Tianlai Holy Capital, Inner Courtm,Kaia had been unconscious for several days, having overexerted his life force in the battle against Gahu. Even Emily struggled to heal him. Emily and Sidoli took turns caring for him daily, hoping he would awaken. For now, Tianlai Holy was in a temporary safe period, and the remaining expeditionary forces that had returned were resting at the base. No one had anticipated such a crushing defeat. They were blasted back without even knowing the enemy's name. "Who is that woman? Could she be the Demon King?" Sisi said. "She effortlessly countered Kaia's ultimate move. We had no chance of winning. For now, we'd better avoid recklessly heading to the Demon Realm," Jiudo replied heavily. "Yeah," Sisi agreed.
"Why hasn't Brother Kaia shown any improvement despite the best doctors and mages in the palace doing everything they can?" Sidoli said with worry. "This time, he overexhausted his mental energy to save everyone. There's little we can do but pray to the heavens for his swift recovery," King Jothua comforted her. "Your Majesty, Master Wutai requests an audience," a soldier reported. "Quickly, invite him in," the king ordered.
Emily had been shuttling between the base and the palace, treating the wounded at the base and returning to check on Kaia. Naan's leg had also been healed by Emily. "As expected of a hero's team. Otherwise, I'd probably be on crutches for the rest of my life," Naan remarked, looking at his restored leg. "Yeah, the heroes are on a whole different level from us. I haven't even mastered high-level regeneration magic. I wonder how Kadi, Bai, and Shinbu are doing. Though the army lists them as missing, I still hold a sliver of hope," Nohua said. "Bai and Shinbu are strong, but Kadi's a bit weaker. Let's hope they turn danger into fortune. We can't go back to the Demon Realm now," Feigo added.
Huotian Village,"News from the city! The demon tribe attacked the capital but was defeated by the returning heroes. Also, I heard the expeditionary force suffered heavy losses and was defeated, with only about half the personnel left," a villager announced while passing through. Bona, who was helping in the fields, panicked upon hearing this. "I wonder how Brother Bai is doing," she thought, running to ask the villager for more details. "Can you tell me more about the expeditionary force you mentioned?" Bona asked urgently. "It's a military restricted area, so I couldn't go there myself. I heard from an officer in the city that the hero-led expeditionary force was sent back just hours after departing, apparently by the demon tribe. Then, another demon army attacked the capital, and the heroes, who had just returned, rushed to defend it. Only half of those who went to the Demon Realm made it back," the villager explained. Bona grew anxious, fearing something had happened to Brother Bai. She ran to her father. "Dad, you heard the news, right? Let's go to the base to find out about Brother Bai!" Her father agreed, and they set aside their farm work, hopping into a carriage to head to the base.
Palace,"Greetings, Your Majesty. I heard the expeditionary force has returned and that my young disciple is unconscious, so I came to visit," Master Wutai said after bowing.
"No need for formalities, Master. Shortly after the expeditionary force departed, the demon tribe attacked the capital. Thankfully, the heroes arrived in time to save us. However, Kaia overexerted himself and remains unconscious. Does the Master have any remedies to help him?" King Jothua explained. "I understand the situation. Could you lead the way?" Master Wutai asked. "This way, Master," the king replied, guiding him to Kaia's side.