The First Signs of an Intelligent Species

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The group walked out of the cave and headed toward the nearby lake!

A dazzling sheet of ice came into view.

At night, the strange Heaven-Piercing Pillars on the island gradually gave off less heat. The bitter cold froze vast stretches of the lake, while the rapidly rising temperature by day melted those thick sheets of ice just as quickly! Like now...

Dawn had only just broken, yet the temperature around them had already climbed several notches. Near the Heaven-Piercing Pillars, a broad expanse of the Hot Spring had thawed. The sharp temperature difference drew gas from the rocks at the bottom, making the water bubble and gurgle as though it were boiling!

Er Dongsheng knew the water there was not that hot, though—perfect for a bath! Besides, he could now enjoy even boiling water without harm!

Splash!

"Yah, yah!"

With a flick of his fingers, he tossed Little Bei'er from his arms. She traced a graceful arc through the air and landed right in the water!

Er Dongsheng followed with a splash, leaping over the little ice that remained around the edge. Little Succubus and Little Fairy openly shed their tiny beast-hide skirts and jumped in after him.

Female demons of the Abyss had a particular trait: when faced with a powerful demon they liked, showing him their beauty at every opportunity was both a means of survival and a point of pride! Only the demons they considered strongest were worthy of admiring them! Succubi were fairly restrained about it, but fairies held the custom in especially high regard!

Hadn't the Xierjie