158: Chapter 117 Revisiting Nanming Volcano

The outline of Nanming Volcano grew closer in the field of view.

Dark red magma light seeped out from the mountain peak, dyeing the grey-black clouds into a blood-red color.

Chen Xuan stood at the bow of the flying boat, hand pressing on the sword hilt, his gaze sweeping over the scorched earth below.

He saw the Alliance's flying boats.

Five flying boats were parked crookedly in an open area; the hulls had scorch marks, claw marks, and several broken gaps.

People were walking below, their steps hurried, their expressions panicked.

Some were bandaging wounds, some were counting heads, and some were squatting on the ground, holding their deceased companions, silent.

When Chen Xuan's flying boat landed, everyone's eyes turned toward it.

Zhou Yuan walked out from the crowd, his grey Daoist robe stained with blood and filth, his left arm wrapped in bandages that were already soaked through with blood.

He walked up to Chen Xuan, bowed, his voice hoarse.

"Master Yun, you have come."

Chen Xuan jumped off the ship's rail, stepping onto the scorched black ground.

"What happened?"

Zhou Yuan closed his eyes.

"We encountered a group of Fire Lizards. More than a dozen Foundation Establishment Fire Lizards burst out from underground, catching us off guard."

He turned his head to look at the flying boats behind him.

"Five flying boats, two were ruined. Thirty-two people, seven died, more than a dozen were injured."

Chen Xuan's gaze swept over the crowd.

Indeed, many faces were missing.

That Loose Cultivator with the surname Meng was still there, leaning against the rail of a flying boat, chest bandaged, face pale.

The old man with the sharp tongue was also there, sitting on a rock, head lowered, expression unreadable.

But several faces were gone.

That female Cultivator with the burn scar on her face?

Chen Xuan searched through the crowd but did not see her.

"Fellow Daoist Zhou, where is that female Cultivator?"

Zhou Yuan's face darkened.

"Dead. During the Fire Lizards' first charge, she was at the very front and didn't have time to retreat."

Chen Xuan was silent for a moment.

She still had a child.

Who was taking care of that child now?

He did not ask.

Some questions have no answers even if asked.

Liu Lili walked off the flying boat, holding a bowl of soup in her hands.

She looked around, her gaze resting on the wounded for a moment, then walked to Chen Xuan's side.

"Junior Brother, they are quite heavily injured."

"Mm."

Chen Xuan took the soup bowl, took a sip, then returned the bowl to Liu Lili.

"Senior Sister, go and distribute some healing Medicinal Pills to them. We don't need to save on the stock of the Qingyuan Chamber of Commerce."

Liu Lili nodded and turned to walk toward the crowd.

She took the Medicinal Pills from her Storage Pouch and distributed them to the wounded, bottle by bottle.

Some took the Medicinal Pills, their eyes turning red.

Some knelt on the ground, kowtowing in thanks.

Some just silently accepted them, heads bowed, not speaking.

Senior Sister Wen Yao and Xiao Ye also stepped off the flying boat and stood behind Chen Xuan.

Senior Sister Wen Yao's twin swords were already unsheathed, faint spiritual light flowing on the blades.

Xiao Ye's hand pressed on his sword hilt, his gaze scanning the surroundings vigilantly.

Zhou Yuan watched Chen Xuan distribute the Medicinal Pills and was silent for a long time.

"Master Yun, thank you."

Chen Xuan shook his head.

"A small effort."

He looked at Zhou Yuan.

"How shall we proceed?"

Zhou Yuan sighed.

"Some are discussing whether to continue forward. The Fire Lizard group was just the first wave; there are more Yao Beasts ahead. Although the miasma has dissipated, those Yao Beasts have lived in the miasma for five years and have already adapted. We are different; if we inhale the miasma for too long, our Qi will decline."

He paused.

"Some people want to go back."

Chen Xuan did not reply.

He looked toward the crowd.

Some were arguing.

"Go back? Where can we go back to? Go back to Nanming Port and wait for death? Or go back to the north and continue to work like cattle and horses for The Three Sects?"

"It's better than dying here. Didn't you see how Old Zhao and the others died? Their bodies were bitten in half by a Fire Lizard in one bite; they didn't even have time to scream."

"That was just their bad luck. If we are careful, we might not have any trouble."

"Careful? How can you be careful? Those beasts burst out from underground; you won't even have time to dodge."

The argument became increasingly heated.

Some began to pack their bags and walk toward the flying boats.

Some stood in place, looking at those leaving with disdain in their eyes.

Others stood in the middle, hesitant, not knowing which side to lean toward.

Zhou Yuan walked to the center of the crowd and raised a hand to signal for silence.

"Everyone, listen to me for a moment."

The crowd quieted down.

Zhou Yuan looked at everyone.

"The volcano has been erupting for five years. We have waited in Nanming Port for five years. Now the miasma has dissipated, and the volcano can be entered. Do you really want to go back?"

He looked at those packing their bags.

"What then after you go back? Continue waiting? Wait for another five years? Or wait for The Three Sects to send someone to hand out charity?"

No one answered.

Zhou Yuan continued.

"I am not asking you to throw your lives away. I just want to say, since you have come, don't turn back easily. There is danger ahead, but there is also Opportunity. Although the Fire Lizard group was fierce, we are not without the power to fight back. Seven people died, but we killed four Fire Lizards. How many Spirit Stones can we exchange those Fire Lizard corpses for? How many Medicinal Pills can we buy?"

He looked at the crowd.

"Cultivating the Dao, isn't that what this breath of Qi is for? If you are afraid of death, don't cultivate. If you want stability, go back to the Mortals and farm."

The crowd fell silent.

Some stopped packing their bags.

Some lowered their heads, not knowing what they were thinking.

Some raised their heads, determination in their eyes.

The old man with the sharp tongue stood up and walked to Zhou Yuan's side.

"Zhou Yuan, you are right. This life of mine was picked up; if I die, it's no loss."

He looked at those who were hesitant.

"Those who want to leave, leave now; no one will stop you. Those who want to stay, follow me forward."

After he finished speaking, he turned and walked toward the flying boat.

Not toward the south, but toward the north.

He walked toward the Alliance's flying boat, stood at the rail, and looked at the volcano group ahead.

One person followed.

Two people.

Three people.

Successively, more than a dozen people walked toward the Alliance's flying boat.

There were also seven or eight people who walked toward the flying boat returning to Nanming Port.

They kept their heads down, not speaking, and silently boarded the ship.

The flying boat rose, changed direction, and flew toward the south.

Chen Xuan watched that flying boat disappear into the horizon and withdrew his gaze.

He walked to Zhou Yuan's side.

"Fellow Daoist Zhou, I will not go forward either."

Zhou Yuan was stunned.

"Master Yun, you..."

Chen Xuan shook his head.

"Not going back. Just separating."

He looked at Liu Lili.

"My wife is not suited to take further risks."

Zhou Yuan's gaze fell on Liu Lili.

Liu Lili's hand subconsciously rested behind him, her face slightly red.

Zhou Yuan bowed.

"I understand."

Chen Xuan nodded.

"I will have Senior Sister accompany her back to Nanming Port. Xiao Ye and I will continue forward."

Zhou Yuan looked at him.

"Master Yun, it is very dangerous ahead."

"I know." Chen Xuan's tone was very calm, "But the person I am looking for is inside."

Liu Lili walked over and took Chen Xuan's hand.

"Junior Brother, I am not leaving."

Chen Xuan looked at her.

"Senior Sister, you cannot take risks. This time, Nanming Volcano is extremely dangerous; ordinary Foundation Establishment Cultivators will likely fall."

"I am not afraid."

"I am."

Chen Xuan held her hand.

"Senior Sister, if you stay in Nanming Port, that is the greatest help to me. Once I find Xiao Muting and bring him back, I will return to find you."

Liu Lili's eyes turned red.

She looked at Chen Xuan for a long time.

Then she let go of his hand.

"You promise me, come back alive."

Chen Xuan nodded.

"I promise you."

Liu Lili stood on tiptoe and kissed his cheek.

Then she turned and walked toward the flying boat.

Senior Sister Wen Yao followed behind her, turning back to look at Chen Xuan.

"Junior Brother, take care."

Chen Xuan nodded.

"Senior Sister, help me take good care of her."

Senior Sister Wen Yao nodded and jumped onto the flying boat.

The flying boat rose, changed direction, and flew toward the south.

Chen Xuan watched that flying boat disappear from his field of view and withdrew his gaze.

He turned to look at Xiao Ye.

"Brother Xiao, let's go."

Xiao Ye nodded.

The two boarded the Alliance's flying boat and stood at the rail.

Zhou Yuan walked to the bow and looked forward.

"Set off."

Three flying boats rose simultaneously, changed direction, and flew toward the depths of the volcano group.

—

The deeper they went, the more scorched the ground became.

Where the magma flowed, the stones had been burned into a glass-like state, glowing with eerie colors under the dark red light.

The air was filled with the smell of sulfur, choking one's throat dry.

Chen Xuan stood at the rail, looking at the ground below.

He saw fire-attribute spiritual materials.

First-grade Fire Crystal Stones were scattered on the scorched ground like broken gems.

Second-grade Fire Copper Ore was exposed on the rock surface, shining with a dark red luster.

Third-grade Fire Lingzhi mushrooms were growing in the cracks of the rock after the magma had cooled, the caps as large as washbasins, emitting a faint red light.

They were everywhere.

Chen Xuan's pupils contracted slightly.

Although the volcanic eruption destroyed the Southern Frontier, it also turned up the spiritual materials from underground.

These things were buried deep underground before, and Foundation Establishment Cultivators could not dig them up at all.

Now they were on the ground, waiting to be picked up.

Zhou Yuan saw them too.

His breathing became rapid.

"Land."

The three flying boats landed in an open area.

The Cultivators jumped off the rails and rushed toward those spiritual materials.

Some picked up Fire Crystal Stones and stuffed them into their Storage Pouches.

Some squatted in front of the Fire Copper Ore, using Magical Artifacts to cut the Ore.

Some lay on the ground next to the Fire Lingzhi, carefully harvesting them.

Chen Xuan did not move.

He stood by the flying boat, looking around.

It was too quiet.

Spiritual materials were everywhere, yet there were no Yao Beasts.

This was not normal.

His Divine Sense spread forward.

Within ten thousand zhang, there was no sign of living things.

But there was something underground.

It was breathing.

Chen Xuan's hand pressed on his sword hilt.

"Fellow Daoist Zhou, have everyone come back."

Zhou Yuan was harvesting a Fire Lingzhi; hearing Chen Xuan's words, he looked up.

"What is it?"

"There is something underground."

As soon as Chen Xuan finished speaking, the ground split open.

Countless black tentacles burst out from the cracks and wrapped around a Cultivator who was picking up Fire Crystal Stones.

The tentacles tightened, and the sound of bones shattering exploded in the air.

The Cultivator screamed, and his body was dragged underground by the tentacles.

Blood gushed out from the cracks.

"Retreat!"

Zhou Yuan shouted.

The Cultivators dropped the spiritual materials in their hands and ran toward the flying boats.

But it was already too late.

The ground split into more cracks, and more tentacles burst out from underground.

Those tentacles were pitch black, with mucus on their surface, emitting a foul, rotting odor.

Chen Xuan drew his sword.

Sword Light Differentiation.

Nine sword lights turned into nine streaks of thunder, slashing toward the nearest tentacles.

The sword lights severed the tentacles, and black blood splattered.

The severed tentacles twisted on the ground, making squeaking sounds.

But more tentacles emerged from the cracks.

Chen Xuan saw clearly the source of those tentacles.

They were centipedes.

Giant centipedes.

They were over three zhang long, pitch black all over, with a row of blood-red eyes on their backs.

Those eyes stared at everyone, the cold vertical pupils devoid of any emotion.

Foundation Establishment Yao Beasts.

Not just one.

Chen Xuan's Divine Sense captured the aura of at least five centipedes.

All were underground, all were approaching the surface.

Zhou Yuan drew his saber and slashed off a tentacle with one stroke.

"Form a formation! Do not scatter!"

The Cultivators huddled together, their Magical Artifacts lighting up, spiritual light connecting into a single piece.

But there were too many centipede tentacles.

They were dense, surging from all directions like a black net, trapping them in the middle.

Someone was wrapped by a tentacle and dragged toward a crack.

A companion reached out to pull him, but was wrapped by another tentacle around the ankle.

Both were dragged underground together.

Screams came from underground, then stopped abruptly.

Chen Xuan's sword light did not stop.

Nine sword lights shuttled through the tentacles, every strike taking away several tentacles.

But there were too many tentacles.

Sever one, and two would emerge.

Sever two, and four would emerge.

His Qi was being consumed rapidly.

Xiao Ye stood beside him, the Low Grade Spiritual Artifact in his hand already stained with black blood.

His breathing was rapid, his face pale, but he did not retreat.

Chen Xuan gritted his teeth and drew a strand of Sword Intent from his Dantian.

The life-bound sword talisman given by his Revered Master was sealed with three strands of Golden Core Sword Intent.

If he didn't use it now, he might not have the chance.

Golden Sword Qi flew out from the jade talisman and slashed toward the ground.

The Sword Qi sank into the ground, then exploded.

The ground shook violently, and gravel flew everywhere.

The corpses of three centipedes were blasted out from underground, their bodies cut into several sections by the Sword Qi, black blood flowing all over the ground.

The remaining centipedes let out sharp hisses.

They retreated.

The tentacles withdrew into the cracks, and the cracks on the ground slowly closed.

The Cultivators stood in place, panting heavily.

Some squatted on the ground, looking at the bloodstains left behind by their companions who were dragged underground, silent.

Some knelt on the ground, hands clasped, lips trembling.

Some leaned against the flying boat, eyes closed, unable to say a word.

Zhou Yuan counted the heads.

Thirty-two people; there were thirty-two when they set off.

Now nineteen remained.

Six more had died.

Chen Xuan sheathed his sword and looked toward the volcano ahead.

The main volcano was looming in the field of view.

That was the place where Xiao Muting last appeared.

It was also the place where the true spirit of the Fire Phoenix was sleeping.

He had to go.

But how much further could the Alliance people go?

Zhou Yuan walked over and stood beside him.

"Master Yun, do we still go forward?"

Chen Xuan looked at him.

"What about you?"

Zhou Yuan was silent for a long time.

"I want to go forward. But the brothers might not want to."

He turned to look at the Cultivators behind him.

Some met his gaze and nodded.

Some lowered their heads, avoiding his line of sight.

Some walked directly toward the flying boat and began to pack their bags.

Others wanted to leave again.

Chen Xuan did not persuade them.

Everyone has their own choice.

Being afraid of death is not a mistake.

Knowing one will die and still going forward is stupid.

He was not a stupid person.

But he had a reason that he must go forward.

Zhou Yuan sighed.

"Master Yun, if you want to go forward, I will not stop you. But the Alliance cannot go further. If we go further, perhaps not a single person will be able to return."

Chen Xuan nodded.

"I understand."

He turned to look at Xiao Ye.

"Brother Xiao, stay here and go back to Nanming Port with the Alliance."

Xiao Ye shook his head.

"Brother Yun, I want to go find Mu Ting."

Chen Xuan looked at him.

"You won't be able to help even if you go. I am faster alone."

Xiao Ye gritted his teeth.

"Then promise me, bring him back."

Chen Xuan nodded.

"I promise you."

He turned and walked toward the direction of the volcano.

Behind him, Zhou Yuan's voice sounded.

"Master Yun, take care."

Chen Xuan did not look back.

He took a step and walked into the dark red light.