In the vast underground cavern, a river of molten lava flowed slowly, occasionally bubbling up with large bubbles that would burst after a moment, releasing a spray of hot magma like a spectacular, fiery fireworks display. Standing at the end of the narrow passage, Xiao Yan and his companions gazed out at the seemingly endless world of lava before them, swallowing hard in both awe and shock. “I never imagined… that such a terrifying place could be hidden beneath the Stone Desert City,” Xiao Ding remarked, wiping the sweat from his face, his body enveloped in a deep green glow.
“Indeed, it’s a magnificent sight,” Xiao Yan agreed, his body also wrapped in a protective layer of Dou Qi. Even so, the intense heat was making him feel uncomfortably warm. “How do we proceed? There’s no path here, and I cultivate Wood attribute techniques, which are weak against Fire. If not for my Five Star Dou Shi strength, I wouldn’t have made it this far. This is my limit.”
Xiao Yan nodded slightly. If not for his innate Fire affinity, he too would have succumbed to the oppressive heat long ago. He had noticed, however, that the Fire energy here was even more intense and violent than in the passage.
Taking a deep breath, Xiao Yan glanced down at Qing Lin, who had been following them closely. In contrast to the drenched Xiao Ding, Qing Lin seemed relatively composed. Given her lack of power, it was quite surprising. Focusing on her, Xiao Yan sensed a continuous flow of cool, somewhat chilling energy emanating from within her, which protected her from the harsh environment.
“This little girl indeed has some unique qualities. Could it be because of the Snake-People bloodline in her? But even a true Snake-Person would only scream and retreat from a place like this,” Xiao Yan pondered, frowning slightly.
“What do you plan to do now?” Xiao Ding asked, turning to the churning lava world before them.
“I want to go in and take a look,” Xiao Yan mused, his voice soft.
“Go in? Into the lava? There’s no path. Do you think you can swim through it?” Xiao Ding’s expression changed, and he scolded softly.
“Of course not. The heat here can melt steel, let alone me,” Xiao Yan chuckled, shaking his head. He removed the heavy ruler from his back and stored it in his ring, then his body trembled as the Purple Cloud Wings sprang from his back.
“What is…?” Xiao Ding’s eyes widened as he saw the wings emerge. “Dou Qi Wings? Dou Wang? How is that possible?”
Despite his confidence in Xiao Yan’s talent, Xiao Ding couldn’t believe that Xiao Yan, at less than twenty years old, could already be a Dou Wang. The entire Jia Ma Empire only had about twenty Dou Wangs, all renowned powerhouses.
Seeing Xiao Ding’s shocked face, Xiao Yan smiled and shook his head. Gently stroking the purplish wings, he explained, “These aren’t Dou Qi Wings. They’re just a rare flight technique. Their speed is much slower than true Dou Qi Wings, but they’ll do.”
Relieved, Xiao Ding stared at Xiao Yan with a strange look. “You little rascal, how many secrets are you hiding?”
Xiao Yan smiled and shook his head. “I’ll go in alone. You take Qing Lin and go back the way we came.”
“Wait, even with those wings, the temperature here is extremely dangerous. How can you survive for long?” Xiao Ding hurriedly stopped Xiao Yan, his tone cautious.
“Trust me, I’ll be fine,” Xiao Yan reassured him with a smile.
After a moment, Xiao Ding reluctantly nodded. “Be careful. If anything happens, get out immediately.”
“Okay.” Xiao Yan nodded and turned to leave, but a cold hand suddenly grabbed him. “Young Master, wait… there’s something in the lava!”
Qing Lin clung to Xiao Yan, her green eyes fixed on the vast sea of red lava. “I sense a faint, powerful presence. It’s very strong.”
“Really?” Xiao Yan and Xiao Ding scanned the lava but saw nothing except boulders. “Qing Lin, what do you sense?”
“There’s something in the lava. I can feel its faint, powerful aura,” Qing Lin insisted, her eyes locked on a particular spot in the churning lava.
“A living creature?” Xiao Yan was astonished. A creature could survive in such intense heat? It was unbelievable.
“Yes. The presence I sensed six months ago was even stronger,” Qing Lin added.
“It’s stronger than Luo Bu from the Sand Mercenary Group,” she said, comparing it to the strongest person she knew, a Great Dou Shi.
“Stronger than Luo Bu…” Xiao Yan murmured, emphasizing the word “some.”
He guessed that the creature’s strength was at least Dou Ling level. If a creature could survive in such conditions, it would be a formidable opponent, likely on par with a Dou Wang.
“Alright. Brother, take Qing Lin and go. I need to investigate,” Xiao Yan instructed, then leaped into the lava, his wings spreading to hover a few meters above the surface.
Xiao Ding, though worried, had no choice but to nod. He retreated with Qing Lin to the passage, keeping a close watch on Xiao Yan.
As Xiao Yan flew over the lava, his Purple Flame Dou Qi protected his body, and his soul perception cautiously scanned the surroundings. The harsh environment required full concentration to avoid any sudden threats.
The temperature in the cavern was terrifying, and even with his Fire affinity and Purple Flame Dou Qi, the heat and toxic fumes were a constant threat. He had taken antidotes but still breathed cautiously, allowing only small amounts of air when necessary.
Even these small breaths left him dizzy, and without the antidote, he might have collapsed into the lava. Flying slowly, he scanned the vast lava lake, avoiding any noise that might attract the mysterious creature.
As he flew, Xiao Yan felt the enormity of the cavern. The lava lake occasionally surged with hot waves, and each time, a column of red-hot magma shot up, sending shivers down his spine.
This was a deathly world, and each step of his journey was perilous. Any loss of Dou Qi could mean his end.
Suddenly, Qing Lin’s sharp voice echoed, “Young Master, it’s following you! Come back!”
Xiao Yan’s scalp tingled. Without hesitation, he turned and raced towards the passage. As he did, a loud rumble echoed from below, and a massive, mysterious creature burst from the lava, lunging at him with incredible speed.
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