The Flame Sea.
This sea lay south of Vermilion Cliff, and anyone bound for Heaven Pool had to pass through it. A towering, wondrous crimson divine mountain rose from its waters, surrounded by scattered islands, with Featherfolk often seen wheeling overhead.
The sea was tranquil, without a ripple or wave. Golden-crimson firelight glimmered faintly atop the mountain peaks. As the strange eclipse gradually receded, order began to return throughout Flame-Offering Mountain.
The Great Void above the summit suddenly split open. Lightning flashed past, and two figures, a man and a woman, descended on the wind, coming to a stop before Bingyang Hall.
The doors of the crimson hall stood wide open. Beside them waited an elderly cultivator in crimson robes, his plumage impure and his expression fearful. His cultivation had already reached Foundation Establishment Late Stage.
"This old servant greets you both!"
This demon was Yang Yanxiang, a Fire Crow born to a collateral branch. His bloodline was impure, but he had been a trusted aide of the Daw Yan Demon King even back then. He handled the clan's affairs year-round, and his standing was actually far from low.
Xu Xuan still remembered him somewhat, but said little now, instead looking toward the woman beside him.
Yang Yuanxin stepped forward. With a slight stir of her magical power, she lifted the elderly Fire Crow to his feet and asked softly:
"When my elder brother went to the Western Sea, how many troops did he muster? What did he take with him, and did he leave any instructions?"
A trace of urgency seeped into her voice. After all, looking toward the far west now, one could see baleful light soaring into the sky and a black sun plunging downward, seemingly in the direction of Sindhu.
"The Great King took four Foundation