A few moments later the oppressive energy around the group lifted.
The cold winds eased, and for the first time since they had arrived, the steppe felt alive again.
Meng Bai exhaled shakily, finally relaxing. "That… was terrifying."
Cattaleya placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "You held up well enough. Next time, just make sure to keep your Qi steadier."
Elyon gave a low whistle. "If this is what was buried in just one of these places, I fear what we'll find in the others."
Lin Mu looked at the fading dust of the destroyed relic, his expression unreadable. "We will find out," he said quietly. "Whatever this is, it is spreading. And we cannot allow it to continue."
The group exchanged solemn nods. The battle might have ended, but it was clear this was only the beginning of a greater mystery buried across the Darkhan Dynasty.
