Chapter 110: Heading to Divine Guard

Chi Xin was after all a member of the Dragon Clan, filled with pride in her own race. She retorted, “Do your human clans truly possess the unity of our Dragon Clan?”

Hei Yu and Bai Shengye were left momentarily stunned by the question, unsure how to respond.

“Our Dragon Clan may have a smaller population, yet we have never produced a single traitor. Your human clans, with your vast numbers, how many families truly stand united with one another? Are they not consumed by endless internal strife? The Dragon Clan’s ability to dominate one side is hardly without reason. Let this storm subside here—it is for your own good. Otherwise, you will not even be able to leave the gates of Shenlong Town.”

Chi Xin’s expression grew grave, her words carrying no hint of jest. “By then, even I may be unable to save you.”

Though Bai Shengye did not fully agree, he refrained from comment, respecting her as captain, and instead shot her a cold, sidelong glance.

Suddenly, a villager-dressed man came running breathlessly from the distance, interrupting their conversation. He approached Chi Xin standing before the inn.

“You’ve finally found us, great sirs! You are the magicians who came from the Holy City, are you not?”

“You are?” Chi Xin inquired.

He bowed clumsily yet respectfully. “Greetings to all the great adults. I am from a small village called Shen Shou within the Dragon Clan’s territory. Our village lies far away; villagers infected by demons cannot reach here, and fierce beasts roam the nearby forests. I took a long detour just to deliver this message. I ask whether you esteemed magicians might come to treat the people of our village.”

Chi Xin replied at once, “Do not worry. We came here precisely to treat the infected. Once we have healed those here, we will proceed to your village.”

“Thank you, great adults. Thank you, great magicians,” he repeated, bowing repeatedly.

Hei Yu suggested, “Why not let me go directly to your village to inspect it? The injured infected among you no longer require my healing. Lingmeng and the others will suffice. On the way, we can hunt some beasts as well. What do you think?”

Bai Shengye and Ling Xiaolei both agreed to accompany them.

“It is acceptable. Take care along the road,” Chi Xin said.

“Lead the way, old sir,” Hei Yu replied.

“Having the great magicians accompany us is truly wonderful. On the return journey, there will be no need to fear the forests infested with beasts, nor to take any detour. This way, please,” the villager led them forward with courteous deference.

“Tell me about the situation in your village,” Bai Shengye asked along the path.

“Many villagers there have been infected by demons. Oh, and there is something strange: even the lightly wounded, once their wounds heal, retain a symptom—blindness.”

“Blindness?” Ling Xiaolei asked, curious.

“Yes. Their eyes remain undamaged, yet they cannot see.”

The three set off toward the city outskirts. As night deepened, the houses lining the streets stood solemn and hushed. Dragon-shaped decorations atop the roofs cast black, rigid outlines against the darkness, resembling guardians crouched within the night.

Ling Xiaolei’s backpack held many fruits she had gathered. While walking, she pulled out a basket of purple strange fruit, nibbling on it as sweet juice clung to her lips. Curious, she asked Hei Yu, “Where exactly did you go yesterday? You were so mysterious. Which patients were you treating?”

Hei Yu answered softly, “Near Dragon Island. If my guess is correct, that was a gathering place for the Demon Clan.”

“I never imagined that old woman would appear so stern yet be working to protect other races,” Bai Shengye observed.

“The Demon Clan?” Ling Xiaolei’s eyes widened, as if the pieces had fallen into place. “No wonder…”

“No wonder what?” Hei Yu asked.

“No wonder that every time the Pantheon seeks to cleanse the Demon Clan on a grand scale, they return empty-handed from the southern forests.”

Hei Yu glanced around and lowered his voice, “Shh, speak softly. When we left yesterday, we were blindfolded. The Dragon Clan probably does not want people to know they shelter the Demon Clan.”

Fortunately, no one else walked the road; the villager ahead moved at a distance, simple and unheeding of their words.

“That cave appears to have many passages. Who knows how many demons hide within. This matter is grave; we should not discuss it further, or it will bring trouble upon the Shen Zai Qiao family,” Hei Yu warned.

Leaving Shenlong Town, they continued northward, distancing themselves from the open road and entering the winding, quiet paths through the forest. Bai Shengye seemed to have something on his mind. He suddenly drew close, arm brushing against Hei Yu’s, his smile sly and mischievous.

“Hey, let’s discuss a serious matter, a proper one.”

Hei Yu shivered in alarm. “What good deed could you possibly have in mind?”

Ling Xiaolei chimed in, “Exactly.”

“This is a serious matter indeed. All this way, I have been thinking: after the doomsday volcano erupted, not only the central and southern continents, but even the far-off snow regions to the north, have suffered massive invasions by the Demon Clan. We cannot possibly reach each place individually to provide aid. Therefore…”

Observing that both Hei Yu and Ling Xiaolei listened intently, he continued, “I require your blood to research an anti-demon medicine.”

“Ah?” Hei Yu started, instantly associating it with blood draws, repulsed by the thought. “You won’t be drawing blood again, will you?”

“No, no,” Bai Shengye waved a hand, “You’re frightening yourself. The research using your blood has concluded. Your blood contains special anti-demon substances that can be directly replicated to produce the medicine—no further blood draws needed.”

“So you truly conducted the research?”

“Just… the research and production of anti-demon medicine require substantial funds, so I thought…”

Hei Yu waited for him to finish.

“The gold the Dragon Granny gave us yesterday will serve perfectly as research funds.”

“So that was why you were after the gold!”

“Gold?” Ling Xiaolei peered curiously into Hei Yu and Bai Shengye’s backpacks. “Where? Where is it?”

Bai Shengye’s gaze was sincere. “Only by producing the anti-demon medicine can we ensure the infected across the continent receive timely treatment. This matter leaves no room for delay!”

“All right, you handle it as you see fit.”

Passing through dense jungles, a peaceful glow appeared faintly ahead. Several winding blue streams flowed beside their feet; two rows of trees parted like barriers. In the clearing’s center stood a tall, sturdy deep-green tree, its branches and leaves spread wide, solitary and majestic.

“The Tree of Life!”

Ling Xiaolei cried out in delight. “No wonder we encountered no beasts along the way—the Tree of Life protects this place! The southern forest truly differs from the Holy City; even ordinary woods can harbor the Tree of Life.”

She ran forward as if greeting an old friend, devoutly touching the tree trunk with her palm, her expression filled with deep affection.