Chapter 23: Hiding in Desperation in the Molten Flame Volcano

At the core of the Molten Flame Mountains, the Molten Flame Volcano stands tall in the night like a sleeping giant. The mountain body is pitch-black and rugged, with dark red lava seeping out from the cracks, resembling blood flowing slowly, casting a dim red light over the surroundings. The crater spews out billowing black smoke, mixed with scorching lava debris. The rumbling sound is deafening, and heatwaves surge up like tides, dyeing the night sky an eerie blood-red color. At the foot of the volcano, the lava river churns restlessly. The dark red lava flow crashes against the rocks, splashing out searing sparks. The air is filled with a strong smell of sulfur, mingled with the pungent odor of scorched earth and molten metal. Every breath feels like swallowing fire, stinging the lungs.

Lin Jin, Su Yao, and Duan Hao staggered to the foot of the volcano. The spiritual flame fluctuations of the pursuers from the Skyflame Pavilion behind them were like ghosts, closely following. The killing intent lingered in the darkness, making it hard to breathe. Lin Jin's wounds on his left shoulder and left rib were a mass of torn flesh and blood. Blood trickled down his arm and made a hissing sound when it came into contact with the scalding ground, evaporating into a pungent white mist. He tightly gripped his wooden staff. The purple flames of a First - Tier Flame Master circulated with great difficulty within his body, supporting his tottering body. His steps were as heavy as if filled with lead, and his legs were almost numb. Sweat mixed with blood trickled down his cheeks, blurring his vision. He gritted his teeth and said hoarsely, "The Molten Flame Volcano... Hide inside. They won't dare to approach rashly!" His voice was low, carrying exhaustion and determination.

Su Yao supported him tightly. Her big, agile eyes were bloodshot, with a hint of tears. The dried bloodstains at the corners of her mouth made her pale face look shocking. The azure flames of her Fourth - Tier Initial Flame Realm coiled around Lin Jin's wounds like a mist, trying to slow down the bleeding, but they were weak due to the depletion of spiritual flames. She held her short sword tightly, her steps staggering, her aura disordered. She said in a low voice, "Lin Jin, your injuries are too serious. You'll die if you keep running!" Her voice trembled with a sob. Her agile figure clung closely to him, as if afraid that he would fall at any moment. Protecting him with her azure flames had almost drained her last bit of strength.

Duan Hao carried his broad - bladed sword and guarded the rear. His rugged face was covered with sweat and bloodstains. The whip wound on his shoulder was torn even deeper. Blood trickled down his arm, staining the handle of the knife and hissing when it dripped onto the lava ground. The crimson flames of his First - Tier Flame Master Realm were leaping on the blade. His heroic momentum was still like a raging fire, but there was a trace of deep exhaustion in his eyes. He growled, "I can still fight. If those dogs from the Skyflame Pavilion catch up, I'll chop them to pieces!" He pressed his thick palm against the wound, turned his head to scan the back, with the crimson - flame blade glow ready. The killing intent in his eyes was intense, but he couldn't hide his heavy gasps.

The three of them rushed towards the halfway point of the volcano. A narrow lava crack came into view. The crack was only a foot wide and bottomless. The edges were charred black and cracked. Heat gushed out from the gap, making the surrounding rocks emit a low cracking sound. Lava vines clung to the mouth of the crack. The edges of the vine leaves were burning with a faint firelight, swaying in the wind like countless pairs of peeking eyes. Su Yao's agile figure rushed forward. Her big eyes scanned the crack, and she said in a low voice, "There's a cave here. Hide inside!" She gritted her teeth and got in, protecting herself from the heatwaves with her azure flames. After peeking out to confirm safety, she said urgently, "Come in quickly. It's safe inside!"

Lin Jin forced himself into the crack. The heatwaves hit his face like knives, making the pain in his left shoulder wound intensify. Blood dripped onto the ground and evaporated instantly. He sat down against the cave wall, gasping for breath like a bellows. His chest rose and fell rapidly. He said in a low voice, "We can hold them off here for a while. The earth veins of the volcano can cover our aura..." His voice was hoarse, as if squeezed out from the depths of his throat, with a trace of faint hope.

Duan Hao squeezed in last. His thick body almost got stuck at the entrance of the crack. He swung his sword and slashed out a crimson - flame blade glow, burning the lava vines to ashes and blocking the entrance. Then he squeezed into the cave and growled, "I'll keep watch. You two rest!" He pressed his thick hand against the cave wall, and crimson flames surged out, sealing the gaps in the crack. There was a hint of exhaustion in his heroic spirit.

The lava cave was about six zhang deep. The cave walls were uneven and rugged, with several dark red crystal stones embedded in them, emitting a scorching spiritual flame fluctuation, like the pulsation of the volcano's earth veins. The heat inside the cave was steaming. The ground was as hot as an iron pan, making the soles of the three of them bubble faintly, and even their shoes began to melt. Lava dripped from the cave roof, making a hissing sound when it hit the ground and splashing out searing sparks. It landed beside Lin Jin, burning a charred mark. The air was hot and thin. Inhaling it into the lungs was like swallowing molten iron. The cave walls trembled continuously, and gravel fell簌簌, as if it would collapse at any moment. The oppressive feeling was like an invisible mountain pressing on their hearts.

Lin Jin panted heavily and said in a low voice, "The volcano is unstable, but it can block the pursuers... They won't dare to come in rashly." He took out the last piece of dry rations from his bosom, divided it into three parts with trembling fingers, and handed them to Su Yao and Duan Hao. "Eat something to recover your strength. The Skyflame Pavilion won't give up." His voice was weak, but his gaze was as firm as iron.

Su Yao took the dry rations. Her big eyes swept over Lin Jin's wounds. Seeing the blood mixed with sweat trickling down and the flesh on his left rib almost exposing the bone, her heart trembled violently. Her agile figure squatted down, and tears welled up in her eyes. She said in a low voice, "You eat first. Your injuries are worse than ours!" She tore off a piece of dry rations and stuffed it into Lin Jin's mouth. Her fingers trembled slightly. She protected his wounds with azure flames, and her voice was tinged with a sob. "If you don't eat, I really won't care about you!" She forced a smile, but tears fell uncontrollably.

Lin Jin chewed the dry rations, his throat choking. He said in a low voice, "You have to eat too. Don't just worry about me." His eyes fell on Su Yao's face. Seeing her pale face as white as paper, the dried bloodstains at the corners of her mouth, and the tears glistening in the firelight, he said in a low voice, "We have to survive. I'll make the Skyflame Pavilion pay for their deeds with blood!" His voice was low, filled with unyielding anger.

Su Yao nodded. Her big eyes flashed, and she said in a low voice, "Survive, together!" She took a bite of the dry rations, circulated her azure flames, and her aura became a bit more stable. Her agile eyes were full of worry. She wiped away her tears and forced herself to stay calm.

Duan Hao chewed the dry rations and said in a rough voice, "I'm fine. These injuries won't kill me! If the Skyflame Pavilion dares to come, I'll chop them up!" He pressed his thick hand against the wound on his shoulder, activated his crimson flames, and the bleeding gradually stopped. His heroic spirit remained undiminished, but he couldn't hide his heavy gasps. Leaning against the cave wall, he panted, "Brother, take a rest. I can still hold on!"

"Flame Soul Ancestor, how close are they?" Lin Jin asked in a low voice, his voice hoarse and full of intense tension.

The Flame Soul Ancestor said solemnly, "Three hundred zhang away. There are three auras of Flame Masters and seven auras of Initial Flame Realm approaching the foot of the volcano! They've brought 'Flame Soul Dogs' that can smell the bloodstains. Kid, the volcano won't be able to hide you for long. They'll be here within half an hour! Hurry up and recover, or you'll die without a burial place!" The ancestor's tone was urgent, with a biting sense of crisis.

Lin Jin's heart shook. He said in a low voice, "Flame Soul Dogs..." He took out the remnant piece of the Source Flame Crystal. The golden-red light was faint. He said in a low voice, "There's still some spiritual flame in this that can be used. Refine it to recover from the injuries!" He suspended the remnant piece in front of him, and purple flames surged out, devouring the remaining spiritual flame. The golden-red spiritual flame seeped into his body like silk. The aura of his First - Tier Flame Master Realm gradually stabilized, and the wound on his left shoulder healed faster. The flesh wriggled, and the pain lessened slightly.

Su Yao's agile figure sat cross-legged, surrounded by azure flames, absorbing the overflowing spiritual flames. She said in a low voice, "Flame Soul Dogs. They're too fast. I have to recover!" Her big eyes flashed with a cold light, and her aura rose. Her Fourth - Tier Initial Flame Realm became more solid. There were still tears on her face, but she was full of stubbornness.

Duan Hao plopped down. The crimson flames roared and devoured the spiritual flames. He said in a rough voice, "I'll stabilize my Flame Master Realm. No matter how many of them come, I'll chop them all!" His rugged face was tense. The wound stopped bleeding under the nourishment of the spiritual flames, and the fluctuations of his crimson flames became more intense.

The spiritual flame fluctuations inside the cave continued. The dark red crystal stones were attracted by them and emitted a low hum. The lava dripped more intensively, and the cave walls trembled even more violently. Gravel hit the ground, splashing out sparks. The three of them were immersed in cultivation. Time was like a knife hanging over their heads, and the tension made it hard to breathe.

A quarter of an hour later, a series of low barks of dogs came from outside the cave, mixed with the hissing sound of the lava vines being burned and heavy footsteps. Lin Jin suddenly opened his eyes and retracted his purple flames. He said in a low voice, "They're here!" He stood up, tightly gripped his wooden staff. Although his left shoulder wasn't fully healed, he could already wave it. His aura was as solemn as iron.

Su Yao's agile figure leaped up. Her big eyes stared at the entrance of the cave and said in a low voice, "Flame Soul Dogs!" She held her short sword across her chest, and the azure flames diffused like a mist. Her tears had dried up, and there was a murderous intent in her eyes.

Duan Hao grabbed his big sword, and the crimson flames burst out. He growled, "I'll chop those beasts to pieces!" His rugged figure blocked the entrance of the cave, and the blade glinted coldly. His heroic spirit was soaring.

Outside the cave, the middle - aged man held a flame spear, with the crimson flames wriggling. He coldly shouted, "The Flame Soul Dogs have smelled the blood. They're inside the volcano!" Behind him, the whip - wielding man lashed his whip shadow like a dragon, and the huge ax - man was ready with his ax. Three Flame Soul Dogs roared like thunder, their eyes like crimson flames. Seven black - robed Initiates at the Initial Flame Realm approached with their blades drawn, and the murderous intent filled the air.

"Charge in!" The middle - aged man waved his flame spear, and a crimson - flame torrent rushed towards the crack. Heatwaves rolled, and lava spurted out. The volcano trembled more violently.