Green Lotus Core Flame, Unexpected Turn!

Beneath the scorching magma, two figures darted rapidly through it, one after the other.

Compared to the aimless searching from before, Hun Cang's route was much clearer this time. At the very least, there was no chance of taking detours.

They traveled downward from the upper layers, and the surrounding temperature grew increasingly higher. The magma itself changed from red into a liquid tinged with cyan.

The immense pressure from the surrounding magma rapidly dispersed the black mist around Hun Cang's body. Fortunately, he possessed the strength of a Dou Huang, so he could still endure this level of expenditure.

After an unknown amount of time had passed, Hun Cang felt that more than half the Dou Qi within him had been consumed, and his mood gradually became agitated.

"If I remember correctly, the Fire Spirit Snake seems to have quite a temper. I beat it so badly before—could it be deliberately leading me in circles?" Hun Cang guessed as he watched the giant serpent ahead.

Yet just as the thought surfaced, he saw the Fire Spirit Snake abruptly stop.

Hun Cang moved around the snake's body, his gaze drawn to a region in the distance blanketed in cyan light.

"I finally found it!!" Excitement surged within him as Hun Cang rushed straight into that region, staring fixedly at a cyan lotus gently swaying in the molten lava.

Green Lotus Core Flame, nineteenth among the Heavenly Flames.

Born in the depths of the earth, it was forged through countless temperings, fusions, and compressions of the earth's fire.

Ten years to gain spirituality,

A hundred years to take form,

A thousand years to become a lotus.

Once fully matured, it became cyan in color, with a cluster of cyan flame born within its lotus heart.

It was known as Green Lotus Flame, and because it was born in the earth's core, it was named the Green Lotus Core Flame.

"According to the records, the Green Lotus Core Flame possesses unfathomable power. Near volcanic regions, it can trigger volcanic eruptions and unleash nature's destructive force. I wonder whether that's true..." Relevant information surfaced in Hun Cang's mind, and a fanatical look appeared on his face.

Now that he had a cultivation technique, he only needed to keep collecting Heavenly Flames. Once he opened Tou She Ancient God's Cave Mansion, he could obtain the Origin Qi within and break through to become an Emperor.

This Green Lotus Core Flame was the first step on his path to becoming an Emperor!

He rapidly approached the core. The surrounding temperature rose ever higher, and his Dou Qi was once again being consumed at an accelerated rate.

But Hun Cang had no time to care about that. He carefully avoided the roots and made his way into the depths.

A lotus seemingly carved from cyan jade slowly rotated. At this moment, the cyan light it emitted was the most beautiful color Hun Cang had ever seen.

Then, he looked toward the lotus heart, where the core of the Green Lotus Core Flame was located.

The next instant, Hun Cang froze.

The lotus heart atop the cyan jade lotus was actually empty!!

"Fuck, where's my flame?" Hun Cang completely lost it, blurting out the national essence as his expression turned incomparably agitated.

He had come here ahead of time, so how could someone have still taken the flame first? That shouldn't have happened. It was impossible!

As he drew close, several bloodstained, seven-colored scales on the lotus platform immediately caught Hun Cang's attention. With a wave of his hand, four or five scales fell into his palm.

"Queen Medusa?!" Hun Cang could not believe it at all. How could it be such a coincidence?

Unless Queen Medusa had discovered the Green Lotus Core Flame long ago and secretly set up surveillance, waiting until she was strong enough and fully prepared before coming to retrieve it!

Otherwise, how could she have happened to arrive before him?

At that moment, a faint ripple of Dou Qi came from ahead, as though Hun Cang's voice had startled someone into accidentally revealing their presence.

Hun Cang's gaze was as sharp as lightning, seemingly piercing through layer upon layer of magma.

At last, he saw a seven-colored figure flicker in the distance, rapidly fleeing away.

"She hasn't gotten far? I still have a chance!" Hun Cang revealed a delighted expression. Although he felt no pressure about going to the Snake People Temple to find Queen Medusa, he was more than willing to save himself some effort if he could obtain it sooner.

Before leaving, Hun Cang did not forget to take out the Jade Blade he had prepared beforehand. He cut off the lotus platform and placed it into his Storage Ring.

The lotus platform and the lotus seeds within could both improve the cultivation of those who practiced fire-attribute cultivation techniques.

They were especially helpful to Hun Cang himself.

After all, once he switched to cultivating the Zhen Fen Jue, his strength would have to start over. With this lotus platform, he would be able to improve more quickly.

He could even give it to Xiao Yan in exchange, perhaps gaining an even better treasure from the system.

In any case, to Hun Cang, this thing was practically like something picked up from the roadside. There was no reason not to take it.

Afterward, Hun Cang directly pursued the aura ahead. Along the way, he could faintly detect the scent of blood.

"Under normal circumstances, Medusa would retrieve it half a year from now. By then, she should have been fully prepared, yet she would still be injured. This time, she acted in such haste, so her injuries are probably even worse." Hun Cang thought to himself.

Within the Jia Ma Empire, Queen Medusa's notorious reputation and stunning beauty were impossible to ignore.

Any Five-Star Dou Emperor would likely not dare pursue Queen Medusa lightly, because Hai Bodong's fate made the consequences clear.

Back then, Hai Bodong had been a Five-Star Dou Emperor. After fighting Queen Medusa, his strength was sealed, and he fell to the level of a Dou Ling before retiring into seclusion in Mo City.

Before long, Hun Cang could already see a massive Purple Giant Serpent. Dou Qi coiled around its body as it swiftly moved through the molten lava. Strands of blood occasionally seeped from its body, only to be burned into smoke by the intense heat.

"Queen Medusa, leave the Green Lotus Core Flame behind!" Hun Cang shouted. He thrust both hands forward, and countless wisps of mist transformed into two chains. With rattling sounds, they shot forth at tremendous speed, ignoring the distance between them as they descended toward Queen Medusa's body.

"Dream on if you think you can stop me!" A cold voice devoid of any emotion came back. Hun Cang then saw the serpent's body sway violently, and the powerful ripples caused the approaching chains to collapse section by section.

Hun Cang seized this opportunity, his speed soaring as he closed the distance between himself and Queen Medusa.

Sensing the approaching aura behind her, the Purple Giant Serpent's triangular eyes flashed with irritation. Before her floated a palm-sized cyan flame that constantly swayed. Its terrifying heat made the Dou Qi wrapped around it crackle as though ice and snow were melting.

"This Heavenly Flame that I guarded over for ten bitter years—no one will take it from me!" Determination shone in Queen Medusa's eyes as she abruptly changed direction and charged straight upward.

Underground, she needed to expend part of her focus and Dou Qi to resist the searing heat around her. Moreover, the Green Lotus Core Flame's power at the earth's core was exceptionally strong due to the fire elements within the magma.

This was undoubtedly an immense burden for Queen Medusa, who was suppressing it.

"Human, if you leave now, I can still spare your life. If you dare continue pursuing me, you will surely die!" As Queen Medusa's threatening voice rang out, Hun Cang showed not the slightest fear. He continuously used his abilities to obstruct and interfere with her.

Hun Cang drew closer and closer to Queen Medusa, until he could even see the patterns on her scales.

"Seal!"

A low shout spread through the magma. Vast quantities of black mist condensed into chains that interlocked and rubbed against one another, producing rattling metallic sounds.

In an instant, a great net formed from black chains blocked Queen Medusa's path. It continuously contracted, as though preparing to imprison her.