Mystic Eyes: My Eyes Steal the Laws of Cultivation Chapter 372 - 373

Kyrian traversed the volcanic peaks of the Intermediate Area alone. Ash continuously descended from the ruddy sky, blanketing his shoulders and hair before the scorching wind snatched it away, a hot gale whistling through the shadowed ravines of the Great Volcano. Each footfall stirred plumes of volcanic dust from the parched, fractured earth. The muffled roar of lava coursing through the mountain's core was a perpetual presence, a deep, resonating sound that felt as though it emerged from the planet's very soul. This subterranean rumbling mingled with the occasional ferocious cries of fire beasts concealed within the rocky outcrops, creating a perilous composition that accompanied Kyrian's every stride. Yet, he did not falter in his pace. His azure eyes surveyed the desolate landscape as he forged ahead, charting a course entirely divergent from the four leaders of Red Smoke City. His perception had discerned their ascent via a northern trajectory—longer, yet ostensibly more secure. Kyrian, however, had opted for the antithesis. Sharper incline. A more direct path. Laden with greater peril. Meeting them again was far from his intentions. Especially not now. Should those leaders entertain the notion that he possessed the might to vanquish the Five-Horned Lava Lizard, to slay it single-handedly, complications would surely arise. Even without full conviction, a sliver of doubt would suffice to ignite their scrutiny, potentially provoking a murderous attempt fueled by avarice. And Kyrian harbored no desire to draw the attention of cultivators from the Spiritual Awakening Realm. 'The paramount objective presently is locating the tomb,' he mused, pressing onward. If a Fire Spirit indeed resided within Ming Hai’s inheritance, this represented an unparalleled chance, too significant to disregard. He yearned to witness the appearance of this legendary race. To comprehend, with his own discerning gaze, the true nature of these beings birthed from the world's very essence. ... Kyrian continued his arduous ascent. The ground grew increasingly treacherous as he navigated the volcanic inclines. Colossal fissures webbed across the obsidian surface, some yawning wide enough to engulf a man whole. From these abysses, intensely hot vapor erupted in sporadic goutings, so searing that the surrounding atmosphere shimmered and distorted. In numerous locations, narrow but lethal streams of lava cut across his path. Kyrian adeptly evaded or vaulted over them, the intense thermal radiation seeping through the soles of his boots. Nevertheless, nothing could impede his progress. His keen sight effortlessly identified the most viable routes, meticulously charting the path forward with a discernment unmatched by any cultivator of his standing. He could discern unstable ground, pinpoint the most hazardous vapor vents, and detect the hiding places of lurking beasts. Moreover, the fauna of this region no longer presented a significant challenge. The fierce confrontation with the Five-Horned Lava Lizard had profoundly augmented his combat acumen against such creatures. Any beast below that formidable tier now appeared considerably less intimidating. A savage shriek reverberated through the mountain, momentarily breaking his concentration. In the ensuing instant, a beast akin to a tiger, its hide armored with plates of black magma, sprang from behind an immense boulder. Its incandescent claws carved fiery arcs through the air as it lunged. An 8th stage Core Formation beast. Kyrian's expression remained utterly impassive. His eyes blazed with an arcane blue light. An icicle spear materialized instantaneously before him, a slender, aerodynamic projectile expertly crafted for penetration. It launched forward with astonishing swiftness. The beast had no time for reaction. The ice spear impacted its skull with brutal force, piercing through the right eye and erupting from the rear of its head. Frost instantly spread through the wound, incapacitating the creature's brain before it could even register the agony. The immense body slid several meters across the volcanic terrain before coming to a complete, inert halt. Deceased. Kyrian strode past the fallen creature without a second glance. ... As he pressed further, Kyrian began to perceive a subtle alteration. The environment was shifting. The ambient temperature was escalating. Not with the gradual progression observed during the transition from the Outer Area to the Intermediate Area, but abruptly, as if he had transgressed an invisible threshold. The air grew increasingly dense, almost oppressively so. Each inhalation demanded substantial effort, as though his lungs were being inundated with viscous fumes. The surrounding rocks had taken on a crimson hue due to the extreme temperature, and small, spontaneous conflagrations flickered to life from ground fissures, ignited by volatile gases emanating from below. Even the fire Qi permeating the atmosphere felt fundamentally different. It was more volatile, more imbued with a semblance of life. As if possessing an independent sentience. Kyrian paused momentarily. Then, slowly, he raised his gaze. Ahead, the colossal volcanic mountain continued its imposing rise towards the smog-laden heavens. Its peak, enshrouded in clouds of ash and vapor, seemed as unattainable as the firmament itself. But now, he understood. 'Hmm...' His eyes narrowed fractionally. 'This is the Inner Area.'

He had made it past the boundary.

...

Instantly, the heat intensified severalfold. It wasn't a gradual shift, but rather a sudden switch being flipped. The air, previously just hot, became searing. The ground beneath his feet, once dark, now glowed reddish. The smoke that had been thin billowed up thickly.

Even Kyrian felt a slight burning sensation on his skin. His ice Qi began circulating automatically throughout his body, an instinctive reaction to the harsh surroundings. A subtle, faint blue layer spread beneath his skin, emitting a soft glow. Though invisible from the outside, it acted like an internal layer of armor, deflecting some of the intense heat.

Still… the rate at which his Qi was consumed skyrocketed.

Kyrian's brow furrowed slightly. He could feel both of his cores straining, working at an accelerated pace. They were depleting much faster than they had in the Intermediate Area.

'So that's why,' Kyrian mused, finally understanding. He now grasped why only cultivators in the Spiritual Awakening Realm could withstand this place. The danger wasn't solely from the beasts, though they were a significant threat. The environment itself was inherently lethal.

Ordinary cultivators at the peak of the Core Formation Realm would likely find their meridians scorched within mere hours in this infernal heat. The sheer density of fire Qi in the atmosphere eroded the spiritual defenses of those with weaker cultivation bases.

Even Kyrian relied on his ice Qi, an energy diametrically opposed to fire, to mitigate a portion of the damage. Without it, he would perish swiftly.

He drew a slow breath. The air seared his lungs; each inhalation felt like swallowing hot coals.

'But I can still manage,' he thought. As long as he maintained a sufficient Qi supply, he could persist in this area for an extended period—perhaps a full day, or even longer. His dual cores granted him a greater reserve than most.

And should his Qi deplete, he could simply retreat to the Intermediate Area to recuperate. There was no disgrace in strategic withdrawal when necessary. It was a simple matter.

Kyrian resumed his trek.

...

In contrast to the other regions of the Great Volcano, the Inner Area appeared considerably more confined. The surrounding mountains grew steeper and more perilous, gradually converging towards the volcano's summit like the grasping fingers of an immense hand. Gone were the open valleys and expansive plains, replaced by precipitous slopes, narrow gorges, and terrifying cliffs.

Everything seemed to funnel towards the core, towards the colossal volcanic maw gaping above.

Kyrian surveyed his surroundings as he walked. He intended to avoid squandering time on aimless exploration. Every minute spent here exacted a Qi toll; every wasted second meant depleted energy.

His objective was straightforward: locate the tomb, secure the Fire Spirit, and depart.

'If the tomb does exist, it must be situated in the most inaccessible location imaginable,' he reasoned calmly, his gaze sweeping over the rugged rock formations. It was logical. A meticulous individual like Ming Hai would never leave his inheritance in an easily reachable spot, exposed to the first adventurer. He would have erected barriers, concealed the entrance, and employed the very environment as a defense.

And what represented the most perilous locale within the Great Volcano?

Kyrian tilted his head upwards. The crater. The volcano's very mouth.

Kyrian made his decision swiftly. 'I will proceed directly to the summit. If I find nothing there, I will depart.'