Fang Zhou temporarily took on the role of an insecticide, beginning to clear the remaining monsters in the underground tunnel.

The prison guards and terrifying monsters that once chased him all around were easily swept away under the sky full of sword shadows, not one could escape.

Relying on his extensive Divine Sense, Fang Zhou and Aya quickly reached the deepest layer underground.

It was pitch-dark and hollow here. Last time, Fang Zhou thought it was an endless space, but this time, relying on Divine Sense, he discovered it was merely an underground hollow, albeit a very large one.

There were many terrifying monsters moving around in the underground hollow, many of which were no less powerful than Hei Long.

Fang Zhou released his Golden Core Realm aura outward, and upon sensing it, all the monsters actively retreated, not daring to approach recklessly to court death.

Relying on his Divine Sense, Fang Zhou quickly found the Firekeeper's campfire.

But the campfire had already extinguished, leaving only a pile of ashes, with the Firekeeper nowhere to be found.

Currently, it's been less than a month since Fang Zhou last met her here.

"Seems you were right, the Firekeeper is already gone."

Fang Zhou reached out to touch a handful of ashes, feeling no warmth, it must have extinguished long ago.

Aya also bowed her head, looking at this pile of ashes, she whispered, "She awaited here in solitude for hundreds of years, just waiting for your arrival. She would pass away after fulfilling her mission."

The tone carried a sense of sadness; both the Firekeeper and she stayed in this already decaying world, all in hopes of waiting for the Savior's appearance.

Fang Zhou clapped his hands: "Looks like we have to keep moving forward, good thing we don't need to run around too much this time."

He took out the Heavenly Repair Stone, holding Aya's hand tightly, and performed the Earth Escape Technique.

The target was set to nearly a month ago. The two entered the Earth Escape Technique, and after a fantastic journey, they emerged from it.

It was the original location, but the ashes had turned into a burning campfire, and the Firekeeper, wearing a silver mask, was sitting by the fire.

Faced with the sudden appearance of the two, she seemed unsurprised, merely smiling, "You have come."

Fang Zhou and Aya were pleasantly surprised upon seeing the Firekeeper again, but were also astonished at her words.

"Did you know we would come?"

"Indeed, it's part of the prophecy. The Savior returns to save this world."

Aya couldn't help but wonder privately how she was unaware of such content.

The prophecy concerning the Savior, like a nursery rhyme, was passed down from the sages, and many people remembered it clearly during the apocalypse.

It didn't contain any content about the Savior returning, but as the Holy Daughter of the Fire Protection Sect, perhaps the Firekeeper knew more of the secrets unknown to her.

Fang Zhou sat down next to the campfire directly. He had a good impression of the girl who had helped him before: "When did the previous me leave?"

The Firekeeper replied, "You had just left not long ago."

Fang Zhou nodded, glad that the timing was just right. If he came a bit earlier and ran into his past self, that would be troublesome.

Aya also sat on the other side of the Firekeeper. She had a good relationship with the Holy Daughter during her lifetime, but after a hundred years of lonely waiting in death, she hadn't seen her again.

The Firekeeper suddenly reached out, gently placing her hand on Aya's hand, and smiled, "Your Majesty, congratulations on finally finding your home."

Aya was startled: "What do you mean?"

The Firekeeper replied teasingly, "Did you forget my duty? I can tell at a glance you..."

Aya quickly raised her hand to cover the Firekeeper's mouth, "Stop talking."

Even the knowledgeable queen, at this moment, couldn't help but feel a bit embarrassed.

The Firekeeper, as the Holy Daughter, had the basic requirement of being a pure virgin. Upon becoming a Holy Daughter, they also acquired the ability to discern whether a woman is pure.

So, the Firekeeper could instantly see that Aya was not a virgin, and when she appeared holding hands with Fang Zhou.

The mighty Flame King, the final stronghold of humankind, gave people the impression of being both imposing and unapproachable. When had anyone seen her holding hands intimately with a man?

Of course, the Firekeeper also knew some other things but couldn't disclose them.

Aya initially intended to catch up with the Firekeeper, but after being teased, she lost the mood and even felt quite embarrassed.

Despite her age, coupled with a hundred years post-death, she found such a young male, inevitably unable to shake off the stigma of an old cow eating young grass.

Previously, Aya scorned those noblewomen who sought out young lovers. She even felt that if she ever found a man younger than herself one day, she might as well be dead.

Yet ultimately, she couldn't escape the law of true fragrance.

Fang Zhou, however, didn't find embarrassment in it. He now had at least a thousand-year lifespan at Golden Core Realm, not minding the slight age difference.

"We specifically came to find you to ask for your help on something."

As soon as Fang Zhou spoke, the Firekeeper, with a prophetic expression, replied, "You came for the Fire of Hope, didn't you?"

Fang Zhou and Aya were astonished, "Does the prophecy even record such details?"

"It does not."

"Then how did you know?"

The Firekeeper smirked silently, "Besides the Fire of Hope, what else could warrant your grand return?"

Fang Zhou and Aya exchanged a glance. This reason indeed explained it, but something still felt amiss?

The Firekeeper continued, "What do you need the Fire of Hope for?"

Fang Zhou voiced his idea, the Nine Yang Marrow Cleansing Pill's last ingredient required pure yang energy, a flame full of hope.

He felt the Fire of Hope might meet this requirement, and the person most familiar with the Fire of Hope was the Holy Daughter in front of him.

The Firekeeper listened with a smile, then quietly said, "The flame you spoke of perfectly matches the Fire of Hope. The Fire of Hope is pure and can bring strength and hope to people. Perhaps this is destiny."

Receiving the Holy Daughter's affirmation made Fang Zhou's heart beat slightly faster as his gaze fell on the blazing campfire nearby.

"Can I take a bit away?"

Fang Zhou pointed to the campfire nearby.

The Firekeeper shook her head, "I'm afraid you will be disappointed. The Fire of Hope has long diminished, and the last bit of ashes you took was gifted to Your Majesty. Now that fire is merely residual warmth, it can't give you what you need."

As soon as the Firekeeper finished speaking, the campfire began to weaken, showing signs of extinguishing.

Fang Zhou poured out much Soul Fire from a gourd to fuel the campfire, reigniting it.

But it was just a drop in the bucket, unable to prevent the campfire from extinguishing.

Facing Fang Zhou, through the mask, he could sense her sight: "You need to follow destiny's guidance to find the unpolluted Fire of Hope. It's far in the past, you will face many challenges and obstructions, but I trust you can overcome them."

The Firekeeper extended her hand, placing it on Fang Zhou's shoulder.

"Take up the responsibility and create your history; the world needs you."

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