The burning season lasted seven days.
Seven days of relentless heat.
Seven days during which the crimson sun dominated the heavens like a divine furnace.
The valleys below Situ's refuge had become seas of cracked earth.
Entire forests had turned to ash.
Streams vanished.
Animals hid underground.
Even the giant predators that normally roamed the wilderness disappeared from sight.
The world itself seemed to be holding its breath.
Inside the hidden chamber, Situ sat cross-legged before the narrow observation crack.
His skin remained covered with faint red fissures.
The heat had damaged his body far more than he initially believed.
Although the cracks had stopped spreading, they healed painfully slowly.
His recovery speed was no longer that of a cultivator.
He was now forced to rely on the body's natural regenerative abilities.
And those abilities were disappointingly weak.
Situ lowered his head.
Examining his arm silently.
The skin was rough.
Dry.
Fragile.
