158: Fire Spirit Lotus, feelings secretly blossom

After Transmigration through the Lava Rift, the scene before them did not become gentler; instead, it grew even more intense.

The fire poison permeating the air was several times thicker, even beginning to corrode Dou Qi defenses.

The ground was no longer cracked earth and stone, but vast expanses of semi-solidified, bubbling hot lava lakes, with only a few rugged paths of cooled black basalt available for footing.

The roar of volcanic eruptions in the distance became more frequent, and the sky was stained an ominous dark red by smoke and fire.

Among the Yan Clan team, those Dou Zong Disciples already required two Dou Zun Elders to take turns releasing protective shields to barely sustain themselves, and their marching speed had visibly slowed.

Medusa, relying on her powerful Seven-Colored Sky Swallowing Python Bloodline and Dou Zun Cultivation, could still protect herself, but a hint of solemnity had appeared between her brows.

Xiao Yi Xian, on the other hand, almost entirely relied on the wisp of Nirvana Dou Qi Li Ao had infused into her to resist the fire poison, her complexion always bearing an unhealthy flush.

"The fire poison here can already corrode Dou Zun defenses; everyone, stay close and don't fall behind!" Elder Huo Yun's voice was grave.

Substantial flames burned around him, incinerating the approaching fire poison, but a hint of fatigue showed in his eyes.

Maintaining a large-scale defense for a long time was quite taxing for him.

Li Ao walked at the very front of the team, his Annihilation Domain naturally spread out.

Within three zhang of him, it was like an absolute "pure land"; whether it was violent fire energy or insidious fire poison, upon approaching, they would quickly become peaceful or even annihilated.

He was like a mobile safe haven, greatly reducing the pressure on the team behind him.

The Yan Clan members' gazes towards him already carried a hint of reliance.

"According to the map and energy flow perception, we are approaching an area called the 'fire lotus Marsh'," Li Ao's Soul Power spread out as he carefully sensed, "There seems to be an extremely pure fire-attribute energy source there, but it is also accompanied by strong life fluctuations, so there's likely a powerful Guardian."

No sooner had he finished speaking than points of magnificent crimson light suddenly lit up in the center of a relatively calm lava lake ahead.

Looking closely, they were actually lotuses rooted in the lava, slowly blooming!

The lotuses were entirely crimson, like red jade carvings, with natural flame patterns flowing on their petals, emitting pure and gentle fire-attribute energy, completely different from the surrounding environment's ferocity.

"That is... Fire Spirit Demonic Lotus!" Elder Huo Yun's eyes burst with surprised light.

"And they are mature Fire Spirit Demonic Lotuses! This item contains extremely pure Fire Spirit Power, which is of great benefit to our clan's Cultivation, and it is also the main material for refining some high-grade fire-attribute Medicinal Pills!

I didn't expect to encounter them here!"

However, his surprise was quickly replaced by vigilance.

Heaven and Earth Spiritual Treasures must have Demonic Beast Guardians.

The Guardian of the Fire Spirit Demonic Lotuses that could grow in the center of this fire lotus Marsh was certainly not comparable to a Lava Earth Lizard.

Indeed, as everyone approached, the surface of the lava lake churned violently, and a huge shadow slowly rose from the bottom of the lake.

It was a giant python over a hundred zhang long, covered in dark red crystalline scales, with a triangular head and a burning flame rune on its forehead.

Its pair of snake eyes were cold and merciless, staring intently at the intruders.

The aura it emitted had actually reached the eighth-tier level, equivalent to a human Three-Star Dou Zun!

"Eighth-tier Demonic Beast, Heaven-Burning Flame Python!" Elder Huo Yun's expression changed.

"This beast has considerable intelligence and can control the lava and flames here; it's extremely troublesome!"

The Heaven-Burning Flame Python evidently regarded the Fire Spirit Demonic Lotuses as its private Domain.

Upon seeing people approach, it immediately let out a sharp hiss, its massive body churning the lava, raising monstrous fire waves that swept towards everyone!

At the same time, it opened its mouth and spewed out an extremely condensed white fire pillar, which twisted the space wherever it passed!

"Form a Formation! Flame Dragon Heaven-Burning Formation!" Elder Huo Yun shouted loudly.

Four Yan Clan Dou Zun Elders immediately occupied the four cardinal directions, with twenty Dou Zong Disciples in the center.

Vast flame Dou Qi gathered, transforming into a colossal Flame Dragon that was in no way inferior to the Heaven-Burning Flame Python, roaring as it met the white fire pillar and the monstrous fire waves!

"Boom—!!!"

The collision of flames erupted into a destructive energy storm, pressing down the surrounding lava lake surface by several zhang!

The Yan Clan's Formation was exquisite, and with everyone's combined efforts, they barely withstood the Heaven-Burning Flame Python's assault, but it was clearly extremely strenuous, and the Flame Dragon's light visibly dimmed at a rapid pace.

Seeing that its attack had not been effective, the Heaven-Burning Flame Python's snake eyes grew fiercer.

Its massive body suddenly dove into the lava, and the next moment, countless huge tentacles formed from solidified lava, like giant pythons emerging from their lair, coiled towards the Yan Clan team from all directions!

"Be careful!" Elder Huo Yun controlled the Flame Dragon to forcefully tear apart several tentacles, but more tentacles surged endlessly, and the Formation began to totter.

Just then, Li Ao moved.

He ignored the lava tentacles and instead focused his gaze on the Heaven-Burning Flame Python's main body, hidden in the lava lake.

He could feel that this Demonic Python was almost integrated with the surrounding environment, its energy nearly inexhaustible; a prolonged battle would be extremely disadvantageous to the Yan Clan team.

"Cai Lin, Xian'er, you two assist with the defense," Li Ao instructed the two women beside him, then his figure transformed into a gray streak, ignoring the waving lava tentacles, and directly shot into the churning lava lake!

"Li Ao!" Xiao Yi Xian exclaimed, her beautiful eyes filled with worry.

Medusa's purple eyes narrowed, her Seven-Colored Dou Qi transforming into streaks of power, shattering several lava tentacles that attempted a sneak attack, guarding Xiao Yi Xian, and said coolly, "Trust him."

As Li Ao submerged into the lava, his Annihilation Domain formed an invisible sphere around him.

The scorching lava, hot enough to melt refined iron, rapidly cooled and solidified upon approaching him, then was pushed away by the power of the Domain.

He was like a deep-sea submersible, rapidly diving towards the core location of the Heaven-Burning Flame Python, which he sensed.

The Heaven-Burning Flame Python also noticed this little bug that had directly intruded into its territory, letting out an angry hiss.

Its huge snake tail, carrying immense power, churned the lava, sweeping towards Li Ao like a mountain range!

In the viscous lava, movement was obstructed, and evasion was extremely difficult.

Li Ao's eyes flashed with sharpness; he did not dodge, but formed a hand seal in front of his chest, Soul Power and Nirvana Origin frantically surging into his fingertips!

"Nirvana... Cage!"

He suddenly pushed his hands forward, and a cage, seemingly only a zhang in circumference, composed of countless gray-white runes, abruptly appeared, ignoring the violent lava, instantly manifesting before the Heaven-Burning Flame Python's sweeping giant tail, then violently expanded, actually encompassing most of its tail!

"Buzz—!"

The snake tail enveloped by the Nirvana Cage instantly stiffened!

The dark red scales on it visibly lost their luster at a rapid pace, turning gray-white, then shattered inch by inch like weathered rock!

That terrifying power of Annihilation was rapidly spreading upwards along the snake tail!

"Hiss-roar—!!!"

The Heaven-Burning Flame Python let out a shriek of pain and fear it had never experienced before; it felt its very life Origin being forcibly stripped away and ended by that power!

It struggled desperately, churning the entire lava lake as if it were boiling, but the Nirvana Cage clung to it like a persistent disease, firmly locking it down!

Li Ao's face was slightly pale; maintaining the Nirvana Cage was an immense burden for him at present.

He gritted his teeth, his Soul Power pouring out frantically, urging the cage's power of Annihilation!

Outside, the pressure on the Yan Clan members suddenly decreased.

Without the Heaven-Burning Flame Python's precise control, the lava tentacles became chaotic and their power greatly diminished.

Elder Huo Yun seized the opportunity to control the Flame Dragon, tearing them completely apart.

Everyone's eyes were nervously fixed on the continuously churning lava lake surface.

After about ten-odd breaths, the churning of the lake surface gradually subsided.

A gray light shot out from the lake, landing back on the shore; it was Li Ao.

His aura was somewhat disordered, but his eyes were still sharp.

Immediately after, the enormous body of the Heaven-Burning Flame Python slowly floated up.

Most of its body, especially its tail, had turned a desolate gray-white, devoid of any life.

Only the head part still retained a trace of dark red, but its pair of snake eyes had also completely dimmed.

The eighth-tier Demonic Beast, Heaven-Burning Flame Python, had fallen!

Silence, a deathly silence.

The Yan Clan members looked at the huge snake corpse, then at Li Ao, whose face was slightly pale but still stood tall, and a tempestuous surge rose in their hearts.

An eighth-tier Demonic Beast of the Three-Star Dou Zun level was actually... resolved just like that?

Could this really be done by a One-Star Dou Zun?

Elder Huo Yun took a deep breath, suppressing the shock in his heart, and looked at Li Ao with equal respect: "Young Friend Li, this time... thank you so much!"

Li Ao waved his hand, adjusted his aura, and said, "Elder, you're too kind; it's just part of my duty.

Let's go collect the Fire Spirit Demonic Lotuses first."

With the crisis resolved, everyone's gaze finally turned to the several Fire Spirit Demonic Lotuses in the center of the lake, emitting an alluring luster.

Elder Huo Yun personally took action, carefully plucking seven mature Demonic Lotuses, his face beaming with the joy of harvest.

He took out three of the best-looking ones and presented them to Li Ao: "Young Friend Li, your contribution to this battle was immense.

Please accept these three Demonic Lotuses.

Whether used for Cultivation or Alchemy, they have extraordinary effects."

Li Ao did not decline, accepting the Demonic Lotuses and feeling the pure Fire Spirit Power within them, he nodded.

He handed one to Xiao Yi Xian: "Xian'er, this item contains pure life fire energy; it might help you balance the cold poisonous Qi in your body, but be careful when refining it."

He then handed one to Medusa: "Cai Lin, although your Bloodline tends towards coldness, extremes reverse.

Using the fire energy of this lotus for Body Tempering might stimulate deeper potential within your Bloodline."

The two women accepted the Demonic Lotuses, and warm currents surged in their hearts.

Xiao Yi Xian was moved by his meticulous care, while Medusa felt his dedication to her Cultivation.

Li Ao kept one for himself, intending to research or use it for Alchemy in the future.

After this battle, the team's morale greatly boosted, and their trust in Li Ao reached its peak.

After a short rest, the team set off again, continuing their journey towards the deeper and more dangerous "Flame Abyss" of the fire Domain.

And the relationship between Li Ao and the two beauties also grew closer in this dangerous situation and their shared battles.

An unspoken understanding and affection quietly blossomed in the scorching Hell.