They trudged back and forth inside the pond, intent on unearthing all of its riches. The lotuses were extraordinary, but the Fire of Firstdawn’s unique energy permeating the area was even more stunning.

An extraordinary treasure seemed buried somewhere beneath the pond. These flowers were merely companion spirit herbs.

A rustle suddenly came from the cluster of lotuses, immediately followed by a creature shooting out of the flowers and charging at the two demons.

This creature was the Vermilion Bird in disguise. It’d now taken the shape of a tiny bird that stubbornly breathed tongues of flames at the two...