Yu Ci could only observe through Xia Shuanghe's perspective. He was not used to either the method or the angle, but the thing on the lava river was rather conspicuous—its pitch-black body bobbed amid the dark-red magma, twisting now and then as though it were alive.
Xia Shuanghe moved closer, nearly reaching the edge of the lava river. That black thing was exceptionally sensitive. Its body twisted again, and it opened an eye that had remained shut. The sensation of three fire-gilded pupils glaring in unison was deeply shocking. Xia Shuanghe visibly caught his breath and cried out in surprise:
"Fire Rock Lizard?"
This creature that could live in a lava river seemed to possess an exceedingly violent temper. Its body suddenly swelled, and only then did Yu Ci realize that it had been lying prone all along. Now that it propped itself up, it stood roughly five feet tall. Its entire body was covered in scales like thin iron plates, with dark-red magma flowing from the gaps between them, still burning with flames. Yet the creature paid it no mind.
Xia Shuanghe was quite cautious. He immediately assumed a defensive stance, which would normally have been perfectly reasonable. But the lava river was flowing. The moment he stopped, the distance between him and the monster rapidly widened. Xia Shuanghe hesitated only briefly before immediately exerting himself to give chase. On the lava river, the Fire Rock Lizard was enraged by his unfriendly movements. It hissed and shrieked, its three enormous pupils opening wide again. Amid the dazzling red rock layers, blinding golden light suddenly mixed in.
Yu Ci heard Xia Shuanghe curse under his breath. His body abruptly shifted aside. A fraction too late, and the fierce golden rays would have pierced three small holes through where he had