Qian Daoliu's words stirred excitement in Yan's heart.
A fire-attributed soul beast with a cultivation nearing two hundred thousand years made him full of anticipation.
Although the journey was long and full of unknown dangers, and there was no telling whether that soul beast still resided beneath the volcano, Yan still wanted to see it for himself.
Fire-attributed soul beasts with cultivation over one hundred thousand years were extremely rare. The last time he encountered a Three-Headed Crimson Demon Hound at the core of the Star Dou Great Forest had been pure luck.
Bibi Dong's soul hunting operation had alarmed the soul beasts at the forest's core. They had since heightened their vigilance against human soul masters, making it even harder to find a suitable hundred-thousand-year soul beast.
Therefore, Yan decided to go to the island Qian Daoliu had mentioned.
"Grand Worship where exactly is that island you spoke of? I'd like to go take a look."
"You're sure you want to go?"
"Though it's dangerous, I still want to give it a try. According to you, that fire-attributed soul beast must be immensely powerful. I hope to make it my ninth soul ring."
Qian Daoliu nodded slightly and said:
"I passed by that place years ago and became curious, so I decided to explore it. But the volcano seemed bottomless and unbearably hot, requiring a massive amount of soul power to resist the heat. At the time, I no longer needed soul rings, so I didn't pursue it further. You do have the ultimate fire attribute, but that soul beast has a cultivation close to two hundred thousand years. Relying on yourself alone may not be enough to handle it. Moreover, there may be more than one soul beast beneath that volcano."
Yan also understood how perilous this journey would be.
But Qian Daoliu's words only fueled his desire to explore further.
"Grand Worship, I know what you're concerned about. But I've made up my mind."
Qian Daoliu looked at Yan, the appreciation in his eyes deepening further.
Unafraid of hardship and challenges, possessing a courageous heart, so young, already exhibited the traits of a top-tier powerhouse. Perhaps that was exactly why he could withstand three soul rings exceeding his limits, all at the hundred-thousand-year level.
Although Yan was eager to obtain that soul ring, Qian Daoliu didn't want him to go alone.
After all, Yan was a once-in-a-generation genius soul master of the Douluo Continent, recognized by Qian Renxue, and someone who could accompany her on her path.
The future of Spirit Hall might just lie in the hands of these two.
"Since you've already decided, then go. I'll draw a map for you as reference. Also, I'll assign someone to go with you."
"Grand Worship, thank you so much!"
Yan was a little moved. He hadn't expected Qian Daoliu to offer help on his own initiative.
The last two times he hunted hundred-thousand-year soul beasts, his teacher Yue Guan had assisted him, but now the situation was different.
Even if he could contact Yue Guan, Yue Guan might not be able to withstand the intense heat of the earth's core flames.
Qian Daoliu said:
"I'll have the Seventh Worship accompany you. He happens to be in Heaven Dou City."
"Demon Subduing Douluo?"
"Mm."
Qian Daoliu was familiar with the area's conditions and had carefully considered who to send.
A soul master going there had to endure scorching flames.
The best candidate would've been the fire-attributed Fourth Worship, Lion Douluo, but Lion Douluo was proud and disdained working with others. Moreover, he was far away in Spirit City, and this wasn't an official matter of Spirit Hall.
Although Demon Subduing Douluo was arrogant and brash, he had a warm heart and was more willing to help juniors.
Hearing that the companion would be Demon Subduing Douluo, Yan became somewhat excited.
He had witnessed Demon Subduing Douluo's strength during the Heaven Dou Palace incident.
The martial soul of Demon Subduing Douluo, the Coiling Dragon Staff, was sealed with a red Heavenly Awakening Sacred Gold Dragon, seemingly carrying a trace of fire attribute. That was probably why Qian Daoliu had arranged for him to accompany the mission.
"Grand Worship, thank you. With Demon Subduing Douluo going along, I'll be more confident."
"Mm. Once I finish the map, I'll have Xiaoxue deliver it to you. Go call her in."
"Alright."
Yan walked out of the grand hall and saw Qian Renxue waiting outside.
Qian Renxue smiled and said:
"You two talked for quite a while. What did my grandfather say to you?"
"Grand Worship gave me some very important information. Go on in, he'll tell you."
"Alright."
Qian Renxue returned to the hall and learned from Qian Daoliu what the two had discussed.
She could tell that her grandfather held Yan in high regard otherwise, he wouldn't have sent the Seventh Worship to accompany him.
Afterward, Yan wrote a letter to Shui Bing'er, telling her about his plan to travel to the Eastern Sea to hunt a soul beast.
After a year of rigorous cultivation, Shui Bing'er's soul power had risen by two levels. She was now at Level 76 and had become the vice principal of Sky Water Academy.
Yan knew Shui Bing'er would want to accompany him on the soul beast hunt.
She already possessed the ultimate ice attribute and might not fear the flames at the earth's core.
But since Yan didn't know how powerful the soul beast truly was, he didn't want Shui Bing'er to take the risk.
The next morning.
Yan went to find Qian Renxue.
Qian Renxue had once again taken on her Xue Qinghe disguise.
Two people stood behind her Snake Lance Douluo and Demon Subduing Douluo.
"This is from my grandfather for you."
"Thank you."
Yan knew it was the map and accepted it carefully, then bowed to Demon Subduing Douluo.
"Seventh Worship, thank you for your help."
"Kid, no need to be so polite. Don't worry—with me here, nothing will go wrong."
Demon Subduing Douluo patted his broad chest, full of confidence.
Qian Renxue turned to glance at him and reminded:
"Grandpa, I heard from Grandfather that the soul beast is extremely powerful. You should be cautious."
"Got it, young miss. Don't worry I'll definitely bring this kid back safe and sound, haha~"
"Then I wish you both a safe and smooth journey."
"Thank you."
Yan bid farewell to Qian Renxue and then departed with Demon Subduing Douluo.
The two rode swiftly, heading eastward. After half a month, they arrived at the Eastern Sea.
The ocean stretched endlessly, boundless in all directions.
Even flying, it would take several days to find the island, and both physical strength and soul power would be heavily taxed.
So before setting out, Yan purchased a ship-type soul tool at an auction house in a coastal city.
The soul tool was called "Netherwave Piercing Boat," crafted mainly from obsidian mined deep under the sea, mixed with rare sea soul beast bone powder and Star Iron essence, all finely sculpted. The boat emitted a mysterious, deep black luster.
Its streamlined hull had a sharp arrowhead-like prow and a slightly upturned stern.
On both sides of the boat were rows of tiny soul tool arrays. When soul power was injected, these arrays glowed with a ghostly blue light like the eyes of a phantom in the deep sea guiding the Netherwave Piercing Boat as it cut through waves.
It also had a submerging function.
Using soul power to steer the boat, the two sailed across the sea for over half a month, finally reaching the depths of the Eastern Sea.
The surrounding scenery grew increasingly eerie and terrifying.
The dark red seawater looked like a bottomless abyss, swallowing all light. Even the soul tool lamps on the boat could barely illuminate a small area ahead.
A faint mist began to drift across the sea surface, carrying an intense heat that seemed to pierce the skin and go straight to the bone.
The sea waves, once gentle, now became violent and chaotic, as if countless unseen giant hands stirred from the seabed, raising monstrous waves.
The Netherwave Piercing Boat was like a lone leaf amidst the storm, seemingly on the verge of being swallowed at any moment.
Yan could sense that the island wasn't far away.
"Grandpa, we should be close. The waves are too strong.let's fly the rest of the way."
"Alright."
Demon Subduing Douluo was already one hundred and twenty years old. Along the way, Yan found him easy to get along with, so like Qian Renxue, he also addressed him as "grandpa."
Then, Yan put away the Netherwave Piercing Boat and flew deeper in together with Demon Subduer Douluo.
They passed through the scorching and strange mist, and the scene before them gradually became clearer.
Above the sea surface, a towering island stood like a giant, its silhouette appearing even more majestic and mysterious against the backdrop of the dark-red seawater.
On the island, a massive volcano was erupting violently, with scorching magma shooting into the sky like a fiery dragon, illuminating the surrounding sea area for several li.
The magma flowed downward, forming patches of solidified lava along the shore, staining part of the island a dark black color.
"Looks like we've arrived."
Demon Subduing Douluo's gaze locked onto the volcano, a bit of anticipation in his eyes.
"Yeah, let's head over."
Yan was also feeling a bit excited.
The two cautiously approached the island, avoiding areas that might pose danger due to volcanic activity.
As they got closer, waves of heat surged toward them, and the air was filled with the scent of sulfur and scorched rock.
They landed on a relatively safe part of the island, and what lay before them was a desolate landscape covered in volcanic ash.
In the midst of this desolation, a few strange plants could be seen growing stubbornly. Most of them were red, seeming to have astonishing adaptability to the high heat and harsh environment of the volcano.
Yan closed his eyes and focused, vaguely sensing a soul power fluctuation coming from underground, and he was instantly overjoyed.
"Grandpa, the soul beast mentioned by the Grand Worship is still under the volcano."
Demon Subduing Douluo furrowed his brows, finding it hard to believe.
Even though his soul power had reached Rank 96, he hadn't sensed the presence of that soul beast yet Yan had.
"Kid, are you sure?"
"Of course I'm sure. Don't forget, I possess both fire and earth attributes."
That island was filled with immense flames, and Yan's spiritual power could be better utilized amidst fire and earth elements.
"Alright, I'll trust you."
Demon Subduing Douluo looked around and scratched his head.
"If that soul beast is under the volcano, how do we get in? Don't tell me we have to jump into that crater?"
"How about you rest here for a while? I'll go check it out."
"Okay, but be careful."
"Mm, I got it."
Yan walked toward the crater.
Though the magma was scorching hot, it had no effect on Yan, who possessed the Flame of Ultimate Fire.
As he walked, a sudden flash caught his eyes he was drawn to a strange plant.
It was near the crater, growing tenaciously in the crevice where magma and heat waves intertwined.
Its roots were embedded deep within the searing rocks, like crimson dragon whiskers, tough and full of vitality.
Its stalk was covered in fine golden flame markings, which shimmered slightly and emitted a faint warmth.
What stood out the most was the blooming flower.
Its petals weren't of ordinary color but transitioned from fiery red at the edges to golden yellow at the center, like a rising sun wrapped in flames, dazzling and blazing.
"Didn't expect a Immortal herb to grow here too!"
Yan recognized it as a Blazing Spirit Fire Lotus.
The Blazing Spirit Fire Lotus absorbed the purest fire essence of heaven and earth, taking a thousand years to form.
Not only was it an excellent material for refining high-grade fire-type elixirs, but it could also greatly enhance a cultivator's fire-elemental roots.
Yan already possessed the Flame of Ultimate Fire, so he didn't need it.
But he still carefully dug it out and stored it in the Myriad Spirit Treasure Vault.
After that, Yan unfolded his Blazing Wings and searched the area around the volcano but found no other entrance.
The only way in seemed to be the crater from which scorching magma continuously spewed out.
Yan could feel there was a hollow space beneath the volcano.
He could burrow underground using the power of the earth, but Demon Subduing Douluo didn't have such an ability and could only go in through the crater.
Yan wasn't sure if Demon Subduing Douluo could withstand the fiery heat under the volcano.
Perhaps Demon Subding Douluo could resist it temporarily using soul power, but if they couldn't find and subdue the soul beast quickly, the consumption of his soul power would be enormous.
Yan returned.
"Kid, how is it? Any other entrance?"
"No. I'm afraid you really have to enter through the crater."
"No problem. Once I activate my Martial Soul True Body, I can go in."
"But, there seems to be even hotter Geothermal Fire beneath the volcano. You'll need to keep using soul power to resist the heat."
Demon Subduing Douluo smiled calmly.
"What's there to fear? Let's go in and see first."
"Wait a moment."
Yan took out the Blazing Spirit Fire Lotus he had just picked from the Myriad Spirit Treasure Vault.
Looking at the strange plant glowing with golden-red light, Demon Subduer Douluo looked curious.
"Kid, what's this?"
"This is a Blazing Spirit Fire Lotus. I just picked it near the crater. After refining and absorbing it, it can boost your fire resistance. Please absorb it first."
"A little flower like this, can it really be that magical?"
"Try it, and you'll see."
"Alright, I'll trust you again."
Demon Subduing Douluo took the Blazing Spirit Fire Lotus, then sat cross-legged and began refining it.
Time passed by slowly.
By the time Demon Subduing Douluo had completely refined the Blazing Spirit Fire Lotus, it was already night.
The magma gushing from the crater shot fire into the sky, dyeing the dark sky with dazzling and blinding gold.
Demon Subduing Douluo opened his eyes, looked at Yan, and gave a goofy smile.
"Kid, that plant really is magical. I don't feel as hot anymore."
"Of course! That's an extremely rare Immortal herb even the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well never produced one."
"What's this Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well?"
"Nothing. That place doesn't exist anymore. Let's go."
The two of them flew toward the crater.
"I'll scout ahead."
Yan leapt forward and dove straight into the surging magma crater.
Demon Subduing Douluo followed closely behind and jumped in as well.
Inside the crater, magma churned and roared deafeningly, like the gates of hell flung open, unleashing endless destructive power.
Sensing the direction of the hollow beneath, Yan charged forward fearlessly.
No one knew how long had passed when a light suddenly appeared before Yan's eyes—it suddenly opened up.
A wide underground magma river appeared before the two of them.
This magma river twisted and turned, its depths unfathomable. The flowing magma radiated dazzling light, illuminating the entire underground space as bright as day.