Xiao Hua spoke no further. He drew in a deep breath, and as the air entered his lungs, five flames—each a different hue—quietly surged forth from his body. They wove around him like living threads of fire, until his entire figure was cloaked in a radiance of five-colored brilliance.
From afar, he resembled a divine spirit born from flame, a spectral blaze dancing with elegance and might.
A faint flicker shimmered at his fingertip, and in the next breath, a strange longsword materialized within his grasp. With practiced ease, he infused it with a strand of his Spiritual Strength, the blade responding like an old friend awakened from slumber.
With a gentle flick of his finger, the longsword transformed into a streak of silver light, whistling through the air like a shooting star. In the blink of an eye, it pierced through the rocky wall with thunderous force, embedding itself several feet deep into the mountain's heart.
This sword would serve as a marker.
The world beneath the magma was a boundless abyss, vast and perilous beyond comprehension. Without guidance, one could lose themselves in its depths, wandering endlessly with no path to return. Amidst the chaos, even the smallest misstep could lead one astray—farther and farther from the way back.
But with this signpost in place, even if danger reared its head, Xiao Hua could swiftly retrace his steps and seize a thread of survival.
Having completed his preparations, a trace of calm finally returned to his heart. He stretched lazily, letting his joints crack in quiet relief, like a tiger loosening its limbs before the hunt.
Splash!
With a muffled plunge, Xiao Hua sank into the viscous sea of magma, his form fully encased by the five-colored flames. Countless bubbles surged upward, bloating for a fleeting breath before bursting in silence. Then, as if nothing had ever stirred, the endless magma world once more returned to its deathly stillness.
The instant he entered, searing heat and crushing pressure surged in from every direction, as though the entire molten realm sought to grind him into a smear of flesh. Yet, with a mere breath, a torrent of Dou Qi erupted from his body like a divine tide. In its presence, the oppressive resistance simply vanished—as if the magma itself dared not approach too closely.
Xiao Hua halted mid-descent, letting his body float amidst the burning depths. His gaze swept across the crimson abyss, intent on witnessing the true face of this subterranean world.
What met his eyes was a spectacle beyond mortal imagining.
Towering stone columns, glowing with molten life, rose from the depths like titans frozen mid-ascent. They formed a vast labyrinth, stretching endlessly in every direction. Their hues shifted between deep crimson, molten orange, and radiant gold—each one shimmering like it had been tempered in the very heart of the world.
The surfaces gleamed with a glass-like sheen, slick and luminous, with fiery essence occasionally dripping down like tears of flame.
The entire domain was awash in warm tones. Fiery reds, golden light, and flickering shadows blended into a vision of both inferno and divinity—hellish in its danger, yet majestic in its beauty.
The flames did not simply burn—they pulsed, as though the magma itself drew breath, casting dancing shadows over every jagged ridge and molten crevice.
Amidst this eternal firelight drifted countless golden sparks and glowing embers, suspended like particles of sacred flame.
They moved slowly, like falling snow in a dream, veiling the cavern in a luminous mist. Each ember carried a flicker of ancient energy, imbuing the space with an ethereal glow, as though the entire magma world were the dwelling of an ancient god.
"Even now, it remains astonishing that not even the First Elder, nor the headmaster himself, possesses a clear understanding of the magma world—despite it lying directly beneath the Inner Academy…"
Yet upon reflection, such ignorance was hardly unexpected. This place was once the lair of the Fallen Heart Flame, a Heavenly Flame feared for its unpredictable nature.
The experts of the Inner Academy had focused all their efforts on sealing the abyss, doing everything in their power to prevent the flame's escape. In such a situation, who would dare step willingly into its depths?
Within this blazing crimson world, a figure cloaked in five-colored fire streaked downward like a comet from the heavens. Amidst the glowing magma, that flame-wreathed silhouette burned brighter than anything around it—an ethereal beacon amidst infernal tides.
Within the cocoon of flame, Xiao Hua's expression remained serene and unreadable. His eyes, calm and unwavering, reflected neither fear nor awe. Guided by Lady Azure's innate sensitivity to the aura of unique flames, he had already grasped the general location of the infant Fallen Heart Flame.
And so, without pause, he dove deeper into the abyss.
The further he descended, the more the pressure grew—immense, suffocating, as though the magma itself sought to crush him into nothingness. But Xiao Hua's body, tempered through Heavenly Lightnings and Primordial Heavenly Flames, met that oppressive might with silent defiance. His physical strength alone could endure such weight.
Moreover, the five Primordial Flames that accompanied him danced around his form, dispersing the pressure with ease. Like loyal guardians, they shielded him from harm, allowing his descent to continue without hindrance.
After a long and steady descent—unhurried, unwavering—Xiao Hua's eyes finally caught sight of something that did not belong to the natural form of this molten world.
Not far ahead, a faint white glow pulsed in stillness. Suspended between the towering magma pillars, it shimmered like a quiet moon in an ocean of fire. Circular in shape, its silver-white radiance remained untouched by the surrounding inferno, unyielding and pure.
As it rotated with almost imperceptible slowness, the magma around it stirred unnaturally. What once flowed with tranquil violence now swirled and twisted in chaotic patterns, drawn subtly toward the glow. The air rippled. The stone pillars trembled with a low, vibrating hum. A strange rhythm echoed through the depths—ominous, dissonant, as though the magma world itself was holding its breath.
To the unknowing, this sight would spark wariness, perhaps even fear. After all, to reach this depth meant to traverse dangers untold—only to face something entirely unknown.
Xiao Hua, however, remained unmoved. He closed his eyes and let out a soft breath, shaking his head ever so slightly.
He had sensed their presence long ago—lurking, watching, following.
He had simply chosen to ignore them.
But now, it seemed they had gathered in full, their silent formation set. Xiao Hua stood quietly, waiting—not with anxiety, but with the poised calm of one who has faced death and emerged unburnt.
Then, without warning, a gust of scorching wind shot toward him, sharp and twisted like a phantom blade!
In response, a silver gleam flashed across his arm. A pair of gauntlets materialized—silver in hue, their fingertips honed into deadly points, gleaming with a chilling sharpness that seemed to cut through even the surrounding heat.
With a lazy flick of his hand, Xiao Hua deflected the incoming attack. The scorching gust scattered like dust before the mountain, vanishing with effortless grace. Not a ripple stirred in his expression as his gaze shifted toward the source of the strike, his eyes narrowing faintly.
There, beneath the waves of molten flame, a colossal figure stirred.
It moved like a serpent of war, swimming through magma with terrifying ease. Towering over ten meters, the creature bore the shape of a monstrous draconic beast—its body broad and muscular, hunched low upon four powerful limbs. Its hide was rugged, rough as scorched stone, as though it had been carved from the very bones of the volcanic earth.
Fiery orange cracks ran like molten veins along its body, glowing fiercest at the head, shoulders, and limbs—each pulse betraying the seething magma coursing beneath its skin.
Upon its head rested a crown of jagged, armor-like spikes, and from its maw gleamed a row of serrated fangs, bared in a savage snarl. Its eyes, twin furnaces of rage, burned with a furious heat that could melt steel.
Its limbs ended in massive claws, sharp and cruel, capable of rending even the hardest stone as if it were paper.
Though it moved on all fours, Xiao Hua could see from its posture—it could rise, walk, and even charge upon two legs like a demon-lizard from the deepest pits of the world.
"Fire Lizard Race…" Xiao Hua murmured, his voice calm as still water.
His gaze sharpened, sweeping the surroundings like a blade of wind. As expected, the lone magical beast was not alone—an entire pack lurked within the magma, their hulking forms emerging one after another, each radiating an oppressive heat.
Yet, faced with this encirclement, Xiao Hua did not flinch. Instead, a faint smile played upon his lips, carrying a trace of satisfaction—subtle, cold, and resolute.
"…I must apologize in advance," he said softly, almost as if speaking to old friends. "What I'm about to do… is simply the release of emotions within my heart."
As though provoked by his calm declaration, the Fire Lizards let out shrill, piercing cries. Their eyes blazed with primal fury, fangs bared, as magma surged and rippled beneath their massive bodies. In an instant, countless tails whipped through the molten sea, and savage claws sliced through the magma with explosive force—dozens of lethal strikes shot forth, all aimed at Xiao Hua.
But he met their charge without hesitation.
With a single step, he stamped the air beneath his feet. A powerful force erupted outward, cracking the magma's surface as if glass under pressure. In that instant, his figure blurred—like lightning streaking through the abyss—as he shot toward one of the approaching Fire Lizards, his aura erupting like a dormant volcano awakening at last.
The moment Xiao Hua's foot cracked the air, he became a blur—faster than thought, fiercer than flame.
Boom!
A deafening sound erupted as his fist collided with the Fire Lizard's skull. No Dou Technique, no fancy flourish—just sheer, unrestrained physical force.
The enormous beast's head jerked back, a web of cracks spreading along its armored hide as its body was sent hurtling backward, crashing into a pillar of molten stone. Lava surged around the shattered rock, unable to contain the chaos.
Before the others could react, Xiao Hua was already on the move. His expression remained unreadable—serene, yet shadowed by an undercurrent of storm. His feet crushed the air beneath him, his figure moving like a phantom wrapped in firelight.
Another beast lunged from his side, claws poised to tear through flesh.
Crack!
Xiao Hua caught the limb mid-strike. With a twist of his wrist, bones cracked audibly. The lizard shrieked, only for Xiao Hua to swing the massive creature overhead and slam it into another of its kin—two enormous bodies sent flying in a tangle of broken limbs and shattered pride.
The magma erupted beneath him, thrown into chaos by the ferocity of his movement.
Claws tore toward him again from above. Xiao Hua didn't dodge. He stepped in, body coiled like a spring—and then delivered an uppercut to the creature's chest that lifted the massive beast into the air. It flew upwards in a violent arc before crashing down, limp and groaning.
He turned to the next.
Another tail came sweeping in like a scythe.
Xiao Hua raised his arm and blocked it bare-handed. The impact sent a shockwave through the magma, but he stood unmoved—his arm tensed, his veins bulging like divine iron flowing with dragon blood. With a roar that he did not speak but felt, he yanked the creature in and drove his knee into its side.
Boom!
Bones cracked. The lizard curled in agony.
And still, Xiao Hua's movements continued—each strike faster, fiercer, as though he were not fighting magical beasts, but the very demons in his heart.
No words escaped him.
Only fists.
One lizard tried to retreat, sensing the storm it had awakened. But Xiao Hua's eyes locked onto it—eyes not of a man, but of a beast unleashed. He vanished, then reappeared mid-air above the fleeing creature. With both fists raised high, he came crashing down like a falling star.
BOOM!!!
The Fire Lizard was crushed into the magma below. The ground quaked. Lava erupted in every direction like a volcanic scream.
And amid the steam and violence stood Xiao Hua—bare-chested, hands bloodied, breathing slow and deep.
Emotion still burned in his eyes, but they were no longer lost in turmoil.
They were beginning to clear.
"Hu... hu... hu..."
Xiao Hua's breaths came heavy and deep, each exhale like the wind stirring dust from long-sealed emotions. He stood still, chest heaving slightly, as the storm within his mind began to settle—dark clouds slowly parting to reveal clarity beneath.
Sensing the shift, the Fire Lizards retreated in silence. No longer filled with bloodlust, they tucked their tails and fled into the magma depths, their instincts screaming what their minds could not comprehend—this man was no ordinary human, but a monster cloaked in human flesh.
Xiao Hua made no move to chase them. His eyes closed, and he sank inward. With slow, steady breaths, he calmed his spirit and soothed the simmering emotions in his heart. The weight of frustration, disappointment, and rage gradually lifted like mist dissolving beneath morning light.
The churning magma settled in their wake. Ripples faded. The world below returned to silence—save for the faint, steady rhythm of a young man's breathing.
Then—like a breeze sweeping across a still lake—a voice flowed gently into his mind. It was clear and soft, like silver bells chiming amidst falling snow.
"Are you satisfied, child?"
It was the voice of Xue Yue. Her tone, gentle and ethereal, stirred his soul like a mountain spring flowing through winter's silence. Cool and soothing, it bloomed within his chest—quelling the residual embers of rage and sorrow like dew falling upon scorched earth.
Though she was not here in form, her presence brushed against his soul like a whisper of moonlight through a dream.
Xiao Hua exhaled softly, the last of his burden slipping away.
"…Yes. I feel relief in releasing this heaviness that had been weighing down my heart," he replied, eyes still closed, voice calm.
From within the spiritual thread connecting them, Lady Azure let out a quiet sigh of relief, her tone gentle and maternal.
"Then that's good… I'm glad to see you calm again. But… what was it, truly, that made you feel so guilty?"
"Perhaps… it is self-blame, Sister."
Before Xiao Hua could speak, it was Xue Yue who responded, her voice like mist weaving through moonlight.
"He feels responsible—for not being able to retrieve the medicinal ingredients in time."
Xiao Hua did not reply. He merely offered a faint, somewhat embarrassed smile.
Though his lips remained sealed, the silent curve of his expression betrayed the truth far more clearly than words ever could.
Lady Azure sighed—long and deep—her voice laced with both exasperation and disbelief.
"Unbelievable... She already told you that her choice came from witnessing your sincerity—your quiet efforts, free of any hidden motives. And yet here you are, still blaming yourself."
Xiao Hua lowered his gaze slightly, a soft sigh escaping him like wind brushing through falling leaves. "She is a woman, Sister Azure. A proud and noble queen at that... A woman's first time should never be taken lightly. You know this."
He paused, his voice growing even quieter.
"Besides… what about Xun Er and Ya Fei? Am I truly the kind of man who could cross such a line, even if it's to help her?"
His words hung gently in the air, yet they carried weight—a heaviness born of self-reproach and unspoken care.
Lady Azure and Xue Yue fell silent.
Only now did they truly grasp the source of the knot within his heart—his sense of guilt, the quiet torment of feeling responsible for forcing her into such a choice… and the loyalty he held toward Xun Er and Ya Fei, a loyalty he refused to tarnish.
After a pause, Lady Azure's voice returned, gentle but laced with delight. "Even so... she holds true affection for you. That much is clear. All you need to do... is respond in kind."
Her tone turned teasing, a light chuckle dancing on her words.
"Don't tell me—when you look at her—you don't feel the faint stirrings of affection? Even a little?"
"Uh…" Xiao Hua's body stiffened as if struck, and he scratched the back of his head with a sheepish expression. He couldn't exactly deny it—his heart had stirred the first time he saw her. But wasn't that only natural, considering her beauty and presence?
Lady Azure, of course, sensed it instantly. A delighted smirk curved her lips as she spoke with playful grace.
"From the look on your face, I'd say she's already managed to stir your heart. That alone is enough. With time, those feelings can bloom like spring after a long winter."
Xiao Hua let out a dry laugh, shaking his head in quiet surrender. It was clear he didn't wish to linger on this subject any longer. He felt as though he stood bare before them—his two elder sisters seeing straight through to his heart, predicting futures he wasn't ready to face.
"Regardless," Xiao Hua continued, his tone firm, resolute, "I will inform the two of them first. If they do not permit it… then I will offer my apology to Queen Medusa, but I will not use this method. No matter what."
His voice was calm—but utterly unshakable, as if nothing in the heavens or on earth could sway him in this matter.
Hearing his resolute decision, Xue Yue and Lady Azure remained silent. They understood—this was not a matter they could interfere in, nor one where persuasion had any place. His heart was firm, and in such matters, only he could decide.
After a quiet moment, Xue Yue exhaled softly, her voice as gentle as mist drifting over still waters.
"In any case, let us turn our focus to the matter at hand—the seed of the Fallen Heart Flame still awaits."
Xiao Hua nodded, silently thankful for the shift in topic. His heart had settled, and his mind returned to the purpose that led him deep into this sea of fire.
His gaze swept silently across the surroundings. Floating near him were countless bright-red beads, shimmering like drops of molten jade suspended in the magma's embrace.
With a gentle wave of his hand, a faint suction force rippled forth from his palm. The crimson beads stirred, then slowly drifted toward him, drawn in by his will. He caught one and studied it in his hand—warmth pulsed gently from its core, like embers cradled in the palm.
Curious, Xiao Hua examined the bead more closely. Within its radiant shell, he could sense an intense and refined fire-attributed energy—far purer than even the energy suffusing the magma world around him. And not just pure—the quantity was considerable.
'Such a shame… I cannot use these to help the elders,' Xiao Hua sighed inwardly, a quiet disappointment settling in his heart.
He was well aware of what awaited the fire-affinity elders once the infant Fallen Heart Flame was delivered to Su Qian. Though these beads could be regarded as rare treasures—tonics for those cultivating fire-based arts—their energy was far too wild, too violent. They could not be absorbed directly.
To make use of them, one would require an accompanying method or treasure capable of pacifying the fury within. Without it, these brilliant beads would become poison rather than nourishment.
With a flick of his wrist, he collected the crimson beads and stored them neatly within his storage ring. Only then did his gaze return to the faint white glow in the distance—the very presence that had remained quietly pulsing amidst the crimson sea.
Without hesitation, he took a single step forward.
In that instant, his figure blurred—like mist swept by wind—and vanished without a trace. A mere heartbeat later, he reappeared before the faint white glow, calm and composed, his aura steady as still water.
His senses brushed against an invisible barrier—it was a spatial lock, subtle yet firm. But such obstacles were meaningless before him.
Without hesitation, Xiao Hua unfurled his twin pairs of wings. The moment they spread open, waves of spatial power radiated from his form, weaving into the fabric of the space around him like ripples in a moonlit lake.
Then, he stepped forward.
No matter how powerful Dou Zun is, in front of the second technique of 'Four Mysterious Body', Boundless Dance, there is no spatial lock that can prevent him from entering and exiting.
Gracefully, he passed into the strange white glow, encountering not the slightest resistance. As his body vanished into the light, the glow flickered once—then faded completely, as if it had never existed.
No matter how great a Dou Zun may be, before the second art of the Four Mysterious Body—Boundless Dance—even the firmest spatial lock cannot stop him from moving.
Moments after Xiao Hua disappeared, a disturbance surged through the magma field. A horde of Fire Lizards arrived, their bodies stirring the molten sea like prowling shadows. Among them, three stood out from the rest—massive, upright beasts with bipedal forms, clearly the leaders of the pack.
They halted before the vanished glow, their fierce gazes burning into the empty space where the light had once flickered. From their throats erupted wave after wave of enraged roars, echoing through the fiery realm like drums of war.
And yet… they could do nothing.
The glow was gone. The intruder had slipped through their grasp.
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