the Azure Lotus Earth Core Fire, ranked nineteenth on the list of Strange Fires.
Born deep within the earth, it has undergone countless tempering, fusion, compression, and carving by the earth's fire...
Ten years to become a spirit, a year to take shape, a millennium to become a lotus.
At the heart of the lotus is a cluster of blue flames, known as the Azure Lotus Fire, also known as the Azure Lotus Earth Core Fire! This information quickly flashed through Lin Yuan's mind, and a flicker of surprise crossed his face.
Although the Azure Lotus Earth Core Fire ranked low on the list, it still possessed immense destructive power.
Furthermore, it was the first Strange Fire obtained by the protagonist Xiao Yan. It
was precisely because of the Azure Lotus Earth Core Fire that Xiao Yan would thrive in the following storylines.
Now, if he could devour the Azure Lotus Earth Core Fire, Xiao Yan's growth would be curbed.
This lucky child would no longer pose the slightest threat to him.
Most importantly, if he couldn't find the strange fire, his three-year agreement with Nalan Yanran would become a joke.
With this thought in mind, Lin Yuan moved his feet, ready to head towards the Azure Lotus Earth Core Fire.
Han Feng's storage ring contained a sufficient supply of the materials needed to devour the strange fire.
Presumably, this was also preparation for future encounters with strange fire.
This showed that Han Feng possessed not only exceptional talent, but also a remarkable mind.
It was a pity that Han Feng in the original novel became a tragic figure after encountering the antagonist.
If he had remained inactive for a few more decades before fully fledged, perhaps the history of Doupo would have been completely rewritten.
"What are you going to do?"
Lin Yuan was about to move when a cold voice suddenly rang out.
Then, Queen Medusa instantly flew in front of the Azure Lotus Earth Core Fire, eyeing Lin Yuan warily.
The Azure Lotus Earth Core Fire was the key to her advancement to Dou Zong, though she hadn't figured out how to subdue it yet.
However, she absolutely could not stand by and watch the fire fall into the hands of others.
Queen Medusa's current cultivation had reached a bottleneck. If she wanted to advance further into Dou Zong, she had only two options.
First, she could rely on the power of the fire to force her way through.
Second, she could utilize the legendary Transformation Pill and harness its immense energy to evolve.
If she succeeded, her Dou Zong breakthrough would be a piece of cake. Although the second option was relatively safer,
relying on the fire to break through was a 1 in 10 chance of success.
Facing the destructive fire, a single careless move would see Queen Medusa's soul dissolve into nothingness.
However, reality left her no choice.
The Transformation Pill was a seventh-grade elixir.
Not even within her own Snake People, even in the entire Jiama Empire, could a single seventh-grade elixir be found.
Alchemists were scarce on the Douqi Continent.
Those who could reach the seventh-grade realm were even rarer.
In the Jiama Empire, she only knew of a guest from the Yunlan Sect who had reached the sixth-grade realm.
Known as the Pill King, Gu He.
However, even for this Jiama Empire's foremost alchemist, refining a seventh-grade elixir was wishful thinking.
Therefore, Medusa, without further ado, would become obsessed with the strange fire.
Therefore, she was determined to obtain this Azure Lotus Earth Core Fire!
Lin Yuan, a familiar reader of the original novel, naturally understood Medusa's intentions.
He strode forward, barely half a step away from Queen Medusa.
Then, a wicked smile played on Lin Yuan's lips. He leaned forward, almost touching Queen Medusa's pretty face.
The next second, Lin Yuan asked maliciously, "What? Are you trying to stop me?"
"Whoa!"
Lin Yuan's breath, with a strange feeling, blew a strand of hair by Queen Medusa's ear.
This action stirred a ripple in Queen Medusa's usually aloof and calm heart.
She took a deep breath and took a small step back, putting some distance between her and Lin Yuan.
Red clouds crept uncontrollably onto Medusa's cheeks.
After a moment, she composed herself and said, "I was the first to discover the strange fire. You can't possibly defeat it."
With that, a terrifying surge of fighting spirit suddenly erupted from her body, ready for a desperate battle.
Knowing she was outmatched, Queen Medusa didn't flinch.
From their brief encounter, she knew Lin Yuan's true strength was undoubtedly that of a Dou Zong.
However, for that slight chance of a breakthrough, she would protect the Azure Lotus Earth Core Fire, even at the cost of her life.
Otherwise, decades from now, the Jiamao Empire would have no place for her Serpent People anymore!
"Alas, this woman is truly stubborn!"
Seeing Queen Medusa in such a state, Lin Yuan sighed in frustration.
Unable to bear the urge to tease her any further, he changed his tone, "You intend to utilize the Azure Lotus Earth Core Fire to break through to the Dou Zong realm, right?"
Queen Medusa didn't reply, but her expression betrayed her assent.
"Your Serpent People are inherently cold and gloomy. The strange fire is a gift from heaven and earth, and the energy contained within it is incredibly violent."
"If you insist on this, the slightest misstep will result in annihilation. Do you know all this?"
Upon hearing this, Queen Medusa's expression changed, and a flicker of confusion flashed across her enchanting eyes.
However, for a brief moment, her gaze was replaced by a resolute one.
Her rosy lips moved slightly. "None of your business!"
After that, Queen Medusa pursed her lips tightly, remaining silent.
"As expected!"
Lin Yuan wasn't surprised by this response.
At the same time, he couldn't help but feel a tinge of pity for Queen Medusa.
To outsiders, the Douhuang-level powerhouse, the queen of the Snake People, seemed high and mighty, boundless and glorious.
But who knew the immense pressure this woman bore behind all that glamor?
Long ago, the Snake People once lived in the Hundred Thousand Mountains, but for various reasons, they were forced to retreat to the Tagor Desert.
The desert's living environment was incredibly harsh.
Over the years, the Snake People's population has steadily dwindled in this harsh environment.
If it weren't for Queen Medusa's efforts to turn the tide, perhaps the current Snake People would have long since perished.
It could be said that the entire tribe's future rested on this woman.
At that moment, Lin Yuan's heart was suddenly deeply moved.
From now on, let me protect you!
Thinking of this, Lin Yuan's eyes gradually softened.
With a move of his body, Lin Yuan instantly turned into a shadow.
The next second, he stretched out his arms and hugged Queen Medusa in his arms.
"What are you doing?"
Queen Medusa felt her eyes blurred, and her body was melted into a warm embrace.
"Let me go!"
After reacting, she began to struggle violently.
"Don't move!"
A domineering voice suddenly sounded, "Silly woman, you want to break through to the Dou Zong level? I'll help you!"
Hearing this, Queen Medusa was stunned and subconsciously stopped struggling.
(End of Chapter 2)