Hai Bodong's Late Reputation at Risk!

The underground magma world.

The surface of the bubbling magma lake constantly shook and churned, occasionally rolling up waves of magma and bursting into molten sprays.

Yan Lin and Hai Bodong were working together to subdue the Green Lotus Core Flame.

At this moment, fierce bombardments were erupting beneath the magma.

After roughly the time it took to drink a cup of tea, the magma world gradually settled down. The surface layer of magma no longer surged and shook as violently as before.

Bang!

Bang!

At a certain moment, two curtains of magma suddenly exploded from the surface of the lake, and two figures leaped out from within, landing on solid ground.

They were Yan Lin and Hai Bodong, who had entered the depths of the magma to subdue the Green Lotus Core Flame.

Both of their breaths were somewhat disordered. Blood still stained the corners of their mouths, and they bore varying degrees of burns. Their faces were also somewhat pale.

It was obvious that both had been injured while subduing the Green Lotus Core Flame.

That was only natural.

Both of them were Dou Wangs. Even working together, they could not compare to a single Queen Medusa.

However, each possessed his own methods. In the end, they had still subdued the Green Lotus Core Flame, though not without suffering serious injuries.

"Old Hai, hurry and take a healing pill." After coming ashore, Yan Lin decisively took out a fourth-grade healing medicine he had refined from his Ring.

After swallowing a Restoration Pill himself, he handed one to Hai Bodong as well. The latter did not hesitate. He took it and swallowed it, then sat cross-legged on the spot with Yan Lin and circulated his Dou Qi to heal his injuries.

Nearby, an enchanting azure flame floated quietly atop the Cyan Lotus Seat.

The azure flame was enveloped by the lotus seat's cyan barrier. It appeared exceedingly docile and highly spiritual.

As it gently writhed, it sometimes formed the shape of a lotus flower, and at other times condensed into a tiny azure fire snake. Its forms changed constantly, making it exceptionally pleasing to the eye.

Yet beneath that adorable appearance lay terrifying energy capable of destroying heaven and earth.

People often said that the more beautiful something was, the more deadly it tended to be!

The Green Lotus Core Flame was precisely such a thing.

However, because of the Cyan Lotus Seat, the Green Lotus Core Flame was contained within it and showed no signs of rampaging. The seat also suppressed the temperature of the Heavenly Flame, preventing it from leaking out.

Even after being taken from its birthplace, the Green Lotus Core Flame remained unusually docile at Yan Lin's side. Still, the light radiating from the flickering azure fire dyed the surroundings cyan, shrouding Yan Lin and Hai Bodong in azure firelight as well.

"Hoo..."

After about the time it took to drink a cup of tea, Yan Lin and Hai Bodong opened their tightly shut eyes one after another. After exhaling the turbid, scorching air from their bodies, the pallor on their faces had clearly faded. They looked rosier and more energetic, and their breaths had returned to normal.

The effects of the fourth-grade Restoration Pill were quite apparent.

Their injuries had already recovered by more than half. They only needed to recuperate for a few days before returning to their peak condition.

"Yan Lin, now that you've obtained the Green Lotus Core Flame, what are you planning to do next?"

Hai Bodong sat where he was, speaking with Yan Lin across from him.

Feeling somewhat thirsty, Yan Lin untied the wine gourd from his waist and said, "I plan to return to the clan. Do you want to come with me?"

He could not possibly keep the Green Lotus Core Flame on him at all times. Leaving it with the Snake People Clan was undoubtedly the best choice, and it would also make his future plans more convenient.

"No need. I'll wait for you here." Upon hearing that they were going to the Snake People Clan, Hai Bodong's aged face visibly changed before he immediately refused.

Yan Lin had already opened the wine gourd and was about to drink when he noticed something odd in Hai Bodong's tone. He shot him a meaningful glance, a suppressed grin at the corner of his lips, then took several gulps. "Glug, glug, glug."

The fine wine slid down his throat, quenching his thirst and soothing his spirit. Satisfied, he let out a long breath of scorching air tinged with the fragrance of wine.

Lowering his head, Yan Lin placed the wine gourd before Hai Bodong and laughed heartily. "Old Hai, with me here, what are you afraid of?"

"You're one of mine now. When the time comes, I'll put in a word with Medusa. She won't do anything to you."

"Who says I'm afraid? I just... want to heal my injuries first."

Hai Bodong cared about saving face and remained stubbornly defiant. Playing along, Yan Lin teased, "Yes, yes, you're not afraid. Then come back to the clan with me later."

Hai Bodong did not answer. He merely picked up the wine gourd Yan Lin had handed him and took several deep swigs, as though pondering some countermeasure.

After mulling it over for a long while, he finally said, "Forget it. I left some things behind in Desert City. Since you're returning to the clan, I'll head back and retrieve them."

So he had chickened out?

Yan Lin smiled meaningfully as he looked at Hai Bodong.

It seemed he really was terrified!

Yan Lin truly wondered what Medusa had done to him twenty years ago to leave him traumatized even now.

He was already timid about entering the desert. If he really entered the Snake People Clan and saw Medusa, who knew how frightened he would become?

Yan Lin saw through him but did not expose him. He still gave Hai Bodong plenty of face and followed his lead, no longer insisting.

Yan Lin's agreement made Hai Bodong secretly sigh in relief. He took several more swigs of fine wine and thought, This Yan Lin kid is actually quite decent. With his talent, the Jia Ma Empire won't be able to keep him for long.

Judging by how he treats me, he doesn't seem to bear much hatred toward humans. He's someone worth befriending.

The kid is right, too. With his friendship as a buffer, even if I run into that woman in the future, she probably won't make things difficult for me...

At that moment, the angel investor approved of Yan Lin and began considering an investment.

He even drank and chatted merrily with Yan Lin.

But once the wine started going to his head, everything went wrong.

"This wine of yours is truly good. It's smooth and rich going down, and once it reaches my stomach, it feels warm, as if there's a stream of pure energy..."

Suddenly, Hai Bodong sensed something strange below his Dantian, and his expression changed drastically. "No! Why do I feel so hot..."

"It's fine. That's normal. As long as you haven't lost your virginity, it won't—"

The slightly tipsy Yan Lin had yet to realize anything was wrong. But upon seeing Hai Bodong's strange expression, he suddenly came to his senses. "Wait, you... aren't a virgin anymore?"

The Ice Emperor's forehead immediately darkened with black lines.

Nonsense!

At his age, how could he still be a virgin?

"What kind of wine is this?" Hai Bodong hurriedly demanded after noticing the oddity in Yan Lin's tone.

Yan Lin's expression turned awkward as he stammered, "A friend gave it to me... Qiao Qiao Wine..."

"What?!"

Hai Bodong's voice suddenly rose as he shot to his feet. "You brat actually made me drink that kind of wine?!"

"Sorry. I'm used to drinking it with my friend, so I thought you were..."

Before he could say the words "also a virgin," Yan Lin saw Hai Bodong's face flush an abnormal fiery red. He immediately sprang up and shot toward the passageway.

He moved so fast that Hai Bodong was momentarily stunned. Just as he was about to tell Yan Lin to stop, Yan Lin's voice reached him first.

"Old Hai, hurry to Desert City and take care of it. I'm giving you a few days off, and I'll cover the gold. I'll come find you in Desert City in a few days."

By the time Yan Lin finished speaking, he was already nearly at the passage leading to the surface.

At a time like this, Yan Lin would rather have a knife stab him in the back!

Rather than Hai Bodong.

"Bastard!"

Watching Yan Lin vanish in the blink of an eye, Hai Bodong stomped furiously, crushing a dent into the hard ground. He cursed Yan Lin for his inhuman behavior.

Hai Bodong had been wise and illustrious all his life, yet today, Yan Lin had actually put his late reputation at risk.

However, this was not the time to settle accounts with Yan Lin. Hai Bodong hurriedly used his powerful Dou Qi to suppress the turmoil within him, then spread his Dou Qi wings and rapidly shot out of the ground, flying toward Desert City.

In the vast desert, Yan Lin watched from afar as Hai Bodong streaked toward Desert City like a beam of light. He could not help clicking his tongue inwardly. Is this wine really that potent? Even the Ice Emperor can't handle it?

Wait, Cauliflower Snake asked me for several high-grade medicinal ingredients to soak in wine before. Does that mean this Qiao Qiao Wine is an enhanced version?

No wonder even the Ice Emperor couldn't endure it.

Yan Lin rubbed his temple with one hand. He had truly made a colossal blunder today.

Ah, what a sin!

What kind of state is he going to drill that poor girl into?

Old Hai, don't blame me. Just treat it as your second spring.