Little Fairy Doctor saw that Xiao Zhitian was giving her such a precious item, so she allowed his hand to linger gently on her face.
Xiao Zhitian slowly came back to his senses, only to find Little Fairy Doctor gazing at him with affectionate eyes.
The two leaned closer.
Their lips met.
After a long while, they finally separated.
Still held in his embrace, Little Fairy Doctor sensed something unusual about Xiao Zhitian's body.
Xiao Zhitian leaned close to her ear and whispered softly,"I'm feeling very heated right now."
"Mm…"
Little Fairy Doctor's neck slowly turned pink, the blush spreading all the way to her forehead. Her face was completely crimson as she lowered her head, responding with a barely audible sound.
Thus began a certain wall-leaning expression and action, reminiscent of Yasuo from League of Legends.
…
The next day, five figures stood within a flat stretch of desert.
"Qing Lin, is this the place?" Xiao Zhitian asked, scanning the extremely ordinary surroundings.
"Young Master, this is where I sensed the anomaly a few months ago," Qing Lin replied softly.
"Then the passage should be beneath us. Old Shui."
"Xiao Zhitian, leave it to this old man."
Just as Xiao Zhitian was about to signal Shui Ye, Hai Bodong stepped forward.
"Alright. Be careful not to collapse the passage."
Xiao Zhitian nodded, then led Little Fairy Doctor and Qing Lin aside.
Hai Bodong released his aura, unleashing several powerful bursts that sent yellow sand flying in every direction. In moments, the ground shifted violently.
"It's done. The passage is open."
His voice drifted over.
Xiao Zhitian and the others returned to his side, looking down at the half-meter-high cave entrance.
"Old Hai, you've worked hard," Xiao Zhitian said with a smile.
"It's nothing," Hai Bodong waved casually, though his earlier effort had clearly been intense.
Hai Bodong: Don't ask why I worked so hard. I just really want to improve.
Xiao Zhitian gave Qing Lin a thumbs-up."Qing Lin, well done."
Hearing his praise, Qing Lin's smile instantly brightened.
"Let's go inside and take a look."
Shui Ye led the way, with Xiao Zhitian, Little Fairy Doctor, and Qing Lin following closely behind, while Hai Bodong remained at the rear.
Guided by Qing Lin's perception, they advanced through the passage while placing moonstones along the path.
As the temperature steadily rose, Xiao Zhitian's expression grew serious.
"Xian'er, Qing Lin, if you feel like you can't endure it, tell me immediately."
Both girls nodded obediently.
When they finally emerged from the passage, a vast world of lava appeared before them.
Fiery red magma flowed endlessly, occasionally erupting like dazzling fireworks.
"How magnificent… I never imagined such a scene existed beneath the desert," Little Fairy Doctor murmured.
"And the fire-attribute energy here is extremely intense. Even my ice attribute feels heavily suppressed," Hai Bodong added.
Xiao Zhitian confirmed inwardly that this was indeed the birthplace of the Green Lotus Core Flame.
While the others admired the scenery, Xiao Zhitian silently recited in his heart.
"System check-in."
[Ding! Successfully checked in at the birthplace of the Green Lotus Core Flame — Lava World.Reward acquired: One Small World, Heavenly Flame Advancement Card, 10 bottles of accompanying Purple Crystal Source.]
Xiao Zhitian carefully read the description.
The Small World currently covered two hundred thousand square meters, complete with sky, sunrise, sunset, and natural cycles like a real world. Most importantly, it would continue expanding alongside his strength.
His smile nearly twisted with joy. A Small World was something only a Dou Saint could create — and he now possessed one already. Plus, he had more food for his "pets."
"Young Master, there seems to be nothing here but lava. What are you looking for?" Qing Lin asked softly, stepping closer.
"Qing Lin, can you sense anything living down there?" Xiao Zhitian asked calmly.
She focused intently. Her azure eyes shimmered faintly.
"Young Master… there is a living creature inside. It's moving constantly."
The moment she finished speaking, the lava erupted violently.
A massive creature burst forth, churning the molten world and sending pillars of fire skyward.
Shui Ye calmly raised a hand, forming a water shield that blocked the splashing lava.
Once the scene settled, everyone clearly saw the creature.
A two-headed, snake-like magical beast, entirely crimson like carved red jade, four to five zhang long, its body covered in palm-sized red scales.
The Two-Headed Fire Spirit Snake.
Its eyes brimmed with violent killing intent as it stared at the group.
Xiao Zhitian smiled faintly.
"Old Shui, catch it and teach it a lesson."
Shui Ye condensed Dou Qi into a massive pale-blue hand, which reached forward.
Feeling the terrifying pressure, the Fire Spirit Snake's murderous gaze instantly weakened.
It tried desperately to dive back into the lava — but the giant hand seized it mid-motion, crushing it tightly.
It hissed and roared in pain.
"You're quite stubborn," Old Shui remarked calmly before slamming it against the stone wall.
After the impact, the snake was half-dead. Scales scattered, blood flowed, and its eyes spun.
Shui Ye held the creature suspended.
"I preferred your rebellious attitude earlier. Perhaps you need a little recovery time."
Xiao Zhitian turned toward Qing Lin.
"Qing Lin, try activating your Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils and aim them at it."
"I… I'll try."
Suppressing her fear, Qing Lin stepped forward. She didn't want to disappoint him.
Three faint green dots appeared within her emerald eyes, gradually transforming into three tiny flowers.
A soft light burst forth, enveloping the Two-Headed Fire Spirit Snake.
The beast froze.
Its gaze dulled.
Slowly, two tiny green flowers appeared on its two heads.
The light faded. Qing Lin's eyes returned to normal.
Her body swayed slightly, and Xiao Zhitian caught her, placing a Qi Recovery Pill into her mouth.
"Young Master… I feel like I've formed a connection with it. I can sense its will. Is this what you meant before — that I can forcibly form contracts with snake-type magical beasts?"
Xiao Zhitian gestured for Shui Ye to release it.
The Two-Headed Fire Spirit Snake did not flee.
Qing Lin reached out. The massive beast obediently lowered its head, allowing her to touch its scales.
"Young Master, look — it's very gentle now," she said happily.
"From now on, it will be your guardian. If anyone dares harm you, release it."