Within the scorching cavern, the air felt like solidified magma.
Lin Xia and Larvitar remained deep within Mount Norton, accompanying their teacher Lou Gao, who had just completed the first trial of the Phoenix God, "Bathe in Fire," and undergone rebirth for three profoundly meaningful days.
These three days were for consolidation, for farewell, and for the passing of inheritance.
Lin Xia absorbed voraciously Lou Gao's post-nirvana insights into his newfound power, his martial soul, and his deeper comprehension of the Phoenix Divine Runes.
He was no longer merely an observer. Through the lifetime essence of artifact mastery branded into his soul, he began attempting to understand and simulate the forging intent of the "Phoenix Divine Chisel," that power fused with divine fire.
He repeatedly practiced the "finger-carving ore" technique he had demonstrated before his teacher. Though his Soul power was still weak and his skill immature, the spirit inherited from Lou Gao's very marrow had already begun to show.
In his mind, he even combined Lou Gao's experience with his own forward-looking knowledge to conduct deeper projections and refine blueprints for future Soul Conduit designs, especially the epoch-making Soul Conduit Mecha they envisioned.
Meanwhile, Larvitar completely immersed itself in the small mountain of ore "gifted" by the Phoenix God.
These companion ores, containing pure fire attribute energy and Solar Essence, were exceptional nourishment for a Rock/Ground-type Pokémon like Larvitar, which had unexpectedly gained fire-manipulation aptitude through the Phoenix Divine Rune.
The steady rhythm of crunch, crunch chewing nearly became the cavern's background sound. Under the continuous nourishment of energy, its dark, molten armor grew increasingly lustrous. The crimson-gold Phoenix runes flowing between the cracks of its shell became clearer and brighter, occasionally even emitting tiny sparks.
Within its small body, surging power accumulated like a miniature volcano on the verge of eruption.
"That's enough, Xiao Xia and you too, little fellow."
Lou Gao's resonant voice broke the focused atmosphere.
His towering figure resembled a newly forged divine statue. Beneath his dark-gold skin surged immense strength, his gaze sharp and resolute.
"Three days are enough. What needed to be seen, said, and practiced has been done. My five years of 'forging the soul within the furnace' have only just begun. There can be no distraction."
He turned to Lin Xia, his eyes filled with trust and expectation.
"As for you, the bottleneck at Level 20 has arrived. Within this volcanic range, there is no suitable Soul Beast for your second Soul Ring. Your path lies outside, in a broader and more dangerous world."
Lin Xia put away the metal plate upon which he had been sketching a complex Soul Conduit structural diagram and nodded solemnly. Stepping before Lou Gao, he bowed deeply.
"Teacher, please focus on your seclusion here without worry. During these five years, this disciple will spare no effort, living up to your teachings and the opportunity granted by the Phoenix God."
"The path of Soul Conduits, I will continue it on your behalf, and for our shared dream. When the day comes that your divine power is complete, I will return to welcome you out of the mountain!"
"Larvitar!"
Larvitar also set down the half-eaten chunk of crimson crystal ore and ran to Lin Xia's feet. It called out to Lou Gao, its little tail wagging as if in farewell.
A trace of relief and bold pride flashed through Lou Gao's eyes. He patted Lin Xia firmly on the shoulder. The force made Lin Xia sway slightly, yet he felt incomparably grounded.
"Good! Remember this, no matter what you encounter, survive and grow stronger! Your martial soul is special. Be extremely cautious in choosing your Soul Ring! Go!"
There were no further sentimental words. Lin Xia took one last long look at his teacher, as if engraving the image of this reborn Divine Artisan into his mind.
He bent down and picked up the heavy, heat-radiating Larvitar. Casting a final glance at the miraculous cavern that had changed their destinies and at the brilliant vein flowing with liquid Sun Essence, he turned resolutely and strode toward the tunnel from which they had come.
Stepping out of the volcanic crater, a wave of scorching air rushed toward him. Yet compared to the lingering divine flames deep within the cavern, it felt almost like a gentle breeze.
The distinctive sulfurous scent and dark-red terrain of the southern volcanic belt once again came into view.
Lin Xia did not look back. He knew his teacher's divine sense might still be watching, but he also knew that the road ahead was one he had to carve out himself.
He took out the detailed leather map Lou Gao had provided, marked with the continent's perilous regions.
His fingertip slid across the crimson symbol marking their current volcanic location, traveling westward until it stopped at a vast expanse rendered in withered yellow, dotted with countless tiny vortex symbols, the Far Western Desert.
"The Far Western Desert… where wind and sand form the bones of the land, where death and opportunity coexist…"
Lin Xia murmured softly, determination flashing in his dark-gold eyes.
"The Sandstorm Worm King, you are my choice."
This had long been his target.
A unique Soul Beast that existed only in the deepest quicksand death zones of the Far Western Desert.
It was not a traditional apex predator, but rather the desert's "scavenger" and "shaper."
Its core abilities were the manipulation of sandstorms, the molding of quicksand, and near-ultimate sand-based defense and regenerative power.
These abilities perfectly aligned with the developmental direction of Lin Xia's martial soul, greater environmental control, sturdier defense, and more elusive offensive methods.
Absorbing its Soul Ring would very likely grant him the attribute he had long sought—the Power of Sand!
With his goal clear, Lin Xia no longer hesitated.
He set Larvitar down. The little fellow immediately bounced excitedly, seemingly delighted to leave the stifling volcano behind.
Taking a deep breath and confirming his direction, Lin Xia led Larvitar westward, plunging into the outer reaches of the volcanic range and beginning a long and arduous journey.
Traversing the edge of the volcanic belt took more than ten days.
Treacherous lava terrain, concealed scalding springs and toxic marshes, and fire-attributed Soul Beasts adapted to extreme environments all posed considerable challenges.
With his Level 20 Soul power, increasingly refined sandstorm control, and a body tempered by Sun Essence, Lin Xia was capable of handling most difficulties.
When necessary, he also had firearms to clear the way.
Fortunately, no major dangers arose along the path.
After a month and a half of travel, when the soil beneath their feet gradually gave way to coarse yellow sand and the distant horizon turned into an endless expanse of withered gold, they finally arrived at the edge of the Far Western Desert.
The moment they stepped into the desert, the environment changed abruptly.
Heat!
During the day, the sunlight poured down without obstruction. The sand beneath their feet was so scorching it burned even through thick-soled boots.
The air shimmered in waves of heat, distant scenery rippling like water, deadly mirages.
The wind was no longer a breeze, but a dry desert gale laden with sand and grit, capable of stripping away all moisture. It lashed against the face with painful force.
Cold!
When the massive fireball of the sun sank below the horizon, the temperature plummeted at astonishing speed.
The furnace of day transformed instantly into a biting ice cellar.
The cold sand seemed to draw warmth from the depths of the soul. The howling wind resembled ghostly wails, sweeping up fine grains that struck exposed skin with knife-like chill.
The extreme contrast between day and night was the desert's cruelest greeting to outsiders.
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