BTTH: Demon Emperor Xiao Yan

After hearing Xiao Yan's words, even Queen Medusa seemed a bit surprised. She had originally assumed that this boy, with such a calculating nature, would try to bargain with her after hearing that her evolution would take five full years. To her surprise, he simply agreed without hesitation. Could it be that he wasn't worried she might pull a trick?

"As the saying goes, a man without integrity cannot stand. I may be young, but I understand the importance of trust and keeping one's word. I believe a queen like yourself, ruler of a race and strongest of the Tager Desert, wouldn't stoop to deceiving a child," Xiao Yan said casually, waving a hand. "And if you do go back on your word, well, then I'll just admit I misjudged you."

"Hmph, I, Medusa, am not so shameless as to trick a mere child," she coldly snorted. With that, she turned around, the Heavenly Flame hovering in her hand, and flew toward the tunnel. Before disappearing completely, she gave Xiao Yan a deep look. "Five years from now, come to the Medusa Shrine. I won't begin my evolution until you arrive. I promise your flame will be returned to you intact."

As her presence faded from his perception, Xiao Yan let out a soft chuckle. Of course, he never truly believed she would keep her word. On the way back up, he had secretly left a special imprint on the Green Lotus Core Flame—a Heavenly Flame mark.

If Queen Medusa attempted to evolve prematurely and use the flame for herself, the mark would automatically activate and trigger the Green Lotus Core Flame to riot. Even if she were at the peak of the Dou Huang class, she wouldn't survive such an explosion. Moreover, through this imprint, Xiao Yan would be able to sense the flame's location at any time.

The imprint would also cause the Green Lotus Core Flame to be slightly more attuned to him, making future attempts at refining or reclaiming it much easier.

After confirming that Medusa's aura had completely disappeared, Xiao Yan finally took out the exquisite green lotus. His eyes settled on the eleven Heart Lotus Seeds embedded within its core. Using the same jade dagger he had forged earlier, he carefully extracted them one by one and sealed them in a special jade bottle.

These so-called Heart Lotus Seeds were known as the essence of fire spirits. Each one contained a staggering amount of fire elemental energy and required over a hundred years of nurturing to form. Such treasures were considered rare even in the Central Plains, making them a tremendous boon to any fire-type Dou Qi cultivator.

After storing the lotus base and seeds safely, Xiao Yan turned to Qing Lin and gently patted her on the head. "Qing Lin, I need to spend some time cultivating here. In the meantime, I need you to help me with something. Will you do that for me?"

"Just tell me what to do, Young Master."

Xiao Yan smiled and retrieved several scrolls and a letter from his storage ring, then placed them into a spare ring before handing it to her. "After I send you out, take these to a group called the Desert Iron Mercenary Corps. Tell them you're my friend. Stay with them for a while, and I'll come find you after I finish here."

"Okay." Although reluctant to leave, Qing Lin obediently nodded. She raised her hand and gestured to the Twin-Headed Fire Spirit Serpent nearby. With a flash, the giant magical beast shrank into a streak of light and slipped into her sleeve. Xiao Yan couldn't help but marvel again at the mysterious powers of the Jade Snake Three Flower Pupils.

With the protection of the serpent and the ring he'd given her, Qing Lin would be more than safe within Rock Desert City. Even if she encountered a Dou Wang-level opponent, she should at least be able to escape. Besides, he had left a soul imprint on her. Should anything happen, he would be immediately alerted.

The scrolls were intended for his two elder brothers—cultivation methods and Dou Techniques, all of Profound Rank High grade. As for Hai Bodong's matter, the old man had been sealed for so long already that a little more waiting wouldn't hurt.

Once he sent Qing Lin away, Xiao Yan returned to the magma pool. Though eager to begin cultivation, he didn't rush in. First, he removed his clothes and took out a small jade vial from his ring. He poured out a thick red liquid and smeared it over his body.

This substance, known as Burning Blood, had been concocted by Yao Lao long ago. It enhanced one's sensitivity to fire elemental energy and increased absorption efficiency. Though it came with considerable pain, it was useful. However, ever since breaking through to the Dou Wang level, Xiao Yan had stopped using it regularly—it was less effective and inappropriate to use in front of Qing Lin. Still, he had kept a few vials in reserve for times like this.

After applying the liquid, he summoned the Nine Nether Illusion Flame to envelop himself, then dove into the magma. The energy here was exponentially stronger than outside, and so the Burning Blood's effects were greatly amplified. Unfortunately, so was the pain.

Xiao Yan descended to the very spot where he had discovered the Green Lotus Core Flame. The fire energy here was the densest in the entire underground sea. The temperature far exceeded that of normal magma, and even with the Nine Nether Illusion Flame as protection, he could not remain for long.

Furthermore, the fire energy here, while rich, was far too violent to be absorbed directly. Doing so could severely damage his meridians and even build up a terrifying internal fire poison. Too much of it could corrupt his mind or cause him to combust from within.

But this time, Xiao Yan was better prepared. He took out the Green Lotus Base. Refined by the earth's core flames over a millennium, the lotus base possessed the ability to filter and refine wild energy from its surroundings. As soon as the surrounding violent fire energy passed through it, the impurities and turbulence were removed, leaving only pure, refined fire essence.

Of this refined energy, Xiao Yan only absorbed one-third. The remaining two-thirds flowed through his body, tempering bone and flesh. With every cycle, his physical strength grew tougher. But with that came immense pain—it felt as though his internal organs were being scorched into ashes.

This technique was known as Fire-Tempering Body Refinement. It was incredibly effective at strengthening the flesh but came with terrifying risks. Few dared attempt it. The pain was excruciating, and should one's body fail to endure the baptism of fire energy, it could lead to rupture or even death.

But for Xiao Yan, this was just another day. If the Dou Qi Continent had something like the Hall of the Yama Kings, his name on the book of life and death would probably be blinking nonstop.

(End of Chapter)

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