After leaving Big Yinba, they prepared to leave the Lava Lake and return to shore.
Although Angel intended to remain in the Fire Region for a few more days, he had no intention of staying inside Ma Gu's body. Ma Gu might seem mild-tempered, but who knew whether its thoughts might suddenly change? If that happened, remaining inside Ma Gu would be very dangerous.
They headed upward and soon returned to the exit through which they had entered Ma Gu's body.
Since leaving the exit meant entering the Lava Lake, Ermi took the initiative to appear and cast a veil of flaming shadows around Angel.
The process of stepping out went smoothly, with no obstruction whatsoever.
However, just as Angel was preparing to leave the lakebed, Ma Gu appeared before them.
"Teacher Ma Gu, you weren't actually asleep?" Dangros looked at the manifested Ma Gu in surprise.
Leaning on its cane, Ma Gu slowly approached and coughed twice. "You make me sound as though I'm terribly fond of sleep."
Dangros said, "Aren't you?"
Ma Gu raised its cane and rapped Dangros once. "Nothing but nonsense. Go stand aside. I have something to discuss with Mr. Pat."
Ma Gu looked at Angel. Reflected in its flaming pupils was not Angel's appearance, but the aura surrounding him. It was different from what Ma Gu had seen in the classroom before. Angel's aura was now intermingled with a heavy, solemn power.
"Hm?" Ma Gu said in surprise. "Is this Little Yinba's energy?"
Angel nodded. What Little Yinba had given him was a dense aura of earth, now blended into his own aura.
"It actually lent you its power. I thought it disliked humans very much. Apparently, it only said so with its mouth."
Angel smiled without offering any comment, instead asking, "Did Mr.