"I only want the heavenly flame."
"Hand it over, and I will spare your people."
Standing atop the Scarlet Flame Demon Python, Gu He gazed at Queen Medusa, his voice calm and unwavering.
Hearing this, Queen Medusa fell silent. Her eyes swept over the four unconscious elders beneath the city walls, her beautiful pupils flickering with complex emotions.
Had she known things would come to this, she might as well have surrendered the heavenly flame from the start.
At least then, she could have secured a Dou Ancestor Pill and a Transformation Pill in exchange.
But now?
The four elders were severely injured, hovering between life and death. Countless clansmen had fallen. And in the end… she still had to relinquish the heavenly flame.
Truly, a case of losing the wife and the army alike.
A bitter smile tugged at the corner of Queen Medusa's lips.
"Yue Mei, Mo Ba Si—tend to the four elders." She turned to the two Snake-Human tribe leaders, her voice cool.
Yue Mei and Mo Ba Si exchanged solemn glances. Seeing the pallor on Queen Medusa's face, a trace of sorrow flashed in their eyes. They bowed deeply.
"Understood, Your Majesty."
In the next moment, two figures descended from the city walls, retrieving the four unconscious elders—their fates unknown—before swiftly retreating into the Medusa Temple.
"Follow me." Queen Medusa cast a glance at Gu He, then soared into the air, heading straight for the temple.
Gu He allowed the Scarlet Flame Demon Python to remain in place before flashing after her.
…
Before long, a pristine lake came into view.
At its center lay a small island, its surface shimmering under the sunlight. No bridges connected it to the shore—only the undisturbed waters surrounded it.
Queen Medusa halted at the lake's edge, waiting for Gu He to arrive.
Sensing an invisible barrier over the lake, Gu He hesitated briefly.
With a series of swift hand seals, Queen Medusa struck the barrier, opening a narrow gap.
"This way."
Her tone icy, she stepped through without another word.
Gu He followed.
The island was modest in size, enveloped in lush bamboo groves and vibrant flowers—a tranquil oasis pulsing with life.
Yet the moment Gu He set foot upon it, his expression shifted.
"The aura of a heavenly flame…"
He recognized it instantly—the unmistakable ripple of an heavenly flame.
'So, this is where Queen Medusa hid the Green Lotus Heart Flame.
As they walked, the rustling of bamboo leaves and the soft crush of grass beneath their feet were the only sounds in the stillness.
Even without guidance, Gu He could have traced the flame's faint energy.
After winding through several paths, the scenery opened abruptly.
Gu He froze.
Before him lay a circular clearing, meticulously maintained. Smooth stones encircled a sunken pool at its heart, filled with crystalline water.
A chilling mist hovered above its surface, its frigid temperature palpable even from a distance.
"Ice Spirit Cold Spring…" Gu He inhaled sharply.
This was no ordinary water—it was a treasure essential for refining a heavenly flame.
In the future, when he bestowed such flames upon his disciples, this very spring would be indispensable.
Such rarities only formed in places of extreme cold or heat, making them nearly impossible to find.
'In the original timeline, Xiao Yan had struggled just to obtain a small vial of it from Gu Te.'
Yet here…
'An entire pool.'
"Tsk…"
Queen Medusa's resources were truly staggering.
Shaking off his astonishment, Gu He's gaze shifted to the center of the pond.
There, atop a crystalline lotus pedestal, hovered a cluster of azure flames.
The fire writhed with sentience—sometimes condensing into a lotus, other times twisting into a tiny serpent. It danced playfully within its confines, exuding an almost docile charm.
"Found you."
Though he had never seen the Green Lotus Heart Flame before, the resonance it shared with his own Divine Flame was unmistakable.
The crystal pedestal, too, was extraordinary.
Each time the azure fire strayed too far, a faint white barrier materialized, forcing it back.
Observing closely, Gu He noticed that with every rebound, the pool's water level dropped imperceptibly.
'The pedestal was using the Ice Spirit Cold Spring's power to imprison the flame.'
Finally, his eyes settled on Queen Medusa.
Up close, her beauty was near unearthly.
Clad in lavish violet robes, her figure was a masterpiece of curves and allure. Her long, lavender eyes held a natural seduction, capable of ensnaring any man's gaze.
Beneath the hem of her robes, a sinuous serpent's tail flicked lazily, adding a wild, exotic grace.
At this moment, those mesmerizing eyes were fixed on the azure flames, the reflection of the fire dancing within them like living sparks.
After gazing silently at the blue flame for a long time, Queen Medusa suddenly let out a soft sigh.
"It really fell short..."
A murmur escaped her lips as a complex emotion flickered across her bewitching face.
After a moment of hesitation, her expression hardened with resolve. Beneath her purple brocade robe, her fair wrists emerged, and her slender hands moved gracefully, forming a series of intricate hand seals.
As Queen Medusa's hand seals shifted, the crystalline lotus suddenly trembled violently.
The shimmering barrier around it gradually dissipated, and once the restraint vanished, the cyan flame—now free—erupted outward. A tempest of fire surged, transforming into a raging inferno in the blink of an eye.
"Your Excellency, the heavenly flame is here. Proceed!"
Having done this, Queen Medusa cast a glance at Gu He, her voice icy.
Seeing the unrestrained and furious Green Lotus Heart Flame, Gu He frowned and shot Queen Medusa a deep look.
Taming such a rampaging flame would undoubtedly be an arduous task.
He understood that this was her way of venting her displeasure.
Yet, Gu He could empathize with her feelings.
Having toiled relentlessly to obtain this flame, only to surrender it to another—were he in her place, he too would feel deep resentment.
For that, he felt a twinge of guilt.
But the heavenly flame was far too crucial to him.
If blame were to be cast, it should fall upon the weakness of the Snake-Human Tribe.
In this world, strength reigned supreme.
Had Gu He been weak, he would never have dared to reveal the heavenly flame within him, nor would he have ventured into the Tagore Desert.
In the end, power dictated all.
Though displeased by Queen Medusa's act of lifting the seal, he held his tongue.
With his current strength and methods, subduing the heavenly flame was no great challenge.
After all, compared to other heavenly flames, the Green Lotus Heart Flame was relatively tame.
With a thought, Gu He stepped forward, his figure flashing as he appeared above the pool, his gaze fixed intently on the enraged flame below.
When a heavenly flame raged, it incinerated everything in its vicinity—even dou qi. Only through special means could it be contained, typically by encasing it in a relentless surge of dou qi before extraction.
Gu He surmised that Queen Medusa must have used this method to extract the Green Lotus Heart Flame from the magma.
Yet, given her strength, the ordeal had likely been grueling—evidenced by the scattered remnants of her scales in the molten depths.
Still, this method demanded an immense expenditure of dou qi.
Even with his Dou Ancestor-level cultivation, suppressing the flame would be taxing.
Focusing his energy, Gu He channeled his dou qi into his right hand, where it condensed into a massive claw-like imprint, descending upon the rampaging flame below.
Sensing the threat, the Green Lotus Heart Flame—already possessing a spark of sentience—grew even more violent. Towering pillars of fire surged, striving to break free from Gu He's dou qi grip.
Watching this, Gu He's eyes gleamed. He instantly activated the Divine Flame Art, and a violet flame erupted from his palm, weaving into a net that ensnared the Green Lotus Heart Flame.
Gu He's innate divine flame was born of the Nine Nether Flame.
Though both were heavenly flame, the Nine Nether Flame's might far surpassed that of the Green Lotus Heart Flame.
Under the oppressive violet net, the rebellious flame gradually shrank, its fury waning.
Moments later, as the net tightened, the Green Lotus Heart Flame reverted to its original form—a serene blue lotus of fire.
Not far away, Queen Medusa observed the violet flames in Gu He's palm, shock flashing in her bewitching eyes.
This human's mastery over the heavenly flame had reached such a terrifying level.
Seeing the flame subdued so effortlessly, she grew increasingly wary of him.
Yet, resentment soon flickered in her gaze.
This human already possessed one heavenly flame—yet he sought to seize hers. How greedy and detestable.
The thought of all her efforts now serving another made her inwardly curse Gu He, wishing for his refinement of the flame to backfire.
Meanwhile, Gu He watched as the Green Lotus Heart Flame, now docile under the pressure of his divine flame, a faint smile appeared on his face.
With a thought, he flicked his finger, and a cyan light rose from his ring, hovering before him.
Within the glow, a flawless blue lotus pedestal—like a work of art—rotated gently, emanating a faint dou qi.
Having anticipated this moment, Gu He had retrieved the Green Colored Lotus Platform from Qing Lin beforehand.
The Green Colored Lotus Platform and the Green Lotus Heart Flame shared the same origin, making it the perfect vessel—not only suppressing the flame's volatile heat but also ensuring far greater safety than mere energy containment.
Holding the lotus seat aloft, Gu He gently tossed it beneath the hovering flame. As the pedestal settled, a faint cyan barrier unfurled, enveloping the Green Lotus Heart Flame.
The barrier contracted steadily, and the flame descended into the lotus heart without resistance. Soon, a tranquil cyan fire bloomed within the hollow center.
"Success..."
The capture had gone smoother than Gu He had anticipated. As he beheld the now-contained flame, joy flickered in his dark eyes.
The purpose of coming to the Tagore Desert this time was for the Green Lotus Heart Flame.
Though the journey had been fraught with twists and turns, he had finally succeeded.
Holding the Green Colored Lotus Platform in his hand, Gu He focused his thoughts and stored both the seat and the Green Lotus Heart Flame into his system space.
Afterward, he glanced down at the pool of Ice Spirit Cold Spring, his eyes flashing with excitement.
However, when he noticed Queen Medusa's frosty expression, he hesitated for a moment before reluctantly abandoning his plan to take the entire pool.
'Taking the Heavenly Flame from Queen Medusa was already pushing it—seizing the Ice Spirit Cold Spring as well would be too much.'
Though Gu He didn't consider himself a saint, he had no desire to act so shamelessly unless absolutely necessary.
With a sigh of regret, he turned away from the pool and approached Queen Medusa in a flash.
"Thank you for your generosity, Queen Medusa," Gu He said sincerely.
Then, observing her icy demeanor, he retrieved two jade bottles from his spatial ring and offered them to her.
"This is a sixth-grade pill, the Deep Green Longevity Pill, along with some healing elixirs. Consider them compensation for the trouble."
"A sixth-grade pill… the Deep Green Longevity Pill?"
Queen Medusa's beautiful eyes flickered with surprise as she studied the jade bottle.
'At least this man has some decency.'
But the moment she recalled how he had not only taken her Heavenly Flame but also injured the four elders of her tribe, the fleeting goodwill vanished, replaced by simmering resentment.
'How dare he think a mere sixth-grade pill could make up for stealing my flame and attacking my people?'
Unaware of the pill's true value, Queen Medusa assumed it was nothing more than an ordinary sixth-grade elixir—useless to her. Thus, she remained indifferent, refusing to accept it.
Noticing her reaction, Gu He frowned slightly and explained,
"This Deep Green Longevity Pill can extend one's lifespan by ten years, even for a Dou Emperor. Does Queen Medusa truly have no interest in it?"
"If not, I won't insist."
As he made to withdraw the bottle, Queen Medusa's expression shifted abruptly. She swiftly snatched it from his hand before he could retract it.
'Ten years of extended lifespan… This pill could be life-saving for the elders whose vitality is waning.'
No matter how much she despised Gu He, she couldn't ignore the lives of her tribesmen.
Watching her seize the pill, Gu He was momentarily stunned. Seeing her still-cold expression, a faint smile tugged at his lips.
'Is this woman… a tsundere?'
Still, since she had accepted his gesture, the guilt in his heart lessened somewhat.
"Farewell." With a slight bow, he turned and strode out of the lake.
Now that he had obtained the Heavenly Flame, there was no reason to linger—it would only invite further hostility.
Yet as he prepared to leave, Queen Medusa's voice, cold and sharp, cut through the air.
"Wait."
Gu He paused and glanced back. "Is there something else, Queen Medusa?"
A flicker of hesitation crossed Queen Medusa's face before she finally spoke, her tone stiff.
"Lend me the Heavenly Flame… for a short while." Gu He's brows knitted together.
Seeing his reluctance, she scoffed, anger simmering beneath her icy demeanor.
"This flame was something I obtained through life-and-death trials. Now I'm merely asking to borrow it. Isn't Your Excellency being unreasonable?"
"Does Queen Medusa still intend to attempt that method?" Gu He studied her calmly. "If breaking through is your goal, I can refine a Dou Ancestor Pill for you. There's no need to take such a risk."
Queen Medusa's expression darkened. "What do you know?"
Unfazed, Gu He continued, "I once read an ancient text mentioning the Snake-Human Queen. It stated that if a Queen Medusa reaches the peak of Dou Emperor, she may undergo a unique evolution under the right conditions."
"Success would allow her to freely assume a human form and effortlessly ascend to Dou Ancestor. However, the success rate is perilously low… and the key requirement is a Heavenly Flame."
"You aren't seeking to reclaim the flame—you wish to use it for evolution, correct?" His gaze was unwavering.
Queen Medusa's lips parted slightly, but she remained silent, tacitly acknowledging his words.
After a tense pause, she met his eyes again, her voice cool. "Will you lend it or not?"
The injustice of it all gnawed at her. 'After all my efforts to obtain the flame, now I must beg to borrow it.'
Gu He understood—she was determined to walk this path.
'In the original timeline, she succeeded… but the risks are immense. One misstep, and she'll perish.'
Suppressing a sigh, he spoke carefully. "It's not impossible for you to use the flame. However, I have a few minor conditions."
"Conditions? Now?" Queen Medusa's frown deepened, her displeasure palpable.
'This flame is rightfully mine! And yet, he dares to impose terms?'
Under normal circumstances, she would have already unleashed her fury. But faced with Gu He's overwhelming strength, she could only clench her teeth and hiss,
"What. Conditions."
Without hesitation, Gu He listed three demands:
"First, half of the Ice Spirit Cold Spring. Second, the cultivation technique you practice. And third… the Sand Mandala."
Gu He had long coveted the pool of Ice Spirit Cold Spring beside him.
Previously, he hadn't known how to broach the subject—but now that Queen Medusa needed his help, he wasn't about to let this golden opportunity slip away.
As for the cultivation technique she practiced, Gu He intended it for Qing Lin.
Though Qing Lin's current strength was only at the Dou Practitioner Realm, with the Green Colored Lotus Platform's enhancement and the spiritual liquids Gu He provided, she would soon break through to the Dou Master.
Once she reached the Dou Master realm, proper cultivation techniques would become essential for further progress.
But Qing Lin possessed the bloodline of the Snake-Human. Unfortunately, Gu He had no suitable techniques for her.
Naturally, his attention turned to Queen Medusa.
As the ruler of the Snake-Human, her cultivation method was undoubtedly exceptional—and perfectly suited for those with snake blood.
For Qing Lin, this would be ideal.
The final request, the Sand Mandala, was the last ingredient Gu He needed to refine the Breaking Adversity Pill—a promise he had made to Hai Bodong.
Queen Medusa hesitated only briefly before agreeing to his first and third conditions.
To outsiders, the Ice Spirit Cold Spring was a priceless treasure.
But the Snake-Human's territory lay deep within the Tagore Desert, where such icy springs were not uncommon.
To her, it was hardly a significant loss.
As for the Sand Mandala? It was even less rare than the spring. She dismissed it without a second thought.
"Why do you want my cultivation technique?"
Queen Medusa's brows furrowed as she studied Gu He, suspicion lacing her voice.
Her technique was tailored exclusively for the Snake-Human's bloodline. What use could a human possibly have for it?
"To be frank," Gu He replied plainly, "I have a disciple of mixed Snake-Human heritage. For her future growth, Queen Medusa's technique is the only suitable option."
He saw no reason to conceal the truth.
…
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