Liu Quan had never imagined that someone would materialize behind him without a sound. He jumped in fright, even losing the Sword Art he had formed with his fingers.
A fair-skinned boy stood quietly before him, about ten years old, with a round face and beadlike eyes as black as Mo. His lashes were long, and dancing flames reflected in his pupils. He gazed ahead with his lips pressed together, deep dimples marking his cheeks. He wore a little red jacket that fastened down the front. Liu Quan had no idea when he had appeared.
Liu Quan was utterly exhausted, his voice breathless and unsteady. "Y-you, who are you? Are you from Mount Hua too?"
The boy looked him up and down before speaking. "My name is Fire Wuhai. My master sent me to fetch Senior Sister and take you both to Sea Lamp Temple."
"You're... that Reverend Shi's disciple? He knows Bagu is trapped here?"
Fire Wuhai curled his lip. "If Master hadn't cast a spell from afar, One-Lamp Old Demon would have seized your primordial spirit earlier today. Do you think you could have lasted until now?"
Liu Quan turned toward Deng Bagu. "Those people are all from Mount Hua. They've trapped Bagu in their fire formation. Can you save her? Don't worry about me. Get her out and leave at once."
"Stop making noise." Fire Wuhai interrupted him with a slight frown. "Can't you see I'm studying it? Of course I can get her out, but Master told me to make careful calculations before doing anything, and only act once I have a plan. I need to work out a sound approach."
Liu Quan dared not speak again. He watched Fire Wuhai anxiously, while Fire Wuhai calmly studied the towering flames in the distance.
Time slipped by.