The laboratory gradually became lively once again.
The heavy atmosphere surrounding Mu Che's final resting place slowly faded as everyone returned to exploring his hidden workshop.
Nemu had already disappeared toward one of the engineering benches.
Several dismantled missile components were spread across the table.
She was already sketching improvements.
"...I'll redesign the guidance system first."
She murmured to herself.
"And improve the V2 missile's stability."
Nearby, Yun Che pointed toward one of the concealed passageways.
"Retsu."
"Mio."
"Qingyue."
"Little Fairy."
"Yueli."
The five women turned toward him.
"There should still be one hidden super missile Mu Che never moved."
"I need you girls to find it. I'll relay the location to Retsu. She'll guide you to the location of the pieces."
"If it's still intact..."
"...bring it back here and we'll assemble it."
Retsu smiled.
"Hai~~~"
Mio raised her fist.
"The treasure hunting squad is on the move."
Little Fairy chuckled.
"I'll scout ahead."
Qingyue nodded.
"We'll be careful."
Once Yun Che relayed the location of the missile parts to Retsu and Mio's HUD, the five immediately set off.
Within moments, they disappeared into the wilderness outside.
Only a few people remained behind.
Cang Yue.
Lin Yueru.
Xue Ling.
Xue Yin.
Mulan.
And Nemu, who was already completely absorbed in redesigning the missile.
The laboratory suddenly became much quieter.
Mulan's eyes slowly drifted toward the worktable.
Resting upon it...
Were the three Pieces of Eden.
Mu Che's Apple of Eden.
The Sword of Eden.
The Staff of Eden.
Beside them rested Huan Xuyi's larger Apple.
Treasures from another world.
Artifacts that had survived civilizations.
Objects that had silently accompanied Mu Che throughout his lonely life.
Mulan quietly stared at them.
So...
These were the treasures he protected all this time...
A complicated smile crossed her face.
She had believed she understood Mu Che.
Yet...
She realized now...
She had known almost nothing.
She hadn't known he came from another world.
She hadn't known the burden he carried.
She hadn't known the true nature of the strange devices he always hid.
Or the reason he lived alone beneath the mountain.
She lowered her eyes.
...He never trusted me enough to tell me.
The thought hurt.
But strangely...
She couldn't blame him.
They truly had belonged to different worlds.
Not simply different lives.
Different worlds.
Literally.
Yun Che quietly noticed her expression.
Without saying anything...
He searched the worktable one final time.
Then...
"...I think this belongs to you."
He picked up an ordinary-looking spatial ring lying where Mu Che's skeleton had rested.
It had been placed neatly upon the table.
Almost as though it had been left there intentionally.
Mulan blinked.
"...For me?"
Yun Che nodded.
"I think so."
She accepted the ring with both hands.
After establishing a connection...
Her eyes widened.
"...This..."
Inside the storage space...
Were neatly stacked mountains of gold coins.
Countless purple coins.
Crates filled with high-grade purple profound crystals.
Various valuables collected over an entire lifetime.
The sheer amount of wealth was staggering.
Enough for someone to live in complete comfort for several lifetimes.
Mulan slowly looked back up.
"...This is..."
Yun Che smiled gently.
"It's everything Mu Che owned."
"He doesn't have any living relatives..."
"...does he?"
Mulan quietly shook her head.
"...No."
"He was the last member of his family."
She looked into the ring once more.
"His elder brother served as a soldier under the Jin Family."
"He died in battle many years ago."
"Not long afterward..."
"...his parents passed away as well."
Silence lingered.
Yun Che nodded.
"Then..."
"...you're the closest thing he has to an heir."
He gently pushed the ring back toward her.
"You're the rightful inheritor of his personal wealth."
"Do whatever you think is right."
Mulan held the ring quietly.
After a long moment...
She smiled.
"I think..."
"...I'll give most of it to Father and Mother."
Everyone looked toward her.
"They'll know how to use it better than I ever could."
She gently closed her hand around the ring.
"Xuanwu City still needs to be rebuilt."
"This wealth can help restore countless homes."
"It can improve the city."
"It'll help far more people than it would sitting in my storage ring."
Yun Che smiled approvingly.
"...That's a very Mu Che answer."
Mulan blinked before laughing softly.
"...Maybe."
Yun Che folded his arms.
"But..."
"Why not keep something for yourself?"
"You don't have to donate everything."
Mulan shook her head with a gentle smile.
"I already receive a generous salary as Princess Cang Yue's Imperial Protector."
She looked toward Cang Yue.
"Her Highness even granted me my own courtyard within the Imperial Palace."
She laughed softly.
"I honestly didn't realize Yue'er possessed so much wealth."
Cang Yue couldn't help laughing.
"You're speaking as though it's my personal fortune."
She shook her head.
"I'm still the Imperial Princess."
"Most of those resources belong to the Imperial Family."
She smiled warmly at Mulan.
"But..."
"If they're being used to take care of the people protecting me..."
"...I'd say they're being spent exactly as intended."
Mulan lowered her head gratefully.
"...Thank you."
Yun Che smiled faintly.
"But..."
He looked at the spatial ring in Mulan's hand.
"It was your husband's wealth."
"Surely..."
"...you could find a better use for it yourself?"
Mulan gently shook her head.
"It is."
She looked down at the ring before smiling peacefully.
"But I'd rather use it to rebuild my family."
"I'll keep a small portion for myself."
"The rest..."
"I'll leave to Father and Mother to manage."
She looked toward Cang Yue.
"As long as I remain by Yue'er's side..."
"...I'm already grateful."
"I have stable employment."
"A place to live."
"And..."
She looked back at Yun Che with a soft smile.
"...I have you watching over me."
She chuckled quietly.
"I'm quite certain your own wealth far surpasses everything inside this spatial ring."
Yun Che laughed.
"I honestly thought you'd keep it all."
Mulan raised an eyebrow.
"You think so little of me?"
He shrugged innocently.
"I was curious."
She smiled and gently shook her head.
"I'm not some greedy widow."
Her voice carried neither guilt nor sadness.
Only quiet certainty.
"I'll always be grateful to my husband."
"But..."
"I'm equally certain he'd be happier knowing his savings helped rebuild the Jin Family..."
"...and restore Xuanwu City."
She looked around the laboratory.
"Besides..."
"Yue'er's salary is already more than generous."
Cang Yue laughed helplessly.
"I keep telling you..."
"You're making me sound far wealthier than I actually am."
The group shared a small laugh.
Yun Che reached over and gently patted Mulan's head.
"...Take your time."
"You don't have to force yourself to recover."
"Healing takes time."
Mulan closed her eyes for a moment beneath his hand.
"...Thank you."
A short silence followed.
Then...
She looked at him thoughtfully.
"...He called you..."
"...Yuuki."
Yun Che paused.
"...Are you from the same world as him?"
Beside him...
Cang Yue quietly looked away.
The secret had finally reached someone else.
There was little point denying it now.
Yun Che nodded.
"...Yeah."
"We came from the same world."
"A century apart."
Mulan absorbed those words quietly.
"I see..."
She smiled gently.
"...Would you mind..."
"...if I called you Yuuki when we're alone?"
"Sure."
"I don't mind."
Her smile became a little brighter.
"...Thank you."
"...For trusting me with your real name."
She glanced toward Cang Yue.
"Judging from Yue'er's reaction..."
"...I assumed she already knew."
Cang Yue sighed before nodding.
"...You already figured it out."
"So..."
"...there's no point hiding it anymore."
The atmosphere settled once again.
Mulan slowly slipped the spatial ring onto her finger.
She stared at it quietly.
Then...
Almost in a whisper...
"...Yuuki."
He looked toward her.
"...Am I..."
"...a good wife?"
The unexpected question caught everyone off guard.
Yun Che blinked.
"...Why would you ask that?"
The tears came without warning.
They quietly rolled down Mulan's cheeks.
"...I..."
She lowered her head.
"...I don't know if I was ever a good wife to him."
Silence filled the laboratory.
Without speaking...
Yun Che reached for Huan Xuyi's Apple of Eden.
The artifact glowed softly within his hand.
Golden light spread across the room.
A moment later...
Countless translucent images appeared around Mulan.
Like floating windows.
Like scenes from an old dream.
Memory after memory unfolded before her eyes.
She watched herself...
Speaking with Mu Che.
Sharing meals.
Walking together through Xuanwu City.
Watching over his back whenever danger approached.
Quiet conversations.
Small smiles.
Simple moments.
There were no arguments.
No resentment.
No hatred.
Only peaceful memories.
The laboratory disappeared around her.
Leaving only the fragments of another man's life.
"...Che'er..."
Her voice trembled.
She reached toward one of the fading memories.
Unable to touch it.
Yun Che quietly stood beside her.
"You may not have shared the same room..."
He spoke gently.
"But..."
"...these are the memories he chose to keep."
He watched the projections surrounding her.
"This..."
"...is how he remembered you."
Mulan covered her mouth as tears continued falling.
Every memory...
Was a happy one.
She remembered searching for him.
Year after year.
Following rumors.
Following whispers.
Refusing to give up.
Until...
Her search finally ended beneath this rocky formation.
She remembered washing his remains.
Preparing his burial.
Building his grave with her own hands.
Yun Che gently rested a hand upon her head.
"...Live."
"And know..."
"...that his final thoughts of you were never filled with resentment."
"They were filled with gratitude."
"You searched for him for years."
"You never abandoned him."
"You bathed him."
"You buried him with your own hands."
His voice softened.
"...You were a good wife, Mulan."
"You always were."
Mulan broke into quiet sobs.
"...He..."
"...forgave me?"
Yun Che smiled gently.
"He forgave you long ago."
"And..."
"...he died knowing you were alive."
"Safe."
"And still living the life he wanted you to have."
"He remained loyal to you..."
"...until the very end."
Mulan wiped away her tears.
"...I..."
"...I was so afraid..."
"...that I wasn't enough."
Yun Che smiled.
"Then prove it."
She blinked.
"...Prove it?"
He nodded.
"When you've healed emotionally..."
"If you truly believe you can be a good wife..."
"...then become one."
He smiled warmly.
"...Become one for me someday."
Silence.
Mulan looked at him for a very long time.
Then...
A small, genuine smile appeared.
"...I will."
She answered softly.
"...But not now."
She laughed quietly through her remaining tears.
"I still need everyone else's blessing."
Yun Che grinned.
"And I won't accept you..."
"...if you're only doing it because Mu Che entrusted you to me."
"You have to choose it yourself."
She nodded firmly.
"...I understand."
The conversation naturally came to an end.
Together...
They walked toward the engineering table where Nemu was still completely immersed in redesigning the V2 missile.
As Mulan followed a few steps behind...
She quietly watched Yun Che's back.
Mu Che entrusted me to him...
She would honor that promise.
But not because it had been requested of her.
Not because it was her duty.
Yun Che deserved something genuine.
Until she understood her own heart...
Until her feelings were truly her own...
Marriage would remain a distant conversation.
Especially...
When there were so many other women walking beside him.
For now...
She would simply continue forward.
One step at a time.
=================
Later...
Yun Che returned to the worktable.
The laboratory had grown quiet once more.
One by one...
He carefully packed away the recovered relics.
Mu Che's Apple of Eden.
The Sword of Eden.
The Staff of Eden.
Each was returned to his storage with the same care one would use when handling ancient treasures.
Inside his mind...
Jasmine watched silently.
"...To think..."
"...you obtained all three Pieces of Eden at the same time."
She couldn't help sounding impressed.
"Mu Che really carried a great deal from his original world."
Yun Che nodded.
"He did."
He gently turned the Staff of Eden in his hand.
"They aren't part of the legendary Nine..."
"...but that doesn't make them harmless."
He looked thoughtfully at the golden relic.
"Knowledge."
"Illusions."
"Mind control."
"Each one is dangerous in its own way."
"They may not rival profound weapons in direct combat..."
"...but the ability to manipulate perception and twist people's minds is often even more frightening."
He paused.
"And..."
"...their true strength isn't meant to be used separately."
Jasmine frowned.
"...What do you mean?"
"They're designed to work together."
He reached for Mu Che's Apple of Eden.
"You can mount the Apple onto the Sword of Eden."
"The Apple becomes its power source."
"It amplifies the sword's output considerably."
Jasmine's eyes narrowed.
"...And the staff?"
Instead of answering...
Yun Che reached toward Huan Xuyi's larger Apple of Eden.
His fingers found a nearly invisible seam around its center.
With a practiced twist—
Click.
The outer shell separated cleanly into two halves.
At its centre...
A precisely engineered hollow socket was revealed.
Yun Che lifted the upper section of the Staff of Eden.
Then...
He gently inserted the opened Apple into the receiving mount.
Clack.
The mechanism locked into place as though it had always belonged there.
Golden inscriptions spread across the length of the staff.
Thin streams of light travelled through channels hidden beneath the metal.
The relic awakened.
Jasmine's eyes widened.
"...It actually fits..."
She stared at the completed artifact.
"So..."
"...that's how it's supposed to be used."
Yun Che nodded.
"The Pieces of Eden were designed as a modular system."
"They can be separated."
"Or combined."
"The more complete the set..."
"...the greater their capabilities become."
Jasmine looked at the staff for several long seconds.
Then suddenly laughed.
"...If Xuyi ever finds out..."
"...she's going to lose her mind."
"She spent centuries protecting nothing but a single Apple."
She pointed toward the completed weapon.
"Meanwhile..."
"Mu Che had three Pieces of Eden sitting in one underground laboratory."
Yun Che smiled faintly.
"Fortunately..."
"...no one ever discovered that."
His expression gradually became serious.
"Because if Ares had learned Mu Che possessed three Pieces of Eden..."
"...this entire province would've been reduced to rubble."
"There wouldn't have been a laboratory left to discover."
Jasmine slowly nodded.
"...You're probably right."
The thought alone was unsettling.
Three Pieces of Eden gathered in one place...
Would have been an irresistible prize.
Yun Che carefully removed the Apple once more.
The glowing inscriptions faded.
The staff returned to its dormant state.
He packed each relic away separately.
"...And this is only the beginning."
He quietly closed his storage.
"We still have eight more Pieces of Eden to recover."
Jasmine folded her arms.
"...Which means..."
"...our work is far from over."
Yun Che finished storing the three Pieces of Eden inside his inventory.
His expression gradually became thoughtful.
"...Plus..."
"...we've just made ourselves a much bigger target."
Jasmine folded her arms.
"...Because you now possess four Pieces of Eden."
Yun Che nodded.
"Exactly."
He counted them mentally.
"Mu Che's Apple."
"The Sword."
"The Staff."
"And Xuyi's Apple."
"Four."
He exhaled quietly.
"I have no idea whether the surviving Isu scattered across this world know about them."
"If they ever discover these relics exist here..."
"...they'll come."
His eyes became cold.
"And honestly..."
"...I'd rather they come to me."
A faint smile crossed his face.
"So I can vaporize every last one of them."
Jasmine laughed.
"...Still as arrogant as ever."
She became serious again.
"...Do you think it's possible..."
"...that other Pieces of Eden ended up in this world as well?"
"Just like Mu Che's?"
"Hidden somewhere."
"Undetected."
Yun Che remained silent for a moment.
"...I don't know."
"It is possible."
"And I sincerely hope it isn't."
He looked toward the three relics.
"Even a single Piece of Eden is dangerous."
"I'd rather believe these three were simply never registered."
He smiled faintly.
"Though..."
"...recovering them wasn't without benefits."
Jasmine tilted her head.
"...Benefits?"
"The discovery of the three Pieces of Eden allowed my System to upgrade."
"It finally reached Version 1.5."
Jasmine raised an eyebrow.
"...New features?"
"Just one."
Yun Che summoned a blue holographic interface.
"But the biggest one..."
"...is this."
He tapped the floating menu.
A massive compendium appeared.
Rows upon rows of unfamiliar relics scrolled endlessly across the screen.
Jasmine narrowed her eyes.
"...What's all this?"
"...A creation catalogue."
"The System can now fabricate..."
"...Pseudo Pieces of Eden."
"...Pseudo?"
"They aren't genuine Pieces of Eden."
"They're simplified versions."
"Each possesses only a single specialized ability."
He continued scrolling.
Protective artifacts.
Weapons.
Utility devices.
Support equipment.
Each displayed detailed construction data.
Then—
He stopped.
"...Rings of Eden."
Jasmine looked over his shoulder.
"Hm."
"They should be powerful enough to repel ordinary metal weapons."
"Arrows."
"Swords."
"They'd make excellent protective equipment."
She continued reading.
"...Wait."
She looked toward Yun Che.
"...The Booster Gauntlets..."
"...are they considered Pseudo Pieces of Eden too?"
Yun Che nodded.
"...Kind of."
"They were Mu Che's unfinished design."
"He never completed them."
"But..."
"...Nemu and I finished what he started."
He scrolled farther down.
Suddenly...
His finger froze.
"...What?"
His eyes widened.
One unfamiliar category had appeared.
Shen Gong Wu
"...What in the world..."
He stared at the title.
"...Chinese?"
He immediately selected it.
An enormous archive unfolded before him.
His eyes rapidly scanned the information.
The more he read...
The more astonished he became.
"...Interesting..."
Jasmine waited patiently.
"...Well?"
Yun Che slowly lowered his hand.
"...Shen Gong Wu."
"...Or..."
"...Divine-Made Weapons."
"They're actually another branch of Pseudo Pieces of Eden."
Jasmine blinked.
"...Created by the Isu?"
"Not directly."
He continued reading.
"They were created after the Great Catastrophe."
"Using a specialized Isu Forge located somewhere in China."
"The creator..."
"...was an Isu monk."
"...Named Dashi."
Jasmine repeated the unfamiliar name.
"...Dashi."
Yun Che continued reading through the archive.
"The original Pieces of Eden require Radiant Energy."
"But humans naturally generate only tiny amounts."
"Not enough to operate true Pieces of Eden efficiently."
"So..."
"...Dashi redesigned them."
"He deliberately reduced their power."
"In exchange..."
"...they consumed far less Radiant Energy."
"They became practical for ordinary humans."
Jasmine frowned.
"...Then where did those humans obtain enough energy to use them?"
Yun Che smiled.
"...Chi."
Jasmine looked puzzled.
"...Chi?"
"My world called it internal energy."
He pointed toward the archived explanation.
"But according to Isu records..."
"...Chi is simply another manifestation of Radiant Energy."
"It already exists."
"Dormant."
"Encoded within human DNA."
"Cultivators unknowingly train themselves to awaken tiny portions of it."
Jasmine remained silent.
The implication was enormous.
"So..."
"...the cultivation systems from your world..."
"...were unknowingly built upon Isu science?"
Yun Che nodded slowly.
"Looks that way."
"Dashi discovered humans could slowly cultivate dormant Radiant Energy."
"So instead of forcing humans to wield true Pieces of Eden..."
"...he created weaker versions."
"Artifacts compatible with the amount humans could naturally produce."
He smiled in admiration.
"...That's brilliant."
Jasmine looked toward him.
"You admire him."
"I do."
Yun Che nodded without hesitation.
"I'd wager Dashi wasn't an ordinary Isu."
"He was probably a Sage."
"...A Sage?"
Jasmine repeated.
"A Sage."
"An Isu whose consciousness survives death."
"When one incarnation dies..."
"...the soul fragments."
"And eventually reassembles itself in a later era."
"Again."
"And again."
"And again."
His expression became thoughtful.
"That's why Huan Xuyi can never allow Ares to be reborn."
"If she ever allowed his genetic memory to spread..."
"...his consciousness could eventually return through countless human descendants."
He slowly closed the archive.
"...Xuyi may never make that mistake."
"But..."
"...what about the other eight Pieces of Eden?"
"What if other surviving Isu already succeeded in influencing humanity? It's been 3000 years since it scattered across the world."
Jasmine fell silent.
It was a disturbing possibility.
Yun Che looked back toward the archive.
"...Still..."
"...to think a Sage appeared in China."
"He developed a method for humans to cultivate Radiant Energy..."
"...then forged compatible artifacts."
"And people later called them..."
"...Shen Gong Wu."
He smiled to himself.
"The System only knows all this because it reconstructed the archive from the Apple's stored data."
"My guess..."
"...is that Mu Che's Apple once belonged to Dashi."
"Long before Abstergo recovered it."
"And long before Mu Che stole it."
The catalogue continued scrolling before him.
Thousands of entries.
Waiting to be explored.
Yun Che grinned.
"...Alright."
"...Let's see what I can create."
The catalogue continued scrolling.
Thousands of entries.
Thousands of forgotten creations.
Then—
A single page opened.
==============================
[Mantis Flip Coin]
Ability: Enhanced Physical Abilities
Temporarily increases the user's jumping ability, allowing extraordinary leaps, flips, aerial control, and agility.
Materials Required: Special Isu Metal
Price: 5000 SP
Assembly Time: 1 Hour
==============================
Jasmine blinked.
"...The ability to jump..."
"...and flip?"
Yun Che shrugged.
"That's what it says."
He reread the description.
"It doesn't look particularly impressive."
Jasmine immediately shook her head.
"...Yuuki."
"You're underestimating it."
She folded her arms.
"A treasure that enhances nothing except jumping..."
"...is still incredibly valuable."
Yun Che looked at her.
"...Really?"
She nodded.
"Think about assassins."
"They're surrounded."
"No escape route."
"No wall low enough to climb."
She pointed toward the description.
"With this..."
"...they leap over city walls."
"Onto rooftops."
"Across entire streets."
"And disappear."
She smiled.
"Not everyone possesses profound movement techniques."
"Not everyone can fly."
"But almost anyone could wear a simple coin."
She looked back at the catalogue.
"It isn't flashy."
"...It's practical."
"And practical treasures are often the most dangerous."
Yun Che nodded thoughtfully.
"...That's true."
"But..."
"...I can control one important thing."
He tapped another section of the interface.
"The System lets me register authorized users."
"If someone isn't registered..."
"...the artifact won't activate."
He smiled.
"To everyone else..."
"...it becomes nothing more than an ordinary metal trinket."
"Just like handing someone an Apple of Eden."
"Without authorization..."
"...it's little more than a decorative metal sphere."
Jasmine visibly relaxed.
"...Good."
"At least there's a safeguard."
Otherwise...
Anyone who stole one could immediately use it.
Yun Che continued scrolling.
Another entry appeared.
======================
[Two Tonne Tunic]
Ability: Armor Transformation
Transforms into a suit of armor capable of blocking all forms of physical attacks.
Passive: Indestructibility
While activated...
The armor itself cannot be destroyed.
Materials Required: Special Isu Metal
Price: 7500 SP
Assembly Time: 2 Hours
=======================
Both of them stopped.
"...Indestructible?"
Jasmine slowly repeated.
Yun Che reread the description.
"...That's what it says."
He frowned slightly.
"If interpreted literally..."
"...the armor itself can't be destroyed."
He smiled.
"Imagine taking a direct strike from a peak cultivator..."
"...and the armor remains completely intact."
Jasmine stared blankly.
"...Really..."
She slowly shook her head.
"...How broken does this System become every time you recover another Piece of Eden?"
She looked toward him.
"You already possess four genuine Pieces of Eden."
"You already have abilities most people can't even imagine."
"And now..."
"...the System lets you manufacture relics like these."
She looked back toward the floating blueprint.
"They may only be Pseudo Pieces of Eden..."
"...but they're still absurdly powerful."
She became serious.
"Be careful, Yuuki."
"This feature..."
"...makes you even more dangerous than before."
"And an even more valuable target."
Yun Che quietly nodded.
"...I know."
He closed the blueprint.
Jasmine finally nodded.
"...Good."
"Keep it that way."
"The fewer people who know these things exist..."
"...the longer you'll stay alive."
Yun Che looked back at the endless catalogue.
The deeper he scrolled...
The more unbelievable the designs became.
And he couldn't help wondering...
Just how many forgotten creations the Sage Dashi had left behind...
Yun Che continued scrolling through the endless catalogue.
Another entry appeared.
========================
[Eye of Dashi]
Function: Energy Core
Acts as a massive energy battery capable of storing enormous quantities of power.
Continuously generates electricity, allowing the user to enhance Shen Gong Wu, strengthen abilities, and unleash lightning from its central gemstone.
Materials Required: Special Isu Metal
Price: 7500 SP
Assembly Time: 2 Hours
Compatibility: Can be combined with other Shen Gong Wu.
Example: When merged with the Sword of the Storm, greatly amplifies weather manipulation, creates lightning storms, grants flight, and allows the user to merge with surrounding wind to achieve temporary intangibility.
========================
Yun Che slowly read through the description.
"...Interesting."
Jasmine floated closer.
"...What does it do?"
"It functions similarly to the Sword of Eden."
He pointed toward the blueprint.
"But instead of focusing on projections or mind manipulation..."
"...its primary purpose is energy."
"It stores an enormous amount of Radiant Energy."
"And converts it into lightning."
He continued reading.
"I don't know its exact capacity."
"But..."
"...imagine placing it atop the Imperial City's lightning rod."
"Let it absorb every lightning strike for months."
"Then..."
"...carry that stored energy anywhere."
Jasmine slowly nodded.
"...A portable lightning battery."
"Exactly."
He continued scrolling.
Another blueprint appeared.
========================
[Sword of the Storm]
Aerokinesis
Manipulates surrounding air currents to create devastating wind blasts and tornadoes.
Atmokinesis
When combined with the Eye of Dashi, gains complete weather manipulation, including thunderstorms and lightning.
Intangibility
The blade itself exists as condensed energy rather than solid metal, allowing the user to phase through matter while wielding it.
Materials Required: Special Isu Metal
Price: 10000 SP
Assembly Time: 5 Hours
========================
Neither of them spoke for several seconds.
Jasmine simply stared.
Then slowly exhaled.
"...I'm not even surprised anymore."
She looked from the blueprint...
To Yun Che.
"...This Sage Dashi..."
"...completely outdid himself."
She folded her arms.
"If weapons like these had existed during the height of the Isu civilization..."
"...they could have shifted the balance of power between entire Isu factions."
She gestured toward the projection.
"The original Pieces of Eden specialized in knowledge."
"Mind control."
"Illusions."
"But these..."
"...manipulating atmospheric particles to create tornadoes..."
"...calling down lightning..."
"...controlling the weather itself..."
She slowly shook her head.
"...Are you absolutely certain these are only Pseudo Pieces of Eden?"
"They sound even more dangerous than the originals."
Yun Che smiled faintly.
"I don't think they're stronger."
"They're simply designed for a different purpose."
He tapped the compatibility section.
"Dashi wasn't trying to replace the original Pieces."
"He knew that would be impossible."
"The genuine Pieces of Eden were built by the Isu themselves."
"They still possess authority over anything derived from their technology."
He looked thoughtfully at the floating blueprints.
"If an Isu carrying a true Piece of Eden confronted someone using Shen Gong Wu..."
"...the original artifact could probably disable them."
"They were never meant to fight the Isu."
"They were meant to empower humanity."
Jasmine slowly nodded.
"...That..."
"...actually makes sense."
She smiled.
"So Dashi accepted humanity's limitations..."
"...instead of trying to overcome them."
"He designed tools specifically for humans."
"Exactly."
Yun Che replied.
Then—
The laboratory door slid open.
"...Yuu-sama."
Nemu walked in carrying a compact control module.
"I've finished coding the rockets."
"They can now be guided after launch."
Yun Che smiled.
"That was fast."
Nemu bowed slightly.
She then noticed Jasmine floating beside him.
Her face immediately brightened.
"...Jasmine-sama."
"It is wonderful to see you again."
Jasmine smiled back.
"Hey, Nemu."
"What are you two looking at?"
Nemu curiously stepped beside Yun Che.
He simply rotated the holographic display toward her.
"...A new compendium."
"Come take a look."
Nemu leaned closer.
Her crimson eyes scanned the floating blueprints.
She stopped.
Her pupils widened.
"...This..."
Her gaze darted from one blueprint to another.
"...These engineering schematics..."
"...They're incredible."
Yun Che glanced sideways.
"...Interested in building them?"
For a brief moment...
Nemu remained perfectly still.
Then...
Her eyes sparkled brighter than he had ever seen before.
The expression on her face answered long before words ever could.
===============
Far away from the hidden laboratory...
Five figures flew silently above the endless forest.
Retsu led the formation.
Behind her followed Mio.
Qingyue.
Little Fairy.
And Chu Yueli.
The coordinates Yun Che had uploaded to Retsu's HUD floated before her eyes.
She slowed to a hover.
"...This should be it."
Mio looked around.
An endless sea of ancient trees stretched in every direction.
"...Are you sure, Ret-chan?"
Retsu nodded.
"Yuu-kun marked this location himself."
She glanced at the holographic map.
"...It's surprisingly far from both Xuanwu City and the hidden laboratory."
Qingyue looked around curiously.
"...What exactly did Yun Che send us here to retrieve?"
Retsu smiled.
"He said Mu Che built a super missile."
"...One powerful enough that he refused to store it inside the laboratory."
Little Fairy whistled.
"...That dangerous?"
"So he hid it somewhere nobody would ever think to search."
Retsu looked toward the forest below.
"...This is the place."
"He also mentioned four additional containers hidden nearby."
Mio folded her arms.
"...Why don't we just use Eagle Vision?"
Retsu gave a helpless smile.
"Mio and I can."
"But Qingyue-chan, Sister Yueli, and Sister Yuechan haven't learned it yet."
"We'll have to search together."
She closed her eyes.
The world instantly transformed.
Golden trails.
Living auras.
Ancient disturbances.
Hidden structures.
Everything concealed beneath ordinary sight gradually revealed itself.
"...Found something."
She slowly descended.
The others followed.
Moments later...
They landed before what appeared to be nothing more than a rocky cliff.
Retsu pointed.
"...Behind those rocks."
Everyone looked.
There was no visible entrance.
Only stacked boulders covered by vines and moss.
Little Fairy blinked.
"...How did you even notice that?"
Retsu smiled.
"Eagle Vision."
She raised one hand.
A small sphere of Ki gathered within her palm.
"...Move back."
Boom!
The compressed blast struck the rock wall.
The entrance exploded outward.
Dust rolled across the forest floor.
As the smoke settled...
A narrow cave entrance appeared.
"...Looks like we found it."
The group carefully entered.
A few moments later...
Their footsteps stopped.
Resting at the centre of the cavern...
Was an enormous reinforced metal container.
Despite years underground...
Its surface remained almost pristine.
Little Fairy slowly circled it.
"...Guess we found the first one."
Chu Yueli reached out and gently knocked against the steel.
Thunk.
"...What exactly is this thing?"
Retsu smiled.
"Remember those rockets inside Mu Che's laboratory?"
Everyone nodded.
"Yuu-kun said..."
"...this one is roughly ten times more powerful."
Silence.
Qingyue slowly turned toward the container.
"...Ten times..."
"...What was he planning to destroy with something like this?"
Retsu shrugged.
"...No idea."
"But if Yuu-kun asked us to retrieve it..."
"...I'm sure he has a reason."
She activated the HUD once more.
"...This isn't everything."
"The missile was dismantled before being hidden."
"There should be four additional containers."
She pointed in succession.
"...North."
"...South."
"...East."
"...West."
"Mio and I will use Eagle Vision to guide everyone."
Mio grinned as she fanned herself.
"Treasure hunt, round two."
Retsu looked toward Qingyue.
"Qingyue-chan."
"Still having trouble filtering Eagle Vision?"
Qingyue nodded sheepishly.
"...A little."
"I can sense fragments of it..."
"...but everything still overlaps."
"It becomes difficult to distinguish objects."
"I probably need another few days of practice."
Retsu smiled encouragingly.
"You'll get there."
"Intermediate mastery is enough to awaken Eagle Vision."
"You're close."
Chu Yueli smiled wryly.
"...I'm not much better."
"It seems my disciple may surpass me before long."
Qingyue quickly shook her head.
"...Master..."
"...I still have a very long way to go."
She couldn't help glancing toward Chu Yuechan.
Her master's elder sister had already mastered both Observation and Armament Haki to the Advanced Stage.
She's currently mastering Eagle Vision but, still having problems in terms of filtering.
Compared to her...
Qingyue still felt like she had barely taken her first steps.
For a brief moment...
A trace of envy surfaced within her heart.
Then she quietly smiled.
One step at a time.
I'll catch up someday.
The group lifted the massive container into Retsu's storage space before taking flight once again.
The northern marker came first.
Hidden beneath the roots of an ancient tree...
Another reinforced metal container.
The southern marker...
Buried beneath a dry riverbed.
The eastern marker...
Concealed inside the hollow trunk of a gigantic fallen tree.
Finally...
The western marker.
Hidden beneath a natural stone outcropping overlooking the forest.
One by one...
Every container was recovered.
Five ancient caches.
Five pieces of Mu Che's forgotten weapon.
Now...
All that remained...
Was to bring them back to the lab.
Once the fifth container had been secured...
Retsu closed her eyes.
"...Nemu-chan?"
Her voice echoed through their mental link.
Almost immediately...
A cheerful reply came back.
"Hai, Nee-sama."
"We found everything."
Retsu looked toward the enormous missile container resting in the clearing.
"We can carry the smaller containers ourselves..."
"...but not the main one."
A brief pause followed.
"I'll send the VTOL over."
Nemu replied.
"It should arrive shortly."
A few minutes later...
A familiar humming sound echoed across the forest.
The sleek VTOL descended through the clouds.
Its engines gently tilted as it entered a hover above the clearing.
"...Still amazing."
Little Fairy muttered.
The aircraft lowered a heavy magnetic carrier beneath its fuselage.
Clunk.
The clamps locked onto the enormous reinforced container.
Moments later...
The VTOL's engines increased their output.
The massive missile housing slowly lifted from the ground.
"...Up we go."
Mio laughed as she jumped onto the container.
Retsu followed.
Then Qingyue.
Little Fairy.
Finally Chu Yueli.
The five women simply sat atop the suspended container as the VTOL steadily carried its unusual cargo back toward the hidden laboratory.
The cool wind brushed across their faces.
For a while...
Nobody spoke.
Then...
Little Fairy smiled.
"...I have to admit."
"...Going on adventures like this is rather enjoyable."
"Discovering forgotten places."
"Finding strange technologies."
"It almost feels like exploring another world."
Mio nodded enthusiastically.
"It really does."
She stretched her arms behind her head.
"...Everything becomes more fun when you're with everyone."
"Treasure hunting."
"Flying around."
"Even carrying giant missiles."
The group laughed.
Chu Yueli quietly watched the scenery passing beneath them.
"...I could grow accustomed to this."
Everyone looked toward her.
She smiled gently.
"...Life within Frozen Cloud Asgard was peaceful..."
"...but also rather repetitive."
"We rarely ventured beyond our own borders."
She looked toward the endless mountains.
"Seeing places I've never imagined..."
"Meeting new people."
"Learning about civilizations beyond our understanding."
She laughed softly.
"...It's far more exciting than remaining inside the sect forever."
Qingyue quietly nodded.
"...I agree."
Her gaze drifted toward the distant horizon.
Ever since meeting Yun Che...
Her world had expanded beyond anything she had imagined.
Technology.
Aircraft.
Missiles.
Artificial intelligence.
Pieces of Eden.
Even now...
She still struggled to understand everything.
Just what kind of world...
...did Mu Che and Yuuki come from?
She lowered her eyes.
Who created the Pieces of Eden?
What kind of civilization possessed technology capable of manipulating minds...
...or creating objects from nothing?
Her thoughts drifted further.
And...
What exactly did Yuuki mean...
...when he said these three weren't part of the Nine Pieces of Eden?
There were clearly other relics.
Countless others.
Yet...
The Nine seemed to occupy an entirely different level.
Then another thought surfaced.
Huan Xuyi...
She had heard that name before.
The legendary Moon Empress whose story had long faded into myth.
Yet...
She had possessed an Apple of Eden of her own.
The very same artifact Yuuki now carried.
Qingyue couldn't help feeling a little envious.
She hadn't been there.
She hadn't joined the journey to recover that Apple.
She wondered what it had been like.
What dangers they had faced.
What ancient ruins they had explored.
What secrets they had uncovered together.
She smiled faintly.
One day...
I'd like to experience an adventure like that myself.
Not because of the treasure.
Nor because of the power.
But because...
Every journey with Yuuki seemed to reveal another piece of a forgotten history.
A history that no one on the Profound Sky Continent even knew existed.
As the VTOL flew steadily toward the hidden laboratory...
Qingyue silently looked ahead.
Already wondering...
Where their next adventure would take them.
=================
Outside the hidden laboratory...
Yun Che and Nemu waited near the entrance.
Beside them stood Cang Yue and Lin Yueru.
Not far away...
Xue Ling watched with an amused smile as Xue Yin practiced with her newly gifted wings.
The mechanical wings unfolded gracefully behind her back.
She awkwardly hovered a few meters into the air before wobbling.
"...Whoa—"
She barely regained her balance.
Xue Ling couldn't help laughing.
"Easy, Sister."
"You've only had them for a few minutes."
Xue Yin scratched her cheek.
"...Flying using the wings is harder than it looks."
After another attempt...
She landed before drawing Tsukihami from its sheath.
The dark blade reflected the afternoon sun.
She slowly practiced several sword forms...
Becoming familiar with its balance.
Meanwhile...
Back at the laboratory entrance...
Nemu remained completely absorbed by the floating holographic catalogue.
"...Sheng Gong Wu..."
She quietly murmured.
Her expression barely changed.
As always...
She appeared calm and composed.
Yet...
Yun Che knew her well enough to notice.
Although her face remained stoic...
Her dark eyes practically sparkled with excitement.
Every new blueprint she discovered caused her gaze to brighten just a little more.
She continued scrolling.
"...Variable energy cores..."
"...Weather manipulation..."
"...Modular construction..."
"...Fascinating..."
Yun Che smiled.
"...Interested?"
She slowly nodded.
"...Very."
"I would like to construct every single one."
He laughed.
"I figured."
At that very moment...
A familiar engine echoed overhead.
Everyone looked up.
The VTOL emerged above the treetops carrying the enormous rectangular container beneath its magnetic carrier.
Its engines gradually slowed.
The transport gently descended before lowering the massive container onto the clearing.
Thunk.
The magnetic clamps disengaged.
Moments later...
Retsu...
Mio...
Little Fairy...
Chu Yueli...
And Qingyue jumped down from atop the suspended cargo.
"Yuu-kun!"
Retsu waved energetically.
"We found every hidden container."
"You were right."
"Mu Che really hid them well."
Mio unfurled her fan.
"It took Eagle Vision to locate the hidden spots."
One after another...
The remaining storage containers appeared as Retsu opened her inventory.
Little Fairy.
Chu Yueli.
Qingyue.
Each placed another reinforced metal case onto the ground.
Soon...
Four containers rested before Yun Che and large container before them.
He smiled.
"...Nice work."
Little Fairy folded her arms.
"...Rascal."
"What exactly are you planning to do with all this?"
She watched as Yun Che opened the largest container.
Inside...
Countless unfamiliar components were neatly organized.
Fuel tanks.
Precision gears.
Control assemblies.
Metal casings.
Electronic modules.
Wiring harnesses.
To everyone else...
It looked like meaningless junk.
Yun Che simply smiled.
"...Rebuild it."
He picked up one component.
Without hesitation...
He placed it beside another.
Nemu quietly walked over.
She picked up an entirely different piece.
Without speaking...
She connected it to the growing assembly.
Click.
Perfect fit.
Another component.
Another connection.
Clack.
The two never discussed where anything belonged.
It was almost as though both of them could already visualize the completed weapon.
Piece by piece...
The super missile slowly began taking shape.
Little Fairy blinked.
"...They're treating it like a puzzle."
Lin Yueru tilted her head.
"...A very complicated puzzle."
Chu Yueli smiled helplessly.
"...I suppose..."
"...they're the only two capable of solving it."
The rest of the group eventually sat nearby.
Watching the pair work.
Occasionally...
Yun Che would hand a component to Nemu.
She installed it immediately.
Sometimes...
Nemu silently passed him another part before he had even asked.
Neither wasted a single movement.
Qingyue quietly watched.
Her eyes never left the two of them.
Then...
Almost unconsciously...
She spoke.
"...Could I ever become that intelligent?"
Everyone turned toward her.
She looked embarrassed.
"...Like Nemu..."
"...or Yun Che."
Retsu smiled warmly.
"Ufufu..."
"You could certainly try, Qingyue-chan."
She watched her younger sister expertly assemble another section.
"Those two..."
"...are technological geniuses."
"They see machines the same way we see sword techniques."
She laughed softly.
"We're martial geniuses."
"They're engineering geniuses."
"They simply excel in a different field."
Qingyue lowered her gaze.
"...Even after reading every book in Frozen Cloud Asgard's library..."
"...I still feel inferior to them."
She watched Yun Che tighten another assembly.
"I wish..."
"...I could help them."
Retsu looked toward her.
"...Then learn."
Qingyue blinked.
"...Learn?"
"The knowledge of the future."
Retsu smiled.
"There are countless things they know."
"And they'll happily teach anyone willing to study."
Qingyue looked surprised.
"...Sister Retsu..."
"...aren't you learning too?"
Retsu immediately waved both hands.
"Pff..."
"No."
She pointed toward Nemu.
"That's my little sister's specialty."
"My own path is different."
She smiled proudly.
"If I run into a technological problem..."
"...I'll simply ask Nemu."
"Could I learn it myself?"
"Probably."
"But..."
"...I'd rather use that as an excuse to spend time with her."
She laughed.
"I teach Nemu how to fight."
"And in return..."
"...she teaches me the things she's good at."
"A fair trade."
Qingyue quietly nodded.
She finally understood.
Everyone had their own strengths.
Retsu wasn't trying to become another Nemu.
Just as Nemu wasn't trying to become another Retsu.
She looked back toward Yun Che.
Perhaps...
She didn't need to become another engineering genius either.
Yun Che and Nemu already filled that role.
Instead...
She should discover the place only she could occupy.
The place where her own talents...
Could support everyone else.
As that realization settled in her heart...
The feeling of inferiority gradually faded.
Replaced instead...
By quiet determination.
Hours later...
The final locking mechanism clicked into place.
Clack.
Yun Che tightened the last fastening bolt before stepping back.
Beside him, Nemu finished connecting the guidance module to the missile's internal control system.
The enormous rectangular transport container slowly split apart along hidden seams.
Hydraulic arms unfolded.
A cylindrical launch platform gradually rose from within the reinforced housing.
Everyone instinctively stepped back.
From inside...
A massive ballistic missile slowly emerged.
Its metallic body gleamed beneath the laboratory lights.
Unlike the V2 rockets lining the launch tubes...
This one was far larger.
Longer.
Thicker.
Its reinforced nose cone and multiple control fins gave it an intimidating appearance.
Even standing dormant...
It radiated overwhelming destructive potential.
"...This is..."
Cang Yue unconsciously whispered.
Yun Che folded his arms.
"...A ballistic missile."
He looked up at its towering frame.
"Based on Mu Che's design..."
"It should have an operational range of roughly two thousand kilometers."
Silence.
Nobody truly understood what two thousand kilometers meant.
Yun Che continued calmly.
"Once its payload is installed..."
"...a single strike could completely erase the entire Jin Family compound."
He glanced around.
"...Along with thousands of people inside."
The area outside the laboratory instantly fell silent.
"...He would never..."
Mulan spoke almost instinctively.
She shook her head.
"Che'er would never use something like this on innocent people."
Yun Che nodded.
"I know."
"I'm not talking about his intentions."
"I'm talking about its destructive capability."
He gently patted the missile's metallic surface.
"My guess..."
"...is that he realized this weapon was too dangerous if he were trying to destroy the Wu Clan members tried to invade the city."
"So instead of deploying it..."
"...he dismantled it."
"Hid every component separately."
"And focused on developing V2 rockets instead."
"They carry much smaller payloads."
"And are far easier to control."
Little Fairy frowned.
"...So this thing..."
"...is even more dangerous than everything inside the launch tubes?"
"Much more."
Yun Che answered honestly.
Chu Yueli slowly looked toward the completed missile.
"...Then..."
"...did you solve the problem that prevented him from using it?"
Nemu nodded.
"Hai."
She gently touched the guidance assembly.
"The original design lacked a reliable navigation system."
"So it couldn't accurately reach distant targets."
She looked toward Yun Che.
"Yuu-sama and I replaced it."
"Using the same autonomous guidance software as my drones."
Yun Che smiled.
"To put it simply..."
"...it's now an enormous suicide drone."
The girls stared at him.
"...That's somehow even more frightening."
Lin Yueru muttered.
Cang Yue looked thoughtfully at the missile.
"...Are you planning to use it against Wangya Island?"
Yun Che immediately shook his head.
"No."
"We only have one."
"And there are two occupied islands."
"If one suddenly disappears..."
"...the other will immediately realize something is wrong."
He smiled.
"I'd rather keep our enemies guessing."
"...Besides."
He looked toward Nemu.
"Play it."
She nodded.
With a tap against her control gauntlet...
Several hovering drones around her activated simultaneously.
Moments later...
A recording echoed throughout the area around them.
===============
A rough male voice spoke first.
"Have the white-masked humans arrived yet?"
Another answered.
"Tomorrow."
"We will almost have ten thousand of them."
"Sent by the Sacred Ground."
A tense silence followed.
Then...
A third voice spoke.
"Good."
"We invade the day after tomorrow."
"We've already lost the Qiang State."
"Most of our elders are dead."
"The Zhu Clan failed to destroy the Jin Family."
Another voice continued.
"Tomorrow..."
"Attack the Jin Family."
"Eliminate Mu Che this time."
"Rumors say Xue Yin is still recovering after the previous battle."
"Strike while she's weakened."
"Threaten the Jin Family."
"Either surrender Jin Province..."
"...or watch everyone be slaughtered."
The recording ended.
Complete silence.
======================
Every expression hardened.
Cang Yue slowly clenched her fists.
"...So..."
"...the invasion begins the day after tomorrow."
Little Fairy's eyes narrowed.
"They've already decided."
"There won't be negotiations."
Chu Yueli quietly exhaled.
"They're coming with ten thousand white mask humans carrying diseases that can infect people of this province..."
"...supported by a Sacred Ground."
Xue Ling's hand instinctively rested upon the hilt of Yubashiri.
"...They're confident."
"They believe the Jin Family has no idea."
Mulan slowly lowered her head.
"They still think Che'er is alive after they saw you."
Her voice carried quiet bitterness.
Yun Che crossed his arms.
"...Which works in our favor."
Everyone turned toward him.
"They're preparing for Mu Che."
"They're not preparing for me."
A faint smile appeared across his face.
"And that's exactly the mistake we'll exploit."
Beside him...
Nemu looked toward the towering ballistic missile.
"...Yuu-sama."
"...Shall I begin preparing contingency firing protocols as well?"
Yun Che looked at the missile for several long seconds before slowly nodding.
"...Do it."
He folded his arms.
"...Also."
"Thanks to the spy network..."
"...we already have a target."
Several heads turned toward him.
"...Target?"
Cang Yue asked.
Yun Che nodded.
"You'll see soon enough."
He walked toward the holographic map projected by Nemu.
"They won't deploy all ten thousand humanoid Hollows at once."
"They're keeping them hidden."
He pointed toward the coastline.
"...On a ship."
"A very large ship."
"They'll remain offshore until the invasion begins."
He smiled faintly.
"I think we already know what this missile was originally meant for."
Lin Yueru frowned.
"...Then why don't we destroy them now?"
"Wouldn't that end the invasion before it even begins?"
Yun Che immediately shook his head.
"No."
"If we destroy them now..."
"...yes, the invasion will fail."
"But they'll also realize we've discovered their plans."
"They'll retreat."
"They'll reorganize."
"And once we've left Jin Province..."
"...they'll simply return."
He looked around at everyone.
"I don't want to stop one invasion."
"I want to end the threat."
Mulan unconsciously stepped closer.
"...But... Che'er..."
The affectionate nickname escaped her lips before she even realized it.
She immediately froze.
Yun Che simply smiled.
He gently patted her head.
"...Tomorrow."
He spoke calmly.
"The Wu Clan's high elders will all be present."
"They'll believe victory is already within reach."
"They'll gather together."
His eyes sharpened.
"And during that invasion..."
"...we'll eliminate every single one of them."
"...At the same time."
Silence settled over the group.
Mulan looked at him worriedly.
"...Are we..."
"...really enough?"
Yun Che laughed.
"...Really?"
He gestured toward everyone around him.
"We've got Mio."
"And Sister Yin."
He pointed toward the sisters practicing nearby.
"They're both Monarch Realm experts."
He looked toward Retsu.
"We've got Retsu."
"A one-woman army."
"She's only Level 70..."
"...yet she could cut through hundreds..."
"...or even thousands..."
"...without breaking a sweat."
Retsu scratched her cheek.
"Ara..."
"You make me sound scary."
"You are."
Yun Che answered without hesitation.
He continued counting.
"Little Fairy."
"Yueli."
"Qingyue."
"Yueru."
"Our resident technological genius..."
He nodded toward Nemu.
"...Who currently controls every missile in this laboratory."
"And..."
He patted the massive ballistic missile beside them.
"...this bad boy."
Nemu quietly nodded.
"It is combat ready."
Yun Che grinned.
"And let's not forget..."
"...that pervert."
He pointed toward Lin Yueru's shoulder.
"...Kon."
"Korra!"
Kon immediately stood upright.
Tiny fists planted firmly on the lion plushy hips.
"You dare insult the mighty Kon-sama?!"
"I am the great hero of justice!"
"The invincible guardian!"
"The handsome savior!"
Everyone stared.
Yun Che sighed.
"...See?"
"I rest my case."
"Anyway..."
Yun Che clapped his hands once.
"Kon can literally throw firebombs."
"Korra!" Kon puffed out his tiny chest. "Fear the might of Kon-sama!"
Several of the girls chuckled.
Yun Che continued.
"More importantly... we've already finished recalibrating everyone's levels."
He looked toward Nemu, who nodded.
"The experience pills have been reset."
Lin Yueru's eyes widened.
"...Reset?"
"You mean..."
"...we don't have to wait another month?"
Yun Che smiled.
"Exactly."
"The cooldown was tied to your previous level structure."
"Once your cultivation was adjusted by the system, the timer reset as well."
"So..."
"You can all take another Mark III Experience Pill immediately."
The girls exchanged surprised glances.
Little Fairy raised an eyebrow.
"...That convenient?"
"It won't stay this generous forever."
Yun Che shook his head.
"The higher your cultivation becomes, the weaker the pills become."
He took out several crystal containers.
Inside rested familiar emerald-colored pills.
"The Mark III pills still have their limits."
He began explaining.
"For anyone below the Fifth Level of the Sky Profound Realm..."
"...one pill grants approximately ten levels."
"After reaching the Fifth Level Sky Profound Realm..."
"...the effect drops to roughly five levels."
He looked toward Little Fairy and Chu Yueli.
"Once you enter the Emperor Profound Realm..."
"...the same pill only grants about two and a half levels."
"The efficiency keeps decreasing."
"Eventually..."
"...one pill only grants a single level."
Lin Yueru blinked.
"...So becoming stronger actually makes these pills weaker?"
"Exactly."
"They're excellent for rapid early growth."
"But they're terrible for breaking into the truly high realms."
He smiled.
"If someone wanted to climb twenty levels inside Emperor Profound Realm using only Mark III pills..."
"...it would take around twenty months."
"...Almost two years."
The atmosphere immediately became quieter.
Nobody complained.
Instead...
They realized just how generous the system had already been.
Yun Che began handing out the pills one by one.
"Little Fairy."
"Chu Yueli."
"Qingyue."
"Lin Yueru."
"Xue Ling."
"Mulan."
Each accepted their pill.
Xue Yin also received one.
"Your gain won't be as dramatic."
"But every level matters."
She nodded gratefully.
"I understand."
Nearby...
Cang Yue quietly smiled but made no move to receive one.
Lin Yueru tilted her head.
"...Princess?"
"Aren't you taking yours?"
Cang Yue gently shook her head.
"My cultivation is different."
She looked toward the moon rising above the forest.
"Tonight is the fourteenth night."
"The moon is almost full."
"My Lunar Body absorbs moonlight instead."
Yun Che nodded.
"She's already restored roughly thirty-five percent of her Lunar Energy tonight."
"Another two nights..."
"...and she'll be fully charged."
Cang Yue smiled.
"I'll save seventy percent of it for boosting my cultivation."
"The remaining thirty percent will stay in reserve for the invasion."
Yun Che laughed.
"Once she's fully charged..."
"...she'll finally catch up with Retsu, Kon and me."
Retsu smiled.
"Yay."
"I won't be lonely anymore."
One after another...
Everyone swallowed their pills.
Immediately...
Pure energy erupted throughout the clearing.
Profound energy surged in every direction.
Golden light.
Blue light.
Silver light.
The surrounding atmosphere trembled.
One breakthrough after another echoed through the forest.
Lin Yueru gasped as warmth flooded every meridian in her body.
"...I..."
"...I've returned..."
Her cultivation stabilized.
Level 55.
Equivalent to the Fifth Level Sky Profound Realm under the continent's original cultivation system.
============
Qingyue slowly opened her eyes.
The profound aura surrounding her became calmer...
Denser...
Far more refined.
She had returned to what once had been her former strength.
Level 65.
Equivalent to the Fifth Level Emperor Profound Realm.
======================
Little Fairy and Chu Yueli both broke through together.
Twin waves of profound energy erupted before gradually settling.
Each had reached...
Level 75.
Equivalent to the Fifth Level Tyrant Profound Realm.
====================
Xue Ling's aura climbed even higher.
She slowly exhaled.
Level 72.
Equivalent to the Second Level Tyrant Profound Realm.
===================
Mulan quietly looked at her own hands.
Her profound energy surged with unprecedented strength.
She smiled sadly.
"...Che'er..."
"...I'll become stronger."
"...Just as you wished."
Her cultivation settled at...
Level 73.
Equivalent to the Third Level Tyrant Profound Realm.
=====================
Finally...
Xue Yin's profound aura erupted.
Although the increase was only a single level...
The pressure released by a Sovereign expert made everyone instinctively step back.
She slowly opened her eyes.
Level 97.
Only two levels separated her from Mio now.
Mio simply grinned.
"Still not catching me."
Xue Yin smiled helplessly.
"I know."
Yun Che laughed.
"Even if both of you reached the same level..."
"...Mio still has plenty of tricks."
Mio proudly puffed out her chest.
"Of course."
"I'm amazing."
The group laughed together.
As the profound energy finally settled...
Their new strengths became clear.
=============================
Current Combat Levels
Yun Che — Level 70 - Grand Perfection Sky Profound Realm(Grand Perfection Emperor equivalent)
Kon — Level 70 - Grand Perfection Sky Profound Realm (Grand Perfection Emperor equivalent)
Retsu — Level 70 - Grand Perfection Sky Profound Realm (Grand Perfection Emperor equivalent)
Nemu — Level 63 - Third Level Sky Profound Realm(Third Level Emperor Profound Realm equivalent)
Cang Yue — Level 63- Third Level Sky Profound Realm (Third Level Emperor Profound Realm equivalent)
Qingyue — Level 65 - Fifth Level Sky Profound Realm(Fifth Level Emperor Profound Realm equivalent)
Lin Yueru — Level 55 - Fifth Level Earth Profound Realm(Fifth Level Sky Profound Realm equivalent)
Mulan — Level 73- Third Level Emperor Profound Realm (Third Level Tyrant Profound Realm equivalent)
Xue Ling — Level 72 - Second Level Emperor Profound Realm(Second Level Tyrant Profound Realm equivalent)
Chu Yuechan — Level 75- Fifth Level Emperor Profound Realm (Fifth Level Tyrant Profound Realm equivalent)
Chu Yueli — Level 75- Fifth Level Emperor Profound Realm(Fifth Level Tyrant Profound Realm equivalent)
Xue Yin — Level 97- Seventh Level Sovereign Profound Realm (Seventh Level Divine Origin Realm equivalent)
Mio — Level 99- Ninth Level Sovereign Profound Realm (Ninth Level Divine Origin Realm equivalent)
========================
The difference in strength between the group had narrowed considerably.
With the invasion only two days away...
The small team that had entered the hidden laboratory hours earlier had emerged stronger than ever.
Now...
They were finally ready to meet the Wu Clan head-on.
For Mulan...
This battle meant far more than defending Jin Province.
It was the final chapter she had never been given.
Her fingers unconsciously tightened around the shaft of her new polearm.
The faces of the Wu Clan.
Tian Heng.
The invaders.
The people responsible for cornering Mu Che until he had died alone inside that hidden laboratory.
They had stolen years from her.
They had stolen the chance for a proper farewell.
And tomorrow...
She would repay that debt.
Not out of hatred.
Nor blind vengeance.
But to protect the home Mu Che had sacrificed everything to preserve.
To protect the Jin Family.
To protect Xuanwu City.
To protect the province he had spent five years quietly building.
Only after all of that...
Would she finally allow herself to move on.
Yun Che walked over and gently rested a hand atop her head.
The familiar gesture brought her back from her thoughts.
She looked up at him.
His expression remained calm.
Confident.
"...Let's deal with the Wu Clan tomorrow."
"They're expecting us to tremble."
A faint grin slowly appeared across his face.
"...So let's give them a surprise party instead."
Several people couldn't help smiling.
Even Retsu quietly laughed.
"Ara..."
"I almost feel sorry for them."
Mio twirled her bladed fans.
"I don't."
Little Fairy crossed her arms.
"They chose to invade."
"They'll deal with the consequences."
Qingyue silently rested her hand upon the hilt of her snowflower sword.
Her clear eyes carried quiet determination.
Chu Yueli gave a small nod.
"The Frozen Cloud Asgard stands with Xuanwu City."
Xue Ling smiled.
"Looks like tomorrow will be lively."
Nearby...
Xue Yin slowly unsheathed Tsukihami.
The dark blade reflected the moonlight before sliding smoothly back into its sheath.
"...This time..."
"...I'll protect everyone."
Mulan looked around at each of them.
Then...
At Yun Che.
She took a slow, deep breath.
The lingering grief inside her heart remained.
But it no longer threatened to consume her.
Instead...
It became resolve.
She gently nodded.
"...Yes."
"...Let's protect the province."
"And finish what Che'er entrusted to us."
The night wind swept gently across the hidden valley.
Inside the underground laboratory...
The rebuilt missiles waited silently.
The Pieces of Eden rested safely within Yun Che's possession.
And outside...
Her new family unknowingly marched toward the greatest defeat in the Wu Clan's history.