He walked over, sat down at the edge, and gazed melancholically into the distance.
The view here was truly expansive.
The vast, snowy expanse of the Northern Wildlands stretched out before him, and the flames of Blaze Summit stood out—so striking and awe-inspiring.
At the boundary where fire and snow met, magical blue stones sparkled mysteriously.
Farther out, where the temperature was just right, clusters of enchanted blue plants thrived.
Blue plants?
Bobby stared at them in confusion, muttering to himself, "Why are the plants here blue?"
"Because they've been corrupted by magic." Suddenly, a woman's voice sounded behind him.
Bobby was startled and jumped to his feet.
Standing behind him was none other than the Phoenix Clan's goddess, Lady Sophia.
"Lady Sophia." Bobby quickly knelt in respect.
"Child, there's no need for such formalities," Lady Sophia said, looking at him. "Stand up!"
Bobby rose to his feet. "What brings you here, Lady Sophia?"
"I just caught a glimpse of your silhouette—it looked so much like my missing son that I had to follow," Lady Sophia replied.
"Your child?" Bobby was surprised. "How did he go missing?"
Lady Sophia gazed at Bobby with sorrow in her eyes. "He left a letter and ran away. He never came back."
"Does he... look like me?"
"Yes, your silhouette is just like his, and your face resembles him by about thirty or forty percent," Lady Sophia answered. "But... sadly, you're not him."
"Please don't worry, Lady Sophia," Bobby said. "I'm sure one day he'll return to you!"
Lady Sophia smiled gently and asked, "Child, what's your name?"
"My name is Bobby Yuan, from the Eastern Alliance."
"You have a rare talent, child. Why have you suffered so much?"
Bobby knew she must have sensed his hidden ailment. He lowered his eyes and said, "When I was little, I was kidnapped by traffickers and sent to the palace as a eunuch. My parents only found me later..."
"Poor child," Lady Sophia said, her face full of pity. "If Lu Qi were still here, he could help you. But alas, he's gone."
Bobby smiled, but his smile was tinged with bitterness.
Lady Sophia sighed softly.
"Lady Sophia, you mentioned the plants here have been corrupted by magic. What does that mean?" Bobby asked.
"Beneath Blaze Summit lies the Demon Sealing Well," Lady Sophia explained. "Long ago, the Fiends broke out from here, corrupting countless flowers, grasses, and trees in the Northern Wildlands. The Divine Clan covered the land in ice and snow, sealed it with a great array, and burned it with fire to contain the corruption. That's why it's called the Demon Sealing Well."
"I see," Bobby said. "Thank you for telling me, Lady Sophia."
Lady Sophia nodded. "Go back inside now! If the ground below becomes unstable, Blaze Summit could tremble and you might fall off."
"Yes, ma'am." Bobby got up and went back inside.
Lady Sophia followed him inside. After a few more words, she took her leave.
Bobby wanted to find Grace and ask her what was going on.
This morning, she had walked out of the heavily guarded Divine Clan residence.
She was even carrying a food box—what was up with that?
But before Bobby could go far, a strikingly handsome young man called out to him, "Hey! Stop right there!"
Bobby didn't recognize the man.
But all the spiritual alchemists and servants had been wearing matching uniforms these days, and this man wasn't, so he had to be some noble from the royal family.
Bobby walked over and smiled. "Is there something you need, sir?"
The man looked Bobby up and down, then handed him a glistening green spirit fruit. "This is for you."
Bobby smiled, "What does this mean, sir?"