Mystic Eyes: My Eyes Steal the Laws of Cultivation Chapter 349: Great Volcano

No time was squandered by the group.

Pan Zheng and his companions moved swiftly through the city's avenues, which were just starting to liven up with the morning's activities. Kyrian followed their pace with ease, his innate habit of scanning his surroundings with his ice eyes never faltering.

They passed through the main gates of the City of Red Smoke without the need for any queueing. A simple display of a metal badge by Pan Zheng to the guards was all it took for them to be promptly permitted passage.

Outside, near the egress, the remainder of their contingent was already in waiting.

As Kyrian had surmised, there were approximately ten individuals assembled, all clad in garments similar to those worn by Pan Zheng and his associates. These were, as it appeared, disciples from the Mountain Flame Sect, along with members from allied factions.

And, for the most part, their displeasure at the unforeseen delay was clearly evident.

A man, seemingly in his fifties, distinguished by a more ornate scarlet robe compared to the younger members, stood at the heart of the gathering, his arms folded and his expression grim. A palpable aura of greater strength emanated from him than from the others.

Kyrian conducted a rapid assessment; this elder was positioned at the 4th stage of the Core Formation Realm. While not particularly striking by the standards of an elder, it was certainly respectable.

"You've dawdled," he stated curtly, fixing his gaze upon Pan Zheng and the others.

"Let us proceed, lest by the time we arrive, someone else has already unearthed the tomb. The other parties departed hours ago."

His attention then shifted, settling upon Kyrian.

He scrutinized the newcomer from head to toe, taking in the ice-blue attire, the eyes resembling snowflakes in their shape, and the chilling aura that clashed starkly with the ambient heat. For a fleeting instant, surprise flickered across his features. Then, his eyes narrowed.

"Core Formation Realm, first stage?" the elder inquired, his voice laced with incredulity.

"You saw fit to bring a cultivator of such a low stage as if he were the crucial aid we required. What benefit does his ice Qi offer if he is so weak?"

A subtle arrogance permeated his tone. He regarded Kyrian as though he were a misplaced child inadvertently brought along.

Kyrian maintained his composure, unmoved.

The elder's judgment held no sway over him. Kyrian understood better than anyone that true strength transcended mere cultivation stages. Yet, there was no compulsion to offer a demonstration. His purpose was not to impress, nor to seek the approval of some mediocre elder from an unfamiliar sect.

Pan Zheng felt a pang of embarrassment at his superior's discourtesy but did not dare to voice a protest, merely lowering his head.

"I believe he possesses unique qualities, Elder," Pan Zheng replied, his voice subdued.

"His ice energy could prove beneficial during our exploration."

"Beneficial?" The elder let out a dry, mirthless laugh.

"We shall see."

The remaining members of the group exhibited their own signs of impatience. Some regarded Kyrian with a degree of curiosity, while others remained indifferent. The majority, however, were clearly vexed by the delay.

They were indeed the final party to embark. The other contingents, representing the other three major powers, had already exited the city well before dawn.

The palpable pressure of commencing their exploration behind their rivals weighed heavily upon them.

Despite this underlying tension, no one ventured to directly confront Kyrian. The frigid energy he exuded was inherently intimidating, and his peculiar eyes, with their pupils shaped like white snowflakes, unsettled them far more than they cared to admit.

A select few, however, appeared to find a measure of relief. Soft murmurs began to ripple through the ranks of the younger disciples.

"Ice... that might offer some advantage against fire-attributed beasts..."

"He could potentially shield us from the intense heat."

"The other expeditions lack anyone with such a capability. This could be our edge."

Kyrian did not offer introductions to the larger assembly; it seemed unnecessary. He remained alongside Pan Zheng, silent and awaiting the signal.

The elder who led their contingent, whose name remained unknown to Kyrian and was of no consequence to him, cast a few more dubious glances in Kyrian's direction but refrained from further comment. It was likely he had already concluded that the ice cultivator would be Pan Zheng's responsibility to manage.

"Let us move out," the elder finally commanded, turning his course southward.

The entire group commenced their movement.

...

Nineteen individuals, Kyrian included, accelerated away from the gates of the City of Red Smoke.

No beasts of burden were employed. The terrain immediately beyond the city limits was too uneven for large mounts, and such aids would only become practical further on, where the landscape broadened. For the present, sustained running was the optimal strategy.

A gust of hot wind met their faces as they pressed southward. The Great Volcano loomed on the horizon, a formidable silhouette of dark rock and effusive smoke that seemed to swell with every stride. Its overwhelming presence was impossible to disregard.

The scenery underwent a rapid transformation.

Initially, gently rolling hills adorned with gnarled vegetation gave way to stunted trees bearing dark bark and foliage the color of ash, a testament to their adaptation to relentless heat and scarcity of water. This was followed by a more desolate expanse, characterized by dark, igneous rocks and fissures in the earth from which plumes of scalding steam emerged.

Kyrian maintained his pace effortlessly, matching the group's speed without expending undue energy. His physical conditioning was exceptional, and his internal ice Qi acted as a buffer against the oppressive heat that caused the others to sweat profusely.

Pan Zheng jogged alongside him, seizing the moment to speak.

"The Great Volcano is comprised of three primary zones," he explained, his breaths measured.

"The Outer Area lies furthest from the caldera, where the heat, while intense, remains somewhat tolerable. Unstable terrain characterizes this region, riddled with caverns and tunnels sculpted by ancient lava flows, providing a habitat for numerous low-level fire beasts."

Kyrian absorbed Pan Zheng's words with keen attention.

"The intermediate zone presents significantly greater peril. Temperatures escalate dramatically, and the ambient fire Qi is so concentrated that even cultivators adept in fire Qi find respiration challenging. The beasts here are both more formidable and aggressive, and the volcanic environment itself generates treacherous traps."

"And the inner area?" Kyrian inquired.

Pan Zheng's voice dropped slightly.

"For the past century, no one who has ventured into the inner area has ever returned to recount their experiences. Whispers suggest that even Elders at the pinnacle of the Core Formation stage are reluctant to approach it. The heat is so extreme that it can melt metal. Only cultivators who have achieved the Spiritual Awakening Realm might endure it, and even then, not for extended periods."

Kyrian processed this vital intelligence.

"What of Ming Hai?" he asked.

"What do you know about him?"

Pan Zheng appeared gratified by Kyrian's obvious interest.

"Ming Hai was a cultivator of legend who resided in this locale over eight centuries ago," he stated, his eyes alight with reminiscence.

"It is said he attained the Spiritual Fusion Realm and achieved complete mastery over volcanic fire Qi, unlike conventional fire cultivators who rely on external flames. He possessed the ability to directly absorb magma's energy, channeling it to fortify his physique and enhance his techniques."

Spiritual Fusion Realm, the same level as Dong Zhen. Kyrian filed the information away.

"Credible rumors indicate that he established a hidden tomb within the volcanic mountain range," Pan Zheng elaborated.

"A sanctuary where fire holds absolute dominion. His tomb, assuming its existence, would undoubtedly house extraordinary techniques and treasures, sufficient to alter the destiny of an entire Sect."