Mystic Eyes: My Eyes Steal the Laws of Cultivation Chapter 365: Orange Flame (2)

As his thoughts churned, his gaze was once again drawn upward towards the sky.

Instantly.

There it was again, the same enigmatic orange flame.

Much farther away this time, so distant that Kyrian estimated its position to be nearly two kilometers away, concealed within the swirling smoke currents above the Intermediate Area.

Yet, it continued to watch him.

Kyrian's eyes narrowed without hesitation.

The flame no longer made any effort to hide itself. It remained utterly still and silent, suspended in the sky like a faraway sentinel. Its luminescence faintly pulsed between the layers of ash clouds, easily overlooked, easily lost if one wasn't actively seeking it.

But Kyrian could perceive it with perfect clarity.

His formidable eyes seemed to penetrate the volcanic ashes as if they were mere vapor.

Once more, that peculiar sensation washed over him.

It was scrutinizing him, attempting to decipher his nature.

Kyrian found this deeply unsettling.

He abhorred the feeling of being observed without knowing the identity of his watcher. He disliked the uncertainty of whether this entity posed a threat or was simply... intrigued.

However, the flame remained too distant.

Even with the extraordinary perception his eyes afforded him, Kyrian understood that launching an attack from such a range was impossible. Furthermore, his current Qi reserves were far from optimal, having only partially recovered.

Besides...

The flame did not exhibit any overtly hostile demeanor.

At least, not in that precise moment. It was merely observing.

After holding its gaze for several long seconds, Kyrian finally averted his sight once more.

'If it wishes to watch, then let it watch.'

'It's not as if I possess the ability to stop it.'

'And I certainly won't alter my plans simply because of one curious flame.'

He resumed his journey forward.

...

A short while later, he finally arrived at the entrance of a cave.

The interior was modest, extending about five meters deep and three meters wide, yet offering sufficient shelter to shield him partially from the oppressive volcanic heat. Steam wisped through cracks in the ceiling, originating from subterranean hot springs or perhaps concealed channels of magma flowing through the layers beneath.

Nevertheless, it provided a far more bearable environment than remaining exposed to the elements outside.

Kyrian lifted his hand.

A substantial barrier of ice materialized instantly at the cave's mouth, sealing it completely.

The external heat rapidly subsided. The interior grew hushed. Colder.

Kyrian released a soft, weary sigh.

The sound echoed faintly against the rocky surfaces, its resonance amplified by the profound silence.

He proceeded towards the cave's rear and leaned against the stone wall, surrendering his weight to the unyielding rock. The surface was rough and irregular, but Kyrian paid it no mind.

His body, at last, seemed to register its safety.

The adrenaline surge from the preceding battle, which had propelled him onward even after his unconscious collapse, had entirely dissipated.

Now, only profound exhaustion remained.

An exhaustion so deep it felt as though it had permeated his very bones.

Kyrian slowly relinquished his eyelids to darkness.

And without conscious thought, he succumbed to a deep sleep.

...

Meanwhile...

At the very heart of the Inner Area of the Great Volcano.

In the uppermost reaches of the colossal volcanic mountain, where temperatures were so extreme that rock liquefied and moisture instantly vaporized, a distinct realm existed.

At the core of the active volcano itself, buried beneath innumerable strata of magma and molten rock, lay a hidden chamber.

Within this chamber, the lava exhibited an unusual pattern of movement.

It was not the random, chaotic churn of common magma. Instead, it flowed with purpose and control, as though directed by an unseen, superior will.

Immense undulations spread across the magma's surface, resembling the exertion of a colossal entity breathing beneath. Each wave sent tremors through the entire chamber, and the ambient heat pulsed in synchrony.

Then, gradually, the magma began to ascend.

A figure materialized from the immense, incandescent pool.

It was an entity composed entirely of fire.

Its form bore a humanoid resemblance, with two arms, two legs, and a head, yet it lacked flesh. It possessed no bone. No blood.

It was living magma.

Portions of its being consisted of liquid molten rock, perpetually dripping and reforming. Other sections appeared as solidified flame, condensed into a tangible state, glowing with the intensity of incandescent metal.

Unending flames danced across its reddish form without ever diminishing.

In the vicinity of this creature, the heat was so staggering that space itself seemed to warp and distort.

Even cultivators at the Spiritual Awakening Realm would perish swiftly in such an environment. Their bodies would be reduced to carbon, their meridians incinerated, and their nascent cores melted.

Yet, the creature existed there with natural ease.

Like a fish navigating its waters.

Like a sovereign ruling his domain.

It slowly opened its eyes, orbs of pure fire that shone like miniature suns.

Then, it spoke.

"That foolish beast..."

Its voice resonated through the volcanic depths like muffled thunder, echoing against the molten stone walls.

"Despite bearing dragon blood, it still met its end at the hands of a mere human."

The being emitted a snort. Miniature bursts of flame erupted from its mouth, generating shockwaves that caused the surrounding lava to churn.

"But then... what could I possibly anticipate from such an imbecilic beast?" The creature mused, crossing its arms. "Intelligence has never been a strong suit for beings of its kind."

Staring down at the molten lava swirling beneath its feet, the entity reflected on the events it had just witnessed.

"It was merely intended to be one of the trials left behind by Ming Hai for his successor, an obstacle that only the most talented could overcome to prove their worth."

A pause followed, the creature's fiery gaze fixed on the inferno.

"Yet, instead of fulfilling its purpose, it fled the volcano's confines to pursue those insignificant humans within the Intermediate Area."

An exasperated sigh, tinged with the heat of its being, escaped its lips.

"It seems I shall need to devise an entirely new trial."

Moments of profound silence ensued. The lava churned, its heat radiating outwards, causing the entire chamber to feel as though it were holding its breath.

Then, the creature spoke again, its voice carrying a different timbre.

"But truly... finding a suitable candidate is an arduous task."

A palpable weariness, the accumulated frustration of countless centuries, now infused its tone.

"Oh, Old Ming Hai, perhaps the individual you sought simply does not exist in this realm."

The creature's expression hardened, its fiery eyes dimming slightly.

"Every human who has ascended this Great Volcano thus far has been regrettably… ordinary."

"Worthless."

"None have possessed the requisite talent to be worthy of inheriting your legacy."

Slowly, the being closed one of its blazing eyes.

"Save for that one boy."

Its sight seemed to extend, piercing through the very core of the volcano, traversing layers of hardened rock, searing rivers of magma, and abyssal caverns. It rose beyond the jagged peaks, through turbulent smoke currents, and the thick volcanic ash choking the sky.

High above the Intermediate Area, a small, incandescent flame, a scout dispatched by the creature, remained suspended, silently observing the cave where Kyrian rested. It pulsed with a soft luminescence, transmitting vital information to its master far below.

The creature gave a slow, deliberate nod.

"His innate talent... surpasses even yours, Ming Hai."

"Outshining anyone who has ever scaled this mountain throughout my long existence."

"However, it is indeed a profound pity."

The creature's eyes narrowed gradually.

"He treads a path entirely at odds with your legacy."

A tinge of regret, an ancient melancholy, colored its voice.

"His chosen Dao is that of ice."

"While your inheritance, Ming Hai... is intrinsically tied to the element of fire."

Several seconds passed in contemplation as the being observed the distant cave through the eyes of its flame-scout.

Kyrian slept on, utterly oblivious to the profound scrutiny being cast upon him.

"Even so..."

The creature let out another sigh.

"He is undeniably interesting."

The flames within its eyes flared anew, burning with increased intensity.

The being began to dissolve, its form of pure fire gradually receding back into the molten depths. Its fiery body dissipated into countless embers, rejoining the swirling magma.

"It appears I shall continue to safeguard this inheritance for a few more centuries..."

The fading echo of its voice was the final sound to grace the chamber before an encompassing silence and oppressive heat once more held sway.