Heavenly Flame Secured

After admiring it for a moment and confirming that there was nothing wrong with the Green Lotus Core Flame, Lin Qing finally breathed a sigh of relief.

He took out a jade knife he had prepared long ago from his Storage Ring and brought it down directly at the point where the lotus seat connected to the rootstalk.

The flawless Green Lotus, like a work of art, immediately fell away.

As soon as the Green Lotus detached, the surrounding azure glow rapidly contracted.

Seeing the Green Lotus fall, Lin Qing beckoned with his hand, and it flew into his grasp. Upon the Lotus Platform, the Green Lotus Core Flame swayed lightly within, showing no signs of going berserk or out of control.

"With this Green Lotus, it seems I no longer need to worry about the Green Lotus Core Flame erupting!"

This Lotus Platform was also a treasure. It was not merely the lotus seeds atop it; the platform itself required over a thousand years to form. Sitting on it while cultivating in the future could also increase his cultivation speed.

As for channeling Dou Qi into it for battle, it could only deal with Dou Lings. That function was far too useless.

Even if he became too strong to use it later, he could still devour it or give it away. Come to think of it, this Green Lotus suited Qingzhu quite well.

He drew out the lotus seeds and stored them in a Jade Bottle. He originally had twenty-one, and with these eleven, he now possessed thirty-two Earthfire Lotus Seeds.

He then carefully placed the Lotus Platform and the Green Lotus Core Flame into his Storage Space. Within the time-frozen Storage Space, the azure Green Lotus Core Flame faced the white Bone Chilling Flame from afar, everything incomparably harmonious.

After putting everything away, Lin Qing finally turned his attention to the rootstalk that was frantically devouring the fire-element energy from the surrounding magma.

The rootstalk was actually a treasure as well. He could take it with him too, since no one would know.

However, both the teachings of the Dou Qi Continent and those from the books of his previous life taught that one should leave seeds behind and protect medicinal herbs and treasures. This was not merely a rule, but a kind of wisdom in being human. It was the path of lasting prosperity.

In the end, Lin Qing gave up on it. Cutting off a bloodline was not advisable.

But if he did not take it away, studying it a little should be fine, right?

He acted as soon as he thought of it. However, Lin Qing did not dare get too close. The tendrils around the Green Lotus Rootstalk were extremely dangerous. That peculiar devouring force could not compare with the Devouring Ancestral Talisman, but if one came into contact with it, it could certainly suck a Da Dou Shi dry in an instant—assuming a Da Dou Shi could safely make it here.

Lin Qing took out a Qi Cultivation Pill and placed it in his mouth. Holding the jade knife in one hand, he carefully drew over a slender tendril with the other. At the same time, his immense Soul Power intently monitored the rootstalk's changes. The instant he came into contact with the tendril, the Dou Qi within his body surged toward it like air escaping from a punctured balloon. Under the perception of his soul, the Dou Qi energy taken by the tendril was refined through the roots before all of it flowed toward the cut end of the rootstalk.

Sensing his Dou Qi being drained, Lin Qing quickly swallowed the Qi Cultivation Pill. His Dou Qi was replenished even as it continued to be absorbed.

Just as nearly twenty percent of the Dou Qi in his body had been drained, Lin Qing's Cultivation Technique and the Devouring Ancestral Talisman began operating on their own, starting to devour the energy contained within the tendril.

"So that's how it is! It really is like a plant, absorbing external energy to grow. Unfortunately, no one can sit at the severed portion. Otherwise, it would be an alternative Spirit-Gathering Formation. I could have broken through to Dou Wang here before leaving seclusion. Still, as long as I do not harm the Green Lotus, absorbing some energy to break through to Nine-Star Dou Spirit is possible."

A trace of delight appeared on Lin Qing's face. He released the tendril, turned around, and said to the Lion King and the Fire Spirit Snake:

"Can you protect me here for a few days? I want to use the energy gathered by this Green Lotus to make a breakthrough."

"Yes, Young Master!"

Without needing to maintain an energy barrier, staying at the bottom of this magma for ten days or half a month posed no problem for the lion.

After seeing the Green Lotus Core Flame disappear, the fear in the Twin-Headed Fire Spirit Snake's eyes had also faded. The environment here was a treasured place for it as well, so it naturally nodded in a humanlike manner.

Master, I have some good things. Do you want me to bring them over?

The Fire Spirit Snake's two enormous heads flicked their tongues as it hissed its message to Lin Qing.

"That's right! Since you live here, you should have your own nest. Once I enter seclusion, go bring all your things over. Follow me when I leave in the future!"

Lin Qing said to the Fire Spirit Snake.

This expedition had not been in vain. A Heavenly Flame, the Lotus Platform, lotus seeds, and the energy gathered by the Green Lotus.

The energy contained within the Green Lotus Core Flame would be enough for him to break through to Dou Emperor in the future. But he was only a Seven-Star Dou Spirit now, so he should wait until he broke through to Dou Wang first. Still, his plans needed to change.

He had originally intended to join Jia Nan Academy as a student. Now, it seemed better to wait until he broke through to Dou Wang and join as an Alchemist and Guest Elder.

And Medusa—should he cooperate with her?

What benefits could he gain by cooperating with her?

Medusa's potential after evolving was indeed formidable, but Medusa before evolving was not even a match for Yun Yun. At the very least, Yun Yun would not be unable to break through to Dou Zong due to bloodline restrictions, and the Misty Cloud Sect also possessed the unusual Life-and-Death Gate.

He should cooperate with her and help her evolve. At worst, they could sign a Soul Contract. He would help her evolve and assist the Snake-People Tribe in obtaining a territory.

In return, she would have to serve him for the rest of her life. Of course, that was contingent on her signing a contract with him.

If she failed, he could lend her the Heavenly Flame and obtain some medicinal herbs from the Snake-People Tribe. He could treat it as her helping him consume some of the Heavenly Flame's energy, so he would not be losing much.

Naturally, if she was unwilling to cooperate, he could only trade with her for some medicinal herbs, such as Sand Mandrake. She would have to find another Heavenly Flame herself.

After explaining several matters that required attention, Lin Qing stepped forward and grabbed the section of rootstalk that was frantically absorbing the fire energy of heaven and earth. He felt a vast stream of energy continuously gathering from the roots. Then Lin Qing closed his eyes. At the same time, he activated the Cultivation Technique and Devouring Ancestral Talisman within his body, beginning to absorb and refine the energy surging from the severed end of the rootstalk.

Yet what he did not know was that just as he removed the Green Lotus Core Flame, within the Medusa Temple of the Snake-People Tribe's Holy City—

In the vast, luxurious hall, a beautiful woman who could only be described as peerlessly gorgeous, utterly enchanting, and brimming with charm reclined lazily upon the throne.

She wore an elegant purple brocade robe. Beneath it, her delicate body was full and curvaceous, like a ripe peach, exuding a faint seductive charm. Her long dark hair cascaded casually from her fragrant shoulders to her slender willow waist. Beneath the robe, a section of purple snake tail was exposed, carrying a wild and bewitching allure.

The jade beauty upon the throne rested her cheek against her jade hand, seemingly taking a rest.

Suddenly, Medusa, whose beautiful eyes had been closed, opened them. With a flick of her hand, a white crystal ball appeared in her palm.