Medusa Queen

Tagor Desert, beneath Stone Desert City.

The scorching magma crashed relentlessly against Lin Che's Dou Qi like raging waves. With every impact, ripples spread across the shield formed by his Dou Qi.

Had he not already broken through to the Dou Emperor realm, coupled with the help of that Grade Six Pill earlier, the fire energy generated by the magma would have reduced him to ashes in an instant.

Lin Che did not let his guard down. He constantly watched for changes around him. If anything went wrong, he had to leave this place at once.

When Xiao Yan had come here before, he had relied on Yao Chen's Bone Spirit Cold Flame. As for himself, aside from his Dou Qi and a Grade Six Pill, he had nothing else.

The temperature here was already enough to break down everything. At some point, the fiery red magma around him had begun to take on a faint bluish tint. That was why those rocks had vanished without a trace.

The undercurrents contained immense energy. If struck by one, even a Dou Emperor would likely suffer some injuries.

As Lin Che twisted aside to evade them, he continued descending according to his memories. He moved swiftly, and as he shot forward, he sent ripples spreading through the magma around him.

He kicked fiercely backward with his foot, turning into a white streak as he shot downward.

No one knew how much time had passed, but the Dou Qi within Lin Che had gradually been depleted. If this continued, he would have no choice but to leave.

He was only a Dou Emperor now. If he broke through to the Dou Zong realm, this little bit of flame would be utterly useless against him.

Just then, cyan light enveloped the sea of magma. Within that cyan radiance stood a delicate cyan lotus.

The moment he saw the cyan light, delight appeared on Lin Che's face. This must be the Green Lotus Core Flame, ranked nineteenth on the Heavenly Flame Ranking.

The Green Lotus Core Flame was born deep within the earth. It endured countless temperings, fusions, compressions, and carvings by the earth's fire. It gained spirituality in ten years, took shape in a hundred years, and became a lotus in a thousand years.

At full maturity, its color leaned toward cyan, and a cluster of cyan flame grew in its lotus heart. It was called the Green Lotus Flame, also known as the Green Lotus Core Flame.

The power of this flame was unfathomable. Near volcanic regions, it could even trigger volcanic eruptions, creating the destructive force of nature!

Lin Che landed steadily within the lotus, and all the fire energy around his body dispersed at that moment, as though the Green Lotus Core Flame could block out every other flame.

Within the lotus was a small lotus platform around two or three feet wide. Specks of fluorescent light shone from the holes atop it. They were likely lotus seeds condensed from the purest fire-attributed energy.

This was also one of the things Lin Che had come for: Green Fire Lotus Seeds.

Upon the platform rested a wisp of cyan flame. It burned slowly, bright and translucent like a star.

Lin Che knew that this was the Green Lotus Core Flame, ranked nineteenth on the Heavenly Flame Ranking. From its appearance, he could tell that the Green Lotus Core Flame had reached the age at which it could be absorbed.

With a wave of his hand, an invisible force supported the green lotus platform and the Green Fire Lotus Seeds, slowly bringing them before Lin Che.

Because it was a Heavenly Flame, if he placed it in his Storage Ring, everything inside the ring would be burned to ashes.

However, Lin Che possessed a system space. Even if he placed every Heavenly Flame inside it, there would be no danger whatsoever.

After storing the Heavenly Flame in the system space, Lin Che swiftly shot toward the outside. Now that he had obtained it, there was no need to remain here any longer.

Outside, a blood-red streak of Dou Qi tore through the sky. At the edge of Stone Desert City, a soaring surge of Dou Qi energy abruptly appeared, filling the city with an unusual terror.

The woman's face was beautiful to the point of bewitching. Her narrow pale violet eyes carried innate seduction with every flicker of her gaze, nearly drawing in the eyes of every man.

She wore an elegant purple brocade robe. Beneath it, her delicate body was full and exquisite, like a ripe peach, exuding a faint, alluring charm.

Her long black hair spilled casually over her fragrant shoulders, hanging straight down to her slender willow waist. Beneath the brocade robe, a section of purple snake tail was revealed.

The snake tail swayed slightly, its wild and seductive allure inexplicably making one's entire body burn hot.

"There is actually a barrier left behind by an expert here... Could it be that the Green Lotus Core Flame has been discovered?"

The woman murmured softly. A trace of coldness flickered through her exquisite eyes, and then her slender jade fingers slowly lifted, preparing to break open the barrier Lin Che had left behind and investigate.

Yet at that very moment, the barrier before her shattered. In its place, a figure shot into the distance at high speed.

Medusa Queen paused briefly. She looked at the cave below, then at Lin Che's departing back. After pondering for a moment, she resolutely pursued him.

No one could be certain whether the Heavenly Flame had already been taken. Medusa Queen did not dare gamble on it rashly.

After flying for a hundred li, Lin Che had already noticed Medusa Queen following behind him. He immediately stopped, suspended in the air, his right hand gripping a treasured sword as he waited for Medusa Queen to arrive.

Very soon, Medusa Queen flashed directly before Lin Che. Seeing that he had not fled, a trace of surprise appeared on her exquisite face.

"If I am not mistaken, you should be the Snake People Clan's queen, Medusa, correct?"

"Who are you? Why have you trespassed into the territory of my Snake People Clan?" Medusa Queen demanded, taking the initiative.

At the same time, she locked her soul force onto Lin Che, attempting to find the Green Lotus Core Flame she sought.

"Hehehe, this place is on the outskirts of the Tagor Desert. Since when did it become the territory of the Snake People Clan? Your Majesty, surely you are joking with me." Lin Che smiled faintly, raised his head, took a sip of wine, and laughed.

Medusa Queen's brows furrowed slightly. "Did you take the Heavenly Flame?"

"Your Majesty intends to seize it by force?" Lin Che asked in return.

"If Your Excellency, a Dou Emperor, hands over the Heavenly Flame, you will be a friend of the Snake People Clan. This Queen has never made friends with a human in her life. What do you think, Your Excellency?"

"Hahaha."

Lin Che laughed wantonly. "The ancients said that a beauty's charm lies in dignity, her grace in song and dance, and her refinement in literature and painting. Those who use words to judge the countless charms of the mortal world must surely possess something extraordinary."

"Unfortunately, Your Majesty possesses none of that. Therefore, I cannot hand the Heavenly Flame over to you."

Lin Che shrugged. "Besides, this Heavenly Flame already has an owner. I hope Your Majesty will not act recklessly."

"Then forgive my offense." Medusa's beautiful face turned icy as she stared at Lin Che. With a clench of her slender hand, a seven-colored snake-shaped longsword abruptly thrust forth, pointed straight at Lin Che's throat.