"May the fire be eternal!" Hundreds of aged figures responded in unison, sitting cross-legged around the altar, their bodies emanating a weak but resilient power of fire, intertwining with the flames on the altar, forming an ancient resonance.
Xu Qinghan felt the power, and her heart was full of emotions. She knew she wasn't alone; the entire fire network was fighting for her.
The elder waved his hand, and a golden light shot out from the altar, landing at Xu Qinghan's feet, forming an ancient teleportation array.
"Go, child." The elder said kindly, "Remember, the fire is undying, hope everlasting."
Xu Qinghan bowed once more to the elder and all the guardians, then stepped into the teleportation array resolutely.
Instantly, the golden light enveloped her, and in the next moment, she disappeared from the fire sanctuary.
When Xu Qinghan opened her eyes again, she found herself in a starry sky of deathly silence.
