Qin moved the dry branch closer to the fire pit. His gaze swept over a section of thoroughly dried wood beside him, then he snapped off a sturdy twig and dropped to one knee.
He first carved a shallow groove into the center of the deadwood, stuffed in a handful of crushed dry grass, then braced the twig in the groove. Clasping his hands tightly around it, he spun it rapidly in one direction.
Wood shavings fell in a rustle. As the force in his palms steadily increased, the spot where the twig rubbed against the deadwood gradually blackened, and a wisp of green smoke quietly rose.
A thin sheen of sweat seeped from Qin's brow. His arms ached so badly he could barely lift them, yet he still gritted his teeth and increased his speed.
At last, a spark flickered amid the dry grass. He quickly bent down, cupped his hands around it protectively, and blew gently.
The spark grew brighter, licking at the dry grass as a small cluster of orange-red flames rose.
"Whew!"
It was finally lit!
Whoosh!
Suddenly, a fierce gust swept in, instantly extinguishing the flame he had just ignited.
"Master, what are you doing?" Qing Xu's voice sounded behind him.
In an instant, Qin's rage surged. The fire he had worked so hard to start had actually been put out by Qing Xu!
"Qing Xu!!!"
Qin suddenly threw back his head, and an enraged roar burst from his throat.
The sound rolled through the stream valley like thunder, frightening the fish in the creek into fleeing. In the blink of an eye, the stream was completely empty.
"Master, please calm your anger!"
Only when Qing Xu glanced aside did it notice the faint smoke rising from the fire pit. Then it looked at Qin,