Kyrian ran beside Pan Zheng, maintaining a steady pace as the group advanced toward the volcano. The hot wind carried particles of ash that clung to skin and clothing, but his ice Qi created a subtle barrier that kept his body cool and clean.
The landscape around them had already changed completely. The gentle hills and twisted vegetation on the outskirts of the city had given way to an arid and hostile terrain, where only the most resilient lifeforms could survive. Kyrian observed everything with his snowflake eyes.
"You seem to respect and know Ming Hai's history well." Kyrian commented, without taking his eyes off the horizon where the Great Volcano loomed like a wall of stone and fire.
"Was he really that powerful and important?"
Pan Zheng nodded, breathing steadily as he ran. Despite the physical effort, his voice did not waver.
