Chapter 337: A New Journey, Li An Breaks the Stalemate with Overwhelming Force

Soon!

Li An and his companions, driven by firm conviction in the face of unknown challenges, set out on the journey to find the Elemental Hearts.

Guided by clues in their minds, their first destination pointed to the Flame Canyon deep within the scorching desert, where the Fire Elemental Heart, said to embody the ultimate power of the fire element, was hidden.

In the scorching desert, the blazing sun hung high, and the scorching sand beneath their feet seemed ready to melt anyone at any moment.

The group pressed on with difficulty; the sweltering heat did not diminish their fighting spirit but instead made them even more determined.

Though the high heat flushed Yui Yuigahama's cheeks red, she still followed the group closely, occasionally casting cooling water magic to alleviate the discomfort caused by the heat.

"Everyone, push harder! The Flame Canyon should be just ahead."

Li An gazed resolutely ahead; the starlight-emitting longsword in his hand trembled slightly, as if sensing the approaching challenge.

Finally, they arrived at the Flame Canyon.

The cliffs on both sides of the canyon, scorched by the intense heat, displayed an eerie red hue, while rolling waves of heat surged up from the canyon floor.

The group carefully entered the canyon along a winding path; the surrounding temperature rose sharply, as if they had stepped into a massive furnace.

"This temperature is almost enough to roast a person to death."

Teacher Shizuka Hiratsuka frowned, waving the black battle axe in her hand in an attempt to disperse some of the heat waves.

"Everyone be careful; there must be hidden dangers here."

No sooner had Li An finished speaking than a low roar suddenly echoed from within the canyon.

Immediately after, a massive fire lizard leaped out from behind a huge boulder.

The fire lizard was engulfed in blazing Xiong Xiong flames; its scales shimmered with blinding red light. It opened its blood-filled maw and spat a column of scorching fire that swept toward the group.

"Yui, cast ice magic to block it!" Li An shouted loudly.

Yui Yuigahama reacted swiftly; the ice-blue dagger in her hand flashed, instantly summoning a massive ice wall that deflected the fire column.

Fire collided with the ice wall, producing a "hiss-hiss" sound as thick clouds of steam billowed out.

Seizing the opportunity, Teacher Shizuka Hiratsuka roared and charged at the fire lizard like a fierce tiger, raising her battle axe high and bringing it down with tremendous force toward the lizard's head.

Sensing the danger, the fire lizard dodged with agile flexibility, evading this fatal strike.

It swung its thick tail toward Teacher Shizuka Hiratsuka. She quickly sidestepped; the tail grazed the hem of her clothes, sending up a wave of heat.

Hina Yukinoshita cast light magic in the air; beams of golden light shot toward the fire lizard, attempting to disrupt its movements. Struck by the light, the fire lizard let out an angry roar and its attacks became even more frenzied.

Li An stood aside, calmly observing the fire lizard's attack patterns.

He noticed that although the fire lizard possessed immense strength, its movements were somewhat sluggish.

Taking a deep breath, the star power within his body erupted instantly, and the longsword in his hand blazed with brilliant light.

"Watch this!" Li An shouted loudly; his figure moved like lightning, instantly appearing before the fire lizard.

The longsword in his hand traced a dazzling arc, carrying boundless star power, and slashed fiercely at the fire lizard.

The fire lizard attempted to block with its front claws, but Li An's strike was too powerful; it severed the lizard's front claws outright.

The fire lizard let out a painful shriek and thrashed on the ground.

"My lord Li An, how amazing!" Yui Yuigahama shouted excitedly.

Li An did not pause; he swung his longsword again, unleashing a massive star-energy slash that completely slew the fire lizard. After dealing with the fire lizard, the group continued deeper into the canyon.

Deep within the canyon, they discovered a vast magma pool.

The magma in the pool churned, radiating intense heat. At the center of the pool lay a massive red gemstone emitting dazzling light—the very Fire Elemental Heart they had come to seek.

"We finally found it!" Hina Yukinoshita said excitedly.

However, just as they prepared to approach the Fire Elemental Heart, a swarm of fire elementals suddenly surged from the magma pool. These creatures, formed from condensed magma, took various shapes; they waved their fiery arms and launched an attack on the group.

"Hmph, just in time!" Li An sneered; he charged forward first, swinging his longsword wildly among the fire elementals. With every swing, he slew one fire elemental; the powerful star power continuously neutralized the elementals' strength.

Teacher Shizuka Hiratsuka was not to be outdone; she brandished her battle axe and charged into the swarm of fire elementals. Wherever her axe struck, fire elementals were sent flying; the black battle axe blazed with Xiong Xiong flames, as if merging with these fire elementals.

Yui Yuigahama cast spells from the rear, summoning rows of ice spikes that erupted from the ground, piercing those fire elementals attempting to approach. Ice and fire clashed in the air, producing violent sounds.

Hina Yukinoshita provided support from the air; her light magic illuminated the entire magma pool, leaving the fire elementals nowhere to hide. Through the group's united effort, this swarm of fire elementals was gradually wiped out.

Li An cautiously approached the magma pool; he unleashed star power to form a protective layer beneath his feet and stepped slowly into the magma. The scorching magma constantly battered his shield, but relying on his immense strength, he advanced step by step toward the Fire Elemental Heart. Finally, he reached out and grasped the Fire Elemental Heart; a surge of powerful fire-element energy instantly flooded into his body.

"Success!" Li An shouted excitedly.

The group gathered around, their faces beaming with joy. Li An stored the Fire Elemental Heart and said, "This is only the first step; we still have four more Elemental Hearts to find. Next, we head to the Wind Grasslands to seek the Wind Elemental Heart."

The group nodded and followed Li An out of the Flame Canyon. On the way to the Wind Grasslands, they encountered various hardships and dangers. Sometimes it was a sudden sandstorm; other times, fierce demonic beasts attacked. Yet under Li An's leadership, they turned danger into safety time and again.

When they arrived at the Wind Grasslands, a boundless plain stretched out, where howling winds blew so fiercely that one could barely stand. Yui Yuigahama tightly grasped the hem of Li An's robe and said, "My lord Li An, the wind here is so strong."

Li An patted her hand and comforted her, "Do not fear; I am here."

He released star power to form a powerful protective barrier around the group, warding off the onslaught of the gale.

Deep within the grasslands, they discovered a massive windmill.

The windmill spun at high speed under the force of the gale, emitting a tremendous roar.

At the top of the windmill lay a gemstone emitting a cyan glow—the Wind Elemental Heart.

"It seems our target is right there."

Hina Yukinoshita pointed toward the top of the windmill and said.

However, approaching the windmill was no easy task.

The surrounding gale formed rows of wind blades that constantly surged toward them.

Li An swung his longsword, severing each wind blade one by one.