In the infirmary, Ma Xiaotao sat by the bed, letting a healing-type Soul Master tend to the wound on her shoulder.
Huo Yuhao sat opposite her, the several bloody marks on his body already cleaned and treated.
The room was quiet, with only the occasional sound of the healing-type Soul Master's movements.
Once the wounds had been treated, the healing-type Soul Master withdrew.
Only the two of them remained in the room.
Ma Xiaotao lowered her head and suddenly spoke.
"Xuelian."
Huo Yuhao looked at her.
Ma Xiaotao's voice was very soft, so soft it was like she was talking to herself.
"Tell me... when they died, did it hurt?"
Huo Yuhao was silent for a moment before answering flatly, "I don't know."
Ma Xiaotao raised her head, her eyes reddening again.
"That senior sister... just yesterday, she told me that after this mission was over, she'd treat me to something delicious. And that kid who always followed behind Dai Yueheng—he was the most timid one. Last night, he even asked me whether Evil Soul Masters were scary..."
Her voice began to tremble.
"I told them not to be afraid. Elder Xuan was there, and all of us were there. But what happened? What happened..."
She could not continue.
Huo Yuhao watched her in silence for a long while.
"You already did your best."
Ma Xiaotao froze for a moment.
Huo Yuhao continued, "In that situation, surviving was an achievement in itself. Don't overthink it."
Ma Xiaotao looked at him, and at last, her tears fell.
"Xuelian... I feel so awful..."
Huo Yuhao said nothing. He simply sat there, quietly keeping her company.
Meanwhile, at the Sea God Pavilion.
Xuan Zi knelt in the middle of the meditation chamber with his head lowered.
Mu En sat on a wooden couch,