Heaven, Earth, Me Chapter 1522. Breathing Magma.

"Ahem." Yasenia eyed the colossal black dragon cloaked in ash and flames, speaking cautiously. "Senior, I am a junior who has passed the True Dragon Sovereign trial."

She presented the scale Old Ao had given her and offered a smile. "I’ve already visited the Starlit Molting Pool and Genesis Thunder Rift, claiming both treasures. This time, I seek the one concealed within the Embercore Nesting Grounds, if it exists. If not, I simply aim to reach the deepest depths to boost my Dragon Breath as much as possible in the least time."

The ashen dragon didn’t respond immediately upon hearing her. His red eyes examined the scale and Yasenia for a moment before he gave a single nod, his deep rumbling voice echoing to her. "Follow me."

As the dragon turned around, Yasenia realized this one was actually a western dragon, just like her!

The dragon plunged downward, heading toward the magma below at an unhurried speed. While descending, Yasenia inquired. "How may I address you, senior?"

"Venerable Long."

Yasenia nodded, committing it to memory. Then, both dove into the bubbling magma, creating a massive splash.

Venerable Long, far larger than Yasenia, generated a splash enormous enough to rain down like a volcanic blast.

The instant Yasenia submerged into the magma, she sensed Venerable Long halting and turning toward her. Even within the dense magma, her Spiritual Sense allowed her to see through to the other side.

"Is something amiss, Venerable Long?"

"Breathe."

"...Excuse me?"

"Breathe in the magma."

Yasenia’s mouth opened and closed, her eyebrows twitching fiercely. ’I figured this trial would be straightforward this time. Little did I know... I’ve hardened the exterior but neglected the interior, huh?’

Aware of the impending torment, Yasenia let out a deep sigh. "I... understand."

She then calmed her mind, sensing the surging magma surrounding her, and drew in a breath. The searing magma rushing through her nostrils and blazing inward felt utterly excruciating, to say the least.

This magma was far from ordinary. Once inhaled, it seemed alive, swiftly entering her lungs and spreading rapidly.

Yasenia’s frame began to shudder as the burning within ignited her pain receptors like a wild strobe light frenzy.

Venerable Long anticipated Yasenia would scream and attempt to surface promptly. Yet, his stoic red eyes flickered with faint surprise. ’Such formidable willpower.’

Mastering magma breathing wasn’t about talent or pain tolerance; it hinged on sheer will. Yasenia’s mind was bombarded with drowning, suffocation, and internal incineration—enough to shatter any ordinary cultivator’s resolve.

Still, Yasenia couldn’t concentrate on self-enhancement. The unique magma scorched in via her nose, regenerated, and flowed out her mouth, forming a relentless cycle that overheated her brain while charring her innards.

’Heavens, this has to be the most brutal trial yet!’

Pain she could endure, external assaults too, even lightning ravaging her form. But this visceral horror was unmatched.

The respiratory system linked intimately to her heart, brain, and senses like sight and taste.

Though her body shielded against the magma externally, its invasion into veins and meridians proved nightmarish.

Yet Yasenia’s iron will, forged by countless ordeals, refused to yield. The worse the agony, the fiercer her determination to endure.

Her golden eyes blazed with savage resolve as she fortified her spirit. ’Scorch my insides if you dare... do it!’

Venerable Long witnessed Yasenia draw an enormous breath, as though intent on consuming the entire submerged magma lake. This left him truly stunned. ’This girl is merciless to herself. No surprise she’s so mighty at such a tender age.’

With that inhale, her lungs brimmed with magma, and her respiratory and circulatory systems processed it like air. It coursed into her veins, blending with blood and circulating through her vast body.

Every organ burned via the bloodstream, and after one full circuit, Yasenia expelled the magma only to gulp another deep lungful.

Even exiting the pool now, she’d likely hack up magma for days. Yet, despite the torment, benefits emerged instantly.

These two breaths alone rivaled her progress from days around the volcano.

Venerable Long observed silently with his impassive red gaze. His demeanor made Yasenia question if he’d intervene should she push too far. ’Ugh... the cruelest trial guarded by the coldest senior. What was the ancestor thinking? Big Sister Ji or Old Ao would suit this role far better!’

Over months, Yasenia acclimated to magma breathing, and once pain receded enough to absorb its gifts fully, her gains exploded.

In just six months, discomfort vanished entirely, letting her breathe magma effortlessly. "Finally... I’ve fully adapted."

Venerable Long nodded at Yasenia. "Follow me."

Yasenia’s eyebrows jerked. ’Don’t say this trial has stages too?’

To her dread, her guess proved spot on. After descending roughly 100,000 kilometers into the magma sea, the once-tamed scorching returned as she breathed.

’...That dragon ancestor must be a masochist to craft these torments!’

She bellowed. "You want suffering? I’ll give it!"

Without pause, Yasenia beat her wings and dove deep into the magma lake, halting only when agony convulsed her body from the intensifying heat and potency.

Venerable Long blinked but followed quietly without interference.

Thus, for four unbroken years, Yasenia plunged ever deeper, until the magma lake’s bottom beneath the colossal volcano came into view.

Spotting the familiar orb-like treasure, Yasenia nearly wept with joy. ’There! My escape from this magma-breathing nightmare!’

Venerable Long watched Yasenia redouble her efforts, frantically swimming toward the prize until resistance became unbearable.

Once, he even tugged her upward slightly when she ventured too far.

That subtle yank warmed Yasenia’s heart. ’He does care about my survival! Just aloof beyond measure!’

Eight years after her initial plunge, Yasenia reached the bottom, facing the treasure. "I’ve made it..." But she held back, turning to the dragon curiously. "What treasure is this?"

"[Emberdragon Heart Pearl]."

Yasenia nodded, pausing, then recounted her prior encounters. "...Thus, lightning might strike or I could be half-slain. Stay calm if so, and wait a bit, Venerable Long."

Even this detached dragon found himself at a loss. ’What trials has this girl endured that demise feels routine?’

Steeling herself, Yasenia grasped the [Emberdragon Heart Pearl]. Upon contact, potent energy surged, triggering the volcano’s full eruption.

Nearby dragons in the core fled in terror from the furious outburst. ’Why’s Dragon Paradise erupting so often!? Endless heavenly tribulations!’

Meanwhile, the [Emberdragon Heart Pearl] materialized in Yasenia’s Dantian, scanning its surroundings. Tension gripped all as they eyed the intruder warily.

Soluna murmured. "What catastrophe will this provoke?"

Dramel quivered slightly. "I pray it skips me. I’m too young to burst!"

Draheart sighed at the tiny Moon circling her. "Grow some spine. This offers rebirth. Even the Primordial Energy Core evolved, outpacing you. You’re undeniably the feeblest treasure in Yasenia’s Dantian."

Dramel whined. "Big sister! Such harshness!"

As they chatted, the [Emberdragon Heart Pearl] darted off abruptly. All froze, tracking its path.

Yasenia glanced, computed, and her face twisted in dismay. "Senior... recall my warning."

Venerable Long watched Yasenia’s body fracture all over, magma-laced blood erupting as her golden eyes dimmed.

The ancient dragon muttered in disbelief. "Heavens... she truly perished."

Soluna and others stared at the obliterated Epoch Core with lifeless gazes. "So... the Epoch Core exploded."

"Poor soul. Not even in Yasenia’s Dantian, yet targeted."

Draheart observed. "Notice the pattern? First treasure hit the Beast Core. Second, the Soul Core. Third, the Body Core..."

All spotted it, eyes shifting to the massive Celestial Black Hole Energy Star.

Their looks turned knowing. "The final treasure’s doomed."

"Poor unaware thing."

"Sigh... Shall we greet it kindly before the end?"

Yasenia, oblivious to her treasures’ banter, bobbed lifelessly in the magma like a corpse. Belly-up, she looked rather absurd.

Venerable Long eyed the "drifting cadaver" with growing uncertainty. "Is she truly alive? Her soul lingers, vital blood flows... Yet..."

Such bizarre circumstances were unprecedented, leaving him to simply observe.

Two years on, the "floating corpse" twitched to life. "Buha! Alive at last!"

"...Undead Dragon?"

"Sorry, Venerable Long, Old Ao beat you to that jest."

"..."

Ignoring the senior’s stunned expression, Yasenia checked her Epoch Core swiftly. "...Wow. A blazing sun! You’re [Epoch Star Embercore] now."