Two minutes later, Angel lifted his head and stared intently at the surface of the Lava Lake.
He had already sensed that the fire elemental energy beneath the lake in front of him had suddenly become restless.
"Whizā"
Following a dull and sticky sound, Earl Mi transformed into a fiery red ghostly shadow emerging from the magma.
After Earl Mi came ashore, he did not sink into shadows but chose to stand in front of Angel. The Blue Lantern Flower atop his head swayed in the wind, and the fiery red shadow instantly turned into a pure white shadow.
The change in color also represented a transformation in energy attributes.
The power of flame turned into a distinctly opposite frost atmosphere.
This series of actions by Earl Mi were not commanded by Angel.
Without the ownerās intention, Earl Mi undergoing such a significant transformation could only mean one thing: defense mode had been activated.
In other words, an enemy had launched an attack on either Earl Mi or Angel!
Angelās gaze passed Earl Mi, focusing on the nearby surface of the Lava Lake. The surface appeared the same as before, with large amounts of magma churning, but there was one difference: a strange "gurgling" sound emanating from beneath the lake.
As this sound grew louder, the ice aura emanating from Earl Mi intensified.
Until a fiery red figure leaped out from beneath the Lava Lake, Earl Miās aura reached its peak, transforming into numerous pure white ice blades that shot directly forward.
The fiery red figure opposite was startled, not expecting to face a rain of ice blades right upon emerging, and it was too late to dodge.
As the pure white ice blades were about to pierce into the opponentās body, a peculiar black glowing barrier blocked the initial few ice blades.
However, this black glowing barrier could only withstand fewer than four ice blades before cracks appeared, ready to shatter at any moment.
Though the strength of the black glowing barrier still couldnāt completely withstand the penetration of the ice blades, it at least gave the fiery red figure a chance to catch its breath. Without hesitation, it turned and leaped back into the Lava Lake.
Bang.
With a crisp sound, the fiery red figure slipped and fell directly onto the ice surface.
Yes, the ice surface.
Above the Lava Lake behind it, an additional crystal-clear ice surface had appeared at some point, preventing it from jumping into the lake and instead causing it to hit the ice.
This ice surface originated from Angelās casting of a level 1 trick, the Rapid Freeze Spell.
Under normal circumstances, a mere level 1 trick couldnāt possibly freeze the Lava Lake, let alone make contact with the magma itself.
Moreover, this was an area where fire elemental energy was extremely active, and the trick might evaporate the moment it was cast.
However, now aided by Earl Miās frost aura, Angel borrowed the frost aura as a base, releasing the Rapid Freeze Spell, successfully forming an ice surface.
Under the high temperature and steam of the Lava Lake, the ice surface had already begun to show signs of melting, but its purpose had already been accomplished.
Stopping the fiery red figure for a moment was enough; the rest was left to Earl Mi.
As an awakened demon person from the Panic Realm, Earl Mi had no limitations in elemental cultivation. The frost aura he released corresponded to his own power level, which was True Knowledge level elemental power.
The moment the fiery red figure fell, a large amount of frost white aura enveloped it.
The extremely low temperature, combined with True Knowledge level energy, instantly froze the fiery red figure.
Even through the transparent ice surface, Angel could clearly see the burning orange flames on its fur being frozen.
This freezing power seemed to not only freeze matter but also condense time and space.
Thus, it was evident that Earl Miās energy level was extremely high.
After looking at the frozen fiery red figure and confirming there would be no issues, Angel turned to Earl Mi: "What happened? Whatās the deal with it?"
The Blue Lantern Flower atop Earl Miās head swayed slightly, spitting out several bubbles. As the bubbles faded away into the air, a series of images entered Angelās forehead.
These images showed everything Earl Mi saw and heard after entering the Lava Lake.
What Angel needed Earl Mi to investigate was that invisible "bean sprout"-like creature, and Earl Mi did precisely that.
In Earl Miās view, Angel could clearly see that the bean sprout was even longer than he had imagined, directly piercing into the depths of the Lava Lake.
The depth at which Earl Mi dove was still unable to show the true body of the bean sprout.
In order to fulfill the task, Earl Mi continued to dive deeper. The further he went, the more astonishing the scenes in the images became. Angel saw far more than one bean sprout, all rooted toward the deepest part of the Lava Lake.
Previously, almost all low-flying scouting puppets showed red screens, which were likely caused by the bean sprouts. In other words, the vast surface of the Lava Lake probably had numerous bean sprouts.
These bean sprouts were all gathering in the depths of the Lava Lake.
The deeper he went, the denser the bean sprouts.
Angel even suspected whether all the bean sprouts were actually originating from a single fire elemental creature hidden in the depths of the Lava Lake.
Obviously, Earl Mi attempted to investigate the situation of the bean sprouts more deeply.
However, before Earl Mi reached the bottom, a fiery red figure discovered him.
Earl Mi understood the situation. In this place, fire elemental energy was extremely active, and he was in the magma-filled Lava Lake. Any slight disturbance here could potentially result in significant repercussions.
Thus, Earl Mi decisively turned and ascended, jumping out of the magma lake, switching to the ice element to avoid triggering a riot of fire elemental energy.
After watching the entire scene, Angel was very satisfied with Earl Miās performanceāunwavering, decisive, and possessing a high level of battle wisdom. Indeed, he was from the Panic Realm, feared even by Official Wizards.
Reflecting on this, Angel again focused on the bean sprouts seen in Earl Miās images.
The deeper Earl Mi went into the Lava Lake, the more bean sprouts there were, clearly gathering toward the lake bottom. This only fortified Angelās suspicion that they indeed might stem from one elemental creature.
The bean sprouts might be the sensory tentacles of this elemental creature to perceive the outside world.
If this assumption were correct, then this could only mean that the elemental creature spreading tentacles throughout the Lava Lake must be enormous.
Although being large doesnāt necessarily mean strong capability, as an elemental creature in such an extreme environment, being able to commandeer resources from other elemental creatures to form such a large size indicates a certain strength.
Angel sighed inwardly: "It seems that my premonition about this Lava Lake was correct. The reason itās so calm is not due to safety but because a more powerful presence is suppressing any potential upheaval."
While Angel pondered, Earl Miās inner voice transmitted to his mind.
Earl Mi requested to explore the lake bottom again.
Obviously, he cared very much about his first exploration ending in failure.
Angel shook his head: "Forget it, the creatures in the Lava Lake are undoubtedly not simple. Weāll bypass them for now. This time, letās prioritize gathering intelligence firstā¦"
Before he could finish speaking, a voice filled with anger came from behind them.
"Scouting intelligence? You are spies of Frostbite Isella!"
Angel and Earl Mi simultaneously turned to look, and there were no other elemental creatures around.
"I felt something was wrong before, why is there Power of Ice here, so thatās itā¦"
Because of anger, the slightly sharp voice appeared again, and this time Angel successfully captured the source of the soundā
It was precisely from that previously frozen fiery red figure.
Angel looked puzzled at the "Ice Sculpture". He had noticed the appearance of the creature inside before: it was about half human-sized, a furry ball monster with thin legs. If it werenāt fire red all over, it would resemble a hairy coal ball.
This creature was something Angel had never seen before.
However, elemental creatures donāt necessarily mimic real life forms; bizarre and strange creatures are numerous.
Initially, Angel paid little attention to it.
The main reason was not that it was frozen, but because this furry ball monster was an Elemental Sprite.
Elemental Sprites generally have little intelligence, so Angel didnāt bother to disguise his conversation with Earl Mi.
Unexpectedly, this Fire Elemental not only had wisdom but could speak as well.
A sentient being capable of communication quickly piqued Angelās curiosity.
"The Frostbite Isella you mentioned, I donāt know them. May I ask who they are?" Angel looked at the Ice Sculpture.
"Hmph, youāre still pretending! I am the descendant of the great Kalomchisā¦ Iāve seen through your trick!"
Angel: "Who is Kalomchis?"
"Kalomchis is the most great and wise Fire Monarch. I will not tell you, a spy, his identity."
Angel rubbed his chin: "So, itās the Fire Monarchā¦"
"Huh! How do you know that? Iāve figured it out!ā¦Damn it, you really came prepared!" The annoyed voice screamed with "ya ya ya ya" howls.
Angel looked silently at the frozen furry ball monster: Is this guy out of their mind?
"You let me out, I want a one-on-one duel with you!"
Not only did Angel ignore its yells, but he also turned to Earl Mi: "It canāt possibly break free, can it?"
Earl Mi shook his head, indicating it canāt possibly break free from the grip of Frostbite. Still, after nodding, a hint of doubt flashed in Earl Miās eyes; he didnāt understand why this furry ball monster could still speak while frozen.
Forget itā¦ this isnāt important, as long as it canāt escape.
After confirming it couldnāt escape, Angel began contemplating how to hoodwink this furry ball monster.
This furry ball monster, despite having intelligence and being able to speak, seemed to have an impressive background, but it couldnāt hide its dull thinking.
This kind of "single-minded" Elemental Sprite, to trick it into revealing information is simply too easy.
As Angel thought of this, he began contemplating which intelligence to inquire about. Fengās intelligence? Thatās crucial, but it requires some setup; letās start with the Fire Monarch he mentionedā¦
Angel was about to speak when the simple-minded furry ball monster suddenly spoke: "Kelonkcro, this time you must help me. The spies of Frostbite Isella have come here, in no time ice will cover the land. I must get this information out, to that detestable New Kingā¦ Demon Fire Midir."
Angel: ???
"What are you talking about? Who is Kelonkcro?"
As Angel was puzzled, a sudden intense red light radiated from the Ice Sculpture.
"This isā¦ elemental self-destruction!"
Elemental creatures compress all their energy and undergo a destructive explosion, known as elemental self-destruction.
This kind of explosion is irreversible; once initiated, the elemental creature will vanish completely from the world. Whether spiritual or intellectual, everything will dissipate with the explosion.
Angel didnāt expect that this furry ball monster was so fierce.
Fierce isnāt the single-minded persona!
Moreover, I am not a spy of Frostbite Isella; your reckless self-destruction is entirely in vain!
Angel shouted repeatedly in his heart, but reality no longer allowed him to explain.
Terrifying energy began accumulating perpetually, ready to reach the explosion limit at any moment.
This Elemental Sprite isnāt strong; even if it compresses all its Elemental Power, the explosion wonāt deal much damage. Yet, this is a region with the densest energy of the Fire Element.
Exploding here enhances energy levels by two grades out of thin air.
Furthermore, nearby is a Magma Lake; if unstable, the Magma Lake might explode as well.
Thinking of this, Angel couldnāt wait any longer.
Since this furry ball monster has entered the self-destruction process, itās already irreversible; Angel has no reason to prevent it, nor can he.
Right now, all he could do was retreat.
Angel swiftly retreated; opening a door now would easily be affected by the explosion. To avoid being impacted, he opted for an Astral Projection, grabbed his flesh body, fully opened his Gravity Meridian, and retreated several miles in an instant.
Just as Angel retreated a few miles away, a huge explosion sounded from a distance.
Angel was now standing on the original cliff, watching from afar as the horizon shone brightly.
Accompanied by a light piercing the daylight, thunderous roars began echoing in his ears.
At the same time, the ground started to tremble.
Countless flames rose from the ground; previously hidden in the magma, elemental creatures were all blasted out. Various bizarre creatures densely populated the sky, all eyes staring at the distant explosion.
The energy aftermath of the explosion swiftly struck.
Even though Angel stood several miles away, he was still swept by the energy aftermath; his spiritual power shield activated, and Earl Mi transformed into a black shadow to envelop Angel.
The energy aftermath itself wasnāt particularly strong, but it brought tremendous latent danger.
The surrounding active fire element energy was activated by these turbulent aftershocks.
Exploding flames were everywhere.
The ground to the sky all turned into a sea of fire.
But it wasnāt over yet; as Angel thought everything was about to end, the distant Magma Lake started boiling, numerous ābean sproutsā rose into the sky, and a huge turtle floated into the air.
Immediately afterward, the Region of Fire boiled, and massive fire serpent whirlwinds obscured the world.