Author's Note: Do Not Unlock Yet. Chapter Is Still Under Construction.
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The heat hit them first—an invisible wall that made breath feel like drinking boiled water. The path into the caldera narrowed to a jagged tongue of black glass. All around, the world sweated: basalt sweating orange, fumaroles panting, veins of red light pulsing under their feet like the land's heartbeat. Even the wind came in gasps, tasting of metal and ash.
"Welcome to Red Furnace Hollow," Fang Chen said, cheerfully miserable. "If you don't have fire affinity, imagine you're an egg. Now imagine the world is a wok."
Qian Bo's cheeks already shone. "Senior, I feel like a dumpling."
"Hold the metaphor. Save the steam. Nie Lan—cooling lattice, half-moon spread."
