"Could it be… advancement materials for my Magma Fire?!"
The mere possibility sent a jolt of excitement through Lin Feng's heart. He immediately called out to the group, "Everyone! This way!! Let's go check!"
Lin Feng took the lead, with Chang Gong Xiaojing and the others following closely behind. Yan Can positioned himself at the rear, guarding their backs. They entered the narrower passageway. Under the glow of their illumination crystals, the cave walls were covered in an unknown black moss. Murky, viscous slime seeped from crevices, trickling down the damp rock faces. The only sounds were their soft footsteps echoing faintly in the oppressive gloom.
The tunnel twisted and turned erratically, a confusing maze that left them feeling disoriented. They lost track of the distance traveled, but gradually became aware of a distinct rise in temperature. The surrounding walls grew dry and cracked. Finally, they emerged into an immense, cavernous space.
It was astonishing that such a vast chamber could exist within a mountain – easily the size of a football field. At the far end of this cavern roared a wide, turbulent subterranean river!
The river plunged into the cave walls at both ends, its origin and destination hidden deep within the rock. It was baffling; outside lay a swamp, making the existence of this clearly flowing, cool river water utterly perplexing. It bore no resemblance to the swamp's muddy sludge.
"Chiu! Chiu!!" Xiaoqiu, perched on Lin Feng's shoulder, waved its tiny paws excitedly towards the cavern's ceiling.
Lin Feng didn't need the prompt. The moment he entered the space, an instinctive pull made him look up. High on the dome-like roof, an area seemed to be on fire, glowing like a massive overhead lamp, casting a bright, fiery light that illuminated the entire cavern.
He wasn't the only one. Everyone else instantly noticed the anomaly and looked upwards.
"No wonder it's so hot in here!" Loong Fei exclaimed in awe. "It's a fire-attribute spiritual material! An ore? Senior Brother Yan, what kind is it?"
"Solarflame Essence Crystal!!" Lin Feng blurted out, unable to contain his elation before Yan Can could respond. "That's Solarflame Essence Crystal! Material for upgrading Spiritfire!!"
"Solarflame Essence Crystal?" The group exchanged puzzled looks. Unlike Lin Feng, who had delved deep into such lore, none of them, not even Yan Can, recognized this treasure. It was exceptionally rare and served a highly specific purpose.
As a pill-refining sect, the Lingyue Sect naturally possessed numerous texts concerning Spiritfire. Over the past half year, Lin Feng had meticulously studied every relevant scroll he could access, gaining significant knowledge about various Spiritfires. Like magical treasures, Spiritfires had grades, and their advancement relied on unique, exotic spiritual materials. Solarflame Essence Crystal was one such material required by many Spiritfires for their upgrade. Crucially, it was listed among the materials needed to advance Lin Feng's own Magma Fire!
The strange fire-attribute crystal he had acquired alongside the Magma Fire deep beneath the Crimson Ridge Mountains – he had later learned it was a precious material called Crimson Smelt Crystal. It was one of the two materials essential for upgrading the Magma Fire. Meaning, if he could secure this Solarflame Essence Crystal before him, his Magma Fire could ascend to the next grade!
The benefits of the Magma Fire were deeply ingrained in Lin Feng. Upgrading it from Low-Grade to Mid-Grade would significantly enhance its power – whether for artifact repair, pill refinement, or combat! He had once contemplated asking the Myriad Treasures Pavilion to help locate this material, but Duan Chenglian had explicitly told him it was impossible. Even if the Pavilion acquired such an item, it would be immediately snapped up by powerful master refiners possessing Spiritfire higher up the chain, never trickling down to someone at his level.
That's why the sight of the Solarflame Essence Crystal filled him with such uncontrollable excitement. Turning to Yan Can, he said earnestly, "Brother Yan, this Solarflame Essence Crystal is of immense use to me. I request to take it all. In exchange, I will forfeit my share of any subsequent spiritual treasures we find."
Yan Can snapped out of his own surprise. He smiled readily. "Since it's material for upgrading Spiritfire, it naturally belongs in the hands of someone who possesses one. Take it all. I have no objections."
"Thank you!!" Lin Feng clasped his fists in gratitude. Without further delay, he stepped forward, summoning his Crimson Soul flying sword, ready to pry the glowing crystal from the ceiling.
However, at that precise moment…
"CHIU!!"
"Lin Feng, look out!!"
Xiaoqiu's piercing shriek and Yan Can's urgent shout rang out simultaneously. Before Lin Feng could fully react, a thunderous BOOM! erupted from the turbulent river ahead. A colossal geyser of water exploded upwards as an enormous figure surged from the depths, lunging straight towards him!
"KEEEOOONGG!!!" An ear-splitting, bizarre roar followed, bearing an uncanny resemblance to a dragon's bellow. The sheer force of the sound caused Chang Gong Xiaojing and Zhang Fangzhou, with their weaker cultivation, to momentarily sway, their minds reeling.
Whoosh… In the split second before the massive form could crash down upon Lin Feng, a streak of cyan sword light sliced through the air directly above his head, flashing towards the attacking shadow!
CLANG!!! A harsh, metallic shriek tore through the cavern as Yan Can's flying sword struck the creature. Sparks flew wildly, but the blade simply glanced off, deflected! The creature's charge faltered only slightly before it continued its devastating descent upon Lin Feng, momentum barely checked.
Yet, Yan Can's desperate strike had bought Lin Feng the barest fraction of a second he needed to react. Instinct took over. He poured all his energy into the Spiritlight Talisman he had been clutching tightly in his left hand. A golden protective barrier shimmered into existence around him just as a thick, whip-like shadow lashed out horizontally.
WHUMPF! The newly formed light shield buckled violently under the impact and then exploded into shards of dissipating energy!
Fortunately, the shield's brief existence gave Lin Feng time. As it shattered, he kicked off the ground, throwing himself backwards with desperate speed. The massive 'whip' whistled past, the wind of its passage grazing the tip of his nose and leaving several thin, stinging cuts on his cheek. By a hair's breadth, he had evaded the deadly strike.
The attacker, its assault momentarily thwarted, halted where Lin Feng had stood moments before. Lin Feng stumbled back, retreating hastily until he rejoined Yan Can and the others near the passage entrance, his breath ragged.
...
The entire sequence had transpired in the blink of an eye. Lin Feng felt as if he had just brushed shoulders with the Grim Reaper himself. Heart pounding, he looked up, finally getting a clear view of his assailant. His face instantly paled.
It was a demon beast of monstrous proportions, easily as large as a city bus. Its entire body was encased in plates of dark crimson scales, glowing as if superheated. Its form resembled a grotesquely mutated lizard, but from its head sprouted two ugly, bony protrusions, bearing a faint, disturbing resemblance to dragon horns.
"Vermilion Drake Beast!! Tier 3… Level 9!!"