A few days later, Loran bid farewell to his companions: Liya, carrying the " Illustrated Catalog of Plants," embarked on a journey to "record new life" with the elven archers; Lei Lin and Snow Spirit Qilin returned to Qilin Radiance Peak to begin rebuilding the Qilin Holy Land; A Ze, with the Water Whisperer, traveled to various places to select sites to build Soul-Purifying Water Stations; and the Chief Tongchui remained at the Watchkeep, leading the craftsmen to reinforce the city walls and planning to build a "Guardian Monument" to inscribe the names of all those who fought for peace on the monument.
Loran and the Icefield Wolf rode a gentle Cloudhorn Beast towards the Icefield Wolf's homeland—the northern Frostwind Plains. The scenery along the way became increasingly beautiful: the wheat fields of Green Forest Town rippled with golden waves, and the townspeople were working in the fields, waving to Loran as they saw him; at the edge of the Elven Forest, druids were cultivating new anti-evil plants, the green light at the top of their oak staffs intertwining with the sunlight to create a warm curtain of light; in the dwarven workshops of the Blackstone Mountain Range, the sound of forging still rang out, but this time, what was being forged was no longer weapons, but farm tools and household items.
A month later, they finally arrived at Frostwind Plains. The ice and snow here had begun to melt, and tender shoots of grass were sprouting on the sunny hillsides. The Icefield Wolf ran excitedly, leading Loran to a clear lake. There were many of the Icefield Wolf ' own kind by the lake. When they saw the crystal necklace around the Icefield Wolf's neck, they all surrounded it, gently nuzzling it with their noses. Their eyes no longer held the usual wariness, but only friendliness and curiosity.
Loran sat by the lake, watching the Icefield Wolf frolic with their kind. Suddenly, the Ice-Fire Crystal in his hand glowed faintly. He looked down at the crystal and saw a small image reflected within: the "Guardian Monument" of Watchkeep Fortress had been completed, inscribed with names, and at the very top were the four large characters " Qilin of Falling Maple " (Fallen Maple Unicorn); on the distant Qilin Radiance Peak, a new Qilin Altar was being opened, its pale gold and shimmering white light shooting straight into the sky; in Liya's " Illustrated Catalog of Plants," several new illustrations had been added, depicting newborn flocks of sheep on the southern grasslands and fishing boats reappearing on the eastern coast.
The crystal's brilliance gradually faded, and a smile appeared on Loran's lips. He knew that peace was not a permanent solution, and new challenges might arise in the future, but as long as his companions remained, and as long as the belief in unity among all races persisted, the spirit of protection of the " Qilin of Falling Maple " would live on forever.
As the sun set, golden rays spilled across the lakes of Frostwind Plains, reflecting the figures of Loran and the Icefield Wolf. In the distance, several boys dressed in animal skins ran towards them, wooden swords in their hands, their eyes filled with admiration—they had heard of Loran's legend and had come specifically to learn swordsmanship from him.
Loran stood up, grasped the wooden sword the boy offered, and infused it with the power of the three elements, causing a faint glow to emanate from its tip. He smiled and said, "Protecting the continent doesn't necessarily rely on great strength, but more importantly, on unwavering faith. As long as you remember, unity is the most powerful Purification Power, you can become true guardians."
The boys nodded, seemingly understanding, then raised their wooden swords and began practicing the basic sword techniques Loran had taught them under the setting sun. The Icefield Wolf walked to Loran's side, nuzzled his arm with its head, and gazed into the distance with its golden eyes—there lay the continent they protected together, a home full of life and hope.
The story of " The Qilin of Falling Maple " has come to a perfect end. But on this reborn land, a new legend of guardianship is just beginning.