The desert sun beat down mercilessly, reflecting off the sand in blinding flashes. Ye Yang, his skin already parched, pressed on.
He'd managed to collect a few fire beast cores, but the hunt was proving to be more arduous than he anticipated. The creatures were cunning, their movements swift and unpredictable.
He spotted a cluster of volcanic rocks in the distance, a plume of smoke curling upwards. With a surge of adrenaline, he quickened his pace, his senses on high alert.
As he approached, he saw it – a grotesque creature, resembling a scorpion with the head of a dragon, perched atop a jagged rock.
The creature, sensing his presence, let out a deafening roar and lunged. Ye Yang, agile despite the heat, rolled to the side, narrowly avoiding its venomous tail.
He drew upon the insights gleaned from his alchemical studies, visualizing the flow of Qi within his body. With a focused burst of energy, he unleashed a powerful kick, sending the creature reeling back.