The Wondrous Sea.
Deep-blue seawater churned as bright-red lava poured into it, raising billowing white vapor. Once cooled, it formed stretches of dark-black rock, while the Spirit Mountain at its center reflected the red glow filling the sky.
The balanced, harmonious essence of true fire lingered without end. Waves of heat could be felt from afar emanating from the main hall atop the mountain. A streak of silver thunder flashed through the clouds, dispersed the fiery air, and descended onto the summit.
A fire-tending boy lay sprawled on an azure stone beside the mountain gate, sleeping with his limbs flung wide. A Green-Skinned Gourd as tall as he was lay tipped to one side, while a White Feathers treasure fan covered his face as he snored.
Perhaps he had grown too comfortable in his sleep, for the fire-tending boy had revealed a fox tail like a red cloud and pillowed his head on it.
Xu Xuan waited a little while without disturbing the boy. Suddenly, the azure stone grew scorching hot, like a branding iron heated red. Tianxin shrieked, clutched his tail, and sprang off it.
"Please calm your anger, master! Please calm your anger!"
Tianxin bowed repeatedly toward the Heaven-Covering Hall at the summit. Only then did the red-hot stone gradually cool, turning pitch-black.
He cradled his tail in distress. Turning around, he saw a Daoist carrying a sword on his back, dressed in black robes patterned with clouds, watching him with gleaming silver eyes. Tianxin looked as though he had seen a ghost and hurriedly said:
"Greetings, True Person."
Xu Xuan merely nodded, but Tianxin had already understood and said respectfully:
"My master is in the hall. He has been waiting for you for quite some time, True Person."
When the boy raised his head again after speaking,