The valley before them was a living shadow. Crimson fog curled like liquid silk, carrying a scent that was both sweet and foul. Every breath here seemed to hum with a strange resonance an unspoken promise of power, and of peril.
Di K stepped forward first, his robes glimmering faintly in the muted light. Every movement of his was effortless grace, as though the air itself bent around him. His silver hair shimmered like starlight, and his smile half playful, half dangerous seemed to dare the mist to consume him.
Sen Ruyon followed close behind, his crimson cloak flowing like liquid blood. His eyes never left Di K. Not once.
There was something unsettling about the way he stared long, unblinking, as though
Di K were not merely a god before him, but a living work of art carved from the light of a thousand moons.
The Flower God is more than beautiful, Sen Ruyon thought, his voice silent but his mind whispering constantly.
He is perfection… and perfection is dangerous.
The words curled in his mind like smoke, unbidden. He did not even notice that Di K had slowed, turning slightly to look at him with a faint smirk.
"You're staring again," Di K said softly, his voice tinged with amusement.
Sen Ruyon's lips curved into the smallest of smiles. "Perhaps I am," he admitted, his voice low. "But you… you deserve to be stared at."
Di K's smirk deepened, but there was a flash of something darker in his gaze. "Careful, Crown Prince. Flattery is a dangerous game."
Sen Ruyon took a step closer, his crimson cloak brushing Di K's silver robes. "Then let me be dangerous," he murmured.
The Heart of the Mist
The two stepped into the crimson veil together. The air grew heavier, the light dimmed, and the silence deepened. Every footfall seemed swallowed by the fog. Beneath the crimson mist, shapes began to stir massive silhouettes that moved with unnatural grace.
Di K's hand rested lightly on his fan, though his expression remained calm. "They're stronger than the ones we fought before. This is no random hunt. Someone placed them here deliberately."
Sen Ruyon's voice was quiet but sharp. "And someone is waiting for us deeper inside."
The mist thickened into a curtain of living shadow. As they stepped through, Di K's beauty seemed to shine brighter silver hair glowing softly against the darkness, his robe moving like a flowing starfield. Sen Ruyon found himself unable to look away.
Every movement is art, he thought. Every glance is perfection.
And he knew, deep inside, that this obsession was no longer simply curiosity. It was possession.
At the center of the valley, the mist split, revealing an ancient ruin. Black stones carved with forgotten glyphs rose like teeth from the ground. In the middle of the ruin stood a figure shrouded in shadow its presence radiating an unnatural power that made the air itself shiver.
Di K stepped forward, his fan raised with elegant precision. "Show yourself," he commanded.
The figure laughed a sound that was both melody and threat.
Sen Ruyon stepped beside him, his crimson cloak flowing like a living shadow. His gaze lingered on Di K—not on the figure before them.
The Flower God noticed. A slow smile played across Di K's lips. "Interesting," he said softly. "The crown prince is distracted."
Sen Ruyon's eyes were fixed on him still. "Not distracted.… mesmerized."
And in that moment, beneath the veil of crimson mist, something unspoken passed between them—a bond forged not by alliance, but by desire, curiosity… and a dangerous promise.
The demon roared, a sound like cracking stone, as shadow and flame poured from its body. Crimson mist twisted around its claws, thick with malice.
Di K stepped forward, fan open, silver light gleaming. "Shall we?" he asked softly, glancing at Sen Ruyon with a teasing tilt of his head.
Sen Ruyon's crimson cloak swayed as he drew his blade, his voice low and smooth. "Only if we fight together, Flower God."
Their movements became a dance. Di K's fan struck first—a silver arc slicing through the demon's dark mist, scattering shards of shadow. Sen Ruyon followed instantly, his crimson sword slashing with fluid grace, cutting deep into the creature's flank.
The demon roared again, lunging toward them. Di K spun, stepping close to Sen Ruyon so their shoulders brushed. "Careful," he said softly, eyes gleaming. "You might get distracted."
Sen Ruyon smirked, leaning in slightly. "Only if you are distracting me."
The demon struck again, a wave of darkness surging toward them, but Di K and Sen Ruyon moved in perfect sync—silver and crimson flashing together. Di K's fan sliced a wound across the beast's chest, Sen Ruyon's blade following instantly, striking deep into its heart.
The demon staggered, letting out a final, deafening roar. Light and shadow collided, and with a blinding flash, the creature shattered into motes of dark smoke that dissolved into nothingness.
For a heartbeat, the valley was still. Then Sen Ruyon stepped closer, blade lowering, his crimson cloak brushing Di K's silver robes. His voice was low, teasing, yet edged with something more. "Not bad, Flower God. But you owe me a proper dance for that."
Di K smirked, closing his fan slowly, the silver gleam lingering. "Is that an invitation, Crown Prince?"
"Perhaps. But only if you promise to fight by my side again."
Di K tilted his head, a slow, playful grin spreading across his face. "Then I'll make sure our next fight is unforgettable."
Sen Ruyon stepped even closer, voice dropping to a murmur. "I'd count on it."
The crimson mist curled away, leaving the two of them standing alone in the quiet valley—breathless, victorious… and dangerously drawn to one another.
They returned to Heaven to the sound of golden bells, announcing the arrival of a grand event—the Celestial Convergence. It was a rare ceremony held once every century, a gathering of realms where gods, mortals, and immortal students alike came together to celebrate power, honor, and unity.
The news spread quickly through Heaven: the event would be attended by every great realm—the Royal Court, the Ghost Realm, and the Gusu Realm itself. The air shimmered with anticipation, and whispers of both rivalry and alliance spread like wildfire.
Di Jun summoned her siblings before the Throne of Light. Her voice was steady, but her golden eyes were sharp with concern. "The Convergence is near," she said. "This is not merely a celebration. Every realm will watch us. We must be prepared."
Di K, leaning lazily against the carved marble, smirked. "Prepared for what? A grand ceremony or a game?"
Sen Ruyon stepped closer, his voice low and smooth. "Both. And I think we'll enjoy the game, won't we?" His crimson eyes lingered on Di K longer than necessary.
Di K's smirk widened. "Perhaps. But only if you're my partner."
Sen Ruyon's lips curled into a dangerous smile. "Then it's settled. I will be."
The air in Heaven pulsed with an unspoken promise. The Celestial Convergence was no ordinary occasion—it would be a stage where alliances would shift, secrets would surface, and desire and danger would walk hand in hand.
And Di K and Sen Ruyon… they would walk it together.