In the time-sealed valley, the clone with the name felt the pressure change.
Fang Yuan's move had not struck. It had unfolded—like a net of possibilities closing around a beast not yet caught.
The clone looked upward. Then inward.
"You were right to test me."
He placed his hand upon the inked scroll.
And released the name.
Not erased. Released—like a tethered step finally taken.
The fate thread vanished.
The vault cracked again.
But this time, it did not just crack.
It blinked.
And across the immortal aperture, three other clones turned at once.
The first clone had declared something ancient:
Not rebellion. Not defiance.
Recognition.