Chapter 280: The Green Lotus Core Flame

Medusa's violet eyes widened in shock, her instinct urging her to resist. However, she was firmly restrained by Muchen's immense spiritual power, unable to even budge.

The electrifying sensation coursed through her entire body, leaving her simultaneously stunned and enraged. No matter how much strength she summoned as a Dou Emperor, she couldn't break free from Muchen's overwhelming grip.

Medusa's heart was a whirlwind of emotions—shock at Muchen's inconceivable strength and fury at his audacity. But as her resistance proved futile, she found herself unable to ignore the lingering sweetness of her first kiss.

"Life is like a battle," she thought bitterly. "If you can't fight back, you might as well enjoy it."

Meanwhile, notifications flooded Muchen's mind.

Dou Qi +3,368

Dou Qi +3,346

Dou Qi +2,358

With each moment of their kiss, his Dou Qi surged, and before long, he ascended to the realm of a Five-Star Dou Grandmaster.

As for the Snake Guards watching from the sidelines, they were frozen in shock. Their mighty Queen, Medusa, was being openly kissed, unable to move or speak due to Muchen's powerful spiritual restraint. They could only stand there, helpless, as their queen endured this brazen act.

After nearly three minutes, Muchen finally released Medusa.

Her face flushed crimson, and her sharp eyes glared at him with the venom of a serpent.

But Muchen appeared utterly unfazed, his composure unbroken.

Familiar with the original storyline, Muchen understood the deep-seated animosity between the Snake Tribe and humans. As their queen, Medusa would never willingly consider a human as her mate. The only way to win her over would be to assert dominance—to force a connection.

However, Muchen, being the gentleman he considered himself, sought to give her a memorable romantic experience rather than rushing to claim her purity.

Yet her earlier resolute refusal had stirred a mischievous impulse within him, leading to this bold move.

"You're lying," Muchen said with a smug grin.

"What?" Medusa's temper flared, her disdain for him sinking to new depths.

"You said you could never fall for a human, but you're lying. I could hear your heartbeat speeding up just now. Even though you're a half-snake, you're still susceptible to love like any other being."

Medusa rolled her eyes at him. "Of course my heart raced—you just stole my first kiss! I'm not a corpse."

Despite her irritation, she found herself reluctantly agreeing with his final point. As much as she hated to admit it, she was not immune to the allure of romantic emotions. Somewhere deep down, she couldn't deny that a part of her had savored the kiss.

To avoid giving him further opportunities to provoke her, Medusa quickly turned away. Her translucent Dou Qi wings flared open as she floated above the lava. Casting a glance back at Muchen, she said, "Let's focus on the task. Are you coming?"

"Of course! How could I let you go alone?" Muchen appeared beside her in an instant, his hand clasping hers.

Medusa instinctively struggled, but his grip was unyielding.

"Don't resist. You're just a Dou Emperor. The road ahead is long," Muchen chided, summoning a wisp of Yin-Yang Flame to encase them both.

"Is that... Heavenly Flame?" Medusa asked, her shock evident.

"Yes, this is my Yin-Yang Flame. With its protection, the molten heat below won't harm us," Muchen explained.

Medusa nodded in acknowledgment, her initial suspicion replaced by recognition of his intentions.

"Snake Guards, remain here and await my return," Medusa commanded.

"Yes, Your Majesty!" the guards responded in unison, bowing deeply.

"Have it lead the way," Muchen suggested, gesturing toward the Two-Headed Flame Spirit Snake.

Medusa emitted a series of strange sounds, and the snake nodded before diving into the lava. Muchen and Medusa followed closely behind.

Beneath the lava, the world was a sea of fiery red. Encased in the Yin-Yang Flame's protective barrier, Medusa felt none of the oppressive heat and realized she didn't even need to activate her Dou Qi for protection. Through the thin film of the flame, she could vaguely discern the shifting environment around them.

Dark currents surged unexpectedly through the lava, their fierce energy capable of heavily injuring even a Dou Emperor if caught off guard. Thankfully, Muchen's Di-state Tier Soul allowed him to detect and navigate these dangers with ease, especially with the Two-Headed Flame Spirit Snake leading the way.

"It's been half an hour. How much further?" Medusa's patience began to wear thin as the endless red landscape blurred into monotony.

"Be patient," Muchen replied calmly. "The color of the lava is already changing. The crimson hue is giving way to a faint green, indicating the rising temperature. We're getting closer."

As they continued to descend, the surrounding heat intensified dramatically. Despite the protection of the Yin-Yang Flame, Medusa could still feel the oppressive heat pressing against her. The once-red lava had now turned a brilliant green, signaling their proximity to the Heavenly Flame.

The Two-Headed Flame Spirit Snake let out a series of high-pitched squeals.

"It says the Heavenly Flame is just ahead!" Medusa relayed, her face lighting up with excitement.

"I can see it already," Muchen said.

His Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan had activated without him realizing it, piercing through the layers of molten rock. Ahead of them, a radiant green light shimmered, emanating from a resplendent flame.

With a flicker of his thought, Muchen transported himself and Medusa to a peculiar chamber deep within the molten depths.

Before them stood a green lotus flame, poised delicately as if it were a celestial bloom untouched by the infernal surroundings.

"A green lotus flame!" Medusa exclaimed, her delight unm

istakable.

"This is the Green Lotus Core Flame," Muchen confirmed.

(End of Chapter)