The ghostly blue netherfire ignited the damp trees, and soon smoke shrouded the entire forest. Hu Xiaotian worried not only about Du Tianhuo, Water and Fire Without Mercy, coming for revenge at any moment, but also about the flames drawing Blade Demon Feng Xingyun, who was searching for them.
After they had advanced roughly a thousand feet, a chorus of shrill, mournful cries suddenly rose from the woods. They looked up to see a blue cloud of fire swarming toward them through the trees. That fiery cloud was a flock of birds set alight by the ghostly blue netherfire.
Yan Nujiao warned, "Quick, find somewhere to hide! Whatever you do, don't let them touch you!"
Yan Boguang pointed ahead. A shallow cave opened in a rock face a little over a hundred feet away, offering temporary shelter. They all rushed over and ducked inside. Hu Xiaotian entered last, just in time to see the fiery cloud sweep past the entrance. The blue flames lit the shallow cave as brightly as a room full of lamps. The burning birds' feathers were soon consumed, and one after another, they plunged desperately into the red river. The sight was too ghastly to bear.
The stench of burning filled the air. Xue Lingjun regained consciousness again and murmured from Hu Xiaotian's shoulder, "Are we dead?"
Hu Xiaotian shook his head. He heard footsteps approaching from a distance. His martial arts were the strongest of the group, and none of the others had noticed yet. He set Xue Lingjun down and whispered, "Stay hidden here. I'll take a look and come right back."
Yan Nujiao said, "Poisonous smoke is everywhere outside. You'd better hold your breath." She had already noticed that Hu Xiaotian's constitution was unusual, with a powerful resistance to poison.
Hu Xiaotian nodded.