Chapter 932: Absorption

Holy shit! Where are Yabao’s teeth?!

After the initial shock, an uncontrollable surge of heartache welled up in Qiao Sang’s chest.

For the Fire Fang Dog race, their teeth are the hardest and sharpest weapons on their entire bodies.

Often, they even compete over whose teeth are the strongest, and take immense pride in them.

Yet such an important set of fangs… Yabao had actually lost one!

What on earth had it just gone through?

Gangbao’s eyes also flashed with shock.

Mikayla was equally surprised at the sight of Yabao.

She had guessed that Fire Qilu might already be unconscious, but she had never imagined that it would actually lose a tooth in this battle.

“Xun xun!”

Little Treasure clenched his paws into fists and held them in front of his mouth, his face full of disbelief.

“Lu Di…”

Lubao looked stunned, and then anger flashed through her eyes.

The gem on her forehead lit up with a deep blue glow.

“Yap yap!”

However, before the light could shine over, Yabao suddenly showed an expression of extreme pain. Black-red flames of terrifying temperature abruptly erupted over his entire body.

“Armor!!!”

Immediately after, an enraged roar echoed once more from the magma.

This time, the sound was much closer than before, it seemed the Molten Armored Dragon was rapidly approaching.

Qiao Sang forcibly suppressed the storm of emotions in her heart and made a decisive call: “Move, now!”

“Xun xun!”

Little Treasure kept his fists near his mouth, his eyes glowing blue.

The next second, everyone vanished from where they stood.

The magma boiled violently, and a massive red figure suddenly burst out from within it.

“Armor!!!”

Seeing the empty ground, the Molten Armored Dragon, its face twisted with rage, let out a roar that seemed capable of shaking the entire underground.

It made no effort to restrain itself, fully unleashing its overwhelming presence

That terrifying aura spread like a tidal wave, sweeping over everything and rapidly expanding throughout the underground.

Within dozens of kilometers below the surface, all pet beasts panicked and fled in chaos.

---

Aboveground, in a canyon between two cliffs, Lubao continuously cast Healing Light onto Yabao.

Yet despite this, within five seconds after each application of Healing Light, black-red flames would inevitably reignite over Yabao’s body, accompanied by agonized cries. ȑαŊóꞖƐṤ

How could this be…

Seeing the scene before her, Qiao Sang felt an intense sense of helplessness.

Ever since Lubao gained Healing Light, she had never truly worried about injuries, no matter how severe. That confidence was precisely why she dared to fight freely in secret realms, even when facing opponents stronger than herself.

But never, not once, had there been an injury that even Healing Light was powerless against.

“Lu Di…”

Sweat gradually formed on Lubao’s forehead as she poured even more energy into Healing Light.

Suddenly, Mikayla spoke: “Wait.”

Lubao ignored her and continued healing.

“Stop for now.” Qiao Sang said.

Only then did Lubao halt the Healing Light.

“Xun xun…”

Little Treasure wanted to get closer to Yabao, but the black-red flames erupting from his body kept forcing him back. In the end, he stayed beside his Beast master, his face filled with worry.

Qiao Sang turned to

Xu Gehong,

signaling her to continue.

By now, this person had become someone Qiao Sang genuinely trusted.

Whether it was the precise barrier cast earlier to block the magma pillar, or how she later directly helped retrieve Yabao from beneath the magma, everything pointed to her being far from ordinary.

After all, the opponent just now had been a Molten Armored Dragon.

And not to mention the barrier capable of withstanding a magma pillar, Qiao Sang was absolutely certain that even with her shared perception with Little Treasure, neither of them could have found Yabao in magma within three seconds and controlled him well enough to bring him up.

Mikayla continued, “If I’m not mistaken, Fire 4 should have absorbed some kind of extremely powerful fire-type resource, but couldn’t fully absorb it all at once, which is why it’s like this.”

She paused, then added: “In this situation, it’s better not to keep healing it constantly. Once the pain from absorption reaches a certain level, it will gradually become numb over time and build some tolerance. But if you heal it too frequently, that violent energy inside stabilizes and explodes, stabilizes and explodes, it’ll only keep experiencing unbearable agony.”

Absorbed a powerful fire-type resource?

Qiao Sang froze for a moment.

“Yap!”

At that moment, black-red flames erupted from Yabao’s body again, accompanied by a scream of extreme pain.

The temperature was so high that even the surrounding air twisted visibly.

Qiao Sang immediately refocused and asked anxiously: “So we just leave him like this and let him endure it?”

Mikayla didn’t answer right away. She stared at Yabao for a few seconds, uncertainty flashing in her eyes.

To be honest, the black-red flames combined with the magma environment pointed strongly toward one thing, the Molten Flame Seed.

Otherwise, if Fire Qilu had absorbed Molten Flame Seed, even a high-quality one, it shouldn’t have ended up like this.

After all, it was a General-level pet beast, with fire as its main attribute, and most importantly, it could use a super-tier fire skill like Lava Purgatory. That alone showed its exceptional affinity with fire.

It should have absorbed fire-type resources more easily than other pets of the same rank.

Yet now, it was clearly on the verge of failing to absorb the energy and being severely damaged.

Unless it was a true Molten Flame Seed, Mikayla couldn’t think of anything beneath the magma that would cause this state.

But how did Fire Qilu even find and absorb a Molten Flame Seed?

Such a resource, even a General-level pet should sense the danger from afar. How could it possibly absorb it voluntarily?

Mikala gathered her thoughts and said: “Let Ice Emperor Ram continue using Healing Light, just not as frequently as before. Once every two minutes should be enough.”

Qiao Sang immediately took out her phone and watched the time.

Lubao stared at him as well.

“Yap!”

Yabao screamed as if his heart were being torn apart, as though he were being roasted alive in the black-red flames.

Listening to those cries, Qiao Sang stared at the time on her phone. Every second felt like torture.

Suddenly, she thought of something and said in a firm, low voice: “What Yabao absorbed… it was the Molten Flame Seed you mentioned, wasn’t it?”

Mikala looked at her in surprise.

“Very likely.” She said cautiously.

“But I can’t be completely sure.”

Truthfully, she really couldn’t be certain. Even though Fire Qilu's condition closely matched that of absorbing a Molten Flame Seed, the idea of a General-level pet approaching and absorbing such a thing was simply too absurd.

Even if Fire Qilu didn’t know what it was, it should have sensed the danger

.

And besides, the Molten Armored Dragon had been in the magma at the time.

Wait… the Molten Armored Dragon…

Mikayla suddenly froze.

She remembered how furious its roar had been. If Fire Qilu had swallowed the Molten Flame Seed right in front of it, that rage would make perfect sense…

Could it be that Fire Qilu really did swallow it?!

As the likelihood of that possibility shot past 95%, Mikayla’s gaze toward Yabao became filled with shock and uncertainty.

It must be the Molten Flame Seed…

Qiao Sang’s heart sank.

She remembered that Yabao’s evolution site was nearby. From the looks of it, the evolution would happen during this trip into the secret realm.

Yet she felt no joy.

Yabao was only mid–General level. Even at peak late–General level, he still wouldn’t be suitable to absorb a resource far beyond what he could handle.

With the energy so unstable now, adding stat points was out of the question, one wrong push and he might explode outright.

As she thought, Qiao Sang kept her eyes on the time. When the moment came, she said quickly: “Heal.”

Already prepared, Lubao’s forehead gem glowed blue, shining over Yabao.

“Yap…”

The black-red flames vanished, and Yabao’s expression briefly calmed.

Mikala looked at Yabao and said, “If it really did absorb the Molten Flame Seed, there is one way to ease its pain.”

Qiao Sang turned instantly.

“What is it?”

“Let it absorb while inside the magma.” Mikayla said gravely.

“If Fire Qilu truly absorbed a Molten Flame Seed, then within magma, the fire seed’s power will be relatively gentler. The downside is that the absorption process will take longer.”

“Even so, the destructive power inside Fire Qilu will still be significant. You’ll need Ice Emperor Ram to heal it periodically.”

If it were any other General-level pet, swallowing a Molten Flame Seed would be a death sentence. But Qiao Sang had Ice Emperor Ram, and Fire Qilu hadn’t been completely consumed when it absorbed the fire seed, which showed extraordinary fire resistance and absorption ability.

Combined with strong willpower, it should be able to survive this crisis.

“Then let’s go now!” Qiao Sang said without hesitation.

The moment she said it, she realized the problem.

That Molten Armored Dragon was still in the magma, it would definitely attack Yabao.

For safety, they would need to deal with the Molten Armored Dragon first!

Just as Qiao Sang’s mind raced for a solution, Mikayla spoke: “You don’t need to worry about the Molten Armored Dragon. My Hidden Shield can spatially hide the area, so it won’t be able to see where Yanqilu is.”

Spatial concealment, a high-tier psychic skill that hides a space entirely. At sufficient mastery, even all traces of aura within can be perfectly concealed.

Qiao Sang looked at her and said sincerely: “Thank you.”

The two of them returned underground.

At this point, not a single fire-type pet beast remained nearby.

“Stealth.” (T/n: You know what, it's final, Spengami would sound like this.)

A pair of glowing blue eyes appeared out of thin air.

Immediately after, a transparent barrier enveloped the entire area

From outside the barrier, everything looked calm, no figures, no aura, nothing at all.

“Yabao, go in and absorb. Every hour, Little Treasure will bring you out so Lubao can heal you. Don’t worry.” Qiao Sang said carefully.

“If you can’t endure it earlier, call out, we’ll heal you sooner.”

“Yap.”

Freshly healed and temporarily recovered, Yabao responded weakly.

He regretted swallowing that flame just to spite the Molten Armored Dragon. He hadn’t expected so much trouble afterward, with everyone helping clean up his mess.

Sensing Yabao’s emotions, Qiao Sang encouraged him: “Absorb it properly. Who knows, maybe you’ll evolve directly from this Molten Flame Seed!”

Mikayla silently glanced at Qiao Sang.

Molten Flame Seed is indeed a heavenly treasure and can even evolve a Molten Armored Dragon to Emperor-level, but not all fire-type pets can evolve through it.

Fire Qilu's evolution path is unknown;

the fire seed might not work…

“Yap!”

Yabao froze, then his eyes lit up brightly.

The next second, black-red flames surged violently over his body.

“Yap yap!”

Amid heart-rending screams, Yabao looked toward the magma, his gaze growing firm. Without hesitation, he leapt in.

“Xun xun…”

Little Treasure sighed as he watched the magma.

Big Brother Yabao is so miserable. His fur is gone, a tooth is gone, and he’s even being tricked by his Beast master into thinking he’ll evolve.

Evolution always comes with white light, how could this be evolution when he’s burning all over?

Qiao Sang sat cross-legged, constantly checking the time, watching the magma, and sensing Yabao’s condition. Her mind couldn’t calm down at all.

“Don’t worry.” Mikayla sat beside her and comforted her.

“It’ll be fine.”

I know

…

Qiao Sang thought silently.

She had already foreseen Yabao’s evolution, which meant he would succeed, she just felt heartbroken by the process.

“I know.” She said aloud, not voicing her inner thoughts.

Then she remembered something and asked with concern, “Are you hungry? Want something to eat?”

Mikayla froze, unused to being cared for like this in her current identity.

To be honest, it felt like the first time since entering the secret realm that Qiao Sang had treated her kindly.

“A little.” Mikayla replied.

Qiao Sang glanced at Little Treasure.

“Xun xun~”

Little Treasure immediately removed his ring and deftly pulled out food from inside.

He hadn’t forgotten how this person had helped retrieve Big Brother Yabao from the magma earlier.

Mikala took the fruit and took a bite.

Time passed bit by bit, and aboveground, daylight arrived.

During this period, Qiao Sang carefully timed it and had Little Treasure bring Yabao out for healing.

Although Yabao still suffered greatly whenever the black-red flames reignited, seeing that things weren’t getting worse finally eased Qiao Sang’s heart a little.

No deterioration meant their approach was correct.

After Yabao finished another round of healing and jumped back into the magma, Qiao Sang suddenly stiffened and asked: “Where’s Guo Ruiqi?”

Mikayla: …

“Where’s Guo Ruiqi?” Qiao Sang turned toward empty air.

“Stealth…”

The voice of Hidden Shield sounded, indicating

wait a moment

.

“It says to wait.” Mikayla relayed.

Five seconds later, Guo Ruiqi suddenly appeared out of thin air and was placed on the ground.

With dark circles under his eyes and a confused expression, he nearly cried tears of joy upon seeing the familiar figures: “Senior Qiao! You’re all unharmed, thank goodness! Is it all over?!”

Qiao Sang didn’t dare meet his eyes. Staring at the magma, she said gravely: “Not yet.”

Guo Ruiqi’s joy vanished instantly. Following her gaze toward the magma, he became nervous.

Qiao Sang continued, “We may need to delay going to look for the Lele Seed.”

Guo Ruiqi asked carefully, “May I ask why?”

“Because Fire Qilu absorbed something it shouldn’t have. Its internal energy is extremely unstable right now and needs time to absorb and recover.” Mikayla explained.

Qiao Sang remained silent, confirming it.

“I see…” Guo Ruiqi sighed in relief.

“That’s totally fine. Yabao’s recovery is the most important anyway. We wouldn’t find the Lele Seed anytime soon regardless.”

An hour later, when Guo Ruiqi saw Yabao screaming in misery, engulfed in black-red flames, with one of its fangs missing, he realized the situation was far more serious than he had imagined.

His heart sank. He didn’t dare say another word and just sat quietly.

---

Time flew by.

Qiao Sang could no longer remember exactly how long it had been, only that many hours had passed.

When she checked her phone, her attention wasn’t on the date, only on the time.

Fire-type pet beasts had reappeared nearby at some point, but they seemed unable to perceive anything here, going about their own business without glancing over.

Qingbao had long since been summoned from the Beast Codex.

Though she disliked the underground environment and temperature, she never expressed any desire to leave and quietly stayed by Qiao Sang’s side.

From within the codex, she had seen everything that happened outside.

Every so often, the enraged roar of the Molten Armored Dragon echoed in the distance.

The fire-type pet beasts scattered, regrouped, scattered again…

This happened many times.

At first, both Qiao Sang and Guo Ruiqi would instinctively stand up and look toward the source whenever they heard the roar.

Later, they grew numb, neither of them even bothered to move.

Twenty-three minutes left…

Qiao Sang stared at her phone, calculating the time until the next hour.

Suddenly, the magma began to boil, forming a vortex.

Then, a massive column of black-red fire burst violently from the magma whirlpool, shooting straight upward toward the barrier.

Mikayla’s eyes sharpened.

“Disperse.”

As soon as she spoke, the transparent barrier vanished.

Unobstructed, the black-red fire blasted through the rock above and burst out to the surface.

Qiao Sang looked up through the hole it had smashed open.

Under the blue sky above, the black-red fire transformed into an incomparably dazzling white light, so blinding it was like another sun.

-----

T/n: Hahahahhahahahahahahahahahahah. Freedom never tasted so good✊ I'm back, and it's for good. No classes to attend to and no papers to check. Final Demo? ✅ Did I pass? Also ✅ Narrative? Meh, can be done slowly. But other than that? I'm free baby! Back to regular updates, my dear readers!!!