Lin Chen hovered above the magma lake.
The pair of wings on his back, dark red like blood crystals and making the space around their edges tremble, slowly folded away.
The terrifying pressure radiating from him, enough to make one choke, receded like the tide and drew back into his body.
But the occasional flash of a blood-red lotus in his deep eyes, and the aura of a natural-born superior that he exuded, still made Hai Bodong on the rocky platform feel his heart pounding with fear.
Holding Qing Lin, he drifted lightly down in front of Hai Bodong.
His steps were steady, as if the earth-shaking breakthrough just now had been nothing more than a trivial matter.
Hai Bodong's throat bobbed as he struggled to swallow.
Looking at the young man before him, far too young to already be a Dou Wang expert, he spoke hoarsely.
"C-Congratulations... on breaking through to Dou Wang..."
His voice was filled with genuine shock.
In this world, where strength reigned supreme, the power and potential Lin Chen had just displayed were enough to make him cast aside all his contempt.
Lin Chen gave a slight nod and looked at Hai Bodong.
Suddenly, as if remembering something, he turned his hand over.
A dazzling, palm-sized scale in seven colors appeared in his palm.
The scale was hard and gleamed with a dreamlike luster, faintly emanating a unique, chilling, and powerful pressure.
"I found this at the base of the lotus platform while refining it."
Lin Chen spoke calmly as he held the scale out before Hai Bodong.
"Do you recognize it?"
The moment Hai Bodong's gaze fell on the seven-colored scale, his pupils contracted sharply.
The color drained from his face in an instant, as if he had seen something utterly terrifying!
He stumbled back a step, his voice trembling uncontrollably with fear.
"This... this is... Queen Medusa's Seven-Colored Snake Scale?!"
"She... she really did come here!"
"And... it looks like she succeeded in taking the Heavenly Flame..."
To Hai Bodong, who had once been personally sealed by Queen Medusa and beaten to the brink of death, this scale was the very symbol of his nightmare!
Lin Chen put the scale away, confirming Hai Bodong's guess.
"That's right. Medusa took the Green Lotus Core Flame."
"I didn't obtain the Heavenly Flame."
Hearing this, Hai Bodong first felt an instinctive rush of relief.
He wouldn't have to face Medusa right away.
But then his spirits sank again.
The Heavenly Flame was gone, so what about their deal...
"However,"
Lin Chen continued, fixing Hai Bodong with a blazing gaze.
"Our deal still stands."
"I'll break your seal right now and help you regain your Dou Emperor strength."
Hai Bodong snapped his head up, wild joy erupting in his eyes.
But then immense worry took its place.
"R-Right now? Here?"
"But..."
He instinctively touched his chest, where the seal's core lay.
"Medusa's seal is extremely overbearing. If I force my way through it, I'm afraid..."
"I know what I'm doing."
Lin Chen cut him off, his tone leaving no room for argument.
"But once you recover, you must help me take the Heavenly Flame back from Medusa."
"What?!"
"Y-You want to steal the Heavenly Flame from Queen Medusa?!"
Hai Bodong cried out, his face turning deathly pale.
The joy that had just risen in him was doused with a bucket of ice water, and fear and hesitation filled his eyes.
"No! Absolutely not!"
"Queen Medusa's strength is unfathomable, and now she has the Heavenly Flame... If we go after her, we'll be walking straight to our deaths!"
"This is out of the question!"
The thought of facing the Snake-People Tribe's queen, the woman who had left him with a lifelong shadow, filled him with instinctive fear.
Lin Chen looked at his craven expression, his eyes turning slightly cold.
His voice took on a hint of mockery.
"What's wrong? Has the Ice Emperor, one of the Ten Great Experts of the Jia Ma Empire, been scared witless by a Medusa?"
"You'd rather spend your whole life holed up in Mo City, drawing maps like some decrepit old man, while your Dou Qi keeps declining, than face her again?"
Hai Bodong's face turned from green to white, and his lips trembled.
He wanted to argue, but no words came.
His former glory and present wretchedness stood in stark contrast.
Lin Chen's words struck his heart like knives.
"Do you think you can live in peace by hiding here?"
Lin Chen continued to press him, his voice ringing in his ears like a demonic chant.
"Medusa sealed you once. If she learns you're still alive, and might even regain your strength, do you think she'll spare you?"
"When that time comes, you won't even have a chance to struggle!"
Lin Chen coaxed him patiently.
He knew perfectly well that Queen Medusa had spared Hai Bodong's life.
But that was what he was going to say!
After all, this was an angel investor—one way or another, he could be an ally.
"What's more..."
Lin Chen's tone softened, carrying a hint of temptation.
"Don't you want to reclaim everything that belongs to you?"
"Don't you want the name of the Ice Emperor to ring through the Jia Ma Empire once more?"
"Don't you want to... personally wash away the humiliation of the past?"
"Dignity, strength, freedom... even the chance for revenge—all of it is right before you."
"Will you rot away here and wait to die like a coward, or stake everything and come with me to fight for a future?"
Hai Bodong's body trembled violently as a fierce struggle raged within him.
Fear and desire, retreat and fiery resolve, twisted together in his heart.
For a moment, he seemed to have returned to the Ice Emperor who had once dominated the land.
But Medusa's cold, serpentine eyes and terrifying strength still haunted him like a nightmare.
He clenched his fists so tightly that his nails nearly dug into his flesh, the veins bulging on his forehead.
In the end, his yearning to regain his strength, his longing to return to his peak, and the sliver of trust he had in Lin Chen's unfathomable methods overcame his fear!
He jerked his head up, his eyes bloodshot, and snarled.
"Fine! I'm in!"
"Damn it, I've been a spineless coward for long enough!"
"So what if it's Medusa? I'll risk everything!"
"If you can really help me recover my strength, then my life is yours! I'll help you take back the Heavenly Flame!"
"Good."
At last, Lin Chen's lips curled into a faint smile.
"Now that's the spirit the Ice Emperor should have."
He had Qing Lin retreat to a distance, then signaled for Hai Bodong to sit cross-legged.
Lin Chen stood behind Hai Bodong, his expression turning solemn.
Though he had made it sound easy, breaking the seal itself really wasn't difficult.
The greatest challenge was ensuring Hai Bodong didn't suffer too much harm:
He took a deep breath and formed a strange hand seal.
In his dantian, the now more solid phantom of the Karma Fire Red Lotus swayed gently.
A pure, scorching red flame, containing the supreme will to incinerate and cleanse, slowly welled up from within him.
It curled around his hands as if alive.
"This might hurt a little. Bear with it!"
Lin Chen gave a low shout and slammed both palms against Hai Bodong's back!
"Boom!"
The red Karma Fire instantly engulfed Hai Bodong!
It transformed into a slowly rotating red lotus of flame, completely shrouding him within.
"Ughhhh!!!"
Hai Bodong let out a scream of utter agony!
The Karma Fire's invasion brought more than simple burning. It was an extreme agony, as if his very soul were being torn apart and purified!
His skin turned scarlet in an instant, his veins bulged, and his body convulsed violently.
Beads of sweat the size of beans evaporated as soon as they appeared!
Lin Chen closed his eyes and concentrated, controlling the power of the Karma Fire Red Lotus with all his might.
The wisp of red flame moved like the finest scalpel, following Hai Bodong's meridians.
It precisely located the Purple Snake Seal, wrapped around his Dou Qi Vortex like a bone-deep parasite!
The moment the Karma Fire touched the snake-shaped seal, it was like cold water hitting boiling oil.
A violent "hiss" rang out!
The purple seal struggled and fought back, unleashing a chilling surge of energy that battered Hai Bodong's meridians.
His agony doubled!
But the Karma Fire Red Lotus's power was of a far higher order!
It embodied the ultimate law of flame, capable of incinerating all things!
Medusa's seal was strong, but by its very nature, it was countered by the flame!
The red fire clung like a bone-deep parasite, burning and purifying the purple threads of energy bit by bit!
The process was slow and agonizing, and Hai Bodong's screams went on without pause.
His body seemed to shrink, but he gritted his teeth and endured, relying on his astonishing willpower!
Time passed, bit by bit.
Finally, when the last wisp of purple energy was completely incinerated and purified by the Karma Fire:
"Buzz!!!"
A terrifying presence, long dormant, cold to the bone yet boundless, awakened like a slumbering dragon.
It suddenly burst out of Hai Bodong's body!
Rumble!
Powerful ice-blue Dou Qi surged uncontrollably from him.
It froze the scorching air around them into countless ice crystals!
Even the magma lake below stopped churning for a moment under this sudden, extreme cold!
Hai Bodong's withered, aged body seemed to bloom anew like deadwood in spring.
Before their eyes, it grew younger!
His white hair swiftly turned black, his wrinkles smoothed away, and his skin regained its luster!
In just a few breaths, he had gone from a dying old man
to a stern, sharp-eyed middle-aged man who looked to be around forty, his naturally imposing presence impossible to ignore!
More importantly, his powerful Dou Emperor aura climbed higher and higher!
One-Star Dou Emperor! Two-Star Dou Emperor! Three-Star Dou Emperor! Four-Star Dou Emperor!
In the end, his cultivation settled firmly at the Four-Star Dou Emperor level!
He was even a shade stronger than he had been before the seal!
Clearly, as the Karma Fire Red Lotus broke the seal, it had not only purified the energy that had accumulated within it.
It also seemed to have refined his Dou Qi along the way and healed some of the hidden injuries he had suffered back then!
"Hahahaha! Power! My power is back!!"
Hai Bodong snapped his eyes open, wild joy and excitement blazing in them!
Feeling the ice-cold Dou Qi surging through him, he couldn't help throwing his head back and roaring.
The sound rolled through the underground cave, making it hum and tremble!
Ice-blue Dou Qi surged behind him, and a pair of magnificent, ice-blue eagle wings instantly unfolded.
They radiated a piercing chill!
Today, Ice Emperor Hai Bodong had officially returned!
He looked at Lin Chen, excitement in his eyes and boundless gratitude mixed with a hint of awe.
This young man was not only terrifyingly powerful—his methods were simply transcendent!
It had actually broken Medusa's seal—and even turned his misfortune into a blessing!
"Thank you, Lin Chen!"
"Haibo Dong will never forget this life-changing kindness!"
"I'll never forget what I said today. I'll help you reclaim the Heavenly Flame, even if it costs me my life!"
He clasped his hands and bowed solemnly. This time, he was thoroughly convinced.
Lin Chen nodded slightly, his face somewhat pale.
Using the Karma Fire Red Lotus to perform such delicate work had taken a considerable toll on him.
"Just remember your promise."
"Let's get out of here first."
The three spread their Dou Qi Wings (Lin Chen carried Qing Lin) and flew out of the underground cavern, returning to Mo City.
When they returned to the Ancient Map Shop, Xiao Yi Xian was so astonished at the sight of Hai Bodong—young again and radiating powerful energy—that her jaw nearly dropped.
Lin Chen entrusted Qing Lin to Xiao Yi Xian's care, then said to Hai Bodong,
"Take a few days to get used to your restored power. Then we'll head deep into the desert and search for Medusa."
"Yes!"
Hai Bodong's confidence had surged, and he was eager to get started.
Lin Chen, meanwhile, returned to his inn room alone.
Breaking through to Dou Wang meant more than just an increase in cultivation. It was a qualitative leap!
He needed time to carefully experience the changes.
The greatest change came from that tiny Blood Spring deep within his soul!
Before, he could only sense it vaguely and barely borrow a trace of its killing intent.
But now, having reached the Dou Wang realm, his soul power had soared as well.
At last, he had gained the ability to exercise a measure of control over the introductory chapter of the "Boundless Blood Sea" divine ability!
He sat cross-legged in the middle of the room, holding his breath and focusing as his mind sank into the tiny Blood Spring slowly turning within the depths of his soul.
"Boundless Blood Sea, Blood Sea... manifest!"
At his silent command, the Blood Spring deep within his soul gave a sudden shudder!
In the next moment, a thick, viscous, dark-red liquid, steeped in boundless bloodlust and killing intent,
silently spread from beneath his feet, as if it were alive!
This blood was no physical substance. It was a manifestation of a divine ability, formed from pure killing intent, the essence of devoured blood souls, and his Dou Qi!
The dark-red liquid spread rapidly, crawling like a living thing across the entire floor.
Then it crept slowly upward, as if it meant to dye the whole room blood-red!
Within the blood, countless phantom wraiths seemed to wail and struggle.
It was as if colossal waves of blood were gathering, ready to roar!
Lin Chen sat at the center of the spreading "Blood Sea." He was the sovereign of this tiny sea of blood!
Within its reach, he felt his senses expand without limit.
His strength, speed, and recovery all received a terrifying boost!
He even had the strange feeling that, if he wished,
he could instantly drag any living creature that entered this Blood Sea into an endless crimson abyss,
devouring its flesh and soul to strengthen himself!
"So this is...the power of the Blood Sea..."
Feeling the mighty, sinister force, Lin Chen was shaken.
For now, he could only manifest a Blood Sea the size of this one room.
But its potential and terrifying might were already beginning to show!
With a thought, the spreading crimson tide swiftly retreated.
In the end, it sank entirely beneath his feet and vanished.
The room returned to normal, as if nothing had happened.
"I still need more practice, and its range is too small...but this is a perfect start!"
Excitement gleamed in Lin Chen's eyes.
With this divine ability, his ability to survive and fight would rise to a whole new level!
Over the next few days, Lin Chen never left the inn.
He stayed in his room, familiarizing himself with the power of a Dou Wang and practicing the Blood Sea divine ability.
From time to time, he offered pointers on Xiao Yi Xian and Qing Lin's cultivation.
Hai Bodong was also immersed in the joy of having regained his strength, constantly adapting to his four-star Dou Emperor power.
Sometimes, he even sought Lin Chen out to discuss cultivation.
The atmosphere between them had quietly grown much warmer.
Just as Lin Chen felt they were nearly ready and planned to find Hai Bodong to discuss venturing deeper into the desert,
someone suddenly pounded on the inn room door.
Lin Chen opened it. Hai Bodong stood outside.
His face was alight with excitement and urgency, his eyes shining.
He didn't even bother with formalities. His first words struck like a bolt of thunder, leaving Lin Chen stunned.
"Lin Chen, boy! We don't have to go looking for Queen Medusa anymore!"
He caught his breath, then lowered his voice and spoke excitedly:
"The Heavenly Flame you wanted has appeared!"
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