As the shattered trial world dissolved into a stale void, Xiao Ming's body felt a gentle pull, a soothing embrace of unseen energy. Xue Mao clung tightly to his shoulder, its fur bristling as if still wary of danger.
The Blood Ant General stood stoically nearby, its crimson eyes unblinking as its tiny soldiers reassembled in tight formation around their leader.
"Little Ming, hold steady!" Xue Mao cried, though its tone carried more relief than panic.
Xiao Ming barely registered the words. His body, battered and drained, floated effortlessly through the transition. A faint golden-silver sheen lingered around him, remnants of the Dao Dragon's glory.
Yet, his mind remained focused on the present, his thoughts spinning as the world around him shifted.
When the darkness lifted, they found themselves in a place that could only be described as paradise.