In the days that followed, the First Defensive Line transformed. It was no longer a fortress but a bustling and exhausted staging point for the reconstruction of the east. The immediate and frantic energy of survival was replaced by the long, aching and laborious work of rebuilding a broken world.

Theron did not rest. He dispatched his own forces, the most skilled trackers from the Forest and the swiftest of his new alliance scouts to search eastward. They went in wide and sweeping circles to make sure nothing was missed. They ventured all the way to where the rifts had been.

The reports all came back the same and all were tinged with awe and disbelief. It confirmed it wasn’t all just some kind of dream. There was not a single Xylarri left. Not a single one.

Even more miraculously, the land itself was healing. The reports spoke of blighted earth, still gray and cracked but no longer radiating that foul corrupting Xylarri energy. Small green shoots of hardy grass were already pushing up through the ash near the Ashen Bluffs.

The divine beasts or perhaps the Anti-Duplex had done more than just remove the invaders. It would seem like they had jump-started the continent’s recovery. It would take decades, perhaps centuries, for the land to be as good as it once was but it was not the dead and permanent scar they had all feared.

Theron kept his word to the demons. The agreement with the demons was enacted swiftly, despite the sullen and resentful looks from some of the human factions. A large swathe of the eastern territories was officially ceded to the Demons as well as some of the undamaged lands of the west. Just like Theron had promised them.

It was not a one-sided charity. Theron's command was going to be spearheading the effort to restore the entire eastern side, which included relocating and re-establishing spiritual veins. The demons were being given a ruined, fixer-upper of a territory but so was everyone else who lived there.

By tasking them with helping to rebuild it, Theron was integrating them into the very fabric of the continent's recovery. It was a win-win for both sides. Human and demonic array masters began the arduous, cooperative work of surveying the land. The first, tense and begrudged steps of a new society were being taken.

Amidst this flurry of reconstruction, Li Yu sought out Grand Elder Corvus. The war was over and his contributions were tallied. He had a mountain of merit points.

"I wish to exchange these," Li Yu said, standing in the bustling command tent. The tent was now filled with maps of spiritual veins and supply logistics instead of Xylarri movements. "But not for materials. For... techniques." Li Yu understood that rebuilding will be a massive effort and he didn’t want to strain them any further on physical resources.

Corvus, who looked to have aged ten years since Li Yu first met him simply nodded, understanding his choice and his considerations for them. "Wise. Resources will be strained for a long time. Knowledge is plentiful."

"I am looking for soul techniques. And... an avatar-like technique, if one is available," Li Yu said.

Corvus checked the ledgers. "Your merits are more than sufficient. Before the Gate Keepers departed, they contributed several high-level arts to the merit pool as thanks for our joint effort. We have several soul techniques from their library as well as ours."

This made sense. The Gate Keepers were a neutral observing body. Their alliance with Theron was an emergency measure, one that had now concluded. They had suffered great losses in this war but still understood the effort in rebuilding. Li Yu had seen Rylan and his remaining forces depart just a day earlier, their purpose here finished.

Corvus presented several jade slips. "The first is 'Soul-Shear Needle', a direct-combat art that pierces the sea of consciousness. The second is 'Mind's Eye Lantern', a defensive art to strengthen the soul against incursions. A third is 'Soul-Echo Step', which uses soul resonance for movement... " Corvus presented him with several choices from what was available.

"I'll take the 'Soul-Shear Needle' and the 'Mind's Eye Lantern'," Li Yu said after looking through them and thinking. The latter felt essential after his encounters with the Xylarri and the terrifying power of his own Human Soul.

"And for the avatar," Corvus said, "we have several. Three are from human lineages, focusing on elemental augmentation. And two are demonic, donated by Lord Zaltar the others. One is the 'Four-Armed War-Body', the other is the 'Magma-Heart Berserker'."

Li Yu was surprised that the demons contributed but then realized that it made sense. They were trying to integrate and there were already people who didn’t want them here. This was a small price to pay to earn some good favor.

Li Yu then remembered Zaltar's incredible, four-armed battle form. "I will take the 'Four-Armed War-Body'. The theory of condensing energy into a separate, empowered body is what I need to reference."

The exchange was made. Three jade slips were placed in Li Yu's hand. Grand Elder Corvus gave Li Yu a smile and sent him away. He had too much work to do and it was already a kind gesture for him to stop what he was doing to exchange for Li Yu.

Khaos had already returned to the Koi's Sanctuary and was currently resting there. His thoughts are only known to himself.

That evening, Li Yu found Jian Xuan overlooking the bustling work yard, a look of strange contentment on his face.

"Brother Li!" Jian Xuan boomed. "Look at it! They are building! Creating! After so much destruction, this... this is a worthy cause!"

"It is," Li Yu agreed. "But... it's not our cause. Not our home."

Jian Xuan turned, his expression sober. "I thought of that. Of going home. But... this is where the fight was. This is where the glory is. They are lacking manpower, Brother Li. They are weak, recovering. This is a place that needs champions. And with all the fighting and constant events happening here... I... I think I prefer a place like this. A place with... purpose."

Li Yu nodded, understanding that his way of life wasn’t for everyone. Jian Xuan had his own goals and ambitions and joys to pursue. "Then you should stay. You are always welcome to travel with me, but if your path is here, I understand. The cost to travel between continents is high but it is something we can cover every now and again. This wouldn’t be the last time we saw each other."

"Yes, I can sense my purpose is here for the moment." Jian Xuan clapped him on the shoulder. "You have your own home to return to. You have been away for too long. Go. I will stay. I will... guard this place. For the Crab!" he added with a knowing smile. "And when you return, I will have a grand feast hall built!"

"I'll hold you to that," Li Yu smiled.

His next stop was a quiet courtyard where the demonic leaders were planning their new territories. He found Forgemaster Krell and Lady Vyltra.

A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

"Senior Krell, Senior Vyltra," he said as he gave both a small bow. He brought out the Umbral-Forged Plate and the Frigid-Void displacement charm. "These treasures... they were helpful during the time I had them. I came to return them with my deepest thanks."

Lady Vyltra looked at the ice-blue talisman. She took the charm, her expression, as always, unreadable.

Krell, however, let out a huff. He looked at the pristine, unscratched armor. "Hmph. Unscratched. You... you fight well. You did not damage it even a little bit." He reached out a massive, rocky hand and placed it on the cuirass. "It is a fine piece. I... will take it back." He took the armor.

Li Yu was relieved. He was thankful that had given him these things during the war but he felt a burden having them. Having now returned them to their owner, he felt a slight pressure taken off his body.

After leaving, Li Yu then contacted Fengliu to ask him about what his plans were. Fengliu was quick to respond and just as Li Yu had expected.

"I am staying," Fengliu's voice came through the communication token, tight with purpose. "The cultists... Malara and Vrak... their forces were weakened but not destroyed. Theron let them go. They are still out there. It might not even be this group of cultist either."

"Fengliu..." Li Yu began.

"It's not just that, Li Yu. The Xylarri are gone, which means the old world is back. And my... my quest... is not over. I still need to find out who was responsible for my sister's death. If the cultists were truly the ones who did it, I am glad they are weaker. But I must be sure."

Li Yu understood. "Be safe, Fengliu. Remember that we can keep in touch now using the Koi Sanctuary. Keep an eye out on Jian Xuan for me as well. I can’t talk to him using the Koi Sanctuary and he’s a bit crazy at the moment… just keep an eye on him and let me know if there are any concerns."

"I’ve heard about the Crab Cult he started… I will keep an eye on him. You as well. I do not know when I will return to the Central Continent. Things are... messy here. But I am leaving someone in charge of our network there. I have not forgotten my responsibilities.”

“His name is Mako. He is an old man, has been a retainer for me for decades. His cultivation... is only Foundation Establishment. Do not let that fool you. He is a master of logistics, of information, of spying. He is one of the sharpest minds I know, just not a fighter. He is the most loyal man I have. If you need anything... contact Mako. He will take my place over there as your spy master."

"Thank you, Fengliu."

"No, Li Yu. Thank you."

As Li Yu was making his final preparations to leave, a massive shadow fell over him. He looked up to see Forgemaster Krell standing there, his magma-skin glowing in the twilight.

"Boy," Krell grunted.

"Senior Krell?"

"I am... a forgemaster," Krell said, the word sounding like grinding stones. "They are... planning. They are building. This is not... my work." He gestured to the new, raw territory. "This land is... new. The materials are different. The humans... you have different techniques. I have seen your arrays, your... crude... but effective... metalwork. I am a forgemaster. To stay in one place... is to stagnate. My curiosity is too great. This must be my opportunity, given by the great gods of the forge."

He crossed his massive arms. "I do not want to be stuck here. I wish to explore this world. See its materials. Learn its forging techniques. I want to go under your banner and explore this world. Jian Xuan told me that back home you are in charge of a large trading company. I wish to join it and explore, learn and forge."

Li Yu was stunned. "Senior, I... I would be honored. But... Lord Zaltar, Commander Theron... they are ultimately in charge of the demons. I would need their permission."

"Then ask."

The request was... strange, but Theron and Zaltar's reaction was even stranger. They convened and after a short discussion, Theron gave his answer.

"Yes. Krell may go."

Li Yu was surprised at the easy acceptance.

"Under one condition," Theron continued, his gaze firm. "He will go under a seal, bound to you."

Krell's face darkened. "A slave seal? Non-sense! I would never!"

"No," Li Yu said immediately. "I would never agree to that either."

"Not a slave seal," Theron said. "A mutual seal. It binds you as companions, not as master and servant. It is a vow. It will only prevent you from harming Li Yu, revealing his secrets and Li Yu from ordering you to do anything that goes against your own will or your bottom line. It is a seal of trust and alliance."

"It must be the same seal Jian Xuan taught me but even more fair for both sides.’ Li Yu thought as he heard what Theron was saying.

Krell thought about it. He looked at Li Yu, the strange boy who angered the gods, felt very demon-like and was impossibly strong for his age. A chance to explore an entire new world, to find new metals, new earths, new methods... it was a forgemaster's dream. This... was a fair price for such freedom.

‘Staying here and under the eyes of these humans would probably be even more constraining than going with this boy here. His character has proven to be good, though a bit too cowardly at times.’ Krell thought to himself while remembering Li Yu panicking as one of the beings from the sky was charging down.

"I accept," Krell grunted.

The seal was applied. A brief, complex array, a pulse of light and it was done. A bond was formed, not of servitude but of a shared strange path.

The farewells were brief. Jian Xuan gave Li Yu a bone-crushing hug. Zaltar and Vyltra gave him curt, respectful nods.

Theron was too busy to see them off personally, so Lysander, one of his most trusted commanders from the Forest, escorted Li Yu and his new, massive, magma-skinned companion. They flew back to the hidden outpost of the Gate Keepers to use the array to get back.

The Keeper in charge of the array was a quiet, ancient-looking woman who did not ask questions. She simply placed one more, simple seal on Krell with his permission. It was the standard secrecy vow, one that everyone who used their services had to take, preventing him from ever revealing the location or secrets of their array.

“You humans and all your seals! Foolishness! I am a person of honor!” Krell raised his voice slightly in annoyance but accepted it regardless. He understood the precautions and knew that if he had the seals, they would treat him more openly.

"Your help was invaluable, Li Yu," Lysander said, his formal demeanor softened by genuine gratitude. "You... you changed the tide of this war more than once."

"We all just fought to survive, Senior Lysander," Li Yu said, bowing. "Take care and please keep an eye on Jian Xuan for me."

Rylan had already given Li Yu special access, so there was no blindfold needed for him anymore. Li Yu and Krell stepped onto the array, a flash of light enveloped them and the disorienting, world-shifting pull of translocation took hold.

They emerged in the hidden chamber on the Central Continent.

Krell looked around, his massive form filling the small room, his eyes curious. Li Yu took a deep breath of the air. He was finally back home. "Let's go."

They had a small chat with the Gate Keepers on this side who were already expecting them. They went outside and summoned his beast. The air shimmered and Tempest appeared.

Krell looked at the impressive creature before jumping on. "Hmph. A fine beast."

Tempest shot into the sky. As they flew back towards the Green Mountain Sect, the wind whipping past them, Li Yu turned to his new companion.

"Senior Krell... your... appearance... is... noticeable. Do you have any way to... look more human?"

Krell let out a roar of laughter that shook the leviathan's back. "Hahaha! Human? Boy, I have no desire to look like one of you soft-skinned things!" He saw Li Yu's concerned face. "But... I understand. I am... conspicuous. No... I cannot look human. But..."

Krell's form seemed to shimmer. A moment later, his entire massive body was enveloped in a roiling black mist, perfectly hiding all his features. It was a swirling dark shroud, eerily similar to the ones the Anti-Duplex had worn. Only his two glowing-red eyes were visible from within. "I have a technique that hides what I am. This... will be less... frightening... for your people."

Li Yu stared at the shrouded, eight-foot-tall, red-eyed figure and wasn't entirely sure Krell was right about the "less frightening" part but hidden was better than completely shown. At least this way people could use their imaginations a bit. "That... that works perfectly, Senior."

‘I’ll have to get Kui to work out some kind of uniform or something for him. So that he is easily identified as someone of the Golden Shell Guild.’ Li Yu ultimately thought.