Whooshing sounds could be heard above the magma lake as figure after figure flitted past. Quite a few people were circling around the area. Although most of the Fire Spirit Lotuses had already been snatched by others, the magma lake was extremely vast and there were still quite a few left. Therefore, there were still quite a few people lingering around, hoping to reap some rewards.
A white-robed figure sat cross-legged on a large stone platform near the magma lake. His eyes were cold and impatient as he stared at the scarlet magma lake, searching for any suspicious movements.
He was one of the Demonic Dragon Guards that Bai Dong and the others had left behind. Bai Dong's hatred for Mu Chen ran deep. Even though he'd seen the latter fall into the magma lake with his own eyes, he still didn't want to give him the slightest chance. Thus, he'd left someone behind to keep an eye on the area. If he found any traces of Mu Chen still alive, he'd immediately send word.
However, even the grey-robed elder didn't approve of Bai Dong's actions. This magma lake was quite powerful; even he wouldn't be able to stay hidden for more than five minutes if he fell in. They'd stood guard here for a dozen minutes before leaving. That was more than enough time to burn Mu Chen to ashes.
It was obvious that the Demonic Dragon Guard who'd stayed behind had the same idea, but he couldn't disobey Bai Dong's orders. He could only endure his annoyance and stand guard here.
"A Heavenly Fusion Stage Initial Phase brat wants to survive after falling in? Is that even possible?"
The Demonic Dragon Guard laughed mockingly, but no one knew who he was mocking. His gaze swept over the boiling lava lake. Then, in the next moment, he stopped.
In the next instant, his mouth slowly widened as astonishment flooded his eyes.
The other experts who'd been searching for the Fire Spirit Lotuses on the surface of the magma lake had the same reaction.
They were all staring at the surface of the magma lake in astonishment.
A magma whirlpool had appeared there, bubbling with scorching magma.
The Flame-Devouring Pythons beneath the magma had also begun to flee.
Bang!
A gigantic magma pillar suddenly shot out from the whirlpool. As magma sprayed everywhere, a figure wrapped in black flames rushed out under the attention of the crowd and stood in the air.
The black flames slowly scattered, finally transforming into a handsome youth with a slender body. That familiar appearance caused some people to widen their eyes.
"It's the young man who was beaten into the lava lake by the White Dragon City!"
"Why is he still alive?"
"How is this possible!"
“”
When everyone saw Mu Chen appear, they were shocked.
He immediately cried out in alarm.
It was as if he had seen a ghost.
Previously, when they saw Mu Chen falling into the magma lake, they still felt pity for him.
This guy was actually still alive.
Mu Chen did not care about the astonished gazes around him.
He lowered his head to look at his slender hands, then clenched them into fists. As he sensed the vigorous Spiritual Energy surging through his body, a trace of unconcealable joy appeared in his eyes.
Thanks to the pure Fire Spiritual Energy contained within the Fire Celestial Lotus Seed, his strength had advanced to the Heavenly Fusion Stage Middle Phase. Moreover, he could feel that the Jiu You Fire within his Spiritual Energy was several times more vigorous than before.
After refining and absorbing the Fire Lotus Seed, his greatest benefit was the advancement of his Jiu You Fire, not the increase in his Spiritual Energy.
Mu Chen smiled in satisfaction, then raised his head to look around. Bai Dong and the others had long since left. Then again, it made sense. They didn't have the time to wait for him here.
"If we meet again, I won't let you have such a good time."
A chilling glint flashed through Mu Chen's black eyes. He waved his sleeves and was about to leave, when his expression suddenly changed. He looked at a nearby stone platform, where a white-robed man was staring at him in shock.
"Someone was left behind to keep an eye on me?"
Mu Chen's face darkened at the sight of the white-robed man.
The white-robed Demonic Dragon Guard's heart skipped a beat when he saw Mu Chen's darkened expression. Without the slightest hesitation, he turned around and dashed away. With his Heavenly Fusion Stage Middle Phase strength, he was clearly no match for Mu Chen. Right now, he had to find Bai Dong and inform him that Mu Chen was still alive.
Swish!
But just as he dashed away, a piercing sound came from behind him. He glanced out of the corner of his eye, and his soul almost left his body. Mu Chen's figure had already appeared behind him.
"Since I've asked you to stay, then stay here forever." Mu Chen's indifferent voice was laced with ice-cold killing intent as it traveled into the Demonic Dragon Guard's ears.
Swish!
The Demonic Dragon Guard's expression changed dramatically. He clenched his hand, and a long black spear appeared in his hand. With a shake of its body, the spear ruthlessly stabbed behind him.
A slender palm covered in black flames shot out like lightning, brushing past the black spear and imprinting itself on the Demonic Dragon Guard's back.
Bang!
The Demonic Dragon Guard's clothes were instantly turned to ashes. A black palm print appeared on his back, and he spat out a mouthful of blood. The overbearing black flames surged into his body, scorching and distorting his meridians.
"Ah!"
The Demonic Dragon Guard let out a miserable shriek.
Mu Chen's eyes were cold. With a flip of his hand, he snatched the black spear and swung it at the Demonic Dragon Guard's body like a club. The ferocious gales sent the Demonic Dragon Guard's rod smashing into the magma lake below.
Ah!
The Demonic Dragon Guard let out a miserable shriek as he fell into the magma lake. However, he was quickly submerged by the magma. Smoke rose into the air, and he was reduced to ashes.
With a flick of his finger, Mu Chen tossed the black spear in his hand into the magma lake. Only then did he clap his hands calmly, turn around, and leave.
When everyone in the surroundings saw this scene, their foreheads were filled with cold sweat. Their eyes were filled with fear and dread as they stared at Mu Chen's back. Who could have imagined that this young-looking boy would be so vicious when he attacked?
This young man was also a ruthless character. Now that Bai Dong and the others had provoked him, they'd probably have a headache.
They inwardly shook their heads and sighed. Soon after, they regained their composure and resumed their search for the Fire Spirit Lotuses on the surface of the magma lake.
Roughly ten minutes after Mu Chen left the vast magma lake, he exited the range of the magma lake. Before him, there was a chain of huge palaces. At this moment, there were many people in the surroundings that were like wolves and tigers as they charged into the palaces, searching for any treasures that might appear.
This place was even more chaotic than the magma lake. Even the slightest discovery would be met with countless open spears and hidden arrows before you could even figure out what it was.
Mu Chen swept his gaze over the area, then lost interest. This was clearly only the outskirts, and it was difficult to find any real treasures. It was likely that Bai Dong and the others wouldn't linger here.
With that thought in mind, he couldn't be bothered to linger any longer. His figure flashed and pierced straight through the chaotic halls. Occasionally, someone would try to stop him, but he'd send them flying with a single palm strike. He wasn't the slightest bit courteous. Therefore, when some people saw Mu Chen slap them to the point of vomiting blood, they didn't dare to interfere and allowed him to pass through.
After passing through the halls, he arrived at a series of exceptionally long corridors. These corridors were connected to several ancient stone rooms. Some figures hurriedly barged in, and from time to time, sounds of ecstasy could be heard. It was as if they'd found something good. However, those sounds of ecstasy were quickly drowned out by the clanging of weapons.
Mu Chen didn't allow himself to be distracted. He chose a path and headed straight into the depths. He'd wasted some time at the bottom of the magma lake, so he had to catch up as soon as possible.
He needed to meet up with Su Xuan and the others first. After all, they'd formed a team, and in a place like this where wolves were everywhere, only companions could be trusted.
"I hope nothing happens to them."
Mu Chen's figure sped along, his brows slightly furrowed. He didn't need to worry about Su Xuan's strength, and Li Qing and Guo Xiong had the strength to protect themselves. Su Ling 'er was the weakest. If she was left alone, given her lively personality, she'd definitely be at a disadvantage.
Although Su Ling 'er could be quite spoiled at times, she was still a good girl. Mu Chen naturally didn't want anything to happen to her.
As these thoughts flashed through his mind, Mu Chen had already traversed several thousand-meter-long corridors in a short span of ten minutes. He didn't know how many stone rooms and halls he'd passed along the way. Some of them were emitting spiritual energy, but Mu Chen merely glanced at them. Those things weren't enough to tempt him.
"I should've already passed through the outer perimeter."
As he ventured deeper, Mu Chen sensed that the number of halls and stone rooms had decreased. However, the scale of the halls had become much more majestic. It was clear that they were of a higher standard than the ones he'd encountered earlier.
Mu Chen's figure flashed through another corridor. Shortly after, a gigantic stone palace appeared before him. At this moment, the door of the stone palace had already been smashed apart. There seemed to be a few figures within as violent Spiritual Energy radiated from them.
Mu Chen glanced at the chaotic stone hall and hesitated for a moment. In the end, he didn't enter. Instead, he decided to continue advancing.
But just as Mu Chen was about to leave, a faint, wild laughter rang out from within the stone hall.
"Haha, beauty, you should obediently hand over the item. Although you've offended our Lion Tiger Regiment, as long as you're obedient, I can let bygones be bygones. Otherwise, heh, when you fall into our hands, don't blame us for what happens to your soft and tender flesh."
"Dream on!"
Following that wild and obscene laughter was a cold voice that was filled with cold air. That voice was clearly suppressing the rage and loathing in it.
"Since that's the case, don't blame us. Brothers, capture this ice beauty!" That wild laughter rang out once more.
Outside the stone hall, Mu Chen, who was just about to turn around, suddenly stopped. He narrowed his eyes. He could tell that the voice belonged to Senior Sister Li Qing.