Within the vast underground cavern, fiery red magma slowly flowed, with occasional massive bubbles rising to the surface.
After a brief moment, one of the bubbles burst with a pop, and scorching lava shot out like crimson fireworks, dazzling in its brilliance.
Queen Medusa frowned deeply. This searing environment made her feel extremely uncomfortable.
By nature, she was of the yin attribute—cold and icy—naturally opposed to fire. Ordinary flames posed little threat to her, but deep beneath this magma... lurked the Green Lotus Core Flame, a ranked Heavenly Flame.
"Here, take this Ice Heart Pill." Chen Mo retrieved a pill from his storage ring and handed it to Queen Medusa.
After swallowing it, she immediately felt a wave of relief.
"What is this surprise you mentioned?" Queen Medusa had a general idea of what it might be, though it was difficult to believe.
"A Heavenly Flame," Chen Mo said with a faint smile. "Your Majesty, didn't you once say you liked Heavenly Flames? Today, I'm giving you one."
Queen Medusa froze slightly in surprise, her thoughts confirmed. "You're giving it to me?"
In truth, the Heavenly Flame wasn't of much use to him at this point.
Besides, Queen Medusa only wanted to borrow the Heavenly Flame to assist in her evolution. She wasn't actually planning to refine or devour it.
With some luck, the flame might end up back in his hands in the end.
So, why not seize this opportunity to earn favor with a beauty? A worthwhile trade.
(Sigh, I didn't want to put it so bluntly, but some of you would call it poison if I gave away the flame without explanation.)
Seeing Chen Mo nod, Queen Medusa—her seductive face hidden behind her white mask—couldn't help but feel moved.
For an alchemist like Chen Mo to gift a Heavenly Flame, a sacred treasure in their hearts, to her—it naturally sparked countless thoughts in her mind.
[Ding! Favorability +1. Gained insight for the duration of one incense stick.]
Queen Medusa snorted coldly. "Where is this Heavenly Flame you speak of?"
"It's within this magma world," Chen Mo said, eyes lighting up.
Queen Medusa narrowed her eyes, her gaze fixed on the magma below. Her expression turned serious. "There's a creature in the lava."
"A Tier 4 Two-Headed Flame Spirit Serpent," Chen Mo replied.
"A Two-Headed Flame Spirit Serpent?"
Queen Medusa arched a brow.
"According to legend, these serpents are typically born in extremely hot environments and survive by devouring magma. They have enormous potential for evolution. Though born as Tier 1 Magic Beasts, with enough luck, they can evolve into Tier 6 Beasts comparable to Dou Huang-class experts. This magma world does seem like its natural habitat."
"Then, Your Majesty, I'll lure it out, and you can defeat—er, subdue it."
Chen Mo had originally meant to say "kill," but since the Two-Headed Flame Spirit Serpent was also of serpent kind, just like Queen Medusa, he feared the term might displease her.
Perhaps due to his earlier words, she subconsciously chose to follow his lead.
Following his will, Chen Mo summoned golden wings from his back. With Tian Yuan in hand, he flapped his wings and soared into the magma world.
"Wait—" Queen Medusa reached out, hesitating to speak.
Her phoenix eyes locked onto the magma's surface, ready to strike at any moment.
Chen Mo slowly flew above the lava. Blood Flame and Purple Flame formed dual layers of protection around his body.
His soul perception extended outward, carefully scanning the surroundings.
He remained close to the magma's surface, intentionally trying to provoke the Two-Headed Flame Spirit Serpent.
The heat inside the cavern was extreme—absurdly so. Even with his double-layered protection, Chen Mo still felt the intense burn.
His flight was slow, weaving steadily above the lava's surface.
Finally, after several passes and amidst the boiling waves of magma, a massive creature suddenly burst forth from below. Like lightning, it lunged toward Chen Mo to devour him.
Chen Mo flapped his wings, rapidly ascending while wielding Tian Yuan to harass and provoke the beast further.
He aimed to give Queen Medusa a better opportunity to strike.
Clearly, the Two-Headed Flame Spirit Serpent was enraged by his provocation.
It burst from the magma and charged at him, letting out a piercing shriek. The flailing magma stirred the previously calm lake into a violent frenzy, sending pillars of lava skyward.
In the skies, Chen Mo's wings flapped furiously as he slashed at the serpent with sword qi from Tian Yuan.
The serpent's hardened crimson scales cracked, and streaks of dark red blood seeped from between them.
Infuriated, the Two-Headed Flame Spirit Serpent opened both of its monstrous jaws, flicking out two blood-red tongues.
Its speed surged as it shot toward Chen Mo.
At that moment, a seductive purple serpent tail lashed out, striking the Flame Spirit Serpent and slamming it into a nearby rock wall, creating a massive crater as blood splattered out.
Chen Mo halted his flight. Before him hovered a massive purple serpent over ten zhang long.
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Its body was long and powerful, radiating an elegant, almost noble beauty. The pale violet pupils in its eyes carried none of the ferocity of the Two-Headed Flame Spirit Serpent. Instead, they glimmered with a cold grace and calm indifference.
It was none other than Queen Medusa's true form—the Purple Brilliance Serpent.
The giant purple serpent twisted gracefully in midair, its enormous head locking onto the Flame Spirit Serpent embedded in the wall. A strange pressure radiated from its body.
Both of the Flame Spirit Serpent's pupils constricted in fear—an instinctual dread rooted deep within its bloodline.
Bloodline suppression.
After all, flowing within Queen Medusa was a trace of the blood of an ancient beast—the Seven-Colored Heaven Swallowing Python.
Such bloodlines exerted tremendous pressure on all serpent-type magical beasts.
Terrified, the Two-Headed Flame Spirit Serpent retreated into the lava.
"Get on," Queen Medusa hissed.
Chen Mo was stunned, his throat moving in disbelief. Was she serious?
Am I really about to earn the title of Serpent Rider this quickly?
"Hm?" Queen Medusa coldly snorted.
"Damn it—whatever happens, happens!"
Chen Mo flew onto her massive purple body and clung tightly.
Queen Medusa's body tensed. Her tongue flicked slightly, and then a red glow enveloped both her and Chen Mo entirely.
Following Chen Mo's guidance, she plunged straight into the depths of the magma world.
Under the mental guidance of the map in his memory, Chen Mo led Queen Medusa for nearly half an hour.
Finally, within a glowing field of cyan light in the lava depths, they saw it.
And upon the lotus, a flickering blue-green flame danced gently—
The Green Lotus Core Flame.
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