Lin Chen's Scheme, Xiao Yan's Urgency!

"Hiss, hiss~"

Seeing this, the Twin-Headed Fire Spirit Flood Dragon offered no resistance. Instead, it lowered its heads toward Lin Chen ingratiatingly, its serpentine eyes brimming with excitement and relief.

As the magical beast that guarded the green lotus core flame, no one understood the power of heavenly flames better than it did. It knew that the immense energy within could help its bloodline evolve if it devoured the flame.

But the danger was simply too great, and it had never dared approach. Who could have imagined that this human could use another heavenly flame to help it take that step?

Even as a magical beast of limited intelligence, it knew it should follow such a master to the death. In the Beast Realm, the strong had always reigned supreme. Anyone who could make it stronger was practically a mother to it!

While Qing Lin was forming a contract with the Twin-Headed Fire Spirit Flood Dragon, Bai Ya and Lu Man, whose seals had just been lifted, began talking nearby.

"Lu Man, what do you think?"

Bai Ya lay sprawled in the deep crater. He glanced fearfully at the human, then transmitted his voice to Lu Man before him.

"This is a matter of immense importance. I think we should report it to the Mansion Lord immediately. Compared with a method like this, mere Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils are hardly worth mentioning!"

"If every cultivator in the Heavenly Snake Mansion could evolve their bloodline once, our strength would soar. Then we could destroy the trifling Lion Nether Sect with a flip of our hands. The Northwest Continent would belong to our Heavenly Snake Mansion alone!"

Excitement flashed in Lu Man's eyes. The dejection and resentment from her defeat at Lin Chen's hands had long since vanished without a trace, replaced by an unprecedented fervor!

"But did you see how many kinds of pills he used to evolve that Two-Headed Fire Spirit Snake?"

Helplessness flickered in Bai Ya's eyes as he instinctively reminded her.

"Three, I think? All fifth-grade pills?"

Lu Man paused and answered somewhat blankly. Then realization struck, and her delicate brows furrowed as she murmured, "That cost is far too high. Even our Heavenly Snake Mansion couldn't afford it. We could only help a portion of our people evolve their bloodlines."

"Then those who evolve first can gather resources to help those who haven't. The first to evolve will bring along those who follow. It will inevitably be an extremely lengthy process."

Bai Ya fell silent at her words. He merely looked at the human before him and pondered, How should I get into this master's good graces?

I was too hasty when I attacked just now. The master must be displeased. Should I give him all my Eighteen Concubines? No, no. A master who could develop a formula like this must be an upright gentleman. Presumably, he has no taste for women.

Better to give him resources. I can't refine pills anyway. Over the years, I've traveled far and wide with Lu Man and collected plenty of medicinal ingredients. I might as well give him all of them.

With that thought, Bai Ya opened his great maw. His abdomen churned, and he exhaled a foul breath. A streak of dark light shot out, resolving into a pitch-black Storage Ring that landed before Lin Chen.

"Master, this is Bai Ya's personal Storage Ring. It contains all the rare treasures I've collected over the years. Please accept it and forgive Bai Ya for my earlier offense."

Bai Ya flashed an ingratiating grin, lowered his head, and wriggled his body toward Lin Chen as he spoke with considerable flattery.

"That reeks..."

Lin Chen covered his nose and swept his sleeve, dispersing the stench in the air. He sent his spiritual power into the Storage Ring and found quite a collection inside: glittering gold coins, various magic cores, weapons, inner armor, and a substantial quantity of medicinal ingredients.

"Oh..."

Suddenly, Lin Chen gave a soft exclamation. A sweep of his spiritual power revealed several medicinal plants resembling long yellow snakes in a corner of the ring's storage space. They were precisely the sand mandala that Hai Bodong had sought in vain!

"I'll accept these as your apology. But if you want me to help evolve your bloodline, don't even dream of it. Unless you can provide the ingredients and formulas for three kinds of seventh-grade pills, there's nothing to discuss!"

Lin Chen swept his sleeve and accepted the Storage Ring, speaking in a rather indifferent tone.

Although this stinking snake thoroughly displeased him, since Bai Ya had surrendered his entire fortune, he could spare his life for now. That would also allow him to continue squeezing resources out of Bai Ya in the future.

"Yes, Master. I'll work hard. I only hope you won't forget this humble snake in the future. I'll gather everything you need as quickly as possible."

Bai Ya flicked his tail excitedly. Although he had lost his wings, once he evolved his bloodline and achieved seventh-tier human transformation, what need would he have for wings?

"Master, this is an Access Token for our Heavenly Snake Mansion. If your travels ever bring you to the Heavenly Snake Empire, you can present this token. Our Heavenly Snake Mansion will receive you as an honored guest."

At that moment, Lu Man solemnly took out a green token and handed it to Lin Chen.

Carved upon it was a lifelike little jade-green snake with three eyes, coiling around the token's edges. At its center were two bold characters, their strokes soaring like dragons and dancing like phoenixes: "Heavenly Snake"!

"Mm, I'll accept the token. We could be said to have become acquainted through a fight. But there's no need for you to hurry away. I have another important matter I need you to accompany me on. You can leave once it's done."

Lin Chen accepted the token and casually put it into his Storage Ring before issuing his instructions with a calm expression.

"An important matter? What do you need our help with? I, Bai Ya, would not shrink from ten thousand deaths!"

By now, Bai Ya had begun recovering from his injuries. The eight enormous wounds on his body had already scabbed over, and the frost covering him had long since receded. He spoke with considerable excitement.

He had finally found an opportunity to curry favor with the master. How could he possibly let it slip away? He had to take part!

"Have you heard of Queen Medusa?"

Lin Chen's expression remained unchanged, but his tone grew solemn.

"Queen Medusa?"

Lu Man's expression shifted slightly. Frowning, she asked, "Do you mean Queen Medusa of the Snake-People Tribe in the Tagor Desert? She's a ruthless character, not easy to deal with..."

"How did she offend you, Master?"

"She took my green lotus core flame. I intend to retrieve it. Come with me."

Lin Chen raised an eyebrow and spoke with a serious expression.

"The green lotus core flame?"

Lu Man and Bai Ya exchanged a glance, understanding dawning in both their eyes.

So it was a heavenly flame! That explained it. That explained everything...

"As you command! I, Bai Ya, will give you my full support, Master. Rest assured, even if I have to fight to the death, I'll hold that savage snake back and help you retrieve your heavenly flame!"

Bai Ya immediately declared his stance. As a member of the Heavenly Snake Mansion, he did not believe Queen Medusa would dare kill him.

Since he wouldn't die, he might as well fight like his life depended on it!

"With Bai Ya and me, two Six-Star Dou Emperors, plus you, Master, we certainly have the strength to face Queen Medusa. In that case, obedience would be more respectful than refusal."

Lu Man smiled gently at his words and bowed respectfully to Lin Chen, her tone quite mild.

"Mm. In that case, conceal yourselves and go rest in Stone Desert City. When the time comes, I'll notify you."

Lin Chen nodded in satisfaction. Then he seemingly casually glanced at a nearby dune, a playful gleam appearing in his eyes, before beckoning to Qing Lin, who was playing with a little snake nearby.

"Qing Lin, are you finished? We should head back."

"I'm done, Brother Lin Chen. Little Red was very obedient. I barely had to do anything to form the contract!"

Qing Lin trotted over at his call. Two small snakes of different colors were coiled around her wrists, one on either side.

One was as green as jade, the other as red as magma. Both flicked their tongues meekly toward Lin Chen, displaying their submission.

"Mm, good, as long as they're obedient. If either of them misbehaves, tell me. They won't need any more chances to evolve in the future."

Lin Chen casually issued a warning, then took Qing Lin's soft little hand and headed toward Stone Desert City in the distance.

Before leaving, he called back to Hai Bodong:

"Old Hai, I've got the sand mandala. Go fetch the other medicinal ingredients you've collected over the years. I'll help break your seal tomorrow!"

"You found it?"

Hai Bodong's face filled with wild delight. He glanced at Bai Ya nearby and saw the snake give him an ingratiating smile. Understanding immediately dawned on him.

"My lord, wait for me! I'll fetch the ingredients right away!"

With that, tremendous force burst beneath his feet. He instantly became a streak of icy-blue light, shooting straight ahead.

Bai Ya and Lu Man exchanged a glance and hurried after them.

After everyone had left,

behind an inconspicuous little dune at the site of the battle,

a black-robed figure finally emerged. Beneath his hood was a delicate, handsome face. It was none other than Xiao Yan!

But now urgency filled Xiao Yan's face, and he said anxiously, "Teacher, what do we do? Lin Chen is going to take the green lotus core flame!"

"He's even recruited two Dou Emperors to help him. If the green lotus core flame falls into his hands, how will we ever get it back?"

"Ah, foolish child, don't be impatient. Let your teacher think of a solution. This young man is no weakling. That heavenly flame resembling the sea heart flame is probably no less powerful than my bone spirit cold flame. I'm afraid we can only succeed through cunning..."

"As an alchemist, he must have preferences. Perhaps medicinal ingredients, perhaps pill formulas. Let me think..."

From within the Bone Flame Ring, Yao Lao's deep voice rang out, instantly soothing Xiao Yan's agitation. There was a measure of composure in his tone, giving him the bearing of a true master.

A little while later,

back at his lodgings in Stone Desert City, inside a simple room,

Lin Chen sat cross-legged on the bed as a pale-blue screen slowly unfolded before him.

[The cooldown for this simulation has ended. Current simulations available: one]

[Begin simulation?]

Looking at the screen before him, Lin Chen's lips curved into a faint smile. He could not help laughing inwardly. I want the green lotus core flame, and I want the Poison Pill Method too!

Brother Xiao, this time, you're destined to walk straight into my trap!