Chapter 85
By now, most of the mutated beast horde had already dispersed. The ground below was littered with corpses, while a few scattered beasts lingered behind, tearing at the remains of their own kind.
Nina leaned forward anxiously, scanning the scene for any sign of Sal and the others.
Odian narrowed his eyes. A fierce battle had clearly taken place here. The little female’s companions must have encountered the horde and fought desperately.
Traces of dark witchcraft still lingered among the corpses below—most faint, some stronger. A few powerful auras remained only in skeletal form, their flesh already devoured.
“Help her search for her friends,” Odian ordered calmly.
“Yes p>
Ridan and the other phoenix warriors spread out at once.
As if sensing something, the remaining mutated beasts abruptly lifted their heads toward Nina. Then they rushed directly beneath her, roaring up at the sky.
Moments later, several flying mutated beasts shot upward and launched attacks at Nina and Odian.
Odian’s gaze turned icy.
The instant the beasts reached them, they froze midair. Flames ignited around their bodies out of nowhere.
Despite the torrential rain, the fire burned fiercely, refusing to be extinguished. The mutated beasts shrieked and writhed in agony within the blazing inferno.
Odian held Nina steadily, watching with cold detachment.
Soon, the flying beasts lost all signs of life and plummeted to the ground. The flames vanished the moment they fell.
Then a holy radiance emanated from Odian’s body. It spread outward invisibly. The mutated beasts below gradually quieted, their violent frenzy subsiding, before scattering and fleeing in all directions.
Nina stared at him in astonishment.
He was incredibly powerful.
Not only could he eliminate mutated beasts effortlessly—he could disperse them entirely.
That’s… a very solid thigh to cling to, she thought fleetingly.
She was beginning to suspect that the mutated beasts had been targeting her specifically. What if another horde appeared someday?
Her gaze lingered on Odian’s breathtaking face for a moment, her heart fluttering faintly, but the thought passed as quickly as it came. Her worry returned just as swiftly.
Where were Sal and the others? Were they safe?
What if p>
Anxiety tightened in her chest.
Odian sensed her distress and spoke gently. “Many of the dead below are high-tier mutated beasts. That proves your friends are strong. They most likely broke through and escaped. They should be safe. Don’t worry p>
Nina nodded. “I hope so p>
Odian continued flying in widening circles with her in his arms while the others searched. Before long, Ridan and the rest returned.
“My lord, there are no other beastmen in the surrounding area p>
“We found no one either p>
In the presence of outsiders, they refrained from calling Odian “High Priest.” He had instructed them not to reveal his identity casually. A High Priest held a sacred rank above even witches—respected by all, and powerful enough to rival or surpass city lords.
Hearing that no one had been found, Nina’s heart sank.
“It’s alright,” Odian said softly. “We’ll continue searching with you. But you’re still injured. Let’s go to a tribe and have a healer treat you first, shall we p>
Nina shook her head. “There’s no need. I can heal myself. My ability has restorative properties p>
Though her level was low, combined with recovery pills, it would suffice. And tribal healers weren’t necessarily stronger than she was.
There was no point hiding her ability—they likely already knew she possessed one.
She looked at them, still soaked in the rain. “Thank you for helping me search. Since they’re not here, let’s find somewhere to take shelter from the rain first p>
They had already done enough. She couldn’t let them keep standing in the storm.
“Alright p>
They quickly found a nearby cave.
“My lord, please wait a moment,” Ridan said.
Odian gave a slight nod.
The phoenix warriors flew inside and began cleaning at astonishing speed.
In no time, Ridan returned. “My lord, it’s ready p>
Odian carried Nina into the cave.
She paused in surprise.
It was immaculate.
The cave walls and floor had been thoroughly cleaned. A layer of soft beast-skin carpet covered the ground, with only two designated fire pits left open.
These phoenixes were truly particular about their surroundings.
After entering, Nina removed her raincoat. Looking down at herself—bloodstained and disheveled—she felt a little embarrassed.
She glanced at Odian’s pristine white clothing. Thankfully, the raincoat had prevented any blood from touching him.
Still, she needed to clean her wounds.
Though she had taken recovery pills, the injuries wouldn’t vanish instantly.
Surveying the cave, she pointed to a narrower corner. “Could you help hang a hide curtain over there? I’d like to change my clothes p>
She took out a large hide curtain.
“Of course. One moment p>
Odian handed it to Ridan and the others, who quickly arranged a small partition.
Nina prepared milk for Yinny and Didi, cleaned them up briefly, and settled them into their nest to drink.
The phoenix warriors watched with wide-eyed curiosity at the milk powder and bottles she used, but none dared ask. They wanted to help—yet didn’t know how—so they simply observed in fascination.
Soon, the curtain was secured.
“Thank you p>
Nina stepped inside and poured clean water into a small basin, carefully tending to her wounds. The injuries on her back were difficult to reach.
Outside, Odian frowned slightly.
Could she manage the wounds on her back alone? Did she have proper medicine?
He held a vial of high-grade salve in his hand, hesitating before the curtain.
“Ah p>
A soft gasp of pain drifted out when she accidentally brushed one of the deeper cuts.
Unable to restrain himself, Odian stepped closer.
“Little female,” he said gently, “I have excellent medicine for external wounds. It’s very effective against injuries from mutated beasts. It speeds healing and prevents scarring. Would you like it? These beasts carry dark witchcraft—their venom makes wounds slower to heal p>
Mutated beasts carried toxins; their injuries were more severe than ordinary wounds.
He paused, then added softly, “I noticed you have injuries on your back. Would you like me to help p>
Nina hesitated.
Allow a stranger to help her?
But she truly couldn’t manage her back properly alone—and she wanted the wounds to heal quickly.
After a brief silence, she murmured, “Alright… wait a moment p>
Well. A capable woman doesn’t fuss over small matters.
He likely meant no harm. And if he did… she wouldn’t be able to fight him off anyway.
She draped her clothing around herself, exposing only her back. “You can come in p>
At her consent, Odian’s heart thundered in his chest. He steadied himself and gently lifted a corner of the curtain, stepping inside.
Nina faced away from him.
Her back—fair as polished pearls—came into view.
Her skin was luminous and smooth, her curves delicate and graceful, her waist slender enough to encircle with one hand.
The wounds scattered across her beautiful back did not diminish her elegance. Instead, they lent her a fragile vulnerability that stirred something deep within him.
Odian’s breath hitched.
For a moment, he forgot to look away.