This Deadly Self-Strategy Trait!

"Blinded by one's own circumstances, yet clear as day to an outsider."

The saying echoed faintly in the oppressive silence of the mirrored world.

In the mortal realm, emotions ran far deeper and more intricate than the monstrous entities of the Thrillscape could ever fathom. Strength in the Thrillscape was terrifying, but the nuances of human relationships remained beyond its reach.

Yi Bai's words struck with the force of a thunderclap, pulling Mirror Lady Qingyuan from the haze of her anger. Her piercing gaze drifted to her daughter, Xier, who was now clinging to the bloodborne man like her very existence depended on it.

Fury flickered in Qingyuan's expression, a silent storm building within her as she wrestled with the scene before her. Her daughter—her precious, obedient Xier—had never defied her before. Yet now, for the first time, Xier had willingly disobeyed. And worse, it was for the sake of an outsider.

Yi Bai silently observed Qingyuan's conflicted expression. He wasn't just a passive observer; his talent to discern the desires of supernatural entities gave him a distinct edge. To him, these preferences were like visible strings to pull. But for these beings, their likes and dislikes were often unconscious habits, instinctual rather than intentional.

Qingyuan, the Mirror Lady, was no exception. Her preference? Control.

"Love... a burden…" she murmured to herself, her once-bright eyes dimming as the weight of the revelation settled over her. For the first time, Qingyuan began to see her love for Xier as something more than devotion—it had become a shackle.

Despite her intentions to protect her daughter from harm, the truth was undeniable: her obsessive love had restrained Xier, forcing her into the mold of perfection. Every word, every lesson Qingyuan had imparted had turned into an unyielding command. Xier, ever obedient, strove for flawlessness, driven not by her own desires but by her mother's expectations.

"Xier… it's Mama's fault."

The words came softly, unexpectedly, breaking through the tension in the air.

A ghost at the peak of the Bloodveil Realm—an entity of immeasurable strength—apologizing? Yi Bai raised an eyebrow, impressed but not entirely shocked. Motherly love, even in the Thrillscape, had its own unique power.

"Mother?!"

Xier's voice trembled with disbelief. Her crimson eyes widened as she stared at Qingyuan. Was this really her mother? The unyielding, authoritative figure who had ruled her world? The same woman who now stood before her, apologizing?

Her mind swirled, but her heart soared. With newfound courage, Xier spun toward Yi Bai and threw herself into his arms. The bloodborne man stiffened, caught off guard by the goth loli's intensity, but Xier paid him no mind.

"I forgive you, Mama! Of course I do!" Xier cried out earnestly, her voice like a bell in the oppressive stillness.

For a fleeting moment, Qingyuan's face softened, a rare smile gracing her lips.

However…

"BUT—"

The atmosphere shifted abruptly.

Clinging to Yi Bai like a koala, Xier straightened her small frame, her expression suddenly resolute.

"Mama, you cannot harm Yi Bai! He's my favorite! My most important Yi Bai! I want to be with him forever and ever! Never apart!"

Crack!

The mirrored world trembled, fractures spreading across its surface like spiderwebs. Though no sound emerged, Yi Bai swore he could hear something breaking—perhaps Qingyuan's composure, or maybe her patience.

His body stiffened under Xier's relentless hold.

He hadn't expected to resolve the mother-daughter conflict so easily. Perhaps the simplicity of these supernatural beings' minds played a part. But now, it seemed he had unwittingly become the new focal point of the tension.

"Fantastic…" Yi Bai muttered bitterly. "Mother and daughter are fine now, but I've somehow ended up as the problem."

His thoughts darkened further as he observed Qingyuan's shifting aura. Her goodwill had briefly risen to "neutral," but now, thanks to Xier's declaration, it had plummeted back to "murderously hostile."

Darkness enveloped the mirrored world. Shadows stretched across the landscape, writhing with malicious intent. Faint whispers, chilling wails, and unsettling laughter filled the void as countless trapped souls emerged from Qingyuan's fractured mirrors.

The Mirror Lady's power surged, her body dissolving into a kaleidoscope of small mirrors, each shard reflecting a different tormented face. These were the souls consumed by her weapon, the Soul-Devouring Mirror.

Rumors spoke of three legendary cursed mirrors in the Thrillscape: Soul-Devouring, Spirit-Shattering, and Thousand Faces. Each was a weapon of unimaginable strength, brimming with eerie, eldritch power.

Now, standing at the epicenter of this cursed domain, Yi Bai could feel the weight of their legend. The malevolent energy pouring from Qingyuan was suffocating, each trapped soul radiating its own seething hatred and sorrow.

His body trembled involuntarily. Every nerve screamed at him to flee, but even the slightest movement was impossible. The oppressive force held him in place, an insect under the gaze of a predator.

"Xier, move aside," Qingyuan commanded coldly, her voice reverberating like the toll of a death knell.

"No! Never!" Xier shot back, her voice unwavering.

In her delicate hands, a small, ornate mirror shimmered with a soft, protective glow. The light enveloped Yi Bai, shielding him from Qingyuan's oppressive aura.

With a shaky exhale, Yi Bai finally regained his composure.

"Thank—"

Before he could offer his gratitude, Xier turned her determined gaze toward him.

What she did next caused Qingyuan's already strained composure to snap entirely.