Grinding EXP From a Demon Hunting Ship

HISS.

He stepped into the volcanic Grotto Heaven.

A blast of scorching-hot wind rushed to meet him, making Su Ye’s face feel a bit dry.

"The intense heat of this volcanic Grotto Heaven is truly something else..." Su Ye remarked. The Four Seas Pearl Chain on his wrist flashed, and an azure film of water covered his body.

With Su Ye’s physical strength, this level of heat had no real effect on him.

But it was always better to be comfortable.

At that moment, Lu Chen, Feng Shaochai, Zheng Yunzhe, and the other Golden Core cultivators, as well as forty Crystallization cultivators, all stepped into the volcanic Grotto Heaven.

Each of these cultivators activated their own fire-warding techniques to insulate themselves from the Grotto Heaven’s searing heat.

Everyone present was a high-level cultivator at the Crystallization Realm or higher, so the Grotto Heaven’s high-temperature environment couldn’t affect them much.

Next, after the cultivators, the gate of light rippled and flashed as two Flying Boats entered the volcanic Grotto Heaven, one after the other.

The Dust Crossing Flying Boat!

And the Ghostly Flood Dragon!

As for the Myriad Longevity Treasure Boat, it remained outside.

First, the Myriad Longevity Treasure Boat was a massive, traditionally styled vessel of enormous size. Unlike the Ghostly Flood Dragon, it was not semi-biological and could not shrink or fold on its own.

Such a colossal vessel was simply too large for the portal to accommodate.

Second, the cultivators of the three sects were mobilizing their main forces to venture deep into the volcanic Grotto Heaven, preparing to wipe out the swarms of Fire Element Spirits and explore the temple. Such a large-scale operation also required someone to stay behind and guard the Grotto Heaven’s node.

Otherwise, it was highly likely that cultivators from the Star Casting Hall would take advantage of their absence to seize the Grotto Heaven’s node and launch an ambush when they returned with their rewards!

Therefore, Mr. Guan from the True Treasure Pavilion, along with seven other Golden Core cultivators, were left outside the Grotto Heaven to stand guard.

Over the past three months, the cultivators of the three sects had constructed an array cluster. Relying on the Myriad Longevity Treasure Boat and the Fire Spiritual Qi overflowing from the Grotto Heaven’s node, their defensive capabilities were formidable.

"Even if the Star Casting Hall attacks with its full might, this array cluster is strong enough to hold until we return from our exploration!"

Lu Chen was very confident.

He had overseen the design of this Array.

—The Four Extremes Life-Destruction Sword Array was a Sword Array, after all! Besides his attainments in the Sword Dao, his skill with Arrays was also incredibly shocking.

’He never specified the details, but... based on my conversations with Lu Chen, the man is at least a fourth-rank, high-grade Array Master. He might even be at the peak of the fourth rank.’

’The elites from the nine inner sects of the Central Sea Region... are indeed formidable,’ Su Ye mused.

He didn’t mind this. It was a good thing for the experts on his side to be powerful.

’If Four Extremes Sword could do all the heavy lifting, he’d be perfectly happy to coast for a while.’

...

Speed was of the essence.

After entering the Grotto Heaven, the cultivators from the three sects wasted no time.

They immediately boarded their Flying Boats and traveled upstream against the current, braving the endless, scorching heat as they headed for the temple ruins in the upper reaches of the Magma River!

The original exploration team had taken half a month to reach the upper reaches.

But this time, it clearly wouldn’t take nearly as long.

With the map that the first exploration team had paid for with their lives, a main force far stronger than the original party, and two Flying Boats for transportation...

They were stronger than the original expedition in every respect.

The Fire Element Spirits, which had posed a mortal threat to the first expedition’s members, would be instantly obliterated by a cannonball the moment they dared to show themselves before this fleet!

Even though these Fire Element Spirits were intensely hostile toward outsiders and would attack madly regardless of the power disparity, they posed little obstacle to the cultivators of the three sects.

’The only shame is...’ Su Ye felt a little regretful.

’These Fire Element Spirits turn back into magma after they die... They have almost no value, and killing them doesn’t even yield any experience points.’

Attempts to capture them and take them out of the volcanic Grotto Heaven had also been declared a failure.

Once they left the volcanic Grotto Heaven, these unique creatures were like fish out of water. Their life force would continuously weaken, and they would die in a very short time.

...

「Two days later.」

The cultivators of the three sects arrived at the upper reaches of the Magma River.

Faintly visible in the far distance, at the very edge of their sight, was a vast complex of magnificent architecture.

"We’re here... This is exactly as the scene recorded in the jade slip depicted." A crystalline yellow light shone from Feng Shaochai’s eyes as he used a Pupil Technique to gaze into the distance, his spirits soaring.

’A complex of buildings! Besides the natural treasures of a Grotto Heaven, the most valuable items are always found within architectural ruins!’

’Given the scale of this volcanic Grotto Heaven, it was only natural to assume it was a Divinity Transformation Level Grotto Heaven... This complex of ruins very likely held a Divinity Transformation inheritance, and even True Spirit Dao Artifacts!’

’Even if the Jade Void Sword Sect was present and the True Treasure Pavilion cultivators couldn’t take the lion’s share, there would still be profits to be made. The trip wouldn’t be for nothing!’

"Oh, heavens, please bless me. I’m not a greedy man, just let me snag one Dao Artifact..." Feng Shaochai muttered, praying with seeming piety.

He was not the only cultivator present whose eyes were filled with similar daydreams.

However, at that moment...

GURGLE... GURGLE...

With the arrival of the three sects’ cultivators, bubbles began to rise on the surface of the Magma River.

Numerous ferocious wills awakened within the Magma River. A dozen or so fourth-rank Fire Element Spirits—a hundred meters tall, crimson red, and composed of magma and blazing flames—gradually emerged from the surface.

Lu Chen cleared his throat. "Fellow Daoists, it’s too early to be talking about dividing treasures. Let’s stick to the plan, exterminate this group of Fire Element Spirits, and enter the ruins first."

"Hmm... A direct confrontation would put us at a disadvantage. Let’s retreat for now and test their aggro range first."

Lu Chen instructed via a Divine Sense transmission.

"Mr. Lu is right."

"That’s right."