The Unlucky Double-Headed Fire Spirit Snake (Requesting Info)

Deep within the lava lay a relatively calm region, where the scorching magma flowed slowly like thick blood.

The Double-Headed Fire Spirit Snake, a fourth-tier magical beast that normally ruled this underground lava domain, had tightly coiled its enormous body behind a massive dark-red boulder. Its two ferocious heads hung low, and its four snake eyes were filled with undisguisable terror. Even the fire-elemental energy that usually surged around its body had become utterly chaotic.

Its simple intelligence could not understand why such terrifying beings had intruded into its nest one after another today.

First came that purple giant snake, which radiated flames of the same origin yet carried a higher-tier, more terrifying fire pressure. Just a fleeting trace of its aura had made the snake tremble from deep within its bloodline.

Then came a seemingly insignificant human man. Yet the invisible pressure emanating from him was even more suffocating than that of the purple giant snake, as if a single thought from him could make its soul scatter.

Its only thought now was to hide. It desperately restrained every trace of its aura, disguising itself as a lifeless piece of volcanic rock while praying that those two harbingers of disaster would leave quickly and return peace to its lava domain.

Its pitiful little mind was filled with the simplest wish: They can't see me, they can't see me. Hurry up and leave, hurry up and leave...

However, wishes were beautiful, while reality was cruel.

Just as the Double-Headed Fire Spirit Snake trembled violently and nearly pressed itself into the rock, an indescribable force far beyond its comprehension descended like invisible shackles!

Before it could even react, its entire body tightened. The flowing lava around it seemed to transform into indestructible crystal, locking it firmly in place.

It raised both heads in terror, and its four snake eyes instantly shrank to the size of needlepoints!

"Hiss! Hiss!" (What the hell is going on?)

A translucent giant hand made entirely of pure energy ignored the scorching, viscous lava, reaching straight toward it as easily as if it were passing through clear water!

The pressure contained within that giant hand left it unable to summon even the slightest thought of resistance. Its soul itself wailed in agony.

The Double-Headed Fire Spirit Snake fell into despair, on the verge of tears. Only one thought echoed wildly through its simple mind: A snake sits at home, and a hand comes from the sky! Who the hell did I offend?!

Without giving it any chance to struggle, beg for mercy, or even cry out in fear, the giant Dou Qi hand closed its fingers and casually fished the enormous Double-Headed Fire Spirit Snake out of what it had believed to be a safe hiding place, as though picking up a pebble.

The giant hand contained irresistible power. Dragging it along, it parted the heavy lava and swiftly pulled it upward.

The Double-Headed Fire Spirit Snake felt the world spin around it as it was helplessly dragged through layer after layer of lava. It could only watch as its safe nest grew farther and farther away while it rapidly approached the sources of those two terrifying auras.

Its two heads drooped weakly. It could not even release a token burst of flame breath, leaving it with nothing but boundless fear and resigned despair.

"Splash—!"

As lava poured down like a waterfall, the Double-Headed Fire Spirit Snake's enormous body was effortlessly lifted from the surface of the lava lake by the giant Dou Qi hand.

Scorching magma slid off its crimson scales and dripped back into the lake, producing sizzling sounds.

The anticipated scene of a magical beast flying into a rage and counterattacking after being startled, or at least a fearful standoff with wide-eyed glaring, never appeared.

Instead, the fourth-tier magical beast that dominated the surrounding region made a move the moment it escaped the giant hand's restraint that caused both Su Baichen and Queen Medusa to glance at it.

Its two ferocious heads did not bare their fangs. Rather, they lowered themselves simultaneously in an extremely awkward yet earnest display, cautiously moving toward Su Baichen. Its four formerly vicious snake eyes were now overflowing with fawning flattery, while soft, melodious hisses emerged from its mouths, forming a stark contrast with its massive body and savage appearance.

It looked exactly as though it were saying, Welcome, mighty lord! Forgive this little snake for failing to greet you properly! Is there anything this little snake can do for you? Please give your orders, and I guarantee complete satisfaction!

Su Baichen and Queen Medusa exchanged a glance, each seeing a trace of speechlessness and amusement in the other's eyes.

With their discernment, they could naturally tell that this Double-Headed Fire Spirit Snake possessed an extraordinary bloodline. If it encountered a good opportunity and was properly nurtured, growing into a sixth-tier magical beast in the future would not be difficult.

Most magical beasts were unruly and untamed, especially those with ancient bloodlines, who valued their dignity greatly. Of course, this was merely a general statement; this one did not possess any special bloodline.

But this one before them... it had lowered itself far too much. It had no integrity whatsoever.

A teasing smile appeared at the corner of Su Baichen's lips as he deliberately joked, "Oh? How unusual. Logically speaking, magical beasts at your level should have at least a little backbone, shouldn't they?"

"Even if you knew you were no match, roaring a few times to show your ferocity would be normal. Why did you become... like this the moment we met?"

The moment it heard this, the Double-Headed Fire Spirit Snake's two heads began shaking wildly like rattles. Its four eyes instantly filled with deep grievance, and its hissing became urgent, as if it were desperately defending itself. Backbone? What's that? Can it be eaten? Talking about backbone in front of you two would just be courting death! Mighty lords, please see clearly—this little snake's admiration for you is as boundless as this lava lake! I only wish to serve you, with absolutely no other intentions!

The instant it had been dragged out, its simple mind had undergone the most intense bout of thought in its entire life.

Before an absolute disparity in strength, any resistance was futile, and escape was even more impossible.

Its only way to survive was to show absolute obedience and value. This was the simplest survival wisdom it had learned as a magical beast in the cruel natural world—if you couldn't beat them, join them! No, if you couldn't beat them, kneel before them!

Seeing how eager it was to prove its loyalty, Su Baichen could not be bothered teasing it further. He waved a hand and said, "Enough. There's no need to act like this. I brought you here because I do have something for you to do."

The Double-Headed Fire Spirit Snake immediately stopped "complaining." Its two heads lifted, assuming the most attentive listening posture possible.

"There should be a Heavenly Flame growing beneath this lava, correct?" Su Baichen asked directly.

Without hesitation, the Double-Headed Fire Spirit Snake nodded both heads hard at the same time, its movements perfectly synchronized.

"Mm. Since you have lived here for years, you should know its exact location?"

The Double-Headed Fire Spirit Snake nodded again as though pounding garlic, its eyes conveying, I know it. I know it very well.

"Very good." Su Baichen nodded in satisfaction. This snake might be cowardly, but it understood the situation, saving them quite a bit of trouble.

He continued, "Take us down and find that Heavenly Flame. Don't worry. As long as you lead the way properly, I won't treat you poorly once this is done. I'll give you some compensation."

"Compensation?!"

Those two words were like heavenly music, instantly striking the Double-Headed Fire Spirit Snake's simple heart.

It had only hoped to keep its life, yet there was an unexpected bonus! Anything that such a powerful expert called "compensation" would definitely be no ordinary item! It might be pure energy that could help it break through, or perhaps some heavenly treasure!

In an instant, its four snake eyes erupted with a radiance comparable to molten gold. Its previous fawning and grievance were swept away, replaced by an intensely excited enthusiasm.

Its huge body immediately lowered itself, carefully lying prone along the shore of the lava lake and exposing its relatively flat back. Its two heads turned toward Su Baichen and Queen Medusa as it let out eager hisses, even lightly tapping the ground with the tip of its tail.

Its meaning could not have been clearer: Please, mighty lords, take a seat! This little snake guarantees a smooth ride, attentive service, and a direct trip to the destination!

This shift from arrogance to humility, taking the art of yielding to one's heart and service awareness to the absolute extreme, made even Su Baichen shake his head with a laugh.

He looked at Queen Medusa. "Then let's catch a ride on this tailwind—ah, no, this 'tailwind snake,' shall we?"

It was also Queen Medusa's first time seeing such a "sensible" magical beast. The corners of her lips lifted slightly as she nodded. With a flash, the two of them landed lightly atop the Double-Headed Fire Spirit Snake's broad back.

Feeling the two of them standing securely, the Double-Headed Fire Spirit Snake let out a cheerful low hiss. Its enormous body cautiously slid into the lava, splashing up waves before steadily swimming toward the depths of the lava lake, toward the place where the Green Lotus Core Flame had been born.

It swam with extreme stability, even forming an invisible energy barrier over its back to block direct contact with the scorching magma. It was thoroughly considerate, putting safety first.