Time passed quietly.
In the Flame Planet, silence was never truly silent—only softened, wrapped in distant rumbles and slow-burning winds. Beneath the crimson sky, the Ruined Flame Altar stood motionless once more, its faint pulse hidden beneath layers of ancient stone.
Shuye stirred.
At first, she thought she was still dreaming.
Warmth surrounded her—not the oppressive heat of the realm, but something gentler.
Stable.
Comforting.
Her eyelids fluttered open.
The first thing she saw—
Was Little Fire's face.
He was asleep.
Peaceful.
His breathing slow and steady, chest rising and falling beneath her head.
She froze.
Slowly—carefully—she realized she was lying on his lap.
Her heart skipped violently.
Before panic could fully rise, her gaze shifted slightly.
On Little Fire's shoulder, nestled close, was Spirit Fairy, her dark-and-light blue dress draped loosely, fan resting beside her, her head tilted gently against him.
One hand still clutched the edge of his robe unconsciously, as if afraid he might vanish if she let go.
All three of them—
Asleep together.
Shuye swallowed.
Her emotions tangled instantly—confusion, warmth, embarrassment, and something deeper… softer.
She carefully sat up, moving inch by inch so as not to wake them.
Her body felt… different.
She paused.
Her aura—
Stable.
The violent tearing sensation that had haunted her for so long was gone. The black ancient wind flowed smoothly within her meridians, obedient, calm—no longer gnawing at her flesh.
And then she felt it.
A golden presence.
Warm Light Aura coiled gently around her core, binding the black wind—not suppressing it, but guiding it. Like chains made of kindness rather than force.
"…Light…" she whispered.
Her fingers trembled.
Then—
She noticed something else.
Her lips felt strange.
Cool.
Bare.
Her brow furrowed. Slowly, she raised her hand and touched her mouth.
Her lipstick—
Gone.
Her breath caught sharply.
Memories surged back in fragments—heat, trembling, warmth, breath mixing with breath—
Her eyes widened.
"…Mouth to mouth…"
Her heart pounded violently.
Someone other than her husband had kissed her.
Her fingers clenched in her robe.
For a brief moment, guilt struck like a blade.
But then—
She remembered.
Little Fire was not a stranger.
He was… her husband's other self. A part of the same soul. The same origin.
And more than that—
He had saved her life.
Her gaze softened as she looked back at him.
"…Thank you…" she whispered, voice barely audible.
Spirit Fairy stirred then, her eyelashes fluttering as she woke.
She blinked once.
Twice.
Then noticed Shuye sitting upright, staring quietly.
"Oh—!" Spirit Fairy straightened hurriedly, cheeks flushing. "Did I wake you?"
Shuye shook her head gently. "No. I just… woke up."
Spirit Fairy studied her carefully, then smiled in relief.
"You look better. Much better."
Shuye nodded slowly. "…I am."
There was a pause.
An awkward one.
Then Spirit Fairy inhaled and spoke first.
"He saved you," she said softly. "By kissing you."
Shuye met her gaze.
"I know."
Spirit Fairy hesitated, fingers tightening around her fan. "I… didn't stop him."
Shuye reached out.
She took Spirit Fairy's hand.
Spirit Fairy stiffened.
Then Shuye smiled—warm, sincere.
"Thank you," she said. "For trusting him.
And… for staying."
Spirit Fairy's eyes widened slightly.
"…You're not angry?"
Shuye shook her head. "No. I felt it. There was no desire in that kiss. Only urgency. Only care."
Her fingers tightened slightly around Spirit Fairy's hand.
"And… I felt something else too."
Spirit Fairy swallowed. "What?"
"…Your concern."
For a moment, neither spoke.
Then Spirit Fairy smiled, eyes misty.
"…Then let's protect each other," she said. "No jealousy. No secrets."
Shuye nodded.
"…Sisters."
The word felt right.
Together, quietly, they adjusted Little Fire's posture, carefully lowering him so his head rested across both their laps, his body stretched between them.
They did not wake him.
The night deepened.
Without words, they lay down—
Shuye on one side, Spirit Fairy on the other.
Little Fire in the middle.
Nothing more happened.
No desire acted upon.
Only warmth.
Only trust.
Only sleep.
Morning
The next day began violently.
A tearing sound split the air.
Little Fire's eyes snapped open just as instinct screamed—
"DOWN!"
A flaming spear tore through the air, blazing with refined fire intent—targeted directly at Shuye.
She barely had time to react.
Little Fire moved faster than thought.
He stepped forward—
And caught it.
The spear exploded against his forearm, fire scattering violently.
Behind them, a calm voice echoed.
"As expected. She is the weakest."
Huo Zhenxu emerged from the burning mist, crimson robes fluttering, fire domain spreading subtly but oppressively.
Beside him—
His companions.
The male cultivator stood calmly, aura deep and controlled.
And the woman—
She smiled.
Round crimson blades spun lazily around her fingers.
"Poison ready," she murmured.
Spirit Fairy and Shuye moved instantly, flanking Little Fire.
"Protect Shuye!" Spirit Fairy shouted, unleashing waves of blue liquid fire.
Wind roared as Shuye slashed forward, defensive arcs forming a shield.
But Huo Zhenxu was relentless.
Fire rained down.
In the chaos—
The woman vanished.
Then—
Pain.
A sharp, tearing sensation ripped across Little Fire's waist.
He gasped.
Blood sprayed.
Dark green poison flowed instantly into the wound, veins around it turning black.
"Little Fire!" both girls cried out.
The woman reappeared behind him, licking her lips.
"Deep enough."
Little Fire staggered but remained standing.
Spirit Fairy and Shuye were forced back, defending against Huo Zhenxu's overwhelming pressure.
Step by step—
They retreated.
Unknowingly—
All six of them stepped onto the Ruined Flame Altar.
The runes ignited.
The ground trembled violently.
A pillar of ancient light erupted from beneath.
The world froze.
Then—
A deep, ancient voice echoed across the altar, heavy with amusement and hunger.
"Finally…"
"Some fools have come to my hunting ground."
The altar roared.
And the true nightmare began.
----Waiting---