"Heh… The fifth Heavenly Flame is finally mine!"
Goku gazed at the Green Lotus Core Flame in his hand, a faint smile curling at the corner of his lips.
"So this is a Heavenly Flame? It's beautiful!"
Xue Lan stared at the Green Lotus Core Flame in Goku's palm, eyes sparkling with excitement. Judging by her eager expression, if it weren't for the searing heat, she would've already reached out to touch it.
Goku caught a fleeting trace of disappointment in Cai Lin's eyes. Of course he knew what was on her mind. He chuckled lightly, "Cai Lin, I know you intended to use this Green Lotus Core Flame to trigger your evolution. But the risk is simply too high. It's really not worth it. Once we return, I'll help you awaken your dormant potential instead. That way, not only can you evolve and advance successfully, but you won't have to face any danger at all."
"Awaken my potential?" Cai Lin paused, then slowly shook her head, hesitating as if she wanted to say something but ultimately held back.
Naturally, Goku could see her concern. "Relax. There won't be any side effects—none whatsoever. I'm simply stimulating the latent power hidden deep within your body."
Ever since learning this ability from Elder Kai's mindscape, Goku hadn't had a chance to try it out. This would be the perfect opportunity to test it on Cai Lin.
"No side effects?" Cai Lin's eyes instantly brightened. She trusted Goku deeply—someone like him had no reason to lie to her. She had been stuck at the Dou Emperor rank for countless years and had long lost patience. That was why she had even considered using a flame naturally incompatible with her own attributes. That alone showed her desperation. Now that she had an alternative that posed no danger, of course she was thrilled!
Calming her excitement, Cai Lin turned toward the green lotus platform in front of her and said, "This lotus platform was formed from Earth's Core Flame over a thousand years. Training atop it will increase cultivation speed by three to four times. And if you activate the hidden formation inside, even when facing a Dou Spirit-rank expert, you'll have enough power to stand your ground. Maybe not win, but escaping wouldn't be an issue. Giving it to Xue Lan or Little Sprite would be a perfect fit."
"And the lotus seeds inside the platform—they're known as Core Flame Lotus Seeds, the essence of flame-type energy. It takes a hundred years for just one to form. They're rare treasures, and even Dou Emperors would fight over them."
"Whoa! I didn't expect the lotus platform and its seeds to be such treasures! What are we waiting for, Goku? Hurry up and take them all!"
Xue Lan's face was practically glowing with greed. She looked like she'd leap onto the platform herself if she had the strength to do it.
Goku glanced over at Cai Lin, who waved her hand and said calmly, "My attribute leans toward Yin. These seeds and platform are of no use to me. Better to give them to Little Sprite—they'll benefit her greatly."
Unlike others, Cai Lin was genuinely fond of Little Sprite. Not only was she adorable, but her identity as an imperial-grade medicinal spirit made her more than worthy of special treatment.
Goku nodded, then turned to the glowing-eyed Little Sprite beside him and smiled. "Look at how greedy you are. Go ahead—all those lotus seeds are yours."
He knew well that Little Sprite, as an imperial-grade medicinal spirit, would greatly benefit from consuming lotus seeds nurtured by Core Flame. After all, pills refined with Heavenly Flames were always superior.
"Knew it! Goku, you are the best!"
Little Sprite let out a gleeful squeal and shot toward the lotus platform. The heat radiating off it didn't bother her in the slightest. She opened her tiny mouth and took a bite out of one of the seeds, then quickly began gathering the rest with her little hands. In less than a minute, she had scooped up all ten remaining seeds and returned to perch on Goku's shoulder, munching contentedly, eyes squinting into crescent moons, pure happiness radiating from her.
Watching her munch so happily, Xue Lan asked curiously, "Are those lotus seeds really that tasty? And weren't they growing in molten lava? Isn't it insanely hot?"
"It's not hot—for you. That's because Goku's barrier is shielding you from the heat," Cai Lin said with a sidelong glance. At some point, a steel sword had appeared in her hand, and she casually tossed it toward the lotus. Just as the sword neared the lotus, a burst of pale green flame shot out and engulfed it. In an instant, the blade melted into bubbling molten iron.
Xue Lan and Qing Lin's eyes went wide with shock. They turned to look at Little Sprite again, dumbfounded.
"S-She… just what kind of creature is she…? That's terrifying…"
They couldn't believe it. That searing heat should have incinerated anything, yet not only did she charge right onto it unharmed, she even ate the seeds like candy. The sight left them completely stunned.
'Figures… anyone connected to this guy is never normal.'
Xue Lan glanced at Goku and could only sigh in amazement.
Once Little Sprite had gathered all the seeds, Goku waved his hand and absorbed the Green Lotus Core Flame into his World Ring. Then, forming a sword of light in his hand, he gently sliced the lotus platform's base. With a soft shimmer, the perfect, sculpture-like lotus was cut free and fell into his hand.
Xue Lan's gaze fell on the lotus root still absorbing the fiery energy from the surrounding magma. Her eyes sparkled. "Hey, that root looks valuable too. Goku, dig that up as well!"
But Cai Lin shook her head. "No. This is a rare treasure born from Heaven and Earth—it takes a thousand years to form. If we dig up the root too, the Green Lotus Core Flame might go extinct. The conditions for it to grow are extremely harsh. If we leave the root intact, maybe another one will grow in another thousand years."
Hearing that, Xue Lan stuck out her tongue and said no more. She didn't have the guts to argue with Cai Lin—the legendary Queen Medusa. If not for Goku, she wouldn't even dare to stand near her.
Looking at the lotus in his hand, its green glow fading as it left its root, Goku gave a faint smile, took out a spatial ring, and stored it away. He then handed it to Xue Lan. "Here. It's yours now. With this, your cultivation speed will increase significantly."
"You're really… giving it to me?"
Xue Lan stared at him in disbelief.
"Cai Lin can't use it. It's useless for us to keep. Naturally, it's yours. Don't want it? I'll give it to Moonlight instead."
"I want it! Only an idiot wouldn't take something free!"
Xue Lan hurriedly snatched the ring from his hand and put it on. Then, as if realizing something, she stared at the ring on her hand, her cheeks flushing slightly.
"Well then… time to head out."
Goku looked up toward the molten ceiling. With a thought, his protective barrier expanded to envelop Moonlight and Cai Lin, then his figure shot upward at incredible speed. Wherever he passed, the magma parted on its own.
___
Night had already fallen.
Above the desert, the sky was scattered with stars, and the soft moonlight poured down upon the golden sands, casting a gentle glow over the barren wasteland and giving it a rare touch of ethereal beauty.
With a loud boom, a blazing sphere of light shot up from beneath the desert, exploding out of the sand and scattering it in all directions like a storm. The massive crater it left behind quickly collapsed in on itself, buried once more by the shifting sands.
It was Goku and the others—Cai Lin, Xue Lan, Moonlight, Qing Lin and Little Sprite—who had burst straight out from the magma underground. Their exit had been nothing short of overwhelming, blasting through the thick layers of rock and soil as if they were paper. Now, they hovered in midair above the desert, the protective barrier around them slowly fading. As their feet finally touched solid ground once more, the familiar feeling of stability returned to them.
Xue Lan and the others could only gape in silence at Goku's explosive and overbearing method of travel. What else could they say? Words had already failed them.
Goku looked up at the night sky and spoke calmly, "It's already night. Looks like we need to find a place to rest."
"Would you like to come to my tribe?" Cai Lin asked, glancing at him. Under the moonlight, her perfect figure seemed even more regal and dignified.
"How could I possibly refuse a Queen's invitation? Lead the way." Goku smiled faintly.
"Follow me," Cai Lin replied with a nod. A pair of radiant, multicolored Dou Qi wings sprouted from her back, and with a gentle flap, she soared into the air.
Goku immediately scooped up Xue Lan and Qing Lin, flying after her. Behind them, Moonlight summoned a pair of moon-white wings and followed close by Goku's side. As for Little Sprite, she remained perched on Goku's shoulder, her attention completely absorbed by the lotus seed in her hand. Every few seconds, she'd take a bite, blissfully unaware of the world around her.
They flew across the vast desert skies for nearly ten minutes before a massive fortress-like structure gradually came into view on the distant horizon.
The stronghold was brightly lit, but the flickering firelight revealed a sense of unrest beneath the surface. The city sat at the very heart of the desert, and from their high vantage point, they could see the streets bustling with humanoid figures—each one with a human upper body and a serpentine lower half.
Clearly, this was the territory of the Snake-People Tribe.
"Alert! Intruders spotted in the skies! Spearmen, ready the venom-tipped javelins! Prepare to fire!"
A piercing alarm blared through the night, followed by a cold, commanding shout from atop the city walls. The guards had clearly spotted them.
"Hmph. You dare raise weapons against your Queen?"
Cai Lin's voice was icy as she spoke from the front of the group. In the next instant, a terrifying pressure erupted from her body and surged downward toward the guards on the wall. It was the overwhelming aura of a sovereign—impossible to mistake.
Under the crushing might of her presence, the snake-people guards immediately collapsed to their knees, weapons falling from their hands. Reverence and awe filled their eyes as they gazed at the beautiful figure in the sky. Though her appearance was human, the unique aura of Queen Medusa was unmistakable. Without hesitation, they dropped their heads in deference and shouted in unison:
"Greetings, Your Majesty!"
The chorus of voices echoed across the desert, a vast sea of kneeling snake-people offering their respect.
"Damn, she's so cool…"
Xue Lan looked at Cai Lin's back, eyes glittering with admiration.
"Let's go," Cai Lin said with a slight nod to Goku and the others, then flew straight toward the city.
As the figures disappeared into the city, the snake-people began whispering among themselves.
"Those people the Queen brought back… are they humans? Could they be prisoners?"
"I don't think so…"
"Silence!"
A cold voice rang out. A beautiful but stern snake-woman strode over and glared at the gossiping males. "How dare you speak of the Queen's business? Do you want to lose your heads? Stand guard properly! If anything goes wrong, I'll have you executed first!"
"Yes ma'am, understood!" The male snake-people quickly straightened up and nodded frantically, fear evident on their faces.
Flying above the city, Cai Lin's powerful Queen's aura continued to radiate outward. Wherever they passed, the snake-people below dropped to their knees in reverence, none daring to stand in their path.
Before long, a grand, resplendent palace came into view at the heart of the city. Squads of elite snake-people soldiers stood watch around it—clearly, this was the royal palace where Cai Lin resided.
The group descended in front of the palace, where the guards instantly fell to their knees. From among them stepped an especially beautiful snake-woman. Her gaze swept over Goku and the others, filled with suspicion—after all, the snake-people harbored little goodwill toward humans. However, since they were brought here by Cai Lin herself, she did not act rashly.
"Your servant Hua She'er greets Her Majesty the Queen."
Her voice was respectful, but her eyes couldn't help drifting toward Cai Lin's legs—graceful and human in form. In her memory, Queen Medusa had always had a magnificent seven-colored serpent tail. Now, those legs told her the Queen had completed her full evolution into a human form. The realization left her stunned.
'Her Majesty must've gained an incredible harvest during her journey.'
"Prepare a proper welcome. I have esteemed guests to entertain. If not for him, I may not have returned alive," Cai Lin said calmly. Though her tone was light, her regal authority was absolute.
"…Yes! Your servant will see to it right away!"
Hua She'er lowered her head respectfully, but inwardly she was shocked. To her, Queen Medusa had always been invincible. The idea that she'd faced danger—danger enough that a human had to save her—was nearly unthinkable. No wonder she had broken precedent by bringing humans into the tribe's sacred city. If they were Her Majesty's saviors, then naturally, they were allies to the entire Snake-People Tribe.
Her gaze toward Goku and the others softened considerably. With another respectful bow to Cai Lin, she led a few attendants away to make preparations.
Inside the palace, Xue Lan and Qing Lin were completely stunned by the sheer luxury surrounding them. They were just ordinary girls—now suddenly standing inside a queen's private palace. The furnishings alone were enough to make their jaws drop. Any single decoration here could probably buy them a lifetime of comfort.
In the main hall, Cai Lin glanced at Moonlight and the others and said casually, "I'm going to take a bath and change. Want to join me?"
Typical. Even as a queen, some things never changed—women always loved a good bath after a long journey.
"Yes! Please! I've been sweating all day from walking through the desert—I can't take it anymore!"
Xue Lan immediately raised her hand.
"Then let's go together," Cai Lin nodded, then turned to Goku. "Sorry, we'll be away for a bit. You…"
"No worries, take your time," Goku waved it off before she could finish. "I'll just look around for now. Once you're all done, we can eat together."
Cai Lin gave a slight nod, then gestured to a beautiful snake-woman. "Take good care of him."
Then, with Moonlight and the girls in tow, she disappeared deeper into the palace.
As soon as they were gone, Goku grinned and turned to the snake-woman beside him. "Hey, beautiful, come here for a second. I've never touched a snake tail before. Mind if I have a feel?"
"Uhm…"
The snake-woman hesitated, frowning slightly. Remembering the Queen's orders, she didn't object—even if she wasn't thrilled about it. She stepped closer, her pale blue tail gently swaying before Goku.
____
T/N:
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