Xiao Yan, What Are You Looking At? That's My Fiancée!

"Then here's to a happy partnership."

Su Tian seemed not the least surprised by Xiao Yan's answer. A confident smile appeared on his handsome face, as though everything had gone exactly as he expected.

Perfectly at ease, Su Tian walked toward Xiao Yan.

After stopping in front of Xiao Yan, Su Tian smiled faintly, extended his right hand, and spoke softly.

"Once this collaboration is over, I'll tell you a secret about myself. I'm sure it'll give you quite a shock."

With that, Su Tian gave Xiao Yan a meaningful smile and a long look, then withdrew the right hand he had clasped with Xiao Yan's and gently patted his shoulder.

It seemed the secret he spoke of would come as an enormous shock to Xiao Yan.

"What secret?"

Hearing Su Tian's baffling words, Xiao Yan frowned deeply and narrowed his eyes, looking at him as he spoke in a low voice.

"We're complete strangers, aren't we? Unless I'm mistaken, I've never met you, and I don't know you. What does your secret have to do with me?"

"When the time comes, you'll find out."

Su Tian merely smiled faintly and rubbed his nose, unbothered by Xiao Yan's tone or attitude. As though victory were already in his grasp, the confidence at the corners of his mouth never faded.

"Once you know, you might even want to learn more from me."

"Perhaps."

Xiao Yan gave Su Tian a long look without saying anything more, then nodded calmly.

Su Tian's words only strengthened Xiao Yan and Yao Lao's impression that he harbored some tremendous secrets, making him seem all the stranger and more mysterious in their eyes.

"Since we've agreed to work together, shouldn't you tell me how to cross this lake?"

After a brief silence, calm returned to Xiao Yan's delicate features. He set aside his thoughts for the moment and turned to look at the eerie lake behind him.

As he gazed at the island so close before him, a flash of longing crossed his eyes.

The green lotus core flame he had searched so desperately for was there!

"Crossing this lake is actually quite simple."

Su Tian smiled slightly, walked to the water's edge, and crouched down. He examined the crystal-clear lake water before speaking casually.

"The most direct method is to wrap yourself in that bone white flame you used earlier, enter the lake, and charge toward the island at full speed. If you're even a little too slow, you could be corroded away until not even your bones remain."

"What kind of solution is that?"

Xiao Yan's expression shifted slightly, displeasure rising in his eyes. He snorted. "Isn't there any other way?"

"This is the simplest and most direct method. Right now, we don't have time to think of anything else."

Su Tian shrugged slightly and answered without concern.

"Of course, if you have another method, feel free to forget what I said. The choice is yours."

With that, Su Tian folded his arms and watched Xiao Yan hesitate, looking completely relaxed. He did not hurry him to make a decision, simply observing him in silence.

Su Tian knew perfectly well that Xiao Yan would agree to his method.

He knew that even Yao Lao could think of no alternative. After all, strictly speaking, Yao Lao was the one who had proposed this method in the first place.

Teacher, do you think his method will work?

Rather than answer Su Tian immediately, Xiao Yan sought Yao Lao's opinion inwardly. As long as Yao Lao was there, he felt an inexplicable sense of security and reassurance.

After considering Xiao Yan's question briefly, Yao Lao answered somewhat helplessly, The little fellow isn't wrong. Beyond this, I really can't think of another way.

All right. I understand.

Xiao Yan could only smile bitterly to himself.

Since even Yao Lao had said so, he had no choice but to follow Su Tian's suggestion.

Having made up his mind, Xiao Yan drew a deep breath. A trace of barely concealed excitement appeared on his face as he looked at Su Tian and nodded.

"We'll do it your way. But aren't you afraid I'll take the opportunity to attack you?"

"Heh, don't worry. If I dared suggest this, then naturally, I have confidence in myself. Even if you really try to attack me, I guarantee you won't get what you want."

Despite the threat in Xiao Yan's words, Su Tian merely smiled faintly, utterly unruffled, his handsome face as calm as ever.

"You'd better believe me."

Su Tian raised his hand to pat Xiao Yan's shoulder again and grinned. Then he stretched, turned his head slightly, and said, "Come on, what are you waiting for? Time is precious!"

"Hold on to me."

Xiao Yan gave Su Tian another long look, then stopped hesitating. After tossing out that cold instruction, he gently closed his eyes.

Su Tian did not mind Xiao Yan's attitude.

With a soft chuckle, he reached out and gripped Xiao Yan's shoulder. His soul power immediately surged outward, monitoring Xiao Yan's every movement.

Though he was not afraid of Xiao Yan attacking him, Su Tian did not neglect the necessary precautions.

Naturally, Xiao Yan sensed what Su Tian was doing.

But he made no response. With his eyes half closed, he spoke softly in his mind.

Teacher, I'll leave what comes next to you.

Heh, rest assured. With your teacher here, no matter how strange this little fellow is, he won't be able to stir up any waves.

Yao Lao nodded faintly and chuckled.

The next moment, a vast surge of soul power erupted from Xiao Yan's body, and his half-closed eyes snapped open.

Su Tian turned to look, his pupils contracting slightly.

A bone-white hue had suddenly appeared in Xiao Yan's eyes, like two dancing flames, yet they faintly radiated an eerie chill.

Bone spirit cold flame...

Su Tian narrowed his eyes and murmured inwardly.

Then "Xiao Yan" turned toward Su Tian with an inscrutable smile, his voice carrying a greater weight of age.

"Hold tight. If you slip beyond the range of my flames, you'll be corroded into a puddle of blood."

"Don't worry. I wouldn't let go even if you beat me to death."

Su Tian grinned at "Xiao Yan's" reminder, seemingly oblivious to the warning in his words.

Whoosh...

Without further hesitation, the bone-white flames of the bone spirit cold flame began curling outward. Moments later, they enveloped both Su Tian and Xiao Yan.

Damn it, here goes!

Xiao Yan cursed inwardly and gritted his teeth. Standing at the edge of the lake, he gazed at its crystal-clear waters, then closed his eyes. Under Yao Lao's control, he plunged in with a splash.

In an instant, Xiao Yan's body cut through the water like a fish, diving into the crystal-clear lake.

Su Tian followed close behind, never leaving the bone spirit cold flame's protective range. He studied the bone-white flames surrounding them and could not help swallowing hard.

Only by experiencing it firsthand could one understand just how uncanny this environment was.

Under the bone spirit cold flame's strange temperature, the surrounding lake water had begun churning violently like boiling water, constantly bubbling white.

At that moment, strands of deep-purple liquid, almost imperceptible to the naked eye, slowly emerged.

But just as the deep-purple liquid was about to touch the bone-white flames, the bone spirit cold flame instantly froze it into tiny threads of ice, which slowly sank toward the lakebed.

Watching the little purple ice threads continually emerge around them, both Su Tian and Xiao Yan felt their scalps prickle.

Neither had expected this seemingly tranquil lake to conceal so much lethal poison beneath its surface.

Hurry! This poison is extremely potent. Although the Heavenly Flames can keep it from entering your bodies, the drain on my soul power is too great!

Just as Xiao Yan was marveling at the sight, Yao Lao's grave voice suddenly rang out in his mind.

Yes, I understand!

Xiao Yan discreetly glanced at Su Tian, who was examining the lakebed beside him, and nodded silently.

Then Xiao Yan kicked with both feet, bringing his head above the surface. Looking toward the island in the center of the lake, he let out a light breath, gave Su Tian a brief instruction, and began paddling rapidly with both arms. His body left a trail through the water as he drew steadily closer to the island.

Su Tian immediately picked up speed as well, following closely behind Xiao Yan.

They had nearly reached the island in the center of the lake without incident. Just as Xiao Yan was about to breathe a sigh of relief, Su Tian's voice exploded beside his ear.

"Watch out! There's danger underwater!"

The instant his words fell, the calm water ahead erupted into a towering spray. Thanks to Su Tian's warning, Xiao Yan merely felt his heart jolt before readying himself, raising his head to stare intently at the source of the spray.

Boom...

Su Tian struck first, whipping his right hand outward. A somewhat smaller Scarlet Flame Giant Dragon roared forth.

A moment later, he vaporized the towering spray into a cloud of mist.

Xiao Yan hurriedly followed the attack with his gaze, and an instant later, his pupils contracted sharply.

The Scarlet Flame Giant Dragon hovered in midair. Before him, an enormous serpent covered in emerald-green scales, its head triangular, appeared before Xiao Yan. It opened its hideous, foul-smelling maw and let out a piercing hiss.

Hiss, hiss...

The emerald serpent lunged at Su Tian and Xiao Yan, trying to bite them. A patch of its head had been scorched black, with pale bone faintly visible beneath.

Su Tian's attack had caught the emerald serpent off guard. Clearly, it had not expected him to detect it in advance.

Xiao Yan's heart also jolted. He cast a discreet glance at Su Tian and thought, Could he have sensed it all along? If this giant serpent hadn't burst out of the water, I wouldn't have detected even a trace of it!

Perhaps it has something to do with this strange lake. Soul power seems to be restricted here. Even I only sensed it faintly.

Yao Lao considered it briefly before speaking gravely.

This little fellow is becoming harder and harder to fathom.

Damn, good thing I remembered this part of the plot. Otherwise, that giant serpent really would've gotten the better of me!

Su Tian looked calm on the surface, but inwardly, he was ranting furiously.

This little lake is way too damn ridiculous! What's with all these bizarre things in it?

The serpent's frenzied attack enraged both Su Tian and Xiao Yan. They immediately slapped their palms hard against the water, using the force to launch themselves upward in perfect unison as spray flew everywhere.

Their bodies angled slightly downward, until they were almost parallel to the lake's surface. Their toes tapped a surging wave with lightning speed.

Xiao Yan shot forward along the surface like a cannonball.

Behind him, Su Tian followed close on his heels.

Bang... bang...

The two hurtled toward the island at a furious pace. Several violent explosions of water sounded behind them as the giant serpent's attacks missed.

Neither paid any heed to the force rushing behind them, laden with a foul wind.

Riding their momentum, they narrowly evaded several more attacks from the giant serpent. Finally, when they were a dozen meters from the island, Xiao Yan glanced backward from the corner of his eye and discovered that Su Tian was following him like his own shadow.

Behind Su Tian, the giant serpent pursued them through the water, its monstrous jaws wide open.

Xiao Yan gave a cold little laugh and flicked a finger against his Storage Ring. Several wooden planks flew out in succession, landing on the water. Just before the lake could corrode them, he tapped his toes against them, dipped slightly, and shot forward again.

An instant later, Xiao Yan flipped through the air, bent his knees, and lightly pressed his palms to the ground, landing steadily.

Yet Su Tian had moved even faster. At a muffled thud, Xiao Yan looked up to find that Su Tian had already landed ahead of him.

"Move faster. Stop dawdling."

Watching Xiao Yan land, Su Tian curled his lip and tossed out the words with apparent dissatisfaction, then slowly slipped into the bamboo grove right before his eyes.

Damn it! This guy...

Clearly, Su Tian's attitude had infuriated Xiao Yan, but there was nothing he could do.

After all, Su Tian still held the Green Lotus Base. Until he found the green lotus core flame, Xiao Yan did not want to tear their partnership apart.

Glancing back at the giant serpent, Xiao Yan noticed that once they had entered the area within ten meters of the island, it had become too fearful to approach any farther. It swayed its tail and prowled outside the island's perimeter.

Its scarlet tongue flicked in and out, but it could only glare fiercely at Su Tian and Xiao Yan. After a long while, it finally sank helplessly back to the lakebed.

Only then did Xiao Yan finally breathe a sigh of relief, turn around, and examine the island.

It was not particularly large. Lush bamboo groves and all manner of flowers and grasses grew everywhere, making it look vibrant and beautiful while adding splashes of brilliant color.

"This is... the aura of Heavenly Flames!"

Drawing a deep breath, Xiao Yan clenched his fists. At such close range, even he seemed able to sense the Heavenly Flame hidden on the island. Blazing flames danced in his dark eyes.

Xiao Yan silently swore that this time, no matter what, he had to obtain the Heavenly Flame. He had devoted far too much effort to it.

The bone-white flames surrounding his body gradually faded, and Yao Lao's voice sounded in his mind again.

Don't be too hasty. Be careful. Queen Medusa is in there as well, though she may not have the attention to spare for you right now. I'll conceal your aura completely. Act according to the situation when the time comes.

All right.

Xiao Yan nodded slightly, his breathing gradually calming, then followed Su Tian into the bamboo grove.

Su Tian walked along the path through the bamboo grove. In the stillness, there was no sound beyond the faint rustle of his footsteps on the grass.

Just then, faint but hurried footsteps approached.

Su Tian quickly turned and saw Xiao Yan catching up. He immediately shot him an irritated glare. "Keep it down. Why are you bumbling around like a child?"

Caught off guard by Su Tian's unprovoked scolding, Xiao Yan froze. His expression darkened, but he said nothing.

Though neither spoke to guide the way, both Su Tian and Xiao Yan could follow the faint, peculiar aura of the Heavenly Flame in the air to find the right path.

In silence, they rounded the ends of several trails, and the view gradually opened up. The instant they turned the final corner, both hurriedly concealed themselves behind a clump of grass.

Through gaps in the leaves, they looked toward a clearing in the island's center. It was a circular open area, with all the surrounding bamboo and flowers cleared away and small, smooth stones scattered across it.

Among the stones in the clearing lay a small, sunken pool filled with crystal-clear liquid, white mist curling over its surface.

Even from a considerable distance, Su Tian could still feel the extreme cold it contained.

"Ice spirit cold spring..."

Xiao Yan stared fixedly at the crystalline liquid. After a long while, he drew in a deep breath of cold air and murmured in amazement.

The sheer extravagance of Queen Medusa's preparations was almost frightening to him.

"Is that the ice spirit cold spring?"

Su Tian carefully examined the liquid in the pool and asked curiously.

Their gazes slowly shifted, finally settling on a lotus throne in the center of the small pool, carved entirely from a strange crystal.

At that moment, a cluster of Azure Flame was slowly rising from the peculiar lotus throne.

The instant Xiao Yan saw the Azure Flame, his pupils shrank to pinpoints. A feverish longing broke through every restraint within his dark eyes, appearing undisguised on his delicate face.

The Azure Flame seemed remarkably alive. As it gently roiled, it sometimes formed a lotus, and at other times a tiny serpent of Azure Flame, hovering and circling above the lotus throne. Its docile appearance looked exceedingly adorable.

"I've finally found you..."

Xiao Yan stared unblinkingly at the ever-changing Azure Flame. The corners of his mouth kept twitching, and in his overwhelming excitement, his fingers had dug deep into the soil.

Su Tian pressed his lips together, intense excitement dancing in his eyes as well, though he had never seen what the green lotus core flame looked like.

Yet as he watched the Azure Flame, he suddenly felt a pulse from the Green Lotus Base inside his Storage Ring. Immediately afterward, he sensed a familiar feeling from the Azure Flame, one that shared the same origin as the Green Lotus Base.

Su Tian did not have the bone spirit cold flame controlled by Yao Lao's soul, so he could sense the terror and violence within the Heavenly Flame more clearly than Xiao Yan could.

The crystal lotus throne was clearly no ordinary object either. Whenever the Azure Flame was about to drift beyond its bounds, a faint white barrier abruptly appeared and bounced the Heavenly Flame back inside.

Su Tian and Xiao Yan swept their gazes over the scene carefully, discovering that whenever the heavenly flame touched the barrier of light, the Ice Spirit Cold Spring in the pool diminished by an almost imperceptible amount.

Clearly, the Crystal Lotus Throne was drawing on the power of the Ice Spirit Cold Spring to keep the Green Lotus Core Flame from breaking free of its restraints.

Xiao Yan shifted his gaze to the left again. When a face of almost bewitching beauty came into view, he instinctively suppressed his already faint presence even further.

Facing this formidable Dou Emperor, Xiao Yan felt as though a great stone had been laid upon his heart, weighing him down unbearably.

Beside him, Su Tian sensed the change in Xiao Yan. After casting him a glance, he curled his lip and made a token effort to conceal his own presence.

Inwardly, however, Su Tian scoffed.

With Queen Medusa's strength, she would have detected them the moment the two of them set foot on the island.

It was simply that, to Queen Medusa, their strength posed no threat whatsoever. Her most important task right now was to devour the Green Lotus Core Flame.

That was why she had paid neither Su Tian nor Xiao Yan any attention.

Su Tian also turned his gaze toward Queen Medusa. She looked no different from the Energy Body that had appeared outside the city earlier.

An exquisite, sumptuous purple brocade robe enveloped Queen Medusa's graceful figure. Her voluptuous, fiery curves exuded a bewitching allure, while her long, narrow, pale-purple eyes possessed a natural charm with every shifting glance, almost capable of drawing in every man's gaze.

Beneath her purple brocade robe, a length of purple snake tail lay exposed, sweeping lazily back and forth and lending her an untamed, exotic allure.

At that moment, Queen Medusa's beautiful eyes were fixed on the Green Lotus Core Flame in the pool. In the reflected light, flickering tongues of flame danced within her pale-purple eyes.

After staring silently for a long while, Queen Medusa suddenly let out a soft sigh and looked up at the sky. Then, with a slight sway of her snake tail, she slowly raised her voluptuous body upright.

"It's time..."

Queen Medusa murmured softly. A rare trace of hesitation crossed her bewitching face, but a moment later, it gave way to resolve. Two snow-white wrists emerged from beneath her purple brocade robe, and her slender hands slowly formed several seals before her.

As the seals changed in her hands, the Crystal Lotus Throne suddenly began to tremble violently, and the curtain of light above it gradually disappeared.

Once the curtain of light vanished, the unrestrained Green Lotus Core Flame surged out instantly, swelling in the wind. In the blink of an eye, it had become a mass of fiercely churning fire.

Within the pool, the Ice Spirit Cold Spring was evaporating into white mist at a speed visible to the naked eye.

Ignoring the bamboo around her as it rapidly withered beneath the scorching heat, Queen Medusa lightly bit her red lip with her pearly teeth. She raised her delicate hands and was about to slowly undo the fastenings of her brocade robe.

A soft cough suddenly sounded beside Xiao Yan's ear.

"Ahem. Mind yourself-that's my fiancée. You dirty old lecher, what are you hoping to see with your eyes open that wide?"