The earth cracked and the air shimmered as the Sanatan Flame Sect emerged from underground. Dust drifted through the herbal garde, mingling with faint remnants of golden aura still lingering in the air. The once-splendid Herb Garden, once filled with lush spiritual flora and divine fragrance, now lay in ruins — scorched earth, shattered stones, and the faint hiss of lingering energy where Shaurya's sword had struck moments ago.
Shaurya brushed the back of his head awkwardly, a wry smile tugging at his lips. "I guess next time… I should hold back a bit."
The Medicinal Fairy, her expression still dazed, stared at the vast destruction surrounding them. The garden that once nurtured life for centuries was now nothing more than a crater of faint golden mist. Her voice trembled softly. "You… defeated the Root of Decay that easily?"
Shaurya laughed, the sound casual and warm despite the devastation. "Is it that hard to defeat that thing?"
