Yun Che's eyes snapped open. For a moment, the world around him blurred—the lingering haze of exhaustion clouding his senses. His body felt heavy, his mind slow. Guess that first trial really drained me, he thought. Using his Bankai, sustaining his Haki, and unleashing that final technique had completely sapped both his stamina and spirit.
As his vision adjusted, two familiar figures in white stood over him, their soft voices breaking the silence.
"Yuuki-sama, you're awake?"
The voice belonged to Shirayuki, her gentle smile framed by long, silvery-white hair that shimmered faintly under the light of the Spirit Tree.
"Yes," another, smoother voice followed. "We didn't expect you to pass out under the tree."That was Kuroyuki, Shirayuki's sister—graceful, calm, and captivatingly beautiful, even more so up close.
Yun Che blinked, realizing where he was. "Shirayuki? Kuroyuki? Yeah… looks like I was that tired, huh?"
He remembered entering his inner world and lying down beneath the Spirit Tree before everything faded to black. His body might have recovered, but his mental strength had been completely depleted—something even the Great Way of the Buddha couldn't instantly restore.
As he shifted slightly, he felt something… soft beneath his head. Softer than any cushion he'd ever used. He blinked, a little confused."Is this…?"
It definitely wasn't a pillow. It was warm, smooth—alive.
Noticing his reaction, Shirayuki giggled softly, covering her mouth. "Yuuki-sama, how's our lap pillow? Pretty soft, right? You can enjoy it anytime you want."
Her sister's tone was quieter, almost like a soothing melody. "If Shirayuki doesn't mind, I wouldn't either. You looked so peaceful while sleeping… I didn't want to wake you."
Shirayuki glanced at her sister, a playful glint in her eye. "But, Nee-sama, he looked like he was enjoying it."
Yun Che finally lifted his head slightly—only to realize that his head had been resting between them, right in the center of their joined laps. Shirayuki's right leg and Kuroyuki's left leg formed the perfect cradle beneath him.
No wonder it was so soft.
He chuckled, a faint, tired smile forming on his lips. "Yeah… softer than any pillow. I wouldn't mind doing that again."
The two sisters exchanged glances—one amused, the other slightly flustered—but neither pulled away. The atmosphere beneath the Spirit Tree remained tranquil, filled only with the faint hum of spiritual energy and the quiet rhythm of their breaths.
For the first time in what felt like forever, Yun Che allowed himself to relax—not as a fighter, not as a cultivator, but as a man surrounded by warmth.
"Mou… Yuuki-sama, you really are a smooth talker. No wonder all these girls adore you."
Shirayuki teased him with a playful pout, though her soft smile betrayed the fondness in her tone.
Yun Che just chuckled, but as he shifted slightly, he noticed something strange — his torso felt heavier than before. When he looked down, he finally understood why.
Two small figures lay curled up on his chest, breathing softly.
Mizu rested on his right side, Kaze on the left, both with their tiny bellies pressed against his and their heads nestled in the crook of his neck, breathing warmly against his skin.
And that wasn't all — his arms were trapped as well. Hebi had claimed his right arm, hugging it possessively against her chest, while Saru clutched the other, their peaceful faces betraying exhaustion.
He sighed, smiling wryly to himself. "Of all the places to sleep… you girls really don't know what personal space means, huh?"
Truthfully, he didn't mind. But sometimes, even an overpowered cultivator wanted to sleep alone — just once — without being smothered by his own spirit companions.
Shirayuki giggled softly. "For you to pass out here, Yuuki-sama, the outside world must have been exhausting."
Yun Che exhaled and replied lazily, "Not really. I came in here to switch my Zanpakutō, but the peaceful air just made me drowsy. Guess I let my guard down."
A new voice spoke up, cool and sharp as always. "Took you long enough to wake up."
He tilted his head slightly — Jasmine stood behind Shirayuki and Kuroyuki, arms crossed, expression unreadable.
"Haha, sorry," Yun Che said with a tired grin. "Guess I overdid it."
"Hmph." Jasmine looked away with her usual mix of annoyance and concern. "Get yourself together. You still have to face the second trial."
He stretched beneath the pile of sleeping girls, suppressing a groan. "Yeah, yeah… I know. The next one's probably going to take a while."
Jasmine's red eyes flicked toward him. "A while? Hoo… what is the second trial, exactly?"
Yun Che smirked faintly. "You'll see." He paused, yawning. "By the way, that was a short nap."
Her brow twitched. "Short? You passed out for ten hours. How is that short?"
"TEN?!" Yun Che nearly jumped, startling the girls on his chest. "Man, those girls are going to kill me when I get back!"
He sighed, then raised his voice. "Alright, you lot—rise and shine, ladies!"
The sudden shout echoed through the peaceful inner realm. One by one, the girls jolted awake — blinking, yawning, and stretching in confusion.
Hebi mumbled sleepily, "Mmm… five more minutes…"Saru snorted softly, half-asleep. "Noisy…"Kaze buried her face in his chest again, grumbling.
Yun Che could only laugh helplessly. "Yeah, yeah. Guess I'm the only one who doesn't get to rest around here."
Even Jasmine couldn't hide the faint curve of amusement tugging at her lips.
"Hmmmm… Onii-chan, that was a nice nap."
Mizu was the first to stir, rubbing her sleepy eyes as she yawned adorably.
"That's right, that's right… naps are the best," Kaze mumbled beside her, stretching with a lazy smile.
From the side, Jasmine exhaled quietly. "More like he slept the whole day. I'll wait outside." She shook her head, but her tone was gentler than usual. She didn't mention that she'd also taken the chance to rest—soaking in the onsen hidden within her own inner chamber. With a faint sigh, she disappeared into a shimmer of red light, returning to the outside world.
"Hnn… five more minutes," Hebi and Saru muttered in unison, tightening their grip on his arms and snuggling closer.
Yun Che groaned lightly, smiling despite himself. "These girls… Hai, hai… wake up, you two. You're drooling on my arms."
"Mou, Master…" Hebi yawned, her voice still drowsy. "You should know better than to wake up a sleeping girl."
"More like waking a lamia girl. Sorry about that. But I'm already ten hours late," he replied with a small chuckle, gently patting both their heads. Their soft hair brushed against his palms, and the warmth of their presence felt oddly grounding.
Slowly, he disentangled himself and stood, stretching his back before glancing toward Shirayuki and Kuroyuki, who were still seated nearby. He gave them both a small, grateful smile.
"Thanks for the lap pillows earlier. Not every day a guy gets treated like that."
Both sisters smiled—Shirayuki's playful, Kuroyuki's serene—as they bowed their heads in silent acknowledgment.
Yun Che turned away, his expression shifting from fondness to quiet resolve. His body lifted slightly off the ground, levitating toward the cluster of floating spirit orbs that represented his bonded weapons and powers. One by one, they pulsed in recognition as he passed, but his hand stopped before a single orb—the one that glowed with deep, smoky red and black energy.
He pressed his palm gently against it.
"Zangetsu… it's your turn."
The orb pulsed in response, resonating with his spirit. A faint breeze rippled through the inner world, carrying whispers of steel and storm.
"This time… I'll need your edge."
He glanced to the side, at the crystalline river where vials of divine water floated in suspended space. With a flick of his wrist, he absorbed several into his inventory. He had a feeling he'd need every drop.
Because this time, the challenge ahead wasn't a mere wave of warriors.
It was over a thousand.
"Master, aren't you forgetting something?"
Yun Che turned, blinking. Saru and Hebi stood behind him, fidgeting shyly, their fingers nervously intertwined.
"What did I forget?" he asked, genuinely puzzled.
The two girls glanced at each other before stepping closer, their cheeks flushed. Then, almost in perfect sync, they leaned forward and pointed to their rosy lips.
"We're ready."
Yun Che froze."...Damn. I really did forget."
Behind them, Shirayuki puffed her cheeks in a pout while Kuroyuki sighed softly, patting her sister's shoulder to calm her down. Both Saru and Hebi, meanwhile, wore the unmistakable expression of triumph—the smug glow of victory only the first contenders could have.
And to make things worse, Mizu and Kaze, seeing the scene unfold, tilted their heads curiously before mimicking them, pursing their lips expectantly.
Yun Che rubbed his temple and let out a long, defeated breath. "You girls…"
Still, a promise was a promise. He stepped forward slowly. He could feel their nervous energy, their racing hearts hidden beneath their bold exteriors. Despite their teasing personalities, moments like this showed their innocent sincerity.
Both Saru and Hebi closed their eyes, waiting. Their breath hitched as he leaned closer—
Chuu.
A light, fleeting sound.
"Ehh?"
They opened their eyes immediately—only to find Yun Che smiling mischievously, having planted a soft kiss on their foreheads instead of their lips.
"Master!!! That's it?!" they shouted in unison, pouting adorably.
Yun Che kept a perfectly straight face, though the corner of his mouth twitched. "Heh. You girls should've been specific when you said you wanted a kiss. You never mentioned where."
"Muuu… that's mean! Teasing us like this!" Hebi huffed, her cheeks red.
He chuckled, stepping back. "Sorry. See you later."
Before they could protest again, he leaned down and gave Mizu and Kaze a quick forehead kiss as well, making the two small spirits giggle happily. Their innocent laughter filled the air like the chime of bells.
Shirayuki, still pouting, let out a quiet sigh of relief. Good. Their master hadn't given away that first kiss yet. She intended to claim it herself—properly, when the time was right.
Yun Che gave them all a fond glance before his form shimmered, dissolving into spiritual light.
In the blink of an eye, he was gone.
Leaving behind four flustered spirits, one sulking snow maiden, and an amused Kuroyuki who could only shake her head.
============
Azure Dragon Trial Realm
Yun Che stirred awake beneath the vast cerulean glow of the Dragon Tower. Above him, the Azure Dragon floated silently, its colossal body coiled in divine majesty, golden eyes studying him like an ancient judge.
Jasmine had already returned from the inner world. She sat at the edge of the tower's platform, legs crossed, her gaze fixed on the endless horizon.
"Took you a while."
Yun Che stretched lazily, rolling his neck. "Yeah, those girls are a handful. But I managed to switch my Zanpakutō—that's what matters."
He reached into his inner world and drew out Zangetsu, the long, khyber-shaped blade wrapped in dark cloth. As he unbound it, the weapon shimmered under the tower's light, its black edge gleaming with quiet menace.
Even after all this time, Zangetsu's presence still made his pulse quicken. The weight. The shape. The raw, cutting intent.
The Azure Dragon's eyes widened slightly. "Hooo… a different weapon this time? Its aura differs from your previous extending sword… yet it feels strangely similar. Is it the same spirit?"
Yun Che swung the blade once, casually but with enough force to cause a sharp gust of wind to ripple across the platform. "Nope. That one was Snake and Baboon—twin spirits. This time, I'm using a different one."
The dragon tilted its massive head. "Different…? Just how many spirits do you have within that body of yours?"
Yun Che smiled faintly. "Four types. For now."
"….."
For a moment, even the ancient dragon was silent.In all its eons of existence, it had never witnessed such a phenomenon. Not even the gods of the Primordial Era possessed the ability to harbor four distinct divine spirits within a single vessel—each with their own nature, will, and destructive force.
If what Jasmine had once told it was true… then each spirit within Yun Che was capable of manifesting its full divine power independently.
The thought sent faint ripples of awe through the Azure Dragon's ancient soul. Just how far could this mortal go?
Unbothered, Yun Che rested Zangetsu across his shoulder and said, "Alright, let's skip the drama. What's the second trial?"
The Azure Dragon finally spoke, its voice deep and resonant, echoing through the air like thunder over an ocean.
"The Second Trial is longer than the first, and far more demanding. This time, you must defeat ninety-nine thousand nine hundred and ninety-nine spirit beasts—within one year."
A gust of divine wind swept across the tower as the words sank in.
Jasmine turned her head slightly, eyes narrowing. "Ninety-nine… thousand? That's absurd, even for him."
Yun Che blinked once. Then twice.
"Heh. Ninety-nine thousand spirit beasts, huh?" He tilted his head with a grin, Zangetsu's edge catching the light. "Guess you're not pulling any punches this time, old lizard."
The Azure Dragon's eyes glowed faintly with amusement. "To reach the legacy of the Dragon God… there is no room for weakness."
"Weakness?" Yun Che smirked, resting Zangetsu on his shoulder. "That word doesn't exist in my dictionary."
Yun Che's eyes narrowed slightly. So this is the part… He'd read about this trial in the original story, and that was exactly why he had chosen Zangetsu. The weight, the density, the reach—this blade was made for mass destruction.
The Azure Dragon's voice thundered again, calm yet absolute."But this trial has been… upgraded. You must defeat ninety-nine thousand, nine hundred and ninety-nine spirit beasts—each one possessing cultivation equal to your own."
Yun Che grinned, swinging Zangetsu lightly to his side. "That should be easy enough."
The dragon's golden eyes gleamed with faint amusement."Oh? Then perhaps this dragon should add a little pressure."
A beat of silence.
Then—
"You have five hours."
Yun Che froze. The smile on his face stiffened, the confident glint in his eyes faltering as his brain caught up with the words.
"…Wait. WHAT?!?"
Even Jasmine blinked before letting out a quiet laugh, clearly entertained by his reaction.
"A year would be too easy for you," the Azure Dragon said smoothly. "And this dragon is not interested in easy trials."
Jasmine crossed her arms and smirked, sitting down casually near the edge of the platform."I agree. Five hours sounds fair. Should be enough time for someone of your 'godlike' standards, right?"
Yun Che turned to her, deadpan. "Five hours?! I took half an hour to beat a thousand! You expect me to clear ninety-nine thousand in five?!? That's suicidal!"
"Oh, don't be dramatic." Jasmine's smirk deepened, voice taking on that sadistic lilt he knew all too well. "I think you'll manage… eventually. Or die trying. Either way, it'll be entertaining."
A familiar chime echoed in his mind.
===================
[Ding… Initiating Dragon God Second Trial.]Objective: Defeat 99,999 spirit beasts within five hours.All enemies will possess identical cultivation to the Host.Duration: 05:00:00
Difficulty: SuicidalReward: Dragon God Crystal Fragment
===================
Yun Che groaned, slumping forward onto all fours. "Jasmine, I swear I can feel the malicious intent radiating off you. You totally helped design this, didn't you?"
"Hmph. I have no idea what you're talking about." Her voice was pure tsundere denial.
"Right, sure." Yun Che pushed himself back up, dusting off his robes with mock calm. "Fine. I'll deal with it. I might have… one or two moves up my sleeve."
As he strode toward the edge of the tower, the blue light from below began to shift, the realm itself preparing for the descent into the battlefield. Jasmine watched his back—the easy, confident stride masking the deadly focus beneath it—and let out a quiet sigh.
Then, almost reluctantly, she called out. "Wait."
He stopped, turning his head slightly. "Hmm? What is it?"
Jasmine stood, her tone more serious now. "I might have something for you to use. Something other than shouting 'Getsuga Tenshō' all the time."
Yun Che's grin returned instantly. "Oh? Jasmine is giving me a new skill? All right then—this disciple is ready to learn."
He plopped himself down cross-legged in front of her like a student waiting for his master's lecture, eyes bright with curiosity. Deep down, though, he already had a good idea what was coming—and it excited him.
Jasmine exhaled, rolling her eyes at his childish enthusiasm. "Honestly… you're impossible."
Her tone softened slightly. "Originally, this skill belonged to my older brother. He forged it from his comprehension of the heavens after mastering the heavy sword."
Yun Che's eyes lit up with intrigue. "Oh… so that's the one. I've been waiting for this."
The wind around them began to hum faintly, the divine power of the Azure Dragon pulsing as if listening in.
Jasmine took a single step forward, the air trembling faintly around her. Crimson energy flickered across her fingertips, pulsing like living fire.
"Watch closely, Yun Che. What I'm about to show you isn't about brute force—it's about channeling every ounce of your will into a single, overwhelming strike."
Yun Che's eyes glimmered. "He used it too, didn't he?"
"Hnn." Jasmine nodded lightly. "His heavy sword was far larger than yours, but I'm certain you can wield it. You've already mastered the flow of heavy-sword energy with both Zangetsu and Tensa Zangetsu. For someone using blades of that size, being able to reproduce true heavy-sword power is… remarkable."
Yun Che shrugged, a faint grin tugging at his lips. "Well, I've had my share of experience back in my world. Let's just say I learned from the best."
Jasmine gave a smirk that was equal parts pride and mischief. "Hnn. Then allow your master to bestow you with another gift of knowledge. This princess will teach you a technique—though I can only pass on the first movement. It's the only one I mastered from that tome."
She raised her glowing hand and pressed her fingers gently against his forehead.
Instantly, a crimson surge of divine energy poured into his mind.
Images, symbols, and motions cascaded before his inner vision—each stance, each swing, every flow of energy replaying over and over like a vivid memory not his own. He felt the raw destruction, the absolute authority embedded within the technique.
The vision ended as quickly as it began, leaving Yun Che's breath shallow and his heart pounding.
A familiar chime echoed in his mind.
===================
[Ding… Host has discovered 'The Sky Wolf Slash' from the Heavenly Wolf's Hell God Tome.][Ding… Cultivate?]
===================
Yun Che blinked, then grinned wide. "Holy hell… this is the Sky Wolf Slash. The one Yun Che got from Jasmine herself. Of course I'm learning it!"
===================
[Ding… Host has obtained the 'Heavenly Wolf's Hell God Tome' first skill: The Sky Wolf Slash.][Ding… Compatibility detected between Host's original Getsuga Tenshō and The Sky Wolf Slash.]
===================
A spark of excitement flared in Yun Che's eyes. "Wow… it's been a while since I've seen this message. Fusion, huh?"
===================
[Ding… Initiating Fusion.][Fusion successful.][Ding… New Skill Acquired: Sky Wolf Moon Fang Heaven Piercer.]
[Description: Created through the fusion of Sky Wolf Slash and Getsuga Tenshō. The attack manifests as a massive wolf-headed moon fang imbued with divine energy.]
===================
The air around Yun Che pulsed violently, blue and crimson light intertwining as Zangetsu hummed in resonance. For a moment, even the Azure Dragon lifted its head, its divine gaze sharpening in quiet recognition.
Yun Che opened his eyes, the faint glimmer of silver and red spiraling in his pupils.
"Sky Wolf Moon Fang Heaven Piercer…" He whispered the name slowly, almost reverently, before flashing Jasmine a grin. "Now that's a mouthful. But damn, it sounds awesome."
Jasmine folded her arms, trying to look unimpressed—but there was pride in her smirk. "Don't get cocky. This technique devours stamina like wildfire. Use it recklessly, and it'll eat you alive before the enemy does."
Yun Che raised Zangetsu, letting the blade rest against his shoulder. The faint outline of a celestial wolf shimmered briefly along its edge, howling silently under the tower's light.
"Good thing I don't do 'reckless.'"
Jasmine stared at him flatly. "You are the literal definition of reckless."
"Details, details." Yun Che smirked, twirling Zangetsu over his shoulder. "Alright then—let's see how this baby performs. Ninety-nine thousand spirit beasts, huh? Sounds like a perfect stress test."
He flashed her a grin and added cheerfully, "Thanks, Jasmine."
She huffed, crossing her arms but not hiding the faint curve at the edge of her lips. "That technique is called the Sky Wolf Slash. It's the only one I obtained from my brother—his favorite, actually. He used it constantly, and from watching him, I was able to understand it. But the Sky Wolf Slash is just one art from—"
"The Heavenly Wolf's Hell God Tome, right?" Yun Che cut in, his tone calm and matter-of-fact.
Jasmine blinked, caught completely off guard. "How…?" She had been about to say Prison God Sirius Tome, but he had spoken the true name of the art, the one only the gods themselves used.
He didn't answer—just tapped his forehead with one finger.
Understanding flickered in her eyes. Of course. The system. That mysterious force bound to him seemed to know everything. It was the same reason he could speak of the Evil God's Blood or the Star God Realm as though he had seen them himself.
Jasmine regained her composure. "Then… the system can complete the rest of the tome for you, right?"
Yun Che shook his head. "Nope."
Her brows furrowed. "But I thought—"
He lifted a hand, explaining calmly, "It's true—the system knows everything. It even knows the full skill list of that tome. But knowledge alone isn't enough. It only understands the theory—not the essence. To actually master a technique, it needs something real to anchor it: the original tome, the core formula, or someone who's already mastered it."
He rested Zangetsu's blunt edge against the ground, his tone thoughtful. "What you just gave me—the Sky Wolf Slash—came directly from your experience. That's why the system could imprint it instantly. But for the rest of the arts? I'll need the tome itself. Or someone who can still use them."
Jasmine was silent for a moment, quietly impressed. He wasn't simply relying on the system—he understood its limits, its balance between divine power and human will.
Yun Che looked up again, meeting her gaze. "That's why I needed the slab from Frozen Cloud Asgard to learn the Ice Phoenix God Investiture Canon. And the second trial zone in the Divine Phoenix Empire—for the World Ode of the Phoenix."
Jasmine slowly nodded, her crimson eyes thoughtful. "So, the system needs to find the actual art to complete it?"
Yun Che nodded. "Yeah. If the system could just fill in the gaps, all the arts I've learned from this world would already be perfected. Right now, it's like… reading the summary of a book without having the book itself. You understand the outline—but not the heart."
Jasmine frowned slightly. "If the system knows about this tome, then… can you tell me what it knows? It might help me understand the true purpose behind it."
She rarely spoke about her brother—but the curiosity in her tone was genuine. The Heavenly Wolf's Hell God Tome had always been a mystery to her. She knew its power, its destructive potential… but not its soul.
Yun Che tilted his head slightly, then smiled faintly. "It's faster if I just show you."
He reached out and gently tapped her forehead.
A faint blue glow rippled from his fingertip, and in an instant, the floodgates opened—knowledge, records, fragments of divine memory all surged into Jasmine's consciousness. She saw the structure of the tome, the names of its techniques and even hints of its origin.
When the flow ended, Jasmine stepped back slightly, exhaling a long, steady breath.
"You're right," she murmured. "This feels like reading… a wiki. Everything's explained—names, history, techniques—but none of it carries the feeling of real comprehension. Just information. You can't truly learn it without the tome itself."
"Or someone who's mastered it," Yun Che added.
Jasmine nodded in agreement, her expression growing solemn. She began to piece together what she'd seen, her voice taking on a faint echo of reverence.
"It said here… that during the Era of the Celestials, the Heavenly Wolf Star God was once captured by the devil race and sealed inside the Netherworld Demonic Hell before his ascension. He suffered endless torment there, and that agony gave birth to hatred—hatred so vast it birthed an entirely new energy within him. He used that power to tear through his prison and return to the God Realm."
Her voice grew softer. "That energy… it wasn't divine. It was born from pure obsession and wrath. But he transformed it, refined it, until it became something that could rival the gods themselves. That's how the Heavenly Wolf's Hell God Tome came into existence."
As she spoke, a deep rumble filled the air. The Azure Dragon's ancient eyes glowed faintly with recognition.
"The Heavenly Wolf Star God…" the dragon's voice resonated, low and thunderous. "So that is the one you speak of. This dragon once met him—long ago. A god of great pride and fury. We called him the God of Hatred. His power was unlike that of any other Star God… his aura was tainted by the very essence of the devils."
The dragon paused, the ancient memories surfacing like echoes from eternity. "When he escaped the Netherworld, that power clung to him. Many gods feared it. Some accused him of corruption—of embracing devil arts. But this dragon knew otherwise. His strength was not born of corruption… but of will. He endured what no god could survive. His wrath became his weapon."
Yun Che listened quietly, his fingers tracing Zangetsu's edge. "A god whose hatred transcended the devils themselves, huh… no wonder the technique feels so intense. It's not just power—it's defiance."
Jasmine's gaze softened, her voice quieter now. "He once said that hatred, when controlled, could become resolve. When unleashed—it could become destruction."
The Azure Dragon inclined its great head. "Wise words, for one consumed by pain. Perhaps, Reaper, you may find resonance with that power. Your soul carries similar scars."
Yun Che's expression turned faintly distant. "Yeah… maybe that's why it felt natural. Guess even hatred can find purpose in the right hands."
The Azure Dragon's golden eyes gleamed with faint amusement. "Then perhaps, mortal, you were never meant to follow one path. Like the Heavenly Wolf, your power is a fusion of chaos and control. Learn from his wrath—but never be devoured by it."
Yun Che smiled faintly, resting Zangetsu against his shoulder."Heh. I'll keep that in mind, old lizard. But I think I've already learned how to dance with my demons."
He turned his gaze back toward the Azure Dragon, thoughtful. "So that guy was captured… huh? I can't even imagine what that must've been like—being tortured by those things."
Jasmine glanced at him sidelong, her expression calm but probing. "You seem to understand these terms quite well."
Yun Che shrugged casually. "Well, my world has something similar. Shinigami and Hollows—gods and devils. We've been at war for ages. Same story, different names."
Jasmine nodded slowly. "Then you'll understand this better than most. The power born from obsession and hatred—that was what took form as the Heavenly Wolf Hell God's Tome. Later, after he broke free from the devils and returned to the God Realm, that hatred was purified. He was made one of the Twelve Star Gods… but the very process that freed him also weakened his divine art."
Her voice softened slightly, the crimson hue in her eyes dimming. "The Heavenly Wolf Hell God's Tome only regains its full might when its wielder's hatred burns pure and unrestrained. When the Heavenly Wolf's divine wrath awakens… not even the other eleven Star Gods could stand before him."
Yun Che frowned slightly. "Wait… didn't you once mention that your brother used the full power of that tome before he died? Was he captured too?"
The question hung in the air like a blade. Jasmine's expression froze; her usual poise faltered. The silence stretched for several seconds—long enough for the wind to whisper between them.
Yun Che noticed immediately and lowered his voice. "Sorry. That was… insensitive. You don't have to answer."
For a moment, Jasmine said nothing. Then, slowly, she smiled—a small, fragile smile that didn't reach her eyes.
"No… meeting you—and the others—has taught me that there's no point in clinging to the past with anger or vengeance." She paused, glancing away toward the horizon where the Azure Dragon's glow painted the clouds blue. "Even if I tried to hide it, one day you'd find out anyway. And strangely enough… I don't mind that. Because you're someone I can trust."
Her voice wavered slightly at the end, but she steadied it with a breath. "Yes, Yun Che. My brother was captured. But… I'm not ready to tell you the full story yet."
She turned her gaze back toward him—soft, but firm. "Let's wait for Retsu. When she's here, I'll tell you both everything."
Yun Che didn't press her further. He just smiled gently and nodded. "All right. I'll hold you to that, Jasmine."
Yun Che reached out and gently patted Jasmine's head, his expression softening."Take your time, Jasmine. You might be an annoying little midget sometimes… but you're one of us now."
Her eyes widened—then narrowed instantly. "You dare call this princess a midget?!"
Yun Che smirked. "Hell yeah, I did!"
For a heartbeat, her glare could have shattered mountains. Then—
"Pfft… hahaha!" Jasmine suddenly burst out laughing. "This princess can't even comprehend that you actually said that. I'll let you off this time, but if I ever hear that word again—don't blame me if I decide to test your so-called haki in person."
Her smile lingered, soft and almost nostalgic. For a fleeting moment, her heart warmed. Her brother used to call her the same thing—an annoying little midget. The memory wasn't painful this time. It felt… comforting.
Yun Che grinned wider. "Hai, hai."
Then, more curiously, he asked, "Your brother must've been one hell of a powerhouse. He could even beat you, Jasmine?"
She raised her chin proudly. "Hmph. As if this princess would ever allow it." Then her tone sobered, returning to the matter at hand. "In conclusion, you'll need to harness hatred itself to awaken the Heavenly Wolf's true might. But knowing you, that might be… difficult."
"Sort of." Yun Che shrugged lightly. "I've lived through enough in my world. Hatred, vengeance… all that's long behind me. I discarded it long ago." He paused, smiling faintly. "But tell you what—if you ever decide to share your story, I'll tell you mine."
Jasmine nodded quietly. "Fair trade."
"So then, how exactly are you supposed to unleash hatred's full power without hatred?" she asked, arms crossed.
"Instant learning from the system, for one. But…" He tilted his head, a mischievous gleam flashing in his eyes. "I also have a method to simulate it."
"Simulate? How—"
Before she could finish, Yun Che's eyes shifted.
The familiar dark irises bled crimson as three tomoe rotated slowly into existence, spinning with a predatory gleam. The air around him changed—dense, heavy, and cold. A palpable aura of slaughter and hatred pulsed from him like a heartbeat.
Jasmine instinctively tensed, her eyes widening. She had felt killing intent before—Retsu's calm, clinical bloodlust—but this was different. This was ancient, personal, alive.
Yun Che smiled through it, voice casual but his presence anything but."How's that?"
"How—" She stopped mid-sentence, realizing the source, and whispered, "Your eyes…"
He pointed toward them with two fingers, the tomoe spinning slowly as if mocking the world itself."The Sharingan."
"The Sharingan isn't just for show, you know. It doesn't just enhance my senses or help me wield haki. It's the embodiment of hatred itself."
Jasmine's voice was barely a murmur. "Embodiment… of hatred?"
Yun Che nodded. "Its other name is the 'Copy Wheel Eye.' It allows the user to perceive what ordinary eyes can't—movements, energies, flaws in the flow of battle. It can even copy any art it witnesses. That's how I mastered the Star God Broken Shadow after seeing it once."
He lowered his tone, the crimson glow in his eyes reflecting the faint light of the Dragon Tower."But the true nature of the Sharingan is darker. The more hatred a person feels, the faster these eyes awaken—and evolve. The Sharingan was born from sorrow, from love twisted into rage. It's said to belong to a clan that no longer exists in my world. I'm the last inheritor."
Jasmine watched him silently as the aura coiled and writhed like living flame.
"These eyes," Yun Che continued, "can turn my spiritual energy and aura into the power of hatred itself. Controlled, channeled. I don't need to hate anyone to use it—I just need to remember what hatred feels like."
He let the energy fade slowly, his eyes returning to their normal state as he smiled. "Pretty cool, right?"
Jasmine sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. "You know… I don't even know why I'm still surprised. At this point, it's not about what you can't do—it's about what you won't do."
He laughed softly. "I try to keep things interesting."
"So this Sharingan… is this its limit?"
Yun Che shook his head. "Nope. Each stage evolves depending on how many Evil God Gates I've opened. Right now, with the Gate of Purgatory active, it's stabilized at the three-tomoe stage. Once I reach the Gate of Rumbling Heaven at the Sovereign Profound Realm… the Sharingan will evolve to its fourth stage."
Jasmine's eyes widened slightly, crimson irises reflecting the faint glow of Yun Che's spinning tomoe."That is…?"
Yun Che smiled faintly. "The Mangekyō Sharingan — the Kaleidoscope Copy Wheel Eye. When I reach that stage, the power of hatred I can wield will multiply severalfold. Even the arts connected to the Heavenly Wolf's Tome will evolve. Every emotion, every flame of resolve—amplified through those eyes."
Her gaze lingered on the Sharingan, the three tomoe glimmering like spinning stars in blood-red light."Mangekyō Sharingan…? So each of the Heretic's Gates corresponds to a stage of your Sharingan's evolution?"
Yun Che nodded. "Yeah. The gates serve as conduits—fuel for the evolution of both my physical strength and spiritual sight. But the Mangekyō... it's special. Each user's version manifests different powers, shaped by their will, their pain, their past. Until I reach that point… even I can't say what form mine will take."
Jasmine crossed her arms, half impressed, half uneasy. "Understood. Then you'd better get started with the trial before you start philosophizing again. Retsu's probably getting impatient up there."
Yun Che chuckled, stepping toward the edge of the tower. The blue divine light beneath him rippled like a vast ocean, the battlefield below stretching infinitely across the horizon."Yeah… five hours might be short compared to a year, but I think I can pull something off."
He turned slightly, flashing Jasmine a lopsided grin."Also, I'll probably need a bit of help for this one."
Her brows furrowed. "Help? From who? You know I can't intervene in your trials."
"Yeah, I know. You can't." Yun Che lifted his arms skyward, spiritual energy beginning to surge violently around him, his hair and robes whipping in the wind. "But he can."
The atmosphere trembled. Zangetsu shimmered as it vanished into his back, sealed within his spirit space.
Jasmine's eyes widened as the air thickened with spiritual pressure. "He…? Who are you—"
Yun Che leaned backward, his expression calm yet fierce, a grin spreading across his face."The one who forged my path long before I came here. Let's see how much stronger we've both become."
And with that—he fell.
The world blurred into a streak of light as he descended, the roar of wind deafening in his ears.
From above, Jasmine's crimson eyes followed his falling form, her heart beating faster despite herself.
"You insane idiot," she muttered softly, unable to hide the faint smile tugging at her lips. "Don't you dare die on me."
Below, the Azure Dragon's divine gaze shimmered. Its voice rumbled like distant thunder.
"The Second Trial begins."
As Yun Che's body plunged into the endless storm of azure light, the realm below responded—mountains trembled, and countless howls of spirit beasts echoed across the divine expanse.
Five hours.
One man.
Ninety-nine thousand nine hundred and ninety-nine enemies.
And somewhere deep within the storm of spirit energy, another presence stirred—ancient, powerful, and waiting for his call.