Xuan Yi's body stiffened almost imperceptibly. Then she discreetly tugged her collar up to cover her neck and said coolly, "We ran into some trouble down below. That beast grazed me. It's nothing."
Dan Chen blinked, looking a little suspicious. "But that mark... it looks like..."
"Like what?" Xuan Yi interrupted. Her tone remained calm, but carried an unquestionable authority. "Instead of cultivating properly, you spend all day staring at nonsense."
Dan Chen stuck out her tongue and dared not ask any more. Beside her, however, Cao Ying gave Fan Tian a thoughtful glance, then looked at Xuan Yi. Her gaze traveled between the two, and the faintest hint of a smile curled her lips.
"Martial Aunt Xuan Yi, did you discover anything on this trip down?" Cao Ying changed the subject, her respectful tone tinged with probing curiosity.
By now, Xuan Yi had recovered most of her usual cool composure. At the question, she said slowly, "It's fathomlessly deep down there, and vast numbers of Flame Lizardmen live there. The deeper you go, the stronger they become. I even sensed a Half-Saint's aura. Had we not withdrawn in time, things would likely have ended badly."
Cao Ying's expression shifted slightly. "A Half-Saint? The birthplace of the Fallen Heart Flame really has experts of that caliber?"
Xuan Yi nodded, sweeping her gaze over them. It paused for an instant on Fan Tian before quickly moving away. "In short, remember never to venture too deep. Of course, there's no need to worry too much, either. Those lizardmen are creatures unique to the magma. They cannot survive on the surface."
Fan Tian had now fully absorbed the Heavenly Flame's power, though his face was still rather pale and his aura somewhat unsettled. Hearing Xuan Yi's words, he hurriedly nodded in agreement. "Exactly.