Chapter 228: Eve’s Abnormality (Part 1)

Number One moved rapidly underground, its body gliding through solid rocks and hard ground as if it were swimming in water.

As it moved, William noticed a change in their surrounding environment.

Until now, the environment of the Trial Realm had remained constant.

The temperature during the daytime was around 30°C, while at night, it was around 20°C.

There were no fluctuations in temperature, with no gradual rises or drops. The temperature in this realm remained fixed.

As soon as the light disappeared, the temperature instantly dropped to 20°C, and as soon as the sky brightened, it returned to around 30°C.

But as Number One moved forward, William noticed that the temperature around them was rising.

It was fine at first, but soon, it reached over 60 or even 70°C.

This temperature was nothing for Number One and William, and even the little girl was protected by Number One’s energy, so she didn’t show any discomfort either.

However, when William thought about the place they were heading toward, he narrowed his eyes and, after a moment of hesitation, ordered Number One to move to the surface instead of continuing underground.

’It’s too dangerous to travel underground near a volcanic region. What if we fall into boiling lava...’ He muttered to himself, using his Eyes of Insight to look around.

Through his Eyes of Insight, he noticed that many spots around them were glowing bright red, indicating high-temperature zones where lava might be flowing.

Guiding Number One around those spots, William and the others soon returned to the surface.

As Number One emerged from the ground, a tall, black volcano came into William’s view in the distance.

The volcanic mountain was about three thousand meters high, and from its rounded summit, he could see dense smoke rising.

The area around them was also covered in black rocks, most likely solidified lava.

William observed their surroundings before once again shifting his attention toward the tall mountain in the distance.

’I wonder if I can find something here that can help my Vermilion Fire sprout from its seed state.’

When he had asked Malra for information, he had specifically asked whether there were any special places different from the dry land that covered the entire Land of Desolation.

At that time, Malra had told him about this volcanic region.

Although it had only mentioned that the area contained a large volcano and had high temperatures, without anything particularly special about it, William had still decided to come here and check whether he could find any fire-related materials to feed his Vermilion Fire and make it stronger.

Previously, he had planned to buy Fire Essence Crystals from Alicia’s brother to feed his fire, but before he could do so, he had been sent to the Trial Realm.

Now that he was here, he could only search this place for something that would make his Vermilion Fire more powerful.

Moreover, by making Vermilion Fire sprout from its seed state, he could increase his own strength as well.

Not to mention that Vermilion Fire would become far more powerful after sprouting from its seed state, William himself, as its owner, would also benefit from the flame’s feedback, such as an increase in his core rank.

"Number One, stay here and keep an eye on the surroundings. If you notice anything strange or see anyone approaching, inform me immediately," William ordered.

Number One nodded obediently and sank into the ground.

William then looked at the little girl, who was standing beside him while holding his hand and looking around at the unfamiliar environment with a curious expression.

"Eve, why don’t you stay with Number One as well? I will be back soon."

Eve looked at William upon hearing him and immediately shook her head.

"Dadda!"

She grabbed his hand even more tightly.

"You can understand everything I say now, so why can’t you understand the most important thing..." William sighed and looked at her seriously. "Call me Brother."

Eve stared at him for a moment before opening her mouth.

"Dadda Brother."

William’s mouth twitched as he stared at her innocent eyes.

If not for the fact that he couldn’t see any signs of her pretending or lying, he would have genuinely thought she was doing it on purpose.

’Forget it. I am too tired to keep reminding her again and again.’

During the past half month, William had found it strange to keep calling her ’the little girl,’ so he had given her the name Eve, essentially making her Eva’s twin sister.

William had also confirmed that although she looked and behaved like a human, she was definitely different from normal humans.

For one thing, there had been no changes in her appearance, weight, or even hair during this half month.

Everything about her remained the same as it had been on the first day he met her.

Moreover, she didn’t seem to have the same biological needs as normal humans.

She ate everything he gave her without ever needing to relieve herself.

Another thing that gave him a headache was that, apart from a few words like "Dadda," "Mamma," and "Brother Dadda," along with a few other simple words, she couldn’t say anything else.

He had tried to teach her, but even though she could now understand him, she still couldn’t speak the words he taught her.

Sighing inwardly, William picked her up, and his wings unfolded from his back.

Flapping them, he immediately shot toward the volcano in the distance.

Even though there was still quite some distance between him and the volcano, he could already feel the intense heat coming from that area.

He could even see some bright orange objects flying around the volcanic region.

’What are those flying objects?’ He wondered inwardly as he approached one of them.

As he drew closer, he noticed that it was actually just a blob of fire flying around.

Sensing William’s presence, the blob of fire stopped for a second before suddenly shooting toward him.

William raised an eyebrow and stretched out one hand, easily catching the incoming blob of fire in his palm.

He felt the high-temperature blob struggling to burn his palm, but a layer of Aether Energy protected his hand, keeping him safe from the heat.

Feeling the blob struggle, he frowned slightly, and the next second—

Plop!

He crushed it using brute force.

As soon as he crushed the blob, he felt a small, hard object appear in his palm.

At the same time, a notification flashed before him.

(You have killed a Minor Fire Spirit.)