Chapter 457 - 278: Fire Crystals Again, Insect Emperor Ancient Scroll

Chapter 457: Chapter 278: Fire Crystals Again, Insect Emperor Ancient Scroll

Lin Changheng nodded in approval and reminded her.

Mo Zhaoli also carefully inspected and cross-referenced the spot. Once she was certain, she immediately began to set down the first Jade Array Base, engraved with intricate Array Patterns, in the designated location.

The two cooperated seamlessly. One used a Strange Skill to detect Demon Beasts and provide relevant information, while the other swiftly slayed them and set up the Array Bases. They advanced steadily through the lush greenery like the most efficient cleanup crew.

"I’ll have to trouble you to clear out the remaining Demon Beasts in the cave, Brother Lin."

Mo Zhaoli’s voice transmission sounded in Lin Changheng’s ears at the perfect time.

"Alright."

As it happened, Lin Changheng also wanted to explore the Earth Fire Lizard’s lair to see if he could find any companion Spiritual Objects or other treasures.

His figure flickered, and like a wisp of green smoke, he shot directly into the cave, which was still thick with the stench of blood and scorching heat.

The cave was deeper than he had imagined. The passage twisted downward, the temperature rose noticeably, and the Fire Spiritual Qi in the air grew increasingly active.

Lin Changheng felt nothing but comfort. Not only did he not circulate his Magical Power for protection, he actually felt as pleasant as if he were soaking in a hot spring. A Divine Light swirled deep in his eyes, allowing him to see clearly in the dim environment and keenly sense the aura of Fire Attribute Spiritual Objects.

ZZZT! ZZZT! ZZZT! 𝖋𝘳ℯ

With a flick of his fingers, Magical Power shot out, easily slaughtering the group of weak, Tier One Earth Fire Lizards. Their corpses collapsed to the ground.

Clearly, the Tier Two Earth Fire Lizard from before had possessed some unique quality, allowing it to break through the shackles of its Mortal Filth Bloodline and reach Tier Two.

The other Earth Fire Lizards, however, were not so lucky.

...

After advancing about a hundred feet, the cave suddenly opened into a small, natural stone chamber. In the center of the chamber was a shallow depression containing the lingering aura of the Earth Fire Lizard—clearly its nest.

His gaze was immediately drawn to a small area in the corner of the chamber.

Growing there were three palm-high stalks of grass, crimson from root to tip. Shaped like burning flames, they radiated a pure Fire Spirit Qi.

’Red Flame Grass, a Tier Two Spirit Grass. Judging by its appearance, it must be around fifty years old. It’s a supplementary material for refining various Fire Attribute Elixirs. Not bad.’ Lin Changheng recognized the plant. With a wave of his hand, he carefully plucked the stalks of Spirit Grass and stored them in a Jade Box.

Just as he was about to search the area more thoroughly, he suddenly felt a faint yet eager throb from deep within his Dantian.

It was a reaction from the Red Sky Profound Flame.

Lin Changheng froze.

He had only ever encountered a situation like this twice before.

The first time was with the Red Crystal Stone he had obtained from the Huang Family Grand Elder, Huang Jiuyuan. It was the crystallized result of someone else’s cultivation of the Jade Void Brilliance Scripture. Refining and absorbing it had greatly benefited his own Cultivation Technique and could also "feed" the Red Sky Profound Flame.

The second time was with the Molten Fire Crystal.

It was produced at the bottom of volcanoes or harvested from special fiery environments, containing a powerful and dense accumulation of Flame Essence. It could be used to bolster the cultivation of a Fire Element Technique, and it could also help a Tier Two Innate Demon Fire undergo a transformation.

Lin Changheng’s Red Sky Profound Flame was one of the flames that could be enhanced by it. He had obtained the crystal twice before, and his Profound Flame had improved significantly.

’Could it be...’

As the thought crossed his mind, a hint of excitement appeared on his face. This Quasi-Tier Three region, rich with Fire Spiritual Qi, could indeed be considered a special kind of Fire Element environment.

’It’s here...’

Following the sensation, Lin Changheng walked to the rearmost rock wall of the chamber.

The appearance and color of the rock wall here seemed quite normal, but it was warm, almost hot, to the touch.

He formed his fingers into a sword-like point, gathering a sliver of Magical Power at the tips, and lightly drew them across the rock face.

SCRAAAPE—

The rock face was easily sliced open, and a layer of stone peeled away. Instantly, a wave of even purer, hotter Fire Spirit Qi washed over him! Beneath the stone facade lay several fist-sized, crystalline Ores. Inside them, what looked like red, flowing fire seemed to slowly swirl!

’Is this... Flowing Fire Stone Essence?’

A flicker of pleasant surprise flashed in Lin Changheng’s eyes.

’This is a type of Fire Attribute Companion Spiritual Ore. It’s a high-quality auxiliary material for refining Fire Element Spiritual Artifacts. Its value isn’t low; although it can’t compare to those stalks of Red Flame Grass, it’s still a considerable find. It seems the Earth Fire Lizard didn’t choose this place as its nest by chance.’

’More importantly, Flowing Fire Stone Essence is often found in the vicinity of Molten Fire Crystal.’

’While that doesn’t guarantee Molten Fire Crystal is nearby, it does mean there’s a chance.’

Therefore, without a moment’s hesitation, he acted. He summoned his Cyan Gold Flying Sword and began to extract all the exposed Flowing Fire Stone Essence.

At the same time, he activated the Divine Light in his eyes again, searching for the direction this Spiritual Material might extend deeper into the rock. Then, stone chips flew as he began forcefully cutting and carving out a new tunnel.

...

「Two hours later.」

Mo Zhaoli arrived in the stone chamber to find it littered with the corpses of Demon Beasts, but no sign of Lin Changheng. There was only a dark, narrow tunnel, about the height of a man, gaping like the maw of an abyss and leading into the unknown.

"Brother Lin..."

She had already finished setting the Array Bases and had come to find Lin Changheng, only to discover this scene. She immediately set up a simple Concealing Array around the narrow tunnel’s entrance. From the outside, the opening was now completely invisible.

She then sat down cross-legged in the stone chamber to wait, spreading her Divine Sense outward to monitor the situation in the Outer World.

She settled into the perfect posture of a guardian.

’She worried that if she went in as well, what would they do if something unexpected happened? Or if someone from the Outer World was lying in wait, wouldn’t Brother Lin be left without an escape route?’

As for what Lin Changheng had discovered, or what he might gain from it, she neither cared nor was she curious.