As the echoes of their battle with the Heartwood Sentinels began to fade, the quartet found a peaceful alcove nestled within the grove's embrace. The obsidian trees seemed to stand guard, casting dappled shadows upon the ground. With the weight of their recent skirmish temporarily lifted, they settled down to rest and catch their breath.
Liu Yong's gaze was thoughtful as he leaned against a tree trunk, his Galeblade resting beside him. "That was quite the challenge, wasn't it?"
Mingliang, perched on a moss-covered rock, nodded with a grin. "Indeed, but challenges like these only make us stronger."
Mengting, her fiery hair shimmering in the gentle sunlight, leaned back against a fallen log. "And bring us closer together. It's moments like these that remind us why we fight."
Lian Yaoshi, his alchemical gloves glinting in the light, chimed in with a touch of humor. "Well, at least we're all still in one piece."
