The Spirit Gathering Method was a soul secret art that Lin Yuan had learned from an Eighth-Grade alchemist's inheritance. He had once used it when awakening Xiao Cai's intelligence.
In order to realize his idea of controlling multiple Heavenly Flames, Lin Yuan had refined and expanded this secret art after studying and deducing the numerous alchemist inheritances and Soul Hall techniques he had obtained.
At this moment, hand seals shifted in Lin Yuan's main body as a powerful soul force condensed. Immediately after, a ray of soul light shot out from between his brows, striking directly at the center of the Sea Heart Flame's serpent-shaped flame spirit's forehead, where it formed a silver soul imprint.
Next, Lin Yuan took a deep breath and lightly bit the tip of his tongue. A drop of his natal essence blood was spat out, shooting straight toward the silver soul imprint.
The soul imprint fused with Lin Yuan's natal essence blood, transforming into a soul seed that radiated spiritual energy and emitted a faint crimson glow.
At the same time, the pure and highly spiritual soul energy formed from Lin Yuan's soul clone flowed toward the Sea Heart Flame's flame spirit like a gentle stream.
"Merge blood and soul, forge spiritual light."
A soft chant echoed as the soul energy slowly circulated around the flame spirit, nourishing it and guiding it to fuse with the soul seed of the same origin.
"It's still not enough."
With that thought, Lin Yuan's hand seals changed once more as he circulated the Heavenly Heart Soul Technique. Streams of spiritual energy from the surroundings gathered toward the soul seed.
As time passed, under the nourishment of the pure and spiritual soul force and spiritual energy, the soul seed gradually fused with the Sea Heart Flame's flame spirit.
Half a day later, when the final trace of the soul seed completely merged into the flame spirit, a glimmer of divine light suddenly burst forth from the serpent-shaped flame spirit's eyes. Immediately after, spiritual radiance surged within them, and its gaze gradually became clear and lively, as if it had suddenly gained high intelligence.
With a thought, Lin Yuan connected to the newly born flame spirit. Instantly, the Sea Heart Flame transformed into a blue flame serpent that leapt from the Green Lotus Seat, soaring and circling within the alchemy hall.
A few minutes later, the blue flame serpent hovered in midair before Lin Yuan. Its eyes met his, and within them shone an almost identical light.
"By fusing a split soul with an unintelligent flame spirit and using my own consciousness to dominate it, the concept of controlling a Heavenly Flame has been realized."
With the successful completion of his idea, Lin Yuan let out a long breath, a trace of excitement appearing in his eyes.
"However, dealing with a mature Heavenly Flame is indeed far more difficult than when I handled the Fallen Heart Flame sub-flame back then. If not for the significant improvements in my soul power and my research into the soul over the past year, this wouldn't have gone so smoothly."
"Next comes forging a split soul to carry the Heavenly Flame."
As he spoke, Lin Yuan took out a bottle of soul-recovery spiritual liquid from his storage ring and drank it. Then, he sat cross-legged and began circulating the Heavenly Heart Soul Technique, gathering spiritual energy to restore his depleted soul power.
Two days later, inside the alchemy hall.
Bang!
A muffled explosion echoed as Lin Yuan's soul clone dissipated along with the eruption of azure flames. Waves of fire surged outward like a rising tide, crashing into the spatial barrier set up by Medusa, sending ripples through space.
A few minutes later, the blue flames subsided. A wisp of blue fire transformed into a serpent shape, rose into the air, and then descended back onto the green lotus in the hall, quietly burning once more.
In front of the Green Lotus Seat, Lin Yuan dispersed the protective green flame around his body. Looking at the Heavenly Flame burning on the lotus seat, he frowned slightly.
"It worked yet it didn't?"
The final step could be considered both a success and a failure.
The success lay in the fact that the split soul could indeed carry a Heavenly Flame, Lin Yuan was now capable of controlling two Heavenly Flames simultaneously.
The failure lay in the fact that when the Heavenly Flame's power erupted too violently, the current soul clone was unable to withstand it, leading to what had just occurred.
"I was too optimistic. Using a split soul to carry a Heavenly Flame is far from simple."
"With the assistance of the Sea Heart Flame's flame spirit, using a soul clone to carry it is possible. However, a Heavenly Flame is ultimately a force of destruction. To unleash sufficient power, the strength of the soul clone must be high enough."
"Perhaps I can try refining the Sea Heart Flame again. That should improve its compatibility with the soul. Should I replace its origin flame?"
Lin Yuan fell into deep thought.
At that moment, space rippled slightly as Medusa's enchanting figure instantly appeared beside him.
Although Lin Yuan had reassured her before, having personally experienced the terror of Heavenly Flames, she still found the act of manipulating multiple Heavenly Flames extremely dangerous. Thus, the moment she sensed her spatial barrier being struck by powerful energy, she rushed over.
Sensing that Lin Yuan's aura was still strong, she quietly let out a sigh of relief.
"Did things not go smoothly?" Medusa asked, noticing the hint of fatigue and frustration on his face.
"Yes. There's an issue with the final step," Lin Yuan replied.
As he spoke, he pulled Medusa into his embrace, resting his head against her jade-like neck. Breathing in her faint fragrance, he organized his thoughts, searching for a solution.
"It seems that forging a split soul capable of carrying a mature Heavenly Flame like the Sea Heart Flame is no easy task."
"If my soul power were to break through to the Spiritual Realm, then with the assistance of the Sea Heart Flame's flame spirit, I should be able to achieve perfect control. However, breaking into the Spiritual Realm is not easy. At my current pace, it may take around two years."
"It seems that if I want to significantly strengthen my split soul at this stage, I'll need to draw inspiration from Soul Hall techniques, such as methods for nurturing ferocious souls."
At this point, Lin Yuan couldn't help but sigh inwardly. Although Soul Hall's actions were despicable, their techniques especially those related to the soul were undeniably exquisite.
"The few Soul Envoys I captured before were ultimately minor figures with limited knowledge. It seems I'll need to find an opportunity to capture a Protector-level expert."
Before long, Lin Yuan finished organizing his thoughts and had a clear plan for what to do next. The tension he had maintained over the past two days finally relaxed.
He released Medusa, his fingers lightly tracing along her graceful figure. The exquisite sensation made him reluctant to withdraw, and a hint of heat appeared in his eyes.
Having tasted such pleasures, he could no longer return to the past.
Sensing the change in Lin Yuan, Medusa said calmly, "Have you found a solution?"
"Yes, I have." Lin Yuan let out a soft chuckle, then gently cupped her face. "I may need your assistance later, Your Majesty."
"Oh?" Medusa smiled seductively upon hearing this. She tugged at Lin Yuan's collar, her voice carrying a teasing tone. "You need my help? That's fine. But, little man, I'll be collecting my reward in advance."
"Then, my Queen, what kind of reward do you desire?" Lin Yuan asked with amusement.
"Don't play dumb." Medusa rolled her eyes at him.
Lin Yuan chuckled softly. It seemed he wasn't the only one who had grown fond of such pleasures.
As they spoke, the seven-colored gauze slowly fell.
Soon after, beneath the swaying azure flames, a vivid spring scene blossomed within the somewhat dilapidated hall.
The azure Sea Heart Flame burned fiercely, its crackling resembling waves crashing against reefs.
After a long while, the hall returned to silence.
Medusa slowly rose, lazily adjusting her attire. A natural charm and regal elegance emanated from deep within her soul, making Lin Yuan's gaze grow heated.
As she tidied herself, she asked casually, "What are your plans regarding Qing Lin's inheritance? When do you intend to proceed?"
Having already composed himself, Lin Yuan thought for a moment before replying, "In a month. Once that matter is settled, Qing'er will begin inheriting the power of the Triple Jade-Green Snake Pupils. After all, once the inheritance begins, there's no telling how long it will take. And during this month, I'll need Qing'er's assistance."
The inheritance preserved by the Snake-People for the Triple Jade-Green Snake Pupils was not in the form of scrolls or jade slips, but rather a high-level inheritance crystal. The amount of knowledge contained within it was immense, and the time required would be considerable. Based on what Medusa had told him, Lin Yuan estimated that this was an extremely vast inheritance.
As he spoke, he stood beside Medusa and began arranging her hair ornaments while explaining his thoughts.
"The matter of the Xiao Clan's ancient jade?" Medusa sighed softly. "Even now, I still find it hard to believe. A mere Dou Grandmaster clan from the Jia Ma Empire actually has such a shocking origin, it was once a Dou God clan?"
Indeed, Lin Yuan had already told her about the matters concerning the Misty Cloud Sect, the Xiao Clan, Soul Hall, the ancient clans, and the ancient jade.
When Medusa first heard these things, even with her vast experience, she had been deeply shocked.
Looking at the hair ornament he had arranged for her, Lin Yuan nodded with satisfaction and sighed, "Such is the unpredictability of the world. Time has the power to change everything. Just like that young man who made the three-year agreement once said, 'Thirty years east of the river, thirty years west of the river.'"
Hearing this, Medusa cast him a peculiar glance.
Then she smiled, her tone tinged with amusement. "Little man, you sound like an old sage. If I remember correctly, you and that young man are the same age, aren't you?"
"True." Lin Yuan tapped his forehead, though a hint of pride appeared in his voice. "Our ages may be the same, but our experiences differ. He may still be a youth, but I am already a true man. Thank you for that, my Queen."
Medusa rolled her eyes at him.
However, her expression soon turned serious. Looking directly into Lin Yuan's deep eyes, her voice carried a trace of gravity.
"But are you truly going to involve yourself in this? If what you've said is true, then one wrong step could lead to eternal damnation."
"Of course." Lin Yuan's tone also grew solemn. "Since I have the ambition to stand at the very peak, I cannot ignore the Xiao Clan's ancient jade."
Their relationship had already developed to this point, and Lin Yuan was extremely open with Medusa. Aside from the deepest secret in his heart, he did not hesitate to share many of his secrets with her.
Yes, he trusted her deeply.
And Medusa, who had given her heart, was indeed worthy of that trust. A Medusa Queen of the Snake-People, once she truly devoted herself to someone, would do so wholeheartedly and remain loyal until death. Such loyalty was part of the inheritance within the Medusa bloodline.
Seeing the calm yet resolute look in Lin Yuan's eyes, Medusa understood that his decision would not change.
"In that case," she said softly, "if there's anything in your plans that requires my help, just say the word."
"Thank you, my Queen."
A warmth rose in Lin Yuan's heart. He understood that her words represented unconditional support and trust.
"Oh, right. Your Majesty, this is for you." As he spoke, Lin Yuan handed her a storage ring.
"Hmm? This is Dou Techniques?" Medusa accepted the ring and briefly inspected it, discovering a large number of techniques inside, some even at the Earth class level.
"That's right." Lin Yuan nodded. "These are the techniques I've collected over the years. You can choose whichever suits your needs and make up for your current shortcomings. As for my recommendation, this Earth class movement technique would suit you well."
As he spoke, Lin Yuan took out a purple scroll from the ring and handed it to her.
"Based on our previous battle, aside from movement techniques, you're already strong enough in other aspects. This should be of great help to you."
Medusa accepted the scroll. Four elegant words were inscribed upon it, Exquisite Flying Steps.
Exquisite Flying Steps was a Earth class movement technique that combined speed, flexibility, and spatial maneuvering. Its effects were extremely powerful, but it demanded exceptional physical strength and flexibility.
Lin Yuan had obtained it after destroying the Blade Shadow Sect before leaving the Black-Corner Region. However, its sect master, Xue You, had never managed to master it, likely because his physique did not meet the requirements. After all, body refinement for humans consumed enormous resources. When Lin Yuan cultivated the Hundred Beasts Soul Refinement Art, the cost had been terrifying Ancient Dragon essence blood, the blood of over a hundred fifth- and Sixth-Grade Magical Beasts, and numerous Fifth-Grade medicinal pills. Without being a high-tier alchemist and possessing formidable combat strength, it would have been nearly impossible.
"Little man, aren't you afraid that if I grow stronger, it will become harder for you to defeat me?" Medusa tossed the scroll lightly, her tone playful.
Lin Yuan waved his hand and laughed. "Then hurry and become stronger, my Queen. To be honest, I've long wanted to experience what it feels like to live off someone else."
Amid their teasing, the two exchanged various pieces of information.
Medusa informed Lin Yuan of the major matters concerning the Snake-People. After all, he was still the Fifth Elder of the Snake-People.
From her account, Lin Yuan learned that before his return, the Snake-People had already concluded negotiations with Mu Lan Valley and had begun their migration. At present, half of the tribe had already relocated to the Mu Lan Empire, with the four elders stationed there.
"So that's why," Lin Yuan said in realization. "No wonder the city seemed much less crowded when I returned this time."
"Based on what you've said, the Jia Ma Empire is currently filled with undercurrents," Medusa said thoughtfully. "It seems I should arrange for the tribe to accelerate the migration."
"That would be best. The Jia Ma Empire is not a safe place."
Afterward, Lin Yuan introduced the Seven Stars organization to Medusa and handed her a token.
Medusa accepted it and examined the two characters engraved on it—"Tian Quan." A thoughtful look appeared in her eyes.
"Seven Stars, Tian Quan Star Lord? Not bad. I quite like the title. A resource integration organization built around Qing Lin's Sky Network, this is indeed a good concept. Very much your style. I'll join."
As a queen who had ruled the Snake-People Empire for decades, Medusa quickly grasped Lin Yuan's intentions from his explanation.
It was an organization with immense potential—if used properly, it could rapidly consolidate resources and strengthen power.
"What do you plan to do next?" Medusa asked as she stored the token away.
Lin Yuan smiled faintly and looked toward the direction of the Jia Ma Sacred City.
"Refine pills and then settle the affairs of the Jia Ma Empire. My old friends have been waiting for me for quite some time."
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