C23 Red Flame Spirit Flame

Reinvigorated by Qiao Mao's affirmation, the Fire Rock Python's previously wilted spirits were instantly rejuvenated. With an angry roar, it swung its massive tail, striking the little beast.

The little beast tumbled through the magma, raising its front claws to meet the Fire Rock Python's Giant Tail in a collision that unleashed a terrifying shockwave.

The impact, seemingly modest in strength, unleashed a formidable force upon contact with the Fire Rock Python's Giant Tail, causing the entire Magma Pool to churn violently.

In an instant, the little beast vanished. Within a mere moment, it reappeared at the Fire Rock Python's right flank, its fiery claws slashing viciously at the serpent.

Previously wounded by a similar assault from the little beast, the Fire Rock Python was now enraged. A fierce light blazed in its eyes, but it found itself powerless to retaliate and sought to retreat.

"Don't think about fleeing," Qiao Mao said with a slight smile. A wisp of Spirit Flame materialized in his hand, shaping into a shield the size of his palm, which appeared beside the little beast. With a forward thrust, he intercepted the incoming attack.

The little beast's strike hit the Spirit Flame Shield in Qiao Mao's grasp and was deflected, leaving the Fire Rock Python unscathed.

Noticing its master had deflected the blow, the Fire Rock Python's eyes gleamed with excitement. It lashed out with its tail once more. Caught off guard, the little beast was hit and sent flying.

Crashing to the ground, the little beast vanished, evidently transforming into Spirit Flame to conceal itself. When it reemerged, it was visibly infuriated.

During its skirmish with the Fire Rock Python, the little beast had dominated, never once being struck. But this time, it had been hit, all because the human had unexpectedly intervened.

Emboldened by its successful hit, the Fire Rock Python launched another attack at the little beast.

Once again, the little beast dissipated into Spirit Flame, rendering the Fire Rock Python's attack futile. Qiao Mao, however, remained calm and even allowed himself a chuckle.

"To the left," he commanded, his Divine Sense sweeping the area and directing the Fire Rock Python with precision.

Upon receiving Qiao Mao's command, the Fire Rock Python swept its Giant Tail across the area to the left, sending the little beast flying once more.

With Qiao Mao's strategic direction, the Fire Rock Python repeatedly launched the little beast into the air. The creature's frustration morphed into wariness. It glanced at Qiao Mao, no longer daring to initiate an attack, and once again concealed itself.

Yet Qiao Mao was not about to let the little beast off the hook. He instructed the Fire Rock Python to persist in its assault, scouring the floor of the Magma Pool and relentlessly driving the little beast out of hiding.

Furthermore, Qiao Mao made an unexpected discovery: with each hit the little beast took, its transformation into Spirit Flame slowed, and its body grew more insubstantial.

"It seems the transformation into Fire Spirit Flame isn't complete," Qiao Mao murmured to himself. He lightly tapped his toes on the ground and took to the air. He simultaneously issued another command to the Fire Rock Python. Together, they planned to flank the little beast in a pincer attack.

Eventually, the little beast endured so many strikes that its body remained semi-transparent. The time it needed to shift into Spirit Flame form had now quadrupled.

Time was running out for Qiao Mao. The quality of his Spirit Flame was too low, significantly weakening the Defense Power of his Spirit Flame Barrier. It wouldn't be long before it disintegrated.

Once the Spirit Flame Barrier fell, Qiao Mao would be fatally burned by the Magma Pool's lava.

Qiao Mao had initially planned to wait until the little beast required even longer to change form before making his move. But with time no longer on his side, he resolved to tame the little beast without delay.

Qiao Mao charged at the little beast with full force, his speed rivaling that of a Mortality Transcending Level Seven Heaven Martial Dao Great Master. The Fire Rock Python kept pace, both of them converging on the little beast.

The creature had already endured numerous attacks and had grown deeply cautious of Qiao Mao and the Fire Rock Python. Now, facing their combined onslaught, it was driven back in defeat.

The Magma Pool's bottom was not expansive, spanning merely a hundred meters. Consequently, Qiao Mao quickly cornered the little beast, leaving it no room to escape.

Trapped, the little beast snarled and lashed out at Qiao Mao and the Fire Rock Python. Unintimidated, Qiao Mao pressed on, closing in on the beleaguered creature.

After Qiao Mao struck, the little beast couldn't dodge in time and was hit directly by him. It tumbled to the bottom of the Magma Pool and immediately began to transform, attempting to conceal itself.

"Devour it," Qiao Mao thought urgently, sending a command to the Fire Rock Python with his Divine Sense. If the little beast managed to transform into its flame form, it would become much harder for him to tame.

Moreover, Qiao Mao was short on time.

With an angry roar, the Fire Rock Python opened its massive jaws and lunged forward like a streak of lightning, swallowing the little beast whole. Inside the Fire Rock Python, the little beast transformed into a Red Fire Spirit Flame, causing chaos as it thrashed about.

The Fire Rock Python let out a pained howl. Qiao Mao acted swiftly, using Divine Sense to quell the Red Fire Spirit Flame. He then executed several hand seals to seal the flame.

Finally, the Red Fire Spirit Flame ceased its rampage and settled into stillness. Qiao Mao breathed a sigh of relief and quickly leaped out of the Magma Pool with the Fire Rock Python.

The moment Qiao Mao emerged from the Magma Pool, his Spirit Flame Barrier shattered. He felt as though he had narrowly escaped death, remarking, "Had we been half a breath later, we would have been incinerated."

Despite the peril, Qiao Mao's venture into Fire Cloud Valley was immensely rewarding.

He had absorbed a significant amount of Fire Attribute Energy, greatly enhancing the Spirit Flame Might within him. He also tamed the Fire Rock Python as a Demonic Pet and acquired the Fire Sand Crystal Essence. It was indeed a bountiful haul.

Additionally, Qiao Mao unexpectedly came into possession of the Red Fire Spirit Flame left by Qiao Zhouyin, continuing his great-grandfather's legacy. This was a cause for joy.

Most crucially, he had successfully harvested the Blood Lotus. With it, the Black Jade Purple Yin Poison afflicting Qiao Shen could be neutralized.

Yet, a heavy burden still weighed on Qiao Mao's heart, leaving him feeling breathless.

The century-old mystery of the Celestial Fault Pavilion's theft, the truth behind his father Qiao Dou's journey into Fallen Cloud Valley, and the current state of affairs in Martial Sun City all contributed to Qiao Mao's profound sense of unease.

Currently, Zhen Gui, his mother, found herself alone and adrift in Martial Sun City. His uncle had been struck by a potent poison and was being held captive in secrecy. The Main Family had dispatched formidable figures with the intent of completely eradicating all members of the Qiao family within Martial Sun City.

"Kill us all? Then I'll show you who's really going to be killed," Qiao Mao murmured under his breath. Each time these thoughts crossed his mind, a boundless rage surged within him.

This fury only intensified Qiao Mao's desire to kill, radiating an invisible aura of lethal intent that even the Fire Rock Python could sense, instilling it with dread.

"We're heading back to Martial Sun City."

Without hesitation, Qiao Mao leapt onto the Fire Rock Python's back, urging it to surge forward at top speed towards Martial Sun City, leaving a scorched trail in their wake.

Settled on the Fire Rock Python's back, Qiao Mao closed his eyes, immersing himself in preparation for his cultivation practice.