"Vmmm!" The instant the pillar of light pierced the black energy, the core gave a muffled roar. The black-and-purple vortex began to contract rapidly, and the leaking energy was gradually drawn back into the core by the pillar of light. The Evil Bone patterns on the ice began to fade, and the Evil Bone Miasma in the air was purified by the five-colored light. The cold winds of the Frozen Ruined Capital finally regained their normal bite, no longer carrying the bone-piercing chill of evil power.
Everyone finally relaxed their taut nerves. Lei Lin's fiery wings and Snow Spirit Qilin's icy mist weakened at the same time, their source power clearly greatly depleted. Liya leaned against Elder Aila, her face pale but smiling. "We did it... The core has been sealed again..."
But just then, an extremely faint black pattern suddenly flickered across the Evil Bone Core-it was the Abyss Matriarch's lingering aura. The black pattern darted across the core's surface, but the five-colored pillar of light suppressed it, preventing it from spreading. Elder White stepped forward with a grave expression. The Holy Spring's power at his fingertips touched the core, and the black pattern instantly retreated inside it. "Something's wrong. The Abyss Matriarch's energy still remains inside the core. We've only sealed it temporarily, not purged it completely!"
Elder Aila nodded in agreement. "And the core's energy is far too unstable. The Frozen Ruined Capital is no place to store it for long. Chief Tongchui's sacred warship is almost finished. Once it's built, we need to transport the core somewhere absolutely safe and purify it completely with a stronger power!"
Loran looked at Snow Spirit Qilin. The ice talisman on Snow Spirit Qilin now shone with a gentle white light, pointing toward the Eastern Sea of Clouds-where the Qilin Holy Land lay. "I know where to go." Loran's gaze was resolute. "The ancient power of the Qilin Holy Land can purify the abyss's evil power. As long as we find the holy land, we can eliminate the danger lurking within the core once and for all!"
Elder White nodded with relief. "Good! Then we'll proceed in two stages-Elder Aila and I will stay here and continue strengthening the core's seal to prevent its energy from leaking again. Loran, take Liya, the two qilin, and our Swamp Spirit Clan companions to the Blackstone Mountain Range first to meet Chief Tongchui. Help him finish the final work on the sacred warship. Once it's built, we'll escort the core to the Eastern Sea of Clouds together!"
A Ze immediately said, "The Swamp Spirit Clan will send ten Water Speakers with you. Water elements can help propel the warship as it sails and counter any surprise attacks by the Insect Clan along the way!"
Loran took the water-patterned bone whistle A Ze handed him, then accepted a new Holy Spring amulet from Elder White-this amulet was more finely crafted than the previous one, with a small piece of the Holy Spring's core crystal embedded at its tip, allowing it to sense the core's energy fluctuations at any time. "Don't worry. We'll finish the warship as soon as possible and make sure nothing happens to the core."
The sun sank in the west, its golden afterglow spilling over the walls of the Frozen Ruined Capital and tinting the thousand-year-old ice a warm yellow. The Holy Spring knights and elven guards began setting up temporary defenses around the raised platform, while the Swamp Spirit warriors helped clear away the remaining Evil Bone crystals; Lei Lin and Snow Spirit Qilin rested beside the inheritance stele, absorbing the pale purple energy it emitted to replenish their depleted source power; the Icefield Wolf lay at Loran's feet, its golden eyes full of exhaustion, yet still surveying its surroundings warily.
Loran raised his head and looked east, where a faint golden glow shone in the direction of the sea of clouds beneath the setting sun. He knew that behind this temporary peace, the threat of the Abyss Matriarch still lurked, and that the journey to find the Qilin Holy Land and transport the Evil Bone Core would be more difficult than any battle before it.
But at this moment, with companions who fought beside him, support from multiple factions, and a firm conviction to protect the continent, he no longer felt alone.
From the direction of the Blackstone Mountain Range came the faint roar of forging-it was Chief Tongchui leading the dwarven craftsmen as they rushed to build the sacred warship, and it was also the prelude to a new journey.
Loran tightened his grip on his knight's sword, the power of three elements circulating slowly within him. He knew their battle was still far from over.