“No way, Master. She’s already tired,” Xian Chen said, turning to his master, his gaze almost pleading with her not to push Yu Bin any further. Yu Bin’s brows furrowed. He still didn’t trust her. That alone lit a spark of annoyance in her chest. “Oh? Let’s see, then. By the end of today, I’ll make you call me Master,” she said with a teasing grin. Bao Fang stepped in front of her in a blink, brushing a fallen strand of Yu Bin’s hair from her forehead. “Come. Show me what you’ve learned.” Without hesitation, Yu Bin raised her sword. Steel clashed with steel, ringing out like a song of challenge. Clank! Clank! Their blades met fiercely. It wasn’t a fight to the death—but it certainly felt like one. “You’re angry,” Bao Fang noted, her eyes narrowing with a smirk. “Let me teach you what anger does to your blade.” She struck fast, forcing Yu Bin against a tree. The impact shook her, but Yu Bin didn’t fall. She raised her sword again. “Resentment is born of pain,” Bao Fang said, s

“Xian Chen wasn’t just injured that day,” Bao Fang began, her voice low and heavy. “He was poisoned. The fierce corpses were tainted, and it happened in what was supposed to be a protected training ground.” The king’s expression shifted, confusion giving way to alarm. “Poisoned? That’s forbidden. Training corpses aren’t meant to be dangerous.” He paused, recalling something. “I remember… Xian Chen came to the castle looking pale. I told Ming Fang to help him. She said he only needed rest and medicine. Gods… Is he alright?” Bao Fang nodded slowly. “He is now. Ming Fang altered his medication—it nearly killed him. But I caught it in time and gave him an antidote. Even so, his spiritual core was damaged. He had to return to the Heaven Realm to cultivate. He’ll need two years to heal.” The queen clutched her chest, her heart aching. “Thank the heavens he survived…” Her eyes clouded with sorrow. If he had died… How would I have ever faced his parents in the afterlife? “That’s not all,”

*There was no gold. Only ash.... Only ghosts* “What… happened?” Yu Bin’s voice was quiet, but not calm. There was nothing calm in her heart. “Why are they like that?” Her eyes hovered over the bodies—her parents, her master—motionless and pale. “And… where is Xian Chen?” No one answered fast enough. The silence pressed in like smoke. Her breathing slowed. Her hands began to tremble. Don’t let him be gone too. “We found them dead, just outside your room,” Ming Fang finally said. “As for Xian Chen… I heard he entered the Heaven Realm not long ago.” Yu Bin didn’t move. He left? Then maybe… maybe he’s still alive. She clung to that single thread. “That’s not possible,” she said softly. “He wouldn’t leave without telling me.” “You trust him that much?” Ming Fang asked. Yu Bin turned. Her gaze was clear and cold. “I do.” Ming Fang’s expression sharpened. “Yu Bin, your family killed his family. Your master killed his father. You don’t think he had a reason to do this?” “He t

“Princess… what did you do to my master!?” Longwei’s voice cracked like thunder through the room, sharp and trembling. “A-Xian… wake up—A-Xian, please…” He dropped to his knees beside Xian Chen’s lifeless body, shaking him, pleading as if sheer will could undo death. But no breath stirred in his chest. No warmth remained in his hands. And then, Longwei's body began to unravel — his dragon form dissipating into sparks of gold and smoke, unable to remain bound to a master whose spirit no longer lived. “No… no…” Longwei gasped, fading. “What did you do, damn princess…?” And then he was gone. --- Yu Bin collapsed beside Xian Chen. “No… wait… Xian Chen…” Her voice was no longer strong. No longer royal. It was the voice of a woman who had nothing left in the world. “You can’t die… not you…” Her hands clutched his robes. Her forehead pressed to his chest. “You can’t leave me alone again… even if you were the one who killed everyone… even then… you can’t die…” She wept—not with ra

Waking up in the morning, Yu Bin found herself in Xian Chen's arms. Opening her eyes she saw him sleeping soundly. It had been a long time since those days when she used to wake up and see Xian Chen first thing in the morning. Raising her hand she brushed a few strands of hair that made their way to his face. Because she touched his face, Xian Chen woke up and opened his eyes and he was face to face with Yu Bin. At first, he was shocked but then he remembered…last night they were together. Tears started to wet his cheeks and Yu Bin panicked instantly. "A-Xian, what's wrong? Are you ok? Why are you crying? Did I hurt you without notice? Please say something…" Yu Bin said, wiping his tears, panicked. "....I never thought I would ever keep you in my arms again. I'm so happy…. It seems like I'm dreaming. I'm afraid that I will wake up any moment and see that it's just a dream ...." Xian Chen said trembling, more tears having their way on his face. "A-Xian… I'm sorry…. I made you so s