Flame Feather Valley was a vast, relatively open and level basin located at the heart of this cluster of dead volcanoes. Hundreds of ancient volcanoes that had long fallen silent surrounded it like mute giants guarding this rare oasis.
The valley's climate was far milder than outside, and the fire toxin and malevolent qi in the air were much thinner. There were even stretches of drought- and heat-resistant spirit plants in all sorts of colors scattered throughout the area. An Underground River wound through the center of the valley, nourishing countless large and small pools and wetlands and serving as the lifeblood of the entire settlement.
Li Zhu and Lin Yan landed on an elevated volcanic rock platform and looked down at the bustling yet somewhat disorderly settlement below.
The architecture here... or rather, there was barely any unified style at all. Near the water sources on the flat ground stood countless crude grass nests and stone houses, while many caves had even been carved into the cliff walls, making the area look crowded and chaotic.
In the higher places with broad views, there were several larger and more intricately built wooden or stone structures. Every one of them bore obvious bird-like characteristics—tall watchtowers, broad platforms, entrances and exits convenient for flight, and so on.
Out of habit, Lin Yan summoned the Ecological Deduction Sandbox and the Primordial Everlasting Treasure Compendium, beginning a scan of the settlement.
The settlement's population was not small. A rough estimate put it at no fewer than several hundred thousand living beings, seventy to eighty percent of whom belonged to the Bird Race. There were countless varieties, from small, brilliantly feathered Fire Feather Sparrows, to Crimson Flame Eagles with wingspans several zhang wide and sharp beaks and talons, to Flame Cranes that resembled immortal cranes