Several days later.
Inside the main hall of the Snake-People Tribe.
Queen Medusa sat on her throne, lightly tapping her fingers against the armrest.
Several elders stood on either side, their expressions grave.
"Your Majesty, we've confirmed the whereabouts of the Green Lotus Core Flame."
The First Elder spoke. "It's deep in the Tagor Desert, beneath the earth."
Queen Medusa nodded without a word.
"However, many human powerhouses have been seen in the area recently."
The First Elder continued, "They're probably after the Green Lotus Core Flame as well."
The Third Elder spoke up, too.
"Heavenly Flames are exceedingly rare. Those human powerhouses certainly won't pass up the chance to claim one."
"If they get their hands on the Green Lotus Core Flame, it'll be bad news for the Snake-People Tribe."
The Third Elder said.
The Fourth Elder nodded.
"Exactly. Heavenly Flames are immensely powerful. If a human powerhouse gets one, their strength will surely increase by a great deal."
"That could put the Snake-People Tribe at a disadvantage."
Queen Medusa looked at everyone and spoke slowly.
"The Heavenly Flame must belong to the Snake-People Tribe."
Queen Medusa said, her voice cool.
"We mustn't let those human powerhouses have it."
The First Elder bowed. "Your Majesty is right."
"However, the Green Lotus Core Flame is deep in the desert. It won't be easy to find."
"And with human powerhouses nearby, this trip could be dangerous."
Queen Medusa said calmly, "I'll go myself."
The elders exchanged glances.
"It would certainly be best for Your Majesty to go in person."
The First Elder said, "With Your Majesty's strength as a Dou Zong, those human powerhouses are nothing to fear."
"Still, would it be wise for Your Majesty to go alone?"
"What if something unexpected happens..."
Queen Medusa waved her hand.
"Enough. I know what I'm doing."
Queen Medusa said.
Seeing this, the elders said no more.
Just then, Xiao Chen walked in from outside the hall.
"Your Majesty."
Xiao Chen clasped his fists.
Queen Medusa looked at him and gave a slight nod.
"You're just in time."
Queen Medusa said. "I'm about to search for the Green Lotus Core Flame. Would you like to come with me?"
Xiao Chen was about to answer when a mechanical voice suddenly sounded in his mind.
[New quest issued: Help Queen Medusa search for the Green Lotus Core Flame.] [Quest reward: Queen Medusa's favor increases by 10%.]
Xiao Chen looked at the prompt on the system panel, the corners of his mouth lifting slightly.
A ten percent increase in her favor.
That was a pretty good reward.
He'd been wondering how to win Queen Medusa's favor.
This quest had come at just the right time.
"Your Majesty, I'll go with you."
Xiao Chen said.
Queen Medusa glanced at him and nodded.
"Very well. Your strength is no less than mine. Having you there will give us an extra measure of security."
Queen Medusa said.
The elders nodded as well.
"With Xiao Chen accompanying you, Your Majesty's safety will be even more assured."
The First Elder said.
The Third Elder spoke up, too. "We all know how strong Xiao Chen is. With him there, those human powerhouses are nothing to fear."
Queen Medusa rose to her feet.
"There's no time to waste. We leave now."
Queen Medusa said, heading for the hall's exit.
Xiao Chen followed behind her.
The two left the hall, spread their Dou Qi Wings, and flew toward the depths of the Tagor Desert.
Deep in the desert.
Xiao Chen and Queen Medusa landed on the ground.
Endless yellow sands stretched all around them. The sun blazed overhead, and waves of heat rolled across the desert.
Queen Medusa surveyed their surroundings, her brows drawing together slightly.
"The Green Lotus Core Flame is nearby?"
Queen Medusa asked.
Xiao Chen nodded.
"It's deep beneath the earth."
Xiao Chen said.
Following the system's directions, he headed in a certain direction.
Queen Medusa followed behind him.
They hadn't walked far when Xiao Chen stopped.
"This is the place."
Xiao Chen said.
Queen Medusa looked at the sandy ground beneath her feet, a trace of confusion in her eyes.
"How do you know?"
Queen Medusa asked.
Xiao Chen didn't answer.
He raised his hand and struck the ground with his palm.
Dou Qi surged underground, and the sand shook violently.
A moment later, the ground split open, revealing a passage leading below.
Xiao Chen jumped in first.
A trace of curiosity flickered in Queen Medusa's eyes as she watched him.
She didn't ask any questions and jumped in after him.
They followed the passage downward, and the temperature around them grew hotter and hotter.
Queen Medusa summoned her Dou Qi to shield herself.
Xiao Chen walked ahead, his steps steady.
After an unknown length of time, they finally reached the depths of the earth.
A vast magma lake stretched before them, its molten surface roiling.
At its center, a blue flame burned quietly.
The Green Lotus Core Flame.
A trace of delight flashed in Queen Medusa's eyes as she gazed at the blue flame.
"It really is the Green Lotus Core Flame."
Queen Medusa said.
Just as she was about to approach it, the magma lake suddenly churned violently.
A gigantic, snake-shaped magical beast burst out of the magma, jaws gaping as it lunged at them.
The Twin-Headed Fire Spirit Snake.
It had two heads and four eyes, all fixed on Xiao Chen and Queen Medusa.
Queen Medusa's expression darkened, and she was about to attack.
But Xiao Chen had already moved.
He raised his hand and struck out with his palm.
A palm-shaped blast of Dou Qi tore through the air and slammed into the Twin-Headed Fire Spirit Snake.
The magical beast let out a bloodcurdling scream.
Its massive body flew backward and crashed into the magma lake.
Magma splashed everywhere.
The Twin-Headed Fire Spirit Snake struggled a few times, then lay still.
A flash of shock passed through Queen Medusa's eyes as she watched.
He walked to the center of the magma lake and reached out to grab the blue flame.
The Green Lotus Core Flame danced in his palm, yet it couldn't harm him in the slightest.
She raised her head and looked at Xiao Chen.
"How did you know the exact location of the Heavenly Flame?"
Queen Medusa asked, a trace of curiosity in her voice.
He'd gone from a Three-Star Dou Zhe to a Four-Star Dou Zong in less than a month.
And now he knew the exact location of the Green Lotus Core Flame.
Queen Medusa looked away and didn't ask anything further.
They followed the passage back to the surface.
In the desert.
Xiao Chen and Queen Medusa found a quiet spot.
Queen Medusa sat cross-legged and looked at the Green Lotus Core Flame in her palm.
"I'm going to refine this Heavenly Flame."
Queen Medusa said.
Xiao Chen nodded and stood nearby.
"Go ahead, Your Majesty. I'll guard you."
Xiao Chen said.
Queen Medusa glanced at him but said nothing.
She closed her eyes, summoned her Dou Qi, and swallowed the Green Lotus Core Flame.
The moment the flame entered her body, Queen Medusa's expression changed.
The Heavenly Flame was incredibly hot. Even a Dou Zong wouldn't find it easy to refine.
Queen Medusa gritted her teeth and used her Dou Qi to suppress the flame.
Fine beads of sweat appeared on her forehead, and her face grew pale.
Xiao Chen stood to one side, watching her.
He didn't step in to help.
Queen Medusa was a Dou Zong. Refining a Green Lotus Core Flame would be a struggle, but she should be able to manage it.
Time passed second by second.
After an unknown length of time, Queen Medusa opened her eyes.
A flicker of blue flame appeared in them, then vanished.
She had successfully refined the Green Lotus Core Flame.
Queen Medusa sensed the Dou Qi within her, delight flashing in her eyes.
Her strength had increased by one star.
Xiao Chen looked at Queen Medusa, and the system's voice sounded in his mind.
[Quest complete: Help Queen Medusa search for the Green Lotus Core Flame.] [Reward issued: Queen Medusa's favor increases by 10%.]
Xiao Chen looked at the prompt on the system panel, the corners of his mouth lifting slightly.
A ten percent increase in her favor.
He was one step closer to taking Queen Medusa as a concubine!
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