Seeing this, Yao Chen spoke gravely within Xiao Yan's mind:
"Snakes are renowned for their venom. This lake clearly contains a potent poison. Even a Dou Wang expert would be in for some trouble if they got so much as a drop on them."
Xiao Yan frowned deeply as he gazed at the seemingly unreachable Heart of the Lake Island. He was about to speak when Yao Chen's spectral soul drifted out of the Bone Flame Ring.
"Not to worry."
A confident smile appeared on his aged face. Vast soul force surged out like a tide, enveloping Xiao Yan's entire body.
Bone-white Bone Spirit Cold Flame slowly rose around the outer layer of soul force, forming a flame barrier that shut out the hostile surroundings.
"We'll use the same old method. This consumes quite a bit of soul force, but now that I have soul-nurturing wood, there's nothing to fear."
Yao Chen stroked his beard, a hint of pride in his voice. "Come, Little Yanzi. Your master will take you across!"
Xiao Yan nodded. He felt a gentle yet domineering force lift him, and his figure streaked across the lake like a meteor, shooting toward the Heart of the Lake Island!
The pale-purple water hissed beneath the searing Bone Spirit Cold Flame, but it could not penetrate that bone-white barrier of fire.
Moments later, Xiao Yan's feet touched solid ground. He had landed on the Heart of the Lake Island.
The island was not particularly large. Lush bamboo groves, flowers, and grasses grew all over it, making it a lovely sight brimming with life.
Yet Xiao Yan had no time to admire the scenery.
At the island's center, intensely blazing fire elemental energy churned in a frenzy, like a trapped ferocious beast struggling wildly. It immediately drew Xiao Yan and