Green Lotus Core Flame

As the Double-Headed Fire Spirit Snake continued deeper into the magma, the temperature around them grew ever more scorching. The dark-red magma flowed slowly like thick blood.

Su Baichen and Queen Medusa stood within a thin yet resilient protective barrier, clearly sensing the earth-shaking changes occurring in the fire-element energy of the world outside.

At first, it had merely been a warm, pure stream of energy. Now, it had become like a boiling ocean, so dense it was nearly liquid, filled with savage and violent intent. Every surge of energy sent faint ripples across the barrier.

The two exchanged a glance, each seeing undisguised delight in the other's eyes.

This change in the surrounding energy was the clearest sign that they were nearing a wondrous treasure of heaven and earth—a Heavenly Flame.

A trace of anticipation and gravity flashed through Queen Medusa's bewitching violet eyes. As an alchemist exceptionally sensitive to flames, Su Baichen could sense even more clearly the heart-palpitating spirituality concealed deep within that violent energy.

He drew a breath of scorching air. Though the barrier kept the heat at bay, his soul had already felt the unique summons of the Heavenly Flame.

After the time it took for an incense stick to burn, the magma ahead suddenly thinned, and their view opened wide, as though they had passed through an invisible curtain.

Then, a wondrous sight burst into the view of the snake and the two people.

It was an enormous green lotus, quietly suspended within an open expanse deep in the magma.

The lotus was not a plant, but something condensed from pure energy and a certain spiritual treasure of heaven and earth. Its entire body was a gentle yet mysterious green, its layered petals unfurling in bloom and radiating a soft but impossible-to-ignore green glow.

It rooted itself in nothingness, yet seemed fused with the entire underground magma world. Its colossal body occupied nearly half the cavern, giving off an ancient, majestic sense of eternal existence and suppression over the earth's veins.

The instant it appeared, Su Baichen's pupils contracted. His soul perception, far beyond that of ordinary people, was like ice thrown into boiling oil, erupting at once.

The heavenly fire-element energy unique to a Heavenly Flame—pure to the utmost extreme yet violent beyond measure—rushed toward him like a tide, shaking even this well-traveled alchemist's heart and mind.

"This is the place!" Su Baichen murmured. Immediately, his vast Soul Power stretched cautiously toward the enormous green lotus like invisible tendrils.

When his Soul Power touched the Green Lotus petals, he actually encountered a trace of resistance. This giant lotus seemed to possess a natural, miraculous ability to block investigation.

He was slightly surprised and increased the penetration of his Soul Power, only then barely managing to "see" its general internal structure.

Once his Soul Power entered the Green Lotus, his perception of the Heavenly Flame abruptly intensified severalfold. The sleeping flame seemed to be right before him.

Su Baichen and Queen Medusa exchanged another glance. No words were needed; an unspoken understanding had formed between them.

"Come. Let's go in."

Su Baichen moved first. With a flicker of his body, he slipped beyond the Double-Headed Fire Spirit Snake's protective barrier like a swimming fish.

Dou Qi naturally formed a protective layer around him, forcing aside the scorching magma. He transformed into a streak of light and shot straight toward the enormous green lotus.

Queen Medusa did not hesitate. Her graceful figure was enveloped in violet Dou Qi as she followed close behind, like a queen descending upon the world's core.

Passing through that gentle green barrier of light felt like entering another quiet realm.

The heat and clamor outside were instantly cut off by more than half, replaced by a strange sense of coolness wrapping around them.

The space within the enormous green lotus was even broader than it appeared from outside. Thick, lustrous green roots crisscrossed like jade pillars, supporting this extraordinary world. At the center of all those roots stood an even more exquisite green lotus platform.

The lotus platform was crystal-clear, as though carved from the finest green jade, radiating abundant vitality. At its center was not a seedpod, but a flame floating quietly in the air.

The flame possessed a beautiful form, like a budding green lotus. It flickered gently, and every sway caused faint ripples of distortion in the surrounding space.

The flame appeared quiet and docile, but the destructive power within it—enough to burn mountains and boil seas—made even Queen Medusa, a Peak Dou Emperor who had weathered countless storms, feel a tremor of fear from the depths of her soul.

She had no doubt that if even the slightest wisp of that flame touched her, she would be injured despite her strength.

"So this is the Green Lotus Core Flame. What terrifying power... Even with my cultivation as a Nine-Star Dou Emperor, I find it deeply intimidating." Queen Medusa's voice carried a barely perceptible solemnity as her gaze remained fixed on that beautiful yet dangerous flame.

"Yes, that's it." Su Baichen's eyes burned with certainty and a trace of excitement. "The Green Lotus Core Flame ranks nineteenth on the Heavenly Flame Ranking. Born deep within the earth, it undergoes countless temperings, fusions, compressions, and carvings by the earth's fire... In ten years, it gains spirituality; in a hundred years, it takes form; in a thousand years, it becomes a lotus. Once fully matured, its color turns greenish, and a cluster of green flame is born within its lotus heart. It is called Green Lotus Flame, also known as the Green Lotus Core Flame."

As he spoke, he floated upward, nimbly avoiding the interwoven Green Lotus roots as he slowly approached the green lotus platform at the center.

From up close, the wonder of this creation of heaven and earth could be felt even more vividly.

The Green Lotus Core Flame atop the platform had already fully matured, its energy restrained yet vast. What delighted Su Baichen even more was that within the platform's openings were embedded over a dozen lotus seeds the size of longans—round, flawless seeds radiating pure fire-element energy. They were Earth Fire Lotus Seeds, peerless treasures for cultivation.

"Mm, this Heavenly Flame has fully matured. Its condition is perfect." Su Baichen nodded in satisfaction. Then he swept his sleeve, sending out a gentle wave of Dou Qi that moved like a nimble hand, carefully lifting the entire green lotus platform along with the Green Lotus Core Flame and the Earth Fire Lotus Seeds, preparing to collect them.

"Young master, are you... taking even the Exotic Flame Lotus Platform?" Seeing Su Baichen's intention to take everything in one sweep, Queen Medusa could not help pursing her red lips, her tone carrying a hint of teasing.

This queen, normally decisive and ruthless in battle, now revealed a touch of girlish coyness. Clearly, she found Su Baichen's habit of stripping every last scrap from his prey somewhat amusing.

Hearing this, Su Baichen turned to her, a meaningful smile curling across his lips. "Hmph, what are you thinking? I'm not being greedy."

He pointed at the lotus platform wrapped in Dou Qi. "This green lotus platform is not merely a vessel for the Heavenly Flame. It can nurture a Heavenly Flame, and it can also isolate the Heavenly Flame's violent energy. That alone makes it a rare treasure of heaven and earth."

"Think about it. Heavenly Flames are incomparably violent things, yet this lotus platform can safely bear one and conceal its aura. How extraordinary must its material and inherent spirituality be? Whether used for cultivation, artifact forging, or as a defensive treasure, it is priceless."

He paused, then raised his head to look around at the enormous green lotus. A wise gleam flashed in his eyes. "Besides, haven't we left behind this parent body? It is the true foundation for nurturing the Green Lotus Core Flame."

"As long as this giant lotus remains, given enough time to absorb the essence of the earth's fire, it may well nurture another Green Lotus Core Flame. This is the cycle of heaven and earth. Taking the mature Heavenly Flame and lotus platform is already an immense stroke of fortune; we should leave behind a thread of life."

"More importantly," Su Baichen lowered his voice, a trace of amazement in it, "when I examined it with my Soul Power just now, I discovered that this enormous green lotus seems to naturally possess an exceptionally mysterious ability to block perception. If my soul strength had been any weaker, I fear I would not even have been able to see its interior clearly. It is better to let such a wondrous object remain here and quietly guard its secrets. Forcibly taking it away might damage its spirituality, and that would be a pity."