Green Lotus Core Flame! Exotic Flame!

Early in the morning, Qing Lin walked out of her living quarters.

Several mercenaries were gathered in the courtyard, talking in loud voices.

"Have you heard? Both commanders have broken through to the Dou Emperor realm."

"Dou Emperor? Who did you hear that from?"

"The brothers on duty last night heard it with their own ears. The two commanders broke through in the backyard; that aura could be felt from far away."

"My god, what is the concept of a Dou Emperor? There aren't even a handful of them in the entire Jia Ma Empire."

"Exactly. And I heard that the medicinal pill was refined by Young Master Xiao Yan—a tier seven medicinal pill."

"Tier seven? How old is Young Master Xiao Yan?"

"Fifteen."

"A fifteen-year-old tier seven alchemist? Are you joking with me?"

"Who's joking with you? It's true; the two commanders said it themselves."

Qing Lin stopped in her tracks, her eyes filled with shock.

She had heard Xiao Yan say he wanted to refine pills to help the two commanders improve their strength, but she hadn't expected it to happen so quickly.

And it wasn't just the Dou King realm, but the Dou Emperor realm.

A fifteen-year-old youth refining a tier seven medicinal pill to help two people break through directly to the Dou Emperor realm.

Who would believe such a thing if it were told?

Yet, the strength of the two commanders could not be faked.

Qing Lin muttered to herself in her heart, her admiration for Xiao Yan growing even deeper.

She crossed the courtyard and headed toward the front hall.

Turning the corner of the corridor, she happened to see Xiao Yan walking from the opposite direction.

"Young Master Xiao Yan." Qing Lin hurriedly bowed.

Xiao Yan nodded. "You're up."

"Yes." Qing Lin hesitated for a moment before speaking, "Young Master Xiao Yan, I heard that the two commanders have broken through to the Dou Emperor realm."

"That's right."

Qing Lin's eyes lit up. "Was it really the pill you refined?"

"Yes," Xiao Yan said indifferently.

Qing Lin opened her mouth, not knowing what to say.

The admiration in her heart for Xiao Yan was already beyond words.

Just then, Xiao Ding and Xiao Li walked out of the main hall.

"Third Brother," Xiao Ding said.

"Big Brother, Second Brother," Xiao Yan replied.

Qing Lin looked at the two commanders and carefully sensed the aura emanating from them.

That aura was countless times stronger than before; just standing there, they exuded a sense of oppression.

"The two commanders really have broken through to the Dou Emperor realm," Qing Lin couldn't help but ask.

Xiao Li smiled. "It's all thanks to Third Brother."

Qing Lin turned her head to look at Xiao Yan, the admiration in her eyes growing even more intense.

"Third Brother, what are your plans for today?" Xiao Ding asked.

Xiao Yan was silent for a moment before saying, "I have something to take care of."

"What is it?" Xiao Li asked.

"I'm looking for something," Xiao Yan said, "and I need Qing Lin's help."

Qing Lin was stunned.

"Me?" Qing Lin asked in disbelief.

"Yes," Xiao Yan said. "Your constitution is special; only you can help me with this."

Qing Lin was flattered and didn't know what to say.

A powerhouse like Young Master Xiao Yan actually needed her help.

"Young Master Xiao Yan, please tell me; I will definitely do my best," Qing Lin said quickly.

"Do you know about Heavenly Flames?" Xiao Yan asked.

Qing Lin shook her head.

"Heavenly Flames are the most powerful flames in the world, the things alchemists dream of," Xiao Yan said. "I am looking for a Heavenly Flame called the Green Lotus Core Flame."

Qing Lin didn't quite understand, but she nodded vigorously nonetheless.

"The Green Lotus Core Flame is usually hidden deep within the earth's core, making it extremely difficult to locate," Xiao Yan said, "but your Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils can sense the position of the Three-Headed Fire Spirit Snake."

"The Three-Headed Fire Spirit Snake?" Qing Lin asked.

"A type of exotic beast that likes to stay near Heavenly Flames," Xiao Yan explained, "find it, and you will find the Heavenly Flame."

Qing Lin understood, "Young Master Xiao Yan means for me to sense the location of the Three-Headed Fire Spirit Snake."

"Correct," Xiao Yan said.

"I don't know if I can do it—" Qing Lin said, lacking confidence.

"I will teach you," Xiao Yan said.

Xiao Ding stepped forward, "Third Brother, we will go to help as well."

"That's right, more people means more strength," Xiao Li added.

Xiao Yan shook his head, "Big Brother, Second Brother, stay here. Qing Lin is enough."

Xiao Ding wanted to say more, but was pulled back by Xiao Li.

"Listen to Third Brother," Xiao Li said.

Xiao Ding nodded and did not insist further.

Outside Desert Rock City lay a desolate Gobi desert.

Xiao Yan and Qing Lin stood before a fissure; the depths below were pitch black and bottomless.

Qing Lin glanced down, feeling a shiver of fear in her heart.

"Scared?" Xiao Yan asked.

Qing Lin shook her head, "With Young Master Xiao Yan here, I am not afraid."

Xiao Yan nodded, "Close your eyes and feel the Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils within you."

Qing Lin took a deep breath and closed her eyes.

She could feel a special power inside her, but she did not know how to use it.

"Don't rush, take it slow," Xiao Yan's voice was calm, "That power is within you; try to guide it."

Qing Lin followed Xiao Yan's instructions and attempted to guide the power within her.

But that power seemed trapped by something, unable to emerge no matter what she did.

"I—I can't do it," Qing Lin opened her eyes, feeling dejected.

"Try again," Xiao Yan said.

Qing Lin gritted her teeth and closed her eyes once more.

This time, she calmed her heart and carefully sensed that power.

Slowly, she felt that power begin to loosen.

A warm breath surged from within her body, and her eyes began to heat up.

She opened her eyes, and three jade-green spots appeared within her pupils.

The Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils had activated.

"I did it," Qing Lin's voice trembled.

Xiao Yan nodded, "Sense if there is the aura of a Three-Headed Fire Spirit Snake nearby."

Qing Lin closed her eyes, and the power of the Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils spread outward.

A moment later, she opened her eyes and pointed toward the bottom of the fissure.

"Deep down below, there is something."

The corners of Xiao Yan's mouth curled up slightly, "Let's go."

He grabbed Qing Lin's arm and leaped into the fissure.

The two fell rapidly, the sound of wind rushing past their ears.

They channeled their Dou Qi to slow their descent.

After an unknown amount of time, they finally landed at the bottom.

The temperature deep in the earth's core was high, and the air was filled with a strange scent.

Qing Lin looked around, her eyes full of curiosity.

"This way," she said, pointing ahead.

Xiao Yan followed behind her as they passed through a narrow passage.

At the end of the passage was a massive cavern.

In the center of the cavern coiled a giant exotic beast.

It had three heads and six eyes, its entire body covered in dark red scales.

The Three-Headed Fire Spirit Snake.

Sensing the intruders, the three heads turned simultaneously, six eyes locking onto Xiao Yan and Qing Lin.

They opened their mouths, emitting a hissing sound.

Just as Xiao Yan was about to strike, Qing Lin stepped forward.

The Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils in her eyes emitted a faint glow.

The body of the Three-Headed Fire Spirit Snake stiffened.

The six eyes gazed at Qing Lin, the fierce light within them gradually dissipating, replaced by a sense of docility.

The Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils had taken control.

Qing Lin let out a sigh of relief and turned to look at Xiao Yan.

"Young Master Xiao Yan, it's a success."

Xiao Yan nodded, his gaze passing over the Three-Headed Fire Spirit Snake to look deep into the cavern.

There, a cyan lotus flower hovered in mid-air.

Within the lotus, a cluster of cyan flames pulsed.

Green Lotus Core Flame.