Crossing through the azure flames, Shen Mo found himself in an unfamiliar environment.
All around were greenish-blue rock walls. Crystals embedded in the walls emitted a faint glow.
Despite the lack of sunlight, visibility was not hindered. Shen Mo realized that they were at the highest point of Qingxuan Cave.
Looking down, he saw a maze of interconnected tunnels. It was dizzying.
"What a hot place," Song Junjie muttered.
Shen Mo glanced at him, also feeling the intense heat in the air. The temperature inside Qingxuan Cave was at least double that of the outside.
Fortunately, as Foundation Establishment cultivators, their bodies were more adaptable to extreme temperatures than those in the Qi Condensation Realm.
"The spiritual energy here is indeed abundant," Liu Yunxuan said, taking a deep breath in amazement.
Shen Mo also took a deep breath, feeling the scorching spiritual energy rush into the Dao foundation in his dantian.
The platform transformed it into pure and refined spiritual energy.
The spiritual energy vortex had long been suppressed and disappeared due to the Dao foundation platform.
Liu Yunxuan and Song Junjie adjusted to the environment of Qingxuan Cave.
Song Junjie then turned to Shen Mo and sneered, "I heard you forged a perfect Dao foundation?"
Shen Mo didn't bother to reply and chose a path to walk down.
This kind of indifference felt like hitting cotton, making Song Junjie quite annoyed. "So what if you have a heavenly physique and a perfect Dao foundation? Without growing, it's all for nothing!"
Shen Mo stopped and smirked, "How do you know I have a heavenly physique?"
Song Junjie was startled and then realized he had slipped up.
"Master ordered that no one should reveal my heavenly physique. So, where did you get your information, Senior Brother Song?"
Shen Mo laughed mockingly, "Oh, your father is the Grand Elder. It seems the Grand Elder leaked the information."
"Tsk tsk, what's the Grand Elder's intent? Ignoring the Sect Master's orders? Does he have other intentions?"
In a few words, Song Junjie turned red with anger, "You speak nonsense! My father has always been loyal to Qingxuan Sect! I... I got the information from..."
He struggled to find an excuse.
"I will report this to Master after leaving Qingxuan Cave!" Shen Mo said calmly.
Song Junjie, furious, instinctively lunged at Shen Mo.
Liu Yunxuan quickly held him back, "Junjie, don't be impulsive."
Then he whispered, "Have you forgotten our true purpose for entering Qingxuan Cave? Now is not the time to clash with him."
"Wait until we get that treasure, then we can deal with him."
Song Junjie calmed down, "Yes! I almost let him provoke me."
He took a few deep breaths to compose himself, "Thank you, Brother Yunxuan, for reminding me."
Liu Yunxuan chuckled, "No need to thank me. We're like brothers, closer than family. I'll always be on your side."
"If I can't get the treasure, I'll let you have it. It must not fall into Shen Mo's hands."
"Great! Brother Yunxuan is indeed worth befriending!" Song Junjie felt warm inside.
Shen Mo overheard their low conversation and couldn't help but chuckle.
Poor Song Junjie, being used and still helping the user count money. Liu Yunxuan was already digging a pit for him, earning his trust.
No wonder they both had Eternal Flame Crystals, but the Red Lotus Flame ultimately went to Liu Yunxuan, not Song Junjie.
This kid's intelligence was indeed worrisome.
Soon, the three parted ways. Shen Mo headed straight for the deepest part.
He had already obtained crucial information from Liu Yunxuan's life panel.
Cave number Four!
This meant that the deepest part of Qingxuan Cave had multiple deep caves.
As for the numbering, it was likely done by predecessors who had been here before.
He needed to find the Red Lotus Flame before Liu Yunxuan used the Eternal Flame Crystal to locate and tame it! Shen Mo moved downward without any pause.
Even when he encountered places with extremely dense spiritual energy, thirty times that of the outside world, he didn't stop.
Having a clear goal from the start had its advantages.
Everything else was secondary. A few days later, Shen Mo arrived at a fork in the cave.
The temperature here had risen to an uncomfortable level.
However, Shen Mo's heavenly fire attribute physique made him much more tolerant of high temperatures than the average person.
At this depth, it felt like soaking in a hot spring. There was no burning sensation yet.
"There are indeed several deep caves here."
Before Shen Mo were six deep tunnels, each leading further down. Someone had carved numbers beside each tunnel with a weapon.
They were labeled one to six. Without hesitation, Shen Mo chose tunnel number four and continued downward.
Along the way, due to the intense heat, he had to stop several times to drink fresh water from his storage ring.
Ten more days passed. The surrounding temperature suddenly began to soar wildly.
The brightness in the cave also started to climb. Shen Mo was delighted rather than alarmed.
This temperature, this brightness. It had to be the Red Lotus Flame.
He was getting close to its location! "Lovely treasure, I'm coming for you!"
Shen Mo's face lit up with joy as he continued forward. Rounding a corner, a verdant lake appeared before his eyes.
Upon closer inspection, Shen Mo realized that the lake wasn't water but fire.
This wasn't a lake; it was a sea of flames!
In the midst of this green sea of fire was liquid fire spiritual energy, also known as fire spirit liquid!
And at the center of this red-orange sea of fire, a lotus-like flame was burning quietly.
The flame had nine petals, with each petal forming a lotus flower around the center.
It was the Red Lotus Flame!
Sensing the approach of a stranger, the Red Lotus Flame stirred, instinctively preparing to flare up and attack.
Shen Mo's eyes flashed, and he quickly took off his disciple robe.
He then activated the Hell Flame Destruction Manual, revealing his Scorching Sun Fiery Body.
His chest began to glow, becoming scorching hot. Nine lines extended from his heart towards his head, hands, and feet.
The Red Lotus Flame, about to attack, suddenly paused. Then, it approached Shen Mo at a much faster speed than before.
Shen Mo took a deep breath, standing still. The Red Lotus Flame soon reached his side.
The flames swept over his feet, instantly burning his boots to ash. As the flames coiled around his legs, his pants disintegrated.
In an instant, Shen Mo stood completely naked, revealing his strong, muscular body.
Wherever the Red Lotus Flame touched, a strong burning sensation followed.
Shen Mo gritted his teeth, enduring the pain, and didn't move.
He was afraid that any slight movement might scare off the Eternal Flame.
The Red Lotus Flame circled him once, as if examining him. Finally, it seemed to express a feeling of satisfaction.
The next moment, it lunged directly at Shen Mo's abdomen!
"Hiss...!"
Shen Mo clenched his teeth.
Good heavens. A bit lower, and I'd be a eunuch!
"Little Flame, don't be so rough. Let me guide you. Come here."
Shen Mo endured the pain and guided the Red Lotus Flame towards his mouth. Seeing an opening, the Red Lotus Flame happily darted inside.