Six months of relentless training had passed. Xi Youran's body had grown stronger, her alchemy skills reaching a new plateau, but time was pressing against her. Every day counted—not only for her own survival but for the Jiang Clan, for Mu Fei, and for the world she was learning to navigate.
Beneath the canopy of the mountains, Xi Youran rested under a broad tree. The wind rustled softly, lulling her into a light sleep. Her mind, however, refused to rest, racing through thoughts of TianZi, JianZi, and the uncertain tides of fate. Inevitably, sleep claimed her—and with it, the recurring dream returned.
Nightmares of the Past
In her dream, the memories of Mu Fei and Ling Xi played vividly. Xi Youran could see the helplessness, the suffering, the betrayal that had shaped her master's past. She witnessed the ambush, the cruelty, and the eventual parting that had haunted Mu Fei for decades.
When she woke, Hui lay curled beside her in his beast form. Her heart felt heavy with the weight of her dream, but there was no time to dwell. Outside, shadows stirred, carrying a sinister presence.
The Soul Clan Descends
"SOUL CLAN?!" Mu Fei's voice broke the tense silence. The Soul Clan was feared for devouring Dou practitioners' souls, absorbing their power, and leaving behind nothing but a lifeless shell. But Mu Fei knew: interrupted mid-devouring, their victims would sleep forever, trapped in a limbo no one could reverse.
Quickly, Mu Fei entrusted Xi Youran with two space rings.
"Take these," he said. "They contain everything you need to survive and learn. I cannot face them with you here. You must leave—now."
Hui's divine form flared to life, black-and-white stripes shimmering as he carried Xi Youran away. A powerful technique concealed their escape, yet the Soul Clan pursued with ruthless precision.
A pill bottle soared at them mid-flight. Instinctively, Xi Youran shattered it—but a dark chain shot out, wrapping her hand and suppressing her Qi.
"Master…!" Xi Youran gasped, struggling under the sudden pressure.
Mu Fei appeared in a blink, attempting to break the seal, but the Soul Clan was closing in.
"Listen, Xi Youran… whatever happens next, do not blame yourself. Continue chasing your dreams, even if I am no longer there. You may not be my first disciple, but you are my last. It is an honor to have taught you," Mu Fei said, his eyes full of unspoken pain.
Darkness swallowed her sight before she could respond.
"Hui… release the chain. The rest is up to you," Mu Fei whispered.
Hui's Sacrifice
Hui's heart ached. These six months had given him warmth he had never known—a family, a bond, a purpose. Now, he faced the impossible choice. Xi Youran's life or his own.
"I am sorry, Master… I will not fail you," Hui whispered. In a final act, he dissolved his beast core into Xi Youran, infusing her with his life force. The divine power of his being merged with hers, stabilizing her Qi and saving her from death.
"I promise," Hui murmured as his body shimmered and scattered into glittering particles like starlight. "In the next life, I will be your guardian angel. Thank you… for letting me understand warmth, for letting me know what it means to belong."
Xi Youran collapsed to the ground, tears streaking her face, her body trembling—but alive.
The World Watches
Far away, JianZi received a battered Cai Xiao.
"Xi Youran managed to get away," Cai Xiao gasped, barely clinging to consciousness. "But… the Soul Clan… they were after her, and her master… I do not know where he is."
JianZi's face darkened. Every thread in the web of destiny was unraveling faster than he could track. TianZi's recent movements, the arrival of the Yuan princess, and the Soul Clan's sudden activity—all hinted at a larger scheme.
"Her journey is just beginning," JianZi muttered, eyes narrowing. "And I will be ready when the storm reaches her."
Meanwhile, Sheng observed from afar, unshaken by the sudden rain that drenched the land.
"Another returner has fallen… little girl, may your path remain safe," he whispered. Even the strongest practitioners felt the tension, the ripple of danger spreading across the lands.
The Aftermath
Xi Youran lay exhausted, Hui's life force stabilizing her. For the first time, she felt the enormity of the sacrifices surrounding her—Mu Fei, Hui, and even the shadows of her own past.
Her training was far from over. Her soul still incomplete, her Qi unstable, she had survived only by the grace and love of those who protected her. And now, she had a mission: grow stronger, uncover the Soul Clan's schemes, and reclaim her destiny.
The storm was coming. And Xi Youran would face it—no longer a helpless girl, but a rising force forged by grief, sacrifice, and indomitable will.