Martial arts have become extinct worldwide, yet I am forced to have a large family.

"Walk back by yourself?"

Elena's deep blue eyes were filled with astonishment.

"Yes." Yang Xian's answer was brief and forceful. "At least for the time being, the people in the city won't be able to take care of us."

After saying that, he squatted down and picked up a dry twig from the ground, then started scratching it on the soft soil.

"Mr. Yang Xian, what are you doing?"

Elena curiously leaned closer and looked down.

On the ground, a simple map was quickly taking shape under Yang Xian's hands. Although the lines were rough, the key terrain and directions were clearly marked.

That was a rough sketch of the area surrounding Nanhai City by Yang Xian based on his limited geographical knowledge and memory.

"I'm calculating the route and time to get back to the city."

Yang Xian pointed on the map with a twig: "We're roughly in this location now, and Nanhai City is over here."

"Starting from here, following this route, trying to avoid large mountains and jungles, it will take us at least three days."

Yang Xian pressed down hard on the tree branch, his tone serious.

"This is still the most ideal scenario."

"If we encounter a large horde of monsters along the way, this process could take even longer."

The monster army's target is Southsea City, but that doesn't mean they'll let any stray humans they encounter along the way go.

"I understand." Elena nodded emphatically. "Mr. Yang Xian, you can make the arrangements. I'll do whatever you say."

In a team, it's best to have a core member.

Especially in such a desperate situation where life and death are uncertain, a calm, strong, and trustworthy leader can increase the team's chances of survival several times over.

His every word and action can serve as a reassurance for others in the face of fear and despair.

"it is good."

Yang Xian dusted off his hands, stood up, and observed the sky and the surrounding terrain.

"It's still early. The monster army has just arrived on Blue Star, and their attention is all focused on South Sea City. The outer defenses haven't been fully deployed yet, so this is the best time for us to travel."

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

Night falls.

The two worked together to build a makeshift shelter.

During the process, Elena appeared very enthusiastic, even gesturing and humming an unknown tune, as if she were camping in the wild rather than fleeing from a disaster.

Yang Xian remained silent throughout, mechanically performing his work, appearing absent-minded.

"That's about it." Yang Xian secured the last branch, clapped his hands, and said, "Let's just make do with this for tonight."

"Okay!" Elena replied cheerfully, "I'll go get tonight's dinner!"

The so-called dinner was actually just some wild fruit picked along the way.

But it's still better than going hungry.

Both of them were suddenly taken out of the city without any supplies on them, and it was already a stroke of luck that they were able to find food.

"Sigh!" Yang Xian found a raised spot to sit down.

To avoid revealing their location, they dared not light a fire. The surroundings were pitch black, with only a few rays of moonlight filtering in from the cave entrance.

Having narrowly escaped death and traveled non-stop for an entire day, hunger and exhaustion overwhelmed me like a tidal wave.

More importantly, his anxiety about the safety of Nanhai City had brought him to a very low mental state.

They didn't even have much of an appetite.

Soon, Elena smiled and handed over a piece of fruit: "Here, Mr. Yang Xian, have some."

"Thank you." Yang Xian took it, but didn't put it in his mouth immediately.

"You are welcome!"

The blonde girl sat down next to him, took a bite of fruit herself, and mumbled a comforting remark, "Mr. Yang Xian, don't be too sad. Being sad won't solve anything. God will always protect us."

Yang Xian gave a soft "hmm" and mechanically chewed the fruit in his hand, just like her.

The fruit was very astringent and not sweet at all.

Everyone understands the principle, but putting it into practice is easier said than done.

His family, his friends, everything he cared about, were all in that city besieged by the monster army.

With only one Martial Saint guarding the South Sea City, how long can it hold out against the overwhelming demons?

He dared not think.

"Elena," Yang Xian suddenly spoke, "how do you manage to stay so optimistic under these circumstances?"

"Because worrying doesn't solve anything!" Elena turned her head away.

"My teacher once told me that despair is the most powerful weapon the enemy has given us. As long as we are breathing, we have the potential to change everything."

"Wasting energy on worrying about things we can't control only wastes the energy we need to survive."

Yang Xian fell silent and took another bite of the fruit.

"Mr. Yang Xian," Elena suddenly leaned closer, "how about I dance for you? I hope that after watching, you can forget all your troubles."

"Dancing?" Yang Xian was taken aback. "You can do that too?"

"Of course!" Elena said with a hint of pride, "I taught myself for a long time!"

As she spoke, she stood up, bent down, and unbuckled the buckles on her high-heeled boots.

The boots were clearly specially made combat gear, but she took them off lightly and casually placed them aside, revealing her lower body below the knees.

Barefoot on the cool grass, Elena took two steps forward.

She seemed afraid that Yang Xian couldn't see clearly, so she activated her inner energy, and tiny specks of light emanated from her body.

Like countless fireflies, they enveloped her entirely.

"Mr. Yang Xian, watch closely!"

The next moment, she moved.

Her long, golden hair drew a graceful arc in the air, and her slender fingers traced captivating lines in the moonlight.

Her waist was incredibly flexible; every turn and every bend was filled with amazing suppleness and strength.

As the body rotates, it sways gently, moving its long, straight legs.

Lightly touch the ground with your toes, jump, and turn.

Elena's dance is very special. It combines the elegance and grace of Western ballet with many elements of classical Chinese dance. Every move she makes has a beautiful balance of strength and gentleness.

Although Yang Xian didn't understand dance, he was completely mesmerized at the moment.

I never expected that this blonde girl would be so talented in martial arts and also so skilled in dancing.

Under the moonlight, amidst the play of light and shadow, a young girl dances gracefully.

At this moment, it seemed as if all the noise and danger in the world had disappeared.

Yang Xian's anxiety, worry, and restlessness were gradually soothed and dissipated in this tranquil and beautiful scene.

After the dance ended, Elena stopped moving and spoke expectantly:

"Mr. Yang Xian, how did I do?"

"Did I dance well? Did you like it?"

"You danced very well," Yang Xian exclaimed sincerely. "I really liked it."

This heartfelt compliment made Elena's smile even brighter.

"If you like, I can dance for you every day from now on!" The blonde girl drawled, deliberately keeping him in suspense.

"All you need is..."

"You just need to promise me one thing!"