Chapter 18: Healing in the Hidden Cave

The night was as dark as ink. The wilderness at the edge of the Molten Flame Domain was swept by howling winds, making the withered grass tremble and rustle with mournful whispers. After the brutal battle in the ravine, Lin Jin, Su Yao, and Duan Hao staggered away, their bodies covered in blood. The stream behind them had been dyed a deep crimson, and the air was still thick with the scorched scent of lingering spiritual flames. As they moved through a dense forest, shadows stretched long under the dim moonlight filtering through the leaves, casting a pale glow on their weary yet determined faces.

Lin Jin's left arm was a bloody mess, his sleeve torn apart, with blood dripping from his elbow, leaving a dark trail behind him. He clenched his teeth, using his wooden staff to support himself. Though his aura as a first-tier Flame Master remained stable, the repeated battles had thrown it into turmoil. His chest ached, and the blood at the corner of his lips had yet to dry. Su Yao supported him, her large, expressive eyes filled with worry. Wisps of misty blue flames swirled around his wound, trying to slow the bleeding. Her voice was soft but trembling, "Lin Jin, hold on! The cave isn't far now!" She gripped her short sword tightly in her other hand, remaining ever watchful of their surroundings.

Duan Hao took the rear, carrying his massive broadsword over his shoulder. The blade was still smeared with fresh blood, faint crimson flames flickering along its surface, casting a savage glow over his rugged face. His entire body was stained with blood, and a deep, bone-revealing gash ran across his right shoulder from a whip strike. Yet his fighting spirit remained unshaken. He let out a coarse laugh. "I took one down! Those bastards from the Skyflame Pavilion—next time, I'll kill even more of them!" His thick hand pressed against his wound, blood seeping through his fingers, but his fierce aura showed no sign of faltering.

Following Su Yao's lead, they weaved through jagged rock formations before finally arriving at a hidden cave entrance. The opening was narrow, just enough for one person to squeeze through, concealed beneath dense vines. Among the foliage, dark red flowers bloomed, emitting a faintly metallic scent. Outside the cave, sheer cliffs loomed over them, and the wind howled through the crevices like ghostly wails. Su Yao was the first to slip inside. After quickly scanning the interior for any threats, she whispered, "Get in! This place is well hidden—Skyflame Pavilion won't find us anytime soon."

Lin Jin nodded and forced himself into the cave. Su Yao helped him sit down. Duan Hao was the last to enter, and with a casual flick of his wrist, crimson flames surged from his blade, scorching the vines at the entrance into charred remains, erasing their tracks. He grunted, squeezing his broad frame inside before saying in his usual rough voice, "I'll stand guard. You two rest."

The cave was small, about ten feet across, with damp ground covered in patches of moss. Embedded in the walls were several dark red mineral stones, faintly pulsing with residual spirit flames—likely remnants of the domain's leyline energy. The ceiling was low, and droplets of water dripped intermittently from above, forming small ripples on the ground. The air was thick with dampness, carrying a faint sulfuric scent that made their chests feel heavy.

Lin Jin leaned against the wall, his breathing steadying slightly as he muttered, "We're safe for now, but Skyflame Pavilion won't let this go." Reaching into his pack, he retrieved some dried rations and a small pouch of Flamegrass Balm—a medicinal paste he had bought in Moltenstone Town. He handed it to Su Yao. "Patch up the wounds first. We need to recover as soon as possible."

Su Yao took the balm, her eyes scanning Lin Jin's left arm. Seeing the raw, torn flesh and exposed bone, her heart clenched. Kneeling beside him, she carefully tore away the rest of his sleeve and began applying the greenish paste. "Your wound is too severe… You even shielded me earlier. Are you trying to get yourself killed?" Her tone carried a trace of reproach, though her fingers remained gentle. Azure flames seeped from her fingertips, merging with the balm to accelerate healing. Despite her scolding, her gaze softened.

Lin Jin grimaced but said in a low voice, "If you were hurt, I wouldn't be able to live with it." His eyes met hers, noticing the dried blood at the corner of her lips. His brows furrowed. "You're injured too. Don't just worry about me."

Su Yao blinked, wiping the blood away with her sleeve before flashing a mischievous grin. "This? It's nothing. I'm tougher than I look! But you—already at the Flame Master stage and still fighting so recklessly—you should let me handle more next time!" She stood up, tossing the balm to Duan Hao. "Duan, your shoulder needs treatment too. Don't try to act tough."

Duan Hao caught the balm and, without hesitation, smeared it across his wound. Crimson flames surged over his skin, helping the medicine seep in faster. He chuckled. "Bah! This scratch is nothing. Killing that armored bastard earlier was worth it!" His booming laughter echoed through the cave, though exhaustion was evident in his voice.

Lin Jin pulled out a small fragment of Sourceflame Crystal—about the size of a fingernail—its golden-red light flickering weakly. He muttered, "There's still some residual spirit flame in this. We'll refine it tonight to recover. Skyflame Pavilion lost three men. They won't let this slide." His gaze shifted toward the entrance, the howling wind outside carrying an ominous weight.

"Old Ghost, where are they now?" he asked in a hushed voice.

The ancient voice of the Flame Soul Ancestor echoed in his mind. "Three miles out. Three of them are searching, led by that spear-wielding third-tier Flame Master. They've called for reinforcements—at least two more Flame Masters are on their way. They'll be here within half an hour. Kid, if you don't recover fast, you're dead." The old man's voice was urgent, carrying a heavy sense of pressure.

Lin Jin's heart tightened. "Half an hour…" He held the crystal fragment before him, summoning violet flames to devour the remaining spirit energy within. Threads of golden-red light seeped into his body, stabilizing his first-tier Flame Master aura. His left arm began healing at a visible rate, the pain gradually subsiding.

Su Yao saw this and immediately sat cross-legged, drawing in the excess energy. "I need to recover too—half an hour isn't enough time!" Her eyes gleamed with determination as her aura surged, her fourth-tier Initial Flame Realm power becoming more refined.

Duan Hao dropped into a seated position, crimson flames roaring around him. "Hell with it—half an hour to break into the Flame Master stage!" His expression hardened, and as the healing flames washed over his wound, his aura intensified.

Within the cave, spiritual flames flickered and surged. The dark red minerals embedded in the walls resonated, emitting faint humming sounds. Water droplets quickened their rhythm, like a ticking countdown.

Fifteen minutes later, heavy footsteps echoed outside. Lin Jin's eyes snapped open, his violet flames retracting. "They're here!" He stood, gripping his wooden staff. His left arm was still weak, but he could move it again.

Su Yao leaped to her feet, her bright eyes narrowing at the entrance. "Already?" Her short sword shimmered as misty blue flames coiled around it.

Duan Hao grabbed his broadsword, crimson flames erupting. "I was getting bored anyway! Bring it on!" He took a stance at the entrance, his massive frame like an unmovable wall.

Outside, a middle-aged man wielding a spear stepped forward, crimson flames surging along its length. Beside him stood two new reinforcements—a tall, gaunt man with a black parasol, emanating dark flame needles, and a short, stocky woman with molten-red hands, radiating searing heat. Behind them, several cloaked figures with drawn blades approached, killing intent thick in the air.

"We found you." The spear-wielding man sneered, thrusting his weapon forward. A torrent of crimson flames roared toward the cave, instantly reducing the vines at the entrance to ash.

Lin Jin roared, "Block it!" Violet flames spiraled outward, countering the surge. Su Yao's azure whirlwind joined in, and Duan Hao's blade cleaved through the blast. The impact forced them back, cracking the cave walls and sending debris flying.

"Cornered rats," the parasol-wielding man sneered. He unfurled his umbrella—dark flame needles rained down like a storm.

Lin Jin's expression darkened. "If we can't hold, run!"

Su Yao's eyes burned with defiance. "I'm not running!"

Duan Hao bared his teeth. "Neither am I! Kill them all!"

Flames clashed. Life and death hung in the balance.