BTTH: Demon Emperor Xiao Yan

Seeing Queen Medusa nod in agreement, Xiao Yan offered a faint, warm smile. Both of them were well aware that this temporary alliance was extremely fragile, but for the time being, it allowed for a thin layer of trust—limited though it was.

"Very well then, Queen. Let's go find the Heavenly Flame."

"The Heavenly Flame... can you pinpoint its location?" Queen Medusa glanced around and asked calmly. The fire attribute energy in the magma-rich environment was overwhelmingly dense, so much so that it masked all other fluctuations. It made finding traces of the Heavenly Flame nearly impossible.

This was precisely why Qing Lin, who usually could sense snake-people with her bloodline, had failed to detect Queen Medusa hiding nearby. Xiao Yan could use the resonance between Heavenly Flames to determine that one existed below the magma, but not its precise location.

"If even you can't find it, then what makes you think I could?" Xiao Yan shrugged, then turned to Qing Lin and asked softly, "Qing Lin, earlier you said that the Two-Headed Flame Spirit Serpent knows where the Heavenly Flame is?"

"Mm-hmm..." Qing Lin nodded, pointing timidly at the magma lake before them. "It says... it's right beneath this area."

"As expected..." Xiao Yan raised an eyebrow. His own sensing had also pointed to this very spot. It seemed the serpent hadn't lied. Glancing over at Queen Medusa, who was also staring into the magma, he smiled. "Your Majesty, why don't you stay up here and let me handle this?"

"Hmph, lead the way," she replied coldly, ignoring his comment. She turned toward the Two-Headed Flame Spirit Serpent. Being a fellow snake-type magical beast, and with her bloodline and strength vastly superior, she inspired overwhelming fear in the serpent. Even before Qing Lin could issue a command, the serpent slithered back into the magma without hesitation.

As the beast dove beneath the molten surface, a strange glow radiated from Queen Medusa. A layer of multicolored energy film wrapped around her body, and in the next moment, she plunged into the lava without flinching.

"Tch, that snake-woman really has some temper," Xiao Yan muttered as he shook his head. He turned to Qing Lin and instructed softly, "Stay up here and wait for me. If anything dangerous happens, throw the ring I gave you. Understand?"

Although there shouldn't be any dangers in this area, one could never be too cautious.

"I understand." Qing Lin nodded obediently. Satisfied, Xiao Yan stepped to the edge of the magma, summoned the Nine Nether Illusion Flame to envelop himself, and leapt straight into the molten pool. Qing Lin gasped in alarm, but her concern didn't last long—he quickly resurfaced and waved at her with a reassuring smile.

"Let's move. Don't waste time." Queen Medusa glanced at him before diving once more. Though she sounded impatient, her actions revealed her urgency. She had already gained a lead with the serpent guiding her—clearly intending to leave Xiao Yan behind.

Xiao Yan wasn't the least bit flustered. He had already placed a soul imprint on the serpent. Even if they were separated, he could track it. Moreover, with his movement Dou Technique Flamecloud Soaring Step, he could navigate the magma like a fish in water. Once perfected, the technique would allow him to move freely in magma even without flame protection.

As he swam deeper into the molten sea, Xiao Yan silently absorbed the intense fire energy, channeling it along the path of the Minor Glazed Golden Body. Soon, he noticed with delight that the energy here was helping him integrate Dou Qi into his flesh.

'Once I obtain the Heavenly Flame, I'll need to stay here and cultivate for a while,' he mused. The energy in this magma was many times stronger than in the outside world. Not only would it help complete the Minor Glazed Golden Body, but it would also accelerate his training immensely.

Suppressing his excitement, he pushed forward to catch up with Queen Medusa and the serpent. Along the way, they encountered numerous dangerous magma undercurrents. Thanks to the serpent's guidance, they avoided several volatile flows filled with terrifying energy.

Queen Medusa couldn't help but feel some relief. Had she insisted on descending alone, not only would it have taken far more time, but navigating these unpredictable magma flows would've been dangerous—even for her. Now she was glad she'd chosen to cooperate with Xiao Yan.

Before they realized it, over an hour had passed since they dove beneath the magma. The deeper they went, the hotter it became. The surrounding heat had risen to ten times its earlier intensity. The once-red lava was now glowing a faint greenish-blue.

This strange color shift was clearly due to the influence of the Heavenly Flame.

At the heart of this burning abyss stood a single, stunning object: a serene green lotus, blooming quietly amidst the magma.

If such a flower had been found on the surface world, it would undoubtedly be considered a masterpiece of nature. However, in the very center of a magma ocean—where no vegetation should logically survive—its presence was as eerie as it was awe-inspiring.

"A green tint... flame like a lotus... This is the Green Lotus Core Flame," Xiao Yan murmured in awe as he gazed at the elegant flower.

Queen Medusa studied the lotus intently, her brow slightly furrowed. She had heard of the so-called Heavenly Flame Ranking but had no deep understanding of the individual flames themselves. All she knew was that they were terrifying and that obtaining one could help her break through her bloodline's limits and evolve.

But Xiao Yan was no stranger to Heavenly Flames. In his past life, he was a master of flame. He had memorized every detail of the ranked flames—save for the elusive number one—and recognized the Green Lotus Core Flame at first glance.

Ranked nineteenth on the Heavenly Flame List, the Green Lotus Core Flame originated from a unique type of spiritual lotus. It formed deep underground, undergoing centuries of refinement by Earth's fire. Through endless cycles of merging, compression, and tempering, a wisp of pure Heavenly Flame could eventually emerge from the lotus core.

'Ten years to gain sentience, a hundred years to take form, a thousand to become a full lotus. When matured, it emits a bluish hue, and a green fire sprouts from the heart. It is called the Green Lotus Flame—or more formally, the Green Lotus Core Flame,' Xiao Yan recalled.

The flame's power was immense. In regions near volcanoes, its mere presence could trigger massive eruptions, unleashing nature's most destructive forces.

But more than that, even the lotus itself—though not the flame—was an extremely rare treasure. For fire-type cultivators like Xiao Yan, it was an unparalleled aid. If he could obtain the lotus as well, it would save him a tremendous amount of time and effort in future cultivation.

'This is it,' Xiao Yan thought, eyes fixed on the core flame in the lotus's heart. 'One of the rarest Heavenly Flames in the world... and it's right in front of me.'

(End of Chapter)

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