Ripples in the Jade Fire Cold Pool and the Gathering Storm of the Fragmented Map

Deep within the hidden, secluded depths of the Snake-People Tribe's sanctuary lies a miraculous Jade Fire Cold Pool.

This is no ordinary body of water, but a strange space concealed deep beneath the earth. The pool water is a translucent, emerald green, resembling a piece of warm, polished jade, and it emits a soothing, cool aura. On the surface, faint white mist curls like gossamer, dreamlike and ethereal. Yet, the bottom of the pool is far from cold; it subtly radiates the scorching heat of subterranean earth-fire. Here, cold and heat blend in a marvelous fusion, creating a unique energy field that possesses miraculous effects for healing injuries and stabilizing Dou Qi.

Xiao Zhan sat submerged in the pool, only his shoulders and above visible. The emerald water seemed to possess a life of its own; wisps of cool energy, like nimble sprites, seeped slowly through his skin, gently nourishing his damaged meridians and internal organs. Simultaneously, the earth-fire rising from the depths acted like a powerful booster, stimulating his Dou Qi to circulate at an accelerated pace, working to repair the hidden injuries left by the strike from Protector Wu. The terrifying, jagged wound on his left shoulder had already scabbed over under the dual magical effects of the Dragon Phoenix Tyrant Body Art and the pool water, leaving only a faint mark, like a gentle scratch left by the passage of time.

[Injury recovery progress: 85%... Residual Soul-Eroding Dou Qi: 0%... Dragon Phoenix Tyrant Body Art compatibility increased: 2%...]

The system's notification chime was steady and clear, echoing in Xiao Zhan's mind like the tolling of a melodious bell. He closed his eyes, focused his mind, and poured his full concentration into circulating his cultivation technique, hungrily absorbing the strange energy of the Jade Fire Cold Pool. He could clearly feel that after this life-and-death struggle and the extreme exertion, his control over the power of the Dou Zong realm had become increasingly rounded and fluid, and the Dragon Phoenix Tyrant Body Art had also seen a subtle yet tangible improvement.

Suddenly, an extremely domineering aura, carrying the scorching heat characteristic of a Heavenly Flame, descended upon the edge of the cold pool like a gale.

Xiao Zhan slowly opened his eyes to see Queen Medusa appearing on the bank as silently and ghost-like as ever. She was still clad in that magnificent gown condensed from cyan flames; the fiery dress seemed alive, swaying gently with the breeze and emitting a mysterious, enchanting glow. She was barefoot, her flawless jade feet treading upon the cold rock, the sharp contrast between cold and heat creating a visually striking feast. Deep within her purple eyes, cyan flames flickered like mysterious stars in the night sky, her gaze landing on Xiao Zhan's muscular chest above the water with the sharpness and coldness of one appraising prey.

"You recover quite quickly," Queen Medusa's cold, clear voice drifted over like a chill wind in the night, making it impossible to tell whether she was pleased or angry.

"Thanks to Your Majesty's grace, this Jade Fire Cold Pool truly has miraculous effects," Xiao Zhan replied calmly and steadily. He sat up slightly in the pool, causing ripples to spread across the surface like strings being gently plucked on a calm lake.

Queen Medusa did not respond. She slowly extended her slender hand, palm upward. A pale golden bead of blood hovered in mid-air above her palm; it pulsed slightly as if it were a living thing, emitting a faint yet incomparably noble Dragon Phoenix aura—this was the very drop of origin essence blood Xiao Zhan had previously surrendered!

"This Queen needs to utilize your bloodline power to thoroughly stabilize the Green Lotus Core Flame and break through that crucial barrier," Queen Medusa's gaze locked onto Xiao Zhan like a blade. A flash of resolve crossed her purple eyes, along with a trace of... longing? "The bloodline contract has been fulfilled; this essence blood belongs to this Queen now. Do you have any objections?"

"Since it is stipulated by the contract, Xiao Zhan naturally has no objections," Xiao Zhan said in a deep, firm voice.

"Very well." Queen Medusa said no more. With a light tap of her jade finger, the drop of pale golden essence blood instantly transformed into a brilliant streak of light, vanishing into the center of her brow like a bolt of lightning!

Hum—!

The moment the essence blood merged, a brilliant cyan light erupted from Queen Medusa, making her look like a dazzling cyan sun! Violent cyan flames erupted uncontrollably from her body, instantly illuminating the entire Jade Fire Cold Pool as brightly as day! The pool water boiled and churned violently, and large amounts of steam evaporated with a "hissing" sound, as if the water itself were groaning in agony.

She suddenly let out a muffled grunt; a look of pain instantly appeared on her flawless, beautiful face, and her delicate body began to tremble. The extremely violent power of the Green Lotus Core Flame seemed stimulated by the foreign essence blood, becoming even more turbulent and surging within her like a wild horse breaking free of its reins!

Xiao Zhan's pupils constricted slightly! Through the subtle connection of the bloodline contract, he could clearly perceive the thrilling energy battle unfolding within her, as if two maddened beasts were locked in a fierce struggle! The power of the Heavenly Flame was like a furious ruffian, crazily repelling and incinerating the essence blood; meanwhile, the Dragon Phoenix origin contained within the blood acted like a tenacious champion, resisting stubbornly, even showing signs of suppressing and refining the violent flames in return!

"Urgh..." Queen Medusa let out a suppressed, painful moan. The gown of cyan flames on her body flickered unsteadily, as if it might collapse at any moment. She abruptly sat cross-legged, her hands rapidly forming profound and complex seals that looked like heavenly scripts, exerting all her strength to suppress and guide the rampaging energy within her!

In an instant, the space where the Jade Fire Cold Pool was located shook violently, as if an invisible giant beast were rampaging within! A terrifying pressure spread out like a physical force, compressing the air wherever it passed until it emitted dull, heavy sounds. Xiao Zhan felt an irresistible, mountain-like force pressing down on him. Had he not been in the cold pool, using its unique water-fire fusion to deflect some of the pressure, he likely would have been crushed to the bottom of the pool and destroyed instantly!

He stared fixedly at the figure on the bank, swaying amidst the cyan flames like a candle in the wind, his heart filled with endless shock. Is this the danger of fusing a Heavenly Flame? Even a powerhouse like Queen Medusa finds it so difficult and strenuous when faced with such peril?

Suddenly!

Xiao Zhan felt his bloodline being pulled by an invisible yet powerful force! The connection of the contract became clearer than ever, like an invisible thread binding him tightly to Queen Medusa. The previously weak aura of the Dragon Phoenix Tyrant Body Art within him began to circulate involuntarily, as if driven by a mysterious force! A scorching current rose abruptly from his Dantian, surging toward the center of his brow along his meridians like a rushing river!

Shhh!

A slender, almost imperceptible ray of pale golden light shot out from the contract mark at the center of his brow. Like a nimble, elegant golden thread, it crossed the barrier of space in an instant, connecting with pinpoint accuracy to the faint, dreamlike golden Phoenix pattern flickering on Queen Medusa's brow!

The moment the golden thread successfully connected!

The energy that had been rampaging and clashing within Queen Medusa suddenly found a perfect outlet! A portion of the extremely pure yet scorching Heavenly Flame origin surged into Xiao Zhan's body along this seemingly thin but infinitely mysterious golden thread, like a burst dam!

"Ugh!" Xiao Zhan felt as if he had been struck by a heavy hammer. He let out a muffled grunt, his face instantly flushing red as if he were being burned by fire! An unimaginable heat and tearing sensation flooded his entire body like a surging tide! Even a tiny wisp of the Green Lotus Core Flame's origin was not something he could easily withstand in his current state!

However, at the same time, the Dragon Phoenix Tyrant Body Art within him seemed to receive the strongest possible stimulation, like a long-slumbering dragon suddenly awakened! A crimson-gold light instantly erupted from his body, forming a layer of dense, scale-like phantoms that shimmered with mysterious light on his solid skin! The domineering Dragon Phoenix aura began to circulate crazily, instinctively starting to devour and refine the Heavenly Flame origin surging into his body!

A strange and subtle cycle quietly formed between the two! The violent Heavenly Flame power flowed into Xiao Zhan's body through the invisible connection of the contract, where it was arduously yet persistently refined and absorbed by the Dragon Phoenix Tyrant Body Art; meanwhile, a certain purer and more easily controlled energy (the Heavenly Flame essence containing a trace of mysterious and noble Dragon Phoenix aura) was fed back into Queen Medusa's body along the golden thread!

Queen Medusa's tightly furrowed brows visibly relaxed, as if a heavy stone in her heart had quietly settled. The cyan flames that had been rampaging around her body became docile and condensed at a visible rate, reforming into a stable and gorgeous fiery gown. The look of pain on her face gradually faded, replaced by a strange sense of comfort and a steady increase in power, as if a flower in spring were quietly blooming under the sun.

Meanwhile, Xiao Zhan was trapped in the extreme agony of ice and fire. The bone-chilling cold of the Jade Fire Cold Pool, like the biting wind of midwinter, constantly eroded his body; while the scorching burn of the Heavenly Flame within him was like a raging fire, threatening to incinerate him completely. Under this dual torment, he gritted his teeth and persisted, circulating the Dragon Phoenix Tyrant Body Art with all his might. He could clearly feel that his body, meridians, and even his soul were being torn apart and then stubbornly reconstructed over and over again, like a tree ravaged by a storm, under the relentless scouring and repeated refining of this violent energy. Every tearing and reconstruction made his body tougher, as if it were steel being repeatedly hammered, becoming increasingly resilient. At the same time, his resistance and control over the Heavenly Flame power were growing rapidly, like bamboo shoots after a spring rain.

[Dragon Phoenix Tyrant Body Art proficiency greatly increased! Green Lotus Core Flame resistance +10%! Perception of Heavenly Flames enhanced!]

[Detected trace amounts of Heavenly Flame origin refined and absorbed, Dou Qi cultivation slightly increased...]

The system's notification chime sounded in Xiao Zhan's mind like the music of the heavens. This pain was, in fact, a rare stroke of fortune, a precious gift bestowed upon him by fate!

In the Jade Fire Cold Pool, steam curled like gossamer. One person sat cross-legged on the bank, cyan flames flowing around her like nimble sprites, her aura rising steadily like a mountain peak; the other floated in the pool, the faint golden scales on his skin shimmering with a mysterious and noble light, gritting his teeth as he endured the relentless scouring of energy, like a small boat tossing in a storm yet refusing to sink. A barely visible golden thread of energy, like an invisible string, connected the centers of their brows, together sketching a picture of strange and powerful aesthetic beauty. Yue Mei had long since retreated to the distant entrance, her emerald vertical pupils filled with shock and disbelief. She had never seen the Queen have such... peculiar energy interaction with anyone (especially a male of another race); this scene was dreamlike and beyond her comprehension.

Deep within the hidden, secluded depths of the Magical Beast Mountain Range, in another secret cave.

Beside the campfire, Xiao Yan's face remained as pale as paper, but his eyes were startlingly bright, like stars twinkling in the night sky. He carefully unfolded the ancient, tattered map he had obtained from the mysterious cave; the map seemed to carry the vicissitudes and mysteries of time. Yao Lao's ethereal figure hovered to the side, his expression more solemn than ever, like a mountain peak about to face a storm.

"Teacher, this map... what exactly does it record?" Xiao Yan's gaze was fixed on the blurry, color-shifting lotus pattern in the center of the map, and the incomplete characters "Purifying Lotus..." on the edge. His heart was filled with doubt and curiosity, like a traveler groping forward in the dark, longing to find the lamp that would guide his way.

Yao Lao did not answer immediately. His ethereal fingers brushed lightly over the map's material, which was neither gold nor wood and exuded an archaic, mysterious feel. His soul power, like the most precise probe, sensed every minute, almost imperceptible line on the map with infinite delicacy and keenness, as well as the lingering, ancient aura that seemed to come from the distant past. After a long while, he let out a long breath (the soul fluctuations rippling like a breeze across a lake), his voice carrying undisguised excitement and a slight tremor as he slowly said:

"Purifying Demonic Lotus Flame... this is the terrifying existence ranked third on the Heavenly Flame Ranking! Legend has it that it possesses the miraculous power to purify all things, and its might is far beyond what the Green Lotus Core Flame could compare to! It is truly world-destroying; wherever it passes, everything can be reduced to nothingness!"

"What?! The third Heavenly Flame?!" Xiao Yan gasped upon hearing this, his eyes widening until they were as round as copper bells! He had just witnessed the violence of the Green Lotus Core Flame (even if it was in a sealed state) with his own eyes; now, thinking of the third-ranked Heavenly Flame, what kind of terrifying concept was that?!

"Indeed!" Yao Lao's gaze burned like two bright lighthouses, fixed intently on the map. "This fragment very likely records clues to the Purifying Demonic Lotus Flame, or perhaps even a portion of the map to its sealed location! The value of clues to such a divine object is... simply immeasurable! It is enough to drive the peak powerhouses of the entire Dou Qi Continent mad and spark a bloody storm of contention!"

Having said this, he looked at Xiao Yan, his expression incomparably serious, like a towering mountain, carrying unquestionable majesty: "Kid, remember! You must never reveal a single word about the existence of this map to anyone! Not even to those closest to you! Otherwise, it will surely bring about a monstrous disaster and plunge you into a place of no return! You should understand the principle of 'the innocent man harboring a treasure is guilty'!"

Xiao Yan felt a chill in his heart, as if a cold light had flashed past. He nodded heavily and carefully put the fragment away, keeping it close to his body. He felt his heart pounding wildly, as if he were holding a hot potato that could burn him if he were not careful; yet it also felt like he was holding the key to the peak, opening a mysterious door to an unknown world.

"Then... Xiao Yi Xian..." Xiao Yan's gaze slowly drifted toward the corner of the cave. Xiao Yi Xian was still curled up there, like a fragile flower swaying in the wind and rain. However, her aura was much more stable than before, as if she were silently circulating the Seven-Colored Poison Scripture, trying to control the rampaging poison power within her. Sensing Xiao Yan's gaze, she slowly raised her head, a faint smile of vitality appearing on her pale face. Though weak, the smile was like a ray of warm sun in spring, giving people warmth and hope.

"She..." Yao Lao's gaze fell upon Xiao Yi Xian, a complex expression appearing on his ethereal face, seemingly filled with pity and worry. "The Woe Poison Body has been thoroughly activated; her future path is destined to be difficult and rugged. This map... is temporarily unrelated to her. The most urgent matter right now is to leave the core area of this Magical Beast Mountain Range as soon as possible. The retaliation of the Wolf Head Mercenary Group is merely the beginning; the commotion caused by your 'Buddha Fury Fire Lotus' was simply too great, and I fear it has already alerted quite a few factions."

As if to confirm Yao Lao's words, a few long, intimidating roars of magical beasts echoed from the distant sky outside the cave, the sound rolling like thunder through the air. Immediately after, the sharp and hurried sounds of human powerhouses passing by at high speed followed! Clearly, the vicinity was no longer safe, and crises were lurking everywhere.

Xiao Yan's expression turned stern, like a volcano about to erupt. He stood up immediately and said decisively: "Let's go!"

Wutan City, in front of the Xiao Family gates.

The atmosphere was as heavy as a bowstring stretched to its limit; the slightest touch would trigger a fierce conflict.

Several Misty Cloud Sect disciples, dressed in moon-white robes embroidered with a cloud-and-sword emblem on their chests, stood arrogantly before the Xiao Family gates, acting like a group of conceited elites. The man in the lead had a rigid face, as cold as stone, with eyes as sharp as a hawk's, flickering with a piercing light. His aura was as heavy and steady as a mountain; he was, without a doubt, a Dou Ling expert! This man was Ge Ye, a deacon of the Misty Cloud Sect who had come under the orders of Sect Leader Yun Yun (though in reality, it was secretly pushed by the Great Elder, Yun Leng) to "investigate" the Xiao Family's background.

Xiao Ding and Xiao Li, accompanied by a group of Xiao Family guards, blocked the entrance with grim, livid expressions. The atmosphere between the two sides was tense, as if a storm were about to break.

"Deacon Ge Ye, our Xiao Family has always treated you with the respect due to a senior of the Misty Cloud Sect. But what is the meaning of you bringing men here to blockade our gates?" Xiao Ding asked in a deep voice, suppressing the rage in his heart, his tone laced with questioning and dissatisfaction.

Ge Ye's face was as cold as frost, devoid of any ripples. His voice carried a condescending, disdainful indifference: "By order of the Sect Leader, I have come to investigate the unusual movements in Wutan City. Recent reliable intelligence indicates that unidentified experts have been frequently appearing near the Xiao Family. This matter is suspected to be inextricably linked to the Grade 7 medicinal pill auctioned previously. As the party associated with the source of that pill, the Xiao Family has an obligation to fully cooperate with our investigation. Young Master Xiao Ding, please step aside; we intend to enter and conduct a thorough search!"

"A search?!" Xiao Li, who already had a fiery temper, widened his eyes in fury and roared, "Our Xiao Family is one of the three great families of Wutan City. Do you think you can just search us whenever you please? What 'unidentified experts'? I think you Misty Cloud Sect people are just looking for trouble on purpose! Could it be that you are trying to vent your anger for that woman Nalan Yanran and are deliberately making things difficult for my Xiao Family?"

"Insolent!" Ge Ye's eyes turned cold in an instant, like blades in the dead of night, radiating an icy light. His Dou Ling aura erupted, heavy as a towering mountain, pressing down on Xiao Li with an overwhelming, crushing force! "How dare you openly slander the Young Sect Leader of my Misty Cloud Sect! It seems the Xiao Family truly harbors ulterior motives! Seize them!"

Upon hearing the order, the few Misty Cloud Sect disciples behind him moved like tigers released from their cages, drawing their swords and stepping forward. The sword light flickered, biting and cold!

"Who dares!" Xiao Ding and Xiao Li shouted simultaneously, their voices like booming bells. Their Dou Qi erupted instantly, sweeping out like a surging tide. They were just about to risk their lives in a desperate battle against the Misty Cloud Sect members!

"Stop!"

At this critical juncture, a cold and dignified female voice suddenly rang out! The voice was not loud, but like a clear bell, it distinctly cut through the clamor and chaos of the scene.

Everyone looked toward the source of the sound and saw, at the end of the street, a luxurious carriage pulled by four extraordinary, snow-white horses slowly approaching. The carriage was like a mobile palace, exuding an aura of nobility. It stopped steadily before the Xiao Family gates, and as the curtain was gently lifted, Ya Fei stepped down, her figure graceful and enchanting.

Today, she wore a simple yet elegant moon-white palace gown. She lacked her usual flirtatious charm, appearing instead cold and noble, like a snow lotus blooming atop a mountain peak. She held the Seven Purple Gold Token, which emitted a faint, majestic light in the sunlight, as if it contained endless power. Master Gu Ni followed closely behind her, his expression steady.

Ya Fei's eyes, as clear and lively as autumn water, slowly swept over the tense, heavy atmosphere between the two sides, finally settling firmly on Ge Ye. Her red lips parted, and her voice was like ice shards in the cold night, carrying a hint of chill: "Deacon Ge Ye, what a grand display of power! To bring men to blockade and search one of the three great families of Wutan City—is this a rule set by the Misty Cloud Sect from top to bottom, or is this merely the personal intention of Deacon Ge Ye?"

When Ge Ye saw the Seven Purple Gold Token in Ya Fei's hand emitting its mysterious light, his pupils constricted slightly, as if pricked by a blade, and the arrogance on his face receded a little. However, his tone remained as hard as iron, like an immovable mountain: "Miss Ya Fei, this is an important internal matter of the Misty Cloud Sect. Investigating the source of that Grade 7 medicinal pill is for the sake of the Empire's security. Does the Miteer Auction House intend to interfere in such matters?"

"The medicinal pill was auctioned by my Miteer Auction House under the solemn entrustment of Clan Leader Xiao. All procedures were reasonable and legal, and the contract terms were clear and explicit." Ya Fei moved with lotus-like steps, walking gracefully in front of Xiao Ding and Xiao Li, acting as a solid barrier to protect them behind her. Facing Ge Ye directly, her eyes held an unquestionable firmness. "As for the source of the pill, that is a commercial secret between my auction house and Clan Leader Xiao, and a promise that my auction house strictly upholds. If the Misty Cloud Sect wishes to investigate this, please have Sect Leader Yun Yun come personally with the Sect Leader's Token, or have the Pill King Gu He come forward to conduct formal negotiations with the Elder Council of my Miteer Family. Relying on a single word from you, Deacon Ge Ye..."

Ya Fei slightly raised the Seven Purple Gold Token in her hand, and it flashed with a dazzling light in the sun, as if declaring its authority. Her voice suddenly turned sharp, like a thunderclap: "You are not qualified!"

"You!" Ge Ye's face turned livid in an instant, like a frost-bitten eggplant. Being contradicted so publicly by Ya Fei, especially with her bringing up the two great mountains of Sect Leader Yun Yun and Pill King Gu He, left him momentarily speechless. The influence of the Miteer Family was certainly not something he, a mere deacon, could resist, especially when the other party held the Seven Purple Gold Token, which symbolized such high authority!

"Miss Ya Fei, are you trying to shield the Xiao Family?" Ge Ye said through gritted teeth, his eyes flashing with angry light.

"Shielding them?" Ya Fei smiled upon hearing this—a smile that was enchanting and moving, yet carried a sharp edge, like a rose with thorns. "I am upholding the reputation and rules of the Miteer Auction House! I am also reminding Deacon Ge Ye that Wutan City is not Misty Cloud Mountain! To do things here, one must rely on evidence, and even more so, on rules! Otherwise..."

Her beautiful eyes, lively as clear springs, swept lightly over the Misty Cloud Sect disciples, and her voice was like the cold wind of a winter night, carrying a bone-chilling frost: "If your reckless actions cause unnecessary misunderstandings and conflicts, damaging the harmony that the Misty Cloud Sect and the Miteer Family have maintained for years, can you, Deacon Ge Ye, bear such a heavy responsibility?"

Ge Ye's complexion shifted like a palette, turning from green to white, looking truly unsightly. His fists clenched until they cracked, as if he were trying to vent the rage in his heart through the sound. Ya Fei's words were soft yet firm, every word a gem, every sentence reasonable, and she had brought up mountains he could never hope to cross. He stared fixedly at Ya Fei and the mysterious, glowing token in her hand, then looked at the furious Xiao brothers, who seemed like volcanoes about to erupt. In the end, he could only squeeze a sentence through his teeth:

"Fine! Miss Ya Fei! I will certainly report this matter exactly as it happened to the Sect Leader and the Elder Council! Let's go!"

He flicked his sleeves violently, the fabric carving a sharp arc in the air as if it were a release of his own unwillingness. Then, with a face full of resentment, he led his Misty Cloud Sect disciples—who looked like defeated roosters—away in a hurried, dejected retreat.

Watching the Misty Cloud Sect members gradually disappear around the corner, Xiao Ding and Xiao Li finally let out a sigh of relief, as if they had set down a heavy burden. They bowed deeply to Ya Fei with faces full of gratitude, their voices sincere: "Many thanks to Miss Ya Fei for the rescue! If not for your timely intervention, I fear our Xiao Family would have had a hard time ending this today."

Ya Fei gently put away the token, her movements elegant and composed, instantly returning to her usual lazy, enchanting self, like a beautiful flower blooming in the spring. She waved her hand with a faint smile on her lips: "No need for thanks. The Xiao Family has been a stable partner of the auction house for many years; protecting the interests of our partners is what I should do." She looked toward the Xiao Family gate, a trace of imperceptible worry flashing deep in her beautiful eyes, like a wisp of dark cloud in the night sky, faintly shrouding her. "It is just... the tree desires stillness, but the wind will not cease. As long as Clan Leader Xiao does not return, these monsters and demons with ulterior motives will not rest, and I fear they will continue to find ways to stir up trouble."

She slowly raised her head, looking toward the south—the direction of both the Magical Beast Mountain Range and the Tagor Desert. Her red lips parted slightly, whispering silently, a whisper that seemed like a call from the depths of her heart:

"Xiao Zhan... when, exactly, will you return?"