The blazing sea of magma churned endlessly below, waves of molten fire rolling and collapsing into themselves with a deep, thunderous roar. From time to time, a swollen bubble burst with a sharp hiss, releasing a puff of white, poisonous vapor that twisted into the heated air.
Liu Xi hovered high above the lake of magma, crimson Dou Qi wings unfurled behind him. His lips curved slightly in excitement. "Finally found it."
This was no ordinary place. The scorching inferno below was a natural forbidden zone—a land where only death could dwell, and yet, it was here that the heavens themselves had birthed a flame of legend. 'Only such terrifying lands could nurture an existence as powerful as a Heavenly Flame.'
The fiery Dou Qi swirling around Liu Xi's body formed a cloak that blocked both the unbearable heat and the toxic fumes. If not for his current strength as a Dou Wang, even he would have been reduced to ashes within moments.
In his arms, Qing Lin nestled quietly, her small frame trembling ever so slightly. Though protected by Liu Xi's Dou Qi Cloak, her body released faint traces of a strange, cold energy—something that allowed her to adapt to the oppressive heat. Feeling the subtle change, Liu Xi relaxed and murmured softly, "Good. She's managing."
His gaze turned toward the molten horizon. 'The magma here is incredibly deep. If I rely solely on my Spiritual Power to search, it could take months. The key is whether Qing Lin can awaken her Jade Snake Three-Flower Pupils and subdue the Two-Headed Flame Spirit Serpent that lives here. With that beast's guidance, everything will become much easier.'
He located a narrow ledge formed by solidified magma and descended swiftly. Gently setting Qing Lin down, he smiled. "Stay here and wait for me. Don't move around, understand?"
Qing Lin nodded obediently, her voice soft and delicate. "Qing Lin will be good and not cause trouble, Young Master."
With a faint chuckle, Liu Xi turned away and strode back out over the molten sea. His Dou Wang aura erupted like a blazing sun, flooding the cavern in fiery brilliance—bait meant to lure the lurking beast below.
Moments later, a powerful pulse stirred beneath the magma. Liu Xi's eyes narrowed. He could feel something massive moving below.
Suddenly, the magma in one area began to boil violently. A moment later, a pillar of blood-red fire mixed with molten rock erupted upward, roaring toward him like a volcanic cannon.
Liu Xi flapped his wings once, gracefully dodging aside as more fire pillars exploded in succession, tearing through the surface of the magma lake. Each impact sent waves of molten rock splattering high into the air.
Then, with a thunderous roar, the surface split apart.
A monstrous serpent burst forth from the lava—a creature four or five zhang long, its body shimmering like living molten jade. Its entire form glowed crimson, and its scales, each the size of a palm, reflected blinding light. Most striking of all, its neck forked into two heads, both hideously fierce, both radiating savage killing intent from their triangular pupils.
Liu Xi smirked. "A Two-Headed Flame Spirit Serpent. Born in extreme heat, feeding on magma to grow stronger… its potential is immense. Some have even evolved to rival a Dou Huang. Unfortunately for you, you're merely a 4th Rank Magical Beast. If not for your presence, I wouldn't have waited until reaching the Dou Wang Realm to come for the Green Lotus Core Flame."
As the massive beast lunged toward him with twin gaping maws, Liu Xi's eyes glinted coldly. He raised his hand, and a sphere of crimson fire condensed in his palm, expanding rapidly before he hurled it forward.
The fireball struck one of the serpent's heads with a deafening explosion. A mixture of searing heat and icy flame ravaged its flesh—the scales shattered, blood hissed into vapor, and its agonized roar echoed through the chamber.
Enraged, the other head whipped forward, its forked tongue lancing through the air like a spear. Liu Xi swiftly beat his Dou Qi wings, retreating backward, the heat waves rippling around him.
He frowned slightly. 'As expected from a creature that can live in magma. Even after my attack, its body barely shows real damage. Against most Dou Wangs, it'd be invincible in this environment. Luckily for me, I also wield fire.'
The serpent hissed, bloodthirst flaring in its twin eyes. The magma churned violently as it summoned a sea of deep crimson fire around itself. The temperature spiked as the flames began to spiral and condense—forming over a dozen flaming replicas, each a Two-Headed Flame Spirit Serpent forged entirely of fire.
Their collective roar shook the cavern. The illusions coiled and circled, then all at once surged toward Liu Xi, flooding the air with destructive energy.
The sight was breathtaking—dozens of flaming serpents twisting through molten air—but beneath the beauty lay deadly peril.
Liu Xi's lips curved. "A 4th Rank beast, drawing strength from the magma to reach mid Dou Wang power? Impressive… but still useless against me."
He thrust out his hands, the crimson flames around him suddenly flaring white-hot.
"Blazing Fire Palm!"
A blinding explosion followed. The fiery constructs collided midair, bursting apart in a chain of devastating detonations. Waves of molten heat surged outward, shaking the entire magma lake into a frenzy once more.
"Y-Young Master!" Qing Lin cried from her ledge, staring in horror as Liu Xi vanished within the crimson inferno.
But within that sea of destruction, a sphere of red-white flame burned steadily. The outer red fire was devoured and absorbed by the inner blaze, which shimmered with hints of azure light.
Moments later, Liu Xi's figure emerged unscathed, surrounded by a ring of pure white flame—his own Dou Qi having reached a terrifying level of heat. He looked almost divine, a god of fire walking amidst destruction.
Across from him, the serpent's twin eyes widened in disbelief.
Liu Xi smirked. "Surprised?"
With a flicker, he vanished and reappeared right before the serpent's heads. His palm sliced through the air. "Blazing Wind Palm!"
White-hot palm imprints struck one after another, slamming into the beast's massive body. Each blow sent scales flying and flesh bursting until its enormous frame convulsed, then collapsed limply into the magma.
But Liu Xi wasn't finished. With a flash, he grabbed its tail before it sank and dragged the heavy beast across the lava, tossing it onto a nearby ledge.
"Boom!" Both heads crashed onto the rock, splattering molten residue across the cavern.
Dusting off his hands, Liu Xi turned just as Qing Lin ran to him, tears streaming down her cheeks. "Young Master, I was so scared! I thought you—"
He smiled softly, ruffling her hair. "I'm fine. Your Young Master's not that easy to kill."
Still sniffling, she muttered, "Qing Lin is useless…"
Before she could finish, Liu Xi lifted her into his arms again and carried her toward the fallen serpent. "Not at all. I need your help now. I told you—your eyes are beautiful. Through them, you can connect with this beast's spirit. The thing I'm looking for lies beneath the magma, and this serpent knows where. Channel your Dou Qi into your eyes—make it your friend."
Landing beside the Two-Headed Flame Spirit Serpent, Qing Lin nodded earnestly. She clenched her tiny fists and thought, 'I must help Young Master!'
As she guided her Dou Qi into her eyes, faint green light bloomed within her pupils—three small jade-like marks shining softly. Yet nothing more happened. Her Dou Qi drained rapidly, and disappointment clouded her delicate features. "Young Master… I'm sorry…"
Liu Xi's gaze softened. 'So it really isn't about Dou Qi… it needs emotional stimulus.'
He stepped behind her, resting his hands gently on her thin shoulders, leaning close to whisper by her ear, "Qing Lin, don't let me down."
A rush of warmth swept through her as his breath brushed her ear. Her face turned crimson, her mind blanking except for one thought—'I can't disappoint Young Master… I can't disappoint him!'
Her Spiritual Power surged uncontrollably. The light in her eyes flared, and the three jade dots blossomed into tiny green flowers.
A wave of eerie emerald radiance erupted from her gaze, enveloping the serpent. The light traced across its twin heads, marking both foreheads with the image of green lotus flowers.
Moments later, the glow faded, and Qing Lin's eyes returned to their usual soft green. Her small body swayed, exhaustion overtaking her, before she fell limply into Liu Xi's arms.
He caught her gently, his expression calm yet filled with satisfaction. "You did well."
(End of Chapter)
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