---
Chapter 2: First Steps Toward the Snake Queen
Xiao Yan sat quietly in his courtyard, the morning sun spilling in from the side window. He had just finished his meditation, and his breathing was calm, steady.
The Dou Qi inside him flowed far smoother than before.
It was real.
The results from the simulation weren't just imaginary—they had been transferred into his real body. The cultivation, the instinct, the sense of power—it was all his now.
He stood up, clenched his fist, and struck forward.
Boom!
A loud crack echoed in the air as his punch broke the sound barrier. Xiao Yan's lips curled into a smile.
"I'm back."
At that moment, the system's calm voice echoed in his mind.
> [Ding! Simulation Points: 2]
[Daily Simulation Available. Begin?]
[Note: You may now use points for Deep Simulation. Point cost: 2.]
[Begin Deep Simulation?]
Xiao Yan didn't hesitate. "Begin Deep Simulation."
> [Initializing… Randomizing Starting Talent…]
[Congratulations! You've drawn Blue-grade Talent: 'Empathic Insight']
[Effect: Greatly enhances emotional understanding and trust-building with intelligent beings.]
Xiao Yan raised his eyebrows.
"Empathic Insight? That's… perfect. If this works, I might be able to gain Queen Medusa's trust."
He knew her from the story. Cold. Proud. Dangerous. But also beautiful, powerful—and in the future, his partner and the mother of his child. In the original world, their bond came through chaos.
But in the simulation, he could change the approach.
> [Simulation Start.]
---
Simulated Life
Age: 15
Location: Wu Tan City → Tagor Desert
As the simulation began, Xiao Yan didn't waste time.
He withdrew his savings, bought travel gear, and quietly left Wu Tan City without alerting the clan. He bought a second-hand beast mount and began his journey toward the desert.
His goal: meet Queen Medusa as early as possible.
He traveled for weeks.
He was attacked by bandits and barely escaped using scrolls and pills he made on the fly. He hunted beasts, bartered in markets, and gradually learned the roads of the desert from merchants and hunters.
When he finally reached the edge of the Tagor Desert, he heard whispers.
"A snake queen has taken over the oasis city."
"Don't go there unless you want to die."
"They say she can kill you with just her gaze."
He smiled.
"She's there."
He entered the desert.
For days, he struggled. Heat burned his skin. His beast mount collapsed from exhaustion. Xiao Yan pushed forward alone until he finally collapsed in the sand.
When he woke up, he was tied up with smooth silk ropes.
Cool, dry skin brushed his cheek. And then came a voice.
"Human. Why have you entered Snake-People territory?"
He looked up and saw her.
Long purple hair. Golden eyes. An expression as calm as still water—but far more dangerous.
Queen Medusa.
Xiao Yan took a breath and activated his talent.
He sensed her hostility… but also a sliver of curiosity.
"I'm an alchemist," he said slowly. "I came here to study your people. I mean no harm."
She stared at him.
"You're either a fool, or you're brave."
"I just don't believe all humans and snakes need to be enemies."
She snorted and walked away—but didn't kill him.
---
He was taken to the capital of the Snake-People. It was beautiful in a harsh way—built into an oasis with sandstone towers and glowing fire-crystals. The air was hot but clean.
Xiao Yan started helping.
He treated injured warriors using his limited pills. He explained how medicine worked in simple terms. He showed them the basics of alchemy.
At first, they didn't trust him.
But he didn't try to impress. He worked patiently, silently. And slowly… they began to respect him.
Medusa tested him.
One time, she poisoned his tea. Another, she sent one of her elite guards to attack him without warning. He passed every test—either resisting, surviving, or calmly talking his way out.
He didn't lie.
He didn't flatter her.
And that confused her.
She allowed him to stay in her palace. Then allowed him to eat at her table. Then one night, during a desert storm, she sat beside him in silence for a long time.
"I killed my first enemy when I was eight," she said.
Xiao Yan said nothing. He just listened.
That was enough.
---
As years passed in the simulation, Xiao Yan grew.
With guidance from Yao Lao and knowledge from the Snake-People's techniques, he reached Dou Shi, then Da Dou Shi.
He helped Medusa defend the oasis from a beast tide. Fought side by side with her guards. Earned respect even from the stubborn ones.
And eventually, she told him her secret.
The Heavenly Flame inside her bloodline.
"It's devouring me slowly," she whispered.
Xiao Yan looked into her eyes and said, "Then I'll help you tame it."
She smiled for the first time.
---
> [Simulation Ended. Time Lived: 5 Years]
[Simulation Points Earned: 4]
[Choose 2 Rewards:]
Queen Medusa Emotional Resonance (2 Points)
Desert Survival Skills (1 Point)
Basic Snake-People Affinity (1 Point)
Alchemy Upgrade (Free)
He took the Emotional Resonance and the Alchemy Upgrade.
> [Rewards applied.]
[Simulation complete.]
---
Back to Reality
Xiao Yan opened his eyes.
He could feel it—his alchemy knowledge had deepened. More than that, a strange warmth lingered in his chest. Like a memory that wasn't fully gone.
He smiled.
"Medusa… when we meet for real, you won't hate me."
He stood, pulled out a blank scroll, and began drawing a map of the desert routes.
It was time to prepare.
---