The Azure Lotus is Born! The Secret of the Bronze Fragments!

The three Sand Lizard Camels were like three yellow lightning bolts tearing through the horizon, racing at breakneck speed across the undulating dunes that resembled golden waves. Their thick camel hooves trampled powerfully over the scorching gravel, each step kicking up a sky-filling cloud of fine dust. Yet, this dust was swiftly left behind by their galloping figures, as if it were the tail of time, unable to catch up to their relentless pace. The suffocating heat and deathly silence of the desert were ruthlessly torn apart by this high-speed movement, leaving only the whistling wind in their ears, as if it were playing a stirring movement for this adventure.

Xiao Zhan sat upright atop the lead lizard camel, his green robes snapping in the gale like a fluttering battle flag. On his wrist, the Seven-Colored Little Snake acted like the most precise compass; its slender body was taut as a bowstring, its small head stubbornly pointing toward the southwest, while its pale purple snake eyes shimmered with a light that intertwined excitement and longing. The hissing sound of its urging was almost constant, as if it were a summons from ancient times, urgent and resolute. This guidance, born from the instinct of its bloodline, remained firmly locked onto the location of the Green Lotus Core Flame, even across the vast distance and through layers of thick, heavy sand, like an invisible beam of light pointing the way forward.

Three Snake-People Tribe Dou King elders followed closely behind Xiao Zhan. They were the most experienced experts in the tribe, possessing an intimate knowledge of the terrain in the depths of the desert. At this moment, their expressions were solemn, and their Dou Qi flowed faintly around them like an invisible shield, vigilantly scanning everything in their surroundings. The deeper they ventured into this desert hinterland known as the "Death Corridor," the heavier the dangerous aura permeating the air became, as if an invisible giant beast were lurking in the shadows, ready to launch a fatal attack at any moment. Under the scorching sun, one could occasionally see massive dunes slowly writhing like living creatures; those were terrifying magical beasts breathing beneath the sand, each movement carrying the threat of death. On the distant horizon, giant sandstorm tornadoes would sometimes rise without warning, connecting heaven and earth like the roar of a desert god, carrying a world-destroying momentum that inspired awe and fear.

"Elder Xiao, we are at the edge of the 'Quicksand Burial Pit'!" one elder with a hideous scar on his face (named Yan Ci, a three-star Dou King) warned in a deep voice. His voice remained clearly audible amidst the howling wind and sand, like a beacon in the darkness. "The area is riddled with quicksand traps, like wide-open maws waiting to swallow everything whole. Furthermore, there are colonies of 'Sand Poison Earth Dragons'—they are incredibly ferocious and extremely dangerous! Shall we detour?"

Xiao Zhan's gaze was like a torch, resembling two sharp sword beams as he swept them across the sea of sand ahead, which appeared flat but hid endless murderous intent. The Seven-Colored Little Snake on his wrist sensed that the target was deep within the burial pit and became increasingly restless, its tiny tail continuously slapping against his skin as if urging him to charge forward.

"No need to detour." Xiao Zhan's voice was steady and firm, carrying an unquestionable decisiveness that acted like a lamp suddenly lit in the darkness, guiding the group. "The target is in the central area of the burial pit. Advance at full speed; if we encounter danger, we fight!"

"Understood!" the three elders shouted in unison, their voices loud and orderly, a flash of awe and trust for a powerhouse appearing in their eyes. In that gaze, there was both an acknowledgment of Xiao Zhan's strength and a firm determination for this adventure. The speed of the lizard camels did not decrease but increased, like an arrow released from a bow, charging defiantly into this forbidden land that made ordinary experts tremble, as if challenging fate itself!

The Quicksand Burial Pit was truly a land of death that lived up to its name. The seemingly solid sand before them could turn into a death vortex that swallowed everything in the next instant, like a demon with a gaping maw waiting for its prey. Every step the lizard camels took required extreme caution. They relied on the Snake-People elders' eagle-like perception of the shifting sands and their own innate alertness to narrowly avoid one sudden quicksand trap after another. The air was filled with a faint scent of sulfur and the musky odor of some large magical beast, as if the scent of death were quietly spreading.

"Hiss-roar--!"

Just as they penetrated dozens of miles into the burial pit, a dull and threatening roar erupted from behind a massive dune to their side, like a clap of thunder that shattered the deathly silence. Immediately after, the dune heaved as if lifted by an invisible giant hand, and several massive magical beasts, resembling giant earthworms magnified a hundred times, burst through the sand. Their bodies were covered in dark yellow, thick, horny scales that shimmered with a cold luster under the sun, as if they were wearing an indestructible suit of armor. They had no eyes; their heads consisted only of a terrifying oral cavity filled with layers of sharp teeth, emitting a nauseating, fishy stench, as if they were a summons from hell.

Third-tier colony magical beasts—Sand Poison Earth Dragons! They were the meat grinders of the desert; wherever they went, there was only blood and death!

The lead earth dragon was the largest, its aura reaching the fourth-tier primary level (equivalent to a low-star human Dou King). It was like a moving small mountain, exuding a chilling pressure. Its massive oral cavity aimed at the leading Xiao Zhan and violently spat out a stream of viscous, foul-smelling, and highly corrosive dark green venom. The venom shot out like a high-pressure water gun, and wherever it passed, even the air made a "hissing" sound, as if it were being scorched by fire.

"You wretched beasts are courting death!" Elder Yan Ci roared, his voice as loud as a tolling bell. His figure surged, like a bolt of lightning cutting through the sky. Earth-yellow Dou Qi instantly condensed into a massive rock shield. The shield was incredibly sturdy, as if forged from the hardest stone, blocking the path of the venom spray in an attempt to keep the fatal attack at bay.

"Hiss-hiss-hiss--!"

The highly corrosive venom struck the rock shield conjured by Elder Yan Ci like a crazed beast. Instantly, the hard rock was corroded into pits and craters, as if gnawed by countless sharp teeth. Billowing thick smoke rose from the corroded areas, carrying a pungent and nauseating odor. The shield trembled violently under the impact of the venom, emitting a buzzing whine, and the light flowing over it dimmed rapidly, like a candle flame about to be extinguished. Elder Yan Ci let out a muffled groan, beads of sweat the size of beans rolling down his forehead, and his face turned somewhat pale. It was clear that resisting this venomous attack was not easy, and every second was consuming a vast amount of his Dou Qi and energy.

At the same time, the other two smaller Sand Poison Earth Dragons also let out deafening roars, charging toward the other two elders and the lizard camels like two chariots crashing forward. Their massive bodies plowed deep furrows into the sand, as if they were scars on the earth. Their oral cavities were wide open, revealing layers of sharp teeth, and they bit down like hungry tigers, carrying a foul wind and evil aura!

The battle erupted instantly! The light of Dou King-level Dou Qi shone like brilliant fireworks amidst the sand, intertwining with the roars of the earth dragons and the corrosive hissing of the venom, playing a cruel and intense movement of death. Sand flew everywhere, obscuring vision and making the entire battlefield even more chaotic and dangerous.

Xiao Zhan sat atop his lizard camel, his eyes as cold as frost, like an immovable iceberg. He did not make a move, merely watching the battle before him quietly, as if waiting for something. However, the Seven-Colored Little Snake on his wrist seemed disturbed by this sudden battle and became somewhat restless, hissing threateningly toward the earth dragons. Although the sound was small, it carried an undeniable majesty.

"Quiet." Xiao Zhan gently stroked the snake's cold scales, his movements gentle and steady, as if soothing a frightened child. Just then, one Sand Poison Earth Dragon cunningly bypassed the main fray, approaching Xiao Zhan like a ghost. The moment its massive oral cavity was about to bite toward the lizard camel beneath him—

A flash of golden light appeared in Xiao Zhan's eyes, like two lightning bolts tearing through the darkness!

"Hum!"

An invisible yet heavy soul pressure, as heavy as a mountain, descended like a precise scalpel onto the hideous head of that earth dragon. This pressure carried endless majesty and power, making the earth dragon instantly feel the threat of death.

"Awoo--!"

The earth dragon let out a painful and shrill scream, its body trembling uncontrollably, and its originally fierce momentum instantly dissipated without a trace.

The earth dragon, which had been about to bite, suddenly froze, as if it had been struck hard in the depths of its brain by an invisible yet heavy hammer! It let out a shrill, distorted howl, a sound that seemed to be torn from the depths of its soul, carrying endless pain and despair. Its massive body swayed violently on the sand like a drunkard, each step landing weak and unsteady. Its oral cavity opened and closed unconsciously, and dark green saliva mixed with venom dripped onto the scorching sand, making a sizzling, corrosive sound. Its simple, primitive nervous system could not withstand the terrifying pressure brought by the Dou Zong-level soul shock, and it instantly fell into an abyss of chaos and excruciating pain.

Xiao Zhan did not even glance at it, as if it were merely an insignificant ant, and brushing it aside was as easy as brushing off a speck of dust. The Seven-Colored Little Snake on his wrist seemed soothed by this silent yet powerful deterrence and became quiet again, still stubbornly pointing toward the depths of the burial pit, the firm direction seeming to be its innate mission.

The three elders, who were in the midst of a fierce battle, caught a glimpse of this scene and their hearts were shaken violently! A single glance was enough to make a ferocious fourth-tier magical beast instantly lose its ability to fight; such strength was simply god-like and unfathomable! Their awe for Xiao Zhan surged in their hearts like a tide.

Elder Yan Ci's spirit was greatly boosted, as if he had been injected with infinite power. He roared, his voice like a bell, and his earth-yellow Dou Qi instantly transformed into countless sharp stone spears, which shot toward the Sand Poison Earth Dragon—which had been stunned by the soul shock—like a dense rainstorm. Those stone spears carried a sharp momentum, as if they were going to nail this magical beast to the sand once and for all. The other two elders also held nothing back, fully unleashing their Dou Qi. In an instant, various brilliant Dou Techniques bloomed on the sand, and they soon killed or severely wounded and drove away the remaining earth dragons.

The battle ended extremely quickly, like a brief rainstorm—it came in a rush and left in a rush. Several massive earth dragon corpses were left on the sand, lying in disarray, their blood staining the surrounding sand grains, leaving a scene of total chaos. The awe in the eyes of the three elders as they looked at Xiao Zhan grew even deeper, filled with worship and conviction for a powerhouse.

"Continue forward." Xiao Zhan spoke calmly, his voice steady and composed, as if everything that had just happened was merely a trivial matter. The lizard camels started up again, taking steady steps and heading toward the core area of the Quicksand Burial Pit in the direction indicated by the Seven-Colored Little Snake, as if their destiny lay waiting there.

Rich and mellow spiritual energy, like a babbling clear spring, seeped into the room through the meticulously arranged formation of the Spirit Gathering Pavilion. This spiritual energy carried a refreshing coolness that seemed to wash away the fatigue and dust from one's heart, filling the entire room with an ethereal and tranquil atmosphere.

Xiao Yan sat cross-legged on the stone bed covered with soft animal skin. Although his face still bore the pallor of someone who had just recovered from a serious injury, like the lingering snow of winter, his aura had already stabilized, like the surface of a calm lake. His eyes had also regained their former sharpness, like cold stars twinkling in the night sky, revealing a sense of perseverance and courage.

At this moment, he was gently toying with a palm-sized, rusted bronze fragment. The edges of the fragment were jagged, as if gnawed by the ruthless passage of time, or perhaps broken off from some larger, more mysterious object. Its surface was covered with a thick layer of verdigris, like an ancient veil, completely obscuring the original patterns. When held, the fragment felt cold and heavy, carrying an indescribable sense of ancient vicissitudes, as if it were telling a story forgotten in the long river of history. This was the "junk" he had casually picked up in a dark corner of an abandoned Snake-People ruin on the outskirts of the oasis.

"Teacher, do you really think this thing... has nothing special about it?" Xiao Yan, unwilling to give up, once again sent a thought to Yao Lao, who was sleeping in his sea of consciousness. Ever since he woke up and discovered this fragment, he had an inexplicable intuition that this object was by no means ordinary and must hide an unknown secret. However, no matter how he washed it with his surging Dou Qi, sensed it with his soul like fine silk, or even tried dripping his blood on it, the fragment showed no reaction, lying quietly in his palm like the most ordinary scrap of copper or iron.

Yao Lao's sleeping soul gave no response; clearly, the consumption from protecting him or dealing with other situations had been too great, and he was currently in a deep slumber.

"Sigh..." Xiao Yan sighed helplessly and was about to toss this "useless object" aside when his gaze inadvertently swept over the simple black ring on his left index finger—that was Yao Lao's dwelling and the bond connecting their master-disciple souls.

The moment the bronze fragment approached the ring!

Hum--!!!

A sudden change occurred!

The black ring, which had been silent and dead-like, erupted without warning with a strong, almost greedy soul suction! It was as if a giant beast that had been sleeping for a long time had suddenly been awakened, opening its bloody maw to devour everything. An invisible force instantly grabbed the bronze fragment in Xiao Yan's hand, like an invisible hand gripping it tightly, not allowing it the slightest chance to escape.

"What?!" Xiao Yan's eyes widened instantly, his face full of alarm, and he subconsciously reached out to grab the fragment that was about to spiral out of control.

However, the suction force erupting from the black ring was far more powerful than he had imagined! The bronze fragment was like iron filings strongly attracted to a magnet; under the pull of the suction, it "whooshed" and easily broke free from his palm, which he had intended to clench tightly. Immediately after, it turned into a dim yet rapid stream of light, like a meteor streaking across the night sky, and slammed into the seemingly indestructible black ring!

"Chi!"

A faint sound, barely audible yet seemingly carrying some mysterious power, rang out quietly. The fragment was not repelled as one would expect; instead, like a drop of water merging into a soft sponge, it "melted" into the seemingly hard black ring without any obstruction and with a hint of eerie color, disappearing without a trace!

Looking at the surface of the ring again, it was as calm as if nothing had happened, not even a ripple appearing, as if that thrilling scene had just been an illusory dream.

"This... how is this possible?!" Xiao Yan was dumbfounded, his eyes fixed on the ring on his left hand, his heart pounding wildly in his chest, as if it were about to burst through. He hurriedly tried to probe the ring with his soul power, wanting to get to the bottom of it.

"Hum!"

In an instant, the soul space inside the ring, which originally belonged to Yao Lao, had undergone a earth-shaking change! The space seemed to have been forcibly expanded several times by an invisible yet powerful force, and the area that was originally slightly cramped now became vast and mysterious. The soul light cluster where Yao Lao was sleeping still floated quietly in the center, emitting a soft and warm light. But beside the light cluster, there was one more thing!

It was the bronze fragment that had disappeared without a trace!

At this moment, the fragment was floating quietly in the soul space, and the verdigris and rust on its surface were peeling off and dissipating at a speed visible to the naked eye, as if it were a treasure sealed by time, finally unveiling its mysterious veil. It revealed the metallic body beneath, smooth as a mirror and flowing with a dark golden luster. The luster was like stars in the deep night sky, emitting a charming light.

Even more shocking was that the surface of the fragments was covered in countless, infinitesimally small, and unfathomably complex dark-gold runes! These runes flowed and flickered as if they were living creatures, radiating an indescribable, ancient rhythm and a vast aura that seemed to communicate with the laws of heaven and earth, leaving one unable to help but feel a sense of awe.

A strange, incomparably pure energy of an indescribable nature slowly emanated from the fragments like a trickling stream, permeating the entire soul space. The moment Xiao Yan's soul power perceived this energy, his spirit felt invigorated, as if parched earth had welcomed a sweet rain. Even the lingering weakness from his severe injuries eased slightly, and his entire being radiated a new vitality.

What... what on earth is this?! Xiao Yan's heart was like a sea whipped into a frenzy by a sudden gale, unable to calm for a long time. A fragment capable of triggering such a violent reaction from Yao Lao's mysterious ring, capable of purifying its own rust, and capable of emitting such pure energy and profound runes, was certainly no ordinary object! Its origin was likely as distant and mysterious as the stars in the deep night sky, far greater than he could ever imagine!

Just as his mind was reeling and his thoughts were in a tangled mess, the pure energy permeating the soul space seemed to be drawn by the invisible yet powerful pull of Yao Lao's dormant soul. Like a hundred rivers returning to the sea, it began to slowly, thread by thread, merge into Yao Lao's dim and lusterless soul cluster.

Under the gentle nourishment of this pure energy, that light, which had been so faint it was nearly extinguished, actually brightened by a tiny fraction—slowly, like a tender shoot breaking through the soil in spring, invisible to the naked eye but undeniably present! Although this increase in brightness was extremely faint, Xiao Yan, with his keen perception, clearly captured this subtle change. Yao Lao's dormant soul origin was being quietly repaired and meticulously nourished by the energy emitted from the fragment!

"Teacher!" Xiao Yan trembled with excitement, as if standing in a gale, unable to control himself. Tears welled up in his eyes instantly, threatening to spill over at any moment. He stared fixedly at the mysterious bronze fragment, his gaze filled with awe and gratitude, as if looking at the most precious treasure in the world—it was the light of hope that could save his mentor! This inconspicuous fragment actually possessed the miraculous power to nourish and repair Yao Lao's soul! It was like a sweet rain suddenly descending in a desperate situation, moistening his long-parched heart!

He forcibly suppressed the surging excitement within his heart and carefully controlled his soul power, like a meticulous craftsman, attempting to actively guide more of the energy emitted by the fragments toward Yao Lao. At the same time, he spoke with utmost solemnity to the fragment, silently vowing in his heart: No matter who you are, no matter where you come from... thank you! As long as I can save Teacher, I, Xiao Yan, will never fail you! Even if there are mountains of blades and seas of fire ahead, I will surely forge ahead without fear!

At this moment, the external environment grew increasingly hostile. The air was as scorching as a giant steamer, tightly enveloping everyone and making it difficult to breathe. The gravel underfoot was searingly hot, as if stepping on burning charcoal, even faintly glowing dark red as if scorched by a raging fire. The smell of sulfur was pungent and stinging, like countless tiny needles piercing into one's nasal cavity. The terrain here was even more bizarre and unpredictable; massive quicksand vortices, like scars on the earth, were scattered across the land, slowly rotating and swallowing anything that dared to approach. From deeper within, a low, rumbling sound of the earth's veins could be faintly heard, as if the earth itself were roaring in its sleep, making one's hair stand on end.

The agitation of the Seven-Colored Little Snake had climbed to its peak, reaching a state of near madness! It no longer urged with soft hisses as it usually did; instead, its entire body was coiled tight, like a fully drawn bow. Its small head pressed firmly against Xiao Zhan's wrist, as if that were its only reliance. In its pale purple snake eyes, the light burned fiercely, almost as if it were about to ignite, like two purple stars about to erupt! Its target pointed unwaveringly toward the largest, most hideous quicksand vortex ahead, which resembled the gaping maw of an abyss!

"Elder Xiao, we cannot proceed any further!" Elder Yan Ci's face was as heavy as ink, his brow furrowed with worry. He pointed a trembling hand toward the giant quicksand vortex ahead, which was over a hundred feet in diameter and rotating slowly, his voice laced with urgency and panic. "This 'Soul Burial Vortex' is the most dangerous place in the burial pit. It is bottomless, like an abyss, and its suction force is terrifyingly immense—like an invisible hand that even a Dou King would struggle to escape! Moreover, the temperature at the center of the vortex is extremely high; it likely leads directly to the scorching magma deep underground. Once we get too close, it will mean being crushed to pieces!"

The other two elders also wore expressions of concern, their brows locked in deep worry. The Green Lotus Core Flame, such a heavenly exotic fire, was actually hidden beneath such a desperate place? This was undoubtedly adding frost to snow, making the path to retrieve the fire even more difficult.

Xiao Zhan's gaze was like lightning—sharp and profound—instantly sweeping over the vortex that looked like the gates of hell. His soul power, like invisible tentacles, lightly and firmly pierced through layers of quicksand, probing downward. Indeed! The deeper he went, the higher the temperature became, as if he were inside a raging furnace! In his soul perception, it was a chaotic and violent expanse of scorching heat, like an endless disaster wreaking havoc! But in the deepest part of that chaos, a pure, majestic flame energy, containing both destruction and vitality, lay like a sleeping sun, emitting a scorching and mysterious light that was clearly imprinted in his perception! The flame was violent and unruly, like a caged beast, yet it held a fatal attraction that made one unable to resist wanting to get closer.

The Green Lotus Core Flame! It was right below!

"You all stay here and keep watch," Xiao Zhan said in a low voice, his tone carrying an unquestionable firmness, as if he were an immovable deity.

"Elder Xiao! You must not!" Elder Yan Ci was shocked, his face turning deathly pale. He hurriedly stepped forward, trying to stop Xiao Zhan. "This place is exceptionally dangerous, like a dragon's pool or a tiger's den! The earth fire is incomparably violent, like a wild horse that has broken its reins, and there is quicksand that swallows everything. Once you fall in, there will be no return!"

"It is fine." Xiao Zhan interrupted him, his aura suddenly changing as if a sleeping dragon had awakened! A layer of fine, crimson-gold dragon scale phantoms instantly covered his entire body, shimmering with a dazzling light as if he had donned a suit of golden armor. Deep within his eyes, substantive golden flames ignited, scorching and bright, as if they could pierce through all darkness! A dragon-phoenix pressure, originating from the primordial era, erupted with a boom, like an invisible storm that forced the surrounding scorching air back three feet! The Seven-Colored Little Snake on his wrist felt this pressure and hissed excitedly, the sound crisp and loud, as if cheering for Xiao Zhan.

The three elders were instantly struck dumb by this sudden, terrifying pressure that felt like the awakening of a primordial beast. Their mouths hung open, unable to close for a long time, and their eyes were filled only with boundless awe, as devout as pilgrims facing a deity. They finally felt, truly and profoundly, that this guest elder, who was usually low-key and steady, contained such earth-shaking, world-defying power within him—like a sleeping volcano that had finally erupted with its heat and majesty!

Xiao Zhan said no more; his figure moved like lightning as he leaped! He did not use the common Dou Qi wings technique; instead, his body became like a meteor streaking across the night sky, carrying an unstoppable momentum as he plunged straight toward the center of the "Soul Burial Vortex," which was slowly rotating and emitting a chilling suction!

Whoosh—!

The moment he touched the edge of the vortex, the violent quicksand suction, capable of tearing through steel and grinding everything to dust, acted upon Xiao Zhan like a tidal wave, as if countless invisible hands were desperately trying to drag him into the abyss. However, the crimson-gold dragon scale phantoms on his body shimmered, acting like an indestructible suit of golden armor. The Dragon Phoenix Tyrant Body Art was pushed to its limit, emitting low, rumbling sounds as it forcibly resisted this terrifying tearing force! He stood as steady as a needle in the sea within the violent vortex, his speed increasing rather than decreasing. Like a sharp blade, he broke through layers of surging quicksand, plummeting rapidly toward the source of the scorching heat and surging energy fluctuations!

The deeper he went, the higher the temperature became, as if he were inside a raging furnace! The gravel was ruthlessly melted by the high heat, turning into viscous, scorching, and ceaselessly flowing magma, like angry fire dragons rampaging deep underground! The pungent smell of sulfur was almost suffocating, like the scent of death drifting from hell. The violent earth-fire energy struck Xiao Zhan's protective dragon scales like invisible blades, emitting sharp whistling sounds.

[Warning! Entering ultra-high temperature earth-fire environment! Dragon Phoenix Tyrant Body Art load increasing!]

[Warning! Violent earth-vein energy impact detected! Spatial structure unstable!]

The system's notification sounds rang continuously in Xiao Zhan's mind like a tolling alarm. But Xiao Zhan's eyes were as cold as frost, unwavering, and his speed did not slacken in the slightest. The crimson-gold light around him grew increasingly brilliant, like the rising sun, forcibly pushing away and refining the incoming earth-fire energy, as if engaging in a breathtaking contest with the power of heaven and earth!

He did not know how long he had been falling through this endless darkness and heat. It felt as if time had stopped and space had become blurred, as if he had pierced through the thick, cold layers of hell and stepped into an unknown and terrifying world.

"Boom!"

In an instant, the view before him suddenly opened up, as if parting heavy mist to reveal another world! A vast underground space, beyond imagination, was revealed without reservation. It was filled with dark-red magma, like a burning ocean, rolling and roaring. Scorching heat waves rushed toward him like a surging tide, and the air twisted violently due to the high temperature, as if being wantonly kneaded by an invisible hand, making his vision somewhat blurred.

Below was a rolling, boiling magma lake, constantly bubbling with massive gas bubbles. The scorching light, like millions of suns gathered together, illuminated the entire underground space in a deep red, as if he were inside a giant furnace where every inch of air was burning with scorching flames.

And in the very center of the magma lake!

A giant lotus flower, composed of pure cyan flames, floated quietly like a brilliant star. The lotus base was a full ten feet in diameter, appearing solemn and majestic, with twelve lotus petals, each carved as if from the most perfect cyan jade—crystal clear and emitting a soft yet mysterious light. However, on these seemingly delicate petals burned heart-stopping flames of destruction, as if they were the wrath of hell, ready to devour everything. At the heart of the lotus, a cluster of deep cyan flame, like liquid emerald, pulsed and burned slowly, emitting terrifying heat and a majestic aura of life, as if it were a beating heart controlling this world of fire.

The Green Lotus Core Flame!

It seemed to sense the arrival of an intruder; the originally quiet flames suddenly surged, like a provoked beast, emitting an angry roar. The entire magma lake boiled instantly, and countless magma fire pillars shot into the sky like angry fire dragons, roaring and clawing as they swirled toward Xiao Zhan in mid-air, as if to completely swallow him in these scorching flames. The temperature in the entire underground space instantly soared to a terrifying level capable of melting refined steel, and the air crackled and popped as it burned.

"ROAR—!!!"

Even more heart-stopping was that, accompanying the eruption of the magma fire pillars, a terrifying giant python, dozens of feet long and formed entirely of dark-red magma, suddenly thrust its massive body out from beneath the boiling lake surface. It had no eyes, yet it seemed to perceive everything. Its giant head was composed entirely of rolling magma, emitting a scorching and terrifying aura. It opened a maw large enough to swallow a mountain and let out a deafening roar filled with violence and destruction—a sound that seemed to pierce one's soul, making one's blood run cold. The energy fluctuations it emitted reached the level of a peak Tier 5 magical beast (equivalent to a peak human Dou Emperor), and it bore down on Xiao Zhan like a moving mountain, carrying endless pressure.

That was the Magma Guardian Beast, the spirit of the earth veins nurtured by the Green Lotus Core Flame over long ages, acting as the guardian deity of this scorching magma world, bearing an innate majesty and violence.

"Hmph! A mere fire spirit dares to block me?" Xiao Zhan stood proudly, suspended amidst the violently raging magma fire pillars. The crimson-gold light around him was dazzling, as if he were a peerless deity who had descended from the nine heavens into the fire prison, carrying an inviolable majesty. Facing the magma fire pillars capable of burning a Dou Emperor to ashes and the terrifying giant python rushing toward him like a mountain, there was not a trace of fear in his eyes—only a scorching, intense battle intent that seemed capable of igniting the very magma itself.

"Dragon Phoenix Flame! Appear!"

With a low and powerful shout, Xiao Zhan pressed his hands together, his movements crisp and decisive, as if communicating with the power of heaven and earth. The Dragon Phoenix Tyrant Body Art within his body ran frantically, like a precision machine operating at high speed, releasing endless power. Deep within his Dantian, that trace of crimson-gold flame, obtained from Medusa's evolution and fused with the Dragon Phoenix Origin, slowly awakened like a sleeping dragon, then erupted with a boom! That power seemed capable of tearing through space and shaking the heavens.

"Boom!"

The crimson-gold flames instantly covered Xiao Zhan's entire body like a surging tide, wrapping him within as if he had donned a suit of scorching armor. This flame was not formed from ordinary Dou Qi; it carried the majestic, resonant sounds of dragon roars and phoenix cries—a sound crisp and loud, as if a call from the ancient past—and emitted a noble aura that stood above all other fires, leaving one unable to help but feel awe. Wherever it passed, those violently attacking magma fire pillars twisted and deformed like subjects encountering an emperor, hurriedly dodging or even being forcibly assimilated and swallowed, as if bowing in submission to this noble flame.

Dragon Phoenix Flame! The Sovereign of All Fires! It possessed a natural suppression and dominion over all flame energy, like a monarch ruling over subjects, allowing no resistance. In this scorching magma world, it was the master; it was everything!

"ROAR?!" The giant python, formed of pure magma, seemed to keenly perceive the terrifying threat contained within these crimson-gold flames. On its giant head, composed of magma, a trace of anthropomorphic shock appeared, as if it were pondering this sudden turn of events. However, its instinct to guard the exotic fire was like a raging inferno, overcoming all fear and hesitation. It roared even more violently, the sound like rolling thunder, carrying monstrous magma waves like a moving volcano, and bit down with world-destroying momentum! Before its maw had truly arrived, the terrifying heat had already acted like an invisible palm, causing the surrounding space to twist and crack, emitting sounds of painful groaning.

"Well come!" Xiao Zhan's eyes flashed with brilliant light, like two sharp bolts of lightning piercing through the scorching and chaotic air. He did not retreat or dodge; instead, like a brave lion, he stepped forward to meet the magma maw that was swallowing him, and threw a punch! That fist carried a decisive momentum, as if to shatter all obstacles in this world.

"Dragon Phoenix Tyrant Body! Space-Splitting!"

With this earth-shaking roar, the crimson-gold Dragon Phoenix Flame condensed highly on his fist, forming the phantom of a giant dragon-phoenix claw burning with golden flames. The giant claw was lifelike, as if it were the claw of a divine beast from ancient mythology, carrying the terrifying power to crush the void and incinerate all things. Like an unbreakable blade, it slashed fiercely toward the head of the magma giant python!

"BOOM—!!!"

This strike was like two burning stars colliding fiercely in the narrow underground space, emitting a deafening roar. The sound was as if heaven and earth were roaring in anger, or as if a god were venting endless majesty. An indescribable roar and energy storm erupted instantly, like a destructive disaster descending.

The crimson-gold Dragon Phoenix claw print and the dark-red magma maw collided, squeezed, and annihilated each other, as if two worlds were clashing, sparking endless flames. The violent flame energy swept toward all directions like an out-of-control flood, swallowing everything in its path. The entire magma lake was whipped into monstrous waves—waves like an angry tsunami, carrying the power to destroy everything. The hard rock walls cracked and melted inch by inch under the high-temperature impact like fragile glass, emitting sounds of painful shattering.

"Ssssss—!"

A piercing, dissolving sound rang out sharply, as if ten thousand poisonous snakes were hissing simultaneously, echoing in the scorching and chaotic underground space. The Dragon Phoenix Flame, that supreme, masculine, and primordial power that stood above all fires, was like a natural nemesis, precisely striking the weakness of the earth-vein magma fire spirit. The crimson-gold flames, like maggots on a bone, carried an unstoppable decisiveness as they frantically eroded and burned the massive, hideous body of the magma giant python, as if to completely erase it from this world.

"Awoooo--!!"

The Magma Giant Python let out a shrill, agonizing howl that seemed to erupt from the deepest depths of its soul, a sound brimming with despair and resentment. Its body, condensed from pure geothermal energy, melted and disintegrated rapidly under the scorching, tyrannical burning of the Dragon Phoenix Flame, much like snow meeting boiling water. Large swathes of the magma forming its head turned into wisps of green smoke, dissipating into the air as if they were the very essence of its life force ebbing away. Its massive body thrashed and struggled frantically, each movement whipping up even more violent waves of magma. Like a maddened beast, it tried in vain to extinguish the crimson-gold flames that clung to it like a shadow, but it was as futile as an ant trying to shake a tree.

In the span of mere seconds—a fleeting moment to an ordinary person, but an eternity in this scorching, perilous underground—the fifth-order peak Magma Guardian Beast, a creature whose overwhelming might would strike fear into the heart of any Dou Emperor, had been reduced to a mere mangled half-corpse by Xiao Zhan's earth-shattering punch infused with the Dragon Phoenix Origin. The remains rolled in the scalding magma in agony, each rotation splashing up torrents of molten rock, its aura fading rapidly like a candle in the wind, no longer posing the slightest threat.

The power of a single punch was terrifying to this extent! That soul-stirring force seemed capable of tearing through space and shaking the very heavens and earth.

Xiao Zhan's figure remained unmoved amidst the violent turbulence of energy, standing firm like an unshakable mountain, indifferent to the onslaught of the raging storm. The crimson-gold Dragon Phoenix Flame burned quietly around him, emitting a soft yet majestic glow that incinerated and devoured every remnant wave of magma that dared approach, acting as an invisible shield to safeguard his life. His gaze was like lightning, sharp and profound; he looked past the dying, struggling magma carcass and locked firmly onto the center of the magma lake. There, floating silently amidst the energy storm, the Green Lotus Core Flame—a Heavenly Flame glowing with intense cyan light—was radiating a mysterious and ancient aura.

The Heavenly Flame was within reach! It felt as though it were right at his fingertips, yet it carried with it endless challenges and dangers.