Healing

Liu Ruyan, dressed in a simple, elegant gown, quietly entered the camp.

Her aura was restrained, yet she gave the faint impression that she had been utterly transformed. An unfathomable depth seemed to have settled in her cool eyes.

When Su Liuli returned and saw Qin Yan, her eyes curved into a smile. She waved at him but did not disturb his training.

Li Mu had to be helped into the camp. His face was pale, and his left arm hung limp. He had clearly suffered a serious injury.

One, two, three...

As so few people returned, Qin Yan's heart sank bit by bit.

Night fell completely, draping the ancient forest in a veil of dark blue.

High above, the Giant Emerald Array that covered the Ancestral Land and guided the survivors home

began to dim. Its rotation slowed as well.

At last, a gentle ripple of energy spread outward. The array faded like starlight into the night sky, leaving no trace behind.

The Hidden Dragon Assembly was over.

Everyone who had survived had returned. Those who had not... would remain forever in the vast ancient mountains.

Qin Yan lowered his spear and looked across the camp.

Beside the campfires, near the tents, out in the open... every prodigy under Anya's command who had made it back was here.

His gaze finally settled on the Human Clan's section.

Five people.

Only five.

Himself, Liu Ruyan, Su Liuli, Li Mu, and a Martial University student whose name he did not know.

Qin Yan remembered it clearly. Three months ago, when they had left this Elf Clan gathering point and stepped into the great array leading to Azure Dragon Ancient Mountain, the Human Clan's party had numbered thirty!

Some came from noble clans, others from academies. All were among the finest