Sophia gazed at the old man from top to bottom with a scrutinizing gaze. The old man has long, flowing silver hair and a beard that tumbles over his chest.
His bright, twinkling blue eyes, often seen over the top of his half-moon spectacles, reflect a mind bustling with knowledge and mischief. His hands are adorned with intricately designed rings, and he carries a long staff with a trident design on top.
“W-Who are you, elder?” Sophia asked in a surprised tone. She felt like almost kneeling in front of the old man. Thankfully, the old patriarch hurriedly retracted his aura.
“Is Kent inside?” The old man asked with a peaceful smile.
“Y-yes.” Sophia replied in a dazed state.
“Call him…”
Sophia nodded her head like a servant and went inside to call Kent. Soon, Kent came hurriedly after hearing the strange description from Sophia about the old man.
“Elder, do you know me?” Kent asked with a questioning glance.
“Porus said everything about you. We don’t have much time. Follow me.” The old patriarch spoke calmly and turned around.
Kent didn’t ask any more questions after seeing the old man’s attitude. Kent clearly remembered the statue at the rising sun peak entrance, which resembled the old man before him. He informed the ladies about his departure and followed the old man into the dark night. The Fire Kirin and Jabil hurriedly followed him, even though he didn’t call for them.
As the old man didn’t object, Kent let his pet’s tail behind him.
After leaving the healing sun peak, the old man began flying in the sky without the aid of any pets. Kent hurriedly mounted the Fire Kirin and followed the old man without making any noise.
Soon, they crossed the borders of the Eternal Sun Sect and moved towards a distant volcanic mountain where bright orange lava continued to flow on one side.
As they approached close to the volcanoes, Kent began sweating all over. While the black serpent is feeling a little discomfort, the Fire Kirin is thoroughly enjoying the volcanic heat. Finally, the old man came to a stop before the large mountain base. Lifting his staff, he made some gestures on the rock surface of the volcano.
With a boulder-rolling noise, the rock morphed inside, giving a narrow pathway to move inside.
As the old man moved inside, Kent and his pets followed. Just as they entered the pathway, it began closing down from behind. But Kent’s focus is not on the closed path. With a wide, open mouth, he is staring at the hallow mountain inside, which is filled with fire crystals. And rare crystal fire herbs.
Lava pools of different sizes surfaced randomly at different places. These lava pools were feeding the rare volcanic herbs and fire crystals.
The Fire Kirin’s eyes are almost glowing, like starts after seeing these treasures. While following Kent, the Kirin continued to lick the crystals on the path with a drooling mouth. The black serpent also swallowed a few rare crystal herbs.
After walking through several twists and turns, the old man stopped before a large, crimson-red pond where water boiling like sugar syrup. Kent came to stop beside him and began watching the pond, which is surrounded by several weird leafless trees.
The old man flicked his hand, and a strange pill appeared in his hands. He passed it to Kent while staring at the pond.
“Swallow this before dipping in that water. Take exactly 33 dips and collect the small fruits of these leafless trees as many as you can. Don’t pick from the ground; only collect from the tree. I will come back shortly.” The old man replied in a calm tone.
By the time Kent lifted his head from the pill, the old man had already disappeared from Kent’s side. Wondering where the old man went, Kent swallowed the pill and moved towards the hot pond, where water bubbling.
“Human… Jabil wants to taste the fruits of these trees.” Jabil, the serpent beast, asked Kent in a requesting tone.
“You better control yourself. Finish the fruits that fell from the tree. But don’t touch the ones on the tree.” Kent replied with a serious look.
Both Jabil and Kavi nodded their heads like chickens and hurriedly ran towards the trees. Shaking his head in a smile, Kent stepped inside the bubbling pond. Maybe because of the pill effect, Kent felt the bubbling water, very cold. He felt surprised by the sudden change in temperature of the water, which was situated in the volcano.
Feeling the coldness and calming nature of the pond, Kent closed his eyes and began taking dips with a count. The chilling feeling began invading Kent’s body with each dip. After ten dips, ice flakes began forming on his body. After the 13th dip, his legs solidified underwater with ice. Kent paused for a minute as he adjusted his aura.
“Seems like it is a test.” Kent muttered while taking another dip.
With each dip, his body began solidifying under water, and a layer of ice began imprisoning him. After the 25th dip, his body solidified until his waist. Circulating his fire, Dao Kent continued his act.
As he reached toward the end, it became hard for Kent to bend his body and dip inside. He began leaning back and forth to completely dip inside. By the time of the 31st dip, Kent’s chest had solidified with ice. Exclusive tales from freewebnovel
With a quick call, Jabil came for Kent’s help. He surrounded Kent’s body and began dipping him in and out of water.
“31… 32…” Kent almost became an ice block. Even Jabil began gasping for air. Thankfully, the Fire Kirin began breaking fire on the surface of the pond to help.
“Thirty-three…” With a heavy breath, Kent’s body got up from the pond water. In the next instance, the entire ice broke into bits, and the pond water soon turned warm, which was comforting for Kent.
“What is this feeling?” Kent muttered as he stared at his body. His nerves turned a fiery red color, and his face glowed in the reflection of the pond water.
“Human, why do you look so feminine?” Jabil asked with a bewildered face. Kent’s skin almost turned glossy white with smooth muscles.
“I’m doomed…” Kent muttered with a shocked gaze.