Lan Bingxue turned towards the remaining defenders, her voice ringing with authority. "Return to your posts!" she commanded. "Remain vigilant, and be prepared for further attacks. We cannot allow the Shadow Demons to gain a foothold in our kingdom."
The defenders, their spirits lifted by her unwavering resolve, nodded in unison and returned to their positions, their eyes scanning the horizon, their weapons at the ready.
"Let's go back," Lan Bingxue said and led everyone to the Ice Palace.
Inside the hall, everyone sat at the long table in silence. Gui Xiao was the only one who ate the delicacies heartily, without a care.
"This must be unusual, right?" Lan Hanyu broke the silence.
Lan Bingxue nodded gently. "Normally, the creatures of chaos rarely attack our land directly like this. It has happened twice in the past, but the last time was more than two million years ago."
