Southern Ocean, Flamecliff.
This place stood isolated in the sea, far from Flame-Offering Mountain. Black rocks littered the ground, jagged, forbidding, and scorching hot. Occasionally, a great wave crashed against them, scattering deep-blue seawater that the heat instantly turned into vast clouds of white steam.
An ink-gray decree hung in the air, its draconic majesty surging forth, commanding the submission of the aquatic races. Hook Snakes and whales, jellyfish and Sea Horses patrolled back and forth to lend it their might. Shrimp soldiers and crab generals waved banners, while merfolk and clam maidens played music.
Above the clouds, two figures stood side by side. One wore an ink-gray robe and carried a bronze sword on his back, electricity coiling around his jade horns, his dark scales imposing.
Beside him stood a woman in a pale-red palace gown, bright and graceful. With a faint smile, she asked, "Has your clan arrived?"
"They probably need a little longer. The [Mist Marsh Skyroad] hasn't been stable for some time. There are bound to be damaged junctions in the Great Void, so they must be stopping and starting along the way."
Xu Xuan looked at Yang Yuanxin and said quietly, "Is it really appropriate for you to come here? This means getting involved in South Mist, after all."
"It's fine." Yang Yuanxin smoothed the red feather at her temple, glanced down at Flamecliff wreathed in white steam, then turned her shimmering gaze toward Xu Xuan. "My father and ancestor can't intervene directly. I'm simply helping you as your wife and bringing a few private soldiers."
A group of roughly fifty soldiers was stationed on Flamecliff. They were Yang Yuanxin's private troops, the [Flamefeather Guard].
Most belonged to feathered races, such as blue sparrows and gray geese, with a few newly recruited aquatic folk. All