The Doubtful

Hao Xuan quickly waved his hand to create a barrier around him, calling forth nearly 70% of his spiritual energy in one go.

But Baba Jezda's figure shifted and took on a darker tinge, letting all the lava pass right through her.

Four more pillars of lava shot up into the air from around the land bridge, calling forth two 30-meter-long serpentine creatures that surrounded them from every direction.

Hao Xuan shifted his gaze towards the figure at the end of the bridge. It held the rather simple appearance of an ape with the only differences being that it was completely white and hairless apart from a rough beard.

Its bright orange eyes burned with the same hue as the lava lake and one look was enough for Hao Xuan to know of its supreme intelligence but those rows of crooked razor-sharp teeth decorating its mouth told a different story. (Reference Image posted in authors notes and discord)