The darkness was absolute.
It wasn't the kind born from the absence of light — but the kind that devoured it. A suffocating blackness that clung to the walls, the air, and the soul. In that deep abyss, silence reigned supreme.
Creatures of the underworld crept through the cracks of the subsoil — blind, frail, and patient. Their claws scraped softly against stone, their movements slow and deliberate as they searched for food… or something alive enough to breed with.
This place was where the underworld kissed the mortal realm — a no-man's land where even the celestials had forgotten to look.
And then, the silence shattered.
Bzzt.
A single spark flashed through the dark.
Bzzt. Bzzt-bzzt!
Arcs of electricity danced violently, carving light into the void. The air trembled, crackling with energy as blue lightning exploded outward, gathering in the center of the cavern.
A massive sphere of dark-blue energy bloomed in the heart of the cave — pulsing, expanding, bending the air with each thundering beat. It grew larger and larger, until its surface brushed the jagged stone ceiling.
Then —
BOOM!
The sphere burst apart into a billowing cloud of smoke and white mist. The air rippled with heat and static.
When the smoke cleared, three figures stood amidst the chaos.
At the center was a colossal humanoid dragon, scales a blazing crimson hue. Its wings still shimmered faintly with dying embers, and from its head extended a single golden blade-like horn, pulsing with residual divine power.
In its arms were two women — one with flowing scarlet hair and sharp, celestial eyes, the other with short black hair and an aura both fierce and elegant.
Jasmine and Mio.
Yun Che had brought them both safely out of the Dragon God's realm.
The white smoke lingered in the air — soft, ethereal, and weightless — before it began to coil and take form once more.
Within moments, a familiar silhouette of a dragon emerged, faint and translucent, its eyes shimmering faintly in the dark cavern. It was nothing more than the echo of a divine will — a fragment of consciousness refusing to fade until its final words were spoken.
The spectral Azure Dragon gazed down upon the three before it: Mio, her eyes still glistening with the ache of memory; Jasmine, her arms crossed but gaze solemn; and Yun Che, towering in his humanoid dragon form, the red glow of his scales reflecting across the cave walls.
The Azure Dragon's voice was soft now — like a whisper carried by the wind through ancient halls.
"Looks like… this is where we part ways."
The mist that shaped its body began to thin, dissolving slowly into the air.
"This dragon can only say one last thing…"
"Whatever happens from now on… live well."
And then, with a faint shimmer, the silhouette broke apart. The mist scattered like dust in sunlight — a gentle wave of light particles floating upward before vanishing completely into the darkness above.
Yun Che watched silently, his golden eyes reflecting the last glimmer of that fading light. He could feel it — that faint, familiar pull. The flow of a divine soul returning to the cycle of existence.
As a Shinigami, he knew exactly what it meant.
The Azure Dragon's soul was finally at peace.
He lowered himself onto one knee, his massive form kneeling with reverence. Even in his dragon body, his tone carried the quiet dignity of a warrior paying respects to a fallen comrade.
"We will," he said softly.
The sound echoed faintly in the cavern — not as a promise made to a god, but as one made between equals.
Jasmine folded her arms, looking down with a faint frown — but the emotion in her eyes betrayed a deeper thought.
"Even as a soul… it finally passed on," she murmured. "And it left behind an heir to complete what it could not."
Her gaze shifted toward Yun Che — that same stubborn disciple who somehow kept defying everything she thought she knew about fate and power.
Beside her, Mio clasped her hands gently together, bowing her head in quiet prayer.
"May your journey to the afterlife be a peaceful one," she whispered.
Her tone was calm — sincere. She had forgiven him long ago. The Azure Dragon's actions had taken much from her… yet, through that chain of fate, she had found Yun Che. And that was something she could never resent.
She straightened up, smiling faintly.
"If not for you… I would never have met my master."
The silence that followed was heavy, yet serene. Only the faint hum of Yun Che's golden light filled the cavern.
Then, with a deep exhale that rumbled through the walls, he finally broke the quiet.
"Looks like we're back in the real world."
His voice — even in dragon form — carried a human warmth that grounded them back to reality.
Mio turned toward him, her expression soft but bright.
"Hai, Danna-sama. It's been so long since I felt the air of the real world… so long since I could actually breathe it."
She took a deep breath, closing her eyes. The air here was damp, heavy with the scent of stone and minerals — but it was real. It wasn't the artificial purity of a divine realm. It was the air of life.
Yun Che let out a low chuckle, turning his gaze toward the tunnel ahead.
"Well… technically, we're still in a cave. Not exactly fresh mountain air, but I'll take it."
He looked down at his massive arms, flexing his claws as a faint ember trailed off them. His dragon scales shimmered faintly under the golden light, refracting warm hues across the walls.
"The only problem…" he said, glancing toward the narrow tunnel leading outward, "is that the exit's definitely not big enough for me to squeeze through."
He sighed, folding his wings loosely behind him.
"Guess I'll have to wait for the transformation timer to end before I can walk out of here."
Jasmine placed a hand on her hip, raising a brow.
"You mean to tell me the mighty dragon reincarnation is stuck because of a door?"
Yun Che grinned, his sharp teeth gleaming as he shot her a sideways glance.
"Hey, even dragons have to wait for cooldowns."
That earned him a small laugh from Mio and even a rare, reluctant smirk from Jasmine.
For the first time since leaving the trial realm — after all the death, struggle, and divine partings — the cave didn't feel heavy.
It felt alive.
The cavern had grown quiet again — the only light coming from the golden glow pulsing faintly at the tip of Yun Che's horn.
Then, suddenly, the light began to throb — a steady pulse, brightening with every beat.
"Eh? What now?" Jasmine muttered, narrowing her eyes at him.
Mio tilted her head curiously. "Danna-sama?"
Yun Che looked down at himself, confusion flickering in his golden eyes. "Uh… I think—"
A familiar ding echoed in his mind.
=================
[Ding… Host's ten-minute Pyrus Leonidas transformation has expired. Reverting to human form.]
[Cooldown: 24:00:00]
=================
"Ah," Yun Che muttered. "Well, that explains—wait, reverting!?"
Before he could brace himself, his entire body erupted into blinding golden light.
The illumination shot across the cave like a miniature sun igniting underground, washing everything in waves of amber and crimson. The air rippled. Pebbles rattled against the stone floor as heat shimmered in the space around him.
"By the heavens—he's glowing again!" Jasmine hissed, immediately ducking behind a large boulder, shielding her eyes.
Mio covered her face with her sleeve but peeked through her fingers, curiosity gleaming in her dark eyes.
The humanoid dragon's silhouette began to blur, the wings folding inward as the scales broke apart into thousands of tiny shards of light. The glow compressed rapidly, shrinking — a giant turning into a man once more.
Then, with a final pulse, the light imploded inward, leaving behind the sound of a quiet whoosh.
When the brightness faded, the figure standing in its place was once again Yun Che — his familiar human form, his dark hair ruffled, his body radiating faint wisps of heat.
He exhaled deeply, stretching his arms and rolling his shoulders.
"Damn," he muttered, glancing at his hands. "That was one hell of a ten minutes. Even if it's once a day, that skill's no joke. Still… gotta be careful where I use it. I could probably blow up a city if I sneeze in that form."
He grinned proudly, completely unaware of the very obvious problem standing right in front of him.
Jasmine, emerging cautiously from behind the rock, started to speak.
"You're back already? So the ten minutes are—"
She froze mid-sentence.
Her words died in her throat, her eyes going wide as her brain processed what she was seeing.
There Yun Che stood — calm, casual, completely oblivious — and utterly shirtless.
Not just shirtless. His entire upper body was bare, muscles toned and gleaming faintly under the dim light.
The remnants of his clothes had been burned away by the transformation.
And to make things worse, he was walking toward them like nothing had happened.
Jasmine's face turned crimson.
"KYAAAAAAAHHHH!!! YOU PERVERT!!!"
Her scream echoed violently through the cave, shaking dust from the ceiling.
She spun around, covering her face with both hands as she shouted again, "PUT SOMETHING ON, YOU UNCIVILIZED BEAST!!"
Mio, on the other hand, didn't seem nearly as horrified.
In fact, she blinked twice — then giggled softly, pressing a hand over her lips.
"Ara, ara… Danna-sama…" she purred teasingly. Her crimson eyes gleamed mischievously as she tilted her head. "You look even more divine than before."
Her gaze lingered for just a moment longer than necessary — but, mercifully, the lower half of Yun Che's body was veiled in a faint swirl of white mist left over from his transformation.
Like the system itself decided to censor him for everyone's sake.
"Eh? What's wrong with you two?" Yun Che asked innocently, tilting his head. "Why're you acting like I—"
He glanced down.
"Oh."
A brief pause. Then—
"Oh… right. Clothes didn't survive the transformation. That… explains the breeze."
Jasmine's muffled voice snapped from behind her hands.
"YOU THINK!?"
Yun Che sighed, rubbing the back of his neck with a sheepish grin.
"Well, guess that's one more thing to fix in the next update."
"Next what!?" Jasmine snapped.
"System patch," he said casually.
Mio laughed softly beside him. "Ufufu~ You should keep it this way, Danna-sama. It's… refreshing."
Jasmine turned, face burning red. "You—! Stop encouraging him!"
Yun Che glanced down at himself, sighed, and—without missing a beat—pulled a towel from his inventory. With one swift motion, he wrapped it around his waist, securing his dignity before things got even more chaotic.
Behind the nearest boulder, a red-faced Jasmine was still shouting.
"Whatever it is—put some clothes on already!!!"
Her voice echoed through the cave like a war cry. She grabbed Mio by the shoulders and dragged her behind the same rock, trying to cover both of their eyes with her hands.
But Mio was having none of it.
"Mou~ Jasmine-san! I want to look at it! I didn't see it clearly just now!"
She squirmed in Jasmine's grip like an eel, trying to pry her hands away. Her cheeks were flushed, but her voice was playful — almost too playful.
Jasmine froze for half a second before realizing what Mio actually meant. Her entire face went crimson.
"W-W-WHAT DO YOU MEAN 'IT'!?"
Mio just smiled innocently, her voice dripping with teasing sweetness.
"You know… it~."
"Stop talking!!" Jasmine shouted, clutching her head in exasperation.
Meanwhile, Yun Che stood a short distance away, towel in place, completely unbothered. He rubbed his temple and muttered to himself.
"System, what the hell happened to my clothes?"
A calm chime echoed in his head.
==================
[Ding… When host transformed into dragon form for the first time, all equipped clothing was automatically destroyed. However, the system has since adjusted the process — clothing will now be unequipped and safely stored upon transformation, and restored once the host reverts.]
=================
"Ah… so that's what happened."
He exhaled in relief.
"I was about to do the same thing manually, but you beat me to it. Thanks, system. Still… now I have to buy another Quincy outfit. Damn thing cost me a fortune."
He opened the system shop with a flick of his hand, brows furrowing as he scrolled through menus. A moment later—
================
[Purchase confirmed: Quincy Garb Set (Type: White Spirit Weave)]
================
With a soft whoosh, his body shimmered with light. In an instant, the same sharp, white-and-blue Quincy uniform wrapped around him again — pristine and perfectly fitted, as if freshly tailored.
He looked himself over, tugging at the sleeves and brushing imaginary dust from his shoulder.
"System, can I get a refund for the last one you destroyed?"
[No.]
"Man… that was direct."
He sighed, shaking his head.
"Well, at least I tried."
Once dressed again, he finally turned toward the boulder where Jasmine was still holding Mio hostage.
"Hey, you two done hiding behind that rock yet?"
Jasmine peeked cautiously, eyes narrowing like a hawk.
"Are you decent this time?"
"Completely," Yun Che replied, spreading his arms to prove it.
Mio leaned slightly to the side, trying to sneak a glance.
"Awww… you covered up already, Danna-sama?"
"Mio!!" Jasmine barked, glaring daggers at her.
Yun Che just laughed, rubbing the back of his neck.
"Well, I'd apologize, but to be fair, you two were the ones who teleported right next to a transforming dragon. Not exactly my fault."
Jasmine folded her arms, her blush deepening.
"You can look now, Jasmine. I'm not walking around with my sword hanging in the air."
There was a beat of silence from behind the rock — then a hesitant shuffle of feet.
Jasmine slowly peeked out, her face redder than a phoenix feather. She stepped into view, trying to act composed but looking more like a tomato that had just learned embarrassment existed.
Meanwhile, Mio emerged behind her, noticeably disappointed for reasons Yun Che didn't even need to guess.
Jasmine crossed her arms sharply.
"What do you mean 'your sword'!? Next time you need to transform back into a human, at least warn us beforehand!"
Yun Che's lips curved into a smirk.
"Says the one who screamed like I was some kind of monster. If you really wanted another look, you could've just asked."
"Y-you LECHER!!!" Jasmine stammered, her blush deepening as she jabbed a finger at him. "There's no way I'd ever want to see your disgusting body!"
Her words came out sharp, but the tremble in her voice — and the way her eyes darted anywhere but at him — betrayed her.
Yun Che only raised an eyebrow, amused.
"Disgusting? That's not what you said when—"
"Don't you finish that sentence!" Jasmine snapped, cutting him off so fast the air around them sizzled.
Before Yun Che could tease her further, Mio suddenly hopped right in front of him, her eyes sparkling like twin galaxies.
"Danna-sama," she said innocently, hands clasped together, "I want to see it up close this time."
"Don't you DARE!!!" Jasmine shouted, lunging at Mio, who immediately covered her ears and pretended not to hear her.
He finally let out a laugh, shaking his head.
"Okay, okay, calm down. Everything's fine now."
Both girls stopped — Jasmine still glaring, Mio still pouting.
Yun Che cleared his throat.
"That little… incident was just a glitch. A bug in the transformation code."
"Glitch? Bug?" Jasmine and Mio echoed, blinking in confusion.
"Yeah," he said with a nonchalant shrug. "Basically, the system didn't realize dragon transformations shred clothes. It's fixed now — no more accidental streaking."
Jasmine sighed, rubbing her forehead.
"You and that system of yours are going to give me wrinkles."
"Aw, come on. Don't act like you didn't enjoy the view," he teased, flashing a grin.
"You—!" Jasmine's face went red again as she stomped her foot.
Mio giggled softly behind her, whispering with a mischievous glint in her eyes,
"Ahhh, it's good to be back in the real world," Yun Che said with a satisfied smile, stretching his arms as the echo of his voice filled the illuminated cavern.
Behind him, the two women were still bickering — Jasmine's sharp tone clashing with Mio's playful giggles like fire and thunder in a narrow cave.
Jasmine eventually huffed, crossing her arms and turning away with a still-reddened face.
"Hmph, enough of that. Anyway, we should get outside soon. Mio, are you going to follow this rascal around, or do you want to come with me to the inner world?"
"Inner… world?" Mio tilted her head curiously, blinking her crimson eyes.
Jasmine slapped her forehead.
"Right. I forgot — you weren't there for that. It's the world this idiot created for his Zanpakutō spirits. You could call it his own personal realm. Why don't you come with me? I'll introduce you to them."
"Danna-sama's… personal world?" Mio murmured, a spark of curiosity in her tone. "What kind of world is it?"
"Why don't you come in and find out?" Yun Che offered with a faint grin.
But Mio hesitated. Her fingers tightened slightly around the fabric of her kimono as faint memories of endless darkness and confinement crossed her mind — memories of the trial realm, cold and silent.
Seeing her unease, Yun Che placed a comforting hand on her head, gently ruffling her hair. His touch was warm — grounding.
"Don't worry. It's nothing like the trial dimension," he said softly. "This world's different. I created it myself — a place where my spirits and companions can live in peace. It's filled with life and light. Each of my Zanpakutō spirits has their own domain too. You can explore it however you like… and rest as much as you need."
He paused, his voice turning gentler.
"You've been trapped for too long, Mio. I get it. I won't let you go through that again."
Mio's crimson eyes shimmered faintly before she smiled, the corners of her lips lifting in genuine warmth.
"Hnnn… I trust you, Danna-sama. Promise me, when it's over — we'll explore the outside world together?"
"Yeah," he said, nodding with a grin. "Once you're settled, I'll show you around. I'll even introduce you to my companions outside. You'll like them — they're a rowdy bunch, but good people."
"Giggle I'll look forward to that, Danna-sama," Mio said softly, her voice carrying that rare mix of innocence and warmth that made Yun Che smile unconsciously.
Then Jasmine interjected, hands on her hips.
"Alright, enough sentimental talk. Let's go already — I've been trapped in divine trial spaces for days, and I desperately need a bath. A real hot spring bath."
"You heard her," Yun Che chuckled. "Go with Jasmine. Once you're done, she can show you how to travel between the real world and my inner world. The girls inside can be a little… energetic, but I'm sure you'll get along just fine."
Mio nodded, bowing slightly with quiet grace.
"Then, I'll come with Jasmine-san. When I'm done, I'll find you again — and we'll explore the world together."
Yun Che smiled and reached forward, patting her head one last time — an affectionate gesture that made Mio's cheeks flush softly.
"I'll be waiting."
Jasmine extended her hand, channeling her spiritual energy.
"Come on, spider girl. Let's get this over with."
Mio giggled.
"Hai~"
In an instant, their figures shimmered with crimson and violet light before collapsing into two glowing streams that flowed toward Yun Che's forehead — disappearing into the depths of his inner world.
The cave fell silent once again, save for the faint hum of residual spiritual energy.
Yun Che stood there for a moment, gazing at the place where they had vanished. A small smile crept onto his lips.
"Heh… they'll be fine."
Yun Che's voice echoed softly through the vast cavern. A faint smile tugged at his lips as he glanced toward the tunnel ahead.
"Now then… those three must be worried. I don't even know how long I've been gone. Feels like I was in that trial realm for an eternity."
With a flick of his wrist, he pulled the floating ball of golden light closer and compressed it into a smaller orb, the glow reflecting off the rough crystalline walls around him. The light drifted beside him like a loyal companion as he began walking toward the entrance.
The tunnel was familiar — yet different. The oppressive barrier that once blocked his path was gone, shattered along with the realm that held it. The air felt heavy with lingering energy, but it was free — alive.
"So the barrier really vanished once the trial collapsed…"
He continued forward, his footsteps echoing faintly against the stone.
Yun Che's thoughts drifted to the time he'd spent inside the Dragon God's trial. He had no idea how much experience he'd actually gained, but considering the chaos he'd gone through, it had to be massive. Still, he decided not to check his stats just yet.
"Let the experience sink in naturally," he murmured. "Once I hit the Illusory Demon Realm, that level-up rush will feel even better."
He smirked at the thought. Part of him wanted to ascend to level 71 right now, but with his new trump card — Leonidas, the Dragon Transformation — there was no longer a need to rush. For once, he could take his time.
As he walked, the heat from his earlier transformation still pulsed faintly beneath his skin — a sign of the Heretic Seed of Fire now harmonizing within him. He could feel it: a living current of energy coiling in his veins like molten gold.
"This seed…" he muttered, raising a hand. Sparks of crimson light danced between his fingers. "It's not just immunity or affinity… it's control. A medium to shape fire itself."
He clenched his fist, watching the sparks vanish.
That realization struck a familiar chord — a memory from another lifetime, another world. The world where he'd once sat in front of an old TV, watching stories of people who could command the elements with nothing but will and motion.
"Manipulation, huh?" His grin widened. "So that means… I can learn that."
He wasn't talking about the world's profound arts. No — he meant something far more fluid, more instinctive.
He meant Bending.
Fire that obeyed movement. Earth that danced with strength. Air that flowed with emotion. Water that mirrored calm and fury alike.
It was one of the few childhood memories he still cherished — the fantasy of wielding nature like an extension of one's soul. And now… it was no longer a fantasy.
"System," he said, his eyes gleaming with excitement, "can I cultivate bending arts?"
================
[Ding… Scanning host's memory.]
================
A pause — then a crisp reply.
==============
[It is possible. However, due to the absence of the other elemental seeds, host can currently master only Fire Bending.]
==============
Yun Che's heart skipped a beat.
"Only fire, huh? Fine by me. Start scanning the data and compile it. Use everything I remember."
==================
[Ding… System can create a Fire Bending Compendium based on host's memories. Processing cost: 5000 SP. Be advised — the compendium will be limited to knowledge extracted from host's memory.
Detected: 'Avatar State,' a memory-based empowerment technique. However, since 'Avatars' do not exist in this world, this function will be removed.]
===================
He laughed softly under his breath.
"Yeah, that's fine. I don't need a glowing spirit mode — I already have enough transformations as it is. Just give me the bending itself."
=============
[Confirmed. Initiating data extraction.]
[Two memory clusters found: "Avatar: The Last Airbender" and "Avatar: The Legend of Korra."]
[Initiating full cognitive extraction.]
[Deducting 5000 SP as payment.]
[Estimated automated assembly time: 1 month.]
============
Yun Che blinked.
"One month? That long?"
=============
[Affirmative. The system must manually decode and restructure every bending sequence from both memories. The process includes analyzing body mechanics, energy flow, elemental philosophy, and combat application.]
=============
He let out a low whistle and scratched his head.
"Guess that makes sense. Fine, take your time. One month's nothing if it means mastering this."
Closing the interface, Yun Che continued down the dark tunnel, the glowing orb hovering beside him and casting flickers of gold along the damp walls. The deeper he went, the more the air smelled of earth and molten stone — the remnants of the Azure Dragon's final breath still lingering faintly.
His thoughts drifted as his boots splashed softly against shallow puddles.
"Control…" he muttered. "That's what I'm missing."
He had strength — far beyond human limits. But true power wasn't just about strength. It was precision. The ability to shape power, not just unleash it.
He had Phoenix Flames, but they were limited — just the Fifth and Sixth Arts. His kido offered Adamantine Blast, but that was pure destructive force, not manipulation. What good were divine flames if he couldn't command their form or flow?
That's where bending came in.
It was art through instinct.
No chants, no incantations, no flashy names. Just pure movement, control, and emotion — the ability to make fire dance and breathe.
And for him… it was perfect.
"If I can merge bending with my Zanpakutō," he thought, eyes glinting in the glow, "I wouldn't need hundreds of techniques. I could adapt in real time."
He could already imagine it — fire bending through a swing of Tensa Zangetsu, flames spiraling and twisting in unison with each slash.
What if he merged Phoenix Flames into a compressed fire blast, or channeled Golden Crow Flames into an inferno shaped by sheer will?
Even his hybrid Frost Flames could evolve — frozen fire sculpted by movement rather than spellwork.
The possibilities were limitless.
"System," he said as the tunnel began to widen ahead, "how exactly can I learn bending here? There's no chakra in this world."
=================
[Ding… Host currently possesses both Haki and the Heretic Seed of Fire. Bending requires a medium — a flow of spirit energy that interacts with the physical world. Haki will serve as that medium. It will channel the host's spiritual force into elemental manifestation, while the Fire Seed provides elemental affinity.]
=================
Yun Che nodded thoughtfully.
"So haki acts like spiritual circuitry, and the Fire Seed's the power source. Makes sense."
=================
[Affirmative. Once the host learns the fundamentals of energy bending, the host can awaken bending potential in others using the system interface. However, the awakened subject must possess sufficient willpower and haki control.]
====================
"Energy bending, huh?" he mused, remembering the blue glow and calm precision of Aang's movements from his past life.
"So I can give or take away bending? That's… convenient."
He folded his arms as he walked, thinking aloud.
"Let's see… Right now, the only haki users are me, Retsu, Kon, Cang Yue, and Little Fairy. Not bad for a start. Guess I'll have to wait until I find the other seeds before I can unlock the rest — water, earth, wind, lightning."
His smirk returned, that familiar glint of anticipation flashing in his eyes.
"Once I get all of them, the possibilities will be endless."
The tunnel began sloping upward. A faint breeze — warm and real — brushed past him, carrying the scent of grass and sunlit air from the surface above.
Yun Che chuckled softly to himself, a spark of excitement in his tone.
"One month, huh? By the time that compendium's done, I'll have something this world's never seen before — elemental mastery and dragon fire. Beats repeating the same arts over and over."
He clenched his fist, a faint wisp of flame coiling around his knuckles before he released it with a grin.
"But not now. Those two are waiting for me."
His voice echoed through the cavern as he ascended toward the light — confident, calm, and filled with the quiet thrill of what was coming next.