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Chapter 27 - Chapter 26:The snake flame girl

The sixth floor of the Flame Pagoda was not open to all.

Only a few disciples per decade ever reached it — and fewer still survived.

It wasn't a trial of strength.

It was a test of will against temptation, flame versus poison, body versus spirit.

And that was exactly where she waited.

---

The Hidden Flame

She lay beneath a canopy of emerald smoke — on a throne woven from vines, jade, and golden serpent bones.

Her green eyes shimmered like molten venom, and her lips, painted in a soft blood-rose hue, curved as she sensed the barrier ripple.

"He's coming," she whispered, voice like silk trailing over a blade.

The serpents at her feet slithered silently. The flame marking on her back pulsed.

Third Flame Maiden.

Aspect: Serpent Flame.

Name: Lin Suyin.

Nature: Deadly beauty.

Loyal to no one.

She didn't want a savior.

She wanted entertainment.

And Long Feng? He was about to become her favorite game.

---

Long Feng Enters

The barrier opened with a hiss of heat.

Long Feng stepped through, eyes scanning the sixth floor.

It looked nothing like the others.

Thick vines stretched across the chamber like veins. Pools of green fire bubbled quietly, and a faint, sweet scent lingered in the air — warm, floral… and dangerous.

He didn't blink. "Poison Qi."

Mei Ling stepped in behind him. Her expression twisted.

"I don't like this place."

Long Feng moved ahead slowly, his Soul Flame rotating in his core — steady and watchful.

> Something here wasn't right.

---

The First Encounter

From the shadows of a tree hung with glowing serpent lanterns, a figure stepped out.

She wore a green flame-robe, slit high at the sides to reveal long legs wrapped in jade ribbons. Her hair flowed like dark water, and her smile was that of a predator admiring prey.

"Welcome to the Serpent Flame Trial," she purred.

Long Feng's eyes sharpened.

"You're no illusion."

"No," she said, walking slowly around him, hands laced behind her back. "I'm very real."

> "Lin Suyin," she offered. "Poison Flame body.

Also known as the Green Widow."

---

Mei Ling's Unease

Mei Ling's flame pulsed defensively.

"She's strong," she whispered.

Long Feng nodded. "And dangerous."

Suyin smiled wider. "I like a man who can tell the difference."

Her eyes dropped to his hand — the one Mei Ling had held the night before.

"You came here with someone already," she said, voice laced with amusement. "How tragic. It makes the hunt more exciting."

Long Feng remained still.

"What do you want?"

She circled him like a panther.

"I want to see the flame that broke prophecy. I want to know why the Soul Flame bowed to you. And…"

She leaned close, breath warm against his ear.

> "…I want to know if that flame burns hot enough… to melt me."

---

The Venom Test

Suddenly — a flick of her fingers.

Green fire surged from beneath her feet, forming a serpent that launched at Mei Ling like a whip.

"Mei!" Long Feng roared.

Mei Ling braced herself, but the strike never hit.

Long Feng moved faster — intercepting it with his Soul Flame and Lotus Frost barrier.

The serpent hissed, burned… and died.

Suyin clapped slowly.

> "Perfect. That's what I needed to see.

Your fire would protect her even if it cost you."

She tilted her head.

"But what if one day… you had to choose?"

---

Invitation in Disguise

The ground beneath Long Feng lit with green sigils.

Suyin's true intention was revealed — this was no casual meeting.

It was her trial.

The Serpent Flame Floor only allowed passage after surviving a special challenge:

> "The Temptation of the Twin Flames."

A test of loyalty. Of choice. Of emotional strength.

Suyin raised her hand.

Two illusions appeared beside her — one of Mei Ling, injured, alone in a pit of fire… the other of a rare spirit flame fruit that could enhance Long Feng's cultivation by two entire stages.

"Save the girl you care for… or advance to power you need."

She smirked.

> "Choose, Flame God."

---

He Chooses Without Hesitation

The moment she spoke, Long Feng's soul surged.

He didn't hesitate. Not even a heartbeat.

His flame split — one burning toward Mei Ling's illusion, the other obliterating the flame fruit into ash.

"Cheap trick," he said coldly. "I don't chase power at the cost of those beside me."

Mei Ling stared, stunned.

Even Suyin looked surprised.

"…You really didn't even blink."

Long Feng met her gaze. "If that was your test, it failed."

---

Lin Suyin's Approval

She paused for a long moment.

Then…

She laughed — a slow, low laugh full of intrigue.

"Interesting. Very interesting."

She waved her hand.

The sigils vanished. The green flames receded.

"You pass."

Mei Ling narrowed her eyes. "That's it?"

Suyin stepped closer, brushing her fingers across Long Feng's shoulder lightly.

"No. Not quite."

She leaned in with a sly smile.

"I never said I was testing him for a reward."

Her voice dipped, whispering like a secret venom.

> "I was testing him to see if he's worth stealing from you."

And with that, she vanished — leaving only a faint trail of sweet-scented poison in the air.

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