Even Queen Medusa isn't strong enough to destroy a Heavenly Flame."
"We'll wait until the mist clears and search again."
At that moment, two streaks of light flew in and stopped beside them.
"Gu He, what happened?" Yan Shi asked grimly.
"That aura earlier—"
"It was Queen Medusa's," Gu He replied slowly.
"But something went wrong. She may have already… vanished."
Yan Shi and Feng Li both let out long breaths of relief.
That presence had been far beyond their ability to resist.
"So what now?" Feng Li asked, scanning the city.
Hostile gazes surrounded them.
Moon Mei glared coldly from afar. Mo Bas lay weakened on the ground, fear evident in his eyes whenever he glanced at Xiao Yan.
Snakefolk warriors filled the rooftops, spears raised, silently encircling them.
This was the snakefolk's holy city.
They had more Dou Wang-level experts than Gu He's group—only lacking a Dou Huang to balance the scales.
They were stalling.
"Be careful—there's a Dou Huang coming toward you. Wait… this aura—Xiao Jian?"
Yao Lao's voice rang out in Xiao Yan's mind.
"Huh? Dou Huang?" Xiao Yan muttered.
"Third Brother's okay?"
Relief flooded his face.
As long as Xiao Jian was alive, nothing else mattered.
"Xiao Yan, the flame's secured," Xiao Jian's urgent voice sounded.
"Take the lotus pedestal and retreat. I'll cover you."
A green figure appeared before Xiao Yan, palm open—within it, the Green Lotus Core Flame struggled inside a cage of Yin–Yang Flames.
"That's… the Green Lotus Core Flame!"
Xiao Yan's heart shook.
Then he noticed Xiao Jian's condition—his aura raging wildly, seven-colored energy crawling beneath his skin as if ready to burst.
"Third Brother—are you okay?"
"No time. I need to vent this energy."
"Take the flame and leave. Find Hai Bodong, help him refine pills, then meet me back in Stone Desert City."
As Xiao Jian spoke, the flame cage opened slightly, revealing the weakened Heavenly Flame.
Yao Lao followed immediately:
"Listen to him. Xiao Jian can handle this. Only be wary of that mysterious Dou Huang....but they know each other."
Xiao Yan finally nodded.
"Be careful, Brother."
He took out the Green Lotus pedestal.
Green light bloomed.
As the pedestal aligned beneath the flame, a soft green barrier formed, gently drawing the Heavenly Flame back into the lotus heart.
The eerie green fire flared to life within it.
"Go!"
Xiao Jian smiled as Xiao Yan succeeded.
Black ice-attribute Dou Qi surged, condensing into a pitch-black dragon spear in his hand.
At that moment—
A male snakefolk wrapped in red Dou Qi appeared in the sky, roaring with fury.
"Damn humans! You dare trespass in our holy city?!"
But Gu He's eyes were locked elsewhere.
On the retreating figure holding the lotus pedestal.
"THE HEAVENLY FLAME!"
Rage exploded.
"All this fighting—and we were used as pawns!"
"CHASE HIM!"
Gu He flapped his wings and shot forward, Yun Yun, Yan Shi, and Feng Li following close behind.
Moon Mei and Yan Ci instantly blocked their path.
"Come when you want, leave when you want?" Yan Ci thundered.
"What do you take the snakefolk for?!"
"Get lost!"
Gu He hurled a massive blue fireball.
Yan Ci sneered, forming a gigantic flame hand that crushed it effortlessly.
Moon Mei knew it was over.
The flame was gone.
They could only stall.
"I'll hold them. You go!" Yun Yun said calmly, sword flashing as she forced Moon Mei and Yan Ci back.
Gu He hesitated.....then nodded and moved.
Suddenly—
Something cold touched his palm.
He looked down.
A black snowflake melted in his hand.
Snow?
Under a clear sky?
His soul power surged upward instinctively.
His face went pale.
High above—
A white-robed figure stood proudly in the sky, black crystal wings beating softly.
Black snow drifted down.
A dragon spear gleamed in her hand.
"Who are you?!" Gu He demanded grimly.
"I've heard you're among the Jia Ma Empire's top experts," a cold female voice rang out.
"Care to spar?"
Everyone's faces darkened.
Far away, Xiao Yan nearly lost control mid-flight.
That voice—
Familiar tone.
Completely unfamiliar sound.
"…Third Brother?"
Yao Lao laughed heartily in his mind.
"This kid really is interesting."
Xiao Yan burst out laughing.
"So Third Brother became Third Sister."
"I wonder what Father would think if he knew."
His worries vanished completely.f