Princess Ling

"I'm not here to play third wheel on your mission," Xiao Wen said, leaning back against Lulu's broad spine. She propped her legs around Xuefeng's waist, her boots pressed snugly to his sides. "But I do want to see your fighting skills in action. Hunting a Rank 4 Spirit Beast… that's about as challenging as wrestling a puppy." She gave a little shrug, as if apologizing for the insult.

Xuefeng tried to ignore the fact that Xiao Wen was effectively using him as a cushion. Her posture was almost casual, but there was something undeniably intimate about the way her thighs pressed close, the rise and fall of her torso just inches away. She even unbuttoned the top of her outfit, allowing a view of her chest that was… distractingly generous. A few moments passed as he fought to keep his eyes forward, focusing on the sky rather than her "ample weapons."

She's testing me, he thought, swallowing hard. The last thing he needed was to provoke another punch from this dangerously powerful woman.

Xiao Wen's lips curled into a private little smile as she noticed how often he glanced away. So he's not your typical lust-driven idiot, she mused. He has some control, at least. But we've got so much time left in this ride—should I have a little fun?

She didn't hesitate. With a mischievous twinkle in her eye, she started shifting her hips in slow circles, letting the motion roll through her lower body and, inevitably, into Xuefeng.

He felt the movement at once, heat stirring across his abdomen. "W-what are you doing? Can you stop?" He tried to sound polite, but the tension in his voice betrayed him.

"Can I? Sure," she answered in a rhythmic tone, "but will I?" She raised a brow, daring him to make it worth her while.

Xuefeng exhaled. So she's bored. "If you're looking for entertainment, we could talk."

Xiao Wen paused her teasing and shot him a sidelong look. "Fine. What do you want to talk about?"

He cleared his throat. "How about our Fate Fragments? Maybe they know each other somehow. It's worth a try, right?"

The suggestion intrigued her. "All right. My Fragment's called Lang. And yours…?"

"Mine is Ling," Xuefeng replied. "Given the similarity, they could be connected. 'Lang,' 'Ling'—kind of close, right?"

Before either of them could say more, a sudden, excited male voice boomed around them, emanating from Xiao Wen's body. "You said Ling?!"

Xiao Wen jolted, clearly startled that her Fragment had emerged on its own. A golden projection shimmered before them, taking the shape of a handsome young man clad in gold, his hair and eyes gleaming like molten metal.

"What's the matter?" Xiao Wen asked, frowning slightly.

"Is there a problem?" Xuefeng added.

Lang ignored them, gaze locked on Xuefeng as though he'd just discovered a priceless treasure. Ling, he repeated, almost reverently.

Ling, do you know this guy? Xuefeng asked inwardly.

No idea, came Ling's reply. But maybe I've just forgotten him. Invite him to my space.

Xuefeng held up the golden crystal around his neck. "She wants you to come inside," he explained, gesturing at the glowing gem. "To her space."

"Not without me!" Xiao Wen demanded. Lang was already drifting into the crystal's pale light, and she rushed to follow him, refusing to be left behind.

With no other option, Xuefeng let his consciousness slip into the crystal as well—something he'd never actually done before, assuming it would be similar to visiting his own dantian space. But as the world blinked out, replaced by a sudden tapestry of color, his eyes went wide with awe.

They stood in what seemed like an endless field of flowers, petals in every imaginable hue swaying gently in a breeze he couldn't feel. Far in the distance, a gargantuan golden palace towered against the horizon, its walls illuminated by an otherworldly glow. Xuefeng realized that this was all a creation of Ling's power—a dreamscape forged from her lingering memories.

"F-Fate Kingdom…" Lang breathed, the tone of his voice turning reverent. In this space, his projection appeared even clearer, each detail of his golden robes more vibrant.

Xiao Wen glanced around, her eyes wide with wonder. "Why don't I have something like this in my fragment's space? All I've got is darkness and random gusts of wind." She shot a mock glare at Lang. "Useless."

Before she could voice another complaint, the dreamscape shifted, as though manipulated by some unseen hand. One heartbeat they were in the field, and the next they appeared inside the palace's great hall—a cavernous chamber lined with towering pillars. A massive golden throne presided from a raised dais. Ling's familiar orb hovered near one of the pillars, where intricate markings glowed mid-inscription.

When she noticed the guests, Ling abandoned her task. "I've formed this place from scraps of memory," she said, her tone apologetic but tinged with curiosity. "I still can't recall everything."

At that, Lang dropped to one knee. Awe radiated from his every pore. "Princess Ling," he whispered, voice trembling with emotion. "It really is you. The same voice… I've finally found you."

"Princess?" Xiao Wen, Xuefeng, and even the golden orb that was Ling seemed equally stunned by the word.

"Princess, please accept my Fate Qi. Regain what you've lost." Lang approached her swirling golden form, holding his hands out. Xuefeng realized with a start that Lang was transferring something shimmering and vital—a piece of himself. The air crackled as tangible golden threads coiled into Ling's orb.

"Lang!" Xiao Wen cried, alarm sparking in her eyes. "Stop! You're giving away your life essence!" She understood better than anyone just how precious Fate Qi was to a fragment. It powered their strongest abilities—losing it meant losing upgrades, effectively weakening oneself.

But Lang ignored her, face set with pure devotion. Wave after wave of bright, golden energy poured into Ling, causing the orb to balloon in size until it pulsed like a living heart. Then, in a flash, it reshaped itself into a human form—tall, regal, and draped in white and sapphire.

Ling's newly manifested body radiated a majesty that made Xuefeng's chest tighten. Her expression was cold, almost removed, yet her presence was overwhelming—like the hush before a thunderclap. Just looking at her made them feel unworthy, as though they should bow their heads in respect.

"Lang," Ling said, her voice carrying a richer, older timbre than before, "your sacrifice will not be forgotten. One day, I will repay this debt." She sounded both gracious and authoritative, every inch the figure of royalty she'd been called.

"It is my honor," Lang replied, still kneeling, his head lowered.

Ling's glacial gaze swept to Xuefeng and Xiao Wen, who both stood transfixed. "You must be wondering who I am," she said, her tone quieter now but no less commanding. Then her eyes locked onto Xiao Wen's, and the woman felt a jolt shoot down her spine.

Xiao Wen swallowed hard, fighting the urge to back away.

"Perhaps you recall my previous master?" Ling continued. "The Thunder Goddess—the first Fate Fragment Holder to break past the Fate King threshold and reach the Fate Saint stage."

Xiao Wen's mouth fell open in astonishment. She'd always idolized the Thunder Goddess, who had vanished a decade earlier without a trace. "Y-you… you're her Fate Fragment?!" she stammered.

"Correct." Ling's voice grew softer, tinged with the faintest hint of sorrow. "She is still alive, for now. But she has been removed from this world. Please, tell me… how long have I been gone? How many years has it been since her disappearance?"