Absolute Beast Dominion

Chapter 525: Lava Serpent

Leo was flabbergasted upon seeing the treasure information.

A physique!

And he wasn’t the only one.

’Jump and get that thing!’ Gunther shouted telepathically into his head.

’I will save you, but you need to get it! That’s literally a chance for you to get a second talent and gain a physique!’

Leo didn’t think twice and took a whole 100-meter leap across the lava crater. It wasn’t that he was trusting Gunther with his life. Rather, Leo had his own ways to get out of the lava crater using wind, water, and earth magic. Though he would need to be ready to suffer some serious burns.

He was about to dive into the hot lava pool, right where the [Sunblood Pearl] was floating and seemingly absorbing the lava essence.

Leo raised his hand as nearby wind responded and concentrated right where the pearl was. He was just about to use water to heavily splash the lava when he felt danger approaching from beneath the molten surface.

Leo completely disregarded the pearl and redirected the wind right where he was about to dive, creating a powerful upward thrust that lifted him into the air.

"Argh..." Leo groaned as searing-hot air slammed into his body, but his eyes never left the location of the [Sunblood Pearl] as a maw opened right beneath it.

The maw seemed to be swallowing the lava itself, and along with it, it swallowed the pearl whole.

"NO!" Leo shouted.

The treasure had been snatched right in front of him.

But whatever beast it was, it wasn’t done yet.

It locked onto Leo and shot through the lava directly toward him.

Leo’s eyes widened.

He immediately used one hand to summon wind and throw himself higher and ultimately toward the edge of the lava crater. At the same time, he used the other hand to fire a concentrated water cannon at the beast’s open maw.

Leo still hadn’t registered what the beast looked like, but the system had already delivered the notification.

Infernal Serpent (Low 5-star) — Super Bloodline

"Fuck!" Leo cursed as the water cannon struck the serpent.

Hissss!

The water evaporated rapidly as the serpent shook its head and altered its upward motion, diving back into the lava.

Leo landed on the edge of the lava crater and immediately started running along the perimeter because, the very next moment, the serpent’s head emerged once more and spewed scorching flames directly toward him.

"That treasure isn’t lost yet!" Leo realized.

The system message had clearly stated that the [Sunblood Pearl] was found in the neck sac of Infernal Serpents. From his earlier observation that the treasure had been floating on the lava and absorbing its essence, it was obvious that the serpent had vomited it out to nourish and enhance it. Then, when it sensed Leo, it swallowed the pearl back.

’Kid, now there’s only one obstacle between you and a powerful flame physique. And it’s a Low 5-star Infernal Serpent in its natural habitat.’

’It’s difficult, very difficult, but remember, I will make sure you won’t die,’ Gunther’s voice echoed in his head.

Leo nodded.

Gunther was clearly telling him to go all out and kill this beast to obtain the treasure.

Leo thought of something and, in the end, allowed Nyxa to eat the Magmaback Ape Lord’s corpse and beast core in the spiritual realm.

’Nyxa, eat that beast’s core and meat as fast as you can and rank up!’

Leo’s mind worked frantically, searching for ways to gain more strength.

Then he thought of Niri.

Niri, tear through those 3-star Cinderback Ape corpses and use their cores to advance! If that’s not enough, use all the Soul Crystals!

Leo knew the chances of Niri advancing by consuming fire-type beast cores were minimal, but he had to try.

Thankfully, the Infernal Serpent seemed hell-bent on getting rid of Leo, so it continuously used flames in an attempt to incinerate him.

Yet even after half an hour, Nyxa hadn’t ranked up, despite consuming the Ape Lord’s beast core and meat.

In the end, Leo told her to consume the Mana Crystals as well. He still had the leftovers from the behemoth.

He also recalled that he possessed the Soul Crystal and Mana Crystal from the crocodile beast he had hunted at the end of Gunther’s training. He gave those to Nyxa as well.

But still no effect, and Nyxa was almost full.

Wait... I even have that Pseudo 5-star Mana Crystal that Professor Katherine gave me during Lily’s advancement...

Leo deliberated whether such a high-level Mana Crystal would be suitable for Nyxa, but in the end, he decided to allow only half of it to be consumed.

When Nyxa struck the huge Mana Crystal, it broke into 3 pieces. One of them was a Peak 4-star Mana Crystal, while the other 2 were Mid 4-star.

Nyxa immediately consumed the 2 Mid 4-star Mana Crystals, and the remaining Peak 4-star crystal was kept aside for Niri for gradual consumption over time.

One hour passed.

No advancement.

Leo was still dodging the serpent’s attacks.

"Fucking hell! This heat will kill me!" Leo shouted.

Sweat drenched him from head to toe, and even the thin layer of water covering his body was beginning to affect him adversly due to inhibiting his body’s natural cooling mechanism by forming a second layer on his skin.

All this time, Leo racked his brain in every direction and still couldn’t find a way to kill the beast.

He still hadn’t seen its true size, hadn’t found a way to get close without being incinerated by flames, and hadn’t discovered any method to lure the beast out of the lava crater.

It was literally lounging at the center of the crater and using Leo as target practice.

He couldn’t even use water to cool the lava surface because no matter how much water he poured, it evaporated within moments and formed thick steam that obscured his vision.

"Is there really no way?" Leo muttered through gritted teeth.

Suddenly, Leo felt a few more presences closing in on him.

"So it’s him."

"Tsk, I really hoped to never see his face here again..."

Leo sharply looked up to see the 3 adolescent dragons hovering in the distance.