Exposed

As he gradually drew closer to the lava below...

"No, Great Ancestral Spirit, the temperature here is still too high. If I get even a little closer, I'll be roasted dry on the spot. I can't possibly reach the Soulheart." Benjamin suddenly raised his head and shouted.

That voice replied, "You may descend without worry. I will protect you from harm."

But Benjamin abruptly stopped there. After hesitating for a moment, he said, "Still no... Great Ancestral Spirit, I really can't do it. The heat here is simply beyond what I can endure."

That voice finally became somewhat anxious. "How is that possible? You're wrapped in layer after layer of ice. Even if you charged straight into the lava, you might not melt. How can you be unable to endure it already?"

Hearing this, Benjamin fell silent for a moment, then suddenly wiped the terrified, hesitant expression off his face.

"So... you can see?"

He slowly raised his head and looked at the countless specks of light drifting through the cavern. The corner of his mouth lifted with faint indifference as he spoke in a mocking tone.

That voice fell silent at once.

The atmosphere changed abruptly, and the brother and sister above the cavern froze in stunned confusion.

"H-how...?"

Benjamin did not explain. He simply made his move. In the blink of an eye, a huge amount of water vapor that had been prepared beforehand burst forth, instantly forming a hurricane that surged toward the crimson specks of light in every direction!

At the same time, a bird made of water emerged from his hand. Fast as lightning, it dove straight toward the faintly glimmering stone beneath the lava!

—Everything happened in the span of a blink. The lava that had parted to form a narrow path did not