Chapter 258: Ambush Ambushed

He shoved Qingyue gently behind him.

"Get behind me," he said firmly, without taking his eyes off the newcomer.

Ling Tianni, hovering with smug arrogance, chuckled lowly.

"So this is how the famed beauty, Xia Qingyue, looks up close…"

His eyes glinted with dangerous interest.

Yun Che's body moved instinctively, shielding her.

"You're currently under a formation called Profound Suppression," he murmured into her mind.

"It reduces your strength by three whole realms. You've fallen to Peak True Profound Realm… You won't be able to fight at all."

Qingyue's expression turned grim, but she didn't panic. She knew what that meant.

Ling Tianni stepped forward, his aura radiating oppressive dominance.

"Yun Che, you've caused quite a stir. And now you show up here… with her? Tsk. You've got guts. But they won't be enough."

Yun Che's expression turned cold, his eyes flickering with icy resolve.

"The hell do you want from us?" Yun Che growled, stepping in front of Qingyue, his arm outstretched protectively. Her gaze flicked past his shoulder, narrowing at the man before them.

She felt it—the gaze she despised most. Ling Tianni's eyes roamed over her with that loathsome, entitled hunger. And yet… she felt safe. Because Yun Che stood there, like an unbreakable wall.

Ling Tianni smirked.

"I want your swords. The ones you use in the arena."

His voice oozed arrogance.

"Those blades contain power beyond mortal comprehension. They don't belong in your hands. Give them to me."

Yun Che scoffed.

"And what makes you think you can handle them? They won't even respond to anyone but me."

"I have time. I have methods," Ling Tianni said coldly. "Eventually, they'll bend to my will."

Yun Che's expression darkened, his tone sharp as ice.

"You don't even possess a splinter of the qualifications to wield them. You think power alone is enough? Touch them, and you're just signing your death warrant."

Ling Tianni's smirk widened.

"Talk all you want. Once you're dead, I'll pry the blades from your corpse."

Yun Che tilted his head slightly.

"Oh? You couldn't even secure Cang Yue. What makes you think you'll take mine?"

Ling Tianni's eyes narrowed at the jab.

"Tsk. Arrogant brat. Once I get those swords, I'll unravel every thought buried in Cang Yue's head. Her secrets, her techniques—mine."

He paused, then added with venomous relish,

"Now, hand them over. Maybe I'll grant you a quick death. Actually… no. I'll keep you alive. Tear your mind apart piece by piece. Maybe you have more treasures hiding in your body."

Then, his gaze slid to Qingyue again.

"And her? Hmph… she'll make a fine hostage. Delicate little ice flower."

Yun Che's killing intent surged like a tsunami.

"Really?" he said, voice low, calm, and deadly.

"You're not afraid of the Butterfly Monarch? Or Frozen Cloud Asgard?"

Ling Tianni sneered.

"Afraid? As long as they don't know where I am… there's nothing to fear."

Yun Che chuckled darkly.

"Well, it's not like you can do anything anyway," Yun Che said coolly, voice laced with scorn.

"Remember the Burning Heaven Clan? They still died doing your bidding… even though they were crushed by me and Unohana Retsu. You sent them to their deaths like cattle. And if that wasn't enough…" His tone dropped into a dangerous calm.

"I'm sure Cang Yue's other form would like a word with you."

Xia Qingyue stiffened behind him.

Burning Heaven Clan? Wiped out?

Unohana Retsu?

Cang Yue has another form?

So many pieces of the puzzle she hadn't known… but he was revealing them all so casually now.

"Arrogant brat!" Ling Tianni snarled and lunged forward, his hand outstretched to crush Yun Che where he stood.

But Yun Che was already moving.

With a whispering flourish, he unsheathed Hyourinmaru.

Shing!

A hexagonal crystal shield erupted in front of him, fractal lines of power shimmering within the ice. The incoming blow struck it—and stopped cold.

CRACK!

The impact sent a shockwave across the deck, but Yun Che didn't flinch.

Ling Tianni recoiled, staring in disbelief.

"How?!" he roared.

"Your cultivation should be suppressed by three realms! You shouldn't be able to—"

Yun Che raised his sword, eyes gleaming with a glacial calm.

"You spent too long hiding behind formations and fear. You never noticed, did you?"

He smirked.

"I've been tinkering with your little 'Profound Suppression Formation' since that Ling Kun generously present it to me. It doesn't work on me anymore."

Then he glanced back to Qingyue, speaking softly but with purpose.

"But it does still affect you. Stay behind me."

Qingyue nodded silently, fingers tightening around her ribbon-sword. The weight of everything he said—everything she had seen—was still sinking in.

Ling Tianni's expression twisted into fury.

"You dare… you dare defy me?!"

Yun Che lowered Hyourinmaru slightly, angling the blade just enough to catch the moonlight.

"Guess your intel is wrong."

Yun Che lifted Hyourinmaru, its blade gleaming with an otherworldly light.

In a swift arc, he swung.

BOOM—!

A surge of aqua-blue energy erupted from the blade, spiraling like a dragon's breath. Though Hyourinmaru was known for its icy might, this was different. The energy crackled not just with cold—but with razor precision and explosive force.

Benihime's power.

Infused into Hyourinmaru by the System.

It wasn't just a fusion of Zanpakuto—it was a weapon forged for war. While Benihime's Bankai remained sealed, Yun Che knew its potential. Should the time come, the System would grant him full access. Its Bankai would be the key to modifying his human allies—transforming them into a proper force under his banner.

But not yet.

The blast raced toward Ling Tianni—

WHOOOM!

The old man barely evaded, his robes singed as he twisted through the air.

His eyes widened, face twitching with disbelief.

"That… wasn't ice!"

Yun Che lowered his blade slightly, smirking.

"This blade no longer belongs to the rules you know. You were expecting Hyourinmaru the Ice Dragon. But I gave it a little… upgrade. She can alter between energy and ice or use both at the same time."

Xia Qingyue stood behind him, eyes wide.

That wasn't the blade he used before… not against me. Not against anyone I've seen.

The energy was foreign, almost surgical in how it cut through space.

He's still hiding so much… Just how deep does his strength run?

Ling Tianni's face twisted into a mix of rage and disbelief.

He expected fear. He expected begging.

What he got—was a death sentence.

"The formation didn't work…"

That one thought echoed in his head like a gong of doom.

"If the formation failed, then Yun Che's strength..."

—was real.

Stronger than before. Stronger than logic allowed.

And if even Xia Qingyue couldn't defeat him before, what chance did he have now?

Yun Che slowly resheathed Hyourinmaru, calm and precise.

The blade clicked into place.

Then, he turned to Qingyue and said softly but firmly:

"You might want to hold on."

Before she could respond—

BOOM!

A massive crimson slash—cut from the very air—ripped through space like a falling meteor.

It cleaved through Ling Tianni's ark, vaporizing its core like tissue under a flame.

The entire formation shattered.

A chorus of ruptured seals cracked and whined, exploding into fragments of light and dust.

Ling Tianni was thrown off his feet—powerless.

But Qingyue, still under the lingering effects of suppression, couldn't react in time.

Her footing gave out—her body slipped through the ruptured deck.

She fell.

Yun Che's eyes narrowed.

"Qingyue!"

He leapt instantly—his body tearing through the air like a missile. The world blurred around him as he plummeted.

Wind roared past their ears.

The ground was approaching fast. Too fast.

Qingyue reached out, unable to stop her descent, her vision blurring—then—

A hand caught her.

"You okay?" he asked, eyes never leaving hers.

She looked up, dazed, heart racing—not from fear—but from the way he caught her… and the storm he just summoned.

"You… you caught me…" she whispered.

He gave a half-smirk.

"Of course I did. You think I'd let you fall?"

The world blurred into streaks of crimson and jagged stone as Yun Che dove through the air like a falling star.

His wings—newly born, crimson and radiant—blazed behind him, not of flesh or feather, but forged from pure, pulsing energy. They cut through the sky with a grace both terrifying and beautiful, like bladed flames dancing at the edge of twilight.

Qingyue clung to him, her breath caught in her throat. She couldn't look away—not from the wings, not from him.

They weren't just falling.

They were weaving through death.

Beneath them, towering spires of obsidian rock jutted upward, ready to skewer any who dared descend without absolute precision.

But Yun Che didn't hesitate.

He twisted, rolled, dived—his body a blur, his instincts razor-sharp. Every flap of his wings carved shockwaves into the air. Every motion cut through wind and danger like a master's stroke on a divine canvas.

Then, just as a final wall of jagged stone loomed ahead, Yun Che pulled his body back and gave one powerful flap.

BOOM—

The rock exploded behind them in a wave of wind and light.

And suddenly, silence.

They hovered high above the battlefield, suspended in the stillness of dusk.

The crimson wings spread wide, catching the golden light of the setting sun. Each arc shimmered with depth and emotion—fury, sorrow, determination—all alive in their glow.

Suddenly, Yun Che let out a loud, triumphant yell.

"YEAH!!"

Qingyue blinked, startled. "Eh?"

Before she could question him, his wings abruptly dispersed into particles of crimson light, and gravity reclaimed them.

"Hold on!" he shouted, pulling her tightly into his arms.

They crashed—hard—against the edge of a beach, sand exploding around them as Yun Che twisted midair, shielding her with his body. The impact sent a shockwave rippling across the shoreline, scattering shells and sea foam.

For a long second, only the sound of the waves and the settling dust remained.

"You okay?" Yun Che asked, breath a little ragged but still wearing a smirk as he looked up at her.

Qingyue groaned softly, pushing herself upright. "I… I think so."

In the distance, a dull explosion echoed through the mountains. Ling Tianni's ark had crash-landed violently, smoke and debris scattering from the cliffside. The massive crimson slash that had torn it apart still lingered faintly in the air, like a wound carved into the sky itself.

"He's gone," Yun Che muttered, scanning the horizon. "No sign of him."

Qingyue's eyes slowly turned back to him. Her mind lingered on the image burned into her memory—those wings.

"What… was that?" she asked quietly, her voice filled with awe. "That light. Those wings… they were like blades made of pure energy."

"Oh, that?" Yun Che dusted himself off and stood, offering her a hand. "Just something I've been working on. A little trick made from compressed energy. Still needs refining—control's kind of rough."

She took his hand, eyes still locked on his face. "It wasn't just a trick…"

He glanced at her, then off into the horizon, letting the sea breeze wash over his face.

"Maybe not. But it's not something I want to rely on unless I have to."

"Ara… you've formed new wings?"

The voice was soft, smooth, yet carried the weight of silent steel.

Qingyue's eyes widened as she turned. Floating gracefully above the shoreline, Unohana Retsu descended with quiet authority. Crimson wings shimmered behind her—not the same bladed energy wings Yun Che had conjured, but equally radiant, forged from some elegant force that pulsed with calm, restrained power.

She hovered just above the sand, the wind tugging at the edges of her robes, and in her hand, a strange, curved short sword glinted with an ominous light.

Qingyue instinctively took a step back. The last time she faced this woman, she had barely survived. Now, she stood before her again—not as an enemy, but something far more mysterious.

She glanced at Yun Che. Didn't he say these wings were a gift from Unohana Retsu's sister?

Yun Che, for his part, smirked. "So… you really did test Hisagomaru, huh?"

"Hisagomaru?" Qingyue eyes him with confusion.

Retsu gave a small, knowing nod, lifting the short sword slightly. "It was fascinating. I filled the gauge," she said softly, her voice calm yet filled with quiet satisfaction. "Then… I released it."

As if in response, the blade in her hand pulsed once—an echo of the devastating slash it had unleashed earlier.

"One strike. Total devastation," she added, almost with reverence.

She studied the sword for a moment more. "Certain someone is quite interested, you know. She's already theorizing how to use it… beat her opponent to the brink of death, heal them with Hisagomaru… and do it again. Beat. Heal. Beat. Heal." Her smile deepened just slightly—serene, yet haunting. "And then… finish them with the release."

Qingyue felt a chill down her spine.

Yun Che chuckled under his breath. "Of course she is…"

Since Ling Tianni was nowhere to be found, the only logical assumption was that he had escaped. If not… well, Unohana Retsu—or more precisely, Yachiru—would've likely used him to violently fill Hisagomaru's gauge. That fate was far worse than death.

Yun Che took a deep breath, then focused. A pulse of energy rippled through the air, and once more, the bladed crimson wings burst from his back—glowing with that sharp, radiant force. This time, their size was massive, majestic… before shrinking down into a more compact, human-sized form that folded neatly behind him, still flickering with restrained power.

"Ara~" Retsu's voice lilted teasingly as she hovered beside them. "If Nemu saw that… she'd definitely pout."

She offered a small, knowing smile, eyes glinting with mischief. "You improved on her work, after all. That's the kind of thing she calls blasphemy through innovation."

Yun Che smirked. "She'll forgive me once she sees the performance specs."

Retsu chuckled softly, spinning her short sword once before letting it rest against her shoulder. "She's kind of cute when she pout."

"By the way, these new wings aren't just any wings," Yun Che said, his voice tinged with pride. "They're Glowing Ki Wings—a construct I created after unlocking and evolving my energy into pure Ki."

He glanced back at the spot where the crimson wings had once flared. "Originally, they were inspired by Nemu's design. Her wings grant stable flight and consume far less energy than traditional Profound Flight techniques. Elegant, efficient… but they had a limitation."

Retsui tilted her head. "Ara, limitation?"

"She never figured out how to add afterburners—a burst system for speed—without risking structural failure," Yun Che explained. "The energy output would overwhelm the framework, causing the wings to shatter."

He raised a hand, mimicking the shape of the wings as they once extended behind him. "So I built my own version—crafted entirely from Ki, not bound by traditional constructs. They adapt to the user's nature… even change color based on intent and emotion."

"Those… crimson wings…" Qingyue whispered.

He nodded. "They consume more energy, yes—but in return, they give me something far greater: the ability to fly at extreme velocity. That afterburner burst you felt? It's not just speed. It's momentum, control, raw force—perfect for navigating high-speed pursuits or combat environments."

He smiled faintly. "A little unstable right now, but with time… I'll perfect them."

"But knowing Nemu, she'll probably consider integrating afterburners in the future," Yun Che mused. "With Vibramantium's reinforcement, the wings could handle high-velocity stress. I was thinking—store a burst of Ki and release it like a skill to trigger the afterburners."

"I'm sure she will," Retsu replied with a soft chuckle, sliding Hisagomaru back into its tanto form with a practiced flick. Her gaze shifted to Qingyue, eyes narrowing slightly in amusement. "So… I assume your little date went well?"

Qingyue, slightly flustered, glanced away. Yun Che simply shrugged. "It was… good enough."

"Well then," he added, turning toward Qingyue, "I think we can call it a night. The suppression formation's effect should wear off in about an hour."

Qingyue nodded, her expression calm, though her mind still reeled from everything she had seen and heard.

With that, Yun Che extended a hand, and in a blink, his crimson Ki wings burst open with a radiant hum. Activating their burst mode, he soared skyward with Qingyue in his arms. The speed was astounding—leaving behind a trail of red light like a comet streaking through the night.

Retsu, following at her own pace, smirked as she watched him disappear into the distance. "Hmm… that afterburner is kind of useful." she murmured to herself.

Even so, she made a mental note. The new wings will be useful should they need an instant burst of speed. It means, they can save these wings for emergency burst.

Those wings… I'll need to convince him to teach me.

Ten minutes later, Yun Che landed gracefully on the Frozen Cloud Ark, his wings dissipating in a swirl of fading energy. Qingyue stepped down beside him, still silent, still processing.

Retsu arrived shortly after, perfectly composed despite being a few minutes behind.

"Well then," she said, brushing imaginary dust from her robes.

"How… why didn't the formation affect you?" Qingyue asked softly as they landed on the veranda of her room aboard the Frozen Cloud Ark. The moonlight spilled over the polished floor, and a faint breeze played with the strands of her hair. Retsu descended moments later, her veiled hat in hand, revealing the face that still left Qingyue slightly stunned every time—beautiful, serene, dangerous.

Yun Che turned to her, his tone casual but steady. "I sort of ran into Ling Kun the other night… and tampered with the formation."

"Met him?" Qingyue blinked, her brow furrowing. "What do you mean met?"

Qingyue is unable to believe that he dealt with a Tyrant Profound Realm master.

"More like… gave him a warning," Yun Che said. "Remember what I told you about the Prime Timeline? He was the reason you escaped in that one."

Qingyue's breath caught.

"In that version, he discovered your Nine Profound Exquisite Body. He sold you off to the Young Master of the Sun Moon Divine Hall," Yun Che explained, his voice low, almost haunted. "When his men came to Frozen Cloud Asgard, they didn't just come to take you. They killed your Asgard Mistress. Then the Grand Mistress. They were searching for you."

Qingyue's eyes widened, the color draining from her face. "…No."

"That version of me arrived, but it was too late. He managed to scare them but, there's nothing he can do for your Asgard Mistress and Grand Asgard Mistress. They were already gone. You were already gone. It took him, years to find you again," Yun Che said quietly.

Silence settled between them for a moment, heavy and cold.

"But that wasn't all," Yun Che continued, watching her closely. "Another reason you were targeted… was Xuanyuan Yufeng. Ling Yuefeng's wife."

"She… hated me?" Qingyue asked, almost to herself.

"In that timeline, you were supposed to face Ling Yun in the arena, not me." he explained. "Your veil slipped during the match. He saw your face… and became obsessed. Just like how Yuechan captivated his father. His mother—Yufeng—saw you as the same kind of 'threat.' She hated Yuechan for what she represented. And then she hated you. So she asked Ling Kun to eliminate Frozen Cloud Asgard."

Qingyue stood frozen. So many things she had never known. So many layers beneath her past in the Prime Timeline.

"But don't worry," Yun Che said, stepping closer. "I've already handled Ling Kun. And Yufeng."

"You… killed them?"

"No," Yun Che smirked. "I'm not that heartless. I simply convinced Ling Kun that Nezuko holds the Nine Profound Exquisite Body. Let him chase shadows. As for Yufeng… she's fine. She works for me now. Quietly. She no longer holds any hatred for you. Not after everything she's seen. As for Ling Yun, his attention was on Retsu, Nemu and Mio. He was so ensnared that that he soiled himself in front of her."

"It was really annoying." Retsu huffed.

Qingyue stared at him, her emotions unreadable. Then, after a long moment, she looked away, her voice barely above a whisper.

"…Thank you."

Yun Che didn't say anything. He didn't need to.

Retsu, watching from the side, gave a quiet nod of approval and turned away, her voice lilting as she left them with a single word.

"Ara… how troublesome fate can be."

"You pushed my burden onto a child?" Qingyue's eyes narrowed sharply.

Yun Che chuckled, undeterred. "Pff… If you knew what that girl's capable of, you wouldn't worry. In a few months, she could become a Monarch. On her own, she could crush a sacred ground into dust. And don't forget—she has her older sister, Yoru. She's already at the late stage of the Emperor Profound Realm. At their pace, they'll both ascend to Monarch in no time."

Qingyue fell silent, lips parting slightly but no words coming.

Yun Che turned to Retsu and nodded. "Shall we head back?"

Retsu nodded in return. "Mm."

But just as he took a step, Qingyue called out softly, "Wait…"

He paused.

"…Your real name," she said, her voice low but firm. "You haven't told me yet."

Yun Che looked over his shoulder and smiled faintly. "Let's save that for our next date. One night—one secret at a time."

Qingyue's shoulders sagged slightly, a quiet sigh escaping her lips. She didn't push further, though the curiosity burned behind her eyes. She turned to Retsu, who stood beside him with a calm, unreadable expression.

"…Did she know?"

"She should," Yun Che answered casually. "We come from the same world. We trained together, grew up together. I know her and her little sister very well. So yeah—she knows my real name."

Qingyue's expression tightened. "…Then why can't I know?"

Yun Che looked her in the eye, his voice gentler this time. "Because I want you to take everything you learned tonight and sit with it. Don't rush it. My name will come with time. We've got all the time in the world now."

"…Will it be tomorrow?" Qingyue asked, hope slipping into her voice.

Retsu chuckled softly. "Dame~. We've got far too much to do tomorrow."

Translation: Not happening.

"Well," Yun Che sighed, rubbing the back of his neck, "the others are starting to get upset… I've taken you on two dates already, and each of them has only had one."

Qingyue raised her chin slightly. "But I'm your wife. Isn't it natural that I get more time with you?"

Yun Che laughed softly. "Haha… fair point. But remember, I've got to balance things out. Don't worry—I'll come by and ask you out again. You've learned so much tonight, especially about the Prime Timeline. I'll save my name for another time. You'll know it… eventually."

Qingyue looked at him steadily. "…If this Qingyue may ask—earlier, you said you came from a world filled with 'technology'. What is this… technology?"

Yun Che blinked in surprise, then glanced at Retsu. She raised an eyebrow but said nothing, clearly intrigued by Qingyue's question.

"You actually believe that?" Yun Che asked, slightly amused. "You believe us?"

Qingyue nodded without hesitation.

"Well then," Yun Che smiled. "Technology is… a way humans in my world advanced their lives. It's the culmination of knowledge and innovation—tools, machines, systems—created to make daily life easier. In simple terms, it's how we ease burdens using intellect and craft. But it's hard to describe with words alone."

He stepped closer, his voice gentler. "It's better if you see it for yourself. Come visit the Imperial Palace sometime. Since you're friends with Yuechan, you could sneak in with her. She always finds a way out every night."

Qingyue's expression didn't change, but her silence was telling. The subtle spark in her eyes revealed her intent.

So instead of waiting for another date… she'd find her own way to him.

"You're basically the second person who knows about the Prime Timeline's alteration," Yun Che said, his voice calm, yet deliberate despite he excluded Jasmine from the list.

Qingyue narrowed her eyes slightly. "Second? Who was the first?"

"It's your friend… Aunt Lingxi."

"She knew?" Qingyue sounded surprised as her friend knew all this time.

Yun Che chuckled lightly. "She's a sharp one. She sniffed out both me and Retsu at first glance. There's something about her—an ability that even surpasses yours."

Qingyue fell silent, processing that.

"That's why she's able to be so close to you," Yun Che continued. "She can see through you—the real you—beneath all that ice. She saw your heart. She even saw us through."

Qingyue's voice was softer this time. "Then… does she know your real name?"

"I had no choice but to tell her." He grins.

"Then why can't I know it?" Qingyue tested him.

Yun Che smiled mischievously. "That's just one more reason to go on another date with me."

Retsu let out a soft sigh behind him, clearly amused by his antics.

Qingyue didn't push further. She simply looked away, letting silence speak her restraint. She could tell he wasn't hiding the truth out of mistrust—but rather, waiting for the right moment. For them both to feel ready.

And for now… that was enough.

"By the way, we haven't been properly introduced yet."

Xia Qingyue turned at the calm, poised voice—and her eyes met the woman who had nearly defeated her in the tournament. The woman who had bowed out just moments before claiming victory.

Unohana Retsu stood before her, her demeanor serene, refined… and somehow disarming. She gave a courteous bow, the kind that should have put one at ease—but Qingyue remained tense, wary. She still remembered the deathly pressure from their clash, the way her heart had faltered under Retsu's true cultivation.

That match wasn't a victory. Qingyue knew it. Retsu had let her win.

Had she not conceded, Qingyue wouldn't be standing here now.

Retsu had hidden her strength masterfully—cultivation that clearly exceeded anything a True Profound Realm should possess. That last strike, had it been real, would have ended the match instantly.

Xia Qingyue won the match… but she had lost the battle.

"I am Unohana Retsu," the woman said gently, her voice like a soft chime on glass. "Just call me Retsu. It's a pleasure to meet you, Xia Qingyue."

She extended her hand with a smile as warm as spring.

Qingyue hesitated—then accepted the handshake. Their fingers touched, and in that instant, a quiet current surged between them. No words spoken. No threats issued. But their mutual awareness sharpened like a drawn blade.

Rivalry didn't always need words. Their eyes spoke enough.

Yun Che, standing nearby, let out a small laugh. "Glad to see you two meeting on better terms."

He could already feel it—that strange bond beginning to take root. Right now, they were opponents. But one day… perhaps allies or friends. Maybe even close sisters.

For now, the air between them was tense—but not hostile.

And maybe that was the first step.

"Ufuu… I wanted to get to know her better," Retsu said with a playful smile, her eyes twinkling with mischief. "Besides, I still need her permission if I want to get closer to you."

Yun Che gave a dry chuckle. "You're as incorrigible as ever."

Then he turned to Qingyue. "Shall we head back?"

Retsu nodded in agreement.

Yun Che took a step closer to Qingyue. "Come by the palace if you're ever free. I'll introduce you to the others. Don't worry—they're a bit eccentric, but they're good people once you get to know them."

He reached out and gently patted her head. A simple gesture… but it made Qingyue's heart flutter with warmth. So soft. So casual. Yet somehow, it meant everything.

She gave him a nod, eyes shimmering faintly. "Thank you… for trusting me."

With that, Yun Che and Retsu leapt into the sky, their figures cutting through the night air, their artificial wings trailing behind them like ribbons of light.

Qingyue stood at the edge of the veranda, watching their silhouettes fade into the distance.

Slowly… very slowly… she was beginning to feel it. The warmth of being included. The subtle pull of a new path. It was unfamiliar—but not unwelcome.

One day, she told herself. I'll join them.

Returning to her quarters, Qingyue reached into a hidden drawer and retrieved a small, leather-bound journal. The pages were worn, delicate. She sat beside her window and, with a graceful hand, began to write.

She recorded everything she had heard… everything she had felt.

Her fate… and the Prime Timeline that was rewritten to save her from a doomed end.

His knowledge—so precise, so vast—about events that hadn't even happened yet.

The mysterious power guiding him.

The people around him.

And the question that now lingered like a shadow over her thoughts:

Just how much does he know about me… about what my future was meant to be?

The candle flickered beside her, casting soft glows across the page. The ink dried slowly, but her thoughts raced faster than her quill.

Whatever came next—she would be ready.

==========

"Yuu-kun," Retsu's voice was soft, almost playful, as she reached for his hand mid-flight, "if you don't mind… can we take the scenic route?"

Yun Che raised an eyebrow, amused. "The scenic route? You planning something, Retsu?"

She laced her fingers through his, her grip warm and sure. "I'm sure the others won't mind if we go missing for a couple of hours. After tonight… I think I've earned a little reward, don't you?"

He grinned, caught off guard by her boldness. "A sneaky date, huh?"

She smiled sweetly. "Not sneaky. Just… personal. Consider this our proper second date."

Yun Che gave a small, resigned chuckle. "Fine, you spoiled little fiancée. Scenic route it is. Lead the way."

"Yatta…!" she cheered, beaming like a child who just got her way. Without hesitation, she wrapped both arms around his, clinging to him as if the sky itself belonged to them alone.

With a gentle pulse of power, Yun Che summoned the Wings of Transient Dreams. They unfurled behind him—graceful, ethereal, their edges glowing like shifting moonlight on water.

Their flight slowed, the world beneath them stretching in soft gradients of silver and crimson. Mountains rolled in the distance like sleeping giants, lakes shimmered under the moonlight, and fields of glowing spirit grass bathed the land in pale blue.

Neither of them spoke for a while. There was no need.

The silence wasn't empty—it was full. Full of shared warmth, of breaths syncing in rhythm, of memories being quietly made. Retsu leaned her head on his shoulder, eyes half-closed, a peaceful smile on her lips.

The journey back to the Imperial Palace had never felt so long… or so perfect.

==================

"That bastard…!" Ling Tianni growled through gritted teeth, his breath ragged. Blood trickled from the corner of his mouth as smoke and embers swirled behind him—the remains of his personal ark now a flaming wreck crashing down the mountainside.

He staggered forward, gripping his arm, fury burning in his eyes. "I have to get out of here… now."

It wasn't a random attack. He knew that much. The precision, the sheer force—it wasn't some hot-headed junior or roaming cultivator. This was an ambush, and only one person could tear through his ark so effortlessly.

The Butterfly Monarch.

"She's hunting me…" he hissed under his breath. "She must've planned this. That brat—Yun Che—must've lured me out."

His mind raced. If she had truly joined Yun Che's side, then the villa was already finished. By tomorrow, all pretense would be stripped away. The Four Sacred Grounds wouldn't lend even a shred of protection now—especially not after tonight's events.

And Ling Kun… he would vanish like smoke in the wind. He was never the type to cling to sinking ships.

"…Damn it all. If only Xuanyuan Yufeng were still alive," he muttered, voice bitter and low. "At least she had a spine. We could've…"

But that path was gone. Everything was burning down around him.

Now, there was only one priority: survive.