Drenched in sweat, Xiao Yan sat on the ground, panting heavily. He wiped the sweat from his forehead with his sleeve, and shook his head with a wry smile. The few minutes of confrontation had been more exhausting than a battle with a Great Fighter. Fortunately, for some reason, the strength of the Medusa Queen had diminished significantly. Otherwise, Xiao Yan would likely have been killed.
Taking a deep, relieved breath, Xiao Yan slowly rose to his feet. His gaze suddenly stopped on the green flame that was dancing up and down along his body like a fiery snake. Stunned, his mouth opened slightly. The green flame whip he had created with a casual pull while retreating seemed to have required little effort on his part.
After the flame whip was pulled out, it detached from Xiao Yan’s hand and began to rotate around his body autonomously, as if it were a spiritual guardian. Gazing at the swirling green flame whip, Xiao Yan’s lips twitched. Although over the past twenty days, his control over the Green Lotus Core Flame had improved, he knew that it was impossible for him to control it so flexibly.
However, the reality before him left him both elated and bewildered. After a moment, Xiao Yan gradually regained his composure. He extended his hand and gently touched the swirling green flame. The moment his hand touched it, the green flame obediently transformed into a cluster, adhering to his fingers and flickering slightly.
He moved his fingers, gradually pulling them apart, and ten thin lines of green flame were drawn out. As he moved his hands, the Green Lotus Core Flame danced, rising and falling, far more flexible than when he had refined the medicinal pill a few days ago.
“What is happening?” Xiao Yan’s confusion deepened as he watched the Green Lotus Core Flame transform into various shapes with his thoughts. He distinctly felt a heightened intimacy with the flame, which had resisted him subtly in the past but now felt much more compliant.
Pondering for a long time, an idea suddenly occurred to Xiao Yan. “Could it be… because of the Earth Fire Lotus Seed?”
This thought gave him a bit of clarity. The Earth Fire Lotus Seed and the Green Lotus Core Flame were of the same origin. By absorbing the essence of the Earth Fire Lotus Seed, he had inadvertently increased the compatibility between his body and the Green Lotus Core Flame.
With this realization, Xiao Yan’s furrowed brows relaxed, and a look of joy appeared on his face. He hadn’t expected the Earth Fire Lotus Seed to have such an unexpected effect. This sudden increase in compatibility was even more exhilarating than fully healing his injuries. After all, wounds would heal eventually, but the compatibility with the Green Lotus Core Flame could only be improved slowly over time.
With a pleased expression, Xiao Yan fixed his gaze on the green flame on his fingers. The flame undulated slightly, and soon, ten sharp fire spikes formed at the fingertips, compressed and powerful.
With a flick of his fingers, the ten sharp fire spikes shot out, enveloped in a thin layer of green light. Just as they were about to hit the wall, Xiao Yan bent his fingers, and the spikes, as if guided, turned and returned to him.
Smiling, Xiao Yan extended his fingers, and the ten fire spikes shot back into his hand. The green flame on his hand dissipated, and he looked at his unharmed palm, nodding in amazement. In the past, he couldn’t have controlled the Green Lotus Core Flame to this extent. Now, after absorbing the Earth Fire Lotus Seed, he could perform such advanced fire control.
Each cluster of Green Lotus Core Flame required a significant amount of Dou Qi to summon from the Qi Vortex. If these flames did not return after being released, it would be a wasteful act. In battle, such waste would be irresponsible. Therefore, the ability to recover and reuse the flames was a great relief.
Playing with the now obedient Green Lotus Core Flame, Xiao Yan finally reabsorbed it into his body. He summoned the floating Green Lotus Seat, which turned into a beam of green light and entered his Storage Ring.
Stretching his arms, Xiao Yan’s bones cracked, and he exhaled in relief, feeling a surge of strength. He clenched his fists and swung them, generating a powerful wind. Sensing the immense force in his muscles, Xiao Yan smiled and nodded, feeling that despite the hardships, his current strength exceeded his previous level. Thus, this injury was not without its benefits.
Closing his eyes, Xiao Yan sensed his body. Opening his eyes, he made a fist and smiled, “After absorbing the Earth Fire Lotus Seed, I should now be at the level of a six-star Dou Shi.”
Satisfied, Xiao Yan walked to the bed, looking at the Heavenly Fire Venerable coiled on the sheets, chuckling. The Heavenly Fire Venerable, with its pale purple pupils, glanced at Xiao Yan’s smiling face, then turned away, lying down on the soft bed. It was clear that the sudden energy infusion had made the barely intelligent snake somewhat resentful.
Shaking his head, Xiao Yan gently stroked the snake. Seeing no reaction, he sighed and took out a bottle of Purple Crystal Essence. As soon as he opened the bottle, a faint, fragrant, and warm aura emerged.
The moment the Purple Crystal Essence was taken out, the Heavenly Fire Venerable, which had been lying limp, straightened up, turned, and, seeing Xiao Yan’s smiling face and the Purple Crystal Essence, its pupils showed a desire. Unable to resist, it quickly slithered to Xiao Yan, its tongue flicking and making a hissing sound.
Xiao Yan smiled and lowered the bottle. The Heavenly Fire Venerable flicked its tail, appearing before the bottle like a flash of light, extending its tongue to greedily absorb the essence. Wanting to appease the snake, Xiao Yan did not stop it, though he winced as he saw the decreasing Purple Crystal Essence in the bottle.
When the Heavenly Fire Venerable had consumed nearly one-tenth of the essence, it finally stopped, its head slightly dazed, and its pupils showed a hint of drunkenness.
Watching the swaying snake, Xiao Yan sighed, carefully putting away the Purple Crystal Essence. He stroked its slightly hot body and said, “Are you satisfied now, little one?”
No longer avoiding Xiao Yan, the snake, with its long neck, suddenly emitted a purple glow from its eyes. Its mouth opened, and a loud thud echoed as a purple flame shot out, instantly turning the wooden beams above into black charcoal.
Raising his head, Xiao Yan’s lips twitched, looking at the charred wood. He looked down at the snake, which was still spitting out small flames, and shook his head, amused. The concentrated purple fire energy was formidable, something even Yun Zhi had feared in the past.
Looking at the snake, Xiao Yan sighed. Just as he was about to clean up the mess, a thought occurred to him, “If I use the purple fire from the Purple Crystal Essence and fuse it with the Green Lotus Core Flame, the resulting Buddha’s Wrath Lotus would be powerful, even if not as strong as the original. And with my current strength, I should be able to control it.”
Stroking his chin, Xiao Yan muttered, “Should I try it?”
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