Western Sea, Golden Pivot.
The waters rippled softly, moonlight spilling down to turn the sea into a sheet of white jade. Above that tranquil surface, a spark of crimson treasure flame rose, like a tree peony blooming among herbaceous peonies.
As the wind and waves subsided, a woman stood upon the sea, barefoot and dressed in red. Her face was unremarkable, save for her dazzling eyes, which now stared blankly at the cascading moonlight.
Among the clouds, a silver thread whipped out of a mass of Black Flame and plunged into the moonlight like a fishing line. It seemed to hook something, drawing taut and trembling violently.
"Radiant Refinement, give me a hand! I've hooked another one."
A rough voice came from the Black Flame. Below, True Person Radiant Refinement seemed not to hear it. She merely watched the jade disc at the heart of the sky, its cool light falling from above and finally sinking into Golden Pivot.
The colors of a Divine Ability began flickering overhead, and a yellow-skinned gourd as tall as a person appeared. A tremendous suction poured from it, churning the seawater before finally dragging whatever was on the silver thread out of the moonlight.
It was a white-scaled precious carp, its entire body condensed from moonlight. A burly man emerged from the Black Flame and carefully took out a treasure box, placing the carp inside.
"With the changes in Greater Yin, we've gathered quite a few Spirit Treasures these past few days."
Pidan was beaming as he descended from the clouds. Black Flame roared, carrying him to the red-skirted woman's side in an instant.
"What is it? Still thinking about your True Radiance Manor? Both envoys are there. Nothing will go wrong."
Radiant Refinement frowned slightly and turned to Pidan instead, her gaze unreadable.