102: Beneath the magma

However, he did not stay in the same place for too long.

"Let me wait? How is that possible! The rare treasure has appeared, and it is the best time to temper myself. How can I miss it?"

A hint of determination flashed in his eyes.

He moved, quietly following them.

Everyone rushed to the edge of the volcano, and a scorching wave of heat hit them, the rocks under their feet so hot they could barely breathe.

And above the churning magma, a Red Light shot up into the sky, circling in mid-air, emitting an astonishing amount of fire-attributed energy!

"Is that the Scarlet Flame Lotus?!"

Jiang Donghua’s pupils constricted as he recognized this legendary rare treasure.

This lotus grows deep within the lava, appearing once every hundred years. It contains the power of extreme fire spirit, making it an unparalleled treasure for fire-attributed cultivators!

If refined, not only would one’s cultivation skyrocket, but it could even enhance Soul Power!

"Hahaha! It really is a rare treasure!"

Lei Lie laughed loudly, his eyes filled with greed.

"If I get my hands on it, I might be able to directly break through to Dou Wang Expert!"

Xiao Han’s gaze was stern, his long sword glinting with a cold light.

"Don't be happy too soon. Such a high-grade rare treasure must have a guarding Magical Beast."

As soon as he finished speaking.

"Boom!!!"

The magma in the volcano suddenly exploded, and a colossal creature burst out of the rock!

It was a giant scarlet scorpion, its carapace like a red-hot branding iron, its tail glowing with a faint blue poisonous light, and scorching magma wrapped around its body. Its aura had clearly reached the Dou Wang Expert level!

"Magma Poison Fire Scorpion?!"

Liu Qingsi’s expression changed drastically.

"This thing feeds on magma, and its venom is extremely potent. Even Dou Wang Experts wouldn't dare to confront it head-on!"

The giant scorpion's crimson compound eyes scanned the crowd, its tail raised high, venom dripping, instantly corroding the ground into charred, deep pits!

"Roar—!"

It let out a piercing shriek.

Lei Lie swallowed, gripping his long staff tightly.

"Damn it, this is troublesome now!"

Xiao Han said in a deep voice.

"Let's team up, hold it off first, then find an opportunity to seize the lotus!"

Liu Qingsi's fingertips were wreathed in poisonous mist, but she rarely showed a hint of solemnity.

"My poison might not be effective against it; it is a highly venomous creature itself!"

Jiang Donghua held his breath, his figure like a ghost, hidden among the dense branches and leaves of an ancient tree, his gaze as sharp as an eagle's, fixed intently on the battle above the volcano.

The scorching magma churned, the Red Light reflecting on his face, sweat evaporating as soon as it emerged due to the high temperature.

In the distance, the experts of the inner academy strong ranking list appeared one after another, each aura like a sharp sword piercing the air, causing apprehension.

"Swish—!"

Three figures broke through the air, their Dou Qi Transformation Wings spread out behind them, standing in mid-air, their pressure sweeping across all directions like a tide!

True Dou Wang Experts!

Jiang Donghua’s pupils slightly constricted, his heart filled with shock.

"The inner academy strong ranking list still has experts of this level?!"

Above Magma Valley, a scarlet pillar of light shot into the sky, and the scorching magma churned, making the entire sky appear as if it were burning.

"Roar—!"

The Magma Poison Fire Scorpion roared in anger, its scorpion tail sweeping like a steel whip, and faint blue poisonous fire erupted, instantly forcing back two Dou Ling Experts who were charging at the front!

"Be careful! This beast's poisonous fire can corrode Dou Qi!"

An Inner Academy disciple shouted a warning, retreating rapidly.

However, more experts were still approaching.

More than thirty Dou Ling Experts!

These geniuses on the inner academy strong ranking list were at least Five-Star Dou Ling, and many of them were at the Peak of Nine-Star Dou Ling. Their eyes burned with fervor, staring intently at the Scarlet Flame Lotus suspended above the magma!

"Let's work together to suppress it! Don't give it a chance to counterattack!"

Lei Lie roared, sweeping his long staff, and violent Dou Qi blasted towards the giant scorpion.

"Hiss—!"

The giant scorpion cried out in pain, several cracks appearing on its carapace, but its ferocity intensified. Its scorpion tail suddenly plunged into the magma, then swung violently!

"Splash—!"

The scorching magma surged like a giant wave, instantly forcing back several Dou Ling Experts!

"Retreat!"

Someone shouted sternly, and everyone quickly retreated, avoiding the impact of the magma.

"You probably can't kill him!"

Suddenly, a cold voice sounded.

Everyone looked up, only to see three Dou Wang Experts standing in mid-air, their Dou Qi Transformation Wings spread behind them, their pressure as deep as an abyss and as vast as the sea!

"It's the monsters from the top three of the strong ranking list!"

"Attack!"

The black-robed Dou Wang, who was leading, let out a cold shout, and his long sword suddenly unsheathed. A hundred-foot-long ice sword qi slashed through the air, freezing the air wherever it passed, and a thick layer of frost instantly condensed on the surface of the magma.

The Magma Poison Fire Scorpion swept its tail, and the faint blue poisonous fire collided with the ice sword qi, erupting in a deafening roar.

Amidst the intertwining ice and fire, a violent energy storm swept out, crushing all the surrounding rocks.

"Such strong defense!"

Another Dou Wang holding a saber had a sharp glint in his eyes, and his figure shot out like lightning.

A blood-colored long saber carved a tragic arc in the air, and wherever the blade passed, space subtly twisted.

"Clang!"

The sound of metal clashing exploded, and the blood-colored saber light fiercely struck the giant scorpion's carapace, sending sparks flying everywhere.

However, on that seemingly indestructible carapace, only a shallow white mark was left.

"What?!"

The saber-wielding Dou Wang's pupils constricted, and he rapidly retreated.

Just then, the third Dou Wang formed hand seals, and countless faint green poisonous mists gushed out from his sleeves, transforming into snake-like chains that instantly wrapped around the giant scorpion's limbs.

The poisonous mist came into contact with the magma, emitting a "hissing" corrosive sound.

The giant scorpion cried out in pain and struggled wildly. Its massive body rolled in the magma, stirring up towering waves of fire.

Faint blue poisonous fire erupted from its mouth, forming a pillar of fire that shot straight into the sky.

"Retreat!"

The three Dou Wang Experts simultaneously retreated rapidly, each employing defensive measures.

An ice barrier, a blood-colored saber curtain, and a poisonous mist barrier instantly formed, completely blocking the incoming poisonous fire.

However, the giant scorpion's offensive did not stop.

It suddenly plunged deep into the magma, and the next moment, the entire volcano trembled violently.

"Not good! It's going to detonate the magma!"

"Rumble—!"

Amidst earth-shattering explosions, dozens of magma fire pillars shot into the sky, and scorching fire rain poured down, covering everything.

The three Dou Wang Experts had no choice but to defend with all their might, and for a moment, they were forced to retreat repeatedly.

When the fire rain subsided slightly, the figure of the Magma Poison Fire Scorpion had already disappeared into the churning magma, leaving behind only a scarred battlefield and the Scarlet Flame Lotus suspended in the air.

"Truly powerful!"

The sword-wielding Dou Wang wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, a hint of solemnity flashing in his eyes.

Above Magma Valley, the scorching magma churned endlessly, and the scarlet pillar of light still shot into the sky, making the entire sky appear as if it were burning.

This Magical Beast emerged from the magma again.

"Roar—!"

The Magma Poison Fire Scorpion roared towards the sky, its crimson compound eyes flashing with unwillingness and anger.

Its massive body rolled in the magma, its scorpion tail raised high, and faint blue poisonous fire condensed at the tip of its tail, emitting a heart-palpitating fluctuation.

It knew that facing so many Dou Ling Experts, with three Dou Wang Experts holding the line, it probably wouldn't be able to keep this Scarlet Flame Lotus.

However, it was unwilling!

This was a rare treasure it had guarded for a hundred years, its hope for breaking through to the Fifth-Tier Magical Beast!

In pain, several cracks were blasted into its carapace, but its ferocity grew even stronger. Its scorpion tail suddenly plunged into the magma, then swung violently!

"Splash—!"

The scorching magma surged like a giant wave, instantly forcing back several Dou Ling Experts!

"Retreat!"

Someone shouted sternly, and everyone quickly retreated, avoiding the impact of the magma.

However, the three Dou Wang Experts had already attacked again!

"Boom! Boom! Boom!"

Ice sword qi, blood-colored saber light, and faint green poisonous mist—three terrifying attacks simultaneously landed on the giant scorpion, erupting in deafening roars.

"Roar—!"

The giant scorpion let out a painful roar, its crimson compound eyes filled with madness.

It knew that it would probably not escape death today.

"Rumble—!"

The giant scorpion suddenly plunged deep into the magma, and the next moment, the entire volcano trembled violently.

"Boom! Boom! Boom!"

Amidst earth-shattering explosions, dozens of magma fire pillars shot into the sky, and scorching fire rain poured down, covering everything.

The three Dou Wang Experts and numerous Dou Ling Experts had no choice but to defend with all their might, and for a moment, they were forced to retreat repeatedly.

When the fire rain subsided slightly, the figure of the Magma Poison Fire Scorpion was already tottering.

Its massive body was covered in hideous wounds, its carapace shattered, its scorpion tail broken, and even the light in its compound eyes had dimmed considerably.

"Roar—!"

The giant scorpion let out one last unwilling roar, and its massive body crashed down, plunging into the magma, stirring up towering waves of fire!

The Scarlet Flame Lotus was completely exposed to everyone's eyes!

Jiang Donghua hid in a distant ancient tree, witnessing all of this.

Half an hour!

This Fifth-Tier Magical Beast, despite having the home advantage, was still bombarded by a large group of Inner Academy experts and ultimately died with resentment!

Thick-skinned and poisonous, yet still unable to escape death!

Is this the strength of the Inner Academy experts?

Jiang Donghua took a deep breath, a hint of solemnity flashing in his eyes.

The struggle for the Scarlet Flame Lotus ultimately fell into the hands of the three Dou Wang Experts without any suspense.

Liu Qingsi, Xiao Han, and Lei Lie stood on the outskirts of Magma Valley, watching the retreating figures of the three Dou Wang Experts in the distance, all sighing helplessly.

"Alas, compared to these monsters, we are still far behind."

Lei Lie scratched his head, his tone carrying a hint of unwillingness, but more of acceptance.

Xiao Han's expression remained stern, only nodding slightly.

"The strength gap is too large; there's no forcing it."

Liu Qingsi pursed her red lips slightly, a wisp of faint green poisonous mist swirling around her fingertips, but her gaze turned towards the distant dense forest, and she suddenly chuckled softly, a hint of slyness flashing in her eyes.

"Let's go find our Junior Brother."

"Hmm?"

Lei Lie was startled.

"Junior Brother Jiang? Where is he?"

Liu Qingsi did not answer, merely gently touched her little finger, then her gaze locked onto an ancient tree with lush branches and leaves.

Her lips curved slightly, her tone carrying a hint of playful reproach.

"So close, what if he gets hurt?"

She had already discovered Jiang Donghua!

In the treetop, Jiang Donghua's heart skipped a beat, and he thought to himself.

"Oh no."

He had originally thought he was hidden well enough, but he hadn't expected Liu Qingsi to notice him.

"Aren't you coming down yet? Do you want me to invite you?"

Liu Qingsi's fingertips were wreathed in poisonous mist, staring at the tree with a half-smile.

Jiang Donghua had no choice but to leap down from the tree, landing steadily.

He let out two dry laughs and cupped his hands.

"Senior Sister has sharp eyes."

Liu Qingsi let out a soft snort, walked forward, and lightly flicked his forehead with her finger.

"You've got some nerve. How dare you sneak over here?"

Jiang Donghua rubbed his forehead and said sheepishly.

"I just wanted to broaden my horizons, you know."

Lei Lie laughed heartily and patted Jiang Donghua's shoulder.

"Junior Brother Jiang, your stealth skills still need work!"

Xiao Han also rarely showed a hint of a smile, and said calmly.

"Next time, don't get too close. The aftermath of a Dou Wang level battle could kill you."

Jiang Donghua nodded, but secretly clicked his tongue in amazement. Liu Qingsi's poisonous technique perception was actually so acute!

He originally thought his stealth methods were quite good, but in front of Liu Qingsi, it was as if he had nowhere to hide.

This woman's control over poisons could probably leave him miles behind!

"Alright, since the Blazing Lotus isn't ours, let's go back."

Liu Qingsi waved her hand and turned to walk out of the dense forest.

"This trip wasn't wasted. At least Junior Brother Jiang got to see what a true expert looks like."

Lei Lie grinned.

"That's right, Junior Brother Jiang, you need to put more effort into your cultivation from now on!"

"On this Fighting Qi Continent, only those who step into the Dou Wang rank can be considered experts."

Jiang Donghua looked at the distant, still churning volcano. The crimson magma reflected in his pupils, burning with an inextinguishable flame.

He was silent for a moment, then suddenly spoke, his voice low but firm.

"There shouldn't be any Magical Beasts inside that volcano now, right?"

Lei Lie was stunned upon hearing this, then burst into hearty laughter, his rough voice echoing through the Lava Valley.

"How could there be any left?!"

He patted Jiang Donghua's shoulder with such force that it almost made him stumble.

"With the aftermath of the battle just now, didn't you see the magma inside the volcano being churned upside down? Even if there were still Magical Beasts, they would have long been scared into hiding underground!"

Xiao Han crossed his arms, his stern gaze sweeping towards the volcano, and said calmly.

"The Lava Poison Fire Scorpion was the overlord of this area. With its death, no other Magical Beast will dare approach for a short time."

Liu Qingsi lightly rubbed her chin with her fingertips, a hint of thought flashing in her eyes. Then, her red lips curled slightly, revealing a meaningful smile.

"Junior Brother, do you suspect there's something else?"

Jiang Donghua did not answer, merely staring intensely at the volcano, a slow curve forming at the corner of his mouth.

"Since there are no Magical Beasts left, there should still be some remnants inside that volcano, right?"

Lei Lie blinked, momentarily failing to grasp the meaning.

"Remnants? Are you talking about..."

Xiao Han frowned, seemingly realizing something.

Liu Qingsi, however, chuckled softly, a sly light glittering in her eyes.

"Although the Blazing Lotus was taken, the corpse of the Lava Poison Fire Scorpion, the remaining fire-attribute energy, and even the poisonous fire essence that might not have dissipated from its body—these are all treasures."

Lei Lie slapped his thigh suddenly, enlightened.

"That's right! That beast is a Fifth-Tier Magical Beast, its whole body is treasure! Even if it was blasted to pieces, there must still be good stuff left!"

Jiang Donghua took a deep breath, fighting spirit rising in his eyes.

"Since the three of you, Senior Brother and Senior Sister, have given up competing for the Blazing Lotus, then these scraps should be left for us, right?"

Xiao Han was silent for a moment, finally nodding slightly.

"We can try."

Liu Qingsi walked forward smilingly, poisonous mist swirling around her fingertips, her tone carrying a hint of teasing.

"Junior Brother, you're quite bold. You just watched a Dou Wang fight, and now you dare to go scavenging?"

Jiang Donghua grinned, without the slightest fear in his eyes.

"Fortune favors the bold. On the path of cultivation, if you don't strive, how can you become strong?"

Lei Lie laughed heartily, hoisted his long staff onto his shoulder, radiating heroic spirit.

"Well said! Let's go! We'll turn that beast's lair upside down!"

The four exchanged smiles, then their figures flashed, rapidly rushing towards the volcano!

Jiang Donghua stood at the edge of the volcano. The scorching heat waves washed over him, making even his breathing feel burning, and fine beads of sweat seeped from his forehead. However, Xiao Han, Lei Lie, and Liu Qingsi beside him looked composed, clearly accustomed to this high-temperature environment.

If he went down now, he would probably be roasted into jerky.

He smiled bitterly internally, but kept a calm expression externally, merely staring intensely at the churning magma below, and slowly spoke.

"You were closer just now; you should have been able to see clearly where the Blazing Lotus grew, right?"

Lei Lie raised an eyebrow and grinned.

"What, are you still thinking about it?"

Jiang Donghua did not deny it, but simply continued.

"A heavenly material like the Blazing Lotus, besides needing the nourishment of a magma environment, usually also absorbs the essence of other nearby spirit herbs."

He paused, his tone cautious.

"Although the lotus was taken, perhaps some accompanying spiritual materials remain underneath."

He didn't state it too definitively, as this was only his speculation.

If there was nothing, it would be awkward.

Hearing this, Liu Qingsi's red lips curved slightly, a hint of amusement flashing in her eyes.

"Junior Brother, you certainly know how to speculate."

Xiao Han's gaze shifted slightly, and he said calmly.

"It is indeed possible."

Lei Lie laughed heartily and patted Jiang Donghua's shoulder.

"Alright! Since you put it that way, let's go down and search again!"

Liu Qingsi lightly flicked her finger, and a wisp of dark green poisonous mist encircled her body, forming a thin barrier that isolated the intense heat.

"Let's go. Since we're already here, we can't return empty-handed."

Seeing this, Jiang Donghua felt relieved, but immediately felt helpless, realizing he couldn't follow them down right now!

As if sensing his predicament, Liu Qingsi suddenly turned back and glanced at him with a half-smile.

"What's wrong, Junior Brother? Not going down?"

Jiang Donghua let out two dry laughs.

"My strength isn't enough. If I go down, I probably won't be able to help and will only drag you down."

Lei Lie laughed heartily.

"You're honest, kid!"

Xiao Han nodded slightly, his tone calm.

"You wait up here. We'll go down and take a look."

As his voice fell, the three figures flashed, protected by Dou Qi, and leaped directly into the volcano, rushing towards the depths inside the crater!

Jiang Donghua stood on the edge, watching their retreating figures, feeling both anticipation and nervousness.

Hopefully, they really can find something good!

The three delved deeper into the volcano. Hot magma rolled around them, and the scorching heat waves were almost suffocating.

Lei Lie, holding his long staff, searched along the edge of the magma. The tip of his staff poked up a piece of charred Magical Beast carapace, and he then shook his head in disappointment.

"It's all useless fragments. There isn't even a decent material left."

Xiao Han's gaze was sharp as he searched the rock wall inch by inch. Dou Qi condensed on his fingertips as he lightly tapped the scorching rocks, trying to find hidden crevices or concealed objects.

However, apart from the rock walls that were scorched bluish by the high temperature, he found nothing.

Liu Qingsi, meanwhile, controlled the poisonous mist, slowly sweeping it across the surface of the magma, attempting to sense if there were any residual energy fluctuations. But soon, she slightly furrowed her brows, retracted the poisonous mist, and sighed softly.

"It seems there really is nothing left."

Lei Lie scratched his head, feeling somewhat unwilling to give up.

"Didn't that kid say there might be accompanying spiritual materials? Why haven't we seen a single hair?"

Xiao Han said calmly.

"Perhaps it was already completely absorbed by the Blazing Lotus, or utterly destroyed by the aftermath of the battle just now."

Liu Qingsi chuckled softly, a hint of playfulness flashing in her eyes.

"Let's go. Let's go up and properly question our Junior Brother."

Above the volcano, Jiang Donghua was anxiously waiting.

Seeing the three leap up one after another, he quickly went to meet them, his eyes filled with anticipation.

"How was it? Did you find anything?"

Lei Lie crossed his arms and grinned, his tone carrying a degree of teasing.

"Junior Brother Jiang, your guess wasn't very accurate!"

Jiang Donghua was stunned.

"What do you mean?"

Xiao Han said calmly.

"Aside from the Magical Beast remnants, there was nothing."

Liu Qingsi slowly walked closer, lightly tapping Jiang Donghua's forehead with her fingertip, wearing a half-smile.

"Junior Brother, you weren't intentionally playing a trick on us, were you?"

Jiang Donghua instantly felt awkward, but quickly, he slightly furrowed his brow, thought for a moment, and then suddenly spoke.

"That's wrong. Where the Blazing Lotus grows, there must be accompanying spiritual materials. It's impossible for them to vanish into thin air."

His gaze sharpened as he looked toward the depths of the volcano, saying in a deep voice.

"Unless they are hidden in a more concealed location!"

Hearing this, the three exchanged glances.

Lei Lie raised an eyebrow.

"Oh? Then tell us, where else could they be hidden?"

Jiang Donghua took a deep breath and slowly uttered two words.

"Beneath the magma!"

Upon hearing this, the expressions of all three froze.

Lei Lie widened his eyes and couldn't help but rub his ears.

"What? Beneath the magma? You're not joking, are you, kid?"

Xiao Han's brows furrowed tightly, his gaze sweeping over Jiang Donghua like a knife.

"Do you know what you are saying?"

Even the usually composed Liu Qingsi withdrew her smile, and the poisonous mist on her fingertips involuntarily began to churn.

"Junior Brother, this is not a funny joke."

Jiang Donghua felt the sudden sharp aura from the three, and a layer of cold sweat immediately broke out on his back.

If not for the trust established over the past few days of interaction, he would probably have been seized immediately as someone with ill intentions.

"Please, the three of you, hear my explanation."

He quickly raised his hand to signal.

"Heavenly materials like the Blazing Lotus must form a special energy field when growing. The Lava Poison Fire Scorpion detonating the magma before its death was very likely done to conceal something."

Lei Lie scratched his head and said gruffly.

"Even if what you say makes sense, even a Dou Wang Expert wouldn't dare to easily delve deep into that."

Beneath the magma—he leaned forward to look at the boiling lava, and his Adam's apple unconsciously bobbed.

Xiao Han suddenly spoke.

"How confident are you?"