Through the Crystal Ball, everyone saw the entire Ming-Yu Immortal Market transformed into a sea of fire. More than thirty members of Mount Hua rode flying swords, darting through the surging flames.
Some fanned out streams of fire, some poured blazing flames from gourds as though pouring water, some hurled Blazing Fire Thunder Pearls in every direction, and some conjured flocks of fire birds and herds of fire oxen that raced and soared about.
Apart from Ling Hun, Cui Wugu, and Jiang Shu, who discerned something of what was happening, the younger disciples kept glancing outside.
The square outside remained perfectly peaceful. Through the glazed windows, they could see not a single spark of rampaging fire, only rows of palace lanterns shining quietly. Nor could they hear the slightest sound of explosions.
Yu Xiao could not help asking, "Reverend Shi, where are they setting these fires? Could you have already drawn them into this Crystal Ball?"
Shi Feiyang said, "I don't have enough magical power to evolve such a vast space inside this Crystal Ball. They're still in their original courtyard!"
With that, he waved his hand. The Crystal Ball turned, its light and shadows shifting. The burning Tianjin Garrison vanished, replaced by the interior of a courtyard—the very one Shi Feiyang had assigned to Mount Hua.
The six most powerful among them stood at the six Six Harmonies positions in the courtyard, each holding an object:
One held a piece of refined charcoal made from Heavenly Qian Fire Bamboo, another held half a branch, another a red mandarin-duck bellyband, and another a shoe...
Standing in the center, Shi Nanxi held a belt and a sock, leading the six around him in "casting spells." They trod Astral Steps, formed hand seals, and hopped about, constantly waving the objects in their