High above the mortal world—
In the Celestial Heaven—
Everything remained calm.
Golden clouds drifted slowly across the vast sky, and divine light filled every corner of the realm.
Inside the grand hall—
Jade Emperor Yu Di Guangming sat on his throne.
His expression was serious.
Before him stood the Whale Envoy.
The atmosphere was quiet.
Heavy.
The Jade Emperor finally spoke.
"The time is approaching."
His voice echoed softly through the hall.
The Whale Envoy lowered his head slightly. "Yes, Your Majesty."
The Jade Emperor's gaze sharpened.
"The Nine Celestial Guardians…"
He paused.
"…how do we wake them?"
Silence filled the space between them.
Then the Whale Envoy answered—
"There is only one way."
The Jade Emperor did not move.
"Speak."
The Whale Envoy lifted his head slightly.
"Only Li Tianwei and Feng Yuexin can awaken them."
The words were clear.
Firm.
The Jade Emperor's expression changed slightly.
"Only them?" he repeated.
The Whale Envoy nodded.
"Yes."
Another pause followed.
The Jade Emperor leaned slightly forward.
"They have already been reincarnated."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"But they have not awakened."
The Whale Envoy remained calm.
"As long as both of them awaken…"
He paused briefly.
"…the Nine Celestial Guardians will also awaken."
The hall fell silent.
The weight of those words settled deeply.
The Jade Emperor looked ahead.
His thoughts moved quickly.
"So everything depends on them," he said quietly.
The Whale Envoy did not deny it.
"Yes."
Another silence followed.
Then the Jade Emperor spoke again—
"Then we must ensure they awaken."
His voice was calm.
But carried authority.
The Whale Envoy bowed.
"As you command."
The fate of the heavens—
Now rested on two souls.
Far away—
In a quiet place near the sea—
The soft sound of waves echoed gently.
The water shimmered under the light.
Yu Hai Xinyue stood alone.
Her gaze fixed on the distant horizon.
The wind moved lightly through her hair.
But her expression—
Was troubled.
She had been waiting.
For a long time.
Her thoughts returned again and again to the same question.
"When will he return…?"
Her voice was soft.
Almost a whisper.
There was no one around.
No answer came.
She lowered her gaze slightly.
"He said he would come back…"
Her fingers tightened slightly.
But the doubt remained.
The world around her felt calm.
But inside—
There was unrest.
A quiet struggle between hope and fear.
Yu Hai Xinyue closed her eyes for a moment.
Then opened them again.
Looking at the endless sea.
Still waiting.
Still hoping.
Back in the Imperial Palace—
Inside a private chamber—
Crown Prince Hei Long stood near a table.
His expression was cold.
Serious.
Beside him stood Qiu Minyu.
The two of them faced each other.
The atmosphere was tense.
"What should we do next?" Qiu Minyu asked.
His voice was low.
Careful.
Hei Long did not answer immediately.
He remained silent for a moment.
Then he said—
"We wait."
Qiu Minyu frowned slightly.
"Wait?"
Hei Long turned toward him.
"For the perfect timing."
His voice was calm.
But firm.
Qiu Minyu hesitated.
"And if we wait too long?"
Hei Long's gaze sharpened.
"We will not."
There was a pause.
Qiu Minyu studied him carefully.
"You already have a plan," he said.
It was not a question.
Hei Long did not deny it.
"Everything is already moving," he replied.
Qiu Minyu's expression grew more serious.
"And Wu Jinhai?"
Hei Long's eyes darkened slightly.
"She will either succeed…"
He paused.
"…or fail."
The meaning was clear.
Qiu Minyu did not speak for a moment.
Then he asked quietly—
"And if she succeeds?"
Hei Long looked at him.
"Then things will change."
Silence filled the room.
The tension grew heavier.
Qiu Minyu nodded slowly.
"I understand."
Hei Long turned away.
His gaze distant.
Cold.
"Until then," he said quietly, "…we wait."
The room fell silent again.
But beneath that silence—
Plans were already in motion.
.....