The Queen's Madness!

"I want information about the Heavenly Flame in your possession..."

Upon hearing Gu Xia's objective, Queen Medusa revealed an expression that said she had expected as much. It was not hard to guess. For someone so powerful to come to this godforsaken desert, either he had nothing better to do, or he had a clear purpose.

As for what in this desolate place could make a Dou Zun powerhouse come personally to obtain it, it was probably only something like a Heavenly Flame...

"Senior, I do know the location of the Heavenly Flame, but I..."

Before Medusa could finish, an incomparably immense pressure bore down upon her!

As a peak Dou Huang, she actually had no ability to resist beneath this overwhelming pressure! It was like facing a terrifying natural disaster—you were utterly powerless and could only watch as it mercilessly crushed you to pieces!

"Woman! Understand this clearly! I did not come here to negotiate terms with you!"

"Yes... yes... I overstepped..."

Queen Medusa struggled to admit her mistake, a trace of blood already spilling from the corner of her lips. Her seductive, gorgeous body endured bitterly, while her peerlessly beautiful face was filled with helplessness. She knew that killing her would be as easy for the person before her as crushing an ant beneath one's foot, but she was unwilling to accept it. From a few details just now, she had discovered a small secret about this Dou Zun powerhouse before her. A wildly insane idea was taking shape in her heart...

"Hmph!"

Seeing that Queen Medusa had yielded, Gu Xia snorted and withdrew his pressure. With his back to that peerless queen, his cold voice reached Queen Medusa's ears as she struggled to regulate her chaotic breathing...

"You are merely a tool to guide me. If you have any more improper thoughts, do not blame me for being merciless!"

"Yes... I understand..."

Her voluptuous body was still trembling from the pressure just now, and the fullness of her chest rose and fell continuously due to her disordered breathing. Her brocade robe clung tightly to her seductive, plump jade-like body from the sweat, yet no one was there to appreciate this alluring sight.

What? You mean Gu Xia? Heh, did you really think that guy would care about such things? His mind was probably filled entirely with thoughts of the Heavenly Flame...

"Hmph. Lead the way!"

Sure enough, Gu Xia directly ignored the beauty's exhaustion. He emotionlessly gave the order to lead the way, just like you being sent off by your parents to do homework...

"Please follow me, Senior..."

Queen Medusa did not waste any more time. With a beat of her Dou Qi wings, she transformed into a streak of purple light and flew toward the horizon. Gu Xia said nothing, merely taking one step before instantly appearing behind Queen Medusa.

Looking at the purple figure striving to fly ahead of him, Gu Xia's heart remained completely unmoved. He only wanted to obtain the Heavenly Flame as soon as possible and raise his alchemist rank, laying a solid foundation for his future life...

The two moved at an astonishing speed. After merely a dozen or so minutes of flight, they arrived in an area with an extremely high temperature. Gu Xia knew that this was very likely the birthplace of the Green Lotus Core Flame...

"Senior, the Heavenly Flame is located beneath here..."

Sure enough, Queen Medusa pointed out that the Heavenly Flame was below them. Gu Xia said nothing. He merely lightly threw a punch at the yellow sand below.

"Boom!!"

A massive rumble echoed across the blazing desert! Then, with a casual wave of Gu Xia's hand, a gust of wind scattered the dust blocking their view...

Seeing the enormous pit after the smoke and dust dispersed, large enough for two people to pass through, Queen Medusa was somewhat shocked. Back then, she had spent a great deal of effort opening a passage to the Heavenly Flame, yet this mysterious man in black had settled it with a single punch.

Queen Medusa once again witnessed firsthand the enormous gap between a Dou Huang and a Dou Zun!

Gu Xia ignored Medusa, who was lost in thought. He landed first and headed down through the passage he had opened... Not long after Gu Xia landed, Medusa slowly descended as well. Madness and determination flashed within her beautiful eyes! She hesitated no longer, entering the passage and chasing after Gu Xia!

"Hmm... It seems the Heavenly Flame is below here..."

After emerging from the passage, Gu Xia saw an enormous lava cave. More than half the ground in this space was covered in magma. Red light and scorching heat filled the entire underground cavern...

"Yes, Senior. Beneath this magma lies the birthplace of the Heavenly Flame..."

Medusa, who had arrived afterward, gracefully came to Gu Xia's side. With utmost respect, she explained where the Heavenly Flame was located...

"..."

Gu Xia ignored the peerless queen behind him, whose breathing had become somewhat hurried due to the extreme heat. He was using Dou Qi to construct a direct passage to the Heavenly Flame beneath the magma lake.

He was not doing this because he was bored and wanted to make a scene. It was simply because that guy did not like swimming...

After sensing that he had transferred enough Dou Qi, Gu Xia extended both hands and, as if opening a window, forcibly parted the magma!

As the magma lake split apart, a multicolored path emerged beneath Gu Xia's feet.

With the passage complete, Gu Xia stepped onto the multicolored path beneath Queen Medusa's stunned gaze.

At the end of the multicolored path, an azure glow enveloped the Dou Qi passage. Gu Xia focused his gaze and saw an azure lotus standing gently within that azure light.

However, the azure lotus had yet to bloom, which meant that the Green Lotus Core Flame had not truly formed. Moreover, Gu Xia discovered that the azure lotus was absorbing his Dou Qi, and seemed very happy about it...

"Strange, when did I become proficient in the language of plants?"

Looking at the swaying azure lotus as it absorbed his Dou Qi, Gu Xia could clearly sense its emotions. It seemed to like his Dou Qi very much and dearly wanted him to approach...

"Has it become sentient?"

That inexplicable feeling in his heart brought Gu Xia to the azure lotus's side. The lotus actually quietly opened one petal, looking as though it wanted to touch Gu Xia.

Gu Xia did not think much of it. Following the feeling in his heart, he extended a slender finger and gently touched the opened petal...

"Buzz..."

The moment the azure lotus touched Gu Xia's finger, it suddenly trembled. It actually cut through Gu Xia's skin and drew out a drop of his blood!

The bright red blood was absorbed by the petal, which then closed once more. The azure lotus also stopped absorbing Gu Xia's Dou Qi, and Gu Xia felt an additional thread of connection between himself and the lotus!

Through this connection, Gu Xia learned that the azure lotus had entered a dormant state after obtaining his Dou Di blood. It had not been absorbing Gu Xia's Dou Qi to accelerate its maturation, but to improve its own quality.

It could be said that this Green Lotus Core Flame was no longer an ordinary Heavenly Flame. With Dou Di blood, it would become even stronger! Although it could not directly rise to first place, advancing several ranks would be easy.

Of course, no matter how powerful it became after absorbing Gu Xia's blood, it could only be Gu Xia's flame. No one else could take it away. Anyone who tried to seize it by force would have to prepare themselves to receive Gu Xia's full-force strike...

"Was I forcefully recognized as its master?"

Gu Xia looked at the azure lotus, which had already fallen into dormancy, and shook his head speechlessly. He had thought subduing a Heavenly Flame would take some effort, but this was it? Was it not just being handed to him for free? He had not even done anything—he had only used around two percent of his Dou Qi and one drop of blood, and it was over? Was this not far too casual?

"Fine. There is no reason to refuse something handed over for free. Now that things here are settled, it is time for me to return..."

Just as Gu Xia relaxed and prepared to turn around and leave, he sensed Medusa suddenly embrace him from beside him! Her eyes held endless madness and determination! Along with a little unwillingness and regret... and that glimmering trace of tears...

His lips were suddenly covered by another pair of soft lips!