As the Cloudhorn Beast's hooves trod across the grassy edge of the Rotting Soul Abyss, Loran deliberately stopped the beast. Below, where the Evil Bone Canyon once stood, was now covered in tender green "Forget-Me-Not Grass," with pale purple flowers dotting the blades. Several colorful butterflies perched on the flower stamens, and faint traces of purifying light could be seen in the patterns of their fluttering wings—new life nurtured by the residual pure energy after the Fel Crystal Core shattered.
"Do you remember this place?" Loran looked down at the Icefield Wolf lying behind him. It was staring into the depths of the grass, its golden eyes no longer wary, only filled with curiosity. The traces of the fierce battle with the Evil Energy Guardian here had long been covered by vegetation, with only a few fragments of Holy Iron embedded in the soil, which could still vaguely reveal the fierce battle of that year.
The Icefield Wolf leaped off its back, picked up a fragment of Holy Iron, and gently placed it at Loran's feet—as if carefully storing away memories of past battles into a peaceful time. Loran bent down to pick up the fragment, a faint purple light emanating from his fingertips as he purified the last trace of Evil Energy remaining on it. "From now on, there will only be flowers and grass here, no more war."
As we continued flying towards Qilin Radiance Peak, the outline of the Qilin Holy Land could be seen on the distant horizon—the top of the silver-white altar was adorned with Ice-Fire Crystal that shimmered with golden-red and shimmering white light, and the " Qilin Heart Tree " around the altar had sprouted new branches, its leaves swaying in the wind as if welcoming the returning guardian.
" Loran! This way!" Lei Lin's voice came from the entrance of the holy land. He was wearing the traditional robe of the Qilin Clan, with an ice and fire patterned belt around his waist. Behind him were several young Qilin Clan who carried glass plates filled with offerings, including spring water from the Purification Pool and fruits from the Qilin Heart Tree.
Snow Spirit Qilin stood below the altar, conversing with Elder Aila. Elf Clan archers had already set up quivers on the trees around the altar, their quivers filled with "blessed arrows" without arrowheads—these arrows would be shot during the opening ceremony, carrying the power of nature to fall throughout the sacred ground, symbolizing eternal life.
" Elder White and Chief Tongchui are already waiting at the altar." Snow Spirit Qilin stepped forward and handed Loran a beautifully woven tapestry with ice and fire patterns. "This is the Qilin Clan's 'Guardian Tapestry,' woven with stories of guardians throughout the ages. Now, it's time to add your name."
Loran took the tapestry, his fingertips tracing its patterns—the blank space at the very end awaited to be filled with a new story. He looked up at the top of the altar, where Elder White, dressed in the robes of the Holy Spring Temple, held a scepter adorned with crystals; the Chief Tongchui carried a newly forged " Watch Hammer," inscribed with the words "The Continent Protects Together," its Holy Iron head gleaming with a pale golden light.
"Everyone is here, the ceremony can begin!" Elder Cangxuan's voice echoed throughout the holy land. He walked to the center of the altar, and his Ice and Fire Staff gently touched the ground. The ancient runes on the surface of the altar instantly lit up, and golden-red and bright white light patterns spread along the runes, enveloping the entire holy land in a warm light.
Following the ritual procedure, Loran walked to the top of the altar and injected a wisp of the Purification Core's power into the central Ice-Fire Crystal. The crystal instantly burst forth with dazzling light, resonating with the primal power of Lei Lin and Snow Spirit Qilin. The three powers intertwined into a pillar of light that shot straight into the sky. The clouds in the sky were pierced by the pillar of light, turning into countless golden-red and shimmering white specks of light that slowly fell, landing in every corner of the sacred land.
"In the name of the guardians, let the sacred land be reborn!" Elder Cangxuan raised his staff high, his voice filled with solemnity and joy, "Today, we not only celebrate the reconstruction of the Qilin Holy Land, but also establish the ' Youth Guardian Camp' —so that the younger generation of the continent can take on the responsibility of protection, and let the flame of peace be passed on forever!"
As soon as the words were spoken, A Mu and several boys from Green Forest Town stepped out from the crowd, carrying wooden swords. They wore matching light gray camp uniforms, with small ice and fire patterns embroidered on the left breast—specially sewn for them by the Chief Tongchui. "Lord Loran said that protection isn't about strength, but about faith. We want to follow you, Lord Lei Lin, and Lord Snow Spirit Qilin Qi, to learn how to protect this land!"