Chapter 88: The Fiery Ambush of the Fire Lotus

Chapter 88: The Fiery Ambush of the Fire Lotus

A Treasure Within Reach

Mu Feng stared in awe at the dazzling Fire Lotus, its radiant red petals glowing against the molten lava. The tantalizing fragrance of the lotus seeds teased his senses, their potency palpable even from a distance.

"This is it," he whispered, his voice barely audible over the bubbling of the lava pool. "The Fire Lotus Seeds… worth more than kingdoms."

Yet, a part of him remained wary. The serene atmosphere of the stone chamber was deceptive. Nothing this valuable came without its dangers.

The Treacherous Harvest

Carefully, Mu Feng approached the molten lava pool. He extracted a pair of specialized gloves from his Qiankun Ring, designed to resist extreme temperatures, and crouched at the edge. The fiery glow from the lava reflected in his determined eyes as he extended his hands toward the lotus.

The delicate operation required him to pluck the seeds without damaging the flower—a task that demanded both precision and nerves of steel. He gritted his teeth, steadying his trembling fingers, and began.

With each seed he extracted, his heart pounded louder. One… two… three… seven glowing Fire Lotus Seeds now rested safely in his jade box.

A Predator Returns

Just as Mu Feng reached for the final seed, a menacing growl echoed through the chamber. The hair on his neck stood on end as the temperature seemed to spike.

Turning slowly, he saw it—the Fire Demon Jiao, its hulking form blocking the only exit.

Its eyes glowed like molten gold, and its scarlet scales reflected the fiery ambiance of the cavern. The three-clawed beast exuded an aura of ancient, primal fury.

The creature let out a low rumble, its voice resonating with disdain. "You dare trespass in my lair?"

Caught Between the Flames

Mu Feng clenched his fists. Escape seemed impossible; the beast was faster and stronger, and the cavern offered no place to hide.

"I was hoping you'd stay distracted by Liu Yixue," he muttered under his breath, glancing at the lotus seed-filled box. "Looks like I'll have to earn my way out."

The Fire Demon Jiao roared, sending waves of heat cascading through the chamber. Lava splashed against the rock, and the ground quaked.

With no time to hesitate, Mu Feng activated the Shura Divine Jade, its dark energy wrapping around him like armor. His grip tightened on his twin sabers as he prepared for the fight of his life.

A Desperate Battle

The Fire Demon Jiao struck first, its massive tail whipping toward Mu Feng with a force that shattered stone. He narrowly avoided the attack, the tail's impact leaving a jagged crater where he had stood.

Mu Feng countered with a flurry of strikes, his sabers slashing at the beast's scales. Sparks flew with each hit, but his blades failed to penetrate its thick armor.

The demon hissed, its maw glowing with gathering energy. A split second later, it unleashed a torrent of flames.

Mu Feng dove behind a nearby boulder, using it as a shield. The flames engulfed the room, turning the air blisteringly hot. Sweat dripped down his face as he plotted his next move.

Exploiting the Weakness

Through the haze, Mu Feng spotted a weak point—the beast's underbelly was less protected than the rest of its body. He needed a plan to exploit it.

Digging into his Qiankun Ring, he retrieved a handful of fireburst talismans. A sly grin crept across his face as he hatched a reckless plan.

"Alright, big guy," he muttered, charging forward. "Let's see how you like this!"

He activated the talismans and hurled them beneath the demon's belly. The resulting explosions shook the cavern, and the beast let out a deafening roar of pain. Its movements became erratic, its previously impenetrable defense faltering.

A Timely Rescue

Just as Mu Feng prepared to strike the weakened creature, a burst of blue energy lit up the cavern. Liu Yixue descended from above, her figure wreathed in a shimmering aura.

The Fire Demon Jiao turned its attention to her, recognizing the greater threat. With a roar, it lunged, but Liu Yixue moved with unparalleled grace, dodging its attacks and countering with precise strikes from her glowing blade.

"Grab the remaining seed and go!" she shouted, her voice echoing through the chaos. "I'll hold it off!"

Mu Feng didn't need to be told twice. He dashed toward the lotus, plucked the final seed, and secured it in his jade box. His heart raced as he sprinted toward the exit, but not without a glance back at Liu Yixue.

Her blade danced like liquid light, each strike forcing the Fire Demon Jiao back. It was clear she was a true master of her craft, but the beast was relentless.

A Narrow Escape

Mu Feng climbed the rocky walls of the volcano with renewed urgency. Behind him, the sounds of battle echoed louder, each clash reverberating through the cavern.

When he finally reached the surface, he collapsed onto solid ground, gasping for air. He clutched the jade box tightly, its contents a reminder of the perilous mission he had just survived.

From the volcano's depths, a final, earth-shaking roar erupted. Then, silence.

Moments later, a figure emerged from the volcano's smoke-filled mouth. Liu Yixue, her robes singed but her expression as calm as ever, landed gracefully beside him.

"You got the seeds?" she asked, her tone neutral.

Mu Feng nodded, offering her the jade box. "All eight, as promised."

Liu Yixue took the box, inspecting its contents briefly before nodding. "You've done well. I'll ensure you're rewarded appropriately."

As she turned to leave, Mu Feng called after her. "Wait. What happens to the Fire Demon Jiao?"

She glanced back, her gaze inscrutable. "It'll survive. For now."

Without another word, she ascended into the sky, leaving Mu Feng alone on the mountain. Exhausted but alive, he stared out at the horizon, a renewed determination burning within him.

"Someday," he whispered to himself, "I'll have the power to face even the likes of her—and win."