Chapter 71

"Everyone..."

At this moment, Cao Jinbiao, the head of Cao Family Village, stepped forward, clasped his hands, and said, "It is an honor for our village that everyone could come at our invitation today!"

"Cao Village Head, no need for formalities. We are here today for the matter of the Fire麟Beast!" a martial artist said.

Everyone nodded. Although this operation was initiated by the Cao family, if it weren't for the Fire麟Beast and the Earth Crimson Fire Lotus, who would care about the Cao family's troubles?

"Very well, then let's officially begin our demon extermination mission! Please follow us!" Cao Jinbiao didn't waste any more words.

A large group of martial artists followed the people of the Cao family toward the location of the underground lava pool.

Ye Xiwén and Dai Xiaohua were among the crowd, walking out of town. All the martial artists present were skilled, and they moved quickly. In less than half an hour, they arrived at the base of a hill. The hill wasn't very high, only about five or six meters, and there was a large cave at the top. Looking into the cave, it was pitch black, with no bottom in sight. This was where the lava pool was located.

Ye Xiwén quickly followed the crowd into the cave.

As soon as they entered the cave, a wave of heat hit them, and they could even hear the sound of bubbles forming as the lava boiled.

Ye Xiwén speculated that it might be an unformed active volcano, as volcanic activity is measured in tens of thousands of years.

However, it would take a long time for a volcano to form, and Ye Xiwén didn't care about what would happen so far in the future!

As the group moved deeper, the temperature on the ground became increasingly high. Some of the less powerful martial artists had to start using their true qi to protect their feet, or they would be burned.

The light also became increasingly dim, but since everyone was a martial artist, they could see clearly with just a little light. As they approached the lava pool, the cave gradually filled with a red glow.

The group continued to move forward, and soon they saw a huge lava pool, with red lava boiling inside.

Everyone could clearly see a fire-red lotus flower growing in the center of the lava pool, almost indistinguishable from the surrounding lava.

Everyone couldn't help but marvel at the sight. There was actually a plant that could grow in lava, thriving at such high temperatures. The Earth Crimson Fire Lotus looked like a regular lotus, but it was entirely crimson red and had lotus seeds.

"Haha, it's really the Earth Crimson Fire Lotus!" a martial artist couldn't help but laugh.

Suddenly, that martial artist picked up a large stone and threw it.

"Plunk!" The stone fell into the lava, and another figure darted through the air. The martial artist stepped heavily on the stone that hadn't yet sunk, then used it to propel himself toward the Earth Crimson Fire Lotus.

The martial artist reached out to grab the Earth Crimson Fire Lotus, but a scream followed. His hands were instantly burned, and he lost his balance, falling directly into the lava and being melted away with a scream.

"Truly asking for death, not even checking the situation!" Many martial artists felt a chill, grateful they hadn't rushed forward. But some were very dismissive.

Ye Xiwén frowned. This was a serious problem. There was no place to stand in the middle of the lava, and the temperature was so high that it was terrifying. Even if they used true qi to protect their feet, it would be instantly melted away. It was extremely dangerous.

"Let me handle it!" At this moment, Wu Shaoyang of the Shaoyang Sword School shouted, pushing through the crowd. A crimson red sword instantly flew out, hovering above the lava pool. Wu Shaoyang swiftly leaped over, light as a swallow, and stepped on the sword, then darted toward the Earth Crimson Fire Lotus.

"Swish!" The sword instantly cut through the Earth Crimson Fire Lotus, severing it from the lava. The Earth Crimson Fire Lotus flew into the air, and at that moment, Wu Shaoyang extended his hands and firmly caught it. As he grabbed it, his hands sizzled from the intense heat, which was melting his true qi. Fortunately, he was already a Xiantian expert, and his Xiantian true qi was far more powerful than ordinary true qi. If it were ordinary true qi, it would have been burned through instantly, and his hands would have been scorched.

Wu Shaoyang quickly flew toward the other side of the lava pool. Suddenly, a sharp whistling sound was heard, and a stone shot toward Wu Shaoyang like a bolt of lightning.

"Bang!" Wu Shaoyang twisted in mid-air to avoid the stone, which crashed into the side of the cave, creating a large hole.

"Chen Tieshou, you old bastard, how dare you try to ambush me!" Wu Shaoyang turned and saw that it was Chen Tieshou, and he was furious.

Chen Tieshou sneered, "I advise you to put down the Earth Crimson Fire Lotus. It's not something your Shaoyang Sect can touch!"

Wu Shaoyang's face darkened, and he glared at Chen Tieshou, saying, "What if I refuse?"

"Then your father will lose a son. I advise you to be reasonable. When I roamed the martial world, you were just a child!" Chen Tieshou said without any courtesy.

"Old man, trying to rely on your age, after practicing for decades, you're still just this much. Watch me cut you down today!" Wu Shaoyang was enraged by Chen Tieshou's words.

"Based on what?" Chen Tieshou sneered, stepping forward and flying over.

"Old man, die up there!" Wu Shaoyang swung his sword, and a terrifying sword aura instantly cut through the air, heading toward Chen Tieshou.

"Boom!" Chen Tieshou blocked with both hands, dispersing the sword aura. At this moment, his body staggered, almost falling into the lava. He struck the lava with a palm, and a powerful force made the lava sink. Using this reaction force, he rebounded and flew toward Wu Shaoyang like an eagle.

"Even if they came for the Earth Crimson Fire Lotus, they're fighting too quickly, without even seeing the Fire麟Beast's shadow!" Dai Xiaohua said disdainfully.

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