The lingering heat of the Cinderwaste Caldera receded as Wang Jian, Yue Lingshan, and Liu Ruyan mounted their Flying Leaf artifacts, soaring away from the now-looted volcanic caves. The air grew cooler, carrying the scent of damp earth and strange, unseen flora, a welcome change from the acrid smell of sulfur.
Liu Ruyan, her map held steady in one hand, led the way.
"The Valley of Smoldering Flora is just beyond this ridge," she called out, her melodious voice carrying easily over the rush of the wind. "The records indicate it's a natural geothermal hotspot, perfect for high-grade fire-aspected herbs."
Wang Jian, flying beside Yue Lingshan, adopted a posture of slight weariness. "Fairy Liu, Senior Sister Yue," he said, his voice carrying a hint of fatigue, "that illusion array… it drained more of my spiritual energy than I anticipated. I will need some time to recover fully."
