Ultimate Fire Phoenix Awakens, Xiaotao Clears Her Mind and Returns to Guard Shrek

After the gate to the Undead Demi-Plane closed, even the wind on the right flank of Ming Dou Mountain Pass seemed to fall still for a moment.

When Huo Yuhao emerged carrying Ma Xiaotao, he could barely stay on his feet. Ma Xiaotao rested in the crook of his arm, a cluster of golden-red flame still lingering in her palm. The fire no longer bore the black stain of evil soul corruption, yet it did not immediately shine with the brightness of victory either. It simply clung quietly to her fingertips, like a heart newly retrieved from the ashes.

The first thing Tang Wutong asked when she saw them was, "Is it over?"

Huo Yuhao said softly, "She's awake."

Tang Wutong did not ask anything more. She shattered the last Ten Thousand Souls Black Banner, forced back the Holy Spirit Cult protector, and personally used the Light Dragon Goddess Butterfly to block everyone else's view. Outsiders only saw Huo Yuhao rescue the Evil Fire Phoenix and saw the Phoenix Flame that had once been stained black burn golden-red again. No one knew what had truly happened beyond that gate.

Nor could they know.

Ma Xiaotao had not completely lost consciousness. She heard Tang Wutong's voice, and she also heard Huo Yuhao softly say, "She's awake." But she did not open her eyes.

She did not know how to face Tang Wutong.

Throughout the short journey from the rear of the demi-plane battlefield to the Star Luo Empire camp, she kept her eyes shut. Huo Yuhao's arms holding her were steady, so steady that her chest ached. In the past, she would probably have lazily teased, "Little junior brother, you're holding me pretty tight," then watched his ears turn red. But now, all those words were stuck in her throat. She