Faced with Lin Ran's unmistakable pressure, Queen Medusa's delicate brows drew together tightly. After a long pause, she slowly lowered her proud head and bowed slightly.
'Please spare the Snake Tribe, Senior. Medusa is willing to obey your command.'
'Very good.'
Lin Ran smiled with satisfaction. He had always appreciated those who understood their position.
With a flick of his wrist, a jade bottle appeared in his palm. The familiar aura made Medusa's expression change ever so slightly. She instinctively raised a hand to her chest.
"This is my own blood..." she realized.
'You're not mistaken,' Lin Ran said indifferently. 'This is indeed your blood essence. I have only one request. I need your essence and that of the four elders. Additionally, within three months, I need you to locate three other sixth-tier magical beasts. Dead or alive doesn't matter — I only need their blood. You can keep everything else.'
'If you succeed, our transaction is complete, and I might even reward you. If you fail...' Lin Ran casually spun the jade vial in his fingers, 'I will make do by harvesting every living creature in this city to make up for the quality with quantity.'
The words were calm, but their meaning was as sharp as a blade. For Medusa, there was no choice — only submission.
'Three sixth-rank magical beasts...' Medusa murmured, then nodded slowly. 'I will gather what you ask within three months. I trust you will honor your promise.'
'Of course.'
Lin Ran stepped closer to her. She stood stiff, raising her head slightly to expose her neck like an icy swan. Her instincts screamed at her to retreat, but the surrounding space was completely sealed. There was no escape.
'Relax,' Lin Ran said, his tone calm but cold. 'Had you failed your breakthrough, your people would be ash under those humans' boots right now. This transaction isn't a loss for you.'
He leaned in close, inhaling her scent, and gently tapped her cheek with his fingers.
'Don't disappoint me.'
...
After a brief 'friendly exchange' with the queen, Lin Ran didn't linger in the hall. He was well aware that someone like Medusa, cold and intelligent, would manage the aftermath efficiently.
Back at the lake island where Medusa had undergone her transformation, the surroundings had already changed dramatically. Without the suppressive power of a strong cultivator, the Green Lotus Core Flame had become increasingly unstable. The once lush island was now a scorched plain. Even the poisonous lake had turned to mist, all moisture and foliage incinerated.
"The power of a true Heavenly Flame... terrifying," Lin Ran muttered.
He extended his hand toward the flame. Covered in golden-red Dou Qi, it pierced the burning veil of fire and reached into its core. Soon, he retrieved a small glowing thread of green-blue magma — the fire seed.
From behind him, Medusa's voice rang out in disbelief: 'That's the flame's core... and you're handling it bare-handed?'
Lin Ran didn't respond. The flame's power couldn't burn him — not through the shield of his pure yang Dou Qi and unbreakable body. What would incinerate a sixth-rank beast couldn't even singe his fingers.
Soon, the surrounding inferno shrank and disappeared into the seed, now clenched in Lin Ran's palm.
'The legends were true... when the Green Lotus Core Flame is fully formed, its essence shrinks to the size of a fingertip, yet holds energy capable of shaking mountains,' he thought.
'You plan to consume it?' Medusa asked from behind.
'I do,' Lin Ran replied plainly. 'Without the flame's help, I can't refine the seventh-grade pill I need.'
Medusa's eyes narrowed. 'A seventh-tier alchemist... is that what he is too?' she thought.
She had heard of Lin Ran's strength. But to also possess high-grade alchemy? It bordered on absurd. Ancient empires could go generations without producing such a person. Yet here he was, refining flames with bare hands.
She handed him five more bottles. 'My blood and the elders'. I will bring the other materials you require in time.'
Lin Ran accepted them with a nod. The most difficult parts of the Heaven Spirit Dragon Blood Pill were now nearly complete — only three more sixth-rank bloods and a seventh-rank beast core remained.
But Lin Ran didn't rush. First, he had to absorb the flame.
He produced a cerulean pill — the Earth Spirit Pill. The potent energy within would shield his body during the refining process.
He swallowed the pill in one motion. Then, with a deep breath, he raised the flame seed to his mouth and consumed it.
The heat exploded in his chest instantly.
"Good," Lin Ran thought, as his vision blurred with pain, "This is what I wanted."
His consciousness dove inward. Within his meridians, his golden-red Dou Qi clashed violently with the flame's green hue. The energies surged and twisted, each trying to dominate the other.
"This body... it's like an iron prison to the flame. It can't even break through the meridian walls."
Indeed, his Pure Yang Physique was no ordinary constitution. Reinforced by cultivation and fire-hardened battle, Lin Ran's body had become a fortress.
He didn't suppress the fire. He guided it. Drew it. Merged it.
Soon, the energy in his body twisted into alignment. The flame calmed. Beaten into submission, it curled up like a docile serpent.
When he opened his eyes again, flames danced at his fingertips.
"So this is the true Green Lotus Core Flame," he murmured, raising his hand and letting the energy ripple out. The air shimmered under the heat, warping the space above his palm.
"And it's mine now."
...
But just as Lin Ran reveled in his success, his expression changed.
A wave of energy surged through his body — not from the flame, but from within.
"Not good... The balance has shifted!"
He clenched his fists. Blood surged and crashed like a rising tide. His meridians boiled. His breath quickened.
His Yin-Yang equilibrium — the delicate system that regulated the unique flow of his dual-natured energy — had snapped.
"Dammit... Not now!"
He tried to suppress it, but the more he resisted, the more violent the backlash.
Within moments, the whites of his eyes turned crimson. Pure Yang Dou Qi, now unrestrained, raged out of control.
"Something's wrong," Medusa muttered, frowning.
She could sense it — Lin Ran's aura had become unstable.
"Serves him right for being arrogant. You can't treat Heavenly Flames like toys and expect no consequences."
She smirked coldly, enjoying the idea of watching the proud man stumble.
But then, their eyes met.
His gaze was burning red, full of pressure, need, and... something else.
"No..." Medusa's heart thudded.
She turned, preparing to retreat.
But it was too late.
'Bind!'
With a shout, Lin Ran waved his hand. Green fire shot from his fingers, wrapping around her arms like shackles. The space around her sealed — she couldn't move.
Forced to her knees, Medusa glared upward, eyes sharp as daggers.
'What are you doing, Lin Ran?!'
'Calm down! Don't act on impulse!'
Her voice echoed with warning. 'If you dare touch me, I swear—!'
But Lin Ran wasn't listening.
He stepped forward, face burning, breath heavy. His aura surged, blocking off the entire island.
As he placed a hand on her crown, his willpower shattered the final wall.
Whatever happened next...
Was between a man, a woman, and a fire that burned brighter than the sun.
(End of Chapter)