Lin Chen's Scheme, the Poison Pill Method!

"Why ask what you already know, young friend? Naturally, I came for this Heavenly Flame."

"Xiao Yan" wore a calm expression. Bone-white flames surged around him, forming an exquisite suit of flame armor. He then explained, "I am this boy's teacher. At his request, I possessed his body to come here. I mean no harm."

"Young friend, there is no need to worry."

"If you do not believe me, you may ask my young disciple yourself."

With that, "Xiao Yan's" aura changed. The bone-white color faded from his eyes, revealing his dark pupils once more, and a familiar expression returned to his face.

"Senior, it's me. Yao Lao is my teacher. He means no harm."

Seeing this, Lin Chen clicked his tongue and pretended to ponder. "So you're master and disciple. If I'm not mistaken, those bone-white flames your teacher commands should be a Heavenly Flame, right?"

"Bone-white in color, with a biting chill even when one approaches it, and capable of both freezing and burning... As far as I know, only the Bone Spirit Cold Flame, born in a land of utmost cold and yin and ranked eleventh on the Heavenly Flame Ranking, possesses such qualities, correct?"

Xiao Yan nodded helplessly. Knowing the distinctive traits of this Heavenly Flame, he realized he could hardly conceal it from a Fifth-Rank Alchemist.

He then said, "Senior, I did indeed come here for the Heavenly Flame."

"As far as I know, an alchemist can only refine one Heavenly Flame in their lifetime. The flame you possess should also be a Heavenly Flame, right? Since that is the case, would you consider leaving this Green Lotus Core Flame to me?"

"I will certainly repay you generously in the future."

With that, Xiao Yan cupped his fists and bowed to Lin Chen, his expression quite sincere.

"In the future? I'm afraid it won't wait that long..."

"Besides, this Heavenly Flame disappeared long ago. Why don't you come closer and look?"

A playful look crossed Lin Chen's face as he pointed toward the Green Lotus Platform and spoke with a teasing edge.

"Disappeared?"

Shock appeared on Xiao Yan's face. He hurried forward, and the sight of the empty Green Lotus Platform struck him like a thunderbolt. He could not help muttering, "No! That's impossible. How could it be gone?"

"After all the hardships I endured, I finally caught a glimpse of hope. How could it be gone?"

"Boy, calm down! It is only a Heavenly Flame. The Dou Qi Continent is vast beyond measure. Surely you could find one if you spent your entire life searching?"

Just then, Yao Lao's thunderous rebuke exploded in his mind, reverberating like a great bell and carrying a power that steadied his spirit.

Only then did Xiao Yan calm down. He took a deep breath, shook his head in frustration, and clenched his fists, saying angrily, "I will find a Heavenly Flame!"

"But if there isn't one here, where else could there be one?"

"I..."

Xiao Yan faltered, utterly at a loss.

At that moment, Lin Chen spread his spiritual power, then beckoned with one hand, drawing an inconspicuous seven-colored snake scale beside the Green Lotus Platform into his palm.

"That may not be impossible. There's a snake scale belonging to Queen Medusa where this Heavenly Flame was born. I'm afraid she took the Green Lotus Core Flame!"

Holding the seven-colored snake scale, Lin Chen feigned surprise.

"Queen Medusa?"

Xiao Yan abruptly turned his head, his gaze fixed on the seven-colored snake scale. He could not help calling out inwardly, "Teacher?"

Inside the Bone Flame Ring, Yao Lao sighed helplessly, then nodded. "It is indeed Queen Medusa's aura. Here in the Tagor Desert, I'm afraid only Queen Medusa of the Snake-People Tribe could possess a seven-colored snake scale like this."

"Boy, with the strength I have currently recovered, even I would struggle to withstand that woman. We must take our time and plan this carefully."

Hearing that, Xiao Yan breathed a sigh of relief and said, somewhat reassured, "As long as we have a lead. What I feared was having no clue at all, not even knowing where to direct my efforts."

Meanwhile, Lin Chen took out a jade ruler, cut free the Green Lotus Platform beside him, and put it into his Storage Ring.

He then patted Xiao Yan's shoulder. "Young brother, we should take the long view. As far as I know, the Snake-People Tribe has a secret method that allows them to evolve by devouring a Heavenly Flame. Queen Medusa has remained at Peak Dou Emperor for many years. She likely sought this Heavenly Flame to risk a breakthrough."

"If we could help her evolve, perhaps we could speak with her beforehand."

"Evolve?"

Xiao Yan's eyes immediately lit up, and he hurriedly questioned Yao Lao inside the Bone Flame Ring.

"Teacher..."

"Mm, let me think. Don't rush. Perhaps a pill could accomplish it, but it would have to be at least seventh rank. With our current strength, neither of us could refine one..."

"Ah, troublesome. Leave this place first. I cannot hold on much longer..."

Xiao Yan nodded at those words, then turned to look.

Lin Chen was holding the purple-haired little girl, a coaxing look on his face as he fed her a gleaming lotus seed.

"Zi Yan, this is something good—an earth fire lotus seed, an essence of earth fire that takes a hundred years to form a single seed. Here, have one."

The little girl named Zi Yan immediately brightened. She planted a smacking kiss on Lin Chen and said sweetly, "Lin Chen, I knew you were the best!"

Lin Chen broke into a radiant smile, clearly enjoying himself. He lightly flicked Zi Yan's delicate nose and said fondly, "Good that you know. If you meet other alchemists in the future, don't let them lure you away so easily."

"Just tell me whatever you need. I guarantee I'll feed you until you're rosy and plump."

"Uh..."

Watching this scene, Xiao Yan was left speechless.

Was this man really a Fifth-Rank Alchemist? How utterly shameless—he could even bring himself to make a move on a little girl.

Just then, Yao Lao's urgent voice rang out in Xiao Yan's mind. "This is bad, boy! That fellow has taken all the treasures born alongside the Heavenly Flame! You fool, you were too busy watching those two lovebirds being affectionate!"

"How did I end up taking such a foolish disciple?"

"Teacher, how was I supposed to know if you didn't tell me?"

A short while later,

Two streaks of light, one blue and one white, flashed past above the passage.

As the light faded, three figures emerged: Lin Chen, Zi Yan, and Xiao Yan.

In the end, Xiao Yan did not ask Lin Chen for the treasures born alongside the Green Lotus Core Flame—the Green Lotus Platform and the earth fire lotus seeds.

Setting aside whether he could defeat him, the man was a Fifth-Rank Alchemist and had willingly told him where the Green Lotus Core Flame had gone. Xiao Yan felt he could not repay kindness with enmity.

They were merely accompanying treasures, not the Heavenly Flame itself, and were not things he absolutely had to obtain.

"Third Brother, how did it go? You weren't hurt, were you?"

At that moment, Xiao Ding walked over, his face filled with concern as he looked Xiao Yan up and down and asked after him.

"I'm fine. Senior cleared away all the dangers below beforehand. Unfortunately, we didn't find the Heavenly Flame. Someone got there first."

Xiao Yan sighed and spoke helplessly.

"My lord, did you obtain it?"

Hai Bodong also stepped forward, looking at Lin Chen with anticipation.

Lin Chen shook his head. "There was nothing wrong with the Heavenly Flame map you gave me, but someone had already taken the flame. Fortunately, I obtained some treasures born alongside it, so the trip wasn't entirely wasted."

"I will do my best to refine the pill I promised you."

"Thank you, my lord! Thank you!"

Relief appeared on Hai Bodong's face. He hurriedly cupped his hands in thanks, finally breathing easier.

"Young brother, the Heavenly Flame is now in Medusa's hands, and we won't be able to obtain it anytime soon. Why don't we put our heads together and search for it again after some time?"

Lin Chen turned toward Xiao Yan, a faint smile on his face as he spoke with a note of anticipation.

"Why do I get the feeling this man wants to use me..."

Xiao Yan inwardly grew wary, but the other man had shown no ill intent, so he could not be certain.

After pondering briefly, he shook his head slightly. "It would naturally be wonderful to join forces with you, Senior, but my strength is meager. I may have to stay out of these muddy waters. Please go ahead without me."

In other words, he had politely declined.

Lin Chen did not seem particularly bothered. He waved a hand with a chuckle. "No matter. Since you are unwilling, young friend, I certainly won't force you. Whenever you need my help, just say the word. Nothing pleases me more than investing in talented young people."

With that, he fixed Xiao Yan with a keen gaze, then asked with a smile, "I still don't know your name, young friend."

"My name is Xiao Yan."

Xiao Yan cupped his fists, his expression frank as he openly gave his name.

After all, the other man already knew his eldest brother Xiao Ding's name. Finding his own would only be a matter of time.

He might as well admit it openly rather than invent a false name like Yan Xiao and arouse suspicion.

"A fine name. Yan-flame-is the sovereign of all fires. I believe you have quite an affinity with Heavenly Flames, young friend. Sooner or later, you will obtain one of your own. There is no need to rush."

Lin Chen nodded with a smile and offered a casual compliment.

"You flatter me, Senior."

Xiao Yan shook his head and gave a bitter laugh. Rubbing his nose, he said self-deprecatingly, "With my cultivation, even if I encountered a powerful Heavenly Flame, subduing it would be no simple matter. It's merely a fool's dream."

"Heh, not necessarily..."

Lin Chen smiled calmly, glanced at the black ring, then prepared to take his leave.

After all, his main reason for befriending Xiao Yan this time was Yao Lao. As a Peak Eighth-Tier alchemist, Yao Lao possessed quite a few valuable things...

Most importantly, he also had a scroll containing a secret method capable of resurrecting a Dou Zun expert, along with the Poison Pill Method...

At that thought, Lin Chen's eyes flickered. Something seemed to occur to him, and he sighed inwardly, his thoughts drifting. "I wonder how that girl is doing. What happened back then must have hurt her terribly..."

"Now, I've finally found a solution. Unfortunately, she probably isn't in Qingshan Town anymore..."