Mystic Eyes: My Eyes Steal the Laws of Cultivation Chapter 351: Great Volcano (3)

A striking contrast to the overwhelming heat was the faint white mist that materialized in the air around Kyrian, formed by the collision of his frigid energy with the volcano's hot, humid atmosphere.

The elder clad in scarlet robes appeared unfazed. His fire Qi was both dense and stable, acting as a protective shield without any visible strain. He led the procession with resolute steps, his gaze methodically surveying the path ahead, a testament to his prior experience in this very location.

With a simple hand gesture, he halted their advance.

"We have now entered the Outer Area of the Great Volcano," he proclaimed, his deep voice resonating with a newfound solemnity.

"However, this region is already teeming with numerous groups who preceded us. Lingering here would be an exercise in futility."

He surveyed the assembled disciples, assessing each individual.

"I believe it would be most prudent if we proceed directly to the Intermediate Area. While the perils are significantly greater, so too are the prospects of uncovering traces of Ming Hai’s tomb. The earlier arrivals are likely dispersed across the Outer Area. Those with greater audacity may have already ventured into the Intermediate Area."

Silence descended.

Numerous disciples exchanged uneasy glances. Kyrian discerned palpable fear in their eyes—a rational apprehension of the challenges that lay ahead.

The Intermediate Area was notorious for harboring lava beasts considerably more formidable than those encountered in the Outer Area. The infernal heat was intense enough to inflict severe harm upon fire cultivators who were inadequately prepared.

Despite this daunting reality, no objections were raised.

They were trailing behind schedule. Other groups must undoubtedly be far ahead, possibly having already discovered vital information.

"As the elder decrees," Pan Zheng murmured, his voice tinged with resignation, his head bowed.

The elder offered a nod, pleased by their compliance.

The group resumed their movement, beginning a gradual ascent along the lower inclines of the colossal mountain. The gradient was not precipitous, but the exertion of traversing unstable ground, coupled with the oppressive heat, made each step feel weightier than it truly was.

The passage through the Outer Area was far from tranquil.

Even within the comparatively "safest" of the three zones—a relative descriptor given the environment—the locale was rife with hostile life. The indigenous beasts were inherently aggressive and territorial, perceiving the invading group as a threat requiring immediate elimination.

Their first encounter was with a pack of Ash Fire Hounds.

These creatures resembled large wolves, their bodies covered not in fur, but in glowing embers that emitted a faint luminescence within the smoky dimness. Their eyes burned like coals, and their jaws were lined with obsidian teeth capable of shattering rock.

Three of them launched themselves from the shadows behind a rocky outcrop, attacking the group's right flank.

The cultivators responded with swift precision. Pan Zheng acted first, his flame-imbued sword carving a crimson arc through the air, severing the head of the initial hound. Two other disciples followed suit, neutralizing the remaining hounds with well-executed coordinated techniques.

Kyrian found no need to intervene. He observed, assessing the effectiveness of the cultivators' movements. While not extraordinary, their skills were competent. Pan Zheng, in particular, displayed notable talent.

Shortly thereafter, a Crawling Lava Serpent emerged from a fissure in the earth.

The creature was immense, stretching the length of six men, its body adorned with black and red scales that pulsed with internal heat. It unleashed a torrent of molten magma directly towards the center of the group.

Two disciples were compelled to retreat hastily, their protective Qi barriers hissing ominously under the assault.

The elder moved with astonishing celerity. He materialized before the serpent in an instant, crushing its skull with a single punch enveloped in flaming Qi. The serpent's cranium fractured like delicate glass.

Kyrian witnessed the entire event with quiet detachment. He harbored no intention of offering assistance at this juncture. These were minor threats, easily dispatched by any moderately skilled group of cultivators. Pan Zheng's contingent could manage them without his involvement.

Then came an assault that directly involved him.

The ground beneath his feet vibrated subtly. It was a minute tremor, almost imperceptible, which most cultivators would dismiss as mere instability inherent to volcanic terrain.

Kyrian did not overlook it.

His instincts, honed by countless skirmishes and rigorous training, issued a stark warning mere moments before the danger manifested.

A pincer composed of molten rock and liquid lava erupted from the ground, aiming to ensnare his left ankle.

The creature began its ascent from the earth. It was an Armored Magma Mole, its segmented form encased in thick volcanic plates that offered formidable defense. Its massive maw was filled with incandescent teeth capable of melting steel.

Kyrian did not flinch backward.

He remained utterly still, not relinquishing even an inch of ground. It was unnecessary.

With a movement so subtle it was nearly imperceptible, he channeled ice Qi through his eyes. The frigid energy coalesced in his right palm, forming a solitary ice shard, as slender as a needle, yet gleaming with the clarity of polished crystal.

The projectile was unleashed.

With incredible velocity, the spike sliced through the heated atmosphere, emitting a sharp sonic boom. There was no time for the mole to evade.

The spike penetrated the beast's skull flawlessly, tearing through its armored hide as if it were mere parchment. The volcanic rock crumbled, and the flesh beneath was instantaneously encased in ice.

The mole emitted a piercing shriek that echoed in everyone's ears. It thrashed briefly before collapsing, lifeless, before its body even impacted the ground.

The entire group paused momentarily.

Every gaze was locked onto Kyrian, the dissipating white mist where the ice spike had been, the still-smoldering carcass of the mole, and the frosty, snowflake-like eyes of the young man who had dispatched the creature in one swift blow.

’It took them multiple attempts to bring down some of the weaker beasts…’ Kyrian reflected internally.

Pan Zheng's eyes widened, his astonishment palpable.

"One strike..." he breathed, his voice tinged with utter disbelief.

"Is ice truly so potent against these creatures?"

Surrounding disciples exchanged hushed words.

"He dispatched the armored mole with what looked like a needle..."

Even the Elder's brow furrowed. His gaze sharpened as he re-evaluated Kyrian with a newfound intensity.