Chapter 93: Mutation
After regrouping with Hai Bodong, Yao Yan took Caidie and Hai Bodong and headed toward the territory of the Snake-People.
As for the Green Lotus Core Flame near Stone Desert City, he hesitated for a moment before suppressing his urge. He chose to ignore it for now. Approaching the Green Lotus Core Flame without sufficient preparation was incredibly reckless. If it were to go berserk, the resulting eruption would affect a radius of several miles.
Moreover, the Green Lotus Core Flame had the power to trigger a volcanic eruption. If forced into such a corner, every faction near the Tagor Desert would be alarmed.
The value of a heavenly flame was enough to drive anyone insane—no doubt about it.
Yao Yan wasn't afraid of competition from other factions; his concern was attracting the attention of the Soul Hall. Until the Tuoshe Ancient Emperor's Jade was properly dealt with, he didn't want to reconnect with Hun Xu Zi. And cultivating the Flame Mantra also required time.
Before meeting Hun Xu Zi again, he needed to prove the Flame Mantra's worth.
Only then would Hun Xu Zi possibly support him in cultivating it rather than pressuring him to abandon it.
This was the most frustrating part: though the Flame Mantra seemed miraculous, it was difficult to impress powerhouses at the Dou Sheng level. The conditions to cultivate it were far too harsh and absurd—it hardly seemed like a technique meant for beginners. It felt more like a method designed to torment people.
Compared to a low-grade Yellow-rank technique that required devouring heavenly flames, wouldn't it be better to simply cultivate a "trimmed-down" Heaven-rank technique?
Then, once he reached Dou Zun, he could upgrade to the full Heaven-rank technique… That was practically a perfect path to Dou Sheng, with no real obstacles in between. All that was required was time. According to Hun Xu Zi's estimates, he could elevate Yao Yan to five-star Dou Sheng within a hundred years.
Anything beyond that would depend on the limits of Yao Yan's Devouring Spirit Tribe bloodline.
Past five-star Dou Sheng, progress became exponentially harder. Even centuries might not be enough to gain one star, and the gap between each star would be enormous. At that point, Yao Yan's growth would depend on his own boldness.
As Hun Xu Zi once said, the major imperial clans would all become Yao Yan's future "cultivation resources." Even the great magical beast clans could be considered.
Pretty devilish stuff.
…
…
Three streaks of multicolored light flashed across the night sky, swiftly approaching Snake-People territory.
As they drew closer—
Hai Bodong frowned slightly and looked at Yao Yan. "Young Master, have you thought about how we're going to approach the Snake-People? They've been very irritable lately—attacking all humans on sight. And Caidie's identity is quite sensitive. If she's exposed, she might draw out some of the old powerhouses of the Snake-People."
He had never personally encountered the Four Great Elders, but he'd heard enough stories about them.
Without that heritage, the Snake-People wouldn't have survived this long. Many human powers had their eyes on them—not just the Jia Ma Empire, but also the Chu Yun, Falling Goose, and Mu Lan Empires.
Snake-women were highly sought after in human lands, favored by many powerful cultivators.
Men shared a universal weakness.
But at its core, the real issue was weakness. The Snake-People couldn't resist external threats and certainly couldn't fend off four empires at once.
"I've already spoken to Caidie's sister. It should be fine. Even if something does happen, the three of us together are more than capable of retreating safely. Besides, her sister wouldn't just stand by and watch Caidie get hurt," Yao Yan replied with a nod, then shot Hai Bodong a meaningful look.
In his mind, if negotiations broke down, it was Hai Bodong who should be worried—not him or Caidie. He was thick-skinned and sturdy; a Dou Huang posed no threat. And as a young sixth-tier alchemist, his identity alone would keep the Snake-People in check.
Caidie had her sister's protection—no problem there.
Hai Bodong was the awkward one. He had nothing going for him in this situation. If things got ugly, no one would hold back against him.
Maybe it was because of Yao Yan's glance, but Hai Bodong suddenly realized he was the most vulnerable here. He forced a bitter smile and shook his head.
Yao Yan patted him on the shoulder with a smile. "Relax. Unless the Snake-People are crazy, they won't attack us."
Just as the three were about to reach Snake-People territory, two powerful energy fluctuations erupted in the distance. One of them gave off a very familiar aura.
"Sister?!"
Caidie instantly recognized it. She didn't hesitate at all—Dou Qi surged around her, and she shot off at full speed toward the source of the clash.
Yao Yan and Hai Bodong exchanged glances and immediately followed.
…
Boom!
A deafening explosion rocked the heavens. Violent energy shook the skies and earth, radiating an aura so fierce even ordinary Dou Huangs would shudder.
As the brilliant storm of multicolored energy dissipated, a gray energy barrier hovered steadily in midair.
Behind it stood an elderly figure clad in plain robes. His expression was unreadable, his seemingly clouded eyes gleamed with terrifying clarity. He leaned on a pitch-black cane topped with a scorpion's head, which glowed faintly with a trace of purple light.
Gray Dou Qi wings extended from his back. His aura was immense—faintly stronger than Queen Medusa's, suggesting he was just a step away from Dou Zong.
"Queen Medusa… You live up to your name. Among the Dou Huangs I've fought, you rank in the top three," the old man said slowly, as if critiquing a junior from a senior's perspective.
"Old freak, not bad yourself. Let's go again!"
Queen Medusa's cold, seductive phoenix eyes locked onto him. With a sneer, her hands formed seals, and her purple-red Dou Qi surged violently. Behind her, a massive, solid purple serpent phantom materialized. Its icy eyes locked onto the old man.
"So it really is the Purple Phantom Flame Serpent!"
The old man's eyes widened slightly, a trace of excitement surfacing in his voice.
The Purple Phantom Flame Serpent was an exceptionally rare magical beast, said to carry the bloodline of ancient divine beasts. If its bloodline were awakened under the right conditions, it could even evolve into an ancient beast.
And that… was exactly what the old man was here for.
He needed its blood.
(END CHAPTER)
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