A Ze walked over to Loran and handed him a flask of Soul-Purifying Water. "The Water Whisperer has checked. The Planar Gate's energy fluctuations have completely disappeared, and no abyssal creatures remain. We... won?"
Loran took the flask, drank a mouthful, and looked toward the distant horizon-the black and purple clouds were dispersing, and golden sunlight spilled through them onto the walls of the lava canyon, bathing them in a warm glow. "We won." Loran's voice was slightly hoarse, but utterly firm. "At least for now, the continent is safe."
The warship slowly rose into the air and flew toward the continent. Along the way, they encountered Elder White and Elder Aila, who had come to reinforce them-the Holy Spring knights' armor still bore fragments of Evil Bone, and the elven archers' quivers were more than half empty. They had clearly just finished fighting the remaining abyssal creatures.
"Loran! You did it!" Elder White clasped Loran's hand excitedly, the Holy Spring Crystal glowing softly. "The remnants of Evil Bone in the temple have all been cleared out, and the druid tribe held the eastern forest. Chief Tongchui is waiting for us in the Blackstone Mountain Range. He said he would prepare the grandest victory feast for us!"
Elder Aila looked at the Purification Core in Loran's hand, her eyes filled with relief. "The Tree of Life has regained its radiance. It senses that the evil power in the Rotting Soul Abyss is receding. This core is now the purest source of power on the continent."
The warship flew on, and the continent below gradually revealed signs of life-fresh buds sprouted on the trees in Green Forest Town, and the townspeople were emerging from their homes to clear away the remaining fragments of Evil Bone; the canopy of the Elven Forest had regained its emerald green, and a few fawns bounded through the woods; the sounds of forging rang out once more in the dwarf tribe, the clanging full of vigor; the Swamp Spirit Clan's rivers ran clear again, and the Water Whisperers were guiding the fish back home.
A few days later, everyone gathered in Green Forest Town. Chief Tongchui brought the finest ale and roasted meat, the druid elder brought herbs that could rapidly restore one's essence, and the Swamp Spirit Clan brought fresh river delicacies. The Holy Spring knights and the Elf Guard maintained order, while the townspeople hung up streamers of their own accord. All of Green Forest Town basked in the joy of victory.
At the celebration, Loran entrusted the Purification Core to Elder White and Elder Aila for safekeeping-they decided to build a "Purification Temple" in the Qilin Holy Land and enshrine the core within it, both as a symbol of the continent's protection and as a means to purify any evil power that might emerge at any time. Lei Lin and Snow Spirit Qilin decided to return to Qilin Radiance Peak to rebuild the Qilin Holy Land and bring more members of the Qilin Clan home; the Icefield Wolf chose to remain at Loran's side, its golden eyes filled with loyalty; Liya planned to travel the continent with the Illustrated Catalog of Plants, recording every scene of returning life; A Ze returned to the Swamp Spirit Clan, dedicating himself to improving the river ecosystem and preventing evil power from contaminating the water again.
Night deepened, and the celebration's bonfires gradually died down. Loran stood alone on a hillside in Green Forest Town, looking at the sleeping townspeople below and listening to the distant chirping of insects-a sound of peace he had not heard in a long time. The Icefield Wolf walked up beside him and nuzzled his hand, moonlight reflected in its golden eyes.
"Will there be danger again?" Loran asked softly, as though asking the Icefield Wolf, and as though asking himself.
The Icefield Wolf did not answer. It merely lifted its head and gave a low howl at the moon, its voice holding no wariness, only calm. Loran smiled and stroked its head-he knew that peace might need to be protected forever, but as long as he still had companions beside him and faith, nothing could destroy the vitality of this continent.
A pale golden light shone from the direction of distant Qilin Radiance Peak-Lei Lin and Snow Spirit Qilin were activating the holy land's protective runes; in the direction of the Radiant Temple, the Holy Spring's radiance intertwined with the moonlight; the Tree of Life in the Elven Forest glowed with an emerald halo; the sounds of forging still echoed faintly through the Blackstone Mountain Range.
These lights and sounds wove together into a "song of peace" that belonged to the continent. And Loran knew that every note of this song had been composed through his companions' faith and courage-what they protected was not only the continent, but also the hope in one another's hearts.
Within a hidden fissure in the Rotting Soul Abyss, black and purple light still flickered faintly. The Abyss Matriarch's broken body lay curled in its depths, evil power slowly mending her wounds, the eerie green light in her compound eyes filled with defiance and madness. But now, the continent's radiance had pierced the gloom of the abyss. She knew that invading again would be as difficult as ascending to heaven.
The seed of peace had taken root and sprouted on the continent, and those who guarded this seed would remain vigilant forever, until the day evil power dissipated completely.
The story of the "Qilin of Falling Maple" drew to a close for now. But the continent's legend continued.