When the volcanic region in the Outer Area of Star Dou Great Forest came into view, the air was considerably hotter than in the surrounding outskirts.
Below them, the dense, deep-green forest gradually gave way to dark-red rock formations and scattered heat-resistant shrubs. White geothermal steam constantly rose from cracks in the ground, forming a low layer of mist.
In the distance, a volcanic cone showed a dark-red outline in the morning light, with a steady column of smoke rising from its summit into the sky.
Qian Yao flew noticeably faster after entering the volcanic region. Her Radiant Flame Wings responded more readily in this scorching environment than at the Icefire Yin-Yang Well. The flame patterns along the edges of her luminous wings unfurled naturally amid the volcanic gases, as though breathing air that matched their own attributes.
Li Long descended at the edge of the volcanic region and landed on a relatively level rock ledge.
The two women landed after him and took a moment to steady themselves.
Qian Yue took several spare medicinal herbs from her storage ring and distributed them among the three of them to hold in their mouths, protecting their airways from the constant irritation of the sulfur and intense heat.
Li Long drew the Dragon Emperor Rod from behind his waist and held it in his hand. He extended his spiritual power to scan their surroundings and detected two distinct soul power fluctuations roughly half a li to the southwest.
"The fire phoenix is to the southwest. It's fairly large, and its soul power fluctuations put it at around thirty-five thousand years." After briefly explaining what he had sensed, he led the two women in that direction.
The farther they ventured, the hotter the ground became. The rocks beneath their feet changed from dark