Fate Fragment Holder (*)

Xuefeng hadn't expected peace. After the harrowing events with Li Kun, he was certain the nights ahead would be filled with demons clawing at his mind. But the morning greeted him with a tranquility that felt almost unnatural, a reprieve he could only attribute to Wuying. Her presence, her touch—it had smoothed the edges of his fractured thoughts, coaxing him into a deep, dreamless sleep.

"Xuefeng, wake up, it's morning," Wuying's voice called to him, soft and lilting, pulling him from the warmth of slumber. He opened his eyes, momentarily disoriented, and for a fleeting moment, he almost didn't recognize her. The woman lying beside him seemed ethereal, her skin luminous, her features softer yet more defined. Her transformation was subtle yet striking, and it caught him off guard.

She smiled, leaning closer, brushing her lips against his in a gentle kiss. "Good morning," she murmured, her voice tinged with affection as her fingers played idly with his hair. "Did you sleep well?"

"I did," he replied, his voice rough with sleep. "Waking up to you is a dream in itself." His hand reached up, brushing against her cheek, marveling at its smoothness.

"Sweet talker," she teased, though a blush colored her cheeks. "I feel amazing too, thanks to you." Sitting upright, the sheet slipped from her shoulders, revealing the curves of her body. Her confidence, mingled with a lingering shyness, made her even more captivating.

Xuefeng felt a stir of heat rise in him again, yesterday's passion flickering to life. He pulled her close, his hands tracing the curve of her back, igniting a spark between them once more. But Wuying placed a firm hand on his chest, laughing breathlessly.

"Not now," she chided, her voice a blend of longing and practicality. "We have to get ready. Manager Wu is already waiting for us."

"Let her wait," Xuefeng said with a grin, leaning in to kiss her again. 

Wuying groaned, half in exasperation and half in surrender. "We don't have time to go all the way… But I can take care of you quickly." Without another word, she moved with a purpose, leaving a trail of kisses down his body until she disappeared under the sheets. 

Xuefeng's breath hitched as her warmth reached his base, her nails digging into his waist while her lips pressed firmly together. He couldn't help but sink back into the bed, his hand driving her up and down. 

Wuying's previous resistance was completely forgotten as her soft moans filled the room, making it seem as if he was the one pleasuring her. As much as he believed in his seed's blessed properties, it was still shocking to see the ecstasy pouring through her body. 

"Does it really taste this good?" he asked as he neared his limits, but Wuying didn't get distracted, not until she absorbed every last drop. As much as he felt momentarily drained, she burst from below full of energy, her smile beaming with light. 

Wuying ran her tongue over her lips, an almost feral gleam in her eyes. "I've tasted plenty of cultivation pills," she said softly. "Believe me, there is no comparison. Even if you ignore the flavour, the benefits are remarkable." She paused, letting the silence hang between them like a whispered secret. "When we finish our mission, I will make sure we enjoy plenty." 

Xuefeng watched her with a mixture of wonder and trepidation, his own heartbeat thrumming in his ears. She pulled away, flashing a knowing smile that made the fine hairs on his arms prickle. The faint glow of absorbed Qi shimmered off her skin, highlighting every subtle improvement to her figure since they'd returned home the previous day. Though he was no expert, even Xuefeng recognized the transformation. It was as though she'd stepped out of one world and into another.

"I can't wait," he murmured, following her into the bathroom. The sound of running water became a soothing backdrop as they washed up together, an intimate moment laced with an unspoken tension neither of them fully understood.

***

High above the Liu Clan's stronghold, the wind cut across Xiao Wen's cheeks like sharp needles. She rode astride Lulu, her white tiger, the beast's muscles rippling with every powerful beat of its wings. Suddenly, a voice stirred in her mind, cutting through her quiet anticipation.

I sense Fate Qi down there—faint, but unmistakable. We've got a Fate Fragment Holder in that clan. The male voice was low and measured, but there was an undeniable hint of excitement under his words.

Xiao Wen's eyes brightened. So, two birds with one stone? she asked, her lips curving into a slight grin. A week of hard, uneventful travel had frayed her patience, and any chance at a confrontation felt like a gift.

The voice's tone turned sly. Unless my theory's wrong and it's just some random stray. But if Liu Xuefeng is the one holding that Fate Fragment, then everything I've predicted lines up perfectly.

Xiao Wen rolled her eyes, though there was affection in the gesture. Eh, Lang, you're always playing oracle. Fine—lead the way. We'll check it out first. She could almost taste the adrenaline as Lulu descended, a blur of fur and raw power.

You're the one who's itching for a fight, Lang grumbled, pouting in her mind. I was never wrong. Still, he guided her mental focus toward an unassuming courtyard near a calm pond.

"Lulu," Xiao Wen said, patting the tiger's thick neck, "land right between those buildings."

The tiger roared in reply, then dove without hesitation, air whistling around them. Xiao Wen braced herself, a thrill dancing along her spine.

He'll know we're coming the moment we touch down, Lang warned, voice urgent inside her thoughts. But if his fragment is only at the second upgrade, their detection skills won't come close to mine.

Don't worry, Xiao Wen shot back, anyone hiding away in a place like this can't be that skilled. Confidence radiated off her in waves as Lulu finally landed, dust and gravel kicking up around them in a faint, choking cloud.

***

Inside one of the buildings, Liu Xuefeng stepped from a steamy bathroom, a towel wrapped around his waist. He'd barely rubbed the water from his hair when a distant thud reverberated through the walls, rattling his teeth and sending a jolt of alarm straight to his gut. A heartbeat later, Ling's voice stabbed into his mind:

Xuefeng, we've been discovered! A Fate Fragment Holder is here—strong as hell. There's no chance to run…

The air seemed to condense, pressing down on him. His heart fluttered like a trapped bird. He looked toward the door, half wondering if it would burst open on its own. The moment he tried to gather his wits, he heard quick footsteps approaching, each one heavier than the last. Then:

BAM!

The doors flung inward, slamming against the walls so hard they nearly rebounded. Standing in the doorway was a figure cloaked in black, long crimson hair flaring out as if caught in some invisible gale. It felt like every ghost story Xuefeng had ever heard come to life—a vision of dread. He staggered back, wanting to hide but unable to move his feet.

Then he saw her face.

It was so much like Tianshi's, only framed by that blazing red hair. For an instant, he wondered if he was hallucinating, because the resemblance was so close it made his blood run cold.

Damn, you were right… again. Xiao Wen thought, her frustration masked by a carefully blank expression. She recognized him: this was the man from Tianshi's picture. And just like that, every intent to kill him dissolved into confusion.

She stepped forward and stuck out her hand. "Who would've guessed? I'm Manager Wu's niece. Nice to meet you." When he didn't immediately respond, she angled her head, red hair spilling over one shoulder. "You okay there?"

"I—yes." Xuefeng found his voice, though it quavered slightly. "You remind me of…someone I know." Swallowing the knot of tension in his throat, he managed a handshake.

"I'm Xiao Wen," she said simply, eyes narrowing with interest.

"Liu Xuefeng," he returned, forcing himself to sound cordial. Then a wild, humorless grin tugged at his lips. "So, are you here to kill me?"

She gave a small chuckle. "Not yet. Guess we'll see how things go."

The tension simmered hot and thick between them. And in that shared moment—maybe from the force of their grip, or simply bad luck—Xuefeng's towel loosened. The damp cloth slipped away, dropping to the floor with a muted thump.

Xiao Wen's cheeks flushed bright red. "Kyaaa!" she shrieked, half in alarm, half in embarrassment. Her reflexes kicked in: she lashed out with a punch before she could even think, striking him in the chest with bone-jarring force. Xuefeng hurtled backward, slamming into the wall so hard that cracks spider-webbed across its whole length.

He collapsed, gasping, blood trailing from the corner of his mouth. Xiao Wen's pulse thundered like a war drum. Horror dawned on her face as she realized what she'd done. "Um… oops," she muttered, barely above a whisper, staring at Xuefeng's prone body.