Qing Lin locked eyes with the Double-Headed Fire Spirit Snake. Three small green flower patterns in her pupils grew larger, and a jade-green glow shot into the beast's eyes.
The moment the green light pierced its pupils, the snake froze. Within a minute, two green flower tattoos marked its ferocious heads. From that moment, it lost its freedom, enslaved to Qing Lin. Exhausted, Qing Lin collapsed to the ground.
"Here, eat this." Xiao Heng slipped a dragon-eye-sized cyan pill into her mouth.
"How is it?" he asked.
"A little sweet!" Qing Lin's pale face lit up with an innocent smile.
"You know about the Heavenly Flame, right?" Xiao Heng asked.
"Mm. Young Master Xiao Yan, the Heavenly Flame is beneath the magma. It'll take you there," Qing Lin said.
"I have to go down there?" Xiao Yan asked, his expression odd.
"Little Yan-zi, jump in. If you get burned to a crisp, I'll find a pretty snake girl to burn as an offering for you," Xiao Heng teased with a grin.
"Hmph, mere magma can't kill me!" Xiao Yan steeled himself and leaped into the magma, vanishing without a single spark.
Wrapped in pale white flames, Xiao Yan swam through the magma before sinking deeper.
"Big Brother, I'm going to play in the magma. You two do as you like," Xiao Heng said. He left a small cluster of Devouring Blue Flame to absorb the dense fire element energy, then stepped forward, reappearing seated in the magma.
The Devouring Blue Flame enveloping him began absorbing the magma's pure fire attribute energy, boosting his Dou Zhi Qi cultivation. Xiao Ding and Qing Lin waited at the tunnel entrance, cultivating.
To enhance efficiency, blue flames blazed above the magma lake, drawing in surrounding fire element energy. The temperature around Xiao Ding and Qing Lin dropped slightly.
Xiao Ding absorbed the small vial of energy droplets Xiao Heng had given him. With their aid, he broke through from Five-Star Dou Shi to Eight-Star Dou Shi, finishing his cultivation first. Qing Lin, still absorbing Dou Zhi Qi, would use the energy droplets to rapidly advance after reaching Dou Zhe.
After a long while, a figure cloaked in pale white flames burst from the magma. Xiao Yan's cyan wings faded as he landed before Xiao Ding and Qing Lin.
"The temperature here's dropped quite a bit!" Xiao Yan noted.
"Third Brother's doing," Xiao Ding said, pointing to Xiao Heng in the magma.
How does this blue flame compare to your Bone Spirit Cold Flame, Teacher? Xiao Yan asked Yao Lao in his mind.
"Hmm… it's about on par with the Bone Spirit Cold Flame I can unleash through your body right now," Yao Lao assessed.
At that moment, Xiao Heng opened his eyes. His cultivation had advanced to Two-Star Dou Huang, and his Devouring Blue Flame had also reached Dou Huang strength. Restoring the magma lake's original temperature would take time.
With a flap of blue wings, Xiao Heng leaped to the tunnel entrance, joining the three.
"Did you get the Heavenly Flame?" he asked.
"No. It was likely taken by Queen Medusa half a year ago," Xiao Yan said, holding up a seven-colored snake scale.
"It's not the worst outcome. Queen Medusa probably took the Heavenly Flame to break through to Dou Zong. That kind of breakthrough is a nine-out-of-ten chance of death. Whether she succeeds or fails, she won't be combat-ready for a while. If we can infiltrate, reclaiming the Heavenly Flame won't be hard," Xiao Heng explained.
"Really?" Xiao Yan's disappointment vanished.
"Plenty of people know this," Xiao Heng added.
"Then our chances of reclaiming the Green Lotus Core Flame just got a lot higher!" Xiao Yan grinned.
"Don't worry. I'm planning to stir up some chaos in the Tagore Desert's snake tribes. It's on the way. I'll cause a distraction outside," Xiao Heng said.
"Brother Heng, you're not planning to take down Queen Medusa herself, are you?" Xiao Yan's mind raced.
Xiao Heng just smiled, saying nothing. Whether he went with Xiao Yan or not, Xiao Yan would get the Green Lotus Core Flame. But that seductive snake? Xiao Yan, nearly reduced to a Fallen Flame, couldn't handle her. Best leave it to Xiao Heng. How could I let a mere Heavenly Flame steal the prize?
Maybe I'll even get a shot at Yun Yun. Xiao Yan's got his aphrodisiac tricks, but I'm no slouch either. Heh, two birds with one stone. That proud snake queen will end up a sweet little maid in no time.
On the way back, Xiao Yan led the way, followed by Xiao Ding. Xiao Heng and Qing Lin trailed behind. A flash of green light slipped into Qing Lin's sleeve, caught by Xiao Heng as he turned.
"Heehee, Young Master, you're playing with snakes. Can I play too?" Qing Lin giggled, her big eyes sparkling with the purest innocence, like a college girl's.
"Play all you want. You were born to tame snakes," Xiao Heng said with a laugh.
"Hehe, Young Master's the best!" Qing Lin hugged his shoulder.
"Tomorrow, I'm heading deep into the Tagore Desert. Stay here and cultivate diligently. I'll come back for you," Xiao Heng said.
"Mm, don't forget Qing Lin, Young Master!" she said with a smile.
"Relax." Xiao Heng tapped her forehead, and a blue flame mark slowly faded into her skin.
"This flame mark acts as a locator. Even if you wander off, I'll find you," he said.
"Qing Lin won't wander!" she said seriously, clinging to his arm.
"Haha!"
___
The next day, as dawn barely broke, Xiao Yan and Xiao Heng set out. "Qing Lin, don't slack on your cultivation. Aim to break through to Dou Zhe soon," Xiao Heng reminded.
"I will, Young Master!" Qing Lin waved.
Xiao Heng didn't go alone. Though now a Two-Star Dou Huang, his soul perception paled compared to Yao Lao's. Sticking with Xiao Yan wouldn't take long, and with Yao Lao's ghostly radar, it'd save him plenty of trouble.
The Tagore Desert's depths housed many snake tribes, but only eight major ones. Fortunately, their relations were strained, lowering the risk of detection.
After a long trek, the two reached an oasis near a snake tribe to fetch water. The desert's nighttime chill had set in, and they hurried toward the sound of water in the bushes.
Ahead, several graceful snake women patrolled. In parts of the Jia Ma Empire, snake women were prized by some, often bought for amusement.
"What are they doing at this hour?" Xiao Yan swallowed hard, his thirst evident.
"With so many snake women guarding, it's likely a snake tribe leader bathing—and probably female," Xiao Heng said.
"Makes sense!"
They pressed forward, and a clear lake came into view. In it was a bewitching, alluring snake woman.
"Looks like we're drinking bathwater," Xiao Yan said, shaking his head.
"She's Dou Wang strength. Want to catch her to play with?" Xiao Heng teased with a wink.
"Not my thing!" Xiao Yan hurriedly shook his head.
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