National Guardian's Gone and We're Done

The light inside the room was somewhat dim.

A few faint slivers of light struggled through the cracks in the window,

spilling onto the floor and casting a patchwork of shadows.

Xia Chengli’s gaze inadvertently fell upon Yumizakura’s battered figure.

A flash of surprise flickered deep in his eyes—gone in an instant, yet clearly discernible.

Xia Chengli knew full well that Yumizakura was far from ordinary.

Especially the ancient techniques she commanded, passed down from the Nine-tailed Demon Fox clan,

were devious and unpredictable, making them impossible to guard against.

This meant that when facing danger, her ability to protect herself far exceeded her offensive capabilities.

For Yumizakura, this normally confident and powerful being,

to be so grievously injured—how could Xia Chengli not be shocked and bewildered?

On Yumizakura’s shoulder, a ghastly wound gaped open menacingly,

like the bloody maw of a ferocious beast.

The wound was so deep the bone was visible, nearly cleaving her entire shoulder in two.

Torn muscle tissue and pale white bone were faintly visible in the dim light, a sight that sent a chill down the spine.

Blood gushed incessantly from the wound, like a bursting dam,

staining the clothes on her shoulder a shocking shade of dark red.

The color was like the shadow of death, clinging tightly to her.

A single glance was enough to reveal the severity of the injury.

Moreover, judging by the clean, sharp edges of the wound,

it was undoubtedly the result of a swift and fatal blow.

A terrible thought surfaced unbidden in Xia Chengli’s mind.

If that fatal blow had landed on Yumizakura’s fragile head,

the consequences would have been unthinkable.

He would likely be facing Yumizakura’s cold corpse right now.

Chu He stood to the side, quietly observing everything.

Seeing this, he raised his hand without hesitation and gave a light wave toward Yumizakura.

In that instant, a pure, dazzling white light, like an agile sprite,

burst from his fingertips and shot into Yumizakura’s body with lightning speed.

The white light, brimming with endless life and vitality, spread through Yumizakura’s body in a flash.

Yumizakura felt a warm current gently envelop her entire body, like the warmth of the spring sun.

Every cell seemed to rejoice in the warm embrace,

eagerly absorbing this miraculous power.

The sensation was like that of an exhausted laborer who, after a long day of hard work,

finally dragged their heavy feet home,

and eagerly submerged themselves in a warm, comfortable, steaming hot spring.

In an instant, all the soreness and fatigue in her body melted away like ice and snow.

In its place was an indescribable feeling of comfort and relaxation,

as if every pore in her body was breathing in fresh air with delight.

At the same time,

the horrific wound on her shoulder began to heal at a speed visible to the naked eye.

A strange, tingling, and itching sensation came from the wound,

as if countless gentle little hands were stroking it, repairing the damaged skin and sinew.

Under the effect of this miraculous power, the severed muscle fibers,

as if meticulously woven together by nimble hands, regained their life and vitality.

Yumizakura’s once-pale, bloodless complexion began to regain its rosy color,

like a flower that had withered in the cold wind, now drawing nourishment from the spring once more,

blooming again in vibrant splendor.

In the space of just a few breaths, the wound on Yumizakura’s shoulder had completely healed.

Not even a scar remained; her skin was as smooth as if it had never been injured.

Her entire being seemed to have been infused with a powerful new vitality,

and she quickly returned to her peak condition, the confident and lively spark returning to her eyes.

"Master, your abilities are truly in a league of their own!"

Yumizakura patted her chest, a trace of lingering fear on her face. "If I hadn’t reacted quickly enough," she said, "I’m afraid I really wouldn’t have made it back this time."

Her voice trembled slightly, a clear sign she was still shaken by the recent close call.

The hair-raising moment replayed endlessly in her mind,

every detail as clear as if it had just happened, filling her with a mixture of belated fear and relief.

"What exactly happened to you?"

Chu He asked, his brow furrowed in confusion.

His thoughts were identical to Xia Chengli’s. As a powerful member of the Nine-tailed Demon Fox clan,

Yumizakura, with her unique abilities and agile skills,

should have been able to escape with ease, even from a formidable enemy.

But to see her in this state was simply baffling.

Yumizakura settled herself into a chair and took a deep breath, calming the turmoil within her.

Then she asked, "Do you know of the White-Red Empire’s Amaterasu?"

Chu He paused, thought for a moment, and replied, "I’ve heard the name,"

"but that’s all. I don’t know any of the specifics."

Yumizakura’s expression grew solemn. She said slowly, "Amaterasu has been awakened, summoned by the White-Red Empire through some mysterious method."

"And this very place where we are now is the key location Amaterasu spoke of."

Amaterasu is considered one of the most powerful of the White-Red Empire’s native Deities.