Inside the Earth Fire Lotus Platform.
Xiao Yan emerged from cultivation. The Dou Qi within him was solid and stable, with no sign that it had been boosted by outside means.
The Fire Spirit Body's ability to make use of fire-attributed energy was simply unmatched.
Yao Lao's Soul Body circled Xiao Yan as if examining a monster. Clicking his tongue in wonder, he said, "Yan, no matter how many times I see that physique of yours, it still amazes me."
"From Four-Star Dou Ling to One-Star Dou Wang, you only absorbed eleven Earth Fire Lotus Seeds. If anyone else learned how fast you advanced, they'd be so jealous they'd cough up blood."
Xiao Yan rubbed his nose out of habit. "I got lucky, that's all."
"It's not as if treasures on the level of Earth Fire Lotus Seeds are easy to come by."
Yao Lao shook his head. "Lucky? With the way your physique uses fire-attributed treasures, raising your cultivation is far too easy for you. A Dou Wang before eighteen—even across the entire Central Plains, you'd rank among the very best talents."
"What's more, once you get your hands on the Green Lotus Core Flame and absorb it, you'll make another substantial leap, won't you?"
Xiao Yan nodded thoughtfully. "Teacher, I don't think absorbing a Heavenly Flame will raise my cultivation as much as absorbing Earth Fire Lotus Seeds did."
"I can absorb all the energy in an Earth Fire Lotus Seed, but I can't do that with a Heavenly Flame. I still need it to raise the level of the Flame Mantra, and I have to leave enough energy to keep the flame's source intact."
Yao Lao saw the sense in that. "True, but a Heavenly Flame offers more than a little boost to your cultivation."
"Combined with how much that Body Refining Technique of yours can strengthen your body, and the new talent it can awaken, the gains will be considerable."
"The Green Lotus Core Flame excels at explosive power. If you use it to awaken a talent, you're bound to gain one that boosts your combat strength considerably."
Xiao Yan's eyes lit up. His impatience grew. "Teacher, now I can hardly wait."
"I wish I could go to the Snake-People Tribe right now and take the Green Lotus Core Flame from Queen Medusa."
Yao Lao laughed and shook his head. His Soul Body flicked Xiao Yan on the forehead. "What's the rush? She's a magical beast of a cold yin nature. She wouldn't court death by absorbing something as fiercely yang as a Heavenly Flame."
"And if she did court death, she'd have only one end: her body would burst apart. Then getting the flame would take hardly any effort."
"Besides, what you should be worrying about now isn't the Heavenly Flame. It's that little maid of yours. She's spent three whole days outside your door without leaving, and now she's chilled and feverish."
"Qing Lin?" Xiao Yan's expression changed, and he hurriedly put away the Earth Fire Lotus Platform.
He withdrew his spiritual power and opened the door. A small head, suddenly deprived of its support, bumped against his shin.
He looked down. It was his little maid, Qing Lin.
She sat on the threshold without so much as a blanket, her head resting against the door, her eyes closed in a light doze.
Xiao Yan sighed and rubbed his brow. He understood that Qing Lin felt desperately insecure. He had given her just a little light, and she had come to see him as all the light in her world.
That was why she clung to him so tightly.
I need to find somewhere else for this girl to live. Stone Desert City is full of people who used to shun and bully her. No matter how well I treat her, I can only ease her fear for a while. I can't cure it here. Xiao Yan considered it for a moment and came up with a plan.
Some time later.
"Young Master, this is all the luggage I have." Qing Lin held a small bundle in her arms, her voice soft.
Xiao Yan frowned almost imperceptibly. "You don't even have decent clothes or everyday necessities."
"Throw all that luggage away. I'll buy you new things. Otherwise, when we get somewhere else and people see how worn your belongings are, they'll think I've been mistreating you."
Warmth spread through Qing Lin's heart. "You don't need to spend money on me, Young Master."
Xiao Yan reached out and gently pinched her cheek. "Do as I say!"
Qing Lin had nothing more to say. She nodded her little head happily.
Xiao Yan then took Qing Lin through the shops of Stone Desert City, buying necessities, clothes, and bedding.
To spare Qing Lin any hostile stares, Xiao Yan deliberately let out the aura of a Dou Wang expert. Qing Lin enjoyed their shopping trip all the way to the end.
Seeing Qing Lin laden with bags, Xiao Yan took out an empty Storage Ring. "Put everything in here."
Qing Lin obediently did so, though she found it a little strange. Hadn't he bought these things for her? Had Young Master Xiao Yan changed his mind and decided to take them back?
She wasn't upset. Whatever Young Master Xiao Yan did, she was sure he had his reasons.
But the next moment, Xiao Yan slipped that incredibly precious Storage Ring onto her finger.
"Mm. Not bad. It looks good on you." Xiao Yan let go of Qing Lin's small hand with a smile.
Qing Lin was at a loss. "Young Master, this..."
Xiao Yan patted her head, cutting her off. "It's a gift. Take good care of it. If my maid doesn't even have a Storage Ring, people will look down on me."
At that, Qing Lin could say nothing more.
She didn't care how others treated her. But if she brought shame on Xiao Yan, she would rather die.
"Thank you, Young Master Xiao Yan." Her voice held even more devotion than before.
Xiao Yan took Qing Lin back to the mercenary company. After telling his eldest and second brothers that he was taking her to the Snake-People Tribe, he left.
Xiao Ding and Xiao Li knew how strong Xiao Yan was, so they weren't too worried. They only cautioned him not to be careless.
With everything settled, Xiao Yan took Qing Lin out of Stone Desert City and flew toward the Snake-People Tribe.
At the Snake-People Tribe.
Nalan Yanran sat upright in her prison cell, her expression composed and serene.
At least, that was how she looked.
Her master had yet to come to her rescue, and panic was beginning to set in.
Why hasn't Master come to save me? Does she not know I've been captured by the Snake-People Tribe? That must be it.
She must be searching everywhere for me right now. Of course it'll take her some time to find me here!
Yes, that's it. Don't panic. Master will definitely come to save you!
Even if she doesn't find me soon, the Snake-People Tribe knows who I am. They'll contact Master themselves and demand resources for my release. Don't worry. Don't panic. I'll be out soon.
Nalan Yanran kept repeating these thoughts to herself. Gradually, her panic did ease.
Suddenly, she sensed a powerful aura coming from the prison entrance.
She opened her eyes and saw a breathtakingly beautiful figure appear.
She had never seen anyone so beautiful. Every part of the woman seemed lovingly carved by the heavens, without a single flaw.
Even as a woman herself, Nalan Yanran felt her heart skip a beat.
"Your Majesty, she's being held this way. Please follow me."
Nalan Yanran watched the Snake-People Tribe member who managed the prison, the one who always treated her coldly, speak to the beautiful woman with such deference.
She caught on at once. Your Majesty? Could she be the leader of the Snake-People Tribe—Queen Medusa?!
Why would she come to the prison? Is it because of me? Has Master approached her?
Yes, Master must have found the Snake-People Tribe and offered resources in exchange for me. That's why Queen Medusa came herself—to take me out!
Joy flashed in Nalan Yanran's eyes.
But then Queen Medusa passed her cell with only a brief glance and stopped at the cell next door.
Queen Medusa looked at the person inside. Her voice was cool, with an alluring lilt that seemed entirely natural to her.
"How have you been faring here these past few days, Sect Master Yun Yun?"
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