Time flew when they were having fun, and before they knew it, Qilin had reached the border of the Volcanic Region.
Sure enough, large numbers of Flame Snails had gathered along the border. They liked high temperatures but were herbivores, so only this peculiar environment could meet their needs.
Flame Snails usually lived in the Volcanic Region. They often occupied every inch of the smaller volcanoes.
But when they needed to eat, they came down the mountains and crossed the border to graze on the tenderest plants.
Notably, Flame Snails were classified as pests in many worlds. They multiplied in great numbers and kept devouring the grasslands until the land gradually turned to desert.
When that happened, the Flame Snail King would draw on the rivers of magma beneath the earth to create new volcanoes.
That was why many worlds regularly exterminated Flame Snails.
If a Flame Snail King was discovered, they spared no effort to kill it. That was also why its shell was so precious.
Making a panacea was not the problem. Flame Snails were scarce, which meant panaceas made from a Flame Snail King's shell rarely appeared on the market.
Rare things commanded high prices.
And with speculators fanning the flames, the price climbed ever higher.
There was another thing: Flame Snails were fiercely territorial. They attacked any creature that entered their colony's territory.
Qilin had barely appeared when one Flame Snail stretched out its feelers. Two sparks sprang into being and formed a distinctive pattern in the sky.
"Pretty. They're even setting off fireworks to welcome us," Aries Palace said with a smile.
Nameless quipped, "That's an arrow shot through the clouds to summon ten thousand troops. Let's get to work. Once we've cleared out these Flame Snails, we can move on!"
Sure enough, more and