What belongs to Xiao Yan belongs to me!

"What... is going on?"

Su Tian froze as the system's voice suddenly rang out in his mind.

He had received rewards for the system's check-in tasks before, but never had one left him as baffled as this.

"The first reward?"

Su Tian blinked, silently muttering to himself.

Based on his past experience, the system usually handed out all its rewards in one go.

This time, however, the words "first reward" had unexpectedly appeared.

Could there be a second reward, or even a third?

As though something had occurred to him, Su Tian's eyes lit up. A sleazy grin spread across his face, and he rubbed his hands unconsciously, eagerly waiting for the system to speak again.

After briefly examining the first reward, Su Tian was thoroughly satisfied.

The Nine-Star Dou Emperor Trial Card.

Once used, it would instantly grant him the formidable strength of a Nine-Star Dou Emperor, enough to overturn rivers and churn seas with a wave of his hand.

Although the Nine-Star Dou Emperor Trial Card would only last one day after activation, that was enough for Su Tian right now.

Previously, Su Tian had worried that he would be unable to snatch the Green Lotus Core Flame from Xiao Yan, who had Yao Lao's help.

Now, however, Su Tian brimmed with confidence.

Even with Yao Lao's immense Soul Power bolstering him, Xiao Yan could only briefly unleash the strength of a Dou Huang expert.

He clearly could not reach Su Tian's level.

After all, even among Dou Huang experts, a vast chasm separated each star.

Queen Medusa and Yun Yun were a perfect example.

Though Yun Yun was a Dou Huang expert, she could only hold Queen Medusa back, not defeat her, because the queen stood at the Peak Dou Emperor level.

That was how enormous the gap was!

The same held true for Su Tian and Xiao Yan.

Against Su Tian's Nine-Star Dou Emperor strength, even borrowing Yao Lao's Soul Power would not guarantee Xiao Yan victory.

That undoubtedly increased Su Tian's chances of seizing the Green Lotus Core Flame.

His only remaining concern was how to snatch the Green Lotus Core Flame's base from Xiao Yan so he could subdue the flame.

Without the Green Lotus Base's help, taking the Green Lotus Core Flame barehanded was practically impossible. It would be courting death.

If all else fails, I'll hide nearby and wait until Xiao Yan puts the Green Lotus Core Flame into the Green Lotus Base. Then I'll strike and snatch it!

Su Tian pondered briefly, and a plan soon took shape in his mind.

After all, the Green Lotus Base was the key to subduing the Green Lotus Core Flame, and only Xiao Yan possessed it. Su Tian's chances of taking it by force were slim.

That left Su Tian with an ambush.

Although such methods were hardly open and honorable, Su Tian did not care as long as he achieved his goal.

From the moment Su Tian began cultivating the Flame Mantra, he was destined to walk a path of competing with Xiao Yan for Heavenly Flames and opportunities.

Ding!

Just then, the system's voice finally rang out in Su Tian's mind again.

Anticipation immediately filled his face as he waited for its next words.

Second reward: Battle Pet Contract!

Function: After using this item, the host may select a magical beast of the Dou Zong level or below, including Dou Zong, and establish a soul bond through a master-servant contract. The beast will become the host's battle pet and will never disobey any of the host's commands!

"Phew..."

After reading the system's second reward, Su Tian could not help letting out a long breath, his heart shaking with shock.

To Su Tian, this second check-in task reward was like charcoal delivered in the snow. Excitement surged through him, followed by wild delight.

Ever since arriving at Bamboo Forest Snake Island, Su Tian had been considering how to take the juvenile Seven-Colored Heaven Swallowing Python as his pet after Queen Medusa completed her evolution ritual.

After all, Su Tian knew exactly how formidable the Seven-Colored Heaven Swallowing Python that Queen Medusa evolved into would eventually become.

When Xiao Yan later went to the Misty Cloud Sect to fulfill his Three-Year Agreement with Nalan Yanran and clashed with the sect's Great Elder, the Seven-Colored Heaven Swallowing Python played a role that could not be underestimated.

Without the Seven-Colored Heaven Swallowing Python holding back the Misty Cloud Sect's Great Elder, Xiao Yan would not have found it so easy to leave the sect unscathed.

With this Battle Pet Contract, taking the Seven-Colored Heaven Swallowing Python as my pet won't require even the effort of blowing away dust. Even with the Companion Amethyst Source, Xiao Yan won't be able to compete with me for it!

Su Tian drew a deep breath and slowly clenched his fists, exhilaration filling his heart.

The two rewards the system had given him undoubtedly provided an enormous advantage.

The problems that had troubled Su Tian before were now split apart like bamboo beneath a blade.

Now, my only target is Xiao Yan!

Su Tian narrowed his eyes. Fierce fighting spirit flashed through them, and his lips curved into a confident smile.

As long as I defeat Xiao Yan, the Green Lotus Core Flame will be mine!

Meanwhile, Gu He and the others' battle was growing increasingly fierce.

"Hmph. Not worth a single blow!"

Yun Yun calmly watched the imposing rain of poisoned spears overhead without moving an inch. A soft snort escaped her red lips before she lightly swept her sleeve.

A huge cyan tornado suddenly materialized before her. As it spun at high speed, the yellow sand on the ground was instantly pulled into its swirling depths.

The cyan tornado grew larger and larger, yet Yun Yun merely waved her hand casually, as though shooing away insects.

In an instant, the cyan tornado swept forward. The storm's ferocious suction immediately tore the sky-darkening rain of poisoned spears into scattered fragments.

Even the occasional poisoned spear that pierced the cyan tornado could no longer pose much of a threat to Gu He and the others behind it.

"Break through. Queen Medusa must be at a critical stage right now, and she will be extremely vulnerable. If you want the Heavenly Flame, this is your only chance."

Her clear, bright eyes hidden beneath her black robe, Yun Yun glanced at the waves of poisoned spears hurled from the city wall. Leaving the storm to block them, she turned slightly toward Gu He and the others and spoke calmly.

Then Yun Yun looked behind her. The Great Elder was glaring furiously, her senses locked onto Yun Yun's aura.

Clearly, the Great Elder had no intention of letting Yun Yun leave so easily.

Whatever Queen Medusa's current condition, the Great Elder knew one thing: now that matters had reached this point, she had to buy the queen a safe stretch of time.

"I'll hold that old woman back. She won't pose any threat to you, so go search for the Heavenly Flame."

Yun Yun gave the Great Elder a long look, then turned back and spoke quietly to Gu He.

Gu He's brows furrowed slightly. After a moment's consideration, he nodded solemnly. He was not an indecisive man, and when decisive action was needed, he would never let some tedious question of morality cause a fleeting opportunity to slip away.

"Old Lion, Feng Li, let's move. Sorry for the trouble, but hold off Mo Bass and the others for me. I'll enter the city and find the Heavenly Flame!"

Gu He swept his hand sharply and spoke in a low voice.

"Heh, since you put it that way, I'll go all out! You're the rich one, anyway. The worse I get hurt, the better the reward. Either way, I won't lose out!"

Yan Shi grinned, and a violent aura immediately erupted from his body.

At those words, Gu He shook his head, unsure whether to laugh or cry. His shoulders trembled slightly, and his enormous Dou Qi Wings beat hard. Tapping his foot against empty air, he shot toward Temple City.

Seeing Gu He's move, Mo Bass and Yue Mei immediately darted over from above the city wall, their expressions icy as they tried to stop him.

"Stop right there!"

"Heh, we're your opponents!"

In an instant, a ferocious blast of force ripped through the air, smashing mercilessly toward Yue Mei and Mo Bass.

Yan Shi and Feng Li had rushed over, smiling as they intercepted Mo Bass and Yue Mei.

"Medusa Snake Guard, stop him!"

Seeing Gu He about to charge into Temple City, Yue Mei's pretty face turned cold. She looked back and shouted toward the city wall.

"Yes!"

Their voices answered in cold unison. Then more than a dozen streaks of light sprang from the height of the wall, intercepting Gu He like bolts of lightning.

"Everyone, focus! Kill this human!"

More than a dozen Snake-People in somewhat unusual clothing fixed Gu He with venomous, icy stares. At a sharp command, they darted forward almost simultaneously. The fierce blasts of force they unleashed began merging in midair.

As their forces fused in that strange fashion, the energy contained within multiplied explosively.

Gu He merely watched their attack calmly. A cursory glance was enough for him to gauge their strength.

"Two Dou Ling and a dozen or so Da Dou Shi..."

At that level, even their strange combined technique that amplified their attacks could not threaten Gu He.

The next moment, Gu He opened and closed his hands, and pale blue flames instantly wreathed his body. His Dou Qi Wings gave a slight beat as his hands formed a strange seal with lightning speed.

Then Gu He shouted, "Blue Flame Engulfs the Sky!"

As his cry fell, pale blue flames abruptly appeared before him. With a sweep of his hand, they surged toward the dozen Snake-People, blotting out the sky.

The combined attack those Snake-People had launched earlier was instantly reduced to nothing beneath the pale blue flames.

Gu He smiled faintly. With a gentle beat of his Dou Qi Wings, he flashed through their defenses like lightning, extending both hands and secretly firing blasts of force.

The dozen Snake-People immediately spat blood and reeled backward.

Having repelled the Snake-People blocking his way as quickly as possible, Gu He was about to rush into Temple City when a blast of force fierce enough to change his expression shot up from below.

His Dou Qi Wings beat at once, and Gu He swiftly retreated, narrowly dodging the snake spear hurtling toward him.

"Who goes there?"

"Snake Guard Captain Medusa, Hua She'er!"

A graceful figure darted into the sky and shouted coldly. The moment her words fell, Hua She'er charged toward Gu He.

Cold, sinister force poured continuously from her delicate hand.

"A Dou Wang expert? The Snake-People Tribe certainly has no shortage of experts."

Looking at Hua She'er, who had suddenly appeared before him, Gu He briefly sensed her strength and could not help sighing helplessly.

Hua She'er, however, seemed uninterested in chatting. She seized her sharp snake spear, whipped her tail through the air, and attacked Gu He again with a surge of ferocious force.

Boom...

Just as Gu He prepared to engage her, Yun Yun suddenly appeared and spoke calmly.

"Leave her to me. Go find the Heavenly Flame. We don't have much time. Once Queen Medusa successfully evolves, we'll have no choice but to retreat immediately."

"All right!"

Gu He gave Yun Yun a long look and nodded solemnly. Then, under Hua She'er's furious gaze, he darted into Temple City like lightning.

"Arrogant! Don't forget this old woman is still here!"

At that moment, the Great Elder rushed over. She and Hua She'er trapped Yun Yun between them, one in front and one behind, her withered face filled with cold killing intent.

"I'm more than enough to deal with the two of you."

Yun Yun glanced calmly at the Great Elder behind her. Her red lips curved as she chuckled.

While chaos engulfed the city wall, no one noticed a shadow quietly slipping in from outside. After dealing with a few Snake-People along the way, he immediately broke into a run and charged into Temple City.

His face revealed him to be Xiao Yan, who had remained hidden all this time.

Xiao Yan's back trembled slightly, and his Purple Cloud Wings unfurled. Flying swiftly at low altitude, he raced toward the eastern part of Temple City under Yao Lao's guidance.

Gu He, meanwhile, was not so fortunate. Misled by his senses, he flew toward the northern part of Temple City.

Watching Gu He's figure recede, Xiao Yan grinned, a gloating look appearing on his face.

Then Xiao Yan swiftly tapped his feet across the rooftops, nimbly dodging several snake spears hurtling toward him. Guiding his Purple Cloud Wings, he hurried toward Bamboo Forest Snake Island, where Queen Medusa was.

"It's in here. Be careful. The Heavenly Flame's aura is getting stronger."

After nearly a dozen minutes of cautious flight, an enormous Divine Hall appeared before Xiao Yan. Yao Lao's wary voice also rang out in his mind.

Relying on Yao Lao's powerful soul perception, Xiao Yan avoided the Snake-People Tribe's patrols as though he could foresee them, rapidly approaching Bamboo Forest Snake Island.

After just under ten minutes of this perilous dash, Xiao Yan's view suddenly opened up, revealing a dense bamboo forest.

The murmur of flowing water came from within the bamboo forest. A lake seemed to surround its interior, giving off a cold, sinister air.

Just as Xiao Yan was about to enter the bamboo forest, his expression changed dramatically. A darkness as thick as ink settled over his face, and killing intent erupted from his body.

"What's wrong?"

Seeing Xiao Yan's unusual reaction, Yao Lao froze briefly, then frowned and asked gravely.

An icy murderous gleam flashed in Xiao Yan's eyes. He took a deep breath and slowly spoke through gritted teeth.

"The Green Lotus Base in my Storage Ring suddenly disappeared for no reason!"

"What?"

Yao Lao's expression changed immediately. His brows knitted tightly, as though he found it inconceivable.

"How is that possible?"

"I don't know either. I just sensed a faint fluctuation from my Storage Ring, but when I looked, the Green Lotus Base was already gone!"

Su Tian clenched both fists, his expression utterly grim. Fury and killing intent surged through his heart, along with a trace of bewilderment.

Meanwhile, in the bamboo forest ahead of Xiao Yan, Su Tian stood rooted to the spot, staring blankly at what was before him. A jade-green lotus base hovered there quietly, as though it had appeared out of thin air, giving off an unusual fragrance and a faint warmth.

"This is..."

Just then, the system's voice rang out in Su Tian's mind again.

Ding!

Third reward: Green Lotus Base!

"Holy shit! System, you're fucking incredible!"

Su Tian looked dumbfounded. A moment later, gazing at the Green Lotus Base before him, he could not help blurting out a curse.

He truly had not expected there to be a third reward.

And that reward was actually the Green Lotus Base!

Had Su Tian known that the system had forcibly snatched this Green Lotus Base straight from Xiao Yan, his shock would probably have multiplied.

Just then, a slender figure entered the bamboo forest. The first thing the youth with the delicate features saw was Su Tian.

Immediately afterward, his gaze also fell on the Green Lotus Base.

"You're the one who stole my Green Lotus Base!"

Fury instantly erupted from the slender figure. Bitter killing intent surged toward Su Tian, as though a volcano were about to erupt inside him.

Almost instinctively, Su Tian hurriedly stowed the Green Lotus Base in the Storage Ring he had obtained from Qing Mu.

When he turned around, he saw that delicate-featured face.

Su Tian froze briefly. After taking a closer look, his expression changed, and his eyes narrowed. He drew a deep breath and murmured.

"He's... Xiao Yan!"