The jade fragment was quite ancient in appearance. At its center, a tiny point of light slowly moved about.
It was none other than the Ancient Emperor Tuoshe Jade.
"Brother, what is this?" Zi Yan asked, her face filled with confusion.
"This is the Ancient Emperor Tuoshe Jade. It is an extremely important object, but I cannot take it to the Central Plains." Lin Yuan's expression became more solemn as he looked seriously at Zi Yan. "I'm going to hide this piece of ancient jade somewhere near this magma sea."
There was a real possibility that they might encounter some peak-level experts in the Central Plains.
If he happened to encounter someone who recognized the Ancient Emperor Tuoshe Jade and whose perception could even penetrate a Storage Ring, things would become troublesome.
For the sake of safety, it was better to bury this thing here.
After gently exhaling, Lin Yuan said solemnly, "Zi Yan, remember exactly where I hide it. If something unexpected happens to me in the future, this ancient jade will be the most precious gift your brother can leave you."
"Bah! Bah! Bah!"
Before Lin Yuan could continue, Zi Yan immediately covered his mouth with her little hand and glared fiercely at him.
"What unexpected thing? Don't say things like that."
Lin Yuan's tone had been extremely serious, but she hated the implication behind his words.
Seeing Zi Yan's reaction, Lin Yuan's gaze softened considerably.
Unexpectedly, this feeling was rather nice.
"Sorry, I expressed myself poorly just now!" Lin Yuan raised both hands in surrender and chuckled. "To be safe, Zi Yan, you must remember where I put this thing. I may need you to come back and retrieve it for me in the future."
Only after hearing Lin Yuan change his wording did Zi Yan nod in satisfaction.
"That's more like it."
Afterward, the two of them spent several hours sealing the ancient jade into a section of rock wall that Lin Yuan had selected. They also carefully disguised the area and left a mark.
After everything was completed, Zi Yan gave Lin Yuan a drop of her purple blood before leaving this world of magma.
As for Lin Yuan, he no longer suppressed the aura surging within his body.
In an instant, the powerful aura belonging to a peak three-star Dou Ancestor surged outward like a tide. After wave after wave of fluctuations, it began steadily rising toward the next level.
During this period, he had relied on refining the Demonic Poison Spot to increase his cultivation, while tempering his Dou Qi through alchemy and the Fallen Heart Flame.
Before coming here, Lin Yuan had already reached the threshold of a breakthrough.
At the moment he incorporated the Heavenly Phoenix Wings into his body, the bone wings, which had been refined using a quasi-Eighth-Grade Heavenly Demon Phoenix Magic Core, released an enormous energy impact. This helped Lin Yuan break through that thin layer of obstruction in one smooth motion, providing him with the opportunity to advance.
Lin Yuan's figure flashed, and he once again landed on the Green Lotus Platform before sitting cross-legged.
He then waved his sleeve lightly.
A drop of green-red blood, a drop of purple-red blood, and more than a dozen medicinal ingredients appeared before him.
With a thought, ice-blue flames surged outward, transforming into a flame cauldron that engulfed the blood and medicinal ingredients.
"Refine!"
With a low shout, an extremely scorching temperature erupted, quickly extracting the essences of the medicinal ingredients.
The green-red blood, purple-red blood, and medicinal essences rapidly blended and fused within the ice-blue flame cauldron.
A profound energy fluctuation gradually spread outward.
One hour later.
When the flame cauldron dissipated, a mass of dark-red liquid containing immense energy appeared before Lin Yuan.
"It's done. This amount of energy is sufficient!"
Looking at the dark-red liquid before him, Lin Yuan revealed a satisfied smile and muttered to himself, "As for the formula, since Ancient Dragon blood and Heavenly Demon Phoenix blood are the main ingredients, I'll call it the 'Dragon-Phoenix Primordial Liquid.'"
This formula was something Lin Yuan had casually deduced over the past few days while refining the Heavenly Phoenix Wings.
Strictly speaking, the Dragon-Phoenix Primordial Liquid could not be considered a conventional medicinal pill.
Compared with medicinal effects, it placed greater emphasis on energy, making it more similar to the medicinal cuisine Lin Yuan had prepared for Zi Yan.
It was a specialized medicinal formula that he had deduced specifically for himself.
Just like how one needed an extraordinarily powerful physique to consume medicinal ingredients directly, using the Dragon-Phoenix Primordial Liquid also required an extremely strong physique capable of withstanding its violent energy.
However, precisely because of this, the formula did not require too much refinement.
"Everything is ready. I can begin…"
With this thought, Lin Yuan's mind stirred, and he used the Azure Lotus Heart Flame to swallow the dark-red liquid.
Immediately afterward, surrounded by ice-blue flames, the dark-red Dragon-Phoenix Primordial Liquid floated above Lin Yuan's head.
Under the stimulation of the Azure Lotus Heart Flame, it transformed into a curtain of dark-red light resembling a waterfall, enveloping Lin Yuan as he sat upon the Green Lotus Platform.
Lin Yuan closed his eyes and formed a cultivation seal with his hands.
The Heavenly Capital Fire Canon began circulating.
The endless fire-element energy within the magma sea immediately gathered into a crimson energy vortex and surged toward the figure enveloped within the dark-red radiance.
At the center of the energy vortex, Lin Yuan's aura began to rise slowly yet steadily.
One day later.
Inner Academy.
Two peerlessly beautiful women stood quietly on a mountain cliff, gazing down at the sprawling complex of buildings below.
One was a young woman dressed in green, her eyes filled with excitement and nostalgia.
The other was a beautiful woman dressed in purple, who was quite interested in observing the enormous basin before her.
"Sister Xiyue, this is the Inner Academy." Qing Lin turned her head and smiled. "And Young Master's residence is over there…"
As she spoke, she raised her hand and pointed toward a location in the northwestern part of the Inner Academy.
"This is where Lin Yuan and Zi Yan live, Not a bad place."
Medusa gently stroked Qing Lin's head.
Her perception spread out slightly, and a trace of surprise flashed through her eyes.
"The number of strong practitioners here truly lives up to the reputation of a force founded by a Dou Venerate."
"Little Qing Lin, you're back!"
An aged voice suddenly rang out.
Before the voice had even faded, space rippled slightly, and the figure of an old man dressed in black suddenly appeared beside the two women.
He looked at Qing Lin kindly.
"Greetings, Great Elder!"
Seeing the newcomer, Qing Lin hurriedly cupped her fists in salute.
"There's no need for such formalities."
Su Qian chuckled and raised his hand slightly.
"It's good enough that you returned safely!"
"Although Lin Yuan told us that you didn't return with him because you had broken through your realm, this old man still couldn't completely put his mind at ease. Now that you've finally returned, I can finally relax!"
"Moreover, looking at your cultivation, you've already reached the six-star Dou Emperor level. It seems your journey of training was quite fruitful."
"Hehe!"
Qing Lin scratched her head somewhat shyly.
"I'm sorry for making you worry, Great Elder. Being able to reach where I am today is all thanks to Young Master and Sister Queen…"
As she spoke, she prepared to introduce Medusa to Su Qian.
"Great Elder, this is…"
"Hehe, Little Qing Lin, there's no need for an introduction. I've already heard about her from Lin Yuan."
Su Qian waved his hand, interrupting Qing Lin's introduction.
He then smiled as he looked toward Medusa.
"Your Excellency must be the famous Queen Medusa, right?"
"Lin Yuan has told us, his teachers, about you. Since you are his wife, you are also one of our own here at Jia Nan Academy."
At this point, Su Qian could not help inwardly clicking his tongue in amazement.
He could not see through Medusa's strength at all. Judging by this, she was probably another formidable powerhouse.
The Queen of the Snake-People Empire, together with a Heavenly Poison Woman who had unified the Chu Yun Empire within two years.
Just thinking about Lin Yuan's future made Su Qian's scalp tingle. All of this kid's women were formidable characters. Could he really handle them all?
Hearing Su Qian's words, Medusa's cold and beautiful cheeks became slightly flushed, and her heart was filled with both embarrassment and joy.
She was happy because Lin Yuan had openly told everyone about their relationship. She was very satisfied with his attitude.
She was embarrassed for the very same reason. After all, she might not necessarily be younger than Su Qian, yet now.
Suppressing the complicated emotions in her heart as much as possible, Medusa calmly nodded toward Su Qian.
"Greetings, Great Elder!"
As an experienced old hand, Su Qian could more or less guess what Medusa was thinking.
He did not put on any airs. He merely nodded slightly and smiled.
"Welcome to Jia Nan Academy. Just treat this place as your own home. Lin Yuan is currently in seclusion and cannot come to welcome you, so you can go directly to his residence. As for its location."
"Me! Me!"
Qing Lin waved her hand from the side.
"Great Elder, don't worry. I'll take Queen Sister there."
"Very well. I'll leave it to you."
Su Qian nodded slightly.
"I still have some matters to deal with, so I'll take my leave for now."
Before leaving, he added one final sentence.
"Please remain calm in all matters and don't act impulsively."
After saying this, his figure disappeared on the spot.
"Remain calm and don't act impulsively?"
Medusa murmured softly. A meaningful smile flashed through her charming eyes.
"Take me there, Qing Lin."
At this moment, Qing Lin inexplicably felt a chill run down her spine.
She hurriedly nodded and obediently replied, "Okay, Sister Xiyue! Follow me."
Immediately afterward, two streaks of light flew toward Lin Yuan's residence.
Inner Academy, in front of the Medicine Garden.
Qing Lin and Medusa unexpectedly encountered Xiao Yixian, who had just returned from teaching.
The atmosphere instantly became silent.
Looking at the white-haired woman before her, whose features seemed vaguely familiar yet whose temperament was worlds apart from the past, revealing an extraordinary beauty, Qing Lin hesitated slightly before asking,
"Sister Xiao Yixian, is that you?"
"It's me!"
Xiao Yixian revealed the familiar, gentle smile.
"Our little Qing Lin has grown up too!"
She gently took Qing Lin's hand, her eyes filled with undisguised joy.
That timid girl from the past, the girl who had admired her greatly, the girl who had been almost like a little sister to her, had now grown into a mature young woman.
Her eyes and bearing had undergone a complete transformation.
Qing Lin's hesitation turned into joy. She excitedly hugged Xiao Yixian.
"It really is you, Sister Xiao Yixian! I've missed you so much these past few years!"
Xiao Yixian gently patted Qing Lin's back.
"I've missed you too. I've always missed you…"
Medusa watched the two embracing with great interest, but inwardly, she could not help feeling surprised.
Xiao Yixian's strength was actually not inferior to her own current strength.
At this moment, a clear voice carrying a hint of confusion suddenly came from inside the courtyard.
"Huh? Why do I smell Sister Xiyue?"
Before the voice had even faded, the courtyard gate was suddenly thrown open with a bang.
Zi Yan came rushing out in a whirlwind. The instant she saw Medusa, her eyes immediately lit up, and her tiny body directly pounced toward her.
"Hehehe! Sister Xiyue, it really is you! You came to Jia Nan Academy too!"
Medusa extended her hand and caught Zi Yan's flying body. A gentle smile appeared on her cold and beautiful face.
"Long time no see, Zi Yan!"
After calming Qing Lin and Zi Yan down, Xiao Yixian and Medusa simultaneously raised their heads.
The gazes of the two peerless beauties finally met.
They stared at each other as a strange, heavy atmosphere spread through the courtyard.
Under this oppressive atmosphere, even the usually lively Zi Yan could not help swallowing nervously and falling silent.
Xiao Yixian and Medusa simultaneously smiled faintly.
Both took a step forward, extending their jade-like hands and gently clasping them together.
Immediately, seven-colored energy and purple-gray flames slowly rose from the point where their hands met.
"Queen Medusa, the woman who got to him first…"
"Xiao Yixian, the first woman he ever fell for…"
Two women with similar cultivation levels and mental strength, two women whose hearts belonged to the same man, instinctively began a contest between women.
The strange purple-gray flames and condensed seven-colored energy collided and eroded each other where their palms met.
Soft sizzling sounds continuously rang out as rings of energy ripples spread outward.
Qing Lin and Zi Yan, who were standing nearby, could not help twitching their eyes at the sight.
This kind of struggle between women that they could not yet understand was truly terrifying.
Just as Zi Yan could no longer withstand the pressure and was preparing to go to the magma world to find Lin Yuan, the two jade-like hands that had been gently clasped together simultaneously released each other in perfect understanding.
The condensed seven-colored energy and purple-gray flames quickly dissipated as well.
"Sister Xiyue, the Seven-Colored Heaven Swallowing Python truly lives up to its reputation."
Xiao Yixian took a small step back and smiled gently.
"Little Sister Xiao Yixian, the Woeful Poison Body is likewise nothing to scoff at!"
Medusa also took a small step back, her voice carrying a hint of admiration.
"Sister Xiyue, you flatter me."
Xiao Yixian smiled gracefully, then pondered for a moment.
"This isn't a suitable place to talk. Let's go inside and have a proper conversation. Lin Yuan is currently in seclusion at the bottom of the Blazing Sky Qi Refining Tower, so I'll have to entertain you in his place."
"Returning to my own home, what is there to entertain?"
Medusa casually waved her hand and walked into the courtyard first.
The other women followed behind her.
Three days later.
Above the magma sea, the enormous crimson energy vortex had already disappeared, and the surface of the sea had once again returned to complete calm.
Upon the boundless crimson ocean, that single streak of green was particularly eye-catching.
Lin Yuan slowly opened his eyes and gradually rose from the lotus seat.
He raised his head, and within his deep eyes, a streak of intertwined green and purple flashed across.
A clear, powerful roar echoed across the silent magma sea!
The roar was long and resonant, while Lin Yuan's aura began rising at an astonishing speed.
As his aura suddenly soared, the crimson magma sea also became violently turbulent.
It was no longer as deathly still as before. Instead, it was like a gigantic beast that had been enraged, boiling and roaring as it raised monstrous waves.
Under this overwhelming momentum, Lin Yuan's fierce aura broke through the peak of the three-star Dou Ancestor and continued rising without any sign of slowing down.
It reached the mid-stage of the four-star Dou Ancestor before the surge finally came to a gradual halt.
After a while, Lin Yuan took a deep breath and withdrew his surging aura.
Feeling the tremendous power within his body, the corners of his mouth curled upward slightly.
"Four-star Dou Ancestor. Done!"
He rose from the Green Lotus Seat and looked at the turbulent magma sea before him.
His brows furrowed slightly.
He then took a single step into the void, and an overwhelming aura rose from his body.
Spatial ripples spread outward, suppressing everything in every direction.
In merely an instant, this crimson magma world once again returned to its former tranquility.
Seeing this, Lin Yuan nodded in satisfaction.
He closed his eyes and quietly experienced the subtle changes in his body and soul.
Before long, he slowly opened his eyes, and a trace of joy flowed through them.
The gains from this retreat were considerable.
Not only had he successfully broken through in cultivation, but his physical body had also been strengthened somewhat. The Dragon Qi within his body had become denser, and even his connection with the Heavenly Phoenix Wings on his back had deepened.
"The goals of this retreat have been perfectly completed. It's time to come out of seclusion…"
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