For the Glory and Future of the Heavenly Snake Mansion

The terrifying might of a Dou Huang could not be concealed. That overwhelming aura directly roused everyone in the Desert Iron Mercenary Group and pressed down on them until they could barely breathe.

Countless people curiously looked toward the center of the surging aura, yet did not dare investigate too deeply. They could only cast shocked glances in that direction.

Since when had Desert City possessed such a terrifying expert?!

"Why is Green Man's aura being released so recklessly? Isn't he afraid of being discovered by the Jia Ma Empire's experts?"

"Or has he encountered some formidable enemy... Wait!"

High above Desert City, Green Yi, who had been observing her surroundings, seemed to sense something. Her expression abruptly changed.

That aura!

There was absolutely no mistake. Although she had not spent long with that person, his aura was simply too distinctive and powerful. That domineering, scorching presence that made others submit to it instinctively had left an impression on her far too deeply.

But how could his aura possibly appear in Desert City?

While it was true that the flying magical beast's final destination was Desert City, she had left ahead of time to rendezvous with Green Man and White Fang. By her calculations, Lin Ran and the others should still need at least another day to reach Desert City.

Shouldn't he still be aboard the flying magical beast?

Could it be...

As if she had thought of something, Green Yi's expression changed drastically. The azure Dou Qi wings on her back trembled, and her entire body shot toward the center of that terrifying might like a streak of light.

"I am from the Heavenly Snake Mansion. I am sure you have heard of the Heavenly Snake Mansion's name as well. Making an enemy of the Heavenly Snake Mansion over a little girl is likely not a wise choice."

Green Man radiated terrifying might. He glanced at Qing Lin in his arms and said in a deep voice, "You go your way, and I go mine. Let today's matter end here. What do you say?"

"..."

Lin Ran did not speak. Yet his indifferent gaze and the Dou Qi surging around him made Green Man's expression darken.

Clearly, negotiation was no longer possible. In that case, it would be better to...

Wood Splitting Thorn Wall!

Green Man suddenly formed hand seals with both hands. Emerald-green Dou Qi rushed through his body before pouring out, and the solid earth began to tremble violently. A great number of trees burst from the ground, transforming into countless wooden thorns that attacked Lin Ran.

At the Dou Huang level, one could already use the Dou Qi within one's body to resonate with the energy between heaven and earth, then manipulate it to unleash incomparably terrifying power. This was why Dou Huang experts possessed such horrifying destructive force.

Dou Zhe cultivation began with cultivating the body. Once the body had been cultivated to its peak, the Dou Qi within it could resonate with energy of the same attribute between heaven and earth, ultimately allowing one to control it.

Nearly every Dou Zhe held both reverence and yearning for this realm. Before reaching it, one person might be able to stand against ten, a hundred, or a thousand, but human strength would eventually run dry. Only upon reaching the realm of controlling the energy of heaven and earth would fighting ten thousand alone cease to be an illusion like the moon reflected in water or flowers in a mirror.

It was said that when one's strength reached the Dou Zong and Dou Saint levels, collapsing heaven and shattering earth with a mere gesture, moving mountains and overturning seas, was no mere fabrication. At that realm, with a turn of one's thoughts, heavenly lightning and earthly fire would arrive together, and armies of thousands upon thousands would all turn to ash!

The densely packed wooden thorns intertwined and fused together. Several-meter-long sharp thorns coiled like giant pythons and venomous serpents, densely interwoven. One could imagine that if struck by such thorns, even if one's body was not pierced through, one would still be ground apart and torn to pieces!

"It is indeed remarkable that someone your age has become a Sixth-Rank Alchemist. Across the entire Northwest Continent, no one has become a Sixth-Rank Alchemist at your age."

"But an alchemist is still an alchemist. Compared to true experts, an alchemist's combat power is hardly worth mentioning!"

Green Man said with a smile.

Though she could not see through exactly how strong Lin Ran was, in her view, it was merely because Lin Ran possessed some treasure capable of concealing his aura.

Alchemists always had foundations so deep they were frightening.

What, you said Green Man could not see through Lin Ran's aura because Lin Ran was stronger than Green Man?

Was that even possible?!

The wooden thorns swept forward, but Lin Ran remained indifferent and unmoved.

Yet in Green Man's eyes, this looked as though Lin Ran had been frightened senseless by her attack.

"You will die here!"

"Even if killing you draws the pursuit of countless people, I accept it. Only with the Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils can our Heavenly Snake Mansion truly reach its pinnacle!"

A trace of ruthlessness flashed through Green Man's eyes. But just as the wooden thorns were about to strike Lin Ran, an azure light suddenly blocked them before him.

Countless vines and trees likewise burst from the ground, colliding fiercely with the incoming wooden thorns. Countless wood chips exploded and scattered through the air.

"What?!"

The arrival of an uninvited guest darkened Green Man's expression. Upon seeing who it was, she furiously shouted, "Green Yi, are you courting death?!"

"Green Man, stop at once! We cannot make an enemy of Lord Lin Ran!"

Green Yi hurriedly said.

Green Man did not know what kind of backing Lin Ran truly possessed, but did Green Yi not know?

Although what she knew was merely Lin Ran's one-sided account, his identity as a Sixth-Rank Alchemist was indisputable. If someone could nurture such a young Sixth-Rank Alchemist, then even if the force behind him was not as absurdly powerful as he claimed, it certainly would not be weak.

A teacher who could seize a Heavenly Cauldron from an Eighth-Rank Alchemist, a Sixth-Rank Alchemist certified by the Pill Tower of the Central Continent... If they became enemies with such backing, it would likely spell disaster for the entire Heavenly Snake Mansion!

"Lord Lin Ran, hehehe, what a Lord Lin Ran." Green Man spoke mockingly. "That brat refined a sixth-rank medicinal pill for you, and now you are so bewitched by him? Let me tell you, Green Yi, the Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils must belong to the Heavenly Snake Mansion!"

"Look carefully. This little girl's mind is still immature, and she has not cultivated Dou Qi. As long as we guide her diligently, she will become the sharpest blade of our Heavenly Snake Mansion, the leader who will guide us toward grandeur and the pinnacle!"

"Now, either move aside."

"Or..."

There was not the slightest room for negotiation in Green Man's tone. The terrifying might of a Seven-Star Dou Huang erupted without reservation, causing Green Yi's face to turn pale under its pressure.

"Go die with that brat."

Green Man's palm abruptly shoved fiercely at the empty air before her. Instantly, emerald radiance surged into the sky.

Overwhelming green vines emerged strangely from the air. After appearing, they began to entwine with one another. In merely a dozen seconds, the countless vines had twisted into an enormous green fist four or five zhang wide, which smashed unstoppably toward where Green Yi and Lin Ran stood!