188: Tempering the South

Three days passed in a flash.

The small courtyard within the Bamboo Rhyme Residence became a temporary martial arts field. Xia Ya brandished her newly acquired "Great Fang" broadsword, each strike heavy and powerful, perfectly following the continuous offensive after a shield bash; she needed to adapt to the coordination between this heavy Sharp Weapon, her True Qi, and her footwork. Ji Ruxue's figure flickered between the morning light and shadows, the "Purple Moon" dagger seemingly coming to life in her hands as ghostly light flowed, bringing forth lethal cold gleams—whether it was a thrust, a throat-slit, or a parry-and-counter, she was more sharp and cunning than ever before. Xiaochun, on the other hand, opened the "yan luo umbrella," practicing how to stimulate its surface defense with True Qi, familiarizing herself with the force and angle of the mechanical trigger to fire Shadowless Needles, and even trying to load several types of anesthetics and hallucinogens into the sachet at the umbrella's tip.

Although Qin Feng did not change his weapon, he took the opportunity of sparring with the three women to further temper his swordplay and Hunyuan True Qi, feeling the changes the new equipment brought to the team's overall combat power.

The most important thing was the drill of the Four Symbols Battle Array.

With better equipment that was more suited to their respective positions, the power of the battle array had indeed improved significantly.

When Xia Ya held her shield in the xuanwu position, the "flowing cloud inner armor" made her more fearless of stray arrows and sneak attacks, allowing her to focus more of her mind on defense and protection. When she launched a counterattack with the "Great Fang" broadsword combined with a shield bash, that heavy and solid shield-breaking power made the xuanwu position no longer just an iron wall, but also carried the deterrent of a counterattack like a monolith shattering.

Ji Ruxue occupied the Vermilion Bird position; her movement was already ghost-like, and now, paired with the Purple Moon dagger's ability to break concealment and its sharpness, along with the extra protection provided by the flowing cloud inner armor, her harassment and lethal strike capabilities reached new heights. She could often cut in at incredible angles during the gaps in the battle array's operation, the cold light of her dagger flashing as it pointed directly at the enemy's weakest link.

Xiaochun coordinated from the center, holding the yan luo umbrella; advancing, she could fire Shadowless Needles to interfere or release hallucinogenic smoke for control, and retreating, she could open the umbrella surface to block attacks for her teammates from specific directions, greatly increasing their sense of security and allowing her to perform her healing and support roles more calmly.

Qin Feng presided over the Baihu position of slaughter, feeling the battle array's Qi flow become smoother and sharper due to the equipment upgrades, and a sense of pride surged in his heart: "If we encounter Altar Master Wu Li of the Corpse Demon Sect again, with this array and our new Sharp Weapons, he will certainly never return!"

During these three days, Qin Feng did not relax his attention to intelligence. Every zi hour, the System provided precious information about the Molten Core Secret Realm:

[Yellow Intel]: The Molten Core Secret Realm is located on the southern border of the Great Qian Dynasty, adjacent to the Hundred Thousand Mountains. Starting from the Medicine King Valley, it takes about eight days to travel by carriage. The entrance to the Secret Realm is hidden within a group of extinct volcanoes.

[Green Intel]: The living environment within the Molten Core Secret Realm is harsh, and the strongest creature bred there is the "Lava Giant Lizard King." Its strength can reach that of a Half-step Martial Emperor. It hibernates year-round near the Earth Vein Molten Lake in the deepest part of the Secret Realm, guarding the purest earth core flame marrow, and will not easily leave its nest.

[Blue Intel]: Due to years of mining (including by the Medicine King Valley, certain Artifact Refining Sects, and Loose Cultivators), the earth core flame marrow on the surface and easily accessible areas of the Secret Realm is nearly exhausted. Currently, the areas with stable production are located deep within the "Fire Vein Corridor" in the lower-middle layer of the Secret Realm, where the environment is more complex and dangerous, and there are large groups of Lava Beasts living together.

[Blue Intel]: There exists a relatively hidden "shortcut" that can shorten the journey. Traveling from the Secret Realm entrance toward the southeast fork and passing through a dangerous "Boiling Mire Area" can bypass most of the common Lava Beast habitats in the outer layer and cut directly into the middle layer area, but the Boiling Mire Area itself is full of uncertain dangers.

[Green Intel]: Lava Beasts (common fire-attribute Yao Beasts in the Secret Realm, shaped like lizards and covered in Rock Armor) have a general weakness in their relatively soft "Heart Core Area" of the abdomen and their eyes. Their attacks often carry fire poison and burning effects, and they fear extreme cold and powerful water-attribute attacks.

[Green Intel (Must-obtain in half a month)]: Lava Beasts have a special preference for "fire Yao stone" fragments, viewing them as treasures and actively collecting them. fire Yao stone fragments can be used to attract, lead away, or to some extent, pacify Lava Beasts. (Note: fire Yao stone is a relatively common mineral in the Molten Core Secret Realm, but most of it is occupied by Lava Beasts.)

The six pieces of intelligence pulled back most of the veil of the Molten Core Secret Realm. The path, strong enemies, resource locations, shortcuts, weaknesses, and usable traits... everything was within his grasp. Qin Feng already had a preliminary plan in mind: take the shortcut, avoid strong enemies, look for fire Yao stone to maneuver, and target the Fire Vein Corridor directly!

The three-day period expired, and preparations were complete.

The Fire Refining Hall sent a special carriage pulled by two domesticated "Flame-Treading Beasts" with amazing endurance; the carriage body was inlaid with fire-resistant runes, the interior space was spacious, and it was equipped with enough fresh water, durable dry rations, and some basic fire-resistant and detoxifying Medicinal Pills.

The four of them bid farewell to the two Elders, Duanmu Feng and Ling Yunzi, who had come to see them off, boarded the carriage, drove out of the Medicine King Valley gate, and passed through Luoxia Town once again.

Unlike when they first arrived, many well-informed people in Luoxia Town had already heard of the deeds of the "Little Divine Doctor" team—treating General Long Teng, curing the three Old Ancestors of the Beast King Valley, and now becoming Outer Sect Disciples of the Medicine King Valley and taking on a class a mission from the Fire Refining Hall. When their carriage, bearing the dual marks of the Medicine King Valley and the Fire Refining Hall, appeared at the town entrance, it immediately caused a sensation.

"Look! It's Young Hero Qin and the Little Divine Doctor!"

"I heard they're going to perform a class a mission. Truly, heroes come from the youth!"

"Lord Qin! Little Divine Doctor! Safe travels!"

Many merchants, Martial Artists, and even some local prominent figures crowded the roadside, enthusiastically calling out greetings and trying to make their faces known. Among them was the playboy who had previously mocked them in front of the Hundred Herbs Hall.

At this moment, that playboy's face no longer held any arrogance; it was filled with a nearly fawning smile as he squeezed toward the carriage, bowing repeatedly: "Young Master Qin! Little Divine Doctor! Previously, I was blind and spoke nonsense. You two are magnanimous, so please don't lower yourselves to my level! I wish you all success and a triumphant return! I have prepared some small gifts..."

Qin Feng didn't even open the carriage window, merely saying indifferently to the Fire Refining Hall Disciple driving the carriage, "Continuing the journey is the priority."

Xia Ya understood, shook the reins, and the two Flame-Treading Beasts gave a low roar, quickening their pace and passing through the crowd without slowing down, leaving the sounds of social climbing and fawning faces behind.

The carriage drove out of Luoxia Town, speeding south along the official road. The scenery outside gradually changed from green mountains and clear waters to a hotter, hilly region with slightly sparse vegetation.

Inside the carriage, Qin Feng selectively shared the intelligence about the Molten Core Secret Realm obtained from the System with the three women to discuss their strategy.

"Although the shortcut has risks, it can save time and energy, avoiding entanglement with a large number of outer-layer Lava Beasts. It's worth a try," Ji Ruxue analyzed calmly.

"Boiling Mire... it sounds difficult to deal with just by the name," Xia Ya frowned. "Our equipment can withstand high temperatures, but if the mire also has corrosive or trapping properties..."

Xiaochun was very interested in the use of "fire Yao stone": "If we can find some, maybe we really can avoid a lot of fighting."

Qin Feng summarized, "Prioritize finding the shortcut entrance. After entering the Secret Realm, act according to the situation. Our goal is three catties of earth core flame marrow. We must cooperate sincerely; safety first."

The wheels rolled, carrying the four fully armed people with intelligence in hand toward that scorched land in the south, moving forward steadily.

The Medicine King Valley gradually disappeared behind the horizon, while a more fiery challenge already awaited them eight days' journey away.