"Did we just… teleport?" His voice carried a mix of awe and curiosity. He had only ever read about such things in novels.

  Yao Fuhuo’s serene smile held both mystery and pride. "Indeed. It’s one of the abilities I copied from the five Heavenly Flames I’ve encountered on this planet."

  Li Yan’s eyes widened once more. It seemed he’d stepped into a world beyond imagination.

  Before Yao Fuhuo could teleport again, Li Yan’s expression shifted, as though a memory had just struck him. "Wait, Senior Yao Fuhuo!" he blurted.

  "I suddenly remembered—Yan Tian dropped a small green stone before passing out. I should look for it. It was a gift from his cousin, Yan Fei. It meant a lot to him."

  Yao Fuhuo’s expression softened. "Yes… I saw it in his memories. It’s a keepsake of importance. Give me a moment."

  She closed her eyes and extended her Spiritual Sense. A ripple of invisible energy spread outward, brushing past Li Yan.

  He shivered at the sensation—it was subtle, yet so vast it made him feel like a tiny droplet in a boundless ocean.

  Once again, he truly grasped the depth of her power, and he couldn’t help but wonder, "If this is only her perception, then what heights must her true strength reach? Will I ever touch that level?"

  Moments later, Yao Fuhuo’s eyes opened, and a faint smile touched her lips. "I’ve found it."

  With a graceful flick of her hand, they vanished and reappeared near the grove where the children had collapsed earlier that morning.

  From beneath the roots of an old tree, a small stone floated upward. Shaped like a leaf, its green surface glimmered faintly under the last rays of sunlight. Yao Fuhuo guided it into her palm before handing it to Li Yan.

  As his fingers brushed against the stone, a gentle warmth pulsed from within, like the heartbeat of something ancient. For a fleeting moment, he felt as if the stone had witnessed countless forgotten stories. But before he could grasp it, the sensation slipped away.

  He exhaled softly, then gave a slightly embarrassed smile. Pointing to the long strands of purple hair falling over his shoulders, he said, "Senior Yao Fuhuo… do you happen to have something I can tie my hair with? I’m not used to long hair, letting it hang like this—it’s bothersome."

  Yao Fuhuo chuckled lightly, amused by his request. She raised her hand, summoning a flicker of green flame. In the next instant, the fire condensed into a golden hair clip.

  The accessory gleamed with intricate engravings of coiling vines and a phoenix feather motif, giving it an elegant yet masculine charm.

  "Try this," she said, handing it over.

  Li Yan accepted it with gratitude. Pulling his hair back, he tied it into a neat ponytail. The weight of his hair eased, and with it, his mood lightened. "Much better. Thank you, Senior."

  As they prepared to depart, curiosity flickered in his eyes. "Senior Yao Fuhuo, earlier… what technique did you use to find the stone?"

  "That was my Spiritual Sense, not a technique," she explained with a light smile. "Your spiritual consciousness has awakened as well, so you can use it. But to reach my level of proficiency… that will take years of cultivation."

  Li Yan’s eyes lit with excitement, eagerness already stirring within him. But before he could ask more, Yao Fuhuo waved her hand, and they vanished once again, skipping swiftly across a vast distance with teleportation.

  They jumped across miles in a heartbeat, teleporting again and again, until finally, they stopped before a stretch of towering mountains.

  At first glance, the range seemed ordinary. But a shimmering array formation veiled the space within, bending perception itself. With a wave of Yao Fuhuo’s hand, the illusion parted, revealing a swirling grey portal between the peaks.

  By now the sun had slipped low, staining the horizon gold and crimson. Yao Fuhuo guided the eleven unconscious children into the portal, carrying them effortlessly with her power.

  Li Yan followed closely, his body still wrapped in her protective aura, as they crossed the portal together.

  When the world reformed around him, Li Yan stood atop a mountain peak bathed in twilight. The sky burned violet and gold, and his breath caught at the sight below.

  The valley stretched endlessly below, surrounded by majestic mountains that vanished into the clouds.

  Towering ancient trees, their leaves shimmering in colors of emerald, silver, and gold, filled the landscape. Crystal-clear lakes glistened like scattered gems, and waterfalls thundered down the cliffs, their sound weaving a soft hymn through the air.

  High above, enormous winged creatures glided gracefully, their scales gleaming in the fading light. Below, colossal beasts stirred in the forests, their presence radiating both majesty and danger.

  The breeze carried the fragrance of wildflowers and the distant echoes of powerful beasts roaming the land.

  Li Yan stood rooted to the spot, awestruck. "This isn’t just another place… this feels like stepping into a legend."

  After all the agony, loss, and rebirth he had endured, this valley was more than a destination. It was a promise. For the first time since awakening in this world, he felt something stir in his chest—a flicker of hope.

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  "We’ve arrived," Yao Fuhuo said, her calm voice breaking the silence. "This is one of the safe havens where Darkness Element affinity holders live after being rejected by the outside world."

  Li Yan, still enjoying the valley’s beauty and vastness, turned toward her, eyes filled with excitement. "So… this entire place was created by you?"

  Yao Fuhuo’s lips curved into a gentle smile, one that carried centuries of wisdom. "Not entirely. This is Dawnlight Valley (Chén Xī Gǔ). It has existed since ancient times."

  "I merely nurtured it—planted forests, raised protective arrays. The neutral Qi flow here is rare and perfectly suited for cultivation, so the valley became a sanctuary."

  Li Yan nodded slowly, a mix of awe and admiration coursing through his chest. As his gaze swept across Dawnlight Valley again, gratitude rose within him—for her, for this place, for the chance to begin anew.

  "Senior Yao Fuhuo," he asked after a pause, "you said this is one of the safe places for Darkness Element holders. Are there others?"

  "Yes." Yao Fuhuo’s eyes deepened, as if seeing farther than the valley itself. "There are four others on this continent and even more scattered across this world. But this one is the oldest and the largest."

  "You’ll learn of the others when the time is right."

  Before Li Yan could question further, her sleeve brushed the air, and the world shifted. In a blink, they stood upon a vast stone platform encircled by towering mountains.

  The area bustled with life. Training grounds echoed with the sounds of sparring. Flower gardens bloomed in vivid colors. Caves carved into the mountain faces served as homes, with pathways weaving between them like veins of light.

  Overhead, a shimmering Qi shield arched across the sky, sealing the settlement from intrusion. The atmosphere was unlike anything Li Yan had felt before—calm, yet pulsing with hidden vitality.

  As Li Yan adjusted to the sight, movement rippled through the settlement. More than a hundred cultivators—men and women of varying ages, dressed in robes of white, yellow, azure, brown, purple, and black—paused at once when they noticed Yao Fuhuo.

  In unison, they bowed deeply, respect radiating from every posture.

  A man in purple robes, looking no older than his early thirties, raised his voice, "The Goddess has arrived! Inform the elders!"

  Another cultivator in black robes raised a golden badge and channeled his Qi. The emblem flared with light as it transmitted the message.

  Li Yan’s heart beat faster as he watched the scene. The way the people revered her, the title Goddess echoing from their lips—each detail hammered home the truth he had only begun to grasp.

  She wasn’t just powerful. To them, she was sacred.

  He glanced at the mountains again, noticing how the network of caves wasn’t merely homes but fortifications. This was a community built for survival, hidden away from a world that shunned them.

  Soon, a group of almost thirty cultivators emerged from the caves, men and women clad in green robes. But it was one figure among them who drew Li Yan’s gaze.

  He was tall—around 181 cm—with brown hair and sharp brown eyes that gleamed with authority. His red robes, intricately patterned, set him apart from the others. The aura he exuded wasn’t just strong—it carried weight, the unmistakable pressure of leadership.

  The man approached and bowed deeply before Yao Fuhuo. "Welcome back, Goddess of Life," he intoned, his voice steady but filled with reverence.

  Li Yan blinked, startled by the title once again. His mind recalled stories from Earth, tales of deities who commanded the very forces of creation. He thought of what he had witnessed—the flames, the resurrection, the way she bent reality itself—and found himself nodding inwardly.

  If anyone deserved the title Goddess of Life, it was Yao Fuhuo.

  Yao Fuhuo nodded her head slightly. "Ji Hong," she said, addressing the man. "Is everything in order here?"

  Ji Hong straightened, his sharp eyes softening as he replied respectfully, "Yes, Goddess. Everything runs smoothly under your protection."

  Yao Fuhuo glanced at the floating children beside her. "Take these kids to rest. They will awaken tomorrow morning. After that, you know what must be done."

  Ji Hong bowed and signaled to several men and women in purple and black robes. They swiftly stepped forward at once, carefully receiving the unconscious children and carrying them away.

  As they departed, Ji Hong’s gaze shifted to Li Yan, who stood calmly at Yao Fuhuo’s side. His brow furrowed slightly in curiosity.

  Extending his Qi-sense, he probed the youth’s strength quietly. His eyes narrowed in surprise. "Qi Gathering Realm (Stage 7)?"

  Unable to hold back his curiosity, Ji Hong asked respectfully, "Goddess, may I ask… who is this young one?"

  Yao Fuhuo glanced at Li Yan with a soft smile. "Ah, I nearly forgot to introduce him. This is Li Yan. He is under my protection; that is why I brought him here."

  Her words rippled through the crowd. The elders’ eyes widened, and hushed murmurs swept the gathering. To be under the protection of the Goddess of Life was a blessing beyond imagination.

  Who exactly was this boy to be given such honor?

  On the other hand, Li Yan was also surprised at his introduction, "So much for keeping a low profile…"

  But before questions could grow, Yao Fuhuo raised her hand. Silence fell immediately. Her calm voice carried across the platform. "Ji Hong, for now, I will check the valley’s arrays. Tomorrow, I will meet you again before my departure."

  Ji Hong bowed deeply. "Thank you, Goddess, for everything you do for us."

  The crowd echoed his reverence, bowing in unison. Yao Fuhuo lifted her hand once more, and in a flash of green light, both she and Li Yan vanished, reappearing on the mountain peak where they had first arrived.

  Li Yan glanced around, then turned to her with curiosity. "Where are we going now?"

  Yao Fuhuo’s serene gaze rested on him, carrying both mystery and weight. "That depends on you."

  Li Yan blinked, confused. "On me? How?"

  Her expression softened. "It’s your decision. What do you want to do next?"

  "You can’t return to Yan Tian’s house—the emergence of the Darkness Element there has already made that town's name in the list of the empire for the time being. That town is no longer safe for you, not for now."

  Li Yan nodded slowly. "Then… should I follow you and begin my journey to collect the Heavenly Flames?"

  Yao Fuhuo shook her head gently, her tone firm yet kind. "Not yet. Your cultivation is shallow, and your body is far too weak. To hunt the Heavenly Flames now would be nothing short of suicide. You need time, and a place to temper yourself."

  Li Yan’s brows furrowed as she continued, "You may stay here, in this hidden world. It will shield you from danger while you cultivate in peace. Or, if you wish, I can guide you elsewhere to walk your own path."

  Li Yan fell silent, the weight of the choice pressing on him. Returning to Yan Tian’s house was out of the question. But should he remain here, hidden away?

  He recalled Yan Tian’s memories—the rejection, the fear, the hostility toward Darkness Element affinity holders. Even with his Fire element to mask it, venturing outside now would be reckless.

  His cultivation was still too shallow to face what lay beyond.

  "Better to grow here first," he told himself. "Stronger, steadier. When I leave this valley, I’ll step into the world on my own terms."