Li Chen raised his hand, and the Green Lotus Core Flame appeared. "Want it?"
Medusa stared at that green lotus. The thing she had been searching for all this time was right before her eyes.
But she neither reached for it nor spoke. He had suddenly brought it out; this was either a test or a taunt, and she could take the bait in neither case.
She lowered her head. "I wouldn't dare covet your possessions, Senior."
Li Chen said nothing. He raised his hand and brought out another Green Lotus Core Flame.
Medusa froze.
Then came a third.
A fourth.
A fifth.
"You came here looking for this Green Lotus Core Flame. I can have as many of these heavenly flames as I want. But what can you offer in return?"
Medusa fell silent for a while, considering what she could offer.
"The Snake People have three secret mines in the Tagor Desert. The veins aren't large, but they produce fire-attribute ore of exceptionally high quality. If you're interested, Senior, you may take them."
Li Chen merely shook his head, raised his hand, and put away one of the row of Green Lotus Core Flames before him.
She drew a breath. "The Snake People also have a secret art that uses the soul of a snake magical beast as a catalyst, fusing it with one's own being to summon one's true form into battle."
Li Chen still shook his head and put away another Green Lotus Core Flame.
"Senior, you can tell me directly what you need."
"I have no shortage of things with a price," Li Chen said casually. "Whether it's mineral veins, secret arts, blood essence, cultivation methods, Dou Techniques, or pills, what I want is something priceless."
Medusa raised her head to look at him.
"Life,