The whole volcano seemed to have been hit so hard that it rocked violently. Crushed stones continued to fall from the top of the cavern. While pulling Wen Wing, Qin Mo rushed outside with a solemn expression, not saying a word.

Standing in a pile of nascent stones, his expression was ugly. The protective boundary still shrouded the entrance of the Black Cavern, and outside of it was a layer of molten lava.

Somehow, the magma had increased and was more frightening than before.

The lava flow was like a giant hand, slapping and smacking the boundary with scorching energy. The boundary trembled and gleamed like the reflection of sunlight on clear water. A hidden light flashed across it as if the magma would break through within the next few seconds.

Looking at the boulders falling from above, Qin Mo focused and a faint light spread out from him. Finally, it turned into an invisible barrier to protect him and Wen Qing.

The boulders wouldn"t stop, dropping around them with great strength but the barrier Qin Mo erected helped keep the stones away. Unfortunately, the barrier only lasted for about half a cup of tea, and the light dimmed down, fragmenting inch by inch until disappearing into thin air.

After the barrier dispersed, there were fluorescent flashes around him. Qin Mo looked downward slightly. He didn"t expect the strength of these rocks to be so powerful that they could easily break his defense.

He grasped his empty right hand and a long sword appeared. A cold light gleamed through the sword blade with sharp radiance, and he rushed toward the surrounding rocks.

Under the long sword"s attack, the boulders broke up one after the other, and turned into fine dust floating in the air.

With debris flying everywhere, Qin Mo"s shadow flickered within it. Wen Qing, who was standing behind him, stayed silent and watched his back. An unclear meaning pa.s.sed through the deep pupils of his squinting eyes.

As time pa.s.sed, the rocks around them were still falling without pause in an endless torrent. After a long battle, Qin Mo"s energy was somewhat drained and his movements slowed down.

At that moment, the mountain trembled again, and the cracking sound outside was like thunder in their ears. With this tremendous noise, a crack appeared above them. A few rays of suns.h.i.+ne leaked through, illuminating the dark cave and brightening the surroundings instantly.

Qin Mo stopped and with a look of surprise, he swept away the stone before him with his sword. Wen Qing backed up a few steps and looked at the crack above them.

The crack wasn"t big, only vaguely letting in a bit of light. Qin Mo"s hand was still firmly grasping onto the sword, looking at the top vigilantly.

Boom!

 A loud noise suddenly echoed. Boundless power from outside was launched directly onto the middle of the crack. The force was so violent as it rampaged at the small crack continuously. Under the power"s pressure, the originally narrow crack grew larger and larger, until finally, it split in the middle.

Qin Mo"s pupils shrank when the cave burst open. The scene before him imprinted into his eyes.

A giant eagle soared in the air with its wings outstretched. On its back proudly stood a man, who was holding a strange long staff. When he raised his right hand, the long staff manipulated the lava below and fiercely swept it.

The sun shone behind him and outlined his figure. Looking at his profile, Qin Mo"s heart skipped a beat, that"s Lin Zizheng.

The moment the long staff waved, a huge shadow slowly formed in the air, carrying a strong pressure on its surroundings. It trembled and, with its violent force fluctuating, clashed into the boiling magma below.

Boom!

The instant they collided, a m.u.f.fled sound dispersed in the air, and the volcano walls shook again.

Noticing Wen Qing"s pale face, Qin Mo pulled him to his side and whispered, "Be careful."

As soon as Qin Mo spoke, Lin Zizheng seemed to have heard it. He retrieved the long staff flying in mid-air and turned around suddenly to look at Qin Mo. Even from afar, Qin Mo could see his bright gaze at this moment.

Seeing Qin Mo"s figure, Lin Zizheng"s originally cold expression changed. His eyes filled with joy and a smile appeared. The giant eagle under him moved toward Qin Mo.

However, the magma"s atmosphere changed, and a terrifying force slowly loomed over them. The temperature around the lava suddenly increased as a fire dragon roared out from within.

The dragon was about a hundred feet long. Its body was made of magma, full of astonis.h.i.+ng heat. It stepped on all fours and the dragon"s eyes stared fiercely at Lin Zizheng. It flickered its long tail and struck hard at his direction.

But he stood in place with a cold expression. His right hand flattened before him, and a golden flash emerged from his palm, wrapping itself around the dragon.

Surrounded by the golden light, the dragon roared and struggled continuously. 

Seeing the dragon acting this way, he sneered and raised the long staff in his hand. With a fierce light in his glare, he rushed in the dragon"s direction.

Bang! Thud! Clas.h.!.+

Huge rackets echoed in the air as Lin Zizheng landed hit after hit. The staff was so powerful that the dragon trembled every time it was attacked. Flames kept spewing from the dragon, and not long after, the dragon"s shape shrank down a lot.

The dragon was furious. The two sharp horns on its head emitted a red light. It raised its head towards heavens and roared. It broke free from its golden shackles and ran directly at Lin Zizheng. As soon as it spread its body, it wrapped Lin Zizheng within it.

With the fire dragon in the center of the sky, it quickly curled in on itself and formed a huge ball with Lin Zizheng. Then, when a red light shone, a powerful force burst out from the center, and a large flame appeared in the sky, dying the whole sky crimson. 

A terrible pressure spread throughout from the red ball. Under this, Qin Mo unconsciously retreated a few steps back. By the time he regained his footing, Lin Zizheng"s figure had been completely submerged by the red flames in the sky.

Qin Mo"s face paled and his body stiffened. Looking at the b.l.o.o.d.y sky, he walked towards Lin Zizheng.

Suddenly, a tremendous force pulled Qin Mo back, who was about to walk into the lava. Wen Qing"s voice sounded beside his ear. "Don"t worry, that person is still alive."

Listening to him, Qin Mo stopped and calmed down to find that there were strong fluctuations of life within the brilliant red flame.

A slender white palm emerged from the sea of fire, and Lin Zizheng stepped out from the flames, taking no damage. 

Even with the hot temperature around him, Lin Zizheng"s expression remained unchanged. He spread out his palms and suddenly closed them.

In an instant, a strong suction gushed from the middle, the flames burning in the air trembled and rushed toward where the palms connected.

The surrounding flames were abruptly absorbed. Lin Zizheng narrowed his eyes and a satisfied expression crossed his face. He turned slightly and looked at Qin Mo. 

Qin Mo stood in place and watched Lin Zizheng coming towards him step by step. Under his feet was a road paved by nascent stone, while behind him was rolling lava.

He walked to Qin Mo"s side and disregarded Wen Qing in the back. Lin Zizheng inspected Qin Mo up and down. His mouth curved up with obvious joy. "Da s.h.i.+xiong, it"s great that you"re alright."

Seeing Lin Zizheng standing intact before him released a heavyweight in Qin Mo"s heart. He looked at Lin Zizheng"s spotless hands and replied, "En."

Even though Qin Mo was acting cold and indifferent with no changes to his expressions, Lin Zizheng still heard some special emotions from Qin Mo"s tone. His gaze sparkled and his fists clenched behind him, resisting the impulse to go forward and embrace him. Da s.h.i.+xiong was worried about him.

He s.h.i.+fted his sight and noticed Wen Qing behind Qin Mo. Observing his appearance, Lin Zizheng also showed a bit of surprise. He didn"t expect that the person Old Man Wen wanted them to find was standing right here. "He…"

"En." Immediately understanding Lin Zizheng, Qin Mo nodded and looked at Wen Qing behind him.

Inside a stone chamber in the deepest parts of the Tomb Palace, a figure sitting on the ground suddenly moved. He opened his eyes, dark with no emotion, and appeared strange and abnormal.

His gaze turned to a portrait on the wall which was hanging in the middle. Several evil spirits could be seen faintly. If Qin Mo were here, he"d recognize that the spirit was the same as the one who had carved on the coffin in the Black Cavern.

Looking at the portrait, the man opened his mouth and gave a frightful laugh. "Ha ha, the chance that I have been waiting for has finally arrived!"

Translator(s): Teo
Editor(s): Dark
Proofer(s): Sarah