"Green Lotus Core Flame", ranked nineteenth on the Heavenly Flame Ranking. Born deep within the earth, it is forged through countless cycles of tempering, fusion, compression, and refinement by the earth's flames. Ten years to gain spirituality, a hundred years to take form, a thousand years to become a lotus. Once fully mature, its color turns green; within its lotus heart is born green flame—this is the Green Lotus Core Flame, possessing the power to trigger volcanic eruptions.
Lin Yuan dismounted from the Double-Headed Flame Spirit Snake. After instructing it to "wait here," he spread his wings and flew into the expanse of green radiance.
Upon entering the green glow, the temperature around his body strangely dropped by a significant margin. After sensing for a moment, Lin Yuan roughly understood the reason.
"All fire-element energy is converging toward the Green Lotus. It seems the surrounding fire-element energy has been absorbed by it. Accumulating power for a thousand years—no wonder it can give birth to a Heavenly Flame."
Anticipation surged in Lin Yuan's heart as he flew before the Green Lotus and carefully examined the azure lotus before him. It looked as though it had been naturally carved from green jade—crystal-clear and flawless. The lotus had eight petals, and within it was a small lotus platform. From several holes on the platform, lotus seeds formed from the purest earth-fire elemental energy emitted faint, firefly-like glimmers. Beneath the lotus extended a slender stem covered in countless tiny tendrils, greedily absorbing the violent fire-element energy from the surrounding magma.
"To absorb and refine the essence of earth fire with such efficiency… this Green Lotus is indeed extraordinary. It's worth studying in the future."
Lin Yuan then shifted his gaze to the lotus platform. At its very center, within a fist-sized cavity, a cluster of green flames burned vigorously. As the flame flickered, it radiated astonishing energy.
After confirming that there were no issues with the Green Lotus Core Flame, Lin Yuan finally let out a breath of relief.
From his storage ring, he took out a crystal-clear jade sword he had long prepared. With a gentle slash at the point where the lotus connected to its stem, the Green Lotus—perfect as a work of art—cleanly separated. With a beckoning gesture, the lotus flew into his hand and hovered above his palm. The Green Lotus flame atop the lotus platform swayed lightly, showing none of the violent nature typical of a Heavenly Flame.
"A fine treasure indeed. With the Green Lotus Core Flame stabilized within it, there's no sign of its inherent ferocity."
With the Green Lotus Core Flame now in his possession, the weight on Lin Yuan's heart finally lifted. Curious, he decided to test a small idea he had earlier. He took out a Recovery Qi Pill from his storage ring and swallowed it. Then he grasped the stem that had been frantically absorbing energy, simultaneously releasing his soul perception to probe it. The instant he made contact, the Dou Qi within his body began flowing rapidly toward the point of contact.
"This devouring force is rather interesting. Is its efficiency related to the refinement level of the energy? So that's how it works."
After about twenty percent of his Dou Qi had been absorbed, Lin Yuan released his grip and crushed the pill in his mouth. His Dou Qi gradually recovered to its peak as a contemplative look appeared in his eyes.
"Mm, I have a rough understanding now. To think that nature could create such a unique structure—this world truly is wondrous. I wonder just how miraculous the devouring power of Nihility Devouring Flame must be. Enough, it's time to head back."
Shaking his head, Lin Yuan flew out of the green radiance and landed atop the Double Headed Flame Spirit Snake that had been waiting nearby.
"Let's go, Hong Yu. We're heading back."
Hearing this, the Double-Headed Flame Spirit Snake carried Lin Yuan and swiftly retraced their original path through the magma.
"Young Master, welcome back!"
At the tunnel entrance, Qing Lin stared at the calm magma lake and shouted joyfully, finally letting go of her worries.
At that moment, the magma churned violently, and a massive figure burst out of the magma lake.
Standing atop the Double-Headed Flame Spirit Snake, Lin Yuan held the Green Lotus in his hand and smiled at the delighted Qing Lin.
"I worried you, Qing'er. I'm back."
He leapt down and landed steadily beside Qing Lin. Lin Yuan then took out two pills and tossed them toward the two heads of the Flame Spirit Snake.
"And thank you as well, Hong Yu."
The Double-Headed Flame Spirit Snake caught the pills with its mouths and swallowed them. Satisfaction and docility deepened in its eyes as it slithered aside, coiling up to digest the pills it had just consumed.
"So this is the Heavenly Flame Young Master was searching for? It's so beautiful. Congratulations, Young Master."
Qing Lin stared curiously at the floating Green Lotus.
Lin Yuan gently rubbed Qing Lin's head and said warmly, "Yes, I finally obtained it. This time, it's all thanks to you, Qing'er."
Lin Yuan felt a hint of emotion. Qing Lin had truly rendered great service this time. Without her subduing the Double-Headed Flame Spirit Snake, merely locating the Green Lotus Core Flame would have been like searching for a needle in the sea—who knew how much time and effort it would have taken.
"As long as I can help Young Master, Qing'er is satisfied!"
Hearing Lin Yuan's words, Qing Lin smiled so brightly that her eyes curved into crescents, her radiant smile blooming like a flourishing green lotus.
"This isn't the time to relax just yet. Let's leave this place first."
Patting Qing Lin's head, Lin Yuan prepared to take her away. To be safe, it was best to leave the Tager Desert immediately.
"Young Master, wait for me."
As she spoke, Qing Lin waved toward the Double-Headed Flame Spirit Snake not far away. The three-petaled green mark on its forehead flared with brilliant green light. In the next instant, the snake's massive body rapidly shrank, transforming into a streak of green light that flew into Qing Lin's sleeve.
"All done, Young Master. I'm ready."
Seeing this, Lin Yuan couldn't help but sigh inwardly.
"The Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils truly are marvelous."
After that, Lin Yuan wrapped an arm around Qing Lin and flew toward the cave entrance.
Not long after, a streak of green light suddenly shot out from the calm desert ground. A hollow was revealed in the sand, and immediately afterward, a green-clad figure holding a young girl flew out from within. With a wave of his hand, a violent whirlwind formed, sweeping up sand and dust and sealing the cave entrance once more.
The figure then transformed into a stream of light and shot rapidly toward the Magical Beast Mountain Range.
Some time after the green figure departed, a seductive figure clad in a purple brocade robe arrived at the location. Beneath the robe, her graceful and voluptuous body was full and perfectly curved, like a ripe peach, exuding a faint yet irresistible allure. Her appearance was incomparably beautiful and refined, yet between her brows lingered a dignified, queenly aura.
She was none other than Medusa, the Snake Queen—whose fearsome reputation was rivaled only by her stunning beauty.
At this moment, Medusa slightly furrowed her brows, a hint of doubt appearing on her cold, delicate face.
"I clearly sensed a special aura here… Could it be underground?"
Five days later.
At the entrance of a secluded cave deep within the Magical Beast Mountain Range, a man and a woman stood facing one another—it was Lin Yuan and Qing Lin.
After leaving the underground cavern, Lin Yuan had taken no chances. He carried Qing Lin and flew continuously for three days, eventually reaching this remote region of the Magical Beast Mountain Range within the Jia Ma Empire. Using the border between the Jia Ma Empire and the Snake-People Empire as a buffer, he intended to prevent Medusa from sensing the aura of the Heavenly Flame and trace them.
"Qing'er, although this place is remote, to be safe, once I enter seclusion, release those five and have them patrol the surroundings to protect me," Lin Yuan instructed solemnly.
"I understand, Young Master. I won't allow anyone to come near this place," Qing Lin replied firmly.
"Mm. I trust you, Qing'er."
Nodding, Lin Yuan turned and entered the cave.
Soon after, five streaks of light flew out from Qing Lin's sleeve, transforming into five massive serpent-type magical beasts, including Hong Yu. Each of them emitted an aura that was exceptionally powerful even among Fourth-Rank magical beasts. All five gazed at Qing Lin with extreme docility.
Of the five, four Fourth-Rank magical beasts had been subdued just the day before, when Lin Yuan had taken Qing Lin out specifically for that purpose. With Lin Yuan's strength, he was practically unrivaled in this region, making it effortless to help Qing Lin capture four serpent-type magical beasts. If not for concerns about Qing Lin's cultivation still being too low and the risks of overusing the Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils—Lin Yuan would have preferred to make the number a neat round figure.
Even so, the benefits Qing Lin gained from these five magical beasts were already immense. Not only did she gain five Dou Spirit–level bodyguards, but her cultivation speed had also increased significantly.
"You four, spread out and keep watch. Xiao Hong, stay here with me and guard the cave entrance for Young Master," Qing Lin commanded.
Following her order, the five magical beasts dispersed, sealing off the surrounding area. Qing Lin glanced once more at the cave entrance before sitting down cross-legged and beginning her cultivation. Lin Yuan's words about focusing on her cultivation were something she always kept firmly in her heart.
Meanwhile, inside the cave illuminated by moon-glow stones, Lin Yuan was also making his final preparations.
It was time to refine the Heavenly Flame.
"I've kept you waiting long enough, Green Lotus Core Flame. Let's begin."
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