"Look, the bandits are all gone. You can come down now. You've been hugging me since last night."Yun Che let out a helpless sigh, a bead of sweat sliding down his cheek. Ever since he'd pulled the little girl out of that burly man's grip, she'd clung to him like a lifeline. First hugging him until dawn… and now riding on his back like a determined little koala.
They made their way through the enchanted forest, weaving between ancient roots and glowing moss as they searched for the nearest sanctuary. The system was still compiling data for the mini-map; until it finished, they were stuck navigating the old-fashioned way.
The girl's small arms tightened around his neck. No matter how many times he tried getting her off—gently at first, desperately later—she refused to let go. At one point, he'd put her down and immediately sprinted away. She caught him in seconds… and then hit him with those puppy eyes.He had defeated profound beasts, bandits, and cultivators who wielded killing intent like blades—But he was utterly defenseless against puppy eyes.
"….."She still hadn't spoken a word. But she'd been smiling against his back all morning, happy as a cat in the sun. Because of that, he'd had to hand Cang Yue over to Retsu to piggyback instead.
"Ara-ara… she's really keeping you to herself, Yuu-kun. It's adorable, in a way."Retsu covered her smile behind her sleeve, clearly entertained. Jasmine once warned them that small gestures could ripple through a woman's heart. Apparently, little girls were no exception.
"We couldn't sleep because of that," Mio grumbled, crossing her arms. Her chance to snuggle with him last night had been stolen by a child half her height.
"Why didn't you wake me up?!" Kon suddenly shouted right beside Yun Che's ear.He'd been asleep the entire time Yun Che, Mio, and Retsu dealt with the bandits, oblivious to the carnage. Understandable—he gave off no spiritual presence whatsoever. Even the bandits had dismissed him as a harmless doll.
Because the girl occupied Yun Che's back, Kon had to hover nearby with the tiny golden wings he'd recently unlocked. His current Sky Profound cultivation allowed him limited flight without transforming. Plushy or not, those wings were a proud symbol of his divine golden lion bloodline.
The little girl stared wide-eyed at the sight—Kon flying, Retsu storing utensils into the air, the way these "travellers" had obliterated dozens of bandits without breaking a sweat.
No wonder she clung to Yun Che. From her point of view, they must seem like walking miracles.
"Say someone who slept like a log," Yun Che shot back, deadpan.
Retsu's gentle tone softened. She looked to the girl with curiosity."Anoooo… may I ask your name? You've been following us since yesterday. It would be nice to know what to call you."
The girl hesitated. Then—quietly—she slid off Yun Che's back, walked to a patch of soft earth, and picked up a stick.
Carefully, she drew strokes one by one.
Yun Che watched her, surprised at how steady and practiced her writing was for someone so young.
Finally, the characters formed clearly on the ground.
Huan… Xueli.
"That's your name?" Mio knelt down to Xueli's eye level.Xueli nodded, clutching the stick in her hand.
"Then, I am Yun Che," he said with a gentle smile. "This braided big sister is Retsu, and this butterfly big sister is Mio. The big sister in Retsu's arms is Cang Yue—she's just asleep right now, so she can't say hi."
Retsu and Mio both offered warm, reassuring smiles. They didn't want to frighten her again. After all, Yun Che had shielded her from the full terror of their "demon mode" last night—if she'd seen everything, she might never look at them the same way again.
Now that her fear had melted into cautious curiosity, they could finally introduce themselves without worrying she'd burst into tears.
Xueli's gaze drifted to the floating lion plushy beside Yun Che. Seeing the cue, Yun Che gave Kon a subtle nod.
Kon let out a dramatic sigh and fluttered down to the ground in front of her."Yo… I am Kon-sama. A lion," he declared, raising his plushy paw like a dignified noble greeting a subject.
Xueli blinked. This was the same creature that had scared her in the bushes yesterday. But after spending the night with the group—and after seeing far stranger things—she found herself more curious than afraid.
Tentatively, she reached out and gave his soft belly a gentle squeeze.
Pwoof.
Her eyes widened. Another squeeze.
Pwoof.
Kon stiffened, resigned to fate. If he dared complain, Mio and Retsu's sinister smiles would finish him off faster than any bandit ever could. So he endured as Xueli giggled softly, squeezing him again and again to hear that endearing little sound.
Yun Che exhaled in relief. Seeing her smile—really smile— eased a knot in his chest he hadn't noticed forming.
But then a thought struck him.
"Huan…" Yun Che murmured. "Isn't that Xuyi's surname?"
The others turned to him.He frowned slightly, mind racing.
Xuyi had no known descendants. But if the girl carried that name, then she must have inherited it somehow. In this world, clan names were often passed through disciples, sect members, or orphans taken under a master's protection.
Still… why hadn't she said anything last night?
"Why didn't you tell us before?" he asked softly.
Xueli froze, shoulders trembling just a little. Slowly, she crouched and wrote again in the dirt.
Her small hand hesitated, but she forced each letter anyway. "…don't know… never spoke… since mama went sick…"
As the final stroke landed, a tear slipped from her cheek onto the soil. Her writing hand shook. Her breath hitched.
Mio immediately pulled her into a gentle embrace, pressing the girl's head against her chest.
"Shhh… it's okay. You don't have to force yourself," she whispered, stroking the child's hair.
"Okay, that's enough," Yun Che said quickly, raising both hands. His voice was soft but firm. "You don't need to explain any more. We understand."
She was only six. Six—yet she held herself with the silent discipline of someone who'd been forced to grow up far too early.
Even as she sniffled in Mio's arms, she reached out with trembling fingers and traced one more line in the dirt.
"Xueli… likes big brother and sisters."
Mio tightened her hug.
Retsu's eyes softened.
Kon, despite being squeezed half to death earlier, looked away in embarrassment.
Yun Che just knelt in front of her and brushed her head gently.
"For a six-year-old, you're surprisingly mature." Yun Che said it half in praise, half in curiosity.
Xueli blinked at him—then shook her head.
"Eh? You're not six?" Another shake.
She slowly raised her hands… then spread all ten fingers.
Yun Che's eyes widened. "You're ten?! That explains it. No wonder you're so mature… even if you're really small for your age."
He reached out and gently ruffled her hair. Xueli's lips curled into a shy smile—soft, fragile, the kind a child only shows when she feels safe. It had been a long time since someone praised her or touched her with affection instead of worry.
Watching her melt into the moment, Mio's eyes sparkled with delight. She hugged Xueli from behind like a proud mother hen.
"Ne, ne… Danna-sama, don't we look like real parents?" Mio chirped happily.
Yun Che chuckled and gave her an amused nod.
Then he stood, still smiling, and reached out to take Xueli's small hand. "Alright. Let's get you back home."
Xueli nodded and wrapped her tiny fingers around his without hesitation.
Mio shot Retsu a triumphant grin over her shoulder.
Retsu responded with a jealous yet playful smile—the kind that said this isn't over.Sisters they may be, but rivals they remained… especially where Yun Che was concerned.
At least now they finally knew the little girl's name instead of calling her that child.
Their steps brought them toward the heart of the barrier realm, to the edge of the great waterfall that marked its center. Mist shimmered like silver dust in the air, refracting sunlight into scattered rainbows.
Yun Che paused, taking in the sight.
For him… in all his time in this novel world, this was easily the most breathtaking view he had seen.
The waterfall before them was sky-blue, almost unreal in its brilliance. Water crashed joyfully over smooth stone, thundering into the pool below like a colossal liquid spire. When it struck the crystal basin—aptly nicknamed the ecstasy pool by passing cultivators—it exploded into white foam that danced at the surface before dissipating into shimmering ripples.
The rest of the water was so clear it looked like stretched cellophane laid over the earth. They could see straight down to the rocky bottom, where fronds of deep forest-green plants swayed gently in the current like submerged dancers.
From a distance, the waterfall resembled a long sheet of blue velour cascading down the cliffside—its edges trimmed with delicate lines of whipped-white foam. Sunlight filtering through the mist cast a rainbow arch across the falls, completing the picture-perfect scene.
A small gaggle of wild geese grazed peacefully near the bank. Clusters of large, saw-toothed ferns curled around the rocks—plants that reminded Yun Che of Amazonian species from his world, though their local names here were undoubtedly different. Whatever they were, he didn't particularly care. The sweet nectar fragrance of blooming spring flowers drifted on the breeze, refreshing their spirits as they watched the endless rush of water.
"Beautiful…" Retsu whispered, her voice barely audible over the roar. Even she seemed stunned by the breathtaking sight.
"Reminds me of Niagara Falls for some reason!" Yun Che shouted over the thunderous cascade.
Compared to this place, Niagara looked tiny. Even standing here at the very edge, they couldn't see the full span of the falls without taking to the sky.
"Niagara… Falls?" Retsu tilted her head, unfamiliar with the foreign name.
Yun Che blinked, realizing he'd carelessly blurted out another place from Earth.
"Oh—uh, it's a famous waterfall… from where I came from."
"Your home world must be beautiful," Mio said with a sweet, almost dreamy tone. "Makes me want to visit one day."
"Yeah. It is beautiful." His smile faltered slightly, eyes lowering.
"Or… what's left of it."
Before the mood could dip any further, a small tug pulled at his sleeve. Yun Che looked down to see Xueli staring up at him with intent eyes. She pointed toward a direction far from the waterfall's edge.
"You remembered something?" he asked gently.
She nodded and tugged again.
Without hesitation, he followed her, and the group trailed behind as they trekked once more through the enchanted forest. It didn't take long before they stepped out of the treeline—Xueli had led them straight to a faint, weather-worn path.
Judging by the angle from the waterfall, she must've recognized this route from memory. That meant she had wandered through these woods several times before… likely searching for help, or food, or her family.
The path split into two directions:
One leading toward the shimmering barrier's edge,
And the other heading deeper toward the heart of the realm.
"So which way is your home?" Yun Che asked softly.
Xueli raised her hand and pointed toward the road leading into the middle of the realm.
"Then this road must lead to the nearest settlement," Yun Che concluded. "Let's follow it."
Everyone nodded.
Before Xueli could take another step, Yun Che suddenly scooped her up into a princess carry.
Her eyes widened in shock.
He flashed her a playful smile. "Hold tight, Xueli. You're about to be surprised."
Yun Che activated his profound flying technique, and in a smooth, effortless motion, they lifted off the ground. He hadn't flown earlier because he feared shocking Xueli—an ordinary girl, vulnerable and already shaken.
But now?
Now she had entrusted him with her name… and that meant something deeper.
As the ground fell away beneath them, Xueli's small hands shot up and clung tightly around his neck. She shut her eyes, trembling—not out of fear of him, but of the unknown. Even so, she still didn't utter a single word.
Retsu and Mio rose beside him, their figures graceful in the air as they surveyed the world below. Even for them—cultivators accustomed to wonders—the sight was breathtaking. The waterfall they had just admired looked even grander from above, its mist spreading like silver silk across the landscape. The forest stretched endlessly, vibrant and alive.
They shared a silent thought:
We have to visit the floating islands later.
They had traveled across the Blue Wind Empire before, but never had they seen scenery like this anywhere in Profound Sky Continent.
When Xueli finally dared to open her eyes, Yun Che softened his voice. "It's okay. We won't let you fall."
She nodded timidly… then slowly looked down.
Her breath caught.
The world below unfolded in a vast, unbelievable panorama—waterfall, forest, mountains, the arc of a rainbow bending across the air. Birds glided beside them, as if welcoming her into their domain. It was the first time in her life she'd ever seen the sky from above, the first time she'd ever felt weightless.
She had never imagined humans could fly like this. Even more shocking—this big brother she met just yesterday, and these kind big sisters… all of them soared through the sky like mythic beings.
The system had been correct: this barrier realm held people who lived peaceful, ordinary lives. No cultivation. No profound energy. No soaring through clouds. In her world, cultivation was a fairy tale.
Here… she was experiencing that fairy tale.
Her eyes sparkled with awe, memorizing everything she saw, as if afraid this dream would vanish if she blinked too long.
"Looks like someone is enjoying herself," Retsu said warmly, watching the girl's expression bloom.
"To us," Yun Che said, "this scenery might be as common as air. But to her, this is a miracle. Even in my home world, humans built incredible machines just to feel what we're feeling now—just to see the sky like this."
Mio smiled softly. "She reminds me of the first time I learned to fly."
Despite her divine heritage, the memory stirred something gentle in her. She had lived hundreds of thousands of years, yet she had never truly flown—only teleported from place to place through spatial arts. It wasn't the same.
This—wind brushing her skin, weightlessness, the sky stretching infinitely—This was a joy she had learned only through her time with Yun Che.
A human joy.
A purpose she never knew she needed.
Below them, the waterfall crashed like thunder.
Above them, the sky opened like a dream.
And in Yun Che's arms, a little girl silently experienced her first miracle.
"Yuu-kun, over there…" Retsu's voice cut through the wind, soft but urgent.
Yun Che turned just as she pointed. Mio followed. Even Kon drifted closer, curious.
And then Yun Che saw it.
"So it was here after all…"
Below them—not a village, not a simple settlement—but an entire sect-like city floated above the basin, suspended on a massive island encircled by the waterfall's constant roar.
It wasn't as large as Gao Ling City, yet it rivaled Floating Cloud City in design—perhaps smaller, yet far more magnificent. Four sturdy bridges extended from the basin's edge toward the floating island like sacred arms, providing the only passage into the city.
There were no walls. No barriers.
And strangely, none were needed.
Positioned in the center of a natural fortress—surrounded by cliffs, water, and sheer vertical drops—this floating island was essentially unassailable. Armies could never march into it. Beasts could not climb to it. The only way across… was through four narrow bridges that could be cut, raised, or destroyed at a moment's notice.
The city itself was a harmonious blend of ancient wooden structures, pathways, and homes arranged with precise care. The outskirts were lush farmland, organized into terraces with rows of crops swaying gently. Further in were taller buildings—houses, communal halls, perhaps schools or training yards—forming a peaceful, thriving community built with purpose.
But what seized their attention wasn't the city.
It was the island above it.
Suspended high in the air—far above even the floating city—was a smaller island, serene and isolated. A staircase of pure white stone connected it to the main city like a sacred bridge.
A spherical Isu energy shield wrapped around it, shimmering faintly like glass charged with light.
Whatever was up there… was important. Sacred. Untouched.
Yun Che's eyes narrowed.
Xuyi… what did you leave behind?
That floating island—shielded, elevated, protected—was undoubtedly tied to her. Perhaps it was where she once lived. Perhaps it was a place of remembrance. Or perhaps…
A place she wanted her body to rest.
The setup made sense. From atop that island, Xuyi would have overlooked the entire settlement, watching the people prosper under her protection and ensuring peace within the barrier realm she built.
Yun Che felt a strange mix of awe and melancholy.
For someone who possessed the secrets of the Apple of Eden… creating such a place made sense. A sanctuary. A final remnant of her will. A city built atop her destroyed home village—reborn, elevated, and preserved for more than two thousand years.
People could live here without war.
Without cultivation.
Without fear.
Yet despite all this time… they hadn't changed.
Humans remained humans—fragile, peaceful, unchanged by the rise and fall of eras.
Yun Che exhaled slowly, tightening his hold on Xueli as they hovered in the air.
"Xuyi… you really left more behind than I expected."
Yun Che felt a light tug at his robe.
When he looked down, Xueli stared up at him with those large, luminous eyes of hers—eyes full of quiet hope. She tugged again, then pointed toward the floating city.
"That's your hometown?" he asked gently.
Xueli nodded.
"Alright," Yun Che exhaled. "Ladies, looks like we've arrived. Let's land somewhere nearby—we don't want to scare the locals."
Even if Xueli wasn't afraid of flying cultivators anymore, there was no guarantee the people living in that city would react calmly to strangers descending from the sky. No city, no matter how peaceful, was free from those who preyed on the weak or feared the unknown.
They chose a small clearing in the forest near one of the four bridges. The landing was smooth and quiet.
Once on the ground, the girls immediately began adjusting their appearances.
Retsu and Mio exchanged a glance—then nodded in silent agreement. Their usual exquisite kimonos, vibrant and luxurious, would draw far too much attention. So they changed into more modest, traditional-looking kimonos, choosing simpler, muted colors.
Retsu slipped into a plain purple kimono adorned with faint floral patterns, pairing it with a soft pink obi. The soft hues suited her gentle elegance.
Mio chose a black kimono decorated sparsely with delicate flower motifs, making her look both refined and approachable.
Cang Yue, still asleep, remained in her usual attire.
Together, the three of them looked less like divine beauties from a far-off land…and more like traditional villagers from an old Japanese countryside.
Granted, they had nothing resembling typical Chinese robes—but the simple kimonos would at least help them blend in more than their usual outfits.
Meanwhile, Kon darted beneath Yun Che's robe like a tiny shadow.
Yun Che adjusted his own gear—still in his modernized adventure outfit, but hidden beneath a plain, worn-looking cloak. Something that wouldn't catch the eye.
As he fastened the clasp, Retsu and Mio's voices drifted into his ears.
"Danna-sama…""Yuu-kun… how do we look?"
He turned.
And for a moment, the world eased.
Even wearing ordinary, unadorned clothing, the two of them still radiated a natural beauty that felt… comfortable. Familiar. Human.
He smiled.
"You girls look beautiful… and normal. Surprisingly normal."
Both Retsu and Mio giggled softly, their cheeks faintly pink with delight.
Yun Che couldn't help but think—Even wrapped in simple cloth, they still outshine half the world.
If Shirayuki and Kuroyuki ever bothered making men's clothing, maybe he'd actually match them for once.
But for now… blending in was enough.
And with Xueli by his side, hand in his, they finally stepped toward the bridge leading into her hometown.
Xueli led them toward the long marble bridge that connected directly into the floating city. The closer they got, the more lively the area became. Carriages pulled by sturdy horses rumbled across the stone bridge, and people walked in and out of the city at a steady pace—families, merchants, travelers, guards.
This wasn't an isolated sanctuary.
This was a hub—connected to multiple settlements scattered through the mountains and forests beyond.
Yun Che glanced around. If people traveled this freely, there were likely small villages, clans, or towns hidden deeper in the region.
"Xueli," he whispered gently, "we're going to show you another trick. Hold on tight… and close your eyes."
She obeyed instantly—wrapping her arms around his neck and shutting her eyes without hesitation. Trusting him.
He gave Retsu and Mio the nod.
BZZT—
In less than a heartbeat, the three of them vanished.
Yun Che's flash step—now refined through countless battles—sent him gliding across the entire bridge in a single burst. He reappeared behind a massive boulder at the city's edge, silent as a ghost. Retsu flickered into existence beside him a split second later.
Mio didn't use flash step—she didn't need to. Her spatial movement art folded the world like silk, propelling her through compressed distance just as quickly.
Ever since unlocking the advanced stage of Armament Haki, she had begun inventing her own movement techniques—hybrids of spatial manipulation and profound energy. Deadly. Elegant. Efficient.
"Xueli," Yun Che said softly, setting her down on the grass. "You can open your eyes now."
She blinked—then gasped softly, stunned. They had crossed the long bridge and entered the outskirts of the floating city… in mere seconds.
If she had kept her eyes open, the sheer speed might have made her sick.
But she was still amazed nonetheless.
"Xueli," Yun Che began carefully, "thank you for guiding us here. Earlier… you said your mama fell sick. Right?"
She lowered her head.
And nodded.
"Then… can you take us to her? If we know what's wrong, we might be able to help. Big brother and the big sisters here," he tapped his chest and gestured to Retsu and Mio, "are all doctors."
Xueli didn't speak.
But she stepped forward, hugged his leg tightly, and looked up at him with trembling puppy eyes—eyes full of desperation, hope, and fear all tangled together.
Even without words, her meaning was unmistakable.
She wanted their help.
She was begging for it.
Yun Che's expression softened. He knelt until their eyes were level.
He'd already checked her tiny cloth backpack while she slept—full of herbs, roots, leaves she had gathered by herself. Some medicinal, some useless, some outright dangerous.
A little girl… wandering the forest… trying to save her dying mother.
Doctors here had likely failed her.
Yet she still searched for a cure alone.And got lost.
He gently brushed her hair aside and patted her head. His voice dropped to a tender whisper.
"Thanks to you, we made it to this city. And because of you… we might find what we're looking for."
Xueli's eyes glistened as she listened.
"So," he continued with a soft smile, "we'll do everything we can to save your mother. Not because of payment. Not because we owe anything."
He tapped her nose lightly.
"But because big brother and your big sisters… like you too."
Xueli froze—Then blushed.
Then slowly hugged him again, small arms trembling around his waist.
She had nothing—no money, no support, no one to rely on.
In a city where the wealthy thrived and the poor suffered, she and her mother were on the lowest rung.
Yet she still clung to hope.
And now… she finally had help.
Yun Che rubbed her back gently.
"Alright, Xueli. Lead the way. Let's go help your mother."
As expected, life in the floating city revolved around old-world survival—farming, fishing, mining, tending livestock. Ordinary work. Ordinary lives. No cultivators, no profound techniques… just honest labor. The outskirts of the city were dotted with farmland and small herds, evidence that the people here relied entirely on agriculture and trade with neighboring settlements.
There was poverty, yes—but also warmth. Simplicity. A kind of human peace Yun Che rarely saw in his travels.
Xueli held tightly onto the edge of his cloak as she guided them deeper inside the city. The ladies walked behind them, quiet and observant.
Unsurprisingly, the moment they stepped onto the cobblestone streets, dozens of eyes snapped toward them. Retsu and Mio—despite wearing plain kimonos—were impossible to hide. Their presence alone drew attention like moths to flame. And Yun Che, carrying an unconscious Cang Yue, didn't help the spectacle.
The city, from up close, felt similar to Floating Cloud City. Ordinary people. Ordinary lives. A fantasy world with magic in its bones—but humans who lived as humans.
Of course, none of that stopped the whispers.
"Is that Xueli? She's been missing for two days. The city lord nearly sent out a search party for her."
"The city lord was close to her mother. That child… still looking for herbs again? Poor thing."
"Even the best doctor said her mother won't wake up. But she still searches every day…"
"That's what happens when someone tries to follow her father's footsteps."
"And those travelers with her—who are they? Look at that young man! He's better-looking than half the boys in town."
"And those ladies behind him! Swans walking into a duck pond…"
The men stared openly at Retsu and Mio—admiring, dazzled, hopelessly outmatched. The women stared at Yun Che, some with awe, some with suspicion, some with shameless interest.
Even the old ladies joined in:
"Fuuuuhhh… those girls are beauties. I'd give up ten years of my life for a man like that."
"Hah! You'd scare him off before you got within ten paces."
"Look at him carrying a girl. Bet he did something scandalous to her."
"She must be pregnant with his child! These handsome young ones are all the same."
"Pregnant or not, that girl he's carrying is a beauty. Reminds me of my younger days."
Retsu, Mio, and Yun Che all sweatdropped simultaneously. Their Haki picked up every word clearly, and none of it was pleasant.
We've been here less than ten minutes, Yun Che thought. And already trouble wants to say hello.
He glanced down at Xueli.
How long had she endured all of this alone?
Running to the forest. Searching for herbs. Holding onto hope while the whole city whispered behind her back. Even the gossiping aunties knew her story well enough to pity her.
She really is one tough cookie…
As they continued forward, Yun Che took in the scenery more closely. The architecture, the layout, the market stalls—everything resembled a normal Profound Sky Continent city… except for the complete absence of cultivators.
For once, that felt refreshing.
For once, there were no arrogant sect disciples.
No young masters looking for trouble. No elders expecting respect.
Just… humans.
Quiet. Peaceful.
Safe.
Or so Yun Che thought.
Because just as he let himself relax—
—something stirred in the distance.
And the peace shattered like thin glass.
"Kyaaahhhh!!!"
Their steps halted immediately. Yun Che's brows pulled together as a woman's scream tore through the street.
"Oi, Owner!! You won't mind if we borrow her for a moment, right?! Consider your protection fee for this month settled!"
Three men stumbled out of a nearby restaurant—two scruffy middle-aged thugs dragging a struggling woman, and a fat, greasy man behind them biting into a huge piece of meat like a starving pig. Their outfits… almost identical to the bandits from last night.
Yun Che's expression soured.
These guys again…
"You… let me go!! Please, let me go!!"The young woman—no older than twenty—fought helplessly. Her mouth was quickly clamped shut by the man holding her.
"Oi, oi… keep quiet," he snarled. "Our Boss here prefers quiet women."
"Don't scare her too much," the other thug snickered. "She won't be much fun if she's trembling like that."
Around them, the gathered townspeople whispered nervously.
"Not them again… ever since these bandits came, the city's become lawless."
"Poor girl… she only started working there three days ago. Any girl taken by them never comes back…"
"Who's that fat guy?" one man whispered.
His friend elbowed him sharply. "Idiot! That's Wen Chai—the leader of the mountain bandits who terrorize all four bridges! It's because of them travelers stopped coming. He demands protection fees every month!"
"What about the city guards?"
"They can't take him on. He's got hundreds of men in the mountains. They'd lose before the fight even starts."
Yun Che absorbed the whispers calmly.
So this clown is their boss.
Explains why those dozens of bandits were roaming the forest last night.
If Wen Chai went back to his hideout, he was in for one hell of a surprise. His men were still lying in a pile of unconscious, bruised potatoes.
But right now?
Xueli's mother mattered more.
Yun Che shrugged. "Meh. Not my problem. Xueli's mother comes first."
He turned away, fully intending to ignore the chaos. For once, he didn't want to meddle. He just wanted peace—not drama—until he got Xueli home.
But the world never let him have that luxury.
"Oi… brat. Hold it right there."
Three figures blocked their path. The townsfolk immediately backed away, creating a circle of empty space.
Wen Chai—the fat leader—looked Yun Che up and down with bored disdain…Right until his gaze slid to Retsu and Mio.
His eyes lit up with disgusting hunger.
"Well, well… these beauties are wayyyyy better than that common woman," he laughed, shoving the waitress to the ground without a care. The poor girl scrambled away, terrified.
Now his attention was fully consumed by Retsu, Mio, and even the unconscious Cang Yue in Yun Che's arms.
With a thick, revolting voice, he barked:
"Oi, brat. If you value your life… hand over the women behind you. And the one you're holding. All of them."
"Poor kid… that's what he gets for bringing such beauties into the city."
"Guess he didn't know Wen Chai is famous for his lust."
Yun Che exhaled slowly through his nose.
Not this again…
He had honestly thought the burly idiot who grabbed Xueli last night was the so-called boss. The guy had the look: weird moustache, muscles, bad haircut. Classic boss material.
But nope.
Instead, he got this greasy, meat-eating lump.
And once again, the same predictable threat.
Treasure or women.
Women or treasure.
Cultivator or mortal—different world, same stupidity.
A bystander called out nervously, "Oi, kid! Just hand them over and kneel! Even the guards don't dare anger Wen Chai—the legendary mountain bandit leader!"
Yun Che sighed again, louder this time.
"This city really just lets this clown run wild…? I came here hoping for no trouble. Just once. Just once. Cut me some slack, man…"
A tiny voice grumbled from under his cloak.
"Oi… teme… looks like Nee-san was right about you being a trouble magnet."
Yun Che elbowed the lump discreetly.
"It's not like I want trouble. And it's always the same crap. Treasures or women. At least cultivators hesitate when a woman clearly has a terrifying background. Here? Nope. No self-preservation skills at all."
Kon snorted.
Behind Yun Che, Xueli immediately hid herself, clutching the back of his cloak. But the bandits had already noticed her.
"Three beauties and a kid," Wen Chai grinned, his teeth stained with grease. "You're one lucky brat."
One of the middle-aged thugs leaned forward with a sinister smirk.
"Boss, that kid would fetch a high price in the brothels. We take the women, sell the kid."
"Heheh… that braided girl's my type…"
Another man licked his lips.
"And the one in his arms—damn, Boss, look at her. Let's take them. I wanna taste her first."
Wen Chai swallowed the last chunk of meat, tossed the bone aside, and drew a heavy iron hammer from his back. The crowd flinched. Even from a distance, the weapon radiated menace.
"Last warning, brat," he growled. "Hand over the women and the kid… or your death will be slow."
Retsu and Mio's expressions shifted instantly.
Gone was the gentle softness they'd worn around Xueli.
Their eyes turned dark—cold—quietly murderous.
Humans were humans.
Cultivators were cultivators.
Idiots were .... idiots.
No matter the world, there were always men who didn't understand until their bones were broken beyond recognition.
Clearly, she and Retsu hadn't taught last night's group enough of a lesson.
Mio's voice dropped into a chilling register.
"Danna-sama… can I kill them?"
Yun Che shook his head.
"No. Remember why we're here. We're helping Xueli. Not causing trouble for her."
"B-But…" Mio pouted—but she stepped back immediately. Orders were orders.
If she fought here—if she showed even 1% of her real power—this city of ordinary humans would panic, misunderstand, and likely place Xueli in trouble.
And they couldn't risk that.
Not when Xueli needed them most.
"Oi… brat.
"Wen Chai jabbed a fat finger at Yun Che. "Didn't you hear me? You're humiliating me. Never once has a commoner disobeyed an elite warrior like me. Kneel down and beg for your life."
The street fell silent. The fat bandit leader glared down with swollen pride.
Behind Yun Che, Retsu's and Mio's expressions darkened visibly. Their cute, gentle aura vanished—replaced only by a chilling frost.
To ask their fiancé to kneel…To command him like a dog…A mortal had just touched the deepest nerve of two very dangerous women.
Killing intent began to seep from their bodies—
Until Yun Che's calm voice echoed in their minds.
"It's okay, you two. A mere mortal threat can't harm anything. Calm down."
"Grrr…""Hai…"Both girls forced themselves to relax, though thin strands of killing intent still leaked from them like cracks in a dam.
Then Mio heard his voice again—another whisper through their mental link.
"Mio. You can use it too, right? Why don't you give it a test run?"
Her eyes sharpened instantly.
A slow, sinister smile spread over her lips.
She had been developing that technique for weeks—unfinished, unstable, but more than enough for trash like this.
Time for a field test.
One of the thugs burst into laughter.
"Boss, he's frozen stiff! He's so scared he can't talk!"
Wen Chai smirked and swung his hammer over his shoulder.
"Hmph. Brat, you really don't know your place, do you? I'll say it one last time. Kneel down and—"
The men advanced like low-grade Yakuza, trying to intimidate him.
"You better listen, boy," one growled. "One wrong move and you're dead. Boss doesn't have patience."
Yun Che let out a tired sigh.
"I'm really sorry," he said. "But I can't do that. And I don't have time for this."
Then he simply walked forward, Xueli clinging to his cloak, pushing past the middle-aged thugs with his shoulder, not even sparing Wen Chai a glance.
The entire street gasped.
"Wh-what the hell is wrong with him!?"
"He just… walked away!?"
"Brat…!" Wen Chai roared. "You dare ignore me!? Fine! I'll teach the whole city what happens when someone defies Wen Chai!"
He ripped his hammer free and swung it downward with all his strength.
Xueli squeezed her eyes shut, expecting the worst.
Yun Che merely stepped slightly to the side, avoiding the hammer effortlessly despite carrying Cang Yue in his arms.
He didn't even open his eyes as he gave the command:
"Mio."
Mio didn't move.
She didn't raise her hand.
She didn't even blink.
Her pupils contracted—And a thin, invisible ripple surged outward from her body.
Silent.
Instant.
Unseen.
The aura passed through pedestrians, through market stalls…And through the three bandits.
Thud. Thud. THUD.
The city froze as three heavy bodies crashed to the ground.
Yun Che continued walking without looking back.
Xueli trembled behind him, clutching his cloak.
The bandits lay sprawled on the ground—foam leaking from their mouths, eyes rolled white, bodies completely limp. Their consciousness was erased in less than a breath.
The "invincible" Wen Chai hadn't even realized what happened.
"EHHHH!?!"The surrounding people erupted.
"W-Wen Chai collapsed!?"
"No way… those three just dropped like flies!"
"Did they do something?"
"I didn't even see them move!"
"They just… walked past them and the bandits fell!"
"Who… who are these youngsters!?"
Every bystander swallowed hard.
"I don't know… they came into the city with Xueli."
"They must be from outside the barrier realm…""Damn… when Wen Chai wakes up, he won't take this lightly…"
Yun Che didn't stop walking.
He didn't spare the unconscious bandits a second glance.
Right now, the only thing that mattered—
was saving Xueli's mother.
========================
Yun Che and the others walked past the sea of whispering pedestrians, not paying attention to the sensation they had just caused within the city. Xueli continued tugging gently at Yun Che's cloak, guiding them away from the plaza and into the outer parts of the floating island.
To reach the northern end quickly, they cut straight through the central district. From above, the island looked small—manageable. But on foot, its size became clear. This was a fully developed settlement, large enough to house thousands.
As they moved farther from the bustling heart of the city, the atmosphere softened.
Children's laughter echoed between houses, farmers tended to their crops, and merchants chatted casually as they carried baskets of grain. Here, life was simple—untainted by power struggles or cultivation. Just ordinary people living ordinary lives.
No pursuit of strength.
No martial obsession.
No sect politics.
For a moment, it felt strangely peaceful.
Once they were far enough from the crowds, Retsu activated Tenteikura, her voice echoing telepathically into Mio's mind.
Mio-chan, I didn't know you awakened it as well.
Mio giggled mentally.
Ehee~ I awakened it when Danna-sama helped me awaken my haki. He said I should prioritize Kenbunshoku and Busoshoku because he and you already mastered this one, so I shouldn't rush it. But… I got bored, so I trained it secretly when everyone was asleep.
Retsu smiled slightly at that.
Yun Che suddenly chimed into their mental conversation, surprising Mio.
Even with the system, you still need experience to master it. Retsu needed about three days even with assistance—and she's extremely diligent with her training.
Retsu's cheeks warmed slightly at the praise.
But Mio frowned.
Still… Yuu-kun, I thought you needed a powerful killing intent as a basis to awaken it. How did I get it? I'm nowhere near as intimidating as Retsu.
Yun Che responded while adjusting Cang Yue in his arms.
Actually, no. Killing intent is one trigger, but not the only one. Haoshoku isn't restricted to bloodlust. In my world, some awakened it after witnessing a loved one die. Others awakened it through overwhelming despair, or by surviving harsh life-or-death training. Some simply awakened it because their will refused to break.
He recalled scenes vividly:
Doflamingo killing his father.
Katakuri's resolve to protect his siblings.
Ace finding his purpose.
Chinjao's life of hardship.
All of them forged by pain, conviction, or responsibility—not killing intent alone.
Haki awakens when a person's spirit reaches a threshold, he continued. When their willpower steps past normal limits and demands the world recognize them.
Mio looked down, thinking carefully.
But Danna-sama… I didn't experience anything like that after you tamed me. And I don't have thick killing intent like Retsu…
Yun Che smiled faintly as he reached out and patted Mio's head.
Yun Che gave the matter a moment of thought, then offered an answer that would make sense to them both.
"In your case, it doesn't need to be triggered by trauma or killing intent," he explained. "Retsu awakened hers the same way—her Bankai was the key that unleashed it. Honestly… I think both of you awakened Haoshoku long, long ago. Probably in your previous lives."
Both women looked at him in surprise.
He continued calmly, "Haki isn't born from the body. It originates from the soul. Even if someone else took over your physical body, they wouldn't be able to use your haki. But if your soul enters another body—your haki goes with you."
The idea wasn't new to them, but hearing it now, in this moment, made it click in a different way.
Retsu frowned slightly.
"But we don't have memories of our past lives. Mio may be older, but she doesn't remember hers either. Hearing Yachiru talk about my past is like reading a story. I don't feel anything from it."
She was right.
Without memories, how could they connect present abilities to past experiences?
Mio tapped her chin thoughtfully.
"All I remember is living in the fabric of space… coming out only to feed. No thoughts. No feelings. No experience. Just instinct."
She remembered vague flashes—darkness, hunger, a shapeless existence.
The Spider of Calamity.
A divine catastrophic beast that existed without purpose or sanity.
"When you made a contract with me," she murmured, "that was the first time I ever had a real personality."
"Exactly." Yun Che nodded. "You two did awaken Haoshoku. But your godly powers overshadowed it at the time. It stayed dormant—buried—because your raw strength drowned out your will. It wasn't until the system stabilized your abilities and balanced your wills that your haki re-emerged."
He flicked a glance toward the horizon as he continued.
"You're a Soul Reaper, Retsu. And you're a Godly Beast, Mio. Both of you are beings of immense power—souls forged at the peak of existence. By rights, of course you bypass the usual conditions to awaken Haoshoku."
He remembered vividly how Retsu had died—awakening Kenpachi's true power, pushing her abilities beyond the limit of her own body. According to Yachiru, her muscles and spiritual frame back then were nowhere near as strong as now.
"That moment," Yun Che said softly, "you likely awakened Haoshoku for the first time. Your Bankai last year only reawakened what was already there."
Retsu's eyes widened slightly. Mio's lips parted.
Both women exchanged a knowing glance.
"…Ah. That explains it," they said in unison.
There was no point dwelling on lost memories. What mattered was who they were now—and the future they were forging together.
Then Retsu blinked, as if realizing something.
"But… shouldn't Kon be able to awaken it too? He's a Winged Golden Lion. One of the most powerful divine beasts."
Yun Che answered instantly—and flatly.
"Nope."
Both women blinked.
"The system said he doesn't have enough willpower or killing intent," Yun Che explained dryly. "And if he's still a hopeless pervert, he's nowhere near ready to become a conqueror."
Retsu choked back a laugh.
Mio outright snorted.
Yun Che shrugged.
"Let's just keep it that way."
============================
"Uggghhh…"
Wen Chai groaned back to consciousness on the cold street. No one moved to help him. Not one person. The residents of the floating city had long learned to steer clear of the mountain bandit leader—even when he lay sprawled on the ground like a dead pig.
He rubbed his aching head.
What… happened?
The last thing he remembered was threatening that brat and demanding the women. Then everything went black.
"Boss! You're awake!"
Two different bandits—the ones who had been searching for him—ran over anxiously. They had scoured the city looking for their men… only to find three of them lying unconscious in the middle of the road like discarded sacks.
"What happened to you?" the first asked.
Wen Chai glared at them. "That's my line. Why were we all passed out here!?"
"We don't know, Boss!" the second answered. "We found you and the other two knocked out cold."
Wen Chai grunted, rubbing his temples.
"I remember… chills running through my whole body… Then that brat—"
"Brat?" Both men stiffened.
Wen Chai nodded. "Yeah. That brat and those beautiful women. They must've used some kind of trick."
The two bandits exchanged horrified glances as a memory clicked.
"Boss… wait… did the brat have a little girl with him? Ponytail, ribbons?"
"Yeah," Wen Chai snapped. "That's the one."
The bandit's face drained of color.
Cold sweat ran down his spine.
"B-Boss… we shouldn't mess with those people."
"Hah?!" Wen Chai grabbed him by the collar and shook him violently. "Are you telling me—Wen Chai—to back off?"
"N-No, Boss!" the man stammered. "But that girl—"
"I DON'T WANT TO HEAR IT!"
Wen Chai threw him aside. His pride, bruised ego, and lust boiled into rage.
"Gather a hundred of our boys. Bring them here, into the city. That raven-haired brat, the butterfly girl, and the braided woman—FIND THEM. And if you see that unconscious red-haired woman, bring her too!"
His eyes gleamed with madness.
"I'll show them what happens when someone humiliates Wen Chai!"
One of his closer subordinates quickly stepped in.
"Boss, that kid… I recognize her. She comes to the forest sometimes to look for herbs. She always managed to slip past us, but we tracked her house before. It's at the far edge of the floating island."
Wen Chai's smile turned wicked.
"So that little rat went too far this time." He licked his lips.
"If the beauties won't come willingly… I'll break their arms and legs so they can't run. Gather everyone. We march to the edge of the island!"
"Yes, Boss! We'll make the brat grovel!"
"Yeah! Let's show them how scary we can be!"
But the bandit who had found Wen Chai earlier trembled violently. He remembered something.
"B-Boss… that brat last night…" he whispered.
SLAP!
Wen Chai's massive hand cracked across his face, sending him sprawling on the ground.
"You dare defy me, you useless dog?!"
"N-No, Boss! I wouldn't dare!"
Both men fell to their knees immediately, bowing so low their foreheads hit the dirt.
"Good." Wen Chai hefted his hammer. "Now gather my forces. Or the next thing this hammer smashes… will be your skulls."
With that, he stormed off with the two bandits who supported him.
The remaining two looked at each other with dread.
"You alive?"
"Barely… But Boss is an idiot. He has no idea who he's provoking."
"Look, he beat a few dozen of us last night—but a hundred men? Even he can't handle that."
"…I hope you're right."
====================
Unaware of the chaos brewing back in the city, Yun Che and the others followed Xueli toward the outermost edge of the floating island. At first, Yun Che expected a row of simple houses… perhaps a village-like cluster or a poor district.
But Xueli kept walking.
Farther.
And farther.
And farther still.
Until they reached a lonely patch of land near the cliff's edge—far from the bustle of the town. Tall, untrimmed grasses swayed wildly in the wind, reaching up to their waists in places. The land was large, but abandoned-looking, as though no one had maintained it for years.
How… did Xueli and her mother survive out here?
All three of them thought the same thing.
A solitary house finally came into view—a small, weather-beaten structure built on wooden posts. Two tiny wooden windows hung open, rattling from the waterfall's distant winds. A wooden porch—nothing more than a box nailed together—creaked under Xueli's weight as she approached. A crude shed behind it likely served as a privy.
The atmosphere was heavy.
Lonely.
Forgotten.
Xueli slid open the broken door. It groaned like an old man waking from a long sleep. Inside, the house was barely more than a single cramped room.
A fireplace sat cold and dusty.
Two beds were shoved against opposite walls.
One small table.
One chair.
One cupboard.
A couple of baskets—one filled with dirty clothes, another holding a tin pail.
On the floor: crumbs, old dust, mouse droppings.
The air was stale enough to taste.
The place was… barely holding together.
It felt like the wrong gust of wind could knock it down.
Yun Che carried Cang Yue to one of the beds, gently lowering her onto the thin mattress and tucking her in.
There was barely enough space for all of them to stand.
He surveyed the room again.
It feels like an ancient Japanese hut… only worse.
Then Xueli walked toward a smaller door and pushed it open.
The moment the door creaked aside—
A presence hit them.
A woman lay on a straw-and-wood bed… unmoving, delicate, silent, untouched by time—yet clearly in a deep, unnatural slumber. Despite her state, her beauty was ethereal.
Yun Che froze.
His breath hitched.
His eyes widened.
"Wait… this woman…"
He stepped closer, heart pounding in slow, heavy thuds as he examined her features. Something danced at the edge of his memory.
Familiarity.
A name.
A face.
Her long hair—though unkempt—was glossy black.
Her skin was pale and creamy.
Her face gentle and serene.
Her figure… unmistakably beautiful.
Then it clicked.
Yun Che's eyes widened with realization.
No wonder Xueli looked familiar… I only knew her adult form… but the resemblance is undeniable.
Then her mother must be—
Before the thought could fully form, Retsu knelt down beside the bed.
"Yuu-kun," she said softly, "she's still alive."
Kon popped his head from under the cloak. "Hoohh!! She's a real beauty!"
Yun Che couldn't even argue.
Even in her ragged state, the woman's beauty outshone almost every woman in this city. She looked like someone who should have been a noble lady, or a powerful cultivator—certainly not a poor woman living on the edge of civilization.
"Yeah…" Yun Che murmured. "She's been asleep for a long time. But she survived without food or water… and she's not a cultivator. How?"
He studied her carefully.
Her slender limbs.
Her delicate hands.
Her surprisingly pristine skin despite a harsh environment.
Her long, slightly curled black hair.
Her adult beauty—refined and elegant even in this condition.
If bandits had found her earlier, she would have suffered unimaginable horrors.
Thankfully, this location was isolated enough to protect her by sheer neglect.
Mio frowned.
"Danna-sama, who is she? No human should survive this long unconscious. Are you sure she's not a cultivator? She's… she's on par with the beauties outside the barrier."
"She looks… preserved," Retsu added quietly.
Yun Che didn't respond immediately.
He was staring too intently, too stunned to speak.
Retsu nudged him gently. "Yuu-kun? You've been staring at her for a while. Is something wrong?"
"No… It's just…" He rubbed his forehead. "She looks so familiar… like someone I've seen before. Maybe from my world."
He couldn't tell them the truth.
He couldn't tell them she looked exactly like Kozuki Toki—…or rather, the Toki of this dimension.
Xueli…The little girl who'd clung to him…Her adult form was nearly identical to the one from his old memories.
The only difference was the hair color.
No green hair here—just black.
But everything else?
Unmistakable.
He exhaled deeply and forced the revelation out of his mind.
Right now, the priority was her condition. Not her identity.
He knelt beside her bed and placed a hand near her wrist.
Wherever her father is… whoever he is… he's missing from this picture.
But first things first… let's bring her back.
Yun Che extended his profound energy.
And began the examination.
"Ahh… it's been a while since I've seen familiar anime characters in this world… Wait—wait, now's not the time."
Yun Che shook his head vigorously, forcing the thought away. Right now, Xueli's mother mattered far more than fanboy comparisons.
He turned to the little girl.
"Xueli, how long has your mama been asleep?"
As expected, she stayed silent.
This time, Yun Che didn't allow her to hide behind her silence. He reached forward and lightly tapped her forehead with one glowing finger.
Her eyes widened.
The faint blue light from his fingertip shimmered through her skin—then into her mind.
Xueli gasped softly as something… opened.
"Xueli, can you hear my voice?" The words echoed gently in her head, warm and safe.
Her eyes widened further. Then, tentatively:
Bi…g brother… Who… are you?
Yun Che smiled.
"Xueli, only you will hear this. Big brother and the big sisters are… cultivators."
She tilted her head, puzzled.
"Cultivators…"
"It means we're stronger than normal people."
"…That's why big brother and sisters can fly?"
"Exactly. And we can do much more than that." He softened his tone.
"Now… Xueli. Why don't you talk out loud?"
The reply came in a whisper of thought:
I don't know… Xueli never talked again after Mama went to sleep a year ago.
"A year?!" Yun Che's heart sank.
He took a slow breath. "What about your father?"
The girl froze.
Then her eyes filled with tears.
Papa went to find herbs in the mountains to cure Mama. Mama cried and cried when he didn't come back. And when Mama went to sleep… she said it was her fault Papa disappeared…
Xueli's small body trembled.
Tears began spilling down her cheeks again.
Yun Che immediately pulled her close with one arm and wiped her face with his sleeve.
"It's okay. Big brother shouldn't have asked something so painful."
She clung to him desperately.
Xueli doesn't know why… but… she really likes big brother… Everyone said Mama died because she missed Papa too much…
Retsu's heart clenched.
No mother.
No father.
A collapsing house.
And a child who still went into the forest alone for herbs…
How did she survive this long?
"They helped me sometimes," Xueli whispered. Some people brought food… but Xueli only wanted Mama to wake up…
Yun Che gently stroked her hair.
One Qingyue was already enough…He wasn't letting another girl carry this burden alone.
Mio frowned as she inspected the sleeping woman.
"But… is she really human? She hasn't aged. No food. No water. Not even signs of decay."
Retsu nodded. "Her life force is stable. More stable than any normal person."
"There's a lot we don't understand yet…" Yun Che murmured.
Then Xueli spoke again in his mind.
Big brother… you asked me why I don't speak. Mama said Xueli's voice is gentle… but also dangerous.
The room fell silent.
"…Dangerous?" Yun Che blinked. "Okay… that's new."
All eyes shifted to the little girl.
Mama said Xueli's voice attracts animals from the forest. When Mama went to sleep, she forbid me from using it. It hurts my throat… every time…
Suddenly, it made sense.
She had screamed twice—once when Yun Che threw Kon into her, and once when the bandit grabbed her.
Both times, she clutched her throat afterward.
"But if it attracts beasts," Mio murmured, "why didn't anything come when she screamed?"
Yun Che rubbed his chin.
"I'm not sure… but since this is a fantasy world, it's possible. Xueli doesn't lie. There must be something behind her voice."
Then his eyes lit up.
"System. Analyze the mother and child. Identify anything unusual."
The system responded instantly.
=====================
[Ding…. Analyzing…..]
[Transmission initiated… Receiving…]
[Data Acquisition Complete.]
[Displaying Result…]
[Ding.]
====================
A translucent window appeared before Yun Che's eyes.
He stared.
His breath caught.
His pupils shrank.
"What the heck…?"