Deep within the massive underground cavern, scarlet-red magma flowed sluggishly, occasionally bubbling with giant gas pockets. Every so often, with a soft pop, one of the bubbles would explode, launching a plume of magma into the air like a dazzling crimson firework.
Standing at the narrow end of the tunnel, Xiao Yixian and Qing Lin gazed at the boundless sea of lava ahead, completely stunned. Neither had ever seen such a sight in their lives.
"To think such a terrifying place was hidden beneath the ground outside Stone Desert City," Xiao Yixian murmured in awe, wiping sweat from her brow, her body protected by a layer of bluish-purple Ice Sovereign Force.
"So… so grand…" Qing Lin echoed softly, eyes wide with wonder.
A thin veil of Dou Qi enveloped her frail body. Though cold and yin in nature, it withstood the extreme heat without losing its edge. This, clearly, was the power of the Tricolor Pupils of the Jade Snake.
"The fire-element energy here… it's dissipating."
Compared to the two girls, whose minds were still overwhelmed by the scenery, Lü Yi was focused on something else. The fire-element energy that lingered here now was far weaker than it should've been. Something terrifying had once existed here. Otherwise, with Medusa's strength, how could she have been injured so badly by some random serpent lurking in the magma?
Hiss—!
Before anyone could act, a flaming red shadow burst forth from the magma with a shrill screech, shooting straight toward Lin Ran and the others. The sudden motion stirred the lava lake violently, causing massive columns of molten fire to erupt into the air in spectacular chaos.
Lin Ran's eyelids lifted ever so slightly, but before he could make a move, Lü Yi had already acted. A surge of Dou Qi exploded from her palms, forming a dark green prison of wood that instantly bound the writhing serpent mid-air.
Though her Dou Qi elementally clashed with fire, Lü Yi's strength was simply too far beyond the creature's. Elemental disadvantages were irrelevant in the face of such overwhelming power.
"Lü Yi, keep it alive."
"Alive?"
Lü Yi blinked in surprise. But upon seeing the form of the fiery creature, her eyes brightened. She understood immediately and withdrew her killing intent.
With a flick of her hand, the Two-Headed Fire Spirit Snake was dragged in front of Qing Lin.
"Qing Lin, use your eye technique to control it," Lin Ran said gently. "Though you haven't formally cultivated Dou Qi, your Tricolor Pupils are innately capable of controlling serpent-type beasts. Only those with ancient bloodlines or specific constitutions might resist."
"This creature is a fourth-rank magical beast—perfect for your first real bond."
"M-Me?" Qing Lin stammered, pointing at herself in disbelief.
She'd always known her eyes were special, otherwise she wouldn't have been able to sense Queen Medusa. But now, being asked to subdue a beast comparable to a Dou Ling expert? Her mind reeled.
"Don't be afraid. Don't resist. Just let it flow. This is your birthright," Lin Ran reassured her calmly.
"…Mm!" Qing Lin nodded, clenching her fists to suppress her nerves as she stepped closer to the terrifying serpent.
The Two-Headed Fire Spirit Snake towered before her, its flickering tongues and blazing eyes filled with hostility. Even most experts in Stone Desert City would have trembled before such a monster.
But Qing Lin had no proper cultivation. That she could even stand this close without collapsing from fear was already impressive.
She took a deep breath, raising her gaze to meet the serpent's twin heads. In her eyes, a dazzling green light emerged—three tiny green dots bloomed like buds around her pupils.
But this time, the green dots were clearer than ever before. One could even see that they resembled tightly closed flower buds, each one exuding an eerie light.
That green light shot out abruptly from her eyes, bathing the serpent in its glow.
The Two-Headed Fire Spirit Snake froze instantly. Its enormous body stiffened, and its blazing red pupils were suddenly filled not with fury—but with fear.
The strange light slowly moved across its body, settling between the brows of both heads. The moment it did, the light began to compress, its glow growing even brighter.
As the eerie energy shrank, its brilliance intensified, until the area of effect had reduced to the size of a palm. At that moment, with a final flash of emerald light, the three flower-like green marks engraved themselves directly onto the serpent's twin brows.
Then the glow faded. The three buds in Qing Lin's eyes disappeared, and her pupils returned to normal. Her body trembled, nearly collapsing.
But Lin Ran was already behind her.
"Y-Young Master…"
"You did wonderfully."
Lin Ran's voice was gentle. He placed a hand on her pale forehead, infusing it with a surge of his powerful Dou Qi and soul energy.
Qing Lin felt her mental exhaustion vanish in an instant, like a thirsty traveler finding an oasis, or frost melting beneath spring sunlight. The fatigue that clouded her mind disappeared entirely.
She blinked, only then realizing she was leaning completely into Lin Ran's arms like a sleepy kitten. Her face flushed bright red.
"Y-Young Master, I-I'm okay now…"
"Mm."
Lin Ran smiled as he helped her up and turned his gaze toward the Two-Headed Fire Spirit Snake.
The beast that had moments ago been snarling with rage now lay silently. Its previously vicious eyes were now filled with obedience and loyalty.
Even Lin Ran couldn't help but be impressed. With a wave of his hand, he dispersed the Dou Qi cage Lü Yi had formed.
'As expected of the world's most mysterious and powerful eye technique,' he thought. 'To subdue a fourth-rank beast with just a glance… it even surpasses Xiao Yixian's Calamity Poison Body.'
Xiao Yixian stood frozen, mouth slightly agape as she stared at Qing Lin.
Lü Yi, too, was speechless with excitement.
This was it.
This was the power their Heavenly Serpent Sect had searched for over countless generations. This was the legendary Tricolor Pupils of the Jade Snake!
In this world where individual power was paramount, special physiques were monsters among men.
The Calamity Poison Body was one. The Tricolor Pupils another.
Even Lin Ran's so-called Pure Yang Physique… didn't seem quite so special anymore.
(End of Chapter)