Douluo Continent: Martial Soul Young Gilas, Sandstorm King!

Chapter 69 Volcanic Past, Strange Roars!

Three days later, the undulating, scarred southern volcanic belt finally stood before Lin Xia and Lou Gao.

The air was scorching and distorted, filled with the pungent smell of sulfur, as if every breath carried sparks.

Looking out, a dozen active volcanoes either spew thick smoke or have dark red lava lakes accumulating on their summits, turning the leaden sky orange-red.

The earth was scorched black, filled with solidified lava flows and steaming cracks, with only the most tenacious strange plants with leaves as red as flames scattered in the crevices of the scalding rocks.

"Hiss... This godforsaken place, after more than ten years, is still so... spectacular that it takes your breath away."

Lou Gao wiped away the sweat that had trickled down his temples and instantly dried in the heat. His heavy breathing seemed somewhat labored in the scorching air.

The specially made leather vest, infused with fire-retardant material, was already soaked with sweat and clung tightly to his burly body.

Lin Xia felt her mouth was parched, and sweat trickled down her forehead and neck like a stream, soaking her inner lining.

He tugged at his collar, trying to catch a whiff of coolness, but his gaze was fixed on the scene before him.

Shocking, absolutely stunning!

This is the immense power of volcanic eruption, beyond the reach of human capabilities, on the edge of a forbidden zone for life.

What surprised him even more were the soul beasts that roamed at the foot of the volcano and along the edge of the lava flow.

Groups of lava lizards lay lazily on the scorching obsidian, their crimson scales gleaming slightly in the heat. They merely glanced indifferently at the intruders with their amber vertical pupils before closing their eyes again, as if enjoying a sunbath.

Several larger, pangolin-like soul beasts, with shells as rough as cooled lava and dark red light flowing through their crevices, were digging at something with their sharp claws. They were completely oblivious to the appearance of Lin Xia and the others, only occasionally slapping the ground with their thick tails, sending up a few sparks.

Even at a steaming geothermal spring, Lin Xia saw a colossal beast, seemingly constructed of molten rock with lava flowing from its joints. Its massive body was half-submerged in the churning boiling water, emitting a satisfied, low growl like the friction of rocks, completely oblivious to the humans standing nearby.

"Teacher, these...they're way too 'friendly'!"

Lin Xia lowered her voice, her tone filled with disbelief and confusion.

This is completely different from his common knowledge that soul beasts have a strong sense of territory and are wary or even hostile towards humans.

Although most of these soul beasts don't have particularly strong auras and are around a thousand years old, this collective "ignorance" is rather eerie.

Lou Gao looked at the familiar yet unfamiliar scene before him, his emotions deepening.

"Hey, I didn't expect that after more than ten years, these guys are still the same. When we first came to prospect for minerals, they were just like this, lazy and indifferent to us humans, as if we were just moving rocks."

Lin Xia's curiosity was immediately piqued, and she pressed for an answer:
"Teacher, you said last time something changed? They started attacking you? Why?"

Lou Gao's smile froze slightly, and a complex look flashed in his eyes, a mixture of lingering fear, confusion, and deep regret for not being able to explore further that time.

Lou Gao shook his head, his rough fingers unconsciously rubbing the heavy magazine pouch containing specially made "void bullets" hanging from his waist.

"The specific reason? To be honest, even I, an old man, am completely baffled."

Lou Gao's voice lowered, carrying the weight of memories. "That time, we were lucky. On the side of an inconspicuous volcano, we dug up several veins of high-quality earth fire crystals and crimson copper ore, and made a great haul."

"Everyone was excited as we approached the core ore zone that might exist deeper inside. Just as we were about to concentrate our efforts and dig deeper in one direction..."

The building paused for a moment, as if the sound could still be heard.

"...A cry came without warning from the depths of the earth. The sound... was strange, unlike the roar of an ordinary soul beast, more like... a command? Or a warning? that pierced the soul and carried a certain rhythm?"

"The moment that sound rang out, the entire volcanic area changed!"

Lou Gao's tone carried a hint of trepidation.

“Those lazy guys outside sunbathing and dozing off were suddenly whipped hard by an invisible lash, their eyes turning bloodshot instantly! They let out low, threatening roars! They no longer ignored us, but surrounded us from all directions, blocking the mine exit and driving us away.”

They gestured with the height of the building.

“They didn’t really attack with deadly force; it was more like… a deterrent. Their claws slammed on the rocks as a warning, their small fireballs landed at our feet to block us, and their massive bodies squeezed out our space.”

“That look… was no longer indifferent, but filled with… a sense of 'protection'? As if we were coveting their most important thing. We tried to communicate and defend, but there were too many of them, and they seemed to only want to force us out.”

"There was no other way but to retreat in a sorry state, carrying the ore we had already mined, amidst the increasingly intense roars and earth-shaking throbbing."

Lou Gao sighed and patted a scorching hot rock next to him.

"Since then, this ancient mining area has been a thorn in my side. I can't forget it! I always feel that deep underground, there are secrets and treasures that are far beyond our imagination."

Lin Xia's heart was filled with turmoil after hearing this.

The description of the tall building instantly reminded him of many things—the guardian beast of the divine inheritance site?

Or is it a terrifying being powerful enough to rule over this volcanic area?
But as he thought, without seeing it with his own eyes, any speculation is just empty talk.

Lin Xia suppressed her turbulent thoughts and returned to the real-world problem.

"Teacher, where should we start this time? Should we go to the same spot as last time?"

Lou Gao glared at Lin Xia with annoyance upon hearing this, then burst into laughter, his voice particularly loud in the scorching air.

"You brat! Have you been blinded by this sweltering heat? Why are you asking this old man instead of using this 'living treasure-hunting radar' right here?"

A large, fan-like hand patted Lin Xia's shoulder forcefully, then pointed to Young Giras, who was curiously scratching at the scorching black sand with its little paws, its scarlet eyes looking around, clearly also excited by the rich earth fire energy of this place.

"Let it come! This little monster's nose is a hundred times better than my lousy map and half-baked experience! This time, let's follow its instincts! Wherever it smells 'fragrant,' that's where we'll dig!"

Lin Xia slapped her forehead and laughed.

"Haha, it's my fault! I've gotten so used to following your instructions these past few days that I've overlooked our greatest asset."

(End of this chapter)