Human figures, each much taller than the Phoenix-Perching Tree, surrounded it on the ground. They watched the phoenix firework that had returned from underground. Suddenly, a gust of wind blew, stirring distant memories, and the Phoenix-Perching Tree, jolted awake, turned to scan the room behind it.
Several figures rushed from beside the room, standing at the doorway.
“Mr. Phoenix!“
“Brother Divine Bird!“
A man in a newsboy cap and overalls, along with two women in combat suits near the door, rushed to its side.
“So this is the strange hero who penetrated the Earth’s crust?” whispered murmurs, which finally broke through the mystery and curiosity within the gathered crowd.
“The guild leader has also returned to the inn.“
“Should we go in?“
“Respected sir, our Crown Prince awaits. Could you share some of the insights from your exploration below?“
Click! Click! Camera flashes erupted like stars around them.
“Is the Doomshadow Ironvine hidden deep within some area beneath our land? Have you glimpsed it?“
“Dear magical ranger of the inn, are you confident in leading our heroes to defeat the enemies from beneath the earth? “
“Can you save our civilization? “
Flames in the shape of the ethereal Phoenix-Perching Tree scattered feather-like embers that dissipated swiftly into the air.
Seeing the even larger crowd gathering around, including a man in front being called the crown prince of the state, its crackling fire grew louder and sharper, resonating with sound.
“I have indeed brought back a piece of news. “
The Phoenix-Perching Tree’s words instantly stirred the crowd. Just as someone was about to ask with more anticipation, it rotated its fiery body: “Ha, but first I must report to the one who dispatched me on this journey. You’d better wait and see if that fellow decides to decipher the ancient intelligence. “
As it spread its wings, a steady male voice called out loudly, stopping it: “Mr. Phoenix! Please wait! I am a representative of the Heiwen Citadel, and I wish to ask you something. “
The splendid fire bird drew its wings back with a ‘whoosh,’ melting them into flames that cascaded back into its body inside the entrance. Trees and surrounding tents rustled and shook violently in the gusting wind that swept by.
Several more figures stepped out from inside the cabin, including an old man from the Hellfire Sect.
Hearing the call, the phoenix, which had been illuminating the surroundings with blazing flames, turned to Sa Ruiqiyin and said:
“Are you the representative of the humans here? What do you wish to ask? “
“I want to know what kind of welcoming preparations we need to make. “
“Hah, well… I suggest you’d better prepare yourselves for death. “
The attendant beside him immediately changed his tone dramatically: “What? Sir Divine Bird, you—! “
“Those iron vines, they blanket every inch of the land underground. ” More wind blew, and the flames flickered vigorously westward and northwestward. Under the gaze of those waiting for what was to come, the Phoenix-Perching Tree suddenly shot forward, hugging the ground and darting next to one of the attendants who had stepped back in fright, stopping before Prince Hazle, who stood silently watching him.
“Select six people to form a six-person council. Ensure no word gets out, and I can tell you one thing. “
“Very well. ” The prince turned his head, glancing across the attendant beside him and settling on a figure standing slightly behind. “You. “
The young man who was singled out stiffened for a moment, then immediately straightened his chest and stepped forward.
“You, and both of you. ” Sarizi Qin selected four people in succession. Then, speaking to a bloodline warrior nearby, he said: “Have the division commander guarding this place today come within two minutes. ” He then looked ahead again, sizing up the silent observers standing off to the side amid the murmurs of the crowd. To his attendant, he added: “Please bring over Mister Transai, the one who provided the Liuli Vessel documents. “
The news of the Phoenix-Perching Tree’s return was promptly relayed by someone, who hurried off to the inn with rapid footsteps.
Originally, Yang Zicang had only planned to have a guided chat with the young reporter, to see if he could join this matter of establishing a residence management association. However, amidst the little guy’s adorable and curious “Mm-hmm, and what else?” sounds, he ended up briefly recounting, one after another, some of the things he had done over the past few months.
“President Buchen, that… Phoenix-Perching Tree suggested that the Black Writ Consultant Crown Prince select six people on the spot and have them swear to secrecy, planning to inform them of some of the intelligence it had discovered deep within the earth’s crust.“
Both Yang Zicang and the floating young reporter stopped this time. “Then let’s prepare and head out.“
He straightened up from where he had been half-leaning against the counter, looked at Manager Shirley, who had been watching him with a constant smile, and said with an embarrassed chuckle, “You must be amused, Miss Shirley.“
The little fairy-reporter within the floating glow descended slightly, the halo behind it swaying as it listened.
“Not at all. Our reporter friend here is very professional,” Manager Shirley said as he picked up from one side a round, dewdrop-like seal, carved in the shape of a three-leaf clover’s single leaf & gracefully translucent. He held it out across the counter, his hand tilted open slightly, the seal resting above the countertop.
“This is the Dormitory Management Seal for the third floor of the hotel. Please accept it, guest, for all your hard work maintaining order for so long.“
“Mm… For now, let’s leave it here with the manager.“
“Very well.” Little Acidity casually closed their hand over it and pulled it back.
{Can I come along? } inquired the reporter, who was still inside that small, radiant cluster of light or a small entity in the center.
“Where is your key?“
{It’s right here! } Little SourSour patted their ownbutt cheek/ their posterior lightly. / their rear end.
“Mm. ” Yang Zicang nodded and was about to walk out when something caught his attention and made him turn back, casting a questioning look at the little sprite following him.
They exchanged glances in silence for a few moments. Yang Zicang then turned to the messenger waiting nearby, “Let it come into the hotel later. I’ll be waiting in Room 209. “
……
“The closer I get to the flames beneath the earth’s crust, the more I feel the scorching heat and molten iron that floods everywhere. They are not part of something else—they are just iron-vines born from the fire far below. “
A chill crept into everyone’s hearts as they listened to the Phoenix’s account.
“So as long as they actually come, no one on the ground stands a chance. ” In this empty zone by the vehicle, the Phoenix-Perching Tree, pitted in a layer of twisted Stellar Gan Crimson Radiance, addressed the seven people it protected, “Human, I’ve now confirmed. It truly shows no fear of me. “
Their words plunged everyone present into suffocating darkness of despair.
“How can this be… “
The one who murmured this immediately clicked their mouth shut, struggling to hold themselves together, plunging the whole place into a deeper, silence dread.
Maysericth Hazel could feel the entire sky darkening and crushing down over the whole world—like punishment casting weight from above.
Exactly following revelations at doom’s graveyard dawn, the southeast monsoon arrived—bloom as if under misplacement bound forth setting point unheard from longer cyclic ripened warmth currents now collusion course leading shivers northern sun came from yul heat in one dearing array of lawless all it hinted onward was true day there exactly born starting unfold holding firm presence began feel truly held nothing left do she wholly bleak truly lost his to breath waiting born more desperate last hollow stays.
Several of his companions turned their heads to gaze at the middle-aged man beside them. Unlike those waiting with anticipation and faint hope, two others stood dumbfounded, staring at the older man from the Hellfire Sect standing at the distant doorway of the room, where he watched the stirring wind beyond the mist of crimson blood.
Two people who wanted to speak were pulled back by those around them.
“I need to rush back and report this news, so I won’t stay any longer. ” With a flash of flame, it surged upward, bursting out of the Stellar Yuan zone radiating from the Commander. It landed by the doorway, reverted into the form of a firebird, and followed the two men as they entered the room.
Within just a few seconds, the glow of the firebird vanished inside the room.
Inside the hotel room.
The crowd that had gathered at room 209 had barely exchanged a few words when a streak of flame shot through the air and landed by the table. Seeing that its wooden perch was no longer there, the flame immediately conjured a blazing head, looked around in confusion, and turned toward Yang Zicang.
“It’s resting comfortably in the room, don’t worry. “
Lin Site and a few others also hurried in.
“Old pal, give us the news quickly, won’t you? ” They asked with eager anticipation.
Crackling with flames, the fiery thing spoke:
“I’ve already told six people outside about part of this matter, so I suggest you keep the numbers down on your end too. “
“What? This…? ” The people in the room exchanged uneasy glances, or seemed reluctant, all watching the wooden pillar that showed no sign of speaking.
Seeing its smug demeanor, Yang Zicang said, “Were the main bodies of those metal iron vines found? “
“If by ‘main bodies’ you mean those molten irons deep underground covering vast areas, then yes, they have indeed been found. “
“……“
The people around exchanged helpless glances. The two young reporters who had just arrived wafted and floated beside the flame.
Seeing that the fiery bird in front of him, after saying this, still wore the same look of ‘have you considered my earlier suggestion,’ Yang Zicang realized it hadn’t mentioned the key things he saw. Turning to the nearly twenty people gathered in the room, he said:
“Let’s respect the opinions of our contributors for now. “
“Ah, alright then. “
“President, how many of us should stay? “
“Who wants to rock-paper-scissors with me? “
The fire bird, upon hearing this, gave a hum of slight relief.
{Not bad, little wood stub. } Little Suan Suan floated down a bit, {Make sure to come visit me for fun more often from now on. }
The flames swelled and crackled with a surge of anger.
Amidst a cacophony of chaotic discussions and games of rock-paper-scissors, most people sighed and shook their heads one after another, or hugged their arms as they filed out of the room.
Lin Site, Kim Krist near Yang Zicang’s side, and four others were kept behind.
“What is really going on down there? ” Only then did the loosely gathered figures around the table turn to Phoenix-Perching Tree for an answer.
“I almost ventured deeper into the magma layer, but the temperature there had already become unbearable for me. Moreover, I could also feel a tingling electric vibration from the molten rock, one capable of affecting this body of mine. “
Jin Klester raised his hand in astonishment and said, “Could it be that you’ve already been able to perceive the electromagnetic field deep within the earth? “
“The flames of the phoenix are, of course, profoundly miraculous, ” Phoenix-Perching Tree replied, gesturing imperiously to the others.
“In addition, I also conducted a swift survey of the underground iron vine situation in nearby areas. “
It reported all its findings beneath the land in full detail, and also recounted the content it had previously shared with Prince Heivenzyk the First and his traveling party.
So, we truly cannot fight against that demon below… one hidden in the molten rock, or rather, lurking deep within the parasitic planet, capable of shaping molten iron into iron vines. _”
The few standing figures, silent and still, pondered for a moment.
Phoenix-Perching Tree watched them, along with the two small figures flickering within their tiny balls of light, feeling the weight of the collective silence in the place.
“Uh… there’s one more thing. “
Phoenix-Perching Tree’s flames crackled as it twisted in a light burning hiss, turning to say to Yang Zicang, “This might be exactly what you’re thinking. I’ve discovered a place. “
……
Yang Zicang walked out of the room and looked toward the perplexed gazes of the hundred or so people in the square.
A strong wind scattered some campfires at the edge of the square, sending the embers rolling away. The flames that had glowed so heartily all day were clearly no longer sustainable in the gale.
Witnessing the campfire buffeted by the wind, this elder of the Hellfire Sect heard footsteps behind him. Trembling, he turned around and rushed over unsteadily. “Have we overlooked something? ” His hand gripped tightly on Yang Zicang’s arm.
“It’s alright. “
Yang Zicang took the elder’s hand and gently lowered it, then looked ahead at the prince under guard, along with the people around them who were murmuring worriedly due to the steadily rising wind.
“Even if we lose the campfire. As long as not too many people die, the demon won’t appear. “
Whoosh! A sudden, keening blast of wind swept across the world, howling past.
Several hats flew off people’s heads, swept away on the updraft. The collapsed tent canvas shielding the communication device by the door was immediately pinned down by a person from whose person faint, shifting phantom silhouettes barely rose.
A few unsteady figures stumbled and fell against others in the wind, erupting into a clamor of panicked cries.
Cutting straight through the crowd amidst the gale, Yang Zicang strode forward toward Sarizain, the prince protected by two Warriors.
“Your Highness, Prince of Hazel, I need to descend deep beneath the earth soon, and I must ask you to arrange for me to requisition a new locomotive. “
“Of course, but before that, may I ask if you might be willing to become a royal advisor to our Hevincik royal court at Hazel Palace? “
“Er, well, ” Yang Zicang really wanted to scratch his neck, “Yes, I can do that, Prince. “
Sereki’sin·Hazel also smiled, “Excellent. Then our nation’s personnel and materials are at your disposal, Advisor Yang. “
……
The convoy of trucks and cars advanced like a torrent along the streets.
Some high-altitude aircraft patrolled and hovered over the nearby area, flying alongside them.
On the vehicle, Yang Zicang and Kim Clement, who had insisted on coming along, sat in the back seat.
At the old station, built over a hundred years ago, many soldiers had been urgently redeployed. Nearby trains were shouted away by dispatchers waving lanterns. Then a large freight locomotive, belching black smoke, pulled in, rhythmically clanking against the rails.
It was urgently inspected by specialists, who then dismantled some of the detachable parts and fittings. The interior was cleared out as much as possible to keep it light, along with any components that might fall off during shunting or track-shifting.
Even the parts that couldn’t be removed were wrapped with corrugated iron sheets and welded at the corners by workers, to prevent injuries if people slipped or fell against them.
The group of people accompanied Yang Zicang as they walked from the platform. Dim, blurry light from the night poured down through the skylight above the old building.
“Man, what a behemoth, ” Kim Clement remarked, sizing up the locomotive up close.
The soldiers and administrative staff accompanying them clattered over, spreading out behind them.
Sword Thirteen, his black hair tied back and stubble thick on his face, walked to Yang Zicang’s side, carrying a specially made scaly leather bag.
“Let’s go up,” the sturdy man said, leaping onto the carriage and scanning its interior.
“Edgar, come on.” Yang Zicang said to the Figure Wood native beside him. The man in red robes nodded, acknowledged with a slight sound, bowed his head, and walked toward the carriage door under the somewhat curious gazes of the surrounding soldiers. Sword Thirteen reached out and pulled him aboard. Then Yang Zicang and a few others jumped in after.
Hiss…!
Steam erupted around the locomotive, billowing clouds of black smoke spreading outward. The heavy black engine started up amid swirling grey-black fumes, rapidly charging forward. After a few clacking sounds along the iron rails, both it and its noise vanished into the dissipating mist.
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