Subduing Scarlet King, Winning the Auspicious Beast's Heart

Boiling magma churned at the end of the Red Flame River Zone. The scorching lava erupting from within the volcano possessed devastating power; no living creature could look down on the force born of nature itself.

Around the flowing magma grew flowers and herbs that emitted a red glow. All were exceptionally precious fire-attributed plants of the highest quality. Some growing in the most active areas of the magma were even close to the legendary grade of Immortal Herbs, yet very few dared to harvest them.

After all, those who could make it here alive were already one in ten thousand, let alone those willing to risk entering the magma to gather herbs and medicinal plants.

Such rare heavenly treasures were often guarded by powerful Soul Beasts, or possessed formidable power themselves.

Yet at this moment, their guardian Soul Beasts emerged one after another, swimming swiftly through the magma and stirring up splashes of molten lava, as if trying to draw someone's attention.

Some even plucked the precious flowers and herbs they guarded, holding them in their mouths as though they wished to offer them up.

Unbelievable. It was simply absurd.

Ma Xiaotao rubbed her eyes. She had entered the Scorching Zone many times—when had it not been fraught with danger? When had these Soul Beasts not nearly killed her, treating her as an enemy?

But now, the friendliness of these Soul Beasts shattered her worldview. Coming here felt like returning home...

The three of them reached the area surrounding the active volcano. High-temperature liquid splashed from the volcanic vents, nearly evaporating all moisture from the air and making it unbearably dry and hot. Beneath the ground came the rumbling sound of surging magma, terrifying to hear.

The temperature had reached an extreme level. An ordinary person would dehydrate and die not long after arriving here, then have their body roasted by the air itself. The surface temperature was at least seventy degrees Celsius—a true Flaming Mountain.

Even Ma Xiaotao had no choice but to summon and possess the Evil Fire Phoenix Martial Soul to withstand the heat.

Su Qingfeng also drew heavily upon the Ultimate Ice Element within Ice Extreme Star, making the mist around him increasingly hazy.

Fortunately, Snow Empress spoke gently within Su Qingfeng's Sea of Consciousness. "Child of the Stars, don't worry. I'll protect you with my life, even if I have to sacrifice myself."

Ultimate Ice truly lived up to its status as an Extreme attribute. With Snow Empress's help, Su Qingfeng was actually in better condition than Ma Xiaotao.

They remained there for more than two hours. Ma Xiaotao's Soul Power had drained away in great quantities, and fatigue was already showing on her face. Fortunately, the surrounding fire-attributed Soul Beasts did not attack them. Otherwise, the consequences would have been unimaginable. This was also why she had not dared to enter the central region of the magma-filled active volcano alone.

At last, Mu En opened his aged eyes and sighed.

"Qingfeng, it seems your luck isn't as good this time as it was last time. Then again, having such an opportunity even once in a lifetime already makes one favored by heaven. How could a second one appear so easily?"

"Choose. This young Flame Lion, or the Profound Flame Turtle... Hmm, this Earth Core Young Dragon is rare as well. Among this group of Soul Beasts, its cultivation age is suitable, and its quality is the best."

Mu En turned back and began selecting Su Qingfeng's Second Soul Ring.

In truth, an invisible barrier had kept these Soul Beasts from approaching them all along. Mu En had created it, so they could only follow from afar rather than rush in and surround Su Qingfeng.

With a movement of Mu En's walking stick, the Earth Core Dragon with five thousand years of cultivation was effortlessly brought under control and pulled to their side.

It was a small dragon over three meters long, covered in tiny red diamond-shaped dragon scales. It had a pair of palm-sized dragon horns and a pair of degenerated wings on its back, and it possessed a great affinity for the Fire Element.

Ma Xiaotao also praised it. "I didn't even notice there was an Earth Core Dragon among the Soul Beast pack. When I reached Rank 40, I wanted to find one too, but my luck was bad, and I never encountered one."

"Legend says that Earth Core Dragons contain a trace of the bloodline power of the ancient Divine Dragon, the Fire Dragon King. Once they enter a flame transformation state, that bloodline power is awakened, and the flames they breathe become Fire Dragon True Flame. Even with only three to five thousand years of cultivation, they can fight ordinary Ten-Thousand-Year Soul Beasts without falling behind."

Although this Fire Dragon True Flame could not reach the level of Ultimate Fire, it was second only to the Evil Fire within Ma Xiaotao's body. Its foundation was not low at all. One day, on Su Qingfeng, it might even have a chance to evolve into Ultimate Fire.

Though it still did not quite match the status of his beloved disciple, it was still a decent choice... Mu En thought.

Upon reaching Su Qingfeng's side, the Earth Core Dragon also appeared quite happy. It stuck out its crimson tongue and breathed out tiny clusters of friendly Earth Core Fire, which circled Su Qingfeng as it bounced about.

It seemed to like Su Qingfeng very much!

But if this Earth Core Dragon went berserk, it would be terrifying. It was said that a Rank 60 fire-attributed Soul Master had once hunted a Ten-Thousand-Year Earth Core Dragon, only to be dragged alive into the magma by the dragon, torn to pieces, and turned into its food.

Su Qingfeng protected his hand with Ultimate Ice and reached out to stroke the Earth Core Dragon's head.

Huff... huff...

Not only did the Earth Core Dragon not resist, it twisted its body comfortably and let out an obedient cry.

"Don't make a sound. Be good. You'll be dead soon, and then you won't feel anything."

Ma Xiaotao grabbed the Earth Core Dragon's horn as well, revealing a frightening smile that nearly made it leap into the air in terror.

"Alright, we should leave too. We'll absorb it once we reach the lava zone. This active volcano region is still somewhat dangerous."

Mu En turned back and spoke calmly.

They had taken fewer than five steps when he suddenly stopped.

Ma Xiaotao asked, "Great-Grandmaster, why did you stop again?"

"They're here." Mu En uttered two calm words.

"They're here? What is?" Ma Xiaotao did not understand at first.

Su Qingfeng also frowned slightly, until Mu En turned around and calmly addressed the volcanic peak.

"Since you have already come after hearing the news, why not show yourselves? Aren't you afraid of missing this opportunity?"

Hearing this, Su Qingfeng and Ma Xiaotao exchanged a glance, vaguely guessing what was happening.

Three seconds later, atop the tallest active volcano, a beautiful Soul Beast with three eyes appeared. Her entire body radiated a calm golden-red light, and her gaze pierced through the scorching air and splashing magma before falling upon Su Qingfeng.

Then, a massive Three-Headed Mastiff appeared, looking helplessly at the beautiful Soul Beast.

"Lucky Beast, we bear a grave responsibility. Although this is a rare opportunity, acting rashly is still inappropriate."

This was the last shred of reason Scarlet King had managed to retain after thinking it over. Without the duty of protecting the Lucky Beast, he would likely have acted just as Snow Empress once had.

"Uncle Scarlet King, this human is far too handsome! His Martial Soul is so wondrous that I can't help wanting to fuse with him!"

The vertical pupil of the Auspicious Beast Three-Eyed Golden Lion's third eye emitted an eerie crimson glow as she actually ran through the air toward Su Qingfeng!

Scarlet King was horrified by the sight and hurriedly blocked Three-Eyed Golden Lion's path.

"Lucky Beast, have you gone mad? That human bears a strange star and possesses limitless potential, but if you follow him, who will fulfill your and my mission?"

"Who cares? I'm already sick of staying in this forest. I like this human with the Starry Sky Martial Soul!"

"It's actually the Three-Headed Red Hellhound—Scarlet King, one of the Ten Great Ferocious Beasts. The one beside him... could she be the legendary Lucky Beast, Three-Eyed Golden Lion?"

Mu En's eyelids twitched as he recognized their identities.

At the same time, Snow Empress sighed from within Su Qingfeng's Ice Extreme Star.

Su Qingfeng murmured, "So that's Scarlet King and Three-Eyed Golden Lion?"