Qing Lin sent a thought to the Two-Headed Fire Spirit Snake. The mark on its head glowed brightly as the massive beast rapidly shrank, finally shooting into Qing Lin's sleeve like a streak of red light.
Qing Lin patted her sleeve curiously and said with a beaming smile, "From now on, you must listen to both me and Young Master. If you disobey, I'll throw you away."
A faint, obedient hiss came from inside her sleeve, clearly indicating the snake did not dare to resist.
"Qing Lin, let it out and have it take me down," Xiao Tian said, gently stroking her hair.
The Two-Headed Fire Spirit Snake immediately flew out of her sleeve and grew larger in the air. After hissing once at Xiao Tian, it dove straight into the bubbling magma.
"Xiao Tian…"
"Young Master…"
"Hall Master."
"Be careful. Stay safe."
The four spoke almost at the same time.
"Mm. Wait for me here," Xiao Tian nodded.
Crimson flames erupted from his body as he leaped into the magma, following closely behind the Two-Headed Fire Spirit Snake.
Undercurrents surged violently within the magma, and dangers lurked everywhere. Occasionally, powerful streams of lava would erupt from unknown directions. Fortunately, the Two-Headed Fire Spirit Snake was extremely familiar with this place, allowing Xiao Tian to avoid all hazards.
As he descended deeper, Xiao Tian continuously strengthened the Qilin Burning Sky Flame around his body.
After a long period of descent, the color of the magma below gradually turned greenish.
Ten minutes later, guided by the Two-Headed Fire Spirit Snake, a dazzling green light appeared before his eyes.
Swimming closer, Xiao Tian finally saw it clearly — a graceful green lotus standing quietly within the glowing light.
The Two-Headed Fire Spirit Snake trembled visibly as it looked at the green light, its body shrinking back in fear.
Xiao Tian stepped directly into the green light and stopped in front of the lotus.
Scattered around the base were many blood-stained Seven-Colored Snake scales.
Sensing something, the Seven-Colored Little Snake in Xiao Tian's sleeve woke up and crawled out, coiling around his shoulder. It stared at the scales on the ground for a moment before its attention was drawn to the pure energy of the Earth Fire Lotus Seed. It instinctively flew toward the lotus platform.
Xiao Tian quickly reached out and grabbed it. "Little one, don't rush. I'll let you eat it later."
Under his gentle comfort, the little snake calmed down and returned to coil on his shoulder, still staring intently at the lotus seed.
Xiao Tian began to carefully observe the green lotus before him.
It had eight leaves, each one as flawless as the finest green jade — crystal clear and breathtakingly beautiful.
In the center was a lotus platform about two to three feet wide. In the middle of the platform was a fist-sized empty hole — the place where the Green Lotus Core Flame had once been nurtured. Surrounding this hole were eleven Earth Fire Lotus Seeds.
Xiao Tian took out several empty jade bottles, melted and purified them with flame, then solidified them into a long jade knife.
Using the jade knife, he carefully cut the part connecting the lotus to its root. The green lotus detached smoothly, leaving only the root behind to continue absorbing energy.
He controlled the lotus to float in front of him.
Picking out one lotus seed with the jade knife, he placed it in front of the Seven-Colored Little Snake. The little snake swallowed it in one gulp. A faint cyan flame flickered from its mouth as it swayed drunkenly, then swam back into Xiao Tian's hand and fell asleep.
He harvested the remaining ten lotus seeds, storing them separately.
With a wave of his hand, Xiao Tian stored the green lotus and the ten jade bottles away.
Seeing no other treasures around, he turned and beckoned the Two-Headed Fire Spirit Snake to return.
With a loud splash, Xiao Tian's figure, enveloped in crimson flames, emerged from the magma.
The Two-Headed Fire Spirit Snake also shrank and returned to Qing Lin's sleeve.
"Are you alright?" The Little Fairy Doctor and Qing Lin immediately stepped forward with concern.
"I'm fine," Xiao Tian smiled and shook his head.
He thought for a moment, then took out two jade bottles and handed them to Wen Yan and Hai Bodong. "These are Earth Fire Lotus Seeds. Although your attributes may not be perfectly compatible, they can still be exchanged for other valuable resources."
Hai Bodong's eyes widened. As the former Grand Elder of an auction house, he naturally recognized the value of an Earth Fire Lotus Seed. Even Dou Huang experts would fight over such a treasure.
"This is too valuable. I only came to help…"
"Elder Hai, this is what you deserve," Xiao Tian waved his hand. "Follow me, and I will never treat you unfairly."
Hai Bodong's expression changed. After a moment of silence, he cupped his hands respectfully. "Then I'll shamelessly accept it. From now on, whether through mountains of blades or seas of fire, Hall Master only needs to give the order."
"I won't give these to you two yet," Xiao Tian said to Qing Lin and the Little Fairy Doctor. "I will refine them into pills for you later. They will help accelerate your cultivation."
Both girls nodded obediently, showing no particular attachment to the treasure.
"Since we've obtained what we came for, let's head back first."
The group had no objections. They followed the same path back through the underground passage and returned to Stone Desert City.
Upon returning, Xiao Tian immediately went to find Xiao Yan and Yao Lao.
"Yao lao, I've obtained the all herbs for Sect breaking pill now help me to refine them . Please help me refine them into pills."
Yao Lao's eyes lit up. "Good! Very good!"
Xiao Tian turned to Wen Yan. "Old Wen, set up a barrier here so no one can disturb us."
Wen Yan nodded and quickly formed several hand seals. A powerful water-attribute barrier enveloped the entire area, isolating all external interference.
With everything prepared, Xiao Tian and Yao Lao began the refining process inside the protected space and Xiao also with them
.