"Winnie's aura is unstable largely because she has to devote part of her strength to resisting the increasingly powerful rule erosion and interference from outside."
"Also, I can feel that my fire authority is operating more sluggishly here than before. It seems to be under some suppression as well, though not as noticeably as Winnie."
Shen Yi nodded, his gaze sweeping over the undead beyond the barrier, who still refused to leave and seemed to be waiting for an opportunity.
Killing and protecting were indeed two different things.
Xilos was not weak, and the Flame of Continued Combustion did have a restraining effect on these undead. But while protecting weakened companions, facing the siege of numerous undead stronger than those she had encountered before, it was inevitable that she would be hard-pressed.
The fact that she had held on until now was already no easy feat.
"I understand."
Shen Yi's voice calmed, but the chill in his eyes did not fade.
"You should make the most of this time to recover. Winnie, focus and stabilize the source of your soul. Leave resisting the external erosion to me for now. Xilos, regulate your breathing and recover as well."
He raised his hand and sent two streams of pure, gentle power toward Winnie and Xilos respectively.
One was pure rule power containing the Flame of Continued Combustion, helping Winnie stabilize her soul and dispel the deathly rules that had invaded it. The other carried his own understanding and control of rules, helping Xilos soothe her somewhat violent, chaotic fire authority.
Feeling that warm, life-filled power flow into her body, a trace of color finally returned to Winnie's pale face. She gave Shen Yi a grateful look, then immediately closed her eyes and guided the power with all her strength to repair herself.