138: After the War! The Red Mist Dissipates

The Red Soil Plateau was once again enveloped in an eerie silence.

Two legendary Guardians of the Eternal City had fallen in such a short time, one after another, by the sword of the same person.

This was not only a heavy blow to the Dark Star Empire and the Three-Eyed Race but also a complete subversion of the Woma World's established order.

The giant claw in the sky, having exhausted its energy before the realm interference field shattered, dissipated unwillingly.

The Pillar of Divine Punishment, which spanned the sky, also faded its afterglow.

The legendary tactics of the Dark Star Empire and the Three-Eyed Race, though used consecutively, failed to change the outcome.

For a time, whether it was the observers hidden in the shadows or the powerful figures in their respective camps far away, all fell into a deep silence.

Bai Xiao stood still, and the Silence in his hand quietly dissipated.

He slowly exhaled a breath tainted with the smell of blood, his face revealing an undisguised weariness.

Seeing this, Apolosi managed to summon a sliver of holy power and came to Bai Xiao's side, looking at his pale face with some concern.

"Are you... alright?"

She could feel that Bai Xiao's condition was very poor at this moment.

Bai Xiao just shook his head: "I'm fine."

Before he finished speaking, his body went limp, and he almost fell.

Apolosi quickly supported one of his arms, and as her fingertips touched him, she felt his slight tremor.

"Don't push yourself."

Apolosi's voice was soft, "You've expended too much."

Bai Xiao did not pull away, tacitly accepting her support.

He was indeed at his limit, barely able to stand.

"Thank you," he said in a low, somewhat hoarse voice.

This thank you was both for Apolosi's reckless use of 'Sun Cage' to create an opportunity for him earlier and for her support at this moment.

Apolosi shook her head, her golden eyes gazing at him with admiration.

"It should be me thanking you; if you hadn't arrived in time..."

She paused, then added, "That was... the power of 'True Name' just now?"

With her knowledge, she naturally understood what that implied.

Below the legendary rank, to comprehend and unleash one's True Name—what an astonishing level of insight and foundation.

Bai Xiao hummed in response, offering no further explanation.

Apolosi did not press further; she knew it must involve his secrets.

She simply gave Bai Xiao a deep look, firmly remembering this man who, by his own strength, had turned the tide of battle and even slain a legendary figure.

The anomaly in the sky gradually subsided, the lead-colored clouds dispersed, and the purple sky reappeared.

...

"Hmm?" Bai Xiao frowned slightly, forcing his mental energy to rise.

He keenly noticed that the seemingly endless red mist beneath his feet was undergoing some change.

The scarlet mist that had originally enveloped the entire Red Soil Plateau was now visibly thinning at a rapid pace.

And... receding?

Like a receding tide, it slowly withdrew towards some unknown source, leaving behind a scarred, blood-stained land.

On the ground, the grotesque plants that had been corrupted by the red mist also lost their luster and quickly withered.

Apolosi also noticed this unusual phenomenon, her golden eyes showing some confusion: "This red mist... is receding?"

She gazed at the dissipating mist, her voice filled with disbelief.

As a Guardian of Radiant City, her understanding of the 'Blood Tide Mist' far surpassed that of ordinary people.

Historically, every outbreak of the 'Blood Tide Mist' meant a prolonged disaster.

Ultimately, it was always through the bloody struggles and immense sacrifices of countless strong individuals that it was barely suppressed and temporarily silenced.

For it to recede on its own like this was simply unheard of and unseen.

"This outbreak has only lasted a few months."

Apolosi murmured to herself, extending her hand. A few wisps of faint red mist drifted past her fingertips, no longer carrying the intense corrosive sensation from before.

"In the past, even smaller-scale blood tides would rage for at least ten to several decades. Not to mention this time... the initial momentum was the fiercest in history; I even thought..."

She had originally thought that this blood tide might lead the Woma World to its end...

Otherwise, why would Echidna and Ignis have said those words...

Her beautiful brows furrowed slightly.

"I always believed that the Woma World's impending demise was inextricably linked to this escalating red mist. But now it seems... could the true root cause not be here?"

Her gaze deepened, a hint of unease flashing through it.

"Could there be something else, something we've never noticed... a deeper catastrophe?"

But no matter what, the receding red mist was ultimately a good thing.

At least, for the beings of the Woma World, a huge stone weighing on their hearts had temporarily been lifted.

The two exchanged glances.

Apolosi spoke first: "How about coming back to Radiant City's camp with me first? You need to rest."

Her voice softened a few shades.

Just then, several streaks of light sped from the distant horizon. The one in the lead was Huo Jun, who had received Su Jin's order and came to provide support.

"Commander Bai Xiao!"

Huo Jun saw Bai Xiao and Apolosi from afar. His Storm Dragon Horse let out a neigh, and in a few breaths, they had rushed close.

Seeing Bai Xiao's paper-white face and his almost undisguisable weakness,

Huo Jun's heart tightened, and he quickly stepped forward.

"Commander Bai, you..." Huo Jun wanted to help him.

But he saw Apolosi turn slightly, subtly blocking his movement.

"It's nothing," Bai Xiao said, pulling at the corner of his mouth.

Apolosi looked at Huo Jun and said, "First, escort Lord Bai Xiao back. He expended a great deal in this battle."

"Understood, thank you, Your Excellency Apolosi!"

Huo Jun immediately responded.

He secretly glanced at Bai Xiao, who was leaning on Apolosi, and his admiration for Bai Xiao rose several levels.

To be able to slay two legendary figures and have another legendary Guardian care for him so closely, Commander Bai...

Huo Jun quickly averted his gaze, thinking, 'See no evil.'

Yet, he couldn't help but mutter to himself, 'These two seem a little too close...'

Afterward, he quickly arranged the guard and escort formation, and the group wasted no more time, speeding towards the camp.

Only this land, gradually fading from its blood-red hue yet still bearing the scars of the great battle, remained, silently narrating the legendary conflict that had recently transpired.