The azure sky was spotless as a massive jade-colored flying magical beast cut across the heavens, heading straight toward the Mu Lan Empire.
On the back of the flying beast, Lin Yuan took out three crystalline Earthfire Lotus Seeds and handed them to Queen Medusa.
A trace of confusion flashed through the Queen's eyes. Lin Yuan smiled and explained, "Your Majesty, since you intend to use the Green Lotus Core Flame for your evolution, you might as well familiarize yourself in advance with these Earthfire Lotus Seeds. They share the same origin as the Green Lotus Core Flame and contain similar earthfire essence."
After a brief moment of thought, Lin Yuan took out the Green Lotus Throne. Carefully, he separated a wisp of the Green Lotus Core Flame's origin fire from the Acceptance Soul and gently placed it upon the lotus platform of the throne. Once the wisp of origin flame returned to the platform, it seemed to find its rightful home, joyfully leaping atop the lotus seat and releasing a tranquil yet blazing radiance.
Lin Yuan then presented the Green Lotus Throne, now containing a trace of an Heavenly Flame's origin to Queen Medusa. "There's also this. You should familiarize yourself with it as well; it may prove helpful to you."
Queen Medusa accepted the items but said nothing. However, something seemed to deepen within her gaze.
Lin Yuan did not continue focusing on Queen Medusa. Instead, he split off two Shadow Clones.
One Shadow Clone continued comprehending the inheritance of the Eighth-Grade alchemist. During this period, Lin Yuan had already begun studying the seventh- and eighth-tier portions of that inheritance. Although his current level did not yet allow him to refine seventh-tier pills, the techniques involving soul power usage and flame control contained within those sections had benefited him immensely.
The second Shadow Clone began deducing the Falling Sun Divine Shot. This technique had always been one of Lin Yuan's most valued killing moves and a crucial part of his tactical framework. He had been continuously refining and improving it.
"Is that Yun Shan's Afterimage Clone? But it seems somewhat different," Queen Medusa asked in confusion. As Yun Shan's longtime rival, she was naturally familiar with the Afterimage Clone, yet the clone before her clearly differed from what she knew.
"It is, and it isn't," Lin Yuan replied. "This is a new Dou Technique I derived by combining the Afterimage Clone with certain special alchemist methods, Shadow Clone."
"Is that so?" Queen Medusa said calmly, offering no further comment. Internally, however, she sighed in admiration. Seals, Dou Techniques, clones… This man is constantly innovating. His talent for breaking conventions and creating new paths is truly extraordinary, he possesses an almost abnormal aptitude for founding techniques.
Looking at Queen Medusa, Lin Yuan said seriously, "Your Majesty need not be bound by tradition. Things passed down are not necessarily good, and even if they are, they may not suit you. Why not try exploring new possibilities?"
With that, Lin Yuan turned and led Qing Lin aside, patiently teaching her the techniques of soul transmission while also studying tactical principles with her. However, she did not probe further and instead focused on the things Lin Yuan had entrusted to her.
Thus, as the massive flying magical beast maintained its steady flight, the group swiftly advanced toward Icefire Valley.
Ten days later, Lin Yuan and his companions successfully arrived at Icefire Valley.
This was a valley far more vast than imagination could encompass. As far as the eye could see, everything was cloaked in silvery-white ice and snow. Yet in the valley's southwestern corner stood a towering active volcano. Scorching magma erupted from it from time to time, carving out several crimson "rivers" amid the snow and ice, releasing intense waves of fire-element energy.
With a slight movement, Lin Yuan lightly floated to the crater of the volcano. Closing his eyes, he fully released his soul perception, probing the flow of energy throughout the area.
More than ten minutes later, he opened his eyes and smiled faintly. "An excellent place. Ice and fire converge here. Aboveground, it is a frozen world, but beneath this volcano lies an endless reservoir of fire-element energy. It is an exceptional convergence of ice and fire. Whether cultivating ice-attribute techniques or fire-attribute techniques, practitioners would see a significant increase in cultivation speed here."
With a wave of his hand, a surge of green Dou Qi swept away layers of snow, revealing numerous grim white bones beneath. "These should be the remains of those who died in the battles between Mu Lan Valley and the Mu Lan Imperial Clan. Judging by the quantity, there were quite a few. The probability of a Soul Origin Fruit appearing here is indeed very high. Let me take a look—"
Just as Lin Yuan was calculating, Queen Medusa leapt down from the flying beast and landed beside him.
"Well? Are there traces of the Soul Origin Fruit here?" Her voice carried a hint of urgency.
"There's a high probability," Lin Yuan nodded, continuing, "If a Soul Origin Fruit did form, then it would most likely be over there."
As he spoke, Lin Yuan flew onto a massive tree not far from the volcano.
With a flick of his sleeve, a gust of force blew away the snow accumulated on the branches. Lin Yuan focused his gaze on the central portion of the tree.
Empty.
"Although I had already anticipated this, it's still as expected," Lin Yuan sighed softly. Seeing Queen Medusa's puzzled expression, he explained, "Two Soul Origin Fruits did grow here, right at that spot. However, they should have already been harvested. Judging from the traces, it must have happened not long ago."
"That also explains why we didn't find any high-tier magical beasts that usually dwell near such heavenly materials. Given the grade of a Soul Origin Fruit, there should have been at least a Fifth-Grade magical beast guarding the area. It seems it was dealt with."
"Who did it? Mu Lan Valley?" Queen Medusa asked instinctively, a flash of killing intent passing through her eyes. The thought that what she needed had been taken by someone else made her mood sink.
"The most likely culprit is indeed Mu Lan Valley, but we still need confirmation," Lin Yuan said thoughtfully. Suddenly, his eyes lit up. "I've found something that can answer that question."
As he spoke, Lin Yuan's figure abruptly vanished from where he stood. When he reappeared, he was already dozens of meters away in the snowy ground. After several rapid flashes, he arrived beside a concealed patch of snow.
"Dragon-Grasping Hand!" he shouted softly. Green Dou Qi instantly transformed into a whirlwind, sweeping up the surrounding snow. Amid the vortex, a massive snake-shaped magical beast with a red-and-white body—gleaming like jade, was gradually revealed.
A Fourth-Grade magical beast, the Iceflame Jade Serpent.
Lin Yuan's figure flashed, and in an instant he appeared right before the Iceflame Jade Serpent's forehead. Before it could even react, he threw a punch. The overwhelming force struck cleanly, knocking the magical beast unconscious on the spot.
"Done," Lin Yuan said, clapping his hands lightly before raising his head and calling toward the flying beast high above.
"Qing'er!"
"Yes!" Qing Lin's clear voice rang out from the sky. In the next moment, she leaped directly from the flying magical beast, her figure tracing a graceful arc through the air.
"Young Master, catch me!" she called out sweetly.
Lin Yuan flashed forward and steadily caught Qing Lin as she descended from midair. The two of them then landed smoothly beside the Iceflame Jade Serpent.
After setting her down, Lin Yuan helplessly tapped her forehead.
"Silly girl, don't do that again next time. It's too dangerous."
"I understand, Young Master!" Qing Lin replied crisply, a shy yet mischievous smile appearing on her face.
From her answer, Lin Yuan already knew she would dare to do it again next time. Still, a trace of relief rose in his heart. This series of victorious trials among the Serpent People had dispelled most of Qing Lin's inferiority complex. Her lively, girlish nature was finally beginning to emerge.
Suppressing his thoughts, Lin Yuan glanced at Qing Lin. She immediately understood and nodded lightly, then cast a subtle glance in Queen Medusa's direction.
Lin Yuan rubbed her head and smiled.
"It's fine, Qing'er. Your brilliance deserves to bloom before others, to be witnessed."
"I understand. Thank you, Young Master." Qing Lin nodded, then walked toward the Iceflame Jade Serpent.
"What are you two talking about?" Queen Medusa asked, puzzled as she watched them speak in riddles.
Lin Yuan smiled faintly and looked at Queen Medusa with a serious expression.
"Your Majesty, what you're about to witness next is a bloodline miracle of the Serpent People."
As he spoke, Qing Lin had already reached the Iceflame Jade Serpent. Her hands formed an intricate seal, and two emerald-green, three-petaled flowers drifted out from her eyes, floating gently toward the magical beast.
Queen Medusa's pupils shrank violently as she stared at Qing Lin and the three-petaled flowers. She spoke each word slowly and emphatically.
"Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils!!!"
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