Chapter 72: Zi Yan VS Medusa!
In the fiery red world of magma, undercurrents surged, and occasionally, extremely fierce magma undercurrents would erupt from unknown places.
These undercurrents contained extremely vast energy, and if struck, even a Dou Grandmaster would only end up severely injured.
However, Jiang Yun had stayed in the magma beneath Jia Nan Academy for two years, and now possessed the cultivation of a Dou Wang (Battle King), so these posed no difficulty for Jiang Yun.
Following the aura transmitted from his soul perception, as he continuously dived into the seemingly endless magma, the surrounding temperature almost doubled.
After an unknown period, a hint of green light suddenly appeared in the dark red world. Jiang Yun's heart stirred, knowing that he was close to his target.
He immediately accelerated, and soon, Jiang Yun saw something radiating a brilliant green light not far ahead.
The green light enveloped this part of the magma, and faintly, within that green light, a green lotus swayed gracefully.
"Green Lotus Core Flame!"
Seeing the Green Lotus Core Flame, the Undying Holy Flame within Jiang Yun's body stirred slightly, conveying a sense of longing.
Although a portion of the Devil Flame, which was devoured, had been separated by Jiang Yun, as a part of the Holy Heavenly Demon Flame, the Undying Holy Flame, which primarily governs creation and vitality, was also extremely domineering, conveying a strong desire for the Green Lotus Core Flame.
"It seems you can't wait either!"
Murmuring, Jiang Yun stomped his foot fiercely and plunged into the embrace of the green light.
Upon entering the green light, the surrounding temperature strangely dropped, or rather, their energy was completely concentrated within the green lotus ahead.
The green lotus had eight leaves, eight green petals, like the most perfect green jade, exuding an inherent perfection, crystal clear, making one feel like they couldn't put it down.
In the very center of the lotus, there was a small lotus platform about two to three feet in size. On the lotus platform, specks of fluorescent light emanated, which were the Earth Fire Lotus Seeds.
At the center of the lotus platform, there was a fist-sized hole, and within the hole, a cluster of green flames burned fiercely.
Without rushing to collect the Heavenly Flame, Jiang Yun's vast soul power extended along the green lotus deep into the ground. According to Heavenly Demon Emperor's speculation, many of the exotic flames on Dou Qi Continent were formed by the previous owner of the Myriad Flames Undying Body, after his demise, combining with various elemental sources of the Dou Qi Continent.
Then, would there be any other gains at the birthplace of this Heavenly Flame?
One must know that this was the legacy of a peak Saint-Rank Heavenly Sovereign, how could Jiang Yun not be tempted?
Unfortunately, whether due to the passage of too much time or other reasons, Jiang Yun found nothing. In his perception, in this sea of magma, only this green lotus stood alone, detached from the world.
Seeing this, Jiang Yun felt no regret. He took out a small jade knife from his storage ring and cut at the connection between the lotus and its stem, causing the entire green lotus to fall off instantly.
He raised his hand to catch the lotus. The Heavenly Flame was extremely violent, but when the Green Lotus Core Flame was within the green lotus where it grew, it appeared unusually docile.
At this moment, the surrounding green light was gradually shrinking.
His gaze fell upon the remaining stem, which was more than ten meters long and slender. On its body, countless tiny tendrils were frantically swaying.
Jiang Yun could clearly feel that it was currently absorbing the violent fire-attributed energy from the surrounding magma with an almost greedy intensity.
Perhaps in another thousand years, another Green Lotus Core Flame would be born here!
Just as he was about to leave, a peculiar thought suddenly popped into Jiang Yun's mind: the only fixed, known place on the Dou Qi Continent where exotic flames could be born was here.
Exotic flames are also a unique form of life; they can cultivate, and once they gather enough spirituality, they can condense spirits and transform into a Fire Spirit Body.
"Today you help me, and in the future, I will help you attain enlightenment!"
With that thought, Jiang Yun didn't dwell on it. He whispered and, with a wave of his hand, spiritual seals flew out, setting up a Level Five Spirit Gathering Array around the area. Jiang Yun was quite familiar with this.
After the formation was complete, looking at his masterpiece and feeling the opponent's even more frantic absorption of energy from heaven and earth, Jiang Yun chuckled, nodded in satisfaction, and holding the green lotus, turned and left.
Inside the underground cave.
Qing Lin looked nervously at the motionless magma lake, and couldn't help but ask worriedly, "Sister Zi Yan, why hasn't Brother Jiang Yun come out yet?"
At this moment, if one were to observe Qing Lin closely, they would find that she had transformed from a helpless little girl into a'strong practitioner' with three stages of Dou Qi, and on her fair wrist was a red bracelet.
"Don't worry, this level of difficulty is child's play for Xiao Yun!" Zi Yan replied calmly, her arms crossed, though her feet were unconsciously twitching, indicating her inner restlessness.
She said that, but Jiang Yun was, after all, going to subdue an Heavenly Flame. Having witnessed the Fallen Heart Flame, she was extremely wary of exotic flames.
If Jiang Yun hadn't guaranteed it repeatedly, and if the Green Lotus Core Flame wasn't ranked five places lower than the Fallen Heart Flame, she wouldn't have let him go down alone.
Just as the two were anxiously waiting, the calm magma lake stirred, drawing their attention.
"Puff—" The sound of water breaking echoed through the cave.
In their surprised gazes, Jiang Yun's flame-enveloped figure slowly appeared in their sight. With a flash, Jiang Yun appeared between the two, still holding the green lotus in his hand.
"Brother Jiang Yun, are you alright?"
"Is this the Green Lotus Core Flame?"
Seeing Jiang Yun safe and sound, Zi Yan and Qing Lin were both attracted by the green lotus in Jiang Yun's hand. Setting aside everything else, the green lotus indeed looked good. Girls, after all, always like pretty things.
Nodding, Jiang Yun looked at the two, his gaze lingering on Qing Lin for a moment. He hadn't expected the Green Snake Three-Flower Pupil to be so terrifying; in such a short time, she already possessed three stages of Dou Qi.
As expected of the two great physiques on Dou Qi Continent; if conditions were sufficient, they would be no less inferior to the divine bloodlines of imperial clans. No, the Green Snake Three-Flower Pupil itself was a divine bloodline of the snake race.
"The Heavenly Flame is already in hand, let's go!"
The two naturally had no objections. The three followed the original path out of the underground, then sealed the passage.
As soon as they exited the underground passage, Jiang Yun and Zi Yan's eyes immediately narrowed. They exchanged glances, and with unspoken tacit cooperation, the Dou Qi wings on their backs vibrated simultaneously, quickly heading towards the distant oasis.
"They found me!" The hidden figure, watching the three leave, murmured. She found their discovery of her somewhat strange.
Two of them gave her a feeling of agitation, a kindred aura, and yet the human boy leading the trio, with only the strength of a Dou Wang (Battle King), actually discovered her.
Although a Dou Wang (Battle King) so young was indeed rare, she hadn't taken the three seriously.
She hadn't expected the other party to give her a'surprise'; with her concealment methods, she was actually discovered.
"Hmph, let this King see what tricks you have!" Medusa snorted coldly, completely unafraid. Her Dou Qi wings vibrated, transforming into a purple streak of light as she followed.
Even though the three were a bit peculiar, Medusa wasn't worried. A Dou Huang (Battle Emperor), a Dou Wang (Battle King), and one who wasn't even a Dou Zhe — she didn't take them seriously at all.
Moreover, the Heavenly Flame in Jiang Yun's hand was something she was determined to obtain!
As the Queen of the Snake-People Tribe, Medusa's bloodline, at the peak of Dou Huang (Battle Emperor), not only made her famously beautiful throughout the land but also gave her formidable strength; she didn't even fear a Dou Zong (Battle Ancestor).
However, Medusa's bloodline was both her achievement and her shackles.
The secret bloodline technique she used back then was only a mid-grade one of the Snake-People Tribe; the peak of Dou Huang (Battle Emperor) was her limit.
As the Queen of the Snake-People Tribe, she needed to lead the Snake-People Tribe out of the desert. The strength of a peak Dou Huang (Battle Emperor) was not enough; she needed to become stronger.
Now, the hope of a breakthrough was right before her eyes; she could not give up.
"She's caught up!"
While flying, Zi Yan sensed the movement behind her and spoke to Jiang Yun ahead. At this moment, her expression was no longer casual but full of seriousness, and a cold glint flashed in her eyes.
The pressure from the opponent behind her was completely different from the previous big guy. As a fellow magical beast, she could clearly sense Medusa's formidable strength.
Now, it seemed to be an enemy, not a friend, so she had to be cautious!
"This is indeed a good opponent!" Jiang Yun noticed the newcomer, and an understanding flashed in his eyes. Yes, in this Tagor Desert, besides this one, who else could give him such a feeling?
Responding, Jiang Yun accelerated. Soon after, the three landed on an oasis.
In mid-air, a graceful figure suddenly appeared, accompanied by a terrifying pressure.
"Hmph—"
Feeling the all-encompassing pressure from the opponent, Zi Yan snorted coldly. Her figure moved, blocking Jiang Yun's path, and she stared at Medusa across the air.
Shielding Qing Lin behind him, Jiang Yun carefully observed Queen Medusa before him. Even he couldn't help but show a flicker of amazement in his eyes.
He saw her clad in a rich purple brocade robe, beneath which was a full and exquisite figure, like a ripe peach. Her long, black hair cascaded casually over her shoulders, reaching down to her slender waist, swaying with the wind.
A flawless face, naturally enchanting. Most importantly, beneath the brocade robe, a section of a purple snake tail was revealed. The tail swayed slightly, exuding a wild, alluring charm.
Truly a temptress who seduces at every moment!
"Hand over the Heavenly Flame, and I will leave your corpses intact!"
Queen Medusa's voice was cold, yet full of arrogance, brimming with naked threats, and her sharp killing intent was completely undisguised.
As an existence with both a fearsome and alluring reputation, her allure goes without saying, but her fearsome reputation was equally prominent.
Her methods were exceptionally ruthless; for her, killing was as simple as slaughtering a chicken.
Almost everyone in the Jia Ma Empire knew of her terror, and near the Tagor Desert, her fearsome reputation was enough to silence crying children. She was truly a formidable beauty in every sense of the word.
"You talk big without fear of biting your tongue, take this punch first!"
Medusa's words thoroughly enraged Zi Yan. With a delicate cry, she stomped her foot heavily forward, as if stepping on solid ground, and her figure abruptly flashed close to Medusa.
A small, fair fist instantly shot out. Purple light gleamed on the fist, and a terrifying power condensed within it.
Sensing the surge of spatial energy, a hint of surprise flashed in Medusa's eyes. She hadn't expected someone to master the use of spatial energy at the Dou Huang (Battle Emperor) stage.
Due to her strength, she already had one foot in the Dou Zong (Battle Ancestor) realm, and coupled with her extraordinary bloodline, she was extremely proficient in the use of spatial energy, comparable to a low-level Dou Zong (Battle Ancestor). She hadn't expected to see someone even more talented than herself today.
Feeling the terrifying power that suddenly appeared before her, Medusa's eyes flashed, and she quickly reacted.
With a clenched slender hand, a snake-shaped longsword appeared, and she fiercely slashed it towards Zi Yan's fair neck.
Seeing this, Zi Yan naturally wouldn't be foolish enough to test if the opponent's treasured sword was sharp with her own neck. She immediately twisted her body, narrowly avoiding the strike.
"Purple Gold Dragon Spear!"
Accompanied by a crisp shout, a huge purple-gold spear appeared in Zi Yan's hand, smashing down on Medusa's head.
"Hmph!"
Medusa snorted coldly at the sight, completely unconcerned whether the longsword was suitable for exerting force. She flicked the longsword upwards and, without backing down, collided with the purple-gold spear.
"Clang!"
A crisp sound of metal clashing rang out. As sparks flew, powerful energy rippled from the point of impact, and both figures retreated rapidly.
Medusa's figure tumbled in the air, her wings flapping, and through exquisite footwork, she dissipated the force and stabilized herself. In contrast, Zi Yan staggered back several steps before finally stopping.
"Bad woman, you have so much strength!" Zi Yan tightened her numb hand at this moment, looking at Medusa with a serious expression. This was the first time someone of the same rank had made her strength falter.
"You're not bad either!" Medusa's cheeks slightly chilled. She knew her own situation; she had only managed to fight Zi Yan to a draw by relying on more refined footwork and higher cultivation.
This meant her strength was inferior to the opponent, inferior to this magical beast who had just entered the sixth rank.
She was not a stubborn person. Since she knew her physical body couldn't compare, she would play to her strengths and avoid her weaknesses.
"Myriad Snakes Devour!"
She formed a hand seal with one hand, and instantly, countless slender purple snakes appeared in the void, rushing towards Zi Yan from all directions.
"Annoying things!" In the sky, Zi Yan looked at the incoming snake shadows, frowning slightly in displeasure. She took a deep breath, and a surge of dragon qi condensed and compressed in her mouth, finally...
"Roar—"
A terrifying dragon roar exploded, and waves of sound pierced through the air. Instantly, the surrounding snake shadows burst apart, dissipating as energy between heaven and earth.
"High-grade Dragon Race!" At this moment, Medusa completely confirmed Zi Yan's identity: a Dragon Race with an extremely high bloodline. This drew her intense attention.
After all, any magical beast with Dragon Race bloodline is not simple!
"Hmph!" Zi Yan snorted coldly, looking at the scattered snake shadows, and sneered contemptuously at Medusa.
"Can you beat me in Dou Technique?"