Deep Within the Magma

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Deep within the crimson world of magma, Lei Qi followed the sensing ability of the Fallen Heart Flame within his body, hurrying toward the place that seemed to be calling him.

In the depths of the magma, scorching heat and pressure surged in from all directions, as if to crush Lei Qi into pulp. But once his Dou Qi spread out, the oppressive force immediately began to dissipate.

Within the boundless magma, everything was crimson. In this red world, the black-purple figure diving rapidly downward was especially conspicuous.

At this depth, an ordinary Dou Emperor would likely have been unable to endure any longer. Fortunately, his strength was more than sufficient.

As he continued onward, he spotted a white halo!

Because the halo was transparent, it did not obstruct Lei Qi's vision. Within it was nothing else—only a skeleton that had already turned white, faint fluorescent light emanating from its bones.

A flame drifted above the skeleton. It was completely transparent, as though formless. Others might have found it unfamiliar, but having just devoured the Fallen Heart Flame, Lei Qi recognized it at a glance. It was the Fallen Heart Flame.

Suddenly, a scorching gust of wind rushed at him. Lei Qi reacted in time and threw a punch.

Boom!!!

After neutralizing the attack, Lei Qi saw a red figure swimming through the magma some ten meters away. Its entire body was crimson, the same color as the surrounding magma, making it difficult to spot without close inspection. Red scales covered its body, and a red tail about half a zhang long swayed slightly behind it. The red figure stood upright on two feet, though those feet were unusually broad. Its head was round and covered in tiny scales, while its small eyes revealed a faint but unmistakable ferocity. Its large mouth opened slightly, exposing densely packed sharp teeth. The creature looked like a lizard capable of walking upright.

Lei Qi was not surprised to see the fire lizard.

"Chirp chirp!"

The fire lizard glared viciously at him. After the two faced each other for a moment, savage light suddenly flared in the magma creature's eyes. It let out a piercing cry, whipped its tail behind it, and slashed through the magma with its sharp claws as it charged straight at Lei Qi.

Rumble!!!

This time, Lei Qi did not hold back. With a full-force strike, he directly shattered it to death!

After killing the fire lizard, he entered the halo.

After storing away the not-yet-formed Fallen Heart Flame, Lei Qi said, "Come out."

"I never expected that, with your mere Dou Emperor cultivation, you would be able to detect this old man's existence." The dry bones emitted a burst of white light, slowly writhing before finally transforming into an illusory elderly figure floating in the air.

"Is that difficult?" Lei Qi asked blandly.

"Uh..."

"Your soul is already badly damaged. Is there anything you wish to pass on?" Lei Qi asked.

Heavenly Flame Venerable was stunned.

This kid really was blunt.

Still, considering his own circumstances, Heavenly Flame Venerable passed his Five-Ring Separation Flame Technique on to Lei Qi.

To be honest, Lei Qi was not particularly interested in it. Still, the other man was willing to go this far, which was decent enough.

"Old man, seeing that you've behaved well, come with me. I can let you return to life," Lei Qi added.

Hadn't Heavenly Flame Venerable absorbed two identical Heavenly Flames, only to fail in the end and meet this miserable fate?

Lei Qi wanted to learn more about it.

"You can revive this old man?" Heavenly Flame Venerable asked in surprise.

"This young master is from the Thunder Clan," Lei Qi said.

Heavenly Flame Venerable had traveled the continent in his day, so he naturally knew something about that clan.

He was both shocked and puzzled. He had never expected Lei Qi to come from a Dou Emperor clan.

What was someone from a Dou Emperor clan doing here?

However, Heavenly Flame Venerable seemed to see hope of living again. He promptly said, "If Young Master Lei can save this old man, I will never forget this kindness for all eternity."

Heavenly Flame Venerable was a decent old man. So Lei Qi stored him away, then took him with him as he headed out.

As for the Ancient Emperor's Cave Dwelling below, although he knew of it, he was not foolish enough to take the risk.

Leaving aside the fact that he did not possess the eight ancient jade pieces needed as keys, even the fire lizard men were far beyond what he could handle.

After emerging from the tower, Lei Qi found Yang Ji and Zhang Yi guarding the place.

Of course, Cao Ying was there as well.

When she saw Lei Qi emerge, Cao Ying trotted over eagerly.

"Young Master Lei, was the sea of fire fun?" Cao Ying asked, her tone carrying a trace of dissatisfaction.

After spending so much time together, this quirky little demoness was no longer afraid of him at all.

"It was alright," Lei Qi replied.

"Then why did you come out? Why not stay in there?" Cao Ying asked again.

The little girl was worried about him. Of course, she was also worried that if something happened to Lei Qi, it would affect her own future.

Lei Qi reached out and pinched Cao Ying's delicate little cheek. "I was cultivating. Look at you, making that face."

"Hmph~"

Cao Ying lightly slapped his hand away, pouting in obvious displeasure.

After pinching her soft little cheek again, Lei Qi finally said, "I'm planning to take a trip around the Northwestern Continent. You can stay here for the next few days."

"You're going to leave me behind!?"

Cao Ying immediately became unhappy. Her tender, affectionate eyes locked tightly onto Lei Qi's face.

After looking at each other for a while, Lei Qi was rather speechless. "How could I possibly leave you behind? I'm just in a hurry this time, and I'll need to return to the clan quickly afterward. Once I'm done, I'll take you with me."

After absorbing the Fallen Heart Flame, the mutated Black Demon Lightning within his body had begun to stir again. Under such circumstances, Lei Qi naturally could not wait a year before returning to the clan. He was genuinely worried that the violent Black Demon Lightning might explode inside his body.

"Didn't you want me to be your personal maid? Then why won't you take me with you?" Cao Ying said fiercely, though her voice was adorably soft.

"I was afraid you'd have a hard time. But since you want to come, then come along." Lei Qi shrugged.

He only felt that the journey would be exhausting and dusty, which was why he had not intended to bring Cao Ying. But since she wanted to follow him, she could follow.

"I'll go find Elder Mang Tianchi and let him know," Lei Qi added.

"Mm~"

Once Lei Qi agreed to take her along, Cao Ying no longer cared about anything else.