her expression was rather strange. She probably never expected to have a sudden, faint life energy appear here.
The Grand Elder gave a wry smile, “This matter also has a lot to do with Alliance Leader Xiao Yan. So, you must also take responsibility.”
Xiao Yan froze, and his mouth twitched slightly. The old man had called him here to take responsibility.
“What does the Grand Elder want me to do?”
“If Medusa is indeed pregnant, then you… are the father of the child. Helping this child is your duty.”
The Grand Elder smiled amiably, ignoring the fact that Medusa’s face had turned red.
“This relationship…” Xiao Yan wiped the sweat from his forehead, at a loss for words. According to the Grand Elder, if this were true, then Medusa’s child would truly carry his bloodline. It was only natural for a father to help his child.
“So, what does the Grand Elder mean?”
“You and Medusa’s personal matters are none of our business. But this child, you must take care of. Cough… Our Snake People recently suffered a great calamity, and we’ve lost much of our stores. This time, we can only use the lowest tier of the nurturing method.”
The Grand Elder gave a sly smile, “But with Alliance Leader Xiao Yan’s status and strength, I don’t think you’d want your child to receive the worst treatment, do you?”
Realizing the old man’s intentions, Xiao Yan saw through the scheme.
“Since Alliance Leader Xiao Yan understands, I won’t beat around the bush. You’re a rank-six alchemist, right?”
Seeing Xiao Yan’s expression, the Grand Elder asked with a chuckle, his eyes glowing with heat when he mentioned the rank-six alchemist.
“Uh-huh.”
Xiao Yan glanced at Medusa and nodded slightly. It must have been her who told the Grand Elder.
“Then, could Alliance Leader Xiao Yan help us refine a ‘Python Bone Transformation Pill’ for this future Medusa baby?”
The Grand Elder smiled warmly and looked at Xiao Yan hopefully.
Xiao Yan, despite already having guessed, couldn’t help but roll his eyes.
“Grand Elder, this matter hasn’t been confirmed yet. Isn’t it a bit rash to go to such lengths? And isn’t it just a ‘Python Bone Transformation Pill’? With my current strength, I can ask a rank-six alchemist to help, shouldn’t that be possible?”
Medusa, seeing Xiao Yan’s expression, snorted coldly and spoke up.
“Precautions are always better. We can’t afford to miss this. If it’s true, and we miss the best timing, who will be responsible?” The Grand Elder frowned and spoke sternly.
“Grand Elder, what do you think, Alliance Leader Xiao Yan?”
Xiao Yan’s brows furrowed, and he pondered for a moment before shaking his head slightly.
Seeing this, the faces of the four elders and Medusa darkened. Medusa bit her lip, her gaze growing colder.
“Although the ‘Python Bone Transformation Pill’ is a rank-six pill, it’s still a bit low. How about the ‘Heavenly Soul Fusion Pill’? What do you think about that?”
Xiao Yan stroked his chin and suggested tentatively.
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