Chapter Forty-Nine: The Azure Lotus Core Flame

Lin An pondered for a moment, realizing that Medusa’s words were not without merit. Now was the time for the snake people to undergo a complete transformation; if any aberrations appeared during this period, it would only hasten the collapse of the tribe. Only by removing these individuals could the majority of the snake people be preserved.

“There’s no point staying here any longer. Tomorrow, you’ll come with me to retrieve the Azure Lotus Core Flame,” Lin An said.

Medusa nodded. She had located the Azure Lotus Core Flame long ago, but had delayed its extraction for certain preparations. Now, those preparations were no longer necessary.

The next morning, Medusa joined Lin An and his companions as they once again ventured into the Tagore Desert. After another two days, they arrived at the site of the Azure Lotus Core Flame.

To Lin An’s exasperation, the flame’s location was precisely within the territory of the Sand Mercenary Corps. At this point, the Sand Mercenary Corps had completely lost cohesion; their experts were either dead or had fled, and only a handful remained. Even those who stayed would hardly dare question why Lin An and his group were there.

Medusa pointed to the ground and, using brute strength, opened a passage leading to the depths where the Azure Lotus Core Flame was hidden.

“The flame is right beneath us. I had originally planned to retrieve it within the next few months. If you’d come just a bit later, you might have gotten it directly from my hands,” Medusa remarked.

Lin An was speechless—had he known, he would have taken it straight from Medusa rather than endure all this trouble. The catch was, he simply hadn’t known.

Soon, the group descended underground.

In the vast cavern, fiery-red magma flowed slowly, with enormous bubbles occasionally rising to the surface. Moments later, with a faint sound and a sudden burst, scorching magma shot out, blossoming like a fiery-red firework.

“There’s no path ahead. Is the Azure Lotus Core Flame hidden within this world of magma?” Yao Chen asked, puzzled.

“You’re right. To see the flame, we must traverse the magma. I suggest, young master, that you enter the Hall of Yama first. Once I reach the flame, you can emerge to collect it,” Medusa advised.

Lin An nodded, finding the suggestion reasonable.

“There’s a Double-Headed Fire Spirit Serpent lurking in the magma. If you slay it, you might greatly enhance your bloodline’s strength,” Lin An said.

“That’s true. I sensed its presence long ago—it’s clearly intelligent, otherwise it wouldn’t lurk in the magma, waiting for an opportunity,” Medusa replied.

“Please wait a moment, young master. I’ll kill it before proceeding further.”

With these words, Medusa transformed into her serpentine form and plunged into the magma. Soon, the magma below began to churn violently. With her Douzong-level strength, it took little time for the Double-Headed Fire Spirit Serpent to fall at her hands.

Medusa also extracted the serpent’s bloodline power to enhance herself. She felt her cultivation had advanced, and her resistance to fire had markedly increased.

“Amazing. The Double-Headed Fire Spirit Serpent wasn’t even that high in rank, yet it helped me so much. If I could obtain a truly powerful serpent bloodline, how much would my strength grow?” Medusa marveled inwardly, astonished by Lin An’s methods; in her eyes, Lin An possessed several bloodlines no less potent than those capable of devouring others.

Having dealt with the serpent, Medusa pressed onward through the magma.

Soon, she arrived at the site of the Azure Lotus Core Flame.

Ranked nineteenth among the Heavenly Flames, it is born deep within the earth, forged through countless trials of terrestrial fire—tempered, fused, compressed, sculpted. Ten years to become sentient, a hundred to take shape, a thousand to bloom into a lotus. At its peak, its hue turns azure, and a cluster of blue fire grows from its heart, thus named the Azure Lotus Flame, also known as the Azure Lotus Core Flame. Its power is unfathomable; near volcanoes, it can even trigger eruptions, unleashing nature’s destructive force.

Such was the description of the Azure Lotus Core Flame.

The azure lotus, with eight petals, appeared as if carved from the finest jade. At a glance, it was crystal clear and so beautiful one could hardly bear to part with it.

The blue lotus floated above the magma.

“So this is the Azure Lotus Core Flame?” Lin An and his companions entered the chamber, gazing at the distant heavenly flame as Lin An murmured softly.

“These are the materials I prepared for extracting the Azure Lotus Core Flame. Although you possess the Bone Spirit Cold Flame, you mustn’t underestimate this one,” Medusa cautioned.

“Don’t worry. To me, the Azure Lotus Core Flame might as well be a gift,” Lin An replied with a smile.

As he spoke, the Bone Spirit Cold Flame enveloped Lin An, shrouding him entirely. He then strode directly toward the Azure Lotus Core Flame.

Lin An controlled the Bone Spirit Cold Flame, wrapping the Azure Lotus Core Flame completely and transporting it into the Hall of Yama.

[Acquired Azure Lotus Core Flame!]

[Acquired 8000 Soul Points!]

[Realm Increase +3!]

[Azure Lotus Core Flame successfully fused!]

The system’s prompt echoed in Lin An’s mind.

As expected, this system was the nemesis of all heavenly flames. The Azure Lotus Core Flame had remained dormant in this magma world for ages, so the bounty of soul points was only logical.

Lin An’s disappearance and return took only a few minutes. When he reappeared, the Azure Lotus Core Flame rested in his palm.

“Uh…”

“So fast?” Medusa covered her mouth, whispering in disbelief.

She had prepared to wait days for Lin An, but in just a few hours, he had fused with the Azure Lotus Core Flame. Even Lin An’s cultivation had soared to the rank of an Eight-Star Dou Practitioner.

Such speed—it was astonishing!

“This is already slow,” Lin An retorted, giving Medusa a look.

Perhaps he was overthinking, but whenever someone mentioned speed, his mind wandered elsewhere.

“Now that I have the Azure Lotus Core Flame, I need to return to the Cloud Mist Sect and prepare. There are still many heavenly flames in the world waiting for me to collect them,” Lin An murmured softly.

At the same time, he instructed Medusa to prepare for the snake people’s return; he would open a path for them to live once more in the Magical Beast Mountain Range, leaving behind the barren Tagore Desert.