Chapter 107: The Cave of the Demon Clan

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Black Feather was worried that the guards might see him absorbing the dark aura, which would cause unnecessary trouble.

"No, I have to watch you here."

"Our medical techniques are highly confidential, after all, being able to cure severely infected patients is no ordinary method. It cannot be spread to others."

White Saint Wild caught on and chimed in, putting on a mysterious air.

"For guarding, let this beauty... take charge of it."

He pointed at the cat demon.

The guard exchanged a glance with the cat demon, who cooperatively nodded.

"Fine, don't try any tricks. I'll keep watch outside the cave."

The guard turned and left.

Black Feather breathed a sigh of relief. Now no one would disturb them, and he could treat the patients without worry.

The cat demon, standing nearby, nimbly hopped over and extended a furry paw, lifting Black Feather's hand onto it. She was afraid he couldn't see, so she guided him to the first patient.

White Saint Wild unstrapped the medicine box from his back. Even blindfolded, he skillfully opened it and began mixing medications, completely unaffected.

The strongest alchemists were able to mix potions with one hand behind their backs while fighting. This level of difficulty was child's play for White Saint Wild, hailing from the Medicine Immortal family.

As Black Feather was led along, he was very close to the cat demon girl's face. One of her eyes was yellow, the other blue. Her mouth was ringed with soft fur, with a few tough whiskers, and two pointed, delicate cat ears stood atop her head.

Because she didn't know Black Feather could see what was ahead, she showed no trace of timidity.

As Black Feather went from one infected person lying on the ground to the next, absorbing the dark aura from each, the cat demon hopped back over to White Saint Wild, curiously watching him mix medicines, yet obediently staying silent, afraid of disturbing him.

"Here, apply this to the wounded."

White Saint Wild extended a hand, handing a prepared dose to the cat demon. She took it and carefully applied it to the injured.

By deep night, all the infected in the cave had been treated, and the two were sore all over.

"After all this effort, Dragon Grandmother had better give us some reward for our troubles, right?" Black Feather said, pounding his shoulder.

"Didn't you say we'd be lucky just to not be buried alive?"

The demons woke from their unconsciousness and sat up to thank the two human mages. Though weak, the pain in their symptoms had lessened.

"Don't worry, you'll recover soon," White Saint Wild said.

A boy with brown scales on his body leaned against the wall. When he spoke, it was in human language, which was rare among demons:

"Thank you, both mages. We demons... uh, our race repays kindness without fail..." He reached into a pouch and took out two strings of beast-bone necklaces, handing them to the cat demon, who brought them over.

"These are the beast bones of our demons... our race's ancestors. They contain the power to protect the wearer and can serve as talismans. Please accept them."

Twice he nearly blurted out "demon race," and Black Feather and White Saint Wild broke out in a cold sweat for him. The truth was, Dragon Grandmother had kept this location secret precisely because she feared the demons' hiding place being discovered. Had the demons not been injured this time, Dragon Grandmother would never have risked letting outsiders in.

As for the fact that they were demons, the two had known since entering the underground cave. There was nothing to hide.

White Saint Wild declined for a while but ultimately accepted.

"Alright, I shall respectfully obey."

He weighed the jingling necklace in his palm. "This necklace's style doesn't match my handsome getup." He casually tucked it into his coat pocket.

When Black Feather received the beast bones, he felt a strange aura emanating from the ancient bones carved with runes, and upon hearing they could serve as talismans, he put them around his neck.

The cat demon went outside the cave to consult Dragon Grandmother. When she heard that all the infected had fully recovered, she was greatly astonished:

"Never have I heard of such severely infected patients recovering! Bring them to the Divine Dragon Hall and arrange proper accommodations." With that, she left the cave entrance with peace of mind.

When the guard returned to report, there was joy on his face:

"Tonight you may stay at the Divine Dragon Hall. There will likely be a banquet. Follow me."

"Wouldn't have thought that old woman has some sense of honor," Black Feather said.

The two boarded the carriage again, heading straight for Divine Dragon Town.

Divine Dragon Town was located to the right-front of Dragon Island, at the outskirts of a ring-shaped forest. It was the most prosperous town in the Divine Dragon Clan's territory. The Divine Dragon Hall within it was where the royal family of the Divine Dragon Clan resided.

Once the carriage entered the city, the guard signaled they could take off their blindfolds. The architectural style here was vastly different from the Holy City—many buildings bore colossal dragon figures crouching upon them.

Divine Fruit, having heard that Black Feather and the others had arrived, could no longer contain herself. Inside the Divine Dragon Hall, she clung to Uncle Divine Wood, who was blocking the door, pleading repeatedly:

"Uncle Divine Wood, just tell me—where are my friends? Grandmother said she was going to invite that alchemist to heal the demons. He's my classmate. Is Brother Black Feather with him too?"

Divine Wood kept a stern face, remaining silent, his tall and straight frame imposing.

"Uncle Divine Wood, please... tell me..."

Divine Wood was at his wit's end:

"Princess, the outside world is dangerous. You should minimize contact with outsiders. Grandmother only wants what's best for you. Didn't you ask me to guide your training? Then hurry off to sleep—don't delay tomorrow's practice."

Divine Fruit pouted, her face full of grievance, tears glistening in her eyes. But she obediently retreated to her room.

All these years, she had been protected like a caged canary, forbidden from going anywhere. Had she not taken the initiative to enroll in the Holy City's Magic Academy, she might never have known what the outside world looked like, much less made so many friends.

Sitting by the window of her bedroom, she gazed blankly at the deep night outside, murmuring to herself:

"It's all because of that bad prophecy from back then, the prophecy about my sixteenth year..."

Suddenly, she saw the distant city gate open, and two carriages drove in one after another. Joy surged in her heart.

"It's Brother Black Feather's carriage—it must be!"

She happily pushed open the window. The night wind rustled loudly, blowing the curtains. Gathering her courage, she lifted her skirt, stepped onto the windowsill, and transformed into a dragon, leaping into the air.

Divine Wood was solemnly walking through the great hall, preparing to welcome Dragon Grandmother's return, when he suddenly felt a gale outside the window and saw a crimson red fire dragon streak past.

"Princess! This—this is... agh!..." He stamped his foot in fury, but there was nothing he could do. "Quick, follow her! Don't let anything happen to the Princess!"

Divine Wood hastily ordered the guards and gave chase himself.

Divine Fruit landed jubilantly in front of the carriage, blocking the way. Her massive dragon form instantly transformed back into her petite self, her gorgeous skirt fluttering lightly.

Black Feather and White Saint Wild immediately poked their heads out from the carriage behind.

"Fire Dragon Fruit?!"

Black Feather jumped down from the carriage.

White Saint Wild straightened his clothes and descended from the carriage gracefully, speaking with theatrical flair:

"My beautiful princess, how could I trouble you to welcome us in person?"