Molten Trial

The third day after leaving the Ice Soul Sect, the smell of sulfur in the air grew stronger. In the distance, the outline of the Molten Mountain Range lay like a crimson dragon coiled on the horizon, with plumes of thick smoke occasionally erupting from its summit.

"We're approaching the Fire Tribe's territory," Yun Yi said, pointing to a red dot on the map. "The nearest outpost is at the entrance to Black Stone Gorge."

Ning Xiaochuan wiped the sweat from his brow. In stark contrast to the extreme cold of the Ice Soul Sect, the heat here was suffocating. The Sacred Spirit Dragon also seemed restless, its scales having lost their usual luster, and it occasionally breathed out a small puff of dragon's breath to cool itself.

"The Fire Tribe isn't very friendly to outsiders," Su Linger adjusted the flow of her Profound Ice Power, forming a thin cooling film over her body. "We need to be careful."

Black Stone Gorge lived up to its name. The cliffs on either side were as black as ink, and slow-moving lava flowed at the bottom of the gorge. The outpost was built on a protruding rock, guarded by several bare-chested Fire Tribe warriors.

"Halt!" The leading warrior raised his flaming spear. "Outsiders are not allowed in!"

Ning Xiaochuan stepped forward and produced the fiery red token given to him by King Yan Jin. "We are here on behalf of the Fire King for an important matter."

Upon seeing the token, the warrior's attitude immediately became respectful. "Ah, esteemed guests. Please follow me. His Majesty the Fire King has been waiting for some time."

They followed the warrior through the winding gorge, the temperature rising with every step. Ning Xiaochuan's clothes were already soaked, and Su Linger had to increase the output of her Profound Ice Power. Only the Sacred Spirit Dragon seemed to be adapting, its scales regaining their luster.

The end of the gorge opened up suddenly, revealing the Fire Tribe's main city, Flame Capital. The entire city was built on the edge of a volcano, its buildings constructed from black basalt. Lava pipes flowed beneath the streets, providing light and heat to the whole city.

"Magnificent..." Yun Yi murmured in awe. "Even more stunning than the rumors."

The warrior puffed out his chest proudly. "Flame Capital is one of the oldest cities on the Open Source Continent, and it has never been conquered."

He led the three through the bustling streets, heading straight for the central volcanic palace. Passersby turned to look, especially at the Sacred Spirit Dragon. Ning Xiaochuan noticed that the Fire Tribe people, both men and women, were bare-chested, their skin a varying shade of red, and their hair predominantly reddish-brown.

The interior of the palace was much cooler than outside, clearly designed with special cooling mechanisms. King Yan Jin sat on his throne by a lava pool, his red hair and beard framing a piercing gaze. Seeing Ning Xiaochuan and the other two, he immediately rose to greet them.

"Son of Sacred Source!" his voice rumbled like churning lava. "I knew you would come."

Ning Xiaochuan bowed. "Your Majesty seems to have expected this?"

Yan Jin pointed to the palace's dome, where a giant bronze mirror hung. The mirror showed two moons – one silver-white, the other blood-red – with the phantom of a third moon already clearly visible.

"The Three Moons Shining Together is approaching, and ancient Fire Tribe texts prophesy that the 'Heart of Molten Lava' will awaken then," Yan Jin explained. "I believe that is the Inverse Scales you seek."

Ning Xiaochuan's heart skipped a beat. "Where is the Heart of Molten Lava?"

"At the bottom of the volcano," Yan Jin's expression grew grave. "But the path there is occupied by 'it'."

"'It'?"

Yan Jin didn't answer directly but led them to a viewing platform behind the palace. From here, they could overlook the crater. In the center of the lava lake, a blurry, colossal shadow was swimming.

"The Molten Giant Lizard, the Fire Tribe's guardian beast," Yan Jin said in a low voice. "But three days ago, it suddenly went berserk and killed over a dozen warriors who tried to approach the volcano's base."

Ning Xiaochuan activated his Sacred Source Vision, piercing through the lava's obstruction to get a clear look at the creature. It was over ten zhang long, its entire body covered in crimson scales, with spikes along its spine and six eyes arranged in a circle on its head.

"It's been corrupted," Ning Xiaochuan noticed a wisp of black energy in the giant lizard's eyes. "The Void Master's power has already infiltrated this place."

Su Linger also saw it. "Just like the residents of Qingyun City, its mind has been controlled."

"We can subdue it," Ning Xiaochuan turned to Yan Jin. "But we will need the Fire Tribe's help."

Yan Jin pondered for a moment. "The Fire Tribe warriors do not fear sacrifice, but ordinary attacks are ineffective against the giant lizard."

"We don't need to fight it head-on," Ning Xiaochuan explained. "We just need an opportunity to get close to the bottom of the volcano."

The plan was quickly finalized: the Fire Tribe would send elite warriors to create a diversion at the crater, drawing the giant lizard's attention, while Ning Xiaochuan and the other two would sneak into the lava lake to find the passage to the bottom.

"Take this," Yan Jin produced three crimson crystals. "Fire Amulets. They can temporarily resist the high temperature of the lava."

Once preparations were complete, they arrived at the edge of the crater. Yan Jin personally led twelve Fire Tribe warriors in a feint attack on the other side. The giant lizard was indeed drawn away, roaring as it swam towards the sound.

"Now!" Ning Xiaochuan activated his Fire Amulet and leaped into the lava lake!

The scorching heat instantly enveloped him. Even with the amulet's protection, his skin felt a burning pain. Su Linger and the Sacred Spirit Dragon followed closely, the three of them diving into the viscous lava like fish.

Visibility beneath the lava was almost zero. Ning Xiaochuan could only rely on his Sacred Source Power to sense direction. The Sacred Spirit Dragon led the way; the little creature seemed to adapt well to the lava environment, its scales shimmering with an unusual red light.

After diving about a hundred zhang, a narrow passage appeared ahead, leading deeper into the volcano. The three squeezed into the passage, and as their depth increased, the amulet's light began to flicker – time was running out!

Finally, the passage opened into a vast underground cavern. In the center of the cavern was a small lava pool, and at its bottom lay a crystal, as red as blood. Its shape was identical to the Primal Ice Core of the Ice Soul Sect, only its color was the exact opposite.

"Heart of Molten Lava..." Ning Xiaochuan swam towards the crystal. The Dragon Soul Jade had already begun to resonate.

Just as he was about to touch the crystal, the entire cavern suddenly shook violently! The rock wall above cracked, and the giant lizard's head emerged, its six eyes fixed on the three of them!

"It found us!" Su Linger immediately drew her Ice Crystal Longsword, but in the lava environment, the blade quickly began to melt.

The giant lizard opened its massive maw and unleashed a torrent of fiery breath! Ning Xiaochuan hastily erected his Sacred Source Shield, but the breath was incredibly powerful, and the shield instantly showed cracks.

"The Fire Amulets are about to fail!" Yun Yi reminded him anxiously.

The Sacred Spirit Dragon suddenly let out a long roar, its body swelling, its four wings unfurling to shield the other two. Surprisingly, its scales had turned completely crimson, blending in with the surrounding lava!

"The little one evolved?" Su Linger stared in disbelief.

Ning Xiaochuan, however, understood. "The resonance between Inverse Scales! It has absorbed the energy characteristics of the Heart of Molten Lava!"

The Sacred Spirit Dragon engaged the giant lizard in a fierce battle, surprisingly holding its own. The lava no longer harmed it; instead, it seemed to aid it. Enraged by this unexpected resistance, the giant lizard attacked even more ferociously.

"Now!" Ning Xiaochuan grabbed Su Linger and rushed towards the Heart of Molten Lava.

The crystal was within reach, but its surface temperature was so high that even the Fire Amulets couldn't completely counteract it. As Ning Xiaochuan's hand touched the surface, his flesh sizzled and burned!

"Primal Covenant!" Su Linger immediately clasped his hand, pouring her Profound Ice Power into him.

The two powers merged, finally counteracting the corrosive heat. The Heart of Molten Lava began to vibrate, its rocky outer shell peeling away layer by layer, revealing its core – a scale as red as fire, similar in shape to the Frozen Heart, but much thicker.

"Flame Scale..." Ning Xiaochuan painstakingly removed it. The scale immediately flew towards the Dragon Soul Jade, embedding itself into the reserved spot.

The three Inverse Scales converged within the jade, erupting with unprecedented radiance! The giant lizard sensed the energy fluctuation and let out a pained roar, its body beginning to collapse—the dark energy controlling it had been purified!

"Let's go!" Ning Xiaochuan put away the Dragon Soul Jade. "The cave is collapsing!"

The three of them and the dragon desperately swam back towards the passage. Behind them, the giant lizard had regained its senses and was using its massive body to support the cave walls, buying them time.

The moment they burst out of the lava lake, the Fire Amulet completely lost its effect. Ning Xiaochuan felt a sharp pain in his back before being pulled to safety by Fire Tribe warriors sent by Yan Jin.

"Did it succeed?" Yan Jin asked anxiously.

Ning Xiaochuan nodded, displaying the new crimson patterns on the Dragon Soul Jade. "Thanks to your help."

Yan Jin laughed heartily. "The Fire Tribe owes the Sacred Origin Tribe a favor. The giant lizard has regained its sanity, and the molten danger is averted!"

That evening, the Fire Tribe held a grand celebratory banquet. Ning Xiaochuan and his companions were treated as honored guests, with endless streams of fine wine and delicacies. The Sacred Spirit Dragon became the center of attention, effortlessly switching between crimson and ice-blue dragon breath, drawing cheers from the Fire Tribe warriors.

After the banquet, Ning Xiaochuan went alone to a high point in the palace, gazing at the night sky where the Three Moons were Shining Together. Su Linger quietly appeared beside him, holding two cups of fruit wine brewed by the Fire Tribe.

"What are you thinking about?" she asked, handing him a cup.

Ning Xiaochuan took a sip, the taste sweet with a hint of spice. "The three Inverse Scales have been found, but the hardest part is still ahead."

Su Linger leaned her head on his shoulder. "We'll face it together."

The Sacred Spirit Dragon also flew over, affectionately nuzzling their cheeks. Ning Xiaochuan gently stroked the little creature's scales and suddenly noticed two small bumps on its forehead—like nascent horns.

"It seems our little one is growing too," he said with a smile.

The Dragon Soul Jade in his chest warmed slightly as the energies of the three Inverse Scales harmoniously blended. Ning Xiaochuan could feel that with each Inverse Scale collected, the bond between him, Su Linger, and the Sacred Spirit Dragon grew stronger.

"Where to next?" Su Linger asked.

Ning Xiaochuan closed his eyes, sensing the guidance of the Dragon Soul Jade. "East... Sky City."