looking at the injured woman, zhao tian''s gaze narrowed and as he tried to move closer, the bird cried loudly, its feathers spreading in defense of the woman.


    zhao tian waved his arms giving a gesture that everything is okay and uttered "relax, i am here to help."


    as he spoke, he extended his hand showing his palm, conjuring a spark of flame.


    the ember raven sensed that the flames is powerful... even more powerful than its own flames and showed a curious look.


    it tilted its head and moved close to look at zhao tian''s flames.


    feeling a sense of familiarity with the flames, it crooked its neck and feeling the shift in its demeanor, zhao tian retracted the flames.


    it stared at zhao tian for a while and then stepped back.


    zhao tian walked closer and raised his hand to pat its head.


    the bird looked at his hand for a good while and then slowly lowered its head allowing him to pat its head.


    zhao tian slowly caressed the head of the bird, as his fingers sank into the bird''s feathers, warm and soft, with the comforting heat of a well-tended hearth.


    he felt the embers pulsing like the heartbeat of a living flame.


    smiling, he channeled a soft light energy into the bird, his healing power flowing into its body to close its wounds and soothe its aches.


    the ember raven shivered as the warmth flowed through it, healing the small gashes and bruises that had marred its ebony feathers.


    once the healing was complete, it stretched its wings wide, gazing at its restored feathers with something like wonder.


    then it raised its head and moved closer to zhao tian, caressing its head on his chest lovingly.


    with a soft chuckle, zhao tian continued patting its head, and the bird opened its beak, clutching his robe.


    it pulled his robe, bringing him close to the unconscious woman lying on the ground.


    zhao tian quickly crouched beside the woman and looked at the claw marks on her body, which were seeping with blood.


    her body is covered with icicles sticking in her flesh, and some parts of her robes were also torn.


    as he reached out and grasped her wrist, he checked the pulse.


    huh?


    zhao tian was startled and the bird raised its beak as if giving zhao tian the feather.


    with a smile, zhao tian accepted it and affectionately patted its head "you are a good girl." he said warmly, letting his fingers run over her soft, ember-like feathers.


    the bird closed its eyes and snuggled its head to his chest as it purred lightly.


    after a moment, the bird shifted and glanced back at her mistress, who lay peacefully within the protective barrier.


    zhao tian watched as the ember raven moved to her side, nestling down beside her, acting as her silent guardian.


    the woman''s chest rose and fell steadily now, and her pale body had also gotten color.


    with a sigh, zhao tian glanced at the cave''s entrance and noticed that it is already dark.


    he again glanced at the bird and muttered "take care of her, i will return in a while."


    soon, he dashed out of the cave and again continued his search for any beast meat.


    as soon as he left, the woman''s eyelashes fluttered open and she looked around in confusion.


    huh?


    seeing the shirt on top of her body and her healed injuries, she was taken aback.


    she turned to look at her beast, which is chirping happily now, and asked "did someone come here and saved me?"


    the bird nodded its head and the woman sighed in her heart.


    she again glanced at the shirt and her fingers curled up, gripping it tightly.


    "i don''t know if the benefactor will return to see me... but i can''t stay here any longer. let''s leave."


    she stored the shirt in her storage ring and her heart felt guilty that she is leaving without even properly thanking.


    but she got no other choice...


    ----------------------------------------------


    i hope you guys liked this chapter!