Searching for the Green Lotus Core Flame, Capturing Medusa!

Several days later.

Within the main hall of the Snake-People Tribe.

Queen Medusa sat upon her throne, her fingers tapping lightly against the armrest.

Several elders stood on either side, their expressions grave.

"Queen, the information regarding the Green Lotus Core Flame has been confirmed."

The First Elder spoke up, "It is located deep within the Tagor Desert, at the very heart of the earth."

Medusa nodded, remaining silent.

"However, many human experts have been spotted in that area recently."

The First Elder continued, "I fear they are also setting their sights on the Green Lotus Core Flame."

The Third Elder spoke as well.

"A Heavenly Flame is something rarely seen in a century; those human experts certainly won't let it slip by."

The Third Elder said, "If they manage to obtain the Green Lotus Core Flame, it will be far from a good thing for our Snake-People Tribe."

The Fourth Elder nodded.

"Indeed, the power of a Heavenly Flame is immense. If a human expert obtains it, their strength will surely increase drastically."

"At that point, it will likely be detrimental to our Snake-People Tribe."

Queen Medusa looked at the group and spoke slowly.

"The Heavenly Flame must belong to our Snake-People Tribe."

Queen Medusa said, her voice cold and detached.

"We must not let those human experts benefit."

The First Elder bowed, "The Queen is right."

"However, the Green Lotus Core Flame is deep within the desert; finding it will not be easy."

"Furthermore, with human experts nearby, this journey will likely be dangerous."

Queen Medusa said indifferently, "I shall go myself."

The elders exchanged glances upon hearing this.

"If the Queen goes personally, that would naturally be for the best."

The First Elder said, "With the Queen's strength at the Dou Zong level, those human experts are nothing to fear."

"It is just that, for the Queen to go alone, is that perhaps inappropriate?"

"In the event of any unforeseen circumstances..."

Queen Medusa waved her hand.

"Say no more; I have my own measures."

Queen Medusa said.

Seeing this, the elders said nothing more.

Just then, Xiao Chen walked in from outside the hall.

"Queen."

Xiao Chen cupped his hands in a salute.

Queen Medusa looked at him and nodded slightly.

"You have come at the right time."

Queen Medusa said, "I am about to set out to find the Green Lotus Core Flame; would you be interested in joining me?"

Just as Xiao Chen was about to speak, a mechanical voice suddenly rang out in his mind.

[New mission released: Assist Queen Medusa in searching for the Green Lotus Core Flame.]

[Mission reward: Queen Medusa's favorability increased by 10%.]

Xiao Chen looked at the notification on the system panel, the corners of his mouth curling upward slightly.

A ten percent increase in favorability.

This reward was quite good.

He had been worrying about how to increase Queen Medusa's favorability.

The system's mission had come at the perfect time.

"Queen, I will go with you."

Xiao Chen said.

Queen Medusa glanced at him and nodded.

"Very well. Your strength is not inferior to mine; having you there provides an extra layer of security."

Queen Medusa said.

The several elders nodded one after another upon hearing this.

"With Xiao Chen accompanying her, Queen's safety will be even more guaranteed."

First Elder said.

Third Elder also spoke up, "We are all clear on Xiao Chen's strength; with him there, those human experts are nothing to fear."

Queen Medusa stood up.

"There is no time to lose, let us set out now."

After Queen Medusa finished speaking, she walked toward the outside of the palace.

Xiao Chen followed behind her.

The two walked out of the palace, unfurled 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.

Surrounded by endless yellow sand, the scorching sun hung in the sky, and heat waves rolled across the land.

Queen Medusa looked around, her brows slightly furrowed.

"Is the Green Lotus Core Flame in this vicinity?"

Queen Medusa asked.

Xiao Chen nodded.

"It is deep within the earth's core."

Xiao Chen said.

Following the system's guidance, he walked in a certain direction.

Queen Medusa followed behind him.

The two had not walked for long before Xiao Chen stopped in his tracks.

"It is right here."

Xiao Chen said.

Queen Medusa looked at the sandy ground beneath her feet, a trace of doubt flashing in her eyes.

"How do you know?"

Queen Medusa asked.

Xiao Chen did not answer.

He raised his hand and struck the ground with his palm.

Dou Qi surged into the underground, causing the sandy ground to tremble violently.

A moment later, the ground cracked open, revealing a passage leading deep underground.

Xiao Chen jumped in first.

Queen Medusa watched his back, a flicker of curiosity crossing her eyes.

She did not ask further and followed him inside.

The two traveled down the passage, the surrounding temperature becoming increasingly high.

Queen Medusa circulated her Dou Qi to protect her entire body.

Xiao Chen walked in front, his pace steady.

It is unknown how much time had passed before the two finally arrived at the depths of the earth's core.

Before them was a massive magma lake, the magma churning.

In the center of the magma lake, a cyan flame burned silently.

Green Lotus Core Flame.

Queen Medusa looked at that cyan flame, a flash of pleasant surprise in her eyes.

"It really is the Green Lotus Core Flame."

Queen Medusa said.

Just as she was about to step forward, the magma lake suddenly surged violently.

A massive snake-like Magic Beast lunged out from the magma, opening its blood-red maw to bite at the two.

Twin-Headed Fire Spirit Snake.

With two heads and four eyes, it stared fixedly at Xiao Chen and Queen Medusa.

Queen Medusa's expression darkened, and she prepared to strike.

Xiao Chen had already moved.

He raised his hand and struck out with a palm.

A palm print of Dou Qi whistled through the air, slamming directly into the body of the Twin-Headed Fire Spirit Snake.

The Magic Beast let out a shrill, miserable shriek.

Its massive body was sent flying backward, crashing heavily into the magma lake.

Magma splashed everywhere.

The Twin-Headed Fire Spirit Snake struggled a few times before it stopped moving entirely.

Queen Medusa watched this scene, a flash of shock crossing her eyes.

He walked to the center of the magma lake and reached out, grabbing the cyan flame in his hand.

The Green Lotus Core Flame danced in his palm, yet it could not 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, her voice tinged with curiosity.

Going from a Three-Star Dou Zhe to a Four-Star Dou Zong had taken less than a month.

And now, he knew the location of the Green Lotus Core Flame like the back of his hand.

Queen Medusa withdrew her gaze, choosing not to ask any further.

The two of them followed the tunnel back to the surface.

In the desert.

Xiao Chen and Queen Medusa found a quiet spot.

Queen Medusa sat cross-legged, looking at the Green Lotus Core Flame in her palm.

"This Queen intends to refine this Heavenly Flame."

Queen Medusa said.

Xiao Chen nodded and stood to the side.

"Please proceed with the refinement, Queen. I will stand guard for you."

Xiao Chen said.

Queen Medusa glanced at him but did not speak.

She closed her eyes, circulated her Dou Qi, and swallowed the Green Lotus Core Flame into her body.

The moment the flame entered her, Queen Medusa's expression changed.

The temperature of a Heavenly Flame was extremely high; even for a Dou Zong powerhouse, refining one was no easy task.

Queen Medusa gritted her teeth, pushing her Dou Qi to suppress the fire.

Fine beads of sweat seeped from her forehead, and her face turned somewhat pale.

Xiao Chen stood to the side, watching her.

He did not step in to help.

Queen Medusa was a Dou Zong powerhouse; while refining the Green Lotus Core Flame might be taxing, it should not be an insurmountable problem.

Time ticked by, second by second.

It was unknown how much time had passed when Queen Medusa opened her eyes.

A flicker of cyan flame flashed in her eyes before dissipating.

The Green Lotus Core Flame had been successfully refined.

Queen Medusa sensed the Dou Qi within her body, a look of joy flashing in her eyes.

Her strength had increased by another star.

Xiao Chen looked at Queen Medusa as the system's voice rang out in his mind.

[Mission Complete: Help Queen Medusa find the Green Lotus Core Flame.]

[Reward Issued: Queen Medusa's favorability increased by 10%.]

Xiao Chen looked at the notification on the system panel, the corners of his mouth curling upward slightly.

Favorability increased by ten percent.

He was one step closer to taking Queen Medusa as his concubine!