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The cultivation of the fire-forged body primarily involves drawing in fire elemental particles from the surrounding space, allowing them to merge with one’s own body to temper and strengthen one’s innate fire affinity. The concentration of fire elements in the external environment plays a pivotal role in determining the speed of this cultivation.

If Grim were placed in a damp, cold environment like the Swamp Tower, his progress would slow down by at least tenfold. Yet within the underground lava, where fire elements are exceptionally active, his advancement surged forward with the swiftness of a galloping steed.

The contrast was immeasurable.

Countless fire elemental particles, accompanied by mysterious molten substances, continuously flooded into Grim’s body, solidifying his flesh and blood, tempering his bones, and fortifying his tendons. This process filled and refined the body that had been hollowed out and corroded by the concentration potions.

Under the relentless flow of semi-molten lava, the creaking sounds of Grim’s bones and tendons rapidly growing stronger echoed around him, while his flesh thickened and strengthened in tandem. His once shoulder-length black hair had long since been burned away by the lava but was now slowly regrowing amid sizzling sounds. Remarkably, the color had transformed into a dark crimson, shimmering with a magical luster.

In Grim’s mind, data on his bodily dynamics flooded his consciousness in a rapid stream. Rows of green characters cascaded so quickly that he barely had time to perceive them before new chip prompts overwhelmed the display.

“Beep, detection of foreign substances entering the body, resulting in a 0.01-point increase in constitution…”

“Beep, integration of external fire energy detected in spiritual essence, resulting in a 0.01-point increase in spirit…”

“Beep, detection of foreign substances entering the body, resulting in a 0.01-point increase in constitution…”

These two different streams of messages alternated continuously, occasionally interspersed with notices confirming successful progress in the fire-forged body cultivation.

“Beep, both body and spirit have reached the minimum threshold required for the fire-forged body; current progress at 1%…”

As Grim crossed this threshold, the previously unbearable temperature of the lava suddenly dropped sharply, granting him a newfound surplus of endurance. His heart stirred slightly, and he could not resist stepping forward once more to keep himself at the very edge of that painful limit.

“Beep, fire-forged body further strengthened; current progress at 2%…”

Enduring the immense pain of his flesh and limbs being tempered, Grim found solace only in watching the endless scrolling chip prompts, allowing a surge of exhilaration to wash over him and soften the torment.

With each enhancement to his fire-forged body, Grim’s tolerance to the molten lava’s searing heat increased, and he steadily ventured deeper into the lava pool.

At the edge of the pool stood an Abyssal Succubus, gazing in astonishment at the roiling, scalding magma. Her emerald eyes shone with disbelief and amazement. How was it possible? The youth who had just entered was nothing more than a mere apprentice wizard; how could he dare to touch such terrifying underground lava?

Could it be the mysterious magical staff he wielded? Or was it his extraordinary talent and remarkable bloodline potential?

Excited by the thought, the succubus licked her fiery red lips seductively, a surge of passion rising within her, making her already enchanting eyes glisten even more alluringly.

Though renowned as a fire-affiliated demon, the Abyssal Succubus was cautious even with such molten lava. She dared only to play with the fire at the pool’s edge, scooping up some glowing scarlet magma to let it slowly slide over her perfectly curved body. Yet to truly immerse herself within the lava pool would be unbearable, as the terrifying heat would sear her to the core.

After all, she was a succubus, not a fire-walking Flame Demon. She could tolerate fire but did not possess a soul-born affinity or love for it.

More than an hour passed. Amidst sparks flying, Grim emerged from the lava’s edge, beginning to ascend slowly to the platform above.

Earlier, at the bottom of the lava pool, he had received a chip prompt: the fire-forged body had reached the maximum limit his body could endure. Even his tempered body showed signs of overstrain and decline. Thus, he could only slowly retreat to let his body cool from the constant extreme stress.

If, upon first entering, Grim had been a slightly frail and inexperienced sixteen-year-old, now he had grown into a statuesque and robust figure that would evoke envy.

In just an hour’s refining, his height had risen to two meters. His muscular frame bulged with veins pulsating everywhere, and with the dark crimson hair cascading down his back, he exuded a strange, almost demonic charm.

Standing waist-deep in the scalding lava, the chip in Grim’s mind finally refreshed his latest physical data:

“Grim (Advanced Apprentice): Strength 7.12, Agility 7.35, Constitution 9.17, Spirit 16.25.”

Unknowingly, Grim had grown into the advanced apprentice rank he once could only aspire to. His constitution and strength had finally crossed the threshold of 5, matching his spiritual level.

Clenching his fists, Grim felt for the first time an overwhelming strength flowing through his body—an inexhaustible power. The surging fire elemental energy within made him restless, eager to smash or break something to vent his energy.

Glancing down at the Flame Lord’s Staff in his left hand, Grim could not help but marvel at his extraordinary luck. Without this staff, he might at best have meditated by the poolside, hoping to painstakingly cultivate the fire-forged body through many days of effort. But thanks to it, he possessed intermediate fire resistance, allowing him to partially negate the scalding damage of the lava.

This foundation enabled his progress to skyrocket like a rocket’s ascent. Otherwise, even a mere one-point increase in spirit would have been cause for gratitude.

As Grim immersed himself in his new physical data, a warm, soft body suddenly pressed against his back, sliding slowly. A sweet, enticing voice whispered in his ear:

“Hey handsome, didn’t expect you to grow so strong and alluring in such a short time! How about letting your big sister treat you to a lava bath?”

Two delicate, fair arms slipped around him from behind, gently caressing his broad chest. The exquisite sensation of smooth skin overwhelmed Grim’s mind.

Within the invisible lava pool, her flexible, serpentine bony tail coiled lightly around Grim’s sturdy thigh, the roughness of bone contrasting against smooth flesh, further stirring the young man’s rising heat.

For abyssal succubi, concepts like chastity and dignity hold no meaning. In the brutal survival world of the Abyss, raw destructive power is their sole pursuit and the only guiding force of the Abyssal will. Lacking formidable physical strength or powerful magical prowess, succubi must attach themselves to the strong as their only means of survival.

The material world is inhospitable to them, yet they stubbornly seek entry to claim the bloodlines and souls of the powerful.

Human wizards from the primary material plane summon and imprison them, coveting their intoxicating beauty and maddening sexual prowess. Yet succubi, confident and proud of their bodies, willingly submit.

Once a succubus grows close to a wizard over time, she can make him hopelessly infatuated. Then she gains great wealth and can devour his body, dragging the soul of a human powerhouse back to the Abyss.

To the Abyssal will, any act that brings a strong soul from the primary material plane into the Abyss is worthy of praise. If succubi cannot advance through slaughter, smuggling powerful souls is a profitable alternative.

Only through such means can a succubus evolve into a higher form: the Pleasuric Demon, an advanced stage of succubi.

It must be said—the seduction skills of a succubus are effective.

Almost instantly, Grim’s face flushed deep red.

Yet as the succubus succeeded, she also failed. For the humanoid stone golem hidden within the cavern wall revealed itself once more.

“Time’s up! Outsider, you must leave immediately, or you will be attacked by all lava guardians. Countdown commencing: 10... 9... 8...”

Damn, time’s up!

A sharp sense of danger snapped Grim out of his enticing fantasy. He forcefully shook off the succubus clinging to him, rushed to his scattered magical equipment, and hastily packed them away. When he hurried to the teleportation array, he caught sight of the enraged Abyssal Succubus raging within the lava pool.

A cooked duck already in one’s grasp slipping away over such a foolish reason—how could she not be furious?

Amid her furious, piercing roars, the succubus’s alluring body slowly rose from the lava. Her sprawling demonic bat wings flapped wildly, and a violent, bloodlike mist of abyssal energy radiated from her, enveloping a vast area.

Alas, before she could fully unleash her power, two exquisite, mysterious runes appeared on her smooth shoulders. Under the suppression of these arcane sigils, the power she had just gathered silently dissipated, reducing her from a raging Abyssal demon back to a helpless little succubus.

With a scream of curses, she plunged back into the lava pool.