The Xuan Ku Corridor returned to dead silence. Only the residual currents of chaotic laws and the five Dao Devouring Beasts, tightly bound by Chaos Chains and still emitting low growls, remained.
They bore witness to the brief yet fierce clash that had just taken place.
The shattered void was slowly and painstakingly repairing itself under the nourishment of the Qing Xuan Realm's Creation Spiritual Energy.
The Life Fire around Venerable Zhu Yan's body receded. The wounds torn across her red-jade-like torso by the Destruction Spear slowly healed amid the dense aura of Creation.
The way she looked at Ming Xin now carried sincere admiration and a trace of dependence she did not readily reveal.
Venerable Huan Meng re-formed her body, drawing the seven-colored mist back into herself. She remained silent, seemingly savoring the wondrous experience of having her illusory power made real by that unified force.
Venerable Wan Hua, meanwhile, busied herself inspecting the spirit-fruit barriers she had set up. Vines gently brushed across the barrier surfaces, where profound runes had emerged, and her eyes shone with wonder.
"Fellow Daoist Ming Xin, had you not acted this time, the Xuan Ku Corridor would likely have fallen. Our realm would have been in grave danger."
Venerable Zhu Yan's voice was steady, carrying the solemn emotion of one who had survived a calamity. Her temperament was fierce, but she was clear about debts of gratitude and enmity alike.
Ming Xin withdrew his gaze from the sealed Dao Devouring Beasts and shook his head, his tone showing no ease whatsoever. "You overpraise me, Venerable. Driving back the vanguard only delayed the crisis.
"That Ruins Clan Warrior escaped and will surely bring an even stronger counterattack. We must prepare early."
He paused and looked toward the Three Venerables. "We should not remain here