The Day Before…
"Damn this… Damn it all!"
Ling Kun slammed his fist into the stone railing, his expression twisted in panic and frustration. Elder Doubtless—one of the Sword Masters of the Mighty Heavenly Sword Region—was gone. Dead. And all because of one woman.
A Ninth Level Sovereign Profound Realm cultivator… had been watching the tournament the entire time, undetected.
A Monarch. Hidden in plain sight.
Worse—she was the guardian of Princess Cang Yue.
Ling Kun's heart pounded. His breathing came in short gasps. He needed answers… or at least someone else to blame.
That was when Ling Tianni, the patriarch of the Mighty Heavenly Sword Region, stepped into the chamber, followed closely by his son, Ling Yuefeng. Both wore expressions as grim as his own.
"Elder Ling…" Ling Tianni cupped his hands, though the gesture carried no comfort.
"Why? Why didn't any of you tell me there was a Monarch in the tournament?!" Ling Kun barked, anger barely masking his fear.
Ling Yuefeng shook his head, his voice low. "We didn't know… None of us did. She masked everything. No cultivation aura. No pressure. She walked among mortals, and we mistook her for one."
Ling Kun stared at him, eyes wide. "A Monarch… guarding Princess Cang Yue?"
Ling Tianni's tone was heavy, laced with tension.
"Yes. And not just any Monarch… a Ninth Level Sovereign Profound Realm expert. She's not just guarding the Princess… she's watching everything. Waiting. And now… we've offended her."
The realization hit them like a landslide.
All this time, they had moved pieces on the board, confident in their supremacy.
"All of them…" Ling Kun growled, his eyes narrowing. "Do you notice none of them give off any cultivation aura?"
He paused, then added with a scoff, "That Yun Che… and that woman, Unohana Retsu. They walk like mortals. Even Princess Cang Yue, despite suppressing her strength, still emits a trace of aura. But those two?"
He shook his head. "Completely concealed. That's not normal."
Ling Tianni's frown deepened.
"Forget their aura. What matters now is that woman killed Elder Doubtless."
"The Sacred Ground will have to respond," Ling Tianni pressed, his tone a mix of hope and uncertainty. "Surely they can't let this go."
Ling Kun exhaled, frustration leaking into every word.
"They'll respond, yes—but not the way you think. The current state of the Sacred Ground is too fragile. They've already decided to send a representative… not to retaliate, but to apologize to that woman."
Ling Tianni's eyes widened. "Apologize? To her?"
Ling Kun nodded grimly. "All the high-ranking Swordmasters are still overseeing the aftermath of our last clash with the other Sacred Grounds. We've lost too many elders to afford another conflict—not over Doubtless's pride."
He continued, voice bitter:
"Doubtless acted on his own. After his son died, he demanded the Sacred Ground send reinforcements to Blue Wind Empire to hunt the killer. Refuse to believe such a weak empire claimed his life. But we had none to spare. We refused. He was furious and came here alone—seeking revenge. What he found instead…"
His eyes darkened.
"…was a Monarch. A hidden apex cultivator. Right here. And now he's dead."
A heavy silence fell between the men.
Ling Tianni clenched his fists. "And now the Sacred Ground must swallow its pride."
Ling Kun nodded. "Lest we lose more than just an elder… We're dancing on a blade's edge, Tianni. That woman is no ordinary Monarch. She's the kind of threat we write about in warning scrolls… not engage."
"Even the Sacred Ground can't defy her?" Ling Tianni asked, disbelief creeping into his voice.
Ling Kun gave him a cold glance. "We lost countless elders in the last war. We can't afford to lose a single high elder now—not if that Monarch decides to retaliate. A Ninth Level Sovereign Profound Realm cultivator is beyond our current power since most of our elders of similar power is in treatment. If she were to strike, we'd need the Grand Sword Master himself to intervene."
He paused, then added darkly, "And if we lose him, the entire Sacred Ground is finished."
Ling Tianni's eyes narrowed. "But… if we use the Profound Suppressing Formation—like before."
He was referring to the sealed villa, the one where they managed to suppress an entire squad of Sovereign Realm experts—and a Great Elder.
Ling Kun shook his head slowly. "No. Even that won't work."
He gestured sharply. "A woman like her can tear space like it's paper. She doesn't walk through barriers—she breaks them. She understood the suppression formation the moment she saw it. She could bypass it without effort."
His eyes gleamed with hidden fear. "You're talking about suppressing a being who could erase you with a wave. A single blast from her might obliterate the entire core of the formation. You think we can trap her?"
Ling Tianni was silent—frustration bubbling beneath his calm exterior. He had hoped that the Sacred Ground could use the girl's power. But now…
"Cang Yue might retaliate…" he murmured, thinking of the monarch backing her… and worse, Lady Mio.
His thoughts twisted toward Yun Che. The boy. The anomaly. The enigma. He remembered the ice swords—blades that tore apart Frozen Cloud Asgard's Xia Qingyue's attack like fragile snowflakes.
"That Yun Che… he has those swords. Two of them. Swords of unbelievable power."
His voice grew colder. "If we can suppress him, just him… we can take those swords. The Monarch won't even know. Our scouts said he left the palace—headed to Frozen Cloud Asgard's Profound Ark. He might be alone."
Ling Kun turned to him slowly. "You dare underestimate that boy again?"
He clenched his fists. "Did you already forget what happened the last time someone underestimated him?"
"This time will be different," Ling Tianni said, eyes burning with obsession. "This time, he's alone. Lord Ling…"
His voice betrayed desperation. Fear. Determination. A man ready to sacrifice reason for the illusion of control.
Ling Kun stepped back.
"No."
His voice was final. Cold. Distant.
"If you want to chase him, be my guest. I want nothing to do with it. Once the Demon Sealing Formation is complete, I will return to the Sacred Ground."
He turned away.
Ling Tianni stood rooted in place, fists clenched, lips trembling in frustration.
"…No." he whispered again, not in protest—but in bitter realization.
He had just been abandoned to the madness of his own choices. "Now… where is Yufeng?"
Ling Kun's voice suddenly grew sharp as he turned to Ling Yuefeng. "I haven't seen her since I arrived."
Ling Yuefeng froze. His body stiffened, his throat dry. "She…"
He suddenly dropped to his knees and kowtowed.
"Please forgive this insolent one…"
Ling Kun's expression darkened. "What happened to her?"
His voice thundered like a blade being drawn.
"She… committed suicide," Ling Yuefeng whispered.
The words shattered the air like glass.
"What?!"
Ling Kun's hand shot forward, grabbing his nephew in law by the collar and yanking him off the ground. "You lie! Yufeng would never do something like that!"
"I saw it with my own eyes!" Ling Yuefeng cried. "She threw herself into the abyss! We searched, but there was no body… she's gone."
Ling Kun's grip trembled, rage and grief battling in his eyes.
"Explain! Why would she do that?!"
Ling Tianni stepped forward, his voice cold and calculated.
"We were preparing a formation. One designed to extract knowledge directly from Princess Cang Yue's mind. Specifically, the secrets of the ancient arts—those tied to the legendary Moon Empress."
Ling Kun's eyes narrowed. "The Moon Empress? Wasn't that where Elder Doubtless's son perished? During the tomb's opening?"
Ling Tianni seized the moment. "Exactly. We believe the ancient arts of the Moon Empress were passed to Dracule Mihawk—who then gave them to Cang Yue, his disciple. We intended to seize that knowledge, to take the inheritance for ourselves."
"And what does that have to do with Yufeng?!" Ling Kun growled.
Ling Yuefeng lowered his head in shame.
"She betrayed us."
"Just as we were about to activate the formation… she disabled it. Sabotaged the core runes. It allowed Cang Yue to absorb my cultivation—my Peak Sky Profound Realm was nothing to her Peak Earth Profound Realm once she did."
Ling Kun's eyes were stormy.
"We confronted Yufeng. Demanded answers. She refused to speak. And then…"
Ling Yuefeng's voice cracked. "…she jumped. Without hesitation. Into the abyss."
Ling Tianni added grimly, "There are hundreds of witnesses. Members of the villa who saw it all. Her sabotage. Her betrayal. Her fall."
Silence fell between them.
Ling Kun slowly released his grip, his hand falling limp at his side.
"…So. Yufeng died protecting the Princess. She… betrayed us… for her."
He stared down, the weight of betrayal, grief, and politics sinking in like a slow, lethal poison.
"Yes," Ling Tianni growled.
"Now that Princess Cang Yue is hiding behind the walls of the Butterfly Monarch, she's beyond our reach. But Yun Che… we can still capture him."
He clenched his fist.
"If he brings Xia Qingyue with him, we can seize her too. Kill him, take the swords before the Monarch even notices—"
"Shut your mouth." Ling Kun's voice cut like a blade.
Ling Tianni froze mid-sentence.
"If Yufeng took her own life for what she did… then she had a reason." Ling Kun's eyes narrowed, filled with a mix of fury and sorrow.
"You were her husband. You abandoned her, left her to carry the weight of your ambition. You should kneel here, now, and beg her spirit for forgiveness."
Without a word, Ling Yuefeng dropped to his knees and bowed low. His face was expressionless, but the shame ran deep.
Ling Kun turned without another word and tossed a small, glowing jade disc to Ling Tianni.
"Take the portable suppressing formation. But hear me clearly: if you're caught by the Monarch… I will not save you."
Ling Tianni caught the artifact, nodding grimly. That was all he needed. With this, he could trap Yun Che, steal the swords, and vanish. Power and vengeance were finally within reach.
As Ling Kun left the hall, the silence fell heavy.
Ling Yuefeng remained kneeling—silent, ashamed. His wife was gone. He had failed her.
And then… the news had to be broken.
Their sons were told.
Ling Jie collapsed to his knees, tears running freely. Though he hadn't spent much time with his mother, the pain of her loss cut deep.
"She… she's gone?"
He whispered through trembling lips.
His brother was colder. Distant. Detached.
Ling Yun was devoid of emotions, but he knew that his mother was gone. The pain of losing her was suppressed.
They had long since left her behind, chasing power and prestige. They didn't cry. They didn't speak.
But Ling Jie's sobs echoed through the silent hall.
No one knew why Yufeng had sabotaged the formation. No one knew what pushed her to leap into the abyss.
But deep down, some part of them feared the answer.
Ling Tianni stood alone in the shadowed hall, the cold gleam of the portable suppressing formation glinting in his hand.
This was it.
He had everything he needed.
If he could catch Yun Che by surprise… if he could just activate the formation at the right moment… then he could suppress his strength long enough to extract the swords from his spatial rings.
Those ice swords. The divine treasures that glowed like frozen starlight when Yun Che wielded them.
They were too powerful, too unnatural — not something of this world.
They didn't belong to the Frozen Cloud Asgard, yet they responded to Yun Che's will. If Tianni could seize them… he could finally shift the balance of power. Not just against Cang Yue, but against anyone.
He stepped out onto the villa balcony, looking toward the distant skies. The Frozen Cloud Ark hovered far beyond the mountains — a massive construct of ice and spirit force, like a floating fortress in the clouds.
He would go there.
According to the scouts, Yun Che had just left the ark with Xia Qingyue.
Perfect.
A cold wind rustled his robe. His eyes gleamed with a manic light.
"Once I have those swords," he murmured, "even the Monarch will think twice before acting against me."
But deep in his gut, something gnawed at him — an unease that whispered of the countless others who had underestimated Yun Che and paid dearly for it.
He ignored it.
He was Ling Tianni — the head of the mighty Heavenly Sword Villa, a once Fifth Level Emperor Profound Realm who being reduced to peak Sky Profound Realm cultivator.
And Yun Che would be alone.
He prepared his own profound ark. One flash of light, and he'd be near the Frozen Cloud Ark.
This time, he wouldn't fail.
Not like with Cang Yue.
Not like with Yufeng.
This time… he would claim the power that had eluded him for too long.
================================
As for Yun Che and his group, they remained completely at ease, even as whispers of fear spread throughout the city over potentially offending a sacred ground. But none of it truly mattered. The presence of Mio—a ninth level Sovereign Profound Realm powerhouse—had become something of an open secret. Her mere existence was a deterrent few dared to challenge.
Yun Che wasn't bothered. According to the intel he gathered from Ling Kun, the Mighty Heavenly Sword Villa had already suffered significant losses. Numerous elders and disciples had vanished or fallen during recent skirmishes in the mountain range a year ago, many of them overwhelmed by advanced Hollows or caught in the escalating war between the four sacred grounds. Much of the conflict had been triggered after he and Retsu revealed their Bankai.
He doubted any of them would risk sending a direct combatant to confront Mio. Instead, he expected they'd resort to deploying a formation expert to suppress her cultivation. But thanks to the scan of Ling Kun's suppressive formation from the other night, they now knew how to bypass and neutralize it.
In other words, they had nothing to worry about.
For now, all Yun Che needed was patience. According to Nemu, it would only take a few more days to complete his requests.
Yun Che strolled through the palace halls, hands tucked behind his head as he soaked in the calm. Dinner was over, and since he had done the cooking, the girls had insisted on handling the cleanup. Little Fairy had already returned to her sect's ark, and with three weeks left before the secret realm opened, there was finally time to breathe.
In a few days, Nemu's task would be complete, and he'd be accompanying Jin Mulan back to the Jin Province to put an end to the Wu Clan's invasion. But for now, he was free — and with a date planned later with Qingyue, he figured he'd kill some time exploring.
As he entered the throne room, a sight made him pause.
There, seated casually on the throne in her simple yet elegant robes, was Cang Yue. Her sword was nowhere in sight, and she gently kicked her feet as she sat cross-legged like a child who'd wandered into a forbidden room.
Yun Che grinned.
"Trying out how it feels to be an empress already?"
Startled but smiling, Cang Yue glanced over. "Che'er! No… I just wanted to know what it might feel like… to rule."
"You'll sit there for real someday. And you'll do it better than your so-called brothers ever could." Yun Che walked up and sat himself on the throne's armrest, arms relaxed.
Cang Yue's gaze dimmed. "I never thought they'd betray me like that… Not while Father was ill."
Without a word, Yun Che slid down beside her, sitting on the throne itself. He placed a hand gently on hers.
"I'm sorry about Cang Shuo and Cang Lin," he said. "But they made their choices."
"They deserved what came to them," she whispered. "Our ancestor, Huan Xuyi, gave her life to protect her master's legacy… and her descendants turned into power-hungry cowards."
"At least you didn't," Yun Che said firmly. "They may have carried her blood… but you carry her will. Her strength. Her soul."
He turned to her, his voice softening.
"More importantly, you carry you. That's more than enough."
Cang Yue looked at him, her heart aching and easing all at once. "You really do know how to calm a girl down, don't you?"
Yun Che smirked. "They don't call me Smooth Che for nothing."
She laughed — light, genuine, and maybe a little teary-eyed.
For a moment, the throne room wasn't just a place of power.
It was a quiet corner of peace, shared between two people who had endured too much — and yet, still had so much left to give.
"Thank you…" Cang Yue whispered, her voice soft but bold. In a rare moment of daring, she shifted and settled herself on Yun Che's lap, catching him completely off guard. Before he could say anything, she leaned in and kissed him gently on the lips—a kiss full of appreciation and affection.
His eyes widened, and just as he was about to deepen the kiss and turn the moment into a full-course romantic event, something caught his attention.
"…Wait."
Cang Yue blinked. "Che'er… is something wrong?"
He didn't answer immediately. His eyes were fixed on the floor beneath them. "The tiles… are they always like that?"
His voice carried a seriousness that made her follow his gaze. She got off his lap as he stood and stepped forward, kneeling down to push the long red carpet aside. Beneath it, the floor revealed itself in full—a broad expanse of patterned stonework. At first glance, it seemed decorative… but the more Yun Che looked at it, the more his instincts buzzed.
Cang Yue tilted her head. "It's just the floor… isn't it?"
"No," Yun Che muttered. "It's not."
He brushed more of the carpet aside. The stonework patterns didn't match up. At all. Some edges were jagged where they should have been smooth. Corners curved strangely. Like broken pieces of a puzzle forced into place.
To the untrained eye, it would pass as mere ornamentation. But to someone like Yun Che—someone who'd solved a hundred formations, played countless puzzles, and dismantled ancient relics—this was deliberate.
"These aren't flawed designs," he murmured. "They're intentional. Someone hid something here."
He activated his Eagle Vision.
In an instant, the world sharpened. And what once seemed like uneven floor tiling now radiated faint blue trails of profound intent—complex, ancient, and carefully woven to mask their presence.
Cang Yue, sensing the shift in his demeanor, activated her own Eagle Vision. Her breath caught in her throat.
Now she could see it too.
Dozens of glowing lines and fragments of runes hummed faintly just beneath the surface—symbols embedded not just in the floor, but deep within the stone. It wasn't a simple decoration.
It was a seal.
A powerful one.
And it had been sitting beneath the throne of the Blue Wind Empire… all this time.
"This is…" Cang Yue's voice trembled with disbelief. She stared at the shifting patterns beneath their feet, stunned. "I've played in this hall since I was a child… all this time, and I never knew something like this was buried beneath me."
Yun Che, his gaze sharp, looked beyond the floor and upward. Something caught his eye—high above, carved discreetly into the uppermost pillars of the hall. His eyes narrowed as he pointed. "There. See that?"
Cang Yue followed his line of sight.
"Huan Xuyi ruled the empire for nearly a thousand years before passing the mantle to your ancestor," Yun Che said, his tone thoughtful. "She wasn't just an empress—she was a cultivator, a tactician… a survivor. Of course she would've built a secret vault, somewhere hidden."
He smirked faintly. "And what better place to hide something than in plain sight?"
With that, he gently lifted Cang Yue into his arms and flew up toward the pillar. As they drew closer, both activated Eagle Vision. The faint shimmer of profound intent pulsed across a stone relief—barely noticeable to ordinary eyes, but unmistakable now.
"A switch," Yun Che murmured. "Still holding energy after all these centuries… just like the Tomb of the Moon Empress."
"If not for your Sky Profound strength, no one could even reach this place," Cang Yue said in awe.
Yun Che hovered steadily as she reached out. Her fingers traced the worn groove of the switch—carved with elegance, layered in history. As she pressed it, a soft pulse of energy rippled out like a heartbeat.
Below them, the shifting patterns on the floor reacted instantly. The once-jagged stonework aligned into a symmetrical bloom—the full form of a lotus flower slowly unfurling. In the center, the petals folded back, revealing a concealed spiral stairway, descending into shadow.
Cang Yue stared, still nestled in his arms. "It's… beautiful. And terrifying."
"Secret stairs under the imperial throne," Yun Che said with a grin as he lowered them back to the ground. "If this isn't peak old-world drama, I don't know what is."
She stepped away from him, gazing down the dark stairwell. "Do we dare…?"
Yun Che's expression turned more serious. "If this is really Huan Xuyi's vault, it might be the last untouched trace of the Moon Empress' legacy."
"…But it could be dangerous," Cang Yue warned. "There might be traps. She wasn't the kind of person to leave her secrets unguarded."
"Which is why we have this," he tapped the side of his head, eyes glowing faintly. "Eagle Vision. We'll see traps before they see us. I promise—I'll protect you."
Cang Yue bit her lip, still uncertain. But looking at Yun Che's steady expression, she nodded. "Alright… let's see what my ancestor wanted to hide so badly she buried it under the seat of an empire."
Together, they stepped forward into the hidden stairway. The air was still, ancient… and the deeper they went, the more the walls began to glow faintly with inscriptions—waiting to be awakened.
"Incredible…" Yun Che whispered, his voice echoing softly as he and Cang Yue stepped into the hidden chamber.
A vast, circular space unfolded before them—silent, untouched by time. The air was thick with Yin energy, cold yet soothing, like a gentle caress beneath moonlight. The chamber was structured like a library, with tall, elegant alcoves carved into the walls. But instead of shelves filled with scrolls or books, the niches stood empty.
As Yun Che and Cang Yue stepped deeper down the winding stairwell, the shift in atmosphere became undeniable. Cool, still air met them—not dead, but serene, almost sacred. The final step opened into a vast chamber, and both of them froze in silent awe.
A massive three-story library sprawled out before them, elegant and untouched by time. Ornate balcony railings coiled around the inner walls, framing shelves that spiraled upward into the dim heights of the chamber. But this wasn't what stole their breath.
In the very center of the room stood a tree—a towering, ethereal thing of pale white bark and silver-veined leaves that shimmered faintly under the vaulted ceiling. The air around it shimmered with gathered Yin energy, like mist dancing over moonlight.
White grasses carpeted the floor around it, soft and lush, broken only by clusters of rare, glowing white flowers that swayed gently despite the lack of wind. They weren't just decorative. Yun Che could feel it—the flowers were cultivating alongside the room, absorbing Yin energy like disciples kneeling at the feet of a master.
The place even has a fountain that generate fresh water.
"This isn't just a vault," Cang Yue whispered, voice reverent.
Yun Che slowly walked to the base of the tree, crouching to examine the ground. "It's her room. Her sanctuary. Not just for study… but for peace. Reflection. Cultivation."
He ran his fingers through the grass. It was soft—too soft to be normal vegetation. "She didn't just preserve her knowledge… she built a small world for herself under the empire. One only she knew and your ancestor."
"She grew these flowers herself," Cang Yue said, walking to one of the glowing clusters and kneeling beside it. "They only bloom under moonlight. These aren't even native to the Blue Wind Continent. They're extinct on the surface."
"It's a library," Cang Yue said, her breath trembling. "But… there are no books."
"She probably destroyed them," Yun Che murmured. "If her enemies ever reached this place, the last thing she'd risk is the secrets falling into their hands. This isn't just a vault… it's a sanctuary. A final fortress."
Cang Yue slowly stepped forward, her fingers brushing across one of the cold stone alcoves, eyes tracing the faint carvings etched into the walls—remnants of cultivation insights, poetic verses, lunar diagrams.
"My ancestor… and the Moon Empress…" she whispered. "This… this must be where she trained her. It all makes sense now."
She turned to face Yun Che, her eyes glistening. "This place… it's full of Yin energy. But not wild or chaotic—it's harmonized. Calibrated. She must have constructed this vault to channel the moonlight itself, even underground. Look—" she pointed upward to the vaulted ceiling, where a massive, translucent crystal ball refracted a soft, pale glow from above.
"It's like cultivating under a full moon," Yun Che said in awe. "Artificial moonlight… generated, refined, and focused to perfection."
Yun Che's eyes moved along the stonework with focused intensity. The deeper he looked, the clearer it became—this was no ordinary vault. The material used for the walls... it was the same as the tomb of the Moon Empress. Smooth, pale stone that didn't disperse moon energy but gathered it, storing and circulating it like a living organism.
As his senses sharpened, Yun Che began tracing the flow of energy in the room. Faint, nearly imperceptible streams of Yin energy ran along the seams of the walls, converging toward the center—toward the translucent crystal ball high above them. He narrowed his eyes.
That crystal… it's not just decorative.
He turned to Cang Yue, his voice laced with admiration. "She really planned for everything. The walls, the design, the energy flow... it's all connected."
Cang Yue blinked. "What do you mean?"
He pointed upward. "That crystal ball. It's a lunar conduit—redirecting moonlight gathered from outside. You know that crystal peak obelisk in the center of the palace courtyard? The one everyone says was built during the Moon Empress's reign?"
"Yes… the palace has been maintaining it for generations," Cang Yue replied, her tone suddenly curious.
"Well," Yun Che crossed his arms with a smirk, "it's not just for show. That obelisk is the key. It's made from a rare crystalline material that can absorb moonlight—real moonlight—and store it. It then channels the energy through hidden veins beneath the palace, feeding it directly into this vault."
He gestured around them. "This place… it doesn't need the moon to be out. She created an artificial moon."
Cang Yue's eyes widened in awe. "Then… even during the day… or in a storm…"
"You'd still be bathing in pure moonlight," Yun Che finished. "This vault is the perfect cultivation chamber for anyone with Yin affinity. Especially for you."
He looked back up at the crystal ball above.
Cang Yue took a deep breath. "If I activate my Moon World technique in here… I could reach a level I've never touched before. This place—it's not just sacred, it's alive. It was built for my ancestor. For…me."
Her voice faltered slightly, emotion swelling in her chest. "It's like she knew… that one day, a descendant would return here, carrying her will."
Yun Che stepped beside her and gently took her hand. "Then let's honor that will. Take what she left behind, and carry it even further."
She looked up at him, the resolve in her eyes blooming like the moonflower at dusk.
"This place is huge," Yun Che said, his voice echoing slightly through the vaulted chamber. "Honestly, with a few changes, this could be more than just a vault. You've got enough room for just about everything—a full training arena, storage for your cultivation resources… even a proper bed and a small kitchen."
He turned slowly, imagining it all. "It's basically a giant personal space. With a bit of work, this could be your sanctuary—your own hidden world."
Cang Yue smiled faintly, her eyes drifting upward toward the shimmering ceiling. "It's hard to believe all of this was hidden beneath the palace my whole life…"
Yun Che's attention shifted to a dusty control panel nestled into the base of a pillar. He brushed the dust away, revealing ancient engravings and mechanisms. "Huh. What do we have here?"
He pressed one of the buttons—and suddenly, the chamber began to glow. The soft silver hue of moonlight gave way to a warm, golden radiance. Above them, the crystal orb embedded in the ceiling pulsed and changed, casting beams of sunlight into the room.
"Whoa…" Cang Yue blinked and instinctively raised a hand to her face as the warm rays touched her skin. "You're telling me… she made this too?"
"Looks like it. I guess the Moon Empress didn't just master Yin cultivation—she built an entire artificial environment down here. Makes sense… why go outside when you can flip a switch and summon the sun or moon?"
Cang Yue gazed in awe. "She could live here for years without ever going outside…"
"Yeah," Yun Che said, nodding. "But there's still a catch."
She looked at him, puzzled. "A catch?"
He smirked. "Humans need sunlight to survive. Well, more specifically… we need sunlight to produce vitamin D."
Cang Yue tilted her head slightly. "Vitamin… D?"
Yun Che chuckled at her curiosity. "It's important for bone health, immune support, stuff like that. When sunlight hits your skin, it triggers a chemical reaction—turns cholesterol into vitamin D3. Without sunlight, your body misses out on that process. Artificial moonlight wouldn't cut it."
Cang Yue blinked. "…So we literally work like plants?"
"Not quite," he grinned, "but not far off either."
She giggled, the sound echoing softly in the luminous chamber. "So you're saying if I want to become a proper Blue Moon Empress in the future, I need to take sunbathing breaks."
"Exactly," he said, slipping an arm around her waist. "Balance the moon with the sun. That's what real harmony is, right?"
Her smile softened. "You really think of everything."
"Hey, someone's gotta make sure my Empress stays healthy and radiant."
"Pff… I guess my Emperor will make sure of that," Cang Yue teased, nudging Yun Che gently with her elbow.
Yun Che grinned, but his attention was drawn to a pile of ancient papers resting beside the control panel. Dust clung to the scrolls like age-old secrets, but one of them caught his eye. Carefully, he picked it up and unraveled the aged parchment, revealing intricate writing in an archaic script.
"Huh…" he murmured, narrowing his eyes. "This handwriting… it's the Moon Empress's."
The system in his mind lit up subtly, translating the ancient script into modern text before his eyes. The more he read, the more his expression shifted from curiosity to disbelief.
"…Wait a second," Yun Che said aloud. "The Heaven Basin Secret Realm… it belonged to the Moon Empress?"
Cang Yue blinked. "What? That can't be right…"
"It is," he replied, holding up the scroll. "This whole place—this chamber, the vault, the obelisk, even the Secret Realm—it was all created by Huan Xuyi. And not just for herself… she made it for your ancestor. It was her personal gift. A sacred training ground."
"Then… all the treasures, the spirit beasts, even the environment—she designed it?" Cang Yue asked, her voice tinged with awe.
Yun Che nodded slowly. "A private realm, crafted for cultivation, hidden and sealed… and eventually forgotten. She made it like a divine playground for your bloodline."
Cang Yue clenched her hands slightly. "But now, it's in the hands of the Heavenly Sword Villa… they've claimed it as theirs."
Yun Che stood, his expression calm but resolute. "They can have it for now. Let them guard it, nurture it. But once you're strong enough—strong enough to stand at the peak—you'll take it back."
Cang Yue took a breath and nodded firmly.
"Ara, here you two are… on a date, perhaps?" Retsu's gentle voice rang out as she approached, with Mio and Nemu following close behind.
"My, this place is enormous," Mio mused, looking around in mild awe. "It's like an entire underground library."
"It kind of is," Yun Che replied, turning toward them. "This used to be the private sanctuary of the Moon Empress. Basically, this was her personal chamber beneath the palace."
"It's a bit dusty, Yuu-sama," Nemu added, swiping her finger along one of the shelves and inspecting the fine layer of dust it collected.
"Yeah, it could definitely use a makeover," Yun Che said with a shrug. "I'll hand the Apple over to you girls later—feel free to redesign it however you like. It needs lighting, furniture, and probably a full renovation. Honestly, we might have to scrap a bunch of the old stuff."
"I'll make a list tonight," Cang Yue offered, already slipping into planning mode. "We can start tomorrow—after your shopping trip and once I finish my morning training."
"Well, there's a lot of potential here," Yun Che agreed. "We can get started on renovations before our trip to the Jin Providence. I was also thinking of making an extension—something big enough to store larger items."
Cang Yue arched a brow. "What kind of things?"
Yun Che gave her his trademark grin. "You'll see."
"Ara… looks like we can officially classify this as a Yue'er date," Retsu teased with a soft smile.
Mio and Nemu nodded in sync, clearly in agreement.
"Eh? We just happened to find the library by accident!" Cang Yue quickly defended, her cheeks puffing slightly in protest.
"Nope, no backsies, Little Yue," Retsu said, folding her arms with a smirk. "You spent time alone with him, it was romantic, and you uncovered a secret vault. That more than qualifies."
"This doesn't count! It was super short!" Cang Yue protested, flustered.
"No buts," Retsu said with a light giggle. "Back to the end of the line. That's the rule."
"Muu! No fair!" Cang Yue pouted, crossing her arms and turning away with a huff while the others chuckled.
"Well, we can always spend time together again later," Yun Che said gently, offering her a soft smile.
"Promise me," Cang Yue replied, still pouting, but her tone had already softened.
"I promise." He chuckled and reached out to pat her head.
Her pout melted into a smile as she leaned slightly into his hand. "Okay… then I guess I'll accept this little exploration as a date."
"Ufufufu… Yuu-kun~" Retsu's elegant voice cut in with a playful cough. "I've managed to establish contact with my new Zanpakutō."
"Oh? Already?" Yun Che raised an eyebrow, intrigued. The others turned their attention toward her as well.
"Yes. I got bored waiting for you lovebirds," she said coyly, drawing the small tanto from her waist. She closed her eyes briefly, her spiritual pressure subtly shifting. "Mitase. (Fulfill)"
The blade shimmered as the short tanto transformed into a sleeker, short sword, its form glowing faintly with vermilion light. A gauge lined the flat of the blade, already partially filled with red.
"Akeiro Hisagomaru," she said softly. (The Vermilion-Colored Gourd.)
"Sugoi…" Cang Yue breathed in awe. Mio and Nemu shared a rare look of genuine curiosity.
Yun Che grinned, clearly pleased. "So it finally resonated with you."
He had acquired Hisagomaru not for himself, but for Retsu in mind. Originally a healing-type Zanpakutō, it held untapped combat potential that could evolve with its wielder's spirit. Retsu—being a master healer with terrifying latent strength—was the perfect fit.
Still, something caught his eye. The sword's gauge was already more than halfway filled.
Did she already test it? he wondered.
He remembered how Hanatarō's version had to build up energy before releasing it in a powerful strike. But in Retsu's hands, it might become something entirely different.
"Did you… try it out already?" he asked, half teasing.
Retsu gave a faint, knowing smile. "I may have healed a few severe injuries in preparation. It fills quickly when used in combat healing, not just through damage."
"That's so like you," Yun Che mused, both proud and a bit wary.
"And Yachiru seems pleased with the choice," Retsu added with a small, amused glance. "She said something about this blade letting me enjoy my enemies more creatively."
Everyone paused.
"That sounds… like Yachiru," Yun Che muttered.
Yun Che paused mid-thought as he noticed a flicker of movement from the corner of his eye. A small figure peeked from behind Retsu's robes, then quickly hid again.
Retsu encourages the little one. "Don't be shy."
"Hnnn… I'm sorry…" came a soft, almost whisper-like voice.
A long silver-haired girl hesitantly stepped out, her every movement cautious and reserved. She wore a flowing silver dress that shimmered faintly under the light, matching her equally beautiful silver eyes. Silver hair flows behind her until her knees. Clutched tightly in her small hands was an odd little toy: a miniature white robot-like figure with a cylindrical torso, a spherical head, thin limbs, and a single round black eye.
The girl quietly walked over and clung to Retsu's leg, like a child hiding behind her mother.
Retsu looked down with a warm smile. "Everyone, this is Hisa-chan. A shortened form of Hisagomaru. She's… a bit shy."
There was a brief silence—then:
"Kawaii!!"
"She's so cute!!" Cang Yue exclaimed.
Mio and Nemu exclaimed at the same time, their eyes sparkling with delight.
"Eeeep!" Hisa squeaked and quickly ducked back behind Retsu, holding her toy tighter as if it would shield her from the overwhelming praise.
"Aw, we didn't mean to scare you," Cang Yue giggled softly. "She's like a little spirit child."
"So… this is the spirit of your Zanpakutō?" Yun Che asked, raising an eyebrow in fascination.
Retsu gave a light nod. "Yes. Hisa-chan manifested shortly after I attuned to Akeiro Hisagomaru. She's gentle, timid… but don't let appearances fool you. There's something else deep inside her."
Hisa peeked out again, just enough for one glimmering eye to peek at Yun Che, still wary but curious.
"Well," Yun Che chuckled, kneeling slightly, "At least she regained back her powers through you,"
Hisa blinked… then slowly gave a tiny, shy nod.
"Ufufuu~ She's my new Zanpakutō," Retsu said, stroking Hisa-chan's head gently. "Her ability allows me to instantly heal injuries—even ones that would normally require hours of spiritual repair. Once healing is complete, she builds up energy to unleash a devastating counterattack. Hisagomaru can both save and destroy. Yachiru, oddly enough, adores her. When I came to meet here, Minazuki was carrying her behind its back. They're already friends before I even know it."
Yun Che smiled and knelt, giving Hisa a gentle pat on the head. "Nice to meet you, Hisa-chan."
"H-Hai… Yun-sama…" Hisa nodded bashfully, her voice barely above a whisper.
Retsu couldn't help but grin as she leaned into Yun Che's side with a teasing tone. "And since she's born of my power… and your energy, Yuu-kun… she's basically our child, ne~?"
BOOM.
A wave of silent pressure swept through the room. Mio was suddenly surrounded by a thick, ominous purple aura, her narrowed eyes glowing with quiet intensity.
"C-Child!?" Cang Yue choked, completely blindsided. "Did I hear that right!?"
Retsu simply giggled, unfazed.
Then, as if rehearsed, she gave Hisa-chan a subtle nod. "Remember what we practiced, sweetie?"
"H-Hai…" Hisa turned hesitantly toward Yun Che, her small hands squeezing her toy nervously. "T-Totou-sama…!(Father-sama)"
The room went silent.
Yun Che blinked. "Wait, did she just—?"
"You mean Waka-sama, right?" Mio cut in, her tone calm—but her eyes said otherwise.
"Eeeep!!" Hisa yelped, bowing repeatedly in panic. "I-I'm sorry! I'm really sowwy! I didn't mean to upset Onee-sama! I-I'm just doing what Retsu-sama said!"
"Mio-chan!" Retsu puffed her cheeks, clearly annoyed. "You're being unreasonable!"
"It's fine, Mio," Yun Che tried to soothe the tension with a calm voice, gently patting her shoulder.
"Dame!" Mio shot back instantly, arms folded, tone unwavering. "Only our children are allowed to call you that!"
"Well… Mio kind of has a point," Yun Che sighed and crouched beside Hisa-chan, patting her head gently. "Let's stick with Yun-sama for now, alright?"
"H-Hai…" Hisa nodded, cheeks puffed as if pouting herself.
That's when Retsu struck with a devilish grin. "Children, huh? So you are thinking about it, Mio-chan?"
"Of course!" Mio huffed, puffing her chest proudly. "I'll be the first one to carry his child!"
"Ufufufuu… That won't be necessary." Retsu's own chest pushed against Mio's as she leaned in. "I'll be the one to carry his child first."
Their eyes sparked as their breasts touched, soft smiles masking a rising storm.
"Shall we race?" Retsu mused. "See who'll carry his child first after the wedding?"
"You're on, sister!" Mio replied without hesitation, their clash now radiating maternal ambition.
Meanwhile, Hisa-chan clung tightly to Retsu's leg, looking up at them with big sparkling eyes as if she wanted her mistress to win.
Off to the side, Cang Yue rubbed her temple with a sigh. "They talk about these things like it's tea time."
"Hmm~ Aren't you looking forward to it too, Yue-nee? Maybe you secretly wanted to be the first one." Nemu teased, her expression as stoic as ever.
"Nemu!" Cang Yue flushed red, waving a balled fist at the girl. "Don't go adding weird things to this!"
"Kyaa…! I'm sorry…" Nemu replied while neatly sidestepping the mock punch, expression unchanged.
Yun Che just stared blankly at the scene, his hand still resting on Hisa-chan's head.
"These girls aren't even asking my opinion…" he muttered under his breath.
"Anyway…" Yun Che's voice cut through the banter, catching everyone's attention. His eyes narrowed slightly as he focused on Retsu. "How did you fill the gauge this fast?"
"Ufufu… There's one place where I can heal anyone without drawing attention," Retsu answered with a sly grin. "The Heavenly Recovery Pavilion."
"The general hospital?" Yun Che blinked. "No way… I heard it was hectic over there. That was you?"
He remembered hearing palace rumors this morning—patients at the pavilion recovering from serious wounds almost miraculously, their pain vanishing overnight. So that's why. Retsu must've used the Apple to hide her presence and secretly healed everyone using Hisagomaru… absorbing all their pain and damage into her Zanpakuto to charge it up.
"Maybe~" Retsu replied innocently, poking her tongue out and pressing her index fingers together playfully.
"Gene…ral…hos…pi…tal?" Cang Yue echoed slowly, visibly confused. "What's that?"
"Oh, it's like a healing building," Yun Che explained with a shrug. "Where I'm from, we call it a hospital."
"Interesting name for a medical hall…" Cang Yue tilted her head thoughtfully.
"It's got doctors, nurses, tools… a lot like your pavilion, just more tech and less spiritual energy," Yun Che added.
"Well, let's just say I had plenty of people to help me test Hisa-chan's healing powers." Retsu smiled proudly as Hisa-chan shyly stood beside her.
"And every single one of them helped fill the gauge," Retsu added, eyes gleaming with mischief.
"That's kinda terrifying, now that I think about it…" Yun Che muttered. "You're basically walking around with a miniature spirit bomb in your sheath."
"Nn… I'm not a bomb…" Hisa-chan pouted quietly, holding her little robot doll closer.
"Aww, no no, you're not, Hisa-chan." Yun Che chuckled and knelt beside her. "You're the cutest healer I've ever seen."
"R-Really?" Hisa's cheeks turned red as she nodded shyly. "T-Thank you… Yun-sama."
"Now imagine unleashing that cuteness in the form of a massive energy blast," Retsu smirked. "I call that the Hisa Cannon."
"Pff—!" Cang Yue almost choked on air laughing.
"Now that's a terrifying name," Yun Che muttered.
"Well, I'll leave the renovation of this place to you girls." Yun Che said, passing the Apple of Eden to Retsu. Each of them—Retsu, Mio, Nemu, and even Cang Yue—already had their own ideas on how to transform the Moon Empress' secret sanctuary into something more personal for Cang Yue. He just hoped Xuyi wouldn't mind… too much.
"Are you going somewhere?" Cang Yue asked, tilting her head slightly.
"…I accidentally owe Qingyue another date tonight," Yun Che confessed, his voice trailing at the end.
Boom.
All at once, cheeks puffed. Silent protest filled the air.
Hisa blinked, glancing around innocently at the tension rising. "U-uhm?"
"I know, I know…" Yun Che raised both hands in mock surrender. "I promised everyone a second date. And two for Nemu. I haven't forgotten. And besides…" His tone turned sharper. "I hear the Grand Master of the Villa is still running his mouth. Maybe it's time I teach him another lesson."
"Ara… it seems the lesson we gave him before wasn't enough," Retsu sighed dramatically, folding her arms.
"If you need to test Hisa-chan's full Shikai power…" Yun Che smirked at her, "I won't mind being the observer."
"Ufufu… I was actually thinking of paying another visit to a Heavenly Recovery Pavilion tonight," Retsu mused, her tone sweet and ominous. "Absorb a little more pain. Boost Hisa-chan's strength. Mind accompanying me, Hisa-chan?"
"Hai! Retsu-sama!" the little girl beamed and clung to her leg like an obedient spirit assistant.
"I'll stay with Yue'er and help clean this place up," Mio chimed in, raising a fist. "Feels like we're reclaiming a temple or something."
"I might bring Big Sis, Ru'er, and Mulan here too," Cang Yue suggested thoughtfully. "This place is massive… we could use the space."
"I'll assist in generating any furniture or decor you desire," Nemu added with her usual calm, lifting the Apple of Eden.
"…You girls do know the Apple draws on my energy, right?" Yun Che sighed, rubbing the back of his head as he recalled the castle he built for Cang Yue's genius faction—not to mention the excessive renovations afterward.
"Of course we know," Cang Yue grinned mischievously. "That's why we're counting on you, Che'er."
"Yuu-kun~," Retsu echoed sweetly, resting her head on his shoulder before stepping away. "We'll make it worth your while."
Yun Che let out a long sigh. "At this point, I need a training montage just to survive all of you."
"The things I do for love." He sighs.
"Don't worry, you have plenty of them with us." Retsu spoke as she kissed his cheek.
"No fair desu!" Mio landed her own peck.
"Me too," Nemu landed her own kiss.
"Don't leave me behind!" Cang Yue.
"Girls please…!" Yun Che's face was basically peppered with kisses.
Hisa had to close her eyes seeing them.
"We have to show Qingyue who you belongs to." Retsu teased.
"Just go easy on her, she's really vulnerable right now. Ill make sure she felt welcome." Yun Che spoke. With it, he pats their heads and give them forehead kisses before leaving. The other palace officials were puzzled with the discovery of the hidden space beneath the throne room. He instruct them not to enter the place.
Then, he took off as he sense he was somehow being followed by someone. Might as well bring that guy somewhere open alongside Qingyue. Moreover, hes also wanted to test another thing.
==================
Xia Qingyue quietly excused herself to her room once the meeting with the High Fairies concluded. Her expression was serene as always, but her thoughts drifted elsewhere. Her heart, however, betrayed her—lightly fluttering in anticipation of tonight's date.
"Are you well, Qingyue? You've seemed rather absent-minded today," Gong Yuxian asked, her eyes sharp but concerned.
"I'm fine, Asgard Mistress. Perhaps… just a little shaken." Qingyue answered with a polite nod. Her tone was steady, but her words masked the truth. She wasn't skilled at lying—but she was good at keeping secrets.
Gong Yuxian's gaze lingered on her for a moment before she gave a faint, knowing smile. "I see you've made a full recovery. It's astonishing what our Frozen Recovery Pellets are capable of, isn't it?"
Qingyue didn't respond immediately.
The Frozen Recovery Pellets…?
She had barely felt even a flicker of relief from them. The truth was far more humbling. It wasn't the pellets that healed her. It was Yun Che.
The destructive backlash from the Fourth Arts had ravaged her meridians and drained her cultivation power. In other words, long lasting damage. The pellets, even at their best, restored no more than five percent of her injuries. It should have taken weeks—months—to even return to half strength.
And yet…
Yun Che had restored her completely using his mysterious skill. The 'Status Recovery Skill'. The heaven defying skill that she witnessed it being used on her. All of her energy. All of her strength and even internal injuries.
In mere moments.
Qingyue's hand unconsciously brushed her chest, as if to feel the warmth still lingering inside her—warmth that did not come from ice or pills, but from him.
"…Yes," she replied at last, her voice soft, distant. "Truly… astonishing."
Xia Qingyue bowed respectfully to Gong Yuxian and quietly excused herself. As soon as she reached her quarters within the ark, she gently closed the door—and this time, locked it.
Silence.
She turned slowly, letting her breath ease from her chest as though releasing something fragile. Her hands reached up and unfastened her veil, lowering it with delicate fingers. The smooth silk fluttered softly to the side as she stepped toward the mirror.
A face, cold and exquisite, gazed back at her.
She rarely looked at herself like this. Without the veil. Without the distance. Tonight, however, was different.
"…Why?"
Her fingertips brushed the edge of her cheek as she studied her reflection. "Why am I thinking like this?" she whispered.
Her heart had been altered—reshaped in that strange, divine dimension where Yun Che's power had touched her… changed her.
It didn't make sense.
Xiao Lingxi had once told her Yun Che was kind—foolishly so. The kind of man who carried others' burdens even when it hurt him. But Qingyue never expected this: that one moment with him, one surge of his power, would leave behind something so profound.
Her heart no longer felt like her own. It beat with rhythm and purpose she couldn't explain.
It no longer responded to anyone else. Only to him.
And the stronger her feelings became… the more power she could feel pulsing through her veins. As though her cultivation and her affection were now intertwined.
She pressed a palm against her chest.
"This new heart…" she murmured. "What is it?"
The thought of other men filled her with nothing but disdain. Their presence, once irrelevant, now seemed offensive. But not him. Never him.
She wanted to look beautiful. No—perfect.
Not as a Fairy of Frozen Cloud Asgard. But as his Qingyue.
She reached for the small wooden case she hadn't used in years. A simple box, tucked away and untouched. Inside were fine brushes, powders, and tints. Delicate and elegant. She'd never bothered with them before—beauty had never required effort.
But for some reason, tonight… she wanted to try.
Why does he treat me so normally? she thought. Is he so used to beauty that even mine doesn't move him?
She shook her head, setting the brush down for a moment. Her image stared back at her—conflicted, tender, curious.
She exhaled and looked away briefly, but then turned back to the mirror.
"Maybe…" she whispered, "…I'll ask him tonight."
Before Xia Qingyue could even lift the brush, a voice drifted in behind her—calm, familiar, and unexpectedly close.
"Oh? You're ready. I thought you weren't eager to go," Yun Che said casually.
Startled, she turned swiftly—and there he was, sitting on the edge of her bed as though he'd been there all along.
"…."
She stared at him in silence for a moment before looking away, her composure returning like a curtain falling over stirred waters.
"I promised," she replied softly.
Yun Che smiled faintly, rubbing the back of his neck. "I see. Honestly, I thought you'd… push me away again. Or maybe refuse to see me altogether."
"I have no reason to," Qingyue said. Her gaze lowered, voice quieter. "My mind wants to avoid you… but my heart doesn't."
Yun Che's smile deepened. "You too, huh?"
Qingyue blinked. "What do you mean?"
"I'll explain later," he said, rising to his feet and extending his hand toward her. "Shall we?"
For a brief moment, her mind hesitated, cool and calculating as always—cautioning her to remain distant.
But her heart—her new heart—made the choice instead.
She reached out and placed her hand in his.
Warmth.
And with it, a strange, overwhelming joy that bloomed in her chest like spring sunlight melting ancient frost.
She didn't understand it. But she didn't pull away.
Together, they walked toward the edge of the room, where the Wings of Transient Dreams sprout behind him in its strange, ethereal stillness. Qingyue's eyes traced its design with growing fascination: stylized wings of deep blue and teal, edged with intricate gold patterns like sacred inscriptions. Light-blue energy pulsed from its center, rippling outward like wind over calm water.
She reached out, her fingers brushing one of the feather-like edges.
It was soft. Unnaturally so.
"You like it?" Yun Che asked, watching her closely.
"Hnnn…" She nodded slowly, still tracing the wing.
"Maybe I'll ask Nemu to prepare one for you," he said. "But try to get to know the girl first. She's… like me. The only one who understands my world's gibberish."
Qingyue turned her eyes toward him again—curious, but silently accepting.
"Anyway… shall we?" Yun Che smiled and took her hand once more.
With her fingers wrapped gently in his, they stepped into the night. The wings behind him shimmered with azure light before lifting, silently and effortlessly, into the starlit sky.
Qingyue looked back once, a trace of disbelief in her eyes—as though part of her still couldn't fathom flying with him like this.
But her heart…
Her heart simply rejoiced in the night.