Chapter 82: Conflict for the Heavenly Flame

"Medusa Queen is here!"

Hai Bodong felt an unusual sensation from the seal on his body. His heart skipped a beat, and he hurried back to the space, trembling as he spoke to Xiao Bai.

"So what if she's here?" Xiao Bai said slowly, looking at the jade knife in his hand, which was gradually taking shape.

Xiao Bai had long been mentally prepared for Medusa's arrival.

In this underground space with the green-colored Heavenly Flame, his spiritual energy couldn't detect far, so he didn't know exactly where Medusa was. However, Hai Bodong had sensed it first due to the seal, which wasn't surprising.

He wasn't sure why, but the Green Lotus Core Flame seemed to act like an alarm system. As long as anyone made a move, the woman would immediately know and quickly show up. She shouldn't have known about it, though!

"You have no idea how vicious that woman is!" Seeing Xiao Bai remain so calm, Hai Bodong, anxious, paced back and forth and muttered, "Let me put it this way! In this Tagor Desert, if a child is crying non-stop, all you need to say is that Medusa is here, and the crying stops immediately!"

Xiao Bai, looking at the trembling Hai Bodong, couldn't help but feel speechless. He certainly knew about Medusa, but hearing Hai Bodong's words made her sound like some kind of legendary demoness.

"Most importantly, she's at the peak of Dou Huang! We can't fight her!" Hai Bodong's expression was tense as he looked at Xiao Bai. "We should retreat! Yes, let's get out of here!"

"Hai Lao, you're so afraid of her? I don't believe she can really eat me! Besides, we're underground. Where can we retreat to?" Xiao Bai shot a displeased glance at the nervous Hai Bodong.

The old man usually looked indifferent, but whenever Medusa was mentioned, he acted like he was terrified. Xiao Bai wondered just how badly Hai Bodong had been beaten by Medusa in the past!

"Afraid of her? If my cultivation wasn't sealed, would you think I'd be afraid of her?" Hai Bodong snapped, his temper rising.

"Then why are your legs shaking?" Xiao Bai glanced at Hai Bodong's trembling legs.

"I—I'm just hot! Yes... this space is too damn hot!" Hai Bodong straightened his collar defensively.

Xiao Bai shook his head, deciding not to call out the old man's blatant lie. All his bravado is in his mouth—the rest of him is clearly terrified.

"Senior, someone is trying to steal your Heavenly Flame!" Xiao Bai, now aware that Medusa was near, spoke to the medicinal elder in his ring.

"No, it's your Heavenly Flames!" Yao Lao replied smoothly, refusing to take the bait.

Xiao Bai: "…"

This is Heavenly Flames, not some gum! You old man, are you trying to make an Ads here?

These elders are getting less reliable by the day—one's trembling in fear, the other's cracking jokes. Can't they act like proper, dependable elders for once?

"Aren't you afraid that the Heavenly Flames will be stolen?" Xiao Bai asked. Just earlier, the old man was anxious about his lightning seed, but now he seemed indifferent.

"If it's stolen, it's stolen! I've been waiting for so many years; a few more years won't matter. It's just that I can't give you the inheritance of the eighth-grade alchemist for now. I feel guilty about that!" Yao Lao spoke with a tone that seemed a bit regretful, but secretly, he was complaining.

This brat wants me to confront Medusa. With my current state, fighting against a peak Dou Huang would only make me fall into a deep sleep again!

But look at him—utterly unshaken. He's always been full of secrets. Who knows what tricks he has up his sleeve? This old soul needs to preserve his energy. Let the youngsters handle the spotlight for once!

"Heh..." Xiao Bai sneered. So that's why the old man's so calm—he's playing me.

Not wanting to waste time with the two old men, Xiao Bai looked at the jade knife in his hand. After inspecting it, he nodded in satisfaction. The craftsmanship wasn't bad!

Suddenly, Xiao Bai's expression shifted. After thinking for a moment, he put the jade knife into his ring.

"Heavenly Flame!"

A voice—both alluring and imperious—echoed through the space. Then, ripples spread through the air as a crimson figure materialized within the emerald-green realm.

Looking at the ripples in the space, Xiao Bai's brows twitched. Good heavens, she's stronger than expected! She was almost at the level of a Dou Zong.

He looked up to see a woman in a fiery red embroidered robe. The robe was adorned with intricate golden thread patterns, making it appear extraordinarily luxurious.

The woman in the robe stood with her hands behind her back, her figure incredibly seductive. Even though the gown appeared slightly loose, it still couldn't conceal her captivating, devilish curves.

The Heavenly Flames' green light illuminated her mesmerizing face. Between her delicate brows, there was a hint of regal authority, as if she had long been in a position of power. The combination of allure and authority made her charm reach its peak in an instant.

"The peach blossoms are bright and beautiful, flourishing in their splendor!" Xiao Bai looked at the woman for a moment and couldn't help but express his admiration.

Upon hearing this, Medusa shifted her gaze from the Green Lotus Core Flame

to Xiao Bai, her brow furrowing slightly. She didn't quite understand what he meant by that.

"Human, I want this Heavenly Flame!" Medusa's tone was calm, but it carried the commanding presence of an emperor giving orders to their subjects.

"Heh, help yourself!" Xiao Bai stepped aside and didn't seem angry at Medusa's attitude.

In the original story, the woman didn't know how to absorb the Heavenly Flame properly. She could only forcefully try, but the Serpent People had a cold and yin nature, which conflicted with the Heavenly Flame, and in the end, she hurt herself trying to absorb it.

Xiao Bai was curious to see what she would do now. If she still acted like in the original story, he wouldn't hold back. He wanted the Heavenly Flame, but he also wanted her!

"Then leave this place!"

Medusa couldn't fully gauge Xiao Bai's cultivation, which made her a little wary. Seeing him cooperate, she let out a sigh of relief.

As for the person next to him, the one with her seal inside—wasn't he called... the Ice Emperor? Just a defeated foe. Since she had found the Heavenly Flame today, she felt happy and decided not to make things difficult for him.

Besides, it seemed like he was with this black-clad human. As long as they left, it would be best to avoid more trouble.

"Leave? No, no, no. You want the Heavenly Flame, I want the Lotus Platform. We don't have a conflict. Quickly take the flame!" Xiao Bai shook his head and urged her.

"Lotus Platform?" Medusa glanced at the lotus flower. She knew it was certainly a rare treasure, though she didn't know exactly what it was used for.

But since it was something born from the Heavenly Flame, it might help with her evolution.

Coldness gradually appeared in Medusa's eyes. She wanted the Heavenly Flame, and now she also wanted the Lotus Platform!

"This Lotus Platform, I want it too!"

Seeing the change in her expression, Xiao Bai knew he wouldn't be able to get away with an easy deal. Since that was the case, then it was time to rely on their own abilities!

"Yao Lao, prepare to take action!" Xiao Bai said seriously.

"Alright, but this woman is very strong! Just the fact that she can influence the space shows she's not far from that level. Be careful!" Yao Lao said seriously.

He had been joking before, but now that they were facing her, how could he not act? This was related to his resurrection, and anyone who wanted to interfere was basically going against him.