The oppressive heat seemed to ease slightly as Wan Ling adjusted to her new Radiant Flame Bloodline. Her aura had now stabilized as she seemed to be stably at the First Level of Origin Core Creation Realm.
Wan Ling felt her aura and looked at Shen Yuan, “Senior Broth-“
“You can just call me Brother Yuan or Yuan’er, just as the rest of them call me.” He softly said with a sweet smile on his face.
Wan Ling’s face lit up as she happily nodded, “Ok Brother Yuan.”
Shen Yuan nodded his head, “Yes, so what were you asking?”
“I wanted to ask about the Origin Core Creation Realm. How many times should I refine my core? Before this I thought even 5 refinements might be stretching my limit, but now…” She opened and closed her palm while looking at herself in wonder.
Shen Yuan chuckled and nodded, “It’s good that you asked, you should always consult with me or Big Sis Bing Rong if you have any doubts about cultivation. You should go for 9 refinements during Origin Core Creation Realm.”
Han Qingyu and Wan Ling’s eyes widened in shock.
“Ni-Nine refinements? Brother Yuan, I don’t think even the best disciples of the Radiant Lotus Sacred Sect can do that.” Wan Ling softly said.
Han Qingyu nodded her head, “Yes, even I thought it would be risky for me to get 6 refinements.”
“Don’t compare yourself with the mediocre geniuses of this backward place. I will give you a different cultivation technique and pill later, Wan Ling, you should cultivate with them instead, doing Nine revolutions will almost be guaranteed with them.”
Wan Ling’s eyes lit up as she nodded her head repeatedly, “I will do that then, Brother Yuan.”
Han Qingyu seemed to want to say something but stayed silent in the end.
Shen Yuan noticed this but didn’t say anything as it was not yet time for him to make a move on her.
[Why don’t you just confess at this point? We all can see she desperately wants to be with you.]
‘What’s the fun in that? Not like I’m letting her go from me. Rushed love will wither sooner rather than later. Let her accept her feelings herself first, it won’t be too late for this after all.’ Shen Yuan softly answered Yue Lan.
[…You are just playing hard to get.]
‘…’
Shen Yuan ignored her words and continued leading the way deeper.
…
As they ventured further, the group discovered more valuable resources: rare fire-attributed herbs, glowing minerals embedded in the walls, and even a small vein of Fire Spirit Crystals.
Each treasure was carefully stored away by the group in either a special container or directly in their storage rings.
Eventually, the cavern’s path opened into a vast chamber filled with flowing rivers of molten lava.
At the center of the chamber stood a massive crystalline formation, glowing with intense golden-red light. Its presence radiated an overwhelming aura of Fire Qi.
Shen Yuan’s eyes narrowed. “A Pure Flame Heart Crystal. Now this is what we call a treasure.”
Han Qingyu looked at the crystal intently. “This could enhance any fire cultivation technique or even forge a weapon strong enough to rival heaven-grade artifacts.”
Wan Ling nodded, her excitement barely contained. “Senior Brother, we must take this with us!”
Shen Yuan held up a hand, silencing them. His calm gaze scanned the entire chamber, sensing the dense, volatile energy surrounding the crystal. “Someone is guarding it.”
The oppressive heat of the chamber surged as the molten lava churned violently, spewing bursts of fire and ash into the air.
The calmness around the Pure Flame Heart Crystal shattered as a monstrous roar thundered through the cavern.
A massive shadow rose from beneath the lava, its form towering and serpentine, radiating an aura of destruction.
It was a Lava Wyrm, its molten scales glowing like smoldering embers, veins of liquid fire coursing through its massive body.
Its glowing eyes burned with intelligence and rage, staring intently at the intruders with predatory intent.
Shen Yuan’s eyes narrowed. “Dao Core Forming Realm,” he muttered, his tone slightly excited. “A Beast Lord. This won’t be simple.”
Wan Ling and Han Qingyu instinctively took a step back, their auras rising defensively due to the intense heat.
Wan Ling gripped her sword tighter, while Han Qingyu’s spear gleamed with her dual-element Qi.
“Go back to the entrance,” Shen Yuan commanded steadily. “This is beyond either of you.”
Wan Ling hesitated, her voice trembling. “But Brother Yuan—”
“No,” he said firmly, his gaze softening only slightly. “Trust me. I’ll handle this. Just stay safe.”
Han Qingyu’s jaw tightened, but she nodded. “Understood, Brother Yuan. Don’t overextend yourself.”
The two quickly retreated, casting anxious glances back as Shen Yuan, who was stepping calmly toward the giant beast.
The Lava Wyrm let out another earth-shaking roar, its molten body coiling as it prepared to strike.
Shen Yuan exhaled, steadying himself as he reached out to summon Crimson Devourer, the blood-red blade appearing in his hand with a rumble of energy.
Sparks of thunder and radiant light intertwined around him as his Qi surged, each element resonating with unrelenting power.
The Lava Wyrm lunged, its colossal jaws snapping toward him, molten fire dripping from its fangs.
Shen Yuan vanished in a blur, Void Step Technique teleporting him effortlessly out of the beast’s attack range.
He reappeared a dozen meters away, the ground beneath him scorched from the beast’s attack.
“Radiant Lotus Slash!” Shen Yuan roared, swinging Crimson Devourer in an arc. A brilliant crescent of radiant energy exploded from the blade, tearing into the beast’s molten scales.
The attack left a deep gash, molten rock and flames spilling from the wound as the wyrm roared in fury.
The Lava Wyrm retaliated instantly, its massive tail whipping through the air like a fiery battering ram.
Shen Yuan activated Luminous Shadow Step, his form flickering like a mirage as he weaved through the deadly onslaught.
The ground where he once stood exploded, sending shards of molten rock flying.
“Do better than that,” Shen Yuan muttered, his voice low but charged with adrenaline. His form flickered again, and he closed the distance in an instant using Thunderbolt Flash Step.
“Thunderbolt Palm!” Shen Yuan’s hand crackled with destructive energy as he slammed it against the wyrm’s side.
A deafening explosion of lightning rippled through the beast, forcing it to skid back, its massive body carving a trench into the lava-coated ground.
The Lava Wyrm let out a guttural roar, its molten scales glowing brighter as it unleashed a torrent of fire infused with second level Fire Intent. The flames surged forward like a tidal wave, the heat so intense that the air itself seemed to ripple.
Shen Yuan raised his hand. “Lightning Barrier!” An electric dome materialized around him, the cascading fire splashing harmlessly against the crackling shield.
Sparks flew in every direction as the shield absorbed the impact, leaving Shen Yuan unharmed.
The wyrm’s rage only grew. It lashed out with its claws, its molten talons cutting through the air with terrifying speed. Shen Yuan’s Void Steps activated in an instant, his body flickering out of existence and reappearing above the beast.