Shadow Snake Pavilion's defeat receded like ebbtide. Remaining demonic cultivators discarded armor and fled, desperately escaping into the vast forest, leaving behind utter devastation and thickening blood stench. Within Fire Crow Village, ruins everywhere, scorched earth, many bamboo houses still smoldering. Wailing mixed with post-calamity relief whispers.
The battle's din faded, leaving behind exhaustion anddeeply pained of hard-won victory.
Chief Lie Shan and Elder Wumeng, from forcibly summoning the Golden Cicada Gu King, were severely depleted. Their faces ashen, auras faint, carefully supported by villagers. Yan Lie had several deep-to-bone wounds added. After simple bandaging, he still forcefully organized relief efforts, clearing battlefield, extinguishing remaining fires.
Third Senior Sister Liu Yun sat cross-legged, swallowing pills, focusing on recuperation. Her forced execution of "Mystic Ice Blood Spirit Slash" plus taking the ghost fire backlash meant serious internal injuries. Without several days' rest, recovery would be difficult.
Xiao Qi was the most severely injured and greatest depleted among everyone. First receiving Yin Jiu's "Ghostly Underworld Hand" injured his internal organs. Then depleting his origin to forcefully detonate purification force against "Ten Thousand Souls Soul-Destroying Malefic." Finally using remaining divine sense to launch Southern Bright Separating Fire intention attack. At this moment, he was at the point of exhaustion. He was placed in the best-preserved bamboo house, falling into deep coma and self-recovery. Four-colored flowing light automatically circulated around him, slowly absorbing heaven-earth spiritual energy to repair his body.
The following three days, Fire Crow Village fell intobusy and sorrow. They gathered fallen warriors' bodies, performing cremation according to ancient rituals. Crimson flames carried heroic souls skyward. Simultaneously, theyspare no effort to treat wounded, clearing their destroyed homeland.
Xiao Qi and Third Senior Sister received Fire Crow Village's highest courtesy and care. Best healing medicines, most nourishing spiritual foods, quietest recuperation environment. All villagers passing their bamboo house would spontaneously slow their steps, casting the most reverent, grateful gazes.
On the third evening, Xiao Qi finally awakened from deep coma. He slowly opened his eyes. Though still carrying slight fatigue, the Four Symbols source's powerful recovery had stabilized his injuries. Spiritual power also recovered three to four tenths. He inwardly inspected himself, discovering that after this extreme pressure and life-death combat, his golden core seemed even more condensed. New insights into Four Symbols power fusion and application had quietly emerged.
He walked out of the bamboo house. Sunset's afterglow gilded the ruined village withtragic and solemn gold-red. Third Senior Sister was practicing sword nearby. Though movements not as swift as before, her sword intent had become more condensed and pure. Obviously this fierce battle was also baptism for her.
Seeing Xiao Qi emerge, Third Senior Sister sheathed her sword and approached, eyes filled with concern. "How do you feel?"
"No major problem. Another day or two of recuperation and I'll recover." Xiao Qi smiled. His gaze swept across villagers busy with reconstruction, seeing that post-calamity resilience in their eyes. His heart deeply moved.
Soon, Chief Lie Shan and Elder Wumeng, supported by Yan Lie, also approached. Though still weak, their spirits were much better.
"Benefactor! You've finally awakened!" Chief Lie Shan's voice was sonorous, carrying sincere excitement. He was about to bow.
Xiao Qi hastily stepped forward to support him. "Chief, please don't. You would embarrass this junior. Protecting Fire Crow Village is also protecting ourselves, and more importantly, fighting that extraterritorial evil. This is merely duty. Such grand gestures are undeserved."
Elder Wumeng tremblingly stepped forward. His old eyes filled with tears, yet carrying boundless sincerity. "Holy Messenger speaks incorrectly. Without you and Fairy Liu Yun's heroics turning the tide, Fire Crow Village would already be scorched earth. The Sacred Crystal would fall into demonic hands. We would all become wandering ghosts. This kindness is like rebirth! Fire Crow Village, forever grateful!"
He paused, continuing: "After this battle, the Holy Lord's remnant soul bestowed the Sacred Crystal. Demonic cult retreated. Everything is clear. The Holy Messenger shoulders the heavy responsibility of sealing the demonic entity, protecting all beings. The road ahead is perilous. Though Fire Crow Village's strength is meager, we are willing to devote everything to assist the Holy Messenger!"
Saying this, he gestured. Yan Lie immediately turned, leading several villagers carrying several boxes made from some fragrant spirit wood.
Opening the boxes revealed various Southern Frontier unique natural treasures, neatly organized.
There were crimson-red, sparrow-egg-shaped items in jade boxes, radiating pure fire spiritual power— "Crimson Yang Vermillion Fruits," top-grade spiritual medicines for tempering fire spiritual power and repairing fire attribute damage.
There were black-colored items sealed in wax pills, yet strangely fragrant— "Millennium Miasma Avoidance," which when crushed could form an invisible barrier around oneself, resisting most poison miasmas and insect dangers, effects far exceeding ordinary anti-toxin pills.
There was intricately woven, shimmering with seven-colored flowing light, thin-as-wing clothing— "Hundred-Gu Resistant Garment," woven from some spiritual silkworm threads mixed with dozens of Gu-repelling herbs, greatly weakening Gu insect harm.
Plus several uniquely marked strange ores and spiritual grasses— all Southern Frontier deep-region specialties, greatly beneficial for dealing with complex environments, refining special pills and artifacts.
"These are some treasures accumulated by Fire Crow Village through generations. Perhaps they may assist the Holy Messenger in reaching the Molten Fire Heart. Please accept!" Chief Lie Shanseriously sayDao.
Xiao Qi looked at these precious gifts. Warm currents stirred in his heart. He knew these weren't merely gifts, but Fire Crow Village's weighty trust and expectations. He didn't refuse, bowing deeply. "Thank you, Chief, Elder Wumeng, Fire Crow Village for these generous gifts! These items are indeed like timely help in a snowstorm!"
After accepting the gifts, Xiao Qipondered for a moment. "Chief, Elder, Shadow Snake Pavilion's defeat this time won't be the end. They will definitely not let it go. That Yin Jiu wasn't killed. He'll likely return with reinforcements. The village, after this severe damage, must prepare early."
Elder Wumeng nodded, eyes flickering with wise light. "Holy Messenger rest assured. After this battle, the sacred land's demonic fire is eliminated. The Holy Lord's remnant soul has peacefully passed. We've decided to migrate the entire village deeper into Crimson Flame Mountain's interior. There is a hidden refuge our clan reserved, easy to defend, hard to attack. After resting and recuperating, regaining strength, we will rebuild."
Xiao Qi upon hearing this felt relieved. Fire Crow Village's survival wisdom accumulated over generations.
After resting two more days, as Xiao Qi and Third Senior Sister recovered seven to eight tenths of their injuries, they decided to depart. The Molten Fire Heart's situation was unknown. The demonic entity's movements were unclear. They must arrive quickly.
On departure day, morning. Nearly the entire village's men, women, and children gathered at the village exit to see them off.
Chief Lie Shan, Elder Wumeng, and Yan Lie stood at the front. Ah Huo had also recovered health, standing beside her father, looking at Xiao Qi, eyes filled with gratitude and reverence.
"Holy Messenger, Fairy Liu Yun, the road ahead is perilous. Please take care!" Chief Lie Shan clasped fists, voice sonorous.
"Fire Crow Village will forever remember both benefactors' grace! If needed, only send this flame signal. A thousand miles, ten thousand miles, Fire Crow Village will surely come!" Elder Wumeng produced a crimson-red, bird-feather-shaped talisman, handing it to Xiao Qi. This was Fire Crow Village's unique communication flame feather.
Yan Lie said nothing, just heavily clasped fists. Actions spoke louder than words.
Xiao Qi and Third Senior Sister returned the gestures. Their gazes swept across those simple, sincere faces bearingreluctant and blessings.
"Everyone, take care! Until we meet again!"
Without more words, Xiao Qi and Third Senior Sister turned. Leading the rabbit spirit quietly crouching on Xiao Qi's shoulder, who also seemed somewhat reluctant to part, they stepped into morning light, leaving this witch village where they had fought bloody battles and forged deep bonds. Their figures gradually vanished into the misty mountains and deep forests leading deeper into the Southern Frontier.
Behind, Fire Crow Village's stilted housessilent under the morning sun, as if guarding memories that would never fade. Ahead awaited the legendary Vermillion Bird Holy Lord's final resting place, the core of the extraterritorial demonic entity's restless seal, and an even more unknown and perilous journey.
Molten Fire Heart, here we come.