As the Blood Soul entered his body, a mysterious blood-red rune appeared on Lin Yuan's forehead.
Lin Yuan opened his eyes and felt the power coursing through him. This unprecedented strength caused a trace of intoxication to appear in his eyes.
"The feeling of power is still the most intoxicating thing of all. Let me properly experience the strength of a Dou Ancestor..."
He raised his hand and suddenly clenched it toward the space ahead.
"Spatial Lock!"
As his hand closed, the empty space dozens of meters away suddenly distorted and slowly solidified into a tangible wall of space.
Seeing this, a satisfied smile appeared on Lin Yuan's face.
"A Dou Ancestor's control over space is indeed fascinating!"
"Spatial Shift!"
"Soul Profound Seal: Primordial Soul Palm!"
For the next period of time, Lin Yuan enthusiastically conducted all sorts of experiments, testing the combat methods and strength he could unleash while fused with the Blood Soul, as well as the combat methods and strength available when the Blood Soul was separated from him.
After spending half a day, he finally gained a complete understanding of his current capabilities.
"As expected, even though the Blood Soul and I share the same origin, Dou Qi usage is still restricted when we're in a fused state. The power I can mainly use is still soul strength."
"Although this state is powerful, it lacks the flexibility of combining Dou Qi and soul strength at the same time like when the Blood Soul is separate."
"It seems that, to unleash my maximum combat strength, it's better for the Blood Soul to remain an external incarnation that shares my mind and acts as my combat companion. Also..."
With a thought from Lin Yuan, the Blood Soul immediately formed a complicated series of hand seals.
Dense black mist surged out of its body and coiled around it, transforming into a familiar form, the Protector form.
"Heh heh heh, a Blood Soul made entirely of pure soul power really is much more suitable for using the Soul Hall's secret techniques."
An eerie, sinister laugh emerged from the black mist.
"Soul Lock!"
"Triple Soul Lock!"
"Heh heh heh. Although I haven't officially joined the Soul Hall yet, from now on this Protector shall be Protector Yuan of the Soul Hall! However, a Soul Hall Protector without many souls in his possession seems somewhat unreasonable. It looks like I'll need to collect some souls."
"With this identity, many things will become much easier in the future."
"For now, let's complete the final step, using a Heavenly Flame as the vessel and having the soul clone bear and control it."
Thinking this, Lin Yuan's figure flashed. A few moments later, he appeared beside the azure pond and said calmly:
"Come out, Sea Heart Flame."
Not long after his words fell, an azure flood dragon burst out from the pond, leaping through the air before stopping in front of Lin Yuan and transforming into a quietly burning mass of azure flames. The pond also returned to its original emerald-green appearance.
"Sea Heart Flame, the flame that can merge with water. Heavenly Flames truly are fascinating."
Lin Yuan smiled lightly.
"Come. It's time to complete the final step."
"The results of my long research into the incomplete Flame Mantra can finally be put to use."
"However, I'd better refine a few pills first, just in case. I've decided, Heavenly Heart Vein-Protecting Pill it is."
Inside a Quiet Cave in the Valley
Lin Yuan sat cross-legged upon the Green Lotus Seat, his eyes closed as he adjusted his condition.
The Sea Heart Flame floated quietly in the air before him like a guardian spirit, while the Blood Soul sat not far away, silently circulating the Heavenly Heart Soul Art to rapidly replenish the soul strength it had previously consumed.
At a certain moment, Lin Yuan slowly opened his eyes and fixed his gaze upon the Sea Heart Flame.
"It's time. First, I'll refine the Sea Heart Flame once."
With a gentle wave of his hand, a Fallen Heart Flame seed flame emerged from within his body and floated nearby.
Immediately afterward, Lin Yuan took out a blood-red medicinal pill from his storage ring the Heavenly Heart Vein-Protecting Pill and swallowed it without hesitation.
The Heavenly Heart Vein-Protecting Pill was a Sixth-Grade High-Level medicinal pill capable of greatly enhancing the strength and vitality of one's meridians, minimizing the damage caused by all kinds of backlash.
This prescription had also been obtained from Han Feng. It was a formula he had painstakingly collected to deal with the explosive backlash of the incomplete Flame Mantra. In order to solve that problem, Han Feng had invested tremendous effort and resources.
The instant the pill entered his body, it dissolved, and its powerful medicinal strength poured out, flowing through Lin Yuan's meridians and spreading throughout his entire body.
The vast medicinal power fused into his meridians wherever it passed, making them seem reborn. A faint blood-red glow spread through them, making them appear brimming with vitality.
"The preparations are complete. Next comes devouring and refinement."
With a thought, Lin Yuan extended his hands and gently recalled the Blood Soul into his body. A powerful soul fluctuation spread outward, causing the entire cave to tremble slightly.
Then he looked at the Sea Heart Flame.
The Sea Heart Flame tacitly restrained its violent flames, transforming into a gentle, jade-like flood dragon spirit of fire before lightly landing in his palm.
A sharp light flashed through Lin Yuan's eyes. He completely withdrew the Green Lotus Core Flame into the Naling, then clenched his hand.
The flood-dragon-shaped fire spirit collapsed and transformed into a stream of azure energy that slowly seeped into his body through his palm.
As soon as the Sea Heart Flame entered his body, it sensed the residual aura of the Green Lotus Core Flame and instinctively released the terrifying heat of a Heavenly Flame, causing Lin Yuan's body to stiffen.
However, almost at the same instant, Lin Yuan whose mind was connected with the Sea Heart Flame's fire spirit, guided it into swiftly suppressing this instinctive reaction. Instead, it released a cool aura like a mountain spring, cleansing every corner of his body.
Lin Yuan's consciousness sank into his body as he carefully guided the azure flame into his meridians. Following the circulation route of the Heavenly Capital Fire Canon, it completed one cycle after another.
During this process, the auras of the Sea Heart Flame, Lin Yuan, and the Blood Soul clone gradually merged and became increasingly harmonious.
Thanks to the cooperation of the Sea Heart Flame's fire spirit, which was practically a split soul of Lin Yuan himself, the refinement process that followed went exceptionally smoothly.
Lin Yuan's consciousness remained within his body, watching the main body of the Sea Heart Flame while guiding the azure flame through his meridians and circulating it according to the Heavenly Capital Fire Canon, one cycle after another.
As this process continued, the auras of the Sea Heart Flame, Lin Yuan, and the Blood Soul clone grew ever more compatible.
At the same time, Lin Yuan formed hand seals, producing a series of intricate and exquisite gestures as the results of his long research were finally brought forth.
"Flame Mantra—Modified: Flame-Devouring Secret Technique!"
As the secret technique operated, strands of extremely pure fire-element energy were shed from the Sea Heart Flame as it circulated according to the Heavenly Capital Fire Canon. They were greedily absorbed by Lin Yuan's meridians and flesh.
As a result, Lin Yuan's aura began to rise slowly, yet incomparably steadily.
Three Days Later
Inside the cave, Lin Yuan sat upon the Green Lotus Seat.
At this moment, powerful soul strength flowed around his body. Suddenly, he opened his eyes, and his deep pupils had turned azure-blue.
"Sea Heart Flame successfully refined."
However, after successfully refining the flame, Lin Yuan did not stop. Instead, his eyes filled with anticipation and eagerness.
The seals formed by his hands rapidly changed, and the originally azure pupil of his right eye turned green.
Bang!
A muffled sound erupted from within Lin Yuan's body. His expression changed instantly, and a trace of crimson blood seeped from the corner of his mouth.
Immediately afterward, his hand seals changed once more. The powerful Spiritual Strength of the Blood Soul clone retreated from his body, and the immense soul power reassembled before him into a humanoid form.
At the same time, the azure color in his left eye and the blood-red rune on his forehead quickly faded away, and his aura rapidly dropped back to the level of a Dou Emperor.
Even so, his aura had still risen by a considerable amount compared to three days ago.
Lin Yuan dispersed his hand seals and wiped away the blood at the corner of his lips. After sensing his current condition, the corners of his mouth curved upward.
"Not bad. Seven-Star, Late Stage. I've increased my cultivation by an entire star."
"Although this Flame-Devouring Secret Technique I created by borrowing ideas from the Flame Mantra is far inferior to the real Flame Mantra, it's still quite useful. At the very least, it can devour a portion of an Heavenly Flame's energy within the body to increase one's cultivation. And now that I've opened up this line of thought, I can continue optimizing it in the future."
"However, fusing Heavenly Flames and allowing two Heavenly Flames to coexist inside the Naling is still far too difficult."
Thinking about his previous attempt, Lin Yuan could not help but shake his head.
After devouring and refining the Heavenly Flame, he had also tried allowing the Green Lotus Core Flame and the Sea Heart Flame to come into contact inside his body.
However, although the two Heavenly Flames could form the Fire Lotus technique outside his body, the moment their true forms touched inside him, their instinctive reactions became exceptionally violent. Both flames erupted with a powerful instinct to devour the other.
Fortunately, Lin Yuan had withdrawn in time, and with the meridian-protecting effects of the Heavenly Heart Meridian-Protecting Pill, no major disaster had occurred.
"Forget it. To me, fusing Heavenly Flames is merely an added bonus. It would be nice if it succeeds, but it doesn't matter if it doesn't."
Lin Yuan spoke with a carefree smile.
As he finished speaking, he stood up and lightly waved his sleeve, dispersing the lingering flames around him.
Then, his gaze shifted toward the Blood Soul clone, and a profound light flashed through his eyes, the Sea Heart Flame was currently stored within it.
"The Blood Soul clone, whose soul is almost completely identical to mine, can indeed perfectly carry the Sea Heart Flame that I have already refined. With the Sea Heart Flame, the Soul Mysterious Seal, and the battle techniques of the Hall of Souls, this Blood Soul clone's combat power is no weaker than Yao Lao was back then."
"Other than lacking the knowledge of an old grandpa, the Blood Soul can barely be considered a portable old grandpa as well!"
After sighing in admiration, Lin Yuan stepped toward the outside of the cave. Meanwhile, the Blood Soul transformed into a stream of pure Spiritual Strength and entered the ring he wore.
This ring was precisely the Soul Storage Ring that Lin Yuan had seized from Protector Wu.
After leaving the cave, Lin Yuan broke through the several layers of barriers that Medusa had set up for him and flew toward the Green Ring Mountain Range.
"It's time to return."
Mulan Empire, Green Ring Mountain Range.
The Snake-People had now established an initial foothold in a corner of this Magical Beast Mountain Range that belonged to the Mulan Empire.
Although they frequently clashed with Magical Beasts, this was hardly a bad thing for the battle-loving Snake-People.
On the Dou Qi Continent, humans and Magical Beasts coexisted. Especially in the Northwestern Continent, nearly every nation possessed mountain ranges filled with Magical Beasts, whether large or small.
And the Magical Beast Mountain Range of the Mulan Empire was no less impressive than the one in the Jia Ma Empire.
When Medusa decided to migrate, she had considered many possibilities. In the end, she abandoned the idea of seizing the territory of the Mulan humans and instead chose to establish a new Snake-People Empire in a corner of the Magical Beast Mountain Range.
Long before Lin Yuan returned, Medusa had already dispatched four elders and a large number of elite troops from the Royal City to begin developing this area.
The reason only the First Elder and Fourth Elder had been present during the migration ceremony was because the Second Elder and Third Elder had been stationed here. Medusa's immediate departure after the ceremony had also been due to the appearance of enemies here that required her personal intervention.
Standing at the edge of the Green Ring Mountain Range, Lin Yuan and Medusa stood shoulder to shoulder.
Their gazes slowly swept across the vast mountain range and the busy Snake-People moving through the forests.
"Xiyue, why didn't you simply seize a piece of territory from the Mulan humans and instead choose to start from scratch? With your strength, no one in the Mulan Empire should be able to oppose you," Lin Yuan asked.
Hearing this, Medusa looked at him playfully and said softly,
"I've learned one thing from you, personal strength is always the best trump card."
"My strength is currently increasing at a rapid pace. Why should I waste time fighting the human race? As long as I'm strong enough, the entire Mulan Empire will eventually fall into my hands anyway. Why rush things?"
"Besides, humans can't even produce a single Magic Core. Rather than fighting them, I'd rather have my people hunt Magical Beasts."
Lin Yuan nodded in agreement.
"That's for the best. Distancing yourself from conflicts with the humans and lying low for a period of time is indeed a better choice for both you and the Snake-People. Oh, right, this is for you."
As he spoke, he flipped his hand and took out three scrolls made from pale-white beast bones from his Storage Ring, handing them to Medusa.
Taking the somewhat familiar scrolls, Medusa looked at him in confusion.
"This is the Three Beast Savage Art? What do you mean by this?"
"Your Majesty, give these to the four elders."
Lin Yuan smiled gently.
"If they can master it, they'll become a considerable source of assistance to you. The Snake-People only have one Dou Ancestor-level combatant right now is you. I can't help but worry."
"It seems you're leaving?" Medusa raised an eyebrow.
"Mm."
Lin Yuan nodded.
"Now that matters here are settled, I plan to head to the Chu Yun Empire soon. A great war should break out there before long, and there are several targets worth dealing with."
"And while you're at it, you'll be going to see your little girlfriend, won't you?" Queen Medusa looked at him teasingly.
"She's a friend. We haven't reached that stage yet."
Lin Yuan corrected her softly, scratching his cheek before continuing,
"But I do want to see her. I need to give her the Poison Pill Method that I obtained from Yao Venerable."
"Furthermore, she has subdued the Nether Poison Flame. I need to check on her situation. If the Woeful Poison Body has undergone some changes because of the Nether Poison Flame, I need to make preparations in advance."
Medusa casually waved her hand and said expressionlessly,
"There's no need to explain so much. I have no intention of opposing your relationship."
"However, what are you planning to do with those three little ones? Especially Little Cai and Qing Lin. With your perception, you should already be able to tell from their auras that they aren't suitable for following you around right now."
Lin Yuan nodded.
Naturally, he understood the conditions of Qing Lin and Little Cai very well.
During this period, he had completely resolved the soul issues of both Little Cai and Medusa. He had also helped Little Cai regulate the immense energy within her body, and with the vast amount of energy accumulated inside her, she had already entered a state close to making a breakthrough.
As for Qing Lin, her situation was much the same.
After cultivating for some time with the assistance of the Profound Origin Pill, her cultivation had already reached the peak of the Dou King realm. Yesterday, after receiving the inheritance of the Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils passed down by the Snake-People, she had even touched upon the opportunity to break through into the Dou Emperor realm and was now on the verge of advancing at any moment.
After pondering for a moment, Lin Yuan said in a deep voice,
"This time, I'll bring Zi Yan with me to the Chu Yun Empire. As for Qing'er and Little Cai, I'll have to trouble you to take care of them."
----
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