Liu Xi caught Qing Lin just as she fainted after awakening her Jade Snake Three-Flower Pupils and subduing the Two-Headed Flame Spirit Serpent. After checking her condition with his Spiritual Power, he exhaled in relief — she had merely exhausted herself and wasn't in any real danger.
He raised his head toward the massive serpent now floating motionless over the magma lake. A touch of admiration flickered across his eyes. "A 4th Rank Magical Beast strong enough to battle a Dou Wang in this magma world… and it was subdued by a newly awakened Jade Snake Three-Flower Pupils. Now that's what you call a true cheat."
At that moment, the Two-Headed Flame Spirit Serpent — still bearing the scars from Liu Xi's earlier assault — began to stir. Perhaps due to Qing Lin's influence, the beast slowly regained consciousness. Its twin heads twitched, both pairs of scarlet eyes flickering with pain and rage. But when they met Liu Xi's calm, fiery gaze, the serpent shuddered, a hint of fear flashing within.
Then its gaze dropped to the unconscious Qing Lin in Liu Xi's arms. The hostility instantly vanished, replaced by docile submission.
Seeing that gentle glint in its eyes, Liu Xi knew the situation was firmly under control. He smiled faintly and, with characteristic generosity, drew out a jade bottle from his spatial ring — a precious 3rd Tier healing pill — and tossed it toward the serpent.
The massive beast flinched at first, wary of the unfamiliar object. But as the rich medicinal fragrance wafted out, its instincts overrode its fear. One head shot forward and swallowed the entire bottle in a single gulp.
Moments later, the serpent's wounds began to knit back together — scales regrew, muscles mended, and its broken bones rejoined with faint cracking sounds. Within minutes, its body looked almost entirely restored, though its aura remained slightly weakened.
When the serpent finally recovered, it cast a cautious glance at Liu Xi before slipping back beneath the magma. The slight tremor in its movements made it clear Liu Xi had left quite the impression on the creature.
Ten minutes later, Qing Lin stirred with a soft whimper. Blinking her long lashes open, she smiled weakly up at Liu Xi. "Young Master… I did it! I really did it!"
Liu Xi grinned. "You've helped me a great deal this time, Qing Lin."
Hearing his praise, Qing Lin's face lit up with joy. "Being able to help Young Master makes Qing Lin so happy!"
"Then let's finish what we started," Liu Xi said, smiling. "Ask that serpent to come out and tell us where the Heavenly Flame is hidden."
Qing Lin nodded and hopped out of his arms. Cupping her hands around her mouth, she called out, "Come out!"
The magma lake trembled. With a deep rumble, the enormous Two-Headed Flame Spirit Serpent emerged, molten fire streaming from its body as it slithered toward them.
Qing Lin closed her eyes briefly, sensing through the connection of her pupils. After a moment, she opened them again, glancing shyly at Liu Xi. "It says… the flame is beneath us."
Liu Xi nodded, unsurprised. "Then tell it to take me there."
Her eyes widened. "Ah? Into the magma?" But at his calm look, she bit her lip, closed her eyes again, and sent the command.
The serpent let out a reluctant hiss, clearly unwilling. Yet, bound by Qing Lin's will, it obeyed — lowering its heads with a final glare at Liu Xi before diving back into the molten depths.
Liu Xi prepared to follow, but just as he was about to jump in, he felt a tug at his sleeve. Turning, he saw Qing Lin clutching his robe, worry filling her bright green eyes.
"Young Master," she said firmly, her lips trembling, "you must come back safely. If you don't… Qing Lin won't live either."
Liu Xi chuckled softly and ruffled her hair. 'So her affection's reached the point of devotion now, huh…'
With that, he turned and leapt into the magma.
Splash…
The instant his body entered, crimson Dou Qi flared around him, forming a barrier that separated his body from the molten torrent. The temperature pressed in from all directions, and Liu Xi frowned slightly. 'What a pity the strengthened white flame I used earlier has already burned out. If I still had it, my Dou Qi consumption would be far less.'
The underwater world of magma was both magnificent and perilous. Dark currents surged unpredictably — each capable of obliterating even a Da Dou Shi caught unprepared. But with the Two-Headed Flame Spirit Serpent leading the way, Liu Xi managed to avoid them, conserving precious Dou Qi.
No other creatures existed in this domain. It was no wonder — survival here demanded monstrous endurance. Only a beast like the Two-Headed Flame Spirit Serpent, whose body could devour magma itself, could endure such a realm.
They dove deeper and deeper. Even Liu Xi, with his Dou Wang strength, began to feel the temperature rising exponentially. His Dou Qi burned faster, his forehead glistening with sweat.
He gritted his teeth. "As expected of a forbidden land that breeds Heavenly Flames. That serpent survives here by sheer physical might, but I have to burn Dou Qi just to resist the heat. Damn it… but I've come this far — I'm not leaving empty-handed."
Time blurred in the oppressive silence. He couldn't tell how long they had been descending, only that nearly one-third of his Dou Qi reserves had been spent.
"The magma's color is changing… it's turning green now," he muttered.
As the crimson glow around him deepened to emerald, his expression grew solemn. Ahead, the serpent continued its descent, and Liu Xi couldn't help but think of Xiao Yan from the original tale. 'That brat was absurdly lucky. Even with a Dou Zhe's strength, he got the Green Lotus Core Flame thanks to Yao Lao's protection. Without the Bone Chilling Flame, he'd have been vaporized long before reaching this depth.'
Liu Xi fixed his eyes on the serpent ahead. If Qing Lin hadn't formed a bond with it, I'd swear it was trying to drag me to my death.
At last, the serpent stopped. Its huge body coiled cautiously, trembling. Liu Xi followed its gaze — and froze.
A vast, emerald radiance filled the cavern ahead. Within that luminous aura, a delicate lotus slowly swayed amidst the molten flow.
The Green Lotus Core Flame.
Ranked nineteenth on the Heavenly Flame List — born from the heart of the earth, forged by countless cycles of compression and tempering. Ten years to gain spirit, a hundred to form, a thousand to bloom. When perfected, its lotus heart birthed a flame of pure azure, capable of triggering volcanic eruptions and shaping the wrath of nature itself.
Even with Liu Xi's composure, his pulse quickened, eyes shining with ecstasy.
Beside him, the Two-Headed Flame Spirit Serpent hissed sharply. Its eyes were wide with terror, its massive body trembling uncontrollably before the divine fire.
Liu Xi ignored the creature. His lips curved into a smile. "So this is it…"
He surged forward.
As he entered the field of emerald light, the searing heat suddenly vanished — replaced by a strange, cool stillness. In the heart of it floated a lotus of transcendent beauty.
Eight perfect jade-green petals unfolded around a small lotus platform, their crystalline glow utterly flawless. Within the tiny lotus seat rested several small pits, each flickering with faint blue flame — lotus seeds condensed from the purest fire essence.
Beneath the lotus extended dozens of thin roots, each lined with fine tendrils greedily drinking in the magma's energy.
Liu Xi gazed at it in wonder, momentarily lost. He stared for nearly three full minutes before shaking himself free from the trance.
With a grin, he withdrew a jade measuring ruler from his ring — a delicate tool he used when harvesting rare herbs to avoid damaging their roots. Carefully, he maneuvered around the lotus's tendrils and made a precise cut where the stalk met the magma bed.
The perfect jade-green lotus drifted downward, glowing gently. Liu Xi extended a hand, and it floated into his palm. The tiny flame burning at its heart reflected in his eyes, and he couldn't help but laugh quietly.
"Beautiful…" he murmured, wiping the corner of his mouth as if restraining his excitement. Then he glanced at the severed roots. "I'll take the lotus, but the roots stay. A treasure like this deserves to live again. Perhaps in a thousand years, another Green Lotus Core Flame will bloom."
He placed the lotus carefully inside a separate spatial ring. Most Heavenly Flames would instantly destroy such a space, but this one remained calm within its lotus seat — its spirit not yet fully awakened.
"This isn't the place to refine it," Liu Xi said, stretching with a satisfied grin. Around him, the emerald radiance was already fading as the lotus's energy dispersed.
"It's time to go back. Someone's waiting for me above."
Thinking of the worried girl with jade-green eyes, a gentle warmth touched his smile as he turned and began his ascent through the molten depths.
(End of Chapter)
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