A mysterious creature suddenly burst through the magma, letting out a sharp hiss as it shot toward the ancient river suspended in midair.
The disturbance sent random splashes of magma flying, violently agitating the once-calm magma lake. Towering pillars of molten rock erupted from its surface, creating a spectacular display.
Seeing the creature charging at him, Gu He smirked. His figure flickered as he swiftly ascended higher above the magma.
The mysterious creature hesitated briefly, but its hunger overpowered its caution. Unwilling to let its prey escape, it pursued without hesitation.
As Gu He unleashed his soul power, he finally got a clear look at the creature.
It was a serpentine magic beast, its body stretching at least forty to fifty feet long. Its fiery-red scales gleamed like polished jade from a distance, each one the size of a palm. What surprised Gu He the most, however, was that the beast had two heads.
At the fork of its slender neck, two vicious heads glared at him with diamond-shaped pupils brimming with bloodthirsty violence.
"Is this the Two-Headed Flame Spirit Serpent? It's… really ugly," Gu He mused inwardly.
Seeing that the beast had taken the bait, Gu He halted mid-air, waiting for it to close the distance.
With another hiss, the massive Two-Headed Flame Spirit Serpent moved with astonishing speed, quickly catching up to Gu He. Then, without warning, its maw gaped open, and a scarlet, forked tongue lashed out like a blade.
"Heh, I've given you enough courtesy!"
Gu He sneered. The moment he dodged the attack, he summoned a colossal claw of dou qi and seized the beast's enormous body.
Hiss—!
Above the magma, the Two-Headed Flame Spirit Serpent was now trapped in the sky-encompassing grip, letting out a terrified shriek—a far cry from its earlier ferocity.
Gu He tightened his hold slightly, and the beast writhed as if its body might burst under the pressure.
Hiss!
After a brief struggle, the Two-Headed Flame Spirit Serpent locked eyes with Gu He, its gaze now pleading.
"Such high intelligence!" Gu He was mildly impressed. "This beast actually knows how to feign pitifulness to gain sympathy."
With a cold chuckle, Gu He conjured a wisp of purple flame in his left hand and flicked it toward the beast.
As his grip loosened slightly, he spoke indifferently: "If you want to live, swallow it."
The Two-Headed Flame Spirit Serpent, intelligent as it was, understood his words. Yet, as it stared at the purple flame hovering before it, its massive body trembled, its eyes flashing with fear.
It glanced between the flame and Gu He, its gaze begging—"Do I really have to? I'm terrified!"
But Gu He remained unmoved.
"If you refuse, I will kill you."
Gu He began tightening his grip again.
Panicked, the Two-Headed Flame Spirit Serpent hastily opened its maw and swallowed the flame.
Satisfied, Gu He finally released it.
Now that the beast had ingested a strand of his natal divine flame, he could detonate it at will.
And the Two-Headed Flame Spirit Serpent knew it.
Even after being freed, it stayed motionless, not daring to flee.
Gu He hovered above it, looking down with authority.
"You're clever. If you value your life, obey me."
Both heads nodded frantically.
"Good." Gu He's smile was cold. "A month ago, a snake-woman came here. Did you see her?"
The Two-Headed Flame Spirit Serpent froze momentarily before nodding again.
"Take me to where she went."
A flicker of fear passed through the beast's eyes, but the memory of the purple flame in its belly made it nod reluctantly.
With a twist of its massive body, the Fire Spirit Snake plunged back into the magma, sending molten spray in all directions.
Gu He activated his Black Ice Sacred Armor, and a blue light enveloped him, forming a protective layer over his entire body.
Clad in the armor, Gu He descended into the magma without hesitation.
Surrounded by the fiery currents, Gu He marveled at the molten world around him. Bubbles of magma swelled and burst near him, their splashes harmlessly deflected by his armor.
The Black Ice Sacred Armor nullified the scorching heat, leaving him perfectly comfortable.
He scooped up a handful of the glowing magma, letting it drip slowly from his fingers.
"To be this close to molten rock… it's unnerving."
The thought of what would happen if his armor failed—of him flailing like a grasshopper in a frying pan—sent a chill down his spine.
Shaking off the image, he turned to the Fire Spirit Snake waiting obediently ahead.
"Lead the way, big guy."
The beast gave an eager nod before diving deeper.
Gu He exhaled, then followed, keeping close behind the serpent as they ventured further into the depths.
Within the magma, everything was a blur of crimson. Yet, with his soul power and the Black Ice Sacred Armor's protection, he could just barely discern his surroundings.
His eyes scanned the environment briefly before he swam onward trailing the twin-headed serpent.
…
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