Gaining Fire

"How much further is it!"

Gu He felt as though they had been diving for several hours, yet the surroundings remained an endless expanse of dark red magma. If not for the Fire Spirit Snake, he likely would have already been unable to hold on and been incinerated into nothingness...

Withdrawing his probing spiritual sense, Gu He opened his eyes to look at the calm, cross-legged figures of Yun Shan and Medusa. The three of them were currently inside the mouth of the Fire Spirit Snake, traveling with it toward the core of the earth's veins, the birthplace of the Green Lotus Core Flame.

"They are almost there!"

Within the tunnel, Qing Lin said this to Yun Zimo. She had received a telepathic message from the Fire Spirit Snake; they were not far from their destination.

After subduing the Two-Headed Fire Spirit Snake earlier, Qing Lin had communicated with it, and only then did the creature reluctantly agree to carry Yun Shan and the others down to search for the Heavenly Flame.

"We've arrived!"

At a certain moment, Yun Shan and Medusa opened their eyes simultaneously. Gu He quickly summoned his Dou Armor, Fire Cloud Water Flame, to cover his body. The Fire Spirit Snake opened its mouth, and a powerful current surged forth. The three of them leaped out, following the force of the push, and stabilized their figures, floating within the greenish magma.

"This is..."

Gu He stared at the subterranean world shrouded in cyan light, then looked back at the cowering Fire Spirit Snake.

"Senior Yun, Senior Medusa, let us go over and take a look!"

The three cautiously approached the cyan radiance. Feeling the temperature gradually rising, both Yun Shan and Medusa's expressions grew slightly solemn.

"Everyone, be careful!"

Medusa and Yun Shan both summoned their Dou Armors, and the soft, water-like Fire Cloud Water Flame also clung to Gu He's armor. Pausing briefly before the cyan light, the three of them charged in together.

The bone-chilling high temperature they had expected did not materialize, but the three still dared not be careless. Gu He took the lead, with Yun Shan and Medusa flanking his sides and rear, forming a triangular formation as they swam toward the massive lotus at the center of the cyan light.

"Born in the earth's fire veins, tempered by the core fire for thousands of years, its body like a lotus, its color like cyan..."

The Eight-Leaf Green Lotus sat in the center of the cyan light. Its crystal-clear lotus body looked as if it had been carved from a single piece of green jade. At the heart of the lotus, it supported a three-foot-tall lotus pedestal, with specks of fluorescent light quietly emanating from it.

"Those tentacles are the medium through which the Green Lotus absorbs energy. Be careful not to get stuck to them, or even a Dou Emperor would be drained dry in less than half a moment!"

Gu He carefully bypassed the slender roots beneath the Green Lotus that were frantically absorbing the surrounding magma energy and swam toward the lotus like a fish.

"Fire like stamens, flames tinged with cyan, still as a lotus pedestal, moving like a mountain fire; the earth's fire essence forged into a green lotus!"

Gu He gazed at the cyan flames constantly shifting form atop the lotus pedestal, the corners of his mouth curling upward. To be able to witness two wonders from the Heavenly Flame Ranking in this lifetime—he would have no regrets even if he were to die!

"Senior Medusa, wait!"

Seeing that Medusa was about to forcibly seize the Heavenly Flame with her Dou Qi, Gu He hurriedly stopped her.

"An alchemist has an alchemist's methods."

Gu He took Yun Shan and the others away from the Green Lotus for a moment and swam cautiously to the point where the lotus connected to its roots. He took out a high-quality, ancient jade ruler and gently sliced through the connection, causing the crystal-clear Green Lotus to instantly detach.

After falling away from the roots, the massive Green Lotus rapidly shrank to the size of a washbasin. A wisp of pale cyan flame danced playfully in its center, appearing as if it possessed no trace of the earth fire's mighty power.

Reaching out to summon the lotus pedestal, Gu He prepared to return with Yun Shan and the others without a hint of reluctance. Seeing them still staring at the Green Lotus roots that were frantically absorbing energy, he quickly spoke up.

"Two seniors, spiritual objects of heaven and earth are not easily born. If we leave it, perhaps another Green Lotus will grow here in a thousand years!"

Hearing Gu He's words, Yun Shan and Medusa no longer lingered. Originally, they had only been curious as to why this thing absorbed energy so aggressively; for them, it held more of a decorative significance than a need for power enhancement.

"Senior, leave the task of escorting the Green Lotus Core Flame to me!"

Carrying the Green Lotus pedestal, Gu He was full of high spirits. He feared the Green Lotus Core Flame might harm the Fire Spirit Snake, so he decided to swim all the way back himself!

"Forget it, let's go together. This bit of flame cannot harm us."

Yun Shan shook his head. If not for the fear of some sudden danger down here, they would not have traveled with the Fire Spirit Snake in the first place.

The three people and one snake traveled through the depths of the subterranean magma, leaving four shallow trails of fire behind them that quickly vanished.

"Splash!"

The three people and one snake shot out from the magma lake, the sound of breaking the surface echoing through the air.

"Hall Master!"

"He, I have fulfilled the mission!"

Gu He cupped his fists in a salute, and the Green Lotus pedestal in his hands flew out toward Yun Zimo.

The crystal-clear Green Lotus pedestal was as cool as jade, hovering and spinning until it landed in Yun Zimo's hand.

Yun Zimo bowed his head slightly in a salute. After little Qing Lin waved her hand, the Two-Headed Fire Spirit Snake hissed, its massive body rapidly shrinking until a streak of red light flew to Qing Lin's wrist, transforming into a small red jade bracelet.

"The Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils have this effect as well?"

Gu He's eyes were filled with astonishment, followed by a trace of envy.

"You do not agree with me going to the Imperial Family to negotiate?"

"No, it is simply that you cannot go right now."

Regarding Yun Zimo's confusion, Yun Shan said softly.

"If you go now, you will only provide the Jia Ma Imperial Family with a perfect excuse to wage war against the Snake-Person Tribe."

"What?!"

Yun Zimo's brows locked tightly. He truly could not understand—could the two races not coexist peacefully? Could they not just sit down and talk?

"I know now why you said before that you really aren't suited for politics..."

Yun Shan nodded softly, though he had no intention of explaining further.

Yun Zimo understood it all, but he had simply been unwilling to admit it; he didn't want to touch such a filthy game, yet he still harbored a sliver of fantasy...

"Medusa's evolution should still take a few months. You continue on your path to becoming a Dou Emperor. Once her evolution is complete, we will return to the Misty Cloud Sect."

Not wanting Yun Zimo to expend too much mental energy on these matters, Yun Shan urged him to continue on his journey.

Yun Zimo sighed deeply; for the first time, he felt that his transmigration to the Dou Qi Continent was a mistake made by the Creator.

"Strength! Only strength that is unrivaled in the world grants one the right to rewrite the rules!"

Yun Zimo felt as if he had grasped something, yet it seemed as if nothing had appeared at all.

"Then let us continue!"

Facing the scorching sun, Yun Zimo stepped into the Snake-Person Holy City once more; his path of challenge began here!

"You want to fight a peak Dou Emperor?"

Medusa wore an expression as if looking at a fool, though there was also a hint of admiration for Yun Zimo.

"It is already quite impressive that you can defeat low-level Dou Emperors while being a lower rank yourself. What? You still want to cross an entire major rank to defeat a peak Dou Emperor?"

There was no lack of mockery in Medusa's tone, but there was more of a warning.

"One must see the road ahead clearly to walk it slowly, must one not?"

Yun Zimo smiled slightly; if he did not push himself, how could he grow?

"Oh?"

Medusa looked at him with newfound interest, then raised a hand, her cold, clear voice carrying outside the great hall.

"Summon the Four Great Tribal Elders!"

"Tribal Elders?"

"Mm, they are all peak Dou Emperors. Having them spar with you will ensure you aren't injured."

"Would they be willing to spar with a nobody like me?"

"If I tell them to train, they will train!"

Medusa spoke indifferently, merely adjusting her posture slightly, and the bewitching, demonic aura vanished entirely, replaced by an inexplicable dominance that quietly permeated the hall.

Only then did Yun Zimo understand why Medusa was the faith of the Snake-Person Tribe!

"Greetings, Your Majesty the Queen. We do not know what important matter you have summoned us for?"

The four Snake-Person Tribal Elders all wore terrifying masks, their aged, resonant voices emerging from beneath them, yet there was not a shred of respect in their tone.

"The cultivation of this guest from the Misty Cloud Sect requires your assistance."

"This... may we ask what kind of assistance?"

"Sparring!"

"Sparring?!"

The Elders' voices rose sharply before immediately sinking low again.

"Your Majesty the Queen, this—this is surely improper, is it not?"

"Hmm?"

"Insolent!"

Medusa spoke with majesty, and an invisible wave of energy surged forth. The four Tribal Elders collapsed to their knees with a boom, and the many snake-people all prostrated themselves, trembling in fear, terrified that Medusa might start a massacre.

Is Medusa using this as an excuse to vent? Did the four Tribal Elders provoke her?

Yun Zimo was stunned. Medusa wasn't even bothering to hide it; she was clearly intent on teaching these disobedient elders a lesson.

It certainly seems like it...

Yun Zimo suddenly thought of Hai Bodong, and a flash of inspiration struck him, connecting everything together!

A Medusa determined to reform, and Elders clinging to decaying tribal rules. No wonder I said the people of the Snake-Person Tribe are so afraid of Medusa; it seems she has made examples of many to keep the others in line.

But that has nothing to do with me. With four peak Dou Emperors attacking, I can accumulate my foundation even faster!

Yun Zimo said to himself in his heart, and he began to feel a faint sense of anticipation for the realm of the Dou Emperor!