Breaking the Masked Man

If she really finds the strange fire this time, she might be able to borrow it from Yao Yan in the future, thereby transforming her bloodline!

"Coming."

Yao Yan chuckled upon hearing this, his gaze becoming intense, and he quickened his pace. Ever since he cultivated the Burning Technique and successfully devoured the Illusionary Gold Flame through it, he was now filled with a longing for these powerful flames and strange fires.

Once he successfully devours the Azure Lotus Earth Core Flame, not only will his Burning Technique advance, but his strength will also increase by leaps and bounds. Furthermore, when he meets Hun Xuzi in the future, he will have an excuse to ask the other party to help him plan for a different kind of flame!

If the Burning Technique were merely a cultivation method, it would be utterly useless to someone like Hun Xuzi, like a chicken rib.

But if Yao Yan successfully cultivates the Burning Technique and successfully devours several different kinds of strange fire, its significance will be very different!

As time passed, the three soon arrived in a fiery red world.

A massive cavern came into view, with fiery red magma flowing slowly within. Every now and then, huge bubbles would rise to the surface, only to burst open suddenly, spewing out scorching magma and radiating a blazing heat. Dense fire energy filled this small world.

At this moment, Yao Yan felt that the Burning Technique within his body was affected by the energy of the surrounding world, and its circulation speed became faster. Just like a human seeing delicious food, the Burning Technique seemed to have also sensed the 'deliciousness' that was so close at hand.

"Strange fire..."

As Yao Yan felt the yearning within his body, he couldn't help but sigh. He knew that when he first devoured the Illusionary Gold Flame, his body had never experienced such a change. Perhaps sensing the aura of the strange fire, every cell in his body was now rejoicing.

Cai Lin and Hai Bodong are both powerful Dou Huangs. With their physical strength and Dou Qi, they naturally don't need to worry about the high temperature around them.

"There's no way out. It seems the strange fire you're looking for might be in the magma."

Cai Lin's cold, beautiful eyes swept across the entire area. After a moment, she looked down at the crimson lava below and said in a slightly hushed voice.

Yao Yan stared at the magma and slowly said, "The Azure Lotus Earth Core Flame... It is a strange flame born from magma, born deep in the earth, and has undergone countless tempering, fusion, compression, and sculpting by the earth's fire. It takes ten years to become a spirit, a hundred years to take shape, and a thousand years to become a lotus!"

"Go down and see for yourself."

Hai Bodong was also filled with curiosity about the Azure Lotus Earth Core Flame. After all, he had only heard of strange flames before, but had never seen one in person. It was said that when a strange flame appeared, all other flames would submit. He really wanted to see this wonder born of heaven and earth. At this moment, he seemed to have rediscovered the feeling of adventure he had when he was young.

"Let's go."

Yao Yan smiled, and golden flames appeared around him, enveloping his entire body. He then transformed into a stream of light and disappeared into the magma.

Cai Lin and Hai Bodong followed closely behind.

The scorching lava was now indistinguishable from a hot spring.

However, shortly after the three of them entered the lava, a huge, mysterious creature charged towards them. At the same time, Queen Medusa let out a cold snort, and a purple giant snake phantom appeared behind her. Its cold snake eyes stared at them, causing the creature to pause and not dare to approach any further.

This also allowed the three of them to see its appearance clearly.

This was a serpentine monster, extremely long, probably at least four or five zhang long by rough estimation. Its entire body was fiery red, seemingly merging with the magma. From a distance, it looked like a perfectly round piece of fire jade. Its body surface was covered with palm-sized red scales. It also had two heads. At the forked part of its long neck, two ferocious heads stared with huge diamond-shaped pupils, glaring angrily at Yao Yan and the others.

"A fourth-tier magical beast?"

Although Hai Bodong couldn't recognize the species of the other party, he could still clearly sense the life force of a fourth-tier magical beast.

Two-headed Fire Spirit Serpent… Yao Yan looked at the magical beast in front of him and murmured to himself, calling out its name. He didn’t know much about magical beasts either, but this one was described in detail in the original work. It was a very special kind of magical beast that fed on magma. It was born as a first-tier magical beast, and with enough luck, it could reach the sixth tier.

"Sigh~"

The two-headed fire serpent flicked its tongue, its large eyes showing a hint of struggle, as if trying to resist Queen Medusa's oppressive aura.

Cai Lin's companion soul is the Purple Nether Flame Serpent, a rare species containing the bloodline of an ancient beast. It has a natural bloodline suppression against snake-type magical beasts. Moreover, the Two-Headed Fire Spirit Serpent is only at the fourth level, so how could it resist her pressure? As the snake shadow behind her became more and more solid, the two heads of the Two-Headed Fire Spirit Serpent, which had been held high, gradually lowered and showed a look of submission.

Seeing the two-headed fire spirit serpent submit, Cai Lin flew over. As her alluring purple serpent tail swayed, her red lips parted slightly, uttering several peculiar sounds, as if she were communicating with the other.

Soon, Cai Lin got the information she wanted. A slight smile appeared on her lips as she glanced at Yao Yan and said softly, "It's right down here."

Looking at the two-headed fire spirit snake that had turned into a docile baby, Yao Yan's eyes didn't show much emotion. He knew that the Medusa Queen's clan possessed this talent. In addition, this clan also possessed a unique petrification ability. As long as one made eye contact with it, one would be affected without even realizing it.

Unfortunately, this move isn't very effective against strong opponents; it's only useful against those weaker than oneself.

Yao Yan said softly, "Let it lead the way."

Cai Die nodded and ordered the two-headed fire spirit snake to lead the way for the three of them. Then, the group swam into the depths of the lava.

As they went deeper, the temperature and pressure around them suddenly increased dramatically, and even the color of the magma began to change, turning from crimson to bluish. However, Yao Yan was not affected at all; with his physique, he was not afraid of the pressure and high temperature of the magma.

In contrast, Hai Bodong seemed somewhat embarrassed. His ice-attribute battle aura kept colliding with the scorching magma around him, causing a series of bubbles to swirl around his body, which looked quite interesting, but also greatly reduced his speed.

In the end, he reluctantly gestured for Yao Yan and the others to go ahead, while he followed behind.

Yao Yan was not surprised by this. Magma was inherently unfriendly to ice-attribute cultivators, as the two attributes clashed. Moreover, this place was getting closer and closer to the Azure Lotus Earth Core Flame, and the temperature was increasing exponentially. The pressure that Hai Bodong was under was several times that of them.

After a while.

Yao Yan activated his Vajra Indestructible Body, turning his body into an ancient bronze color. Specks of silver light emanated from him, making his aura even more profound and powerful. This caused Cai Lin, who was standing nearby, to linger on him for a moment. Even without any close contact, she could feel the immense power contained within Yao Yan's body.

It was just a slight movement, yet the surrounding magma trembled, even though they were deep inside the magma.

A strange light appeared in Cai Lin's eyes as he muttered to himself, "How did this kid cultivate his physical body? It's even stronger than a sixth-tier magical beast! He's practically a little monster!"

At this moment, she finally understood the source of Yao Yan's confidence.

"Sigh~"

With a roar, the two-headed fire serpent suddenly increased its speed and quickly brought Yao Yan and Cai Lin to a strange magma world. At this moment, the surrounding magma was covered by a blue light, and in the center of the light floated a strange blue lotus flower, standing gracefully.

"Sigh~"

The moment the two-headed fire spirit serpent saw this thing, it let out a sharp sound from its huge mouth, as if it were extremely afraid. Its massive body even began to tremble slightly, and it dared not approach it even a little bit.

Cai Lin looked at the jade-like blue lotus in front of her, her eyes filled with amazement, because the lotus was truly beautiful, as if it were a perfect creation of heaven and earth, with each petal appearing so perfect.

"嘤嘤!"

Ling'er, nestled in Yao Yan's arms, poked her head out at some point. Her large, furry ears stood up high, and her emerald green eyes were fixed on the blue lotus. She let out a few wary cries, clearly sensing the aura of the strange fire.

"Qinglian Earth Heart Fire!"

Yao Yan spoke softly, reached out and touched Ling'er in her arms, and then moved closer.

"Be careful!"

Cai Lin spoke up, her eyes fixed warily on the blue lotus. Based on her years of experience living in the Tagor Desert, she knew that the more beautiful something was, the more dangerous it was, especially a strange fire born deep within magma!

Yao Yan shook his head. He had already sensed it with his soul power. The Azure Lotus Earth Core Flame was extremely quiet at the moment. It would not show its most violent side unless it was stimulated. Especially when it was in its own 'home', it was undoubtedly extremely docile.

As one steps into the azure light, the surrounding temperature and pressure rapidly subside, while the dense fire-attribute energy in the surrounding area quickly diminishes.

Yao Yan's gaze fell on the blue lotus. Its long roots were greedily devouring the surrounding fire-attribute energy, turning it into nutrients to nourish the 'fruit' at the very center, where a cluster of blue flames floated quietly.

And that was precisely the purpose of Yao Yan's trip!

Below the Azure Lotus Earth Core Flame was a lotus platform about two or three feet high, with eleven holes on it, radiating a crystal-clear color, like a treasure born from the fire of the earth.

"What to do now?"

Cai Lin also came to Yao Yan's side at this moment. Looking at the perfect creation in front of her, she couldn't help but say something.

Yao Yan suppressed his inner turmoil, looked at the raging fire attribute energy attracted by the Azure Lotus Earth Core Flame and the eleven Earth Fire Lotus Seeds in the center of the lotus platform, pursed his dry lips, and slowly said, "For cultivation, I plan to break through to the Dou Ling level here, and then consider refining it."

"Cultivation here?"

Upon hearing this, Cai Lin couldn't help but look at Yao Yan, this madman. She didn't know what to say about Yao Yan's crazy behavior.

"But before that, I need to move the Azure Lotus Earth Core Flame to a new location."

Yao Yan said softly.

Since he intends to refine the Azure Lotus Earth Core Flame, it is absolutely necessary to weaken its power. He is not foolish enough to directly devour the Azure Lotus Earth Core Flame at its peak. Even if the other party does not have much intelligence, it still has instincts. When threatened, the power of the strange fire will be extremely terrifying, especially the strange fire in the birthplace!

As he spoke, he took out a piece of ice crystal stone about half the height of a person from his storage ring. Inside the ice crystal stone was a large amount of icy spring water, and the ice crystal on the outside was just the condensation of its energy.

He had already prepared the cage in advance.

The Ice Spirit Cold Spring, whose attributes perfectly counter the Azure Lotus Earth Core Fire, is the best vessel. It can perfectly sever the Azure Lotus Earth Core Fire's connection with the outside world, preventing it from absorbing fire attribute energy. As one weakens and the other strengthens, the power of the Azure Lotus Earth Core Fire will be continuously reduced until it becomes completely 'docile'.

In the original story, Queen Medusa used this clumsy method to bring the Azure Lotus Earth Core Flame out. However, this method was too wasteful of the Ice Spirit Cold Spring. Compared to this brutal method, Yao Yan could also use the Black Demon Cauldron. With a flash of his eyes, he took out the Black Demon Cauldron from the Bone Flame Ring.

As a medicine cauldron on the Heavenly Cauldron Ranking, the Black Demon Cauldron naturally possesses the ability to resist the power of strange fires. Coupled with the envelopment of the Ice Spirit Cold Spring, it is sufficient to perfectly seal the Azure Lotus Earth Core Fire within the Black Demon Cauldron.

Yao Yan didn't dawdle. He used his soul power to control the Ice Spirit Cold Spring, transforming it into a hand resembling an ice crystal. It directly grasped the cluster of azure flames in the center of the lotus platform. The moment the two made contact, the surrounding violent fire attribute energy began to surge. At the same time, the Azure Lotus Earth Core Flame went berserk, transforming from a cluster of flames into a raging sea of ​​fire that spread outwards. In just an instant, it annihilated a large amount of Ice Spirit Cold Spring.

"We'll get you a new place!"

Yao Yan chuckled lightly, then clenched his fist tightly, pulling out the Azure Lotus Earth Core Flame and flying it into the Black Demon Cauldron.

"Chichi!"

At this moment, the Azure Lotus Earth Core Flame erupted completely, its terrifying fire energy raging outwards. Accompanied by the evaporation of a large amount of icy spirit spring water, the Black Demon Cauldron began to tremble continuously, and the patterns on its surface shimmered with a dark red halo, as if it had been completely revived.

Yao Yan remained calm and composed as he poured a large amount of Ice Spirit Cold Spring into the Black Demon Cauldron. To ensure the success of this trip, he had emptied the entire Snake-Man Clan's Ice Spirit Cold Spring!

That's enough to keep the Azure Lotus Earth Core Flame busy!

P.S.: I drank too much last night...

(End of this chapter)

Chapter 104 Breakthrough to Dou Ling

The strange fire is very strong. Even the one ranked last is powerful enough to easily injure a Dou Huang powerhouse. This can be seen from Queen Medusa's performance in the original work. Even with a large amount of Ice Spirit Cold Spring, she was still seriously injured by the Azure Lotus Earth Core Fire. She even lost her scales here and didn't even have time to take the Azure Lotus Platform and the Earth Fire Lotus Seeds inside.

However, this is also related to Queen Medusa's knowledge. When it comes to understanding different flames, how can the snake people compare to alchemists?

Especially after obtaining the Black Demon Cauldron from Yao Lao, Yao Yan is no longer afraid of the eruption of the Azure Lotus Earth Core Flame.

The Azure Lotus Earth Core Flame is ultimately just a newly formed strange flame, lacking sentience. It is completely different from strange flames like the Fallen Heart Flame, which possess a spirit of strange flame. As long as its connection with the outside world is severed and it cannot receive replenishment from external fire-attribute energy, it will soon be exhausted.

Just as Yao Yan had guessed, after several batches of Ice Spirit Cold Spring were consumed, the Azure Lotus Earth Core Flame in the Black Demon Cauldron finally calmed down, turning into a cluster of azure flames that floated quietly in the center of the cauldron. Its surroundings were covered by ice crystals formed by the Ice Spirit Cold Spring, and the two formed a relatively balanced state.