The heat was suffocating in the magma-lit chamber of Teide Volcano's fifth layer. Magma flowed like rivers through the blackened stone, casting an ominous red glow across the chamber walls. At the center stood Grandma Huo, the leader of the Magma Race, her rock-like skin laced with glowing magma veins.
Her ember-lit eyes locked onto Penelope.
"Lady Penelope," she said gravely, "all of the Niu Clan warriors are dead. We must assist the others. Now."
Penelope turned on her heel, already heading for the exit. "Gather everyone. Let's move."
Thomas walked beside Grandma Huo, his brows furrowed. "How confident are you in defeating Elder Yu?"
"If I still held my peak power, I'd crush him in a few blows," Grandma Huo muttered. "But since that ambush years ago… I fell from the Element Master Stage to the Element Absorption Stage. Still, with him trapped and our support, we can take him down."
Thomas nodded. "Then we'll finish this quickly."
As the group exited the volcano's mouth, two familiar figures emerged from the haze of smoke—Dragaris and Drogaris.
"Did they fail?" Thomas muttered, eyes narrowing.
Penelope hurried forward, her voice tight with urgency. "Where are Ilargia, Nika, and Asier? Don't tell me—"
"Don't worry, Sister Penelope," said a calm voice from behind.
Ilargia stepped into view, her composure steady.
"You're safe…" Penelope exhaled.
Before another word could be spoken, a heavy thud hit the ground. Everyone turned as Asier tossed down the bound and unconscious Elder Yu. His once-dominant aura was gone—sealed, silenced, subdued.
Gasps filled the group.
"How...?" Thomas asked, stunned.
Dragaris glanced at Asier, hesitating. "We... we were lucky. He underestimated us."
"His mistake," Nika said with a faint grin.
Grandma Huo approached, her glowing eyes examining the triplets. "Interesting. I can sense Elemental Energy within your bodies. But… you're still in the Origin Realm?"
Asier bowed respectfully. "Senior, we've been at the Brain Training Stage for some time. During that time, we gained deep insight into Elemental Energy and began absorbing small amounts into our bodies."
"Ah," she nodded, her tone softening. "Not unheard of. True comprehension allows such absorption even before formal breakthrough. You three are nearing the Semi Elemental Realm, then?"
"Indeed. We expect to break through in a few days," Asier confirmed.
Even Penelope looked visibly shaken by the revelation.
Viktor stepped forward, arms crossed. "So you've been hiding this the whole time?"
"We had to," Nika replied easily. "Back in the Windy Mountains, we were surrounded by Semi Elemental Realm masters. Secrecy was safety. But now? Now it's time to stop hiding."
Thomas shook his head, chuckling with disbelief. "Let's get back inside. We've got planning to do."
Around a round stone table, lit by the fiery glow of magma, the elite team convened. The leaders of the Magma race stood beside them, faces carved from battle and betrayal.
Penelope unfurled a burned and worn tactical map, pointing to a marked region.
"The closest strategic target is the Niu Tribe. They serve the Volcanic Alliance's war front, especially by providing supplies. They have twelve Semi Elemental Realm cultivators."
"Make that eleven," Ilargia said with a smirk, nodding toward Elder Yu's limp body.
"Indeed," Penelope replied, allowing a rare grin.
Grandma Huo's face remained stern. "Don't get comfortable. Yu Niu was their weakest. The rest are far stronger."
Thomas leaned forward. "Grandma Huo, no one knows the Volcanic Domain like you. Can you explain the current structure?"
The magma elder's expression grew heavy with old wounds.
"Sixty years ago, the Magma race was supreme. We had seventeen Semi Elemental masters. The Hei Tribe, second strongest, had sixteen. We planned to explore the Middle Region together. But jealousy and fear turned the others against us."
"The Lut Tribe from the Middle Domain joined them. They brought cultivators from the Aperture Nurturing Stage. The Hei Tribe was destroyed. I was wounded and fell in power. My people were scattered. Our dominance ended that day."
The table fell into silence.
"We'll help restore your tribe," Nika said, fists clenched.
"I don't want vengeance," Grandma Huo replied, her voice calm but resolute. "I want freedom for my people. No more extermination. No more chains."
She continued.
"The strongest tribe is the Fuego Tribe. They have sixteen Semi Elemental masters. Their leader was already in the Aperture Nurturing Stage sixty years ago. Now, he's likely reached the Element Master Stage. He commands the Volcanic Alliance."
Penelope pointed again at the map.
"We'll strike the Niu Tribe's outposts. They're not critical, but they funnel supplies—food, weapons—to the front lines."
Thomas nodded. "We don't aim to fight their elites yet. Cut the supply chain, weaken the enemy."
"Three days," Penelope said. "Prepare yourselves. Complete your clan missions. After that, the war begins."
The room fell into a hum of silent agreement, the magma's glow reflecting in the eyes of cultivators ready to shape the future.