The two of them nodded their heads before turning back towards the center of the chamber.
The Pure Flame Heart Crystal, now unguarded, pulsed brightly in the center of the chamber.
“Let’s check out what we have gotten this time,” Shen Yuan said, glancing at the crystal.
The group began walking towards the crystal as he popped up a few Qi replenishing pills in his mouth.
‘I exhausted more of my Qi than I had anticipated, looks like my current limit is somewhere in the Dao Core Forming Realm,’ he said to Yue Lan while walking.
[Yes, remember that the Lava Wyrm didn’t have a higher tier bloodline, otherwise it would have been much harder for you to win. At that level he might have already learned Fire Intent to the fourth level if its bloodline was higher.]
Shen Yuan nodded his head in agreement, ‘I need to reach the battle strength equal to the peak of Dao Core Forming Realm before breaking through to the Extreme Origin Core Realm.’
Shen Yuan, Wan Ling, and Han Qingyu approached the Pure Flame Heart Crystal cautiously.
The chamber’s oppressive heat had lessened with the Lava Wyrm’s death, but the crystal still radiated immense Fire Qi, its golden-red glow casting flickering reflections on the molten rivers around it.
“This crystal is even more magnificent up close,” Wan Ling said, her eyes sparkling with awe. “It’s practically pulsating with enough Qi to make someone reach the Extreme Origin Core Realm in one go.”
Han Qingyu nodded, her silver eyes scanning the area for any other traps or dangers. “Be careful. Treasures of this grade often have hidden dangers, even after their guardian has been defeated.”
Shen Yuan smiled faintly, sensing the tense atmosphere Han Qingyu’s words had created. “Don’t worry. I’ve got this.”
He extended his hand, his Qi flowing steadily as he enveloped the Pure Flame Heart Crystal with his energy.
A subtle hum resonated through the chamber, but nothing unexpected happened.
Carefully, Shen Yuan lifted the crystal, its weight surprisingly light in his hands despite the overwhelming energy it contained.
“It’s stable,” Shen Yuan softly said, placing the crystal into a specially prepared storage artifact. “This will come in handy later.”
Wan Ling clapped her hands together excitedly. “Brother Yuan, this treasure is incredible! The Sect would surely reward you greatly for bringing it back.”
Han Qingyu, though more reserved, couldn’t hide the faint smile tugging at her lips. “Indeed. But knowing you, Senior Brother, I doubt you will hand it over to the sect.”
Shen Yuan chuckled, nodding slightly. “You’re not wrong. I’ve already thought of a few uses for this crystal, but let’s move on. There’s more to explore in this region.”
The trio exited the chamber, they could still feel the oppressive heat of the volcano stinging their backs, but it had lessened after the demise of the Lava Wyrm.
As they reached the ground above, they began venturing deeper into the volcanic region, the landscape shifted into a maze of jagged obsidian rocks, molten rivers, and glowing vents.
Over the next few days, the group went through multiple caverns and hidden chambers, they found most of them empty but also had quite some gains in a few of them.
They found a lot of Fire Spirit Herbs and fire-attributed blacksmithing material ranging from Mortal tier to Heaven Tier. They also found rare treasures of heaven and earth such as Crimson Lotus Seeds, Blazing Essence Dew, and many more.
Wan Ling’s radiant aura grew brighter as her bloodline passively absorbed the fiery Qi around her. “Brother Yuan, this place is incredible! The treasures here could elevate even ordinary disciples to great heights.”
Han Qingyu nodded, her spear faintly glowing with Fire Qi from the enriched environment. “The sheer density of Fire Qi in this region is as high as the top cultivation chambers back in the sect. It’s no wonder the sect sends disciples here sparingly.”
Shen Yuan’s expression remained calm as he replied with a smile. “This region is rich with opportunity, but it’s also filled with lurking dangers. There is a reason the sect has claimed this area, no other Sect in the surrounding region is as rich as our sect after all.”
“True, this is the perfect place for tempering Inner Sect Disciples, since the disciples cultivate Radiant Qi this place is quite suitable for us,” Han Qingyu nodded her head while agreeing with Shen Yuan.
As they ventured further, they reached a massive volcanic crater filled with bubbling lava and surrounded by jagged spires of obsidian.
At its center was a massive cluster of glowing stones suspended above the molten pool, radiating a blinding brilliance.
“Those are… Fire Starstones,” Han Qingyu breathed, her voice tinged with excitement. “They’re used in forging Earth tier fire-attributed artifacts.”
Shen Yuan nodded, his gaze focused. “Let’s collect them, we can give it back to the sect to show our appreciation. But be careful, there’s bound to be more guardians or natural traps in a place like this.”
[Aren’t you the sole blacksmith of the sect? All this will end up back in your pocket anyways.]
‘Haha,’ Shen Yuan just smirked and didn’t reply back to Yue Lan as he looked towards the center of the volcano.
The moment Shen Yuan moved toward the Fire Starstones, the ground trembled violently. From the molten pool emerged a swarm of fiery serpent-like creatures, their glowing scales flickering with destructive Fire Qi.
Each one exuded the aura of the Origin Core Creation Realm/Beast General Realm.
“They’re Lava Serpents!” Wan Ling exclaimed, drawing her sword. “There are so many!”
Shen Yuan smirked, his crimson blade flashing with murderous intent. “Good. A bit of exercise before the next treasure.”
The three worked in perfect harmony, Shen Yuan leading the charge while Wan Ling and Han Qingyu supported him.
Sparks and flames chaotically weaved through the air as the Lava Serpents lunged, their molten bodies coiling and aiming with deadly precision.
“Radiant Lotus Slash!” Wan Ling cried, her blade emitting a golden arc that severed multiple serpents in one strike.
“Tempest Spear!” Han Qingyu’s spear spun like a whirlwind, creating a vortex of Wind and Fire Qi that incinerated the serpents attempting to flank her. Continue your adventure at empire
Shen Yuan, in the midst of the chaos, used Void Steps to weave between the serpents, his strikes precise and lethal. His blade crackled with thunder as he unleashed Heavenly Thunder Sword, obliterating several serpents in a single, devastating blast.
Within moments, the battlefield was silent, the molten remains of the Lava Serpents sinking back into the lava pool.
Shen Yuan sheathed his blade, calmly looking at the drowning corpses of the beasts before coolly saying, “They are not worthy enough to be collected.”
Wan Ling wiped sweat from her brow, her face glowing with pride. “Thank you, Brother Yuan.”
Han Qingyu gave a faint smile, though her eyes reflected admiration for Shen Yuan’s strength and consideration.
[Hey hey, stop using your space intent to collect the bodies of those beasts, you just said they are worthless.]
Yue Lan disdainfully said as she felt him using his space intent to collect the corpses of the beasts.
‘They are worthless to me, not to Xueyan, give all these corpses to her and leave the cores alone, both mutated and normal, I can practice blacksmithing and alchemy with them.’ Shen Yuan chuckled while saying.
