# Chapter 0: The Temple (3)
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The fallen species stared blankly for a moment, then immediately surrounded Lin Nan and the others in a fan shape.
Upon seeing the gruesome state of Li Yi’s neck and the bloody mess on his back, they quickly realized that these folks were no ordinary people.
“Old Five, did they do that to you?”
One particularly large fallen species, with a few claws sprouting from its meaty wings, glared menacingly at Lin Nan and the others.
Before Li Yi could respond, a gentle light enveloped him from above.
In the blink of an eye, his wounds began to heal at a visible pace, and even the wings on his back started to sprout new buds.
The fallen species were taken aback.
Such a miraculous healing technique? They’d never seen anything like it in Sky Sword City. Even among the inner door disciples at Heavenly Sword Sect, no one could match something so close to a miracle.
Their gaze towards Lin Nan and her group immediately shifted to one of vigilance.
“Boss, they’re the ones the Guild Leader is waiting for, and they figured out my identity.”
Li Yi looked a little downcast; he couldn’t figure out how Lin Nan knew he was a fallen species.
“These three are definitely not ordinary. Perhaps once they meet the Guild Leader, we can figure something out.”
Another fallen species shouted, “Old Five, are you out of your mind? Since they’re humans, we’re clearly on different paths. Do you really dare to bring live humans in front of the Guild Leader?!”
“Yeah, since we can’t sneak attack, let’s face them head-on!”
Lin Nan declared, “My sister here is skilled in various healing techniques. Even the worst conditions can prolong life, so why not let us meet your Guild Leader? After all, we have some ties with Firefly; we’ve had past interactions at Heavenly Sword Sect.”
Li Yi looked at his boss with big, hopeful eyes, “Big Brother, I think that’s a good idea. If they dare to lie, we can always take action then.”
The fallen species huddled together for a moment, agreeing to Li Yi’s suggestion.
Since they were confident in taking them out, whether it was sooner or later didn’t seem to matter.
“You stay.”
Li Yi seemed to still be brooding over the recent humiliation as he gruffly spoke to Xiao Ai.
Xiao Ai yelped, “I…I want to stay with them!”
How could he dare be left alone here? Although he had encountered fallen species before, he never imagined that the vice-leader of the Crazy Dragon Guild would also be one. It filled him with distrust. If he stayed here alone, what if the other fallen species chose him for dinner?
Lin Nan responded, “Hmm, he’s our guide. We must take him back in one piece.”
Li Yi had nothing more to say.
Xiao Ai felt like a weight had been lifted and scurried behind Little Musashi. Being near a powerhouse felt much safer.
The basement was, just as Li Yi had said, quite spacious. With torches blazing all around, it felt as if they had entered an air-conditioned room, a gentle warmth rising from within.
“Ahem…”
A soft cough echoed from afar.
The big boss jumped and quickly knelt on a long red carpet, bowing to a chair back, “Guild Leader, I’ve brought the person you requested.”
“Good thing you didn’t stick to the original plan.”
“The Guild Leader is worried about them… heh heh, why would we strike a woman easily?”
“No, I’m worried about you guys.”
“…Guild Leader, we…”
“Enough, just go down for now. Guard the entrance.”
“That won’t do, what if they—”
“Ahem…” Another cough interrupted from the chair.
Panicked, the fallen species hurriedly dragged their leader away from the red carpet.
At that moment, including Li Yi, they all kept their distance from Lin Nan and the others, standing near the entrance as instructed.
Lin Nan and her group stood still,
And at that moment, the large chair began to slowly turn.
Soon, a right hand appeared on the chair, illuminated by the flames, revealing skin like withered tree bark and veins resembling gnarled roots threatening to burst through.
Then, as her front came into view,
Even Lin Nan struggled to keep her composure and couldn’t help but softly gasp, “Eh?”
Sitting—or more accurately, “slumping”—in the chair was a creature that resembled a mass of flesh, with only an oval-shaped head barely recognizable as human.
Xiao Ai had already slipped behind Jing Feng, needing calmness rather than muscle to protect him.
“Are you… Firefly?” Lin Nan tentatively asked.
“Ahem… I’m Firefly… cough cough… I didn’t expect to become like this in just half a month.”
Xiao Ai was instantly shocked. She was really Firefly? No way! She was once one of the popular streamers he followed.
Sure, she started on a hot streak, but later in her streams, Firefly charmed many players with her sweetness and straightforwardness, becoming a minor internet celebrity.
But how had she turned into this grotesque figure in such a short time?
What on earth had she been through?
At that moment, Firefly’s head resembled that of a newborn baby, covered in wrinkles, with pus occasionally oozing from her skin, looking particularly terrifying.
She seemed oddly accustomed to her predicament, her bony right hand brushing her face as she managed a feeble smile.
“Ahem… I might only have about ten days left to live.”
Lin Nan, realizing who she was, felt a pang of pity at her appearance. “Jing Feng, show her what’s wrong.”
“Understood.”
Just as Jing Feng moved forward, Firefly laboriously raised her hand, “Thank you, Cold Sister, but I don’t need it. I know my situation.”
Lin Nan was taken aback; she hadn’t introduced herself, yet Firefly called her Cold Sister. Could it be…?
She shook her bangs; her hairstyle didn’t seem different, so unless someone was very familiar with her, no one would connect her current look to the Cold Moon Witch.
Jing Feng maintained a calm demeanor, “Miss Firefly, let me take a look. I’ll try every means I can to extend your life.”
Firefly slightly closed her eyes but did not refuse any further.
Jing Feng squatted beside her, slowly running her hands from her head downward, her expression growing increasingly serious.
After a while, she stood up, a golden light slowly enveloping Firefly.
After what felt like an eternity, Jing Feng finally withdrew her hands, and beads of sweat dotted her forehead.
Lin Nan asked, “Did she recover?”
Jing Feng shook her head, “I did my best, but I can only give her an additional two days of life, if she doesn’t continue to starve herself.”
At this, the group gasped in shock.
“What? She’s in this condition because she’s starving?” Xiao Ai exclaimed, “Why isn’t she eating?”
