The next day.
Not long after dawn, the blazing sun turned the entire southern land into a furnace. Even the lush forests and fields gradually wilted beneath its scorching rays.
In the mountain forest, Ye Yunchi channeled qi through her palm to cool Coal Ball, whose thick coat of feathers had left the bird dizzy with heat.
Linghu Qingmo walked nearby with his sword. Though his cultivation protected him from heat and cold, he also noticed the abnormal weather and asked, "Senior Bu, has the south always been this hot?"
Bu Yuehua searched through the wilderness, her eyes puzzled. "It is like this all year around Fire Phoenix Valley, but the Chi Dragon Cave area is a blessed geomantic site. Normally, it couldn't possibly get this hot."
Seeing this, Linghu Qingmo knew something must be wrong. But neither he, Senior Ye, and the others, nor Coal Ball, who had first sensed the danger, could work out where the problem lay. There had also been no word from Xie Jinhuan since he left with the Goddess of War yesterday, so naturally, he was anxious.
While the three searched for traces of Xie Jinhuan, they suddenly noticed a faint breeze rising nearby. Then the White-Haired Immortal, glittering with golden light, landed beside them and looked around. "Where are Xie Jinhuan and the others?"
"Grandmaster?"
At the sight of her, Linghu Qingmo felt as though he had found his anchor. He hurried forward and bowed. "Yesterday, Xie Jinhuan said something was happening here and came ahead to investigate. Then he disappeared-"
Qixia True Person raised a hand to tell the three not to panic. First, she surveyed their surroundings and carefully sensed them, then lowered her gaze to the ground. "Xie Jinhuan should be down below. I'll take a look. Something seemed to