Chapter Two: The Mountain Fortress of Fire and Thunder

Returning to the story, after An was blinded by Han Tianyue, Boka, Jinqian, and Yaoshe gathered around him to help him up. They merely glanced in the direction where Han Tianyue and his companions had retreated, making no attempt to pursue them.

As for Han Tianyue and his group, they flew southward. Seeing that Boka and the others were not following, they finally descended to rest. "They shouldn't be coming after us now, right?"

Han Tianyue caught up with them and replied, "I believe they won't be pursuing us for the time being."

At this moment, Mao Xuanzi, Fang Zhe, and Feng Shang cast suspicious glances at Han Tianyue. Knowing what they wanted to ask, Han Tianyue hurriedly answered, "I simply used some underhanded tactics to blind An!"

Before they could dwell on this, they realized they were resting on soil riddled with fire-lightning. Feng Shang, who had been lying on the ground, came into contact with the energy and let out a sharp cry, "Ouch!"

Once everyone regained their composure, they discovered they were at the foot of a mountain city called Fire-Lightning City. The surrounding area was desolate and barren, with very little signs of life.

Looking ahead, while the surrounding landscape was lush and green, the mountain city itself stood out, surrounded by exposed, parched yellow earth. From time to time, streaks of purple-red fire-lightning erupted from the ground.

Few people entered or exited the city, making it appear like a ghost town. Han Tianyue, Mao Xuanzi, Fang Zhe, and Feng Shang gazed toward the summit, where a bolt of fire-lightning circled the peak like a serpent coiled in the air.

Mao Xuanzi stepped forward, visibly excited. "There is a miraculous heat here that feels incredibly soothing. If I can absorb this energy, I believe my fire dragon egg might finally hatch."

Everyone turned their heads toward Mao Xuanzi. He had been unable to achieve a breakthrough for some time, and it seemed this place was the catalyst he had been searching for.

"Then let's go into the city and take a look!" Han Tianyue said, gesturing toward Fire-Lightning City.

Mao Xuanzi, Fang Zhe, and Feng Shang nodded, and together they headed toward the city.

As they drew closer, the fire-lightning appeared more frequently. Each bolt resembled a giant python, a sight that made one’s heart tremble. Feng Shang scanned his surroundings cautiously before hurrying to walk between Han Tianyue, Mao Xuanzi, and Fang Zhe.

Just as they were about to reach the city, two streaks of lightning flashed toward them. Within the light were two young children, a boy and a girl, chasing each other. "Little sister, don't run! Take this!" the boy shouted.

"Little brother, if you have the ability, catch me!" the girl replied. Looking back at her pursuer, she suddenly lunged forward and collided right into Han Tianyue’s arms.

Startled by the sudden impact, the girl quickly retreated and pointed at them, asking, "Who are you people? How did you end up at our Lei family's Fire-Lightning City?"

Han Tianyue was surprised by the young girl’s articulate demeanor. He walked forward, crouched down, and smiled. "Little sister, we are just passing through and were hoping to enter the city to rest."

"Hmph, you can't!" the girl replied with a stubborn look.

Just then, the young boy caught up, stood beside his sister, and glared at them. "Who are you? How dare you bully my sister!"

Seeing the two children, Feng Shang walked up with a wide, friendly grin. "Wow, what cute little kids! Big brother loves you both so much!"

The boy’s expression darkened. "Take this!"

A bolt of lightning struck out.

Feng Shang shivered and recoiled. "Hey! You little brat, how dare you hurt me!" He instinctively moved to retaliate.

"Feng Shang, what are you doing?" Han Tianyue stopped him.

"I just wanted to scare those two little rascals!" Feng Shang hurriedly explained.

Han Tianyue gave him a stern look, and Feng Shang quickly backed away.

Mao Xuanzi walked forward. Because of his refined appearance, the young girl looked up at this "big brother" and blushed, saying sweetly, "Hello, big brother!"

Hearing this, the boy became jealous. "Hmph, little sister, how can you talk to these outsiders? They are likely bad people!"

"Oh!" the girl pouted and stepped back.

Mao Xuanzi knelt down and patted the boy’s cheek. "Do we really look like bad people?"

The boy didn't resist the touch; although he was still blushing, he looked incredibly adorable.

"You aren't bad people, but you still can't enter," the boy said earnestly. "My father said that no outsiders are allowed to enter the city without permission. You should leave!"

"Very well, we shall leave," Han Tianyue said with a smile. "But you two, be careful not to wander so far from the city walls in the future. It isn't safe out here."

After glancing at Han Tianyue, the boy and girl turned and headed back toward the city.

"What should we do now?" they wondered. The boy’s words were surely true; if they forced their way in, they would likely provoke the Lei family. While Mao Xuanzi was desperate for a breakthrough, he was wary of the power the family might possess.

"We must enter the city," Han Tianyue decided. They needed to rest, Mao Xuanzi needed his breakthrough, and Han Tianyue himself needed to cultivate to stabilize the black, transparent ice sphere he had formed after consuming the second Ice Heart.

"If that is the case, let us write a formal petition for entry," Fang Zhe suggested. He wrote a note and called out, "Little ones, please take this petition into the city for us!"

The boy and girl took the note and headed straight toward Fire-Lightning City.