Qing Lin sent a thought to the Two-Headed Fire Spirit Snake. The mark on its head glowed brightly as its massive body rapidly shrank, finally transforming into a small form and shooting into Qing Lin's sleeve.
Qing Lin curiously patted her sleeve and said with a bright smile,"From now on, you must listen not only to me, but also to Young Master. Otherwise, I'll throw you away."
Inside her sleeve, the Two-Headed Fire Spirit Snake let out a few faint hisses, clearly terrified that it would be beaten again.
"Qing Lin, let it out and have it take me down," Xiao Zhitian said, gently stroking her hair.
The Two-Headed Fire Spirit Snake immediately flew out of her sleeve, gradually enlarging as it hovered in midair.
After hissing at Xiao Zhitian once, it burrowed straight into the magma.
"Xiao Zhitian…""Young Master…""Hall Master.""Be careful. Stay safe."
The four spoke almost simultaneously.
"Mm. Wait for me here."
Xiao Zhitian nodded calmly.
Crimson flames erupted around his body as he leaped directly into the magma, following the Two-Headed Fire Spirit Snake.
Inside the molten world, undercurrents surged violently. Hidden dangers existed everywhere, with sudden magma eruptions bursting from unknown directions. Fortunately, the Two-Headed Fire Spirit Snake was extremely familiar with this place, allowing Xiao Zhitian to safely avoid every danger.
As he descended deeper, Xiao Zhitian continuously strengthened the Qilin Sky Burning Flame.
After a long descent, the magma gradually began to take on a greenish hue.
Ten more minutes passed.
Guided by the snake, a dazzling green light appeared before his eyes.
Approaching it, Xiao Zhitian finally saw it clearly.
A graceful green lotus floated within the light.
The Two-Headed Fire Spirit Snake trembled uncontrollably, filled with instinctive fear toward the green radiance.
Xiao Zhitian stepped directly into the green light, stopping before the lotus.
Scattered nearby were many bloodstained Seven-Colored Snake scales.
As if sensing something, the Seven-Colored Little Snake inside Xiao Zhitian's sleeve awakened and crawled out.
It coiled around his shoulder, staring at the scattered scales before being drawn toward the pure energy emanating from the earth fire lotus seed. Unable to resist, it attempted to fly toward the lotus.
Xiao Zhitian quickly caught it."Little one, don't rush. I'll let you eat later."
Reassured, the little snake calmed down and continued coiling on his shoulder, staring longingly at the lotus.
Xiao Zhitian carefully examined the green lotus.
It had eight flawless green leaves, as though carved from perfect jade. Each leaf was crystal-clear and breathtakingly beautiful.
At the center was a lotus platform two to three feet wide. In the middle of the platform was a fist-sized hollow — the place where the Green Lotus Core Flame had once been nurtured.
Surrounding the hollow were eleven earth fire lotus seeds.
Xiao Zhitian took out several empty jade bottles, melted them, purified them, and finally condensed them into a jade long knife.
With precise movements, he gently severed the connection between the lotus and its root. The green lotus detached cleanly, leaving only the root behind to continue absorbing energy.
He controlled the lotus to float before him.
Using the jade knife, he carefully picked out one lotus seed and placed it before the little snake.
The snake swallowed it instantly.
A faint cyan flame emerged from its mouth. Its body swayed as if drunk before it finally curled into Xiao Zhitian's palm and fell asleep.
Xiao Zhitian then harvested the remaining ten lotus seeds, storing them separately. With a wave of his hand, he placed the lotus and the jade bottles into his system space.
After scanning the area and confirming there were no other treasures, Xiao Zhitian turned back and beckoned the Two-Headed Fire Spirit Snake.
"Plop!"
A splash echoed as Xiao Zhitian emerged from the magma, wrapped in crimson flames.
The Two-Headed Fire Spirit Snake also shrank and returned to Qing Lin's sleeve.
"Are you alright?" Little Fairy Doctor and Qing Lin asked anxiously, stepping forward.
"I'm fine." Xiao Zhitian smiled calmly.
After a brief thought, two jade bottles appeared in his hand. He handed them to Shui Ye and Hai Bodong.
"These are earth fire lotus seeds. Your attributes may not suit them, but you can use them for exchange."
Though it pained him slightly to give away such treasures, it was worthwhile to win loyalty. Shui Ye was absolutely loyal due to the system, but rewarding him was still appropriate.
Hai Bodong's eyes widened in shock. As Grand Elder of the auction house, he immediately recognized the item's value.
"This is too precious. I only came to assist—"
"Elder Hai, this is what you deserve. Follow me, and I will never treat you unfairly," Xiao Zhitian said calmly.
Hai Bodong took a deep breath and accepted the bottle.
"Then I won't pretend anymore. From this day on, whether crossing mountains of blades or seas of fire, Hall Master, just give the order."
If he had once followed for profit, he now truly acknowledged Xiao Zhitian in his heart.
Turning to Qing Lin and Little Fairy Doctor, Xiao Zhitian added,"I won't give these to you directly. I'll refine them into pills for you later. They'll be far more effective."
Coincidentally, there was a pill formula in his alchemy book that used earth fire lotus seeds as the main ingredient.
The two nodded, not placing much importance on the treasure itself.
"Since we have what we came for, let's return first."
No one objected.
They followed the original path back, exited the underground passage, and returned toward Stone Desert City.
Back at Stone Desert City, Xiao Zhitian sat cross-legged on his bed and took out one earth fire lotus seed.
He directly swallowed it.
Under the refinement of the Life Spirit Purifying Devouring Fate Lotus Flame, the lotus seed instantly transformed into a torrent of energy that was absorbed into his body.
The Dou Qi within him surged violently, climbing toward a critical point.
"Break!"
With a low roar, the bottleneck shattered.
Xiao Zhitian's cultivation advanced to Four-Star Dou Shi.
He continued cultivating until his realm fully stabilized.
Opening his eyes, he exhaled a breath of hot air.
He then stood and moved to the alchemy area of the room, taking out the Purple Abyss Cauldron and over a dozen herbs.
"Purple Heart Earth Lotus Pill — Fourth Grade. It allows a Dou Shi to break through one or two realms, with remaining medicinal power staying in the body to accelerate cultivation."
"Required ingredients: earth fire lotus seed, mature purple heart lotus, fifty-year Blood Spirit Ginseng… one Fourth-Tier demonic core."
Xiao Zhitian carefully reviewed the formula in his mind.
Five minutes later, he flicked his finger.
A wisp of silver flame shot into the cauldron. With a muffled sound, the fire ignited within.
With a gentle suction from his palm, the herbs were drawn into the cauldron.
As the refinement began, the room temperature steadily increased.
Xiao Zhitian's slender fingers moved subtly through the air, precisely controlling the heat and every stage of the alchemy process.