Starting as dockworkers, they swept through Chongqing.

Siren recorded this name.

Judging from the suicide tactics of the underwater boatmen, the Black King's Palace remains the most suspicious.

But if the Sea Demon Palace also gets involved, things will only become more complicated.

"In the past, only a very few people have managed to leave this cave alive," Xilun suddenly said. "But so far, apart from the fog and mental ramblings, we haven't encountered any truly fatal dangers."

Elena's gaze sharpened.

"You don't think the danger has appeared yet?"

"Or, it requires certain conditions to occur."

Both of them looked down at their feet at the same time.

The cave contained numerous skeletons, but there were no signs of extensive battle damage.

Many of the deaths were also quite strange; it was as if they suddenly turned on each other while on the run.

The real danger is not necessarily the monster lurking in the shadows.

It could also be them.

Just as Xilun was about to continue speaking, a dark red light suddenly shone from ahead.

The light appeared and disappeared in the mist, like embers burning in the night.

The temperature then rises.

The damp chill in the air gradually dissipated, replaced by the pungent smell of sulfur and burning rocks.

The two approached cautiously, rounded a protruding black rock wall, and suddenly the view opened up before them.

Ahead lies a naturally formed underground cave.

In the center of the cave was a depression, forming a pool more than thirty feet in diameter. The water in the pool was not an ordinary liquid, but a dark red, viscous lava.

Bubbles kept rising from the depths.

It cracked with a dull thud, and the ejected sparks burned black holes into the nearby rocks.

In the center of the lava pool, three lotus flowers grow.

The lotus leaves are a deep, glassy red, with tiny flames burning along their edges.

The petals were not yet fully open, but the center of the flower shimmered with golden light, absorbing the surrounding wandering flames with each sway.

"Molten Bone Fire Lotus"

A look of surprise appeared in Elena's eyes.

"Do you know him?"

"It's recorded in the family's medicine manual."

She squatted by the lava pool, but did not reach out rashly.

"This is one of the main ingredients for refining bone-forging potions. A hundred-year-old Bone-Melting Lotus can temper bones and enhance the body's ability to withstand physical strength."

If prepared by a skilled pharmacist, it could even help a third-tier extraordinary individual overcome the final hurdle before achieving physical perfection.

Xilun looked at the three lotus flowers.

He is just one step away from achieving physical perfection.

Ordinary potions and body-forging materials have begun to have less effect on him, and high-level materials that are truly suitable for this stage are extremely expensive and difficult to obtain.

The molten bone fire lotus before him was exactly what he needed.

"How much is it worth?"

"A single plant weighs at least 500 pounds."

Elena let out a soft breath.

"A complete specimen that is at least a hundred years old will fetch an even higher price. If three of them are sent together to Star Ring City for auction, it wouldn't be surprising if they were sold for two thousand pounds."

Xilun was somewhat surprised.

It's not because of the price.

What's remarkable is that this precious spiritual plant has been preserved in the cave to this day.

"This place must have been explored many times."

That's why it's strange.

Elena looked around.

There were no signs of recent harvesting around the lava pool. The oldest of the three fire lotuses was nearly two hundred years old, and the other two were at least over a hundred years old.

As long as a Tier 3 team gets here, they won't be able to escape.

Unless everyone who came here before is dead.

Xilun closed his eyes.

The Moon Memory Meditation Technique and the innate affinity for water operate simultaneously, causing mental perception to slowly spread outwards.

The magma pool is sparsely vegetated, greatly limiting perception.

But he could still sense a powerful life force lurking beneath the scorching magma.

In addition, there seemed to be an even more subtle ripple at the bottom of the pool.

It was like something was breathing slowly.

"Something is guarding the fire lotus."

Xilun opened his eyes.

Elena was not surprised.

This level of spiritual plant is often accompanied by other exotic species that grow by absorbing medicinal power.

She took the silver-gray rope from her waist, wrapped one end around her wrist, and handed the other end to Xiren.

The fog is approaching.

At the entrance to the cave, the gray-white mist that had faded away surged back in.

It did not immediately cover the entire cave, but spread slowly along the rock wall, as if deliberately avoiding the central lava pool.

Elena tightened the rope.

"Hold on to me. If things change in the fog, at least we can confirm each other's location."

Xilun gripped the rope, while holding the Thunder Spear in his other hand.

The two moved slowly along the edge of the pool.

The temperature is getting higher and higher.

A layer of pale silver energy emanated from Elena's body, shielding her from the heatwave.

Xilun then activated the Overturning Sea Technique, allowing water-based energy to flow along his skin to resist the scorching heat emanating from the magma.

The whispers resumed.

This time, it was even clearer than in the passageway.

"Jump down..."

"There is no pain in the fire..."

"The lotus is yours..."

The sound penetrated the ears, as if it were ringing directly in the mind.

Several wisps of black energy surged from Xilun's right arm, pointing towards a narrow crevice in the rock behind the left side of the cave.

The severed limbs urged him urgently to leave the fire pit and head in that direction.

But Siron did not listen.

Instead, he pressed the chilling aura of Yin into his right arm, forcibly cutting off the black energy.

The stronger the limb's desire for the depths of the cave, the less likely Xilun would follow its guidance.

He didn't know what lay behind the crevice in the rock.

But at least the Molten Bone Fire Lotus in front of us is real.

"Is the dark aura guiding the way again?" Elena asked.

"Um."

"Not going?"

"Take the Fire Lotus first."

Elena's lips curled up slightly.

"It seems you haven't lost your mind yet."

Just as Xilun was about to answer, a huge bubble suddenly appeared in the center of the lava pool.

boom!

Dark red lava exploded in all directions.

A ferocious snake head covered in crimson scales slowly rose from the molten lava.

Its head was as big as a millstone, its pupils were as thin as lines, and it had two short black horns on the top of its head.

The flames flowed along its scales, yet they could not harm it in the slightest.

As the snake's head rose, its robust body revealed its outline beneath the lava.

It is at least forty feet long.

The overwhelming aura of the third-tier extreme realm instantly swept through the cave.

The fire python opened its mouth, its scarlet forked tongue flicking in and out gently.

It did not attack immediately, but instead stared coldly at the two people on the shore.

Elena slightly raised her twin swords.

"As expected, there is a guardian species."

Xilun squinted.

This fire python has a strong aura, but it hasn't reached the fourth rank yet.

With their combined strength, they are more than capable of dealing with it.

What truly caught his attention was the faint, elusive fluctuation beneath the fire python's body.

Deep at the bottom of the pool, there seemed to be a round object that was slowly absorbing the surrounding flames and life force.

Just then, a burst of laughter came from behind the entrance to the cave.

"Haha, I never expected to find the Molten Bone Fire Lotus in such a godforsaken place!"

Several figures passed through the mist and entered the cave.

Leading the group was a tall, one-eyed man with a thick-backed curved sword slung over his shoulder and a black horse riding the waves embroidered on his leather armor chest.

The five people following behind him were all quite powerful, and three of them were even third-tier extraordinary individuals.

The one-eyed man swept his gaze across the lava pool, his greed almost undisguised.

Then he looked at Siren and Elena.

"This treasure belongs to us, the Sky Rider Pirates."

He paused deliberately for a moment and announced the name of the force.

Sky Rider Pirates are a well-known pirate force near the Sinking Star Coast, possessing multiple steam warships, and their leader is said to be a fourth-tier extraordinary being.

Ordinary mercenary groups and small trading companies often lack the courage to even resist upon hearing this name.

The one-eyed man had assumed the two men before him would be wary.

Kesilun remained calm.

Elena didn't even take her eyes off the fire python.

The two men's reactions caused the smile on the one-eyed man's face to slowly disappear.

"Haven't you heard of the Sky Rider Pirates?"

"I've heard of it."

Elena said calmly.

"Then why aren't you leaving?"

Elena finally looked at him.

"Your leader has arrived; perhaps he is qualified to say that."

The one-eyed man's gaze suddenly turned cold.

Several pirates behind him simultaneously drew their weapons.

Xilun looked down at the lava pool.

The elusive aura at the bottom of the pool seemed to suddenly become more active after these pirates appeared.

He vaguely sensed that the thing wasn't absorbing the flames.

Instead, they are waiting for blood.

"Woman, you're asking for it."

The one-eyed man gripped the thick-backed curved sword, the muscles on his arm bulging inch by inch.

A surge of third-tier energy coursed through the blade, causing a dark yellow light to appear on its surface. A heavy, oppressive feeling spread outwards, and the rocks beneath their feet emitted a soft cracking sound.

He is not without brains.

The two people in front of us were able to get here through the fog surrounding the cave, so they were clearly not ordinary people.

However, there were six of them on our side.

Four of them are at the third tier, and two are at the second tier at the extreme level.

The overwhelming numerical advantage was enough to make the one-eyed man ignore the slight unease in his heart.

Moreover, the Molten Bone Fire Lotus is right in front of us.

The three fire lotuses are worth over a thousand pounds. If they can be brought back, they can not only be exchanged for a large amount of cultivation materials, but may even have the opportunity to be rewarded by the leader.

"Pick the lotus flowers first."

The one-eyed man did not immediately attack Siren and his companion.

He glanced at the fire python and sneered, "An ordinary third-tier beast dares to try and guard such a treasure?"

Elena frowned slightly.

"He's too arrogant."

Fire pythons live in magma year-round, and this environmental advantage alone makes them far stronger than ordinary third-tier mutants.

Although the one-eyed man possesses formidable strength, he may not necessarily gain any advantage at the edge of the lava pool.

Siren's attention was still on the bottom of the pool.

"Let him try first."

The one-eyed man clearly had no intention of stepping into the lava himself.

He took a black iron harpoon with a chain from behind his back and poured his strength into it. The runes on the surface of the harpoon lit up one by one, and the blade emitted a piercing hum.

The next moment, he stomped his foot on the ground.

boom!

The ground cracked.

The fire python suddenly sank into the pool.

The harpoon grazed the top of the snake's head and pierced a black rock. A shower of rubble exploded, and the chains were stretched taut.

The one-eyed man's face darkened, and he gripped the chains with both hands, pulling them back forcefully.

As soon as the harpoon was pulled out, the calmed molten lava suddenly churned violently.

The fire python moved downstream in the magma.

Its speed was even more astonishing than in the water; its massive body created a crimson wave several feet high that crashed down onto the shore.

"spread!"

The one-eyed man roared.

The six pirates immediately dodged to the sides.

The viscous lava slammed into the ground, and although the pirates avoided the direct impact, their protective energy was still scorched and hissed.

One of the second-tier pirates was a little slow, and a drop of lava got on his right leg.

He let out a scream.

The leather boots and flesh burst into flames instantly, the fire spreading upwards from the calf.

His companion quickly slashed off the burning flesh from his leg, barely managing to save his life.

"Damn it!"

The one-eyed man cursed angrily.

He had just turned around when the fire python burst forth from the lava beside him.

The giant snake head slammed into his protective aura like a cannonball.

boom!

The dark yellow gas shield dented instantly.

The one-eyed man was sent flying several steps backward, his back slamming hard against the rock wall. Before he could regain his footing, the fire python opened its blood-red maw and bit down on his left shoulder.

The sharp teeth pierced through the leather armor.

The scorching venom poured into the wound, and large patches of flesh instantly turned charred black.

"Get out of here!"

The one-eyed man roared in pain as his thick-backed curved blade slashed repeatedly at the fire python's head.

when!when!when!

Sparks flew everywhere.

The fire python's scales were exceptionally hard, and the curved blade could only leave shallow marks.

Only when the other two Tier 3 pirates attacked simultaneously did the fire python release its jaws and burrow back into the magma.

The one-eyed man clutched his shoulder, blood flowing down his arm.

His face looked extremely pale.

"Boss, those two are trying to steal the lotus flower!"

A pirate suddenly shouted.

Xiren and Elena were still standing in the same spot, not even moving closer to the fire pool.

But even this one sentence caused a strong murderous intent to surface in the one-eyed man's eyes.

He endured the sharp pain in his shoulder and shouted sternly, "Two people hold them off! The rest of you deal with the fire pythons first, then pick the fire lotus before killing them!"

Upon hearing this, Elena's eyes gradually turned cold.

"The bone-forging potion made from the Melting Lotus is extremely effective." She flexed her wrist, and a silver-gray rope slid out from her sleeve. "It's best to get your hands on it."

"Um."

Xilun drew his Thunder Spear.

"Kill him first."

A slight smile appeared on Elena's lips.

"Just what I thought."

If it were just this group of pirates, the two of them might have observed for a while longer.

But the fire python was right next to them.

While fighting the fire python, the other party also tried to spare some manpower to deal with them, clearly having been blinded by the treasure.

Six against two, seemingly a huge disparity in numbers.

However, two of them were only at the second tier, and the four at the third tier were all of ordinary level.

In a true head-on battle, Xilun could take on three or four opponents alone, at most slightly at a disadvantage.

With Elena added to the mix, they had no reason to back down.

"Don't kill the fire python."

"Sirius suddenly said."

Elena was slightly taken aback.

Why?

"Leave it to me."

Elena didn't know what he was going to do, but she didn't ask.

"Can."

As soon as he finished speaking, two pirates rushed at him from the left and right.

On the left is a tall, thin man, holding a curved knife in each hand.

The pirate on the right was clad in metal gauntlets, his entire body radiating power, and he ran like a raging sea beast.

"kill!"

The boxer pirate was the first to approach.

A punch was thrown, and the air exploded with a cracking sound.

A glint of water flashed beneath Xilun's feet.

Canglang Step.

His body was propelled as if by the tide, shifting half a step to the side, close to the edge of the fist.

The Thunder Spear did not rush to attack, but instead gently touched the opponent's arm.

The water instantly wrapped around the gauntlets.

The pirate with the gauntlet felt his power being drawn into an undercurrent, and his originally fierce punch uncontrollably veered to the side.

Just then, the lanky pirate pounced on Elena.

Two curved blades, one above the other, slashed towards her neck and abdomen respectively.

Elena did not back down.

A silver-gray rope suddenly shot out from her sleeve, bypassed the first scimitar, and then, as if it had a life of its own, turned back and instantly wrapped around the slender pirate's arms and chest.

The rope is tightened.

The slender pirate froze.

The time was extremely short.

It can only restrain two breaths at most.

However, in a battle between equals, two breaths are enough to decide life or death.

Xilun suddenly changed the direction of his Thunder Spear.

The spear did not pierce the gauntlet-armored pirate in front of it, but instead spun around using the water's momentum, drawing a bluish-white arc.

The pirate with the gauntlet instinctively retreated.

Xilun did not pursue them.

He took a step forward, and the Thunder Spear, several feet away, pierced through the thin pirate's chest.

puff!

The spearhead pierced his heart and emerged from his back.

Thunderous energy exploded.

The lanky pirate convulsed violently, his chest instantly turning black.

His hands, which had just broken free of the ropes, hung limply at his sides, and he was lifted off the ground by the spear.

"The first one."

Xilun withdrew the Thunder Spear.

The bodies fell heavily to the ground.

From the moment they engaged to the kill, it took less than three breaths.

The remaining pirates' expressions changed drastically.

"Sixth Brother!"

The gauntlet-wielding pirate roared and charged again.

Another Tier 3 pirate who was besieging the fire python also turned to provide support.

He wielded a three-section iron rod, his strength transforming into brown armor covering his body, clearly indicating his expertise in close-quarters combat.

"Trap them first, wait until the boss kills the fire python!"

The initial contempt had vanished from the voice of the fist armor pirate.

Behind Xilun, the fire serpent once again leaped out of the lava.

The one-eyed man was injured in the shoulder, which slowed his movements. He was then struck in the waist and abdomen by the fire python's tail, causing him to crash into a rock and shatter.

The other two pirates hurriedly used chains and spears to hold back the fire python, but they could only barely protect themselves.

Xilun glanced at the battle.

"Too slow."

He stepped forward and went to meet the two pirates.

The pirate with the gauntlet unleashed a barrage of punches, the wind from which rained down. Meanwhile, the nunchaku swept horizontally from the side, blocking any possible escape route for Xilun.

Xilun twisted his wrist.

The surface of the Azure Thunder Spear shimmered with water, and the shaft resembled a winding river, flowing between the two men's attacks.

As the fist lands in the water, the force is gradually dissipated.

As soon as the three-section staff approached, the butt of the spear precisely struck the joint of the staff.

Lightning flashed.

The pirate holding the club felt a numbness in his hand, and his weapon almost slipped from his grasp.

"There's something wrong with his gun!"

He stepped back in shock.

Elena, however, darted past from the side at that moment.

Her longsword blocked the gauntlet-armored pirate, while her shortsword pierced the pirate's armpit.

The pirate with the gauntlet quickly retracted his arm, but the short sword slashed open his protective aura.

The silver-gray rope flew out again and wrapped around his right leg.

"Silon!"

No reminder is needed.

Xilun has already fired a shot.

The Thunder Spear, carrying nine layers of surging force, slammed heavily into the chest of the armored pirate.

The first wave of energy shattered the protective aura.

The second to fifth layers of surging energy penetrate the skin and flesh.

The remaining four forces erupted simultaneously deep within the sternum.

Crack!

The pirate with the gauntlet collapsed in the chest and flew sideways, crashing into the rock wall before falling silent.

Upon seeing this, the pirate with the club turned and fled.

He no longer thought about fighting for the Fire Lotus; he only wanted to escape back into the mist to save his life.

Elena was faster than him.

The longsword flew out of his hand, grazing the side of the pirate holding the club, forcing him to instinctively turn his head.

The next instant, the silver-gray rope wrapped around his neck.

The pirate with the stick quickly grabbed the rope, and with a burst of strength, forcibly tore it off.

But he paused for a moment because of this.

The Canglang Step stirs up water vapor on the ground.

Xilun stepped several feet away and thrust a gun into his back.

The thunderous force penetrated through the five internal organs.

The pirate wielding the club staggered two steps, looked down at the blood-stained tip of his spear on his chest, his eyes filled with disbelief.

Another body fell.

In just a dozen breaths, the three pirates were killed one after another.

The one-eyed man, who was fighting the fire python by the pool, finally realized what kind of enemy he had provoked.

"Walk!"

He decisively gave up the Molten Bone Fire Lotus.

Upon hearing this, the remaining two pirates immediately retreated towards the cave entrance.

But the fire python, having been besieged for so long, had already gone berserk. It suddenly burst out of the magma, its massive tail sweeping across.

A second-tier pirate was caught off guard and his protective aura, along with his bones, was shattered on the spot.

Blood splattered.

Deep within the magma pool, the subtle fluctuation suddenly intensified.