For the next while, Xiao Yun spent his days searching the Hundred Thousand Volcanoes region for all kinds of fire-type herbs and spiritual materials, then returned at night to rest in the previous stockade.
Over the past few days, he had no intention of hiding his movements either.
On the third night, the lights in the mountain stronghold gradually went out, leaving only a few lanterns swaying in the wind.
The moon hid behind the clouds, shrouding the land in a hazy darkness.
Xiao Yun was in his room reading—not an ordinary book, but the notes the Wood God had given him on the use of Wood Attribute energy. The handwriting was ancient and plain, and the contents were profound.
A knock sounded at the door, neither hurried nor slow, very rhythmic.
Xiao Yun put down the book, rose, and opened the door.
Outside stood two women in cloaks.
The cloaks were wide, their hoods pulled very low, hiding most of their faces.
But Xiao Yun still recognized them—Phoenix Flame Maiden and Spirit Flame Maiden.
Phoenix Flame Maiden wore the Mountain Saintess Robe, golden and embroidered with a nine-tailed Phoenix Pattern. The hem trailed along the floor, the sleeves were wide, and the collar rose high. The nine-tailed phoenix embroidered in gold thread seemed vividly alive, giving off a faint glow beneath the lamplight.
Spirit Flame Maiden's attire made his eyes brighten. She had changed into an evening gown he had never seen before, made of black satin, boldly cut, with a very low neckline that revealed a stretch of fair collarbone and shoulders. The sleeves began at the shoulders and extended all the way to her wrists, but most of her arms were exposed. The skirt reached only to mid-thigh, and her two long, slender legs gleamed like ivory