The three Wu Clan elders were at their wits' end.
They couldn't beat her.
No matter what they tried, Mulan simply dismantled their attacks.
Their domains were suppressed.
Their combined strength couldn't move her.
Their attacks couldn't break through her defenses.
And the treasures they had originally intended to seize were completely beyond their reach.
For the first time, the three elders realized the woman they had barely bothered to investigate had become the greatest threat standing between the Wu Clan and the Jin Family.
The husband they had expected to deal with was already gone.
Now his widow had become the problem.
Wu Tianhong's face twisted with rage.
"You bitch!"
Blood trickled from the corner of his mouth.
"You leave us no choice!"
Mulan's crimson eyes narrowed.
"What are you talking about?"
The three elders exchanged a glance.
Then, simultaneously, they reached into their robes.
Yuuki's expression immediately changed.
"...Those pills."
Retsu's eyes narrowed.
Mio's playful expression disappeared.
Nemu immediately focused her attention on the three men.
They had seen these before.
During the ambush of the Wu Clan ark.
The strange pills that had allowed Wu Clan cultivators to temporarily cross the boundary between human and Hollow.
The same unstable substance that had horrified everyone who witnessed it.
Unlike the unstable ones that transform them into hollows, this one was an improved version.
Mulan looked at the objects in their hands.
"What are those?"
Wu Cangming laughed.
"You'll find out."
The three men swallowed the pills simultaneously.
For a moment—
Nothing happened.
Then their bodies convulsed.
CRACK.
Their bones began shifting.
"AAAAAAARGH!"
Wu Zhenyuan screamed.
Black spiritual energy erupted from his body like smoke.
His profound energy suddenly became distorted.
Veins bulged across his neck.
His muscles expanded violently.
The sound of bones breaking and reforming echoed throughout the barrier.
Mulan's expression remained cold.
But everyone outside the barrier immediately understood.
This wasn't a normal cultivation technique.
It was a transformation.
Wu Tianhong's skin began turning pale.
Then whiter.
Then almost completely white.
A black substance spread across his face, forming a grotesque mask over the upper half of his head.
Two elongated horns curved backward from the sides of his skull.
His jaw stretched unnaturally, exposing rows of sharp teeth.
A jagged black pattern spread across his chest and shoulders.
His robes tore apart as his body grew larger.
His arms became longer.
His fingers elongated into black claws.
A long, skeletal tail emerged from his lower back and slammed against the floor.
His eyes became completely black, with glowing crimson pupils staring through the darkness.
The human cultivator who had entered the Jin Family hall was gone.
In his place stood a towering, humanoid Half-Hollow.
Wu Cangming's transformation was even more monstrous.
His face was covered by a bone-white mask resembling the skull of some enormous predator.
A single horn protruded from his forehead.
His shoulders widened, while black markings spread across his pale torso like cracks through porcelain.
His hands became clawed.
His legs lengthened, giving him a predatory stance.
A long, segmented tail lashed behind him.
Black Hollow energy continuously leaked from his body, twisting through the air like dark flames.
Wu Zhenyuan's transformation was the most grotesque.
His mask covered almost his entire face, leaving only his glowing eyes visible.
Four sharp bone protrusions extended backward from the mask.
His arms became covered in white bone-like armor, while black Hollow markings spread across his skin.
His fingers transformed into long claws.
A pair of jagged bone plates formed over his shoulders and spine.
Even his voice had changed.
It came out as a deep, distorted growl.
"Now..."
Wu Zhenyuan stared at Mulan.
"...we can finally fight you."
The three Half-Hollows released their combined aura.
BOOOOOOM!
The entire barrier shook.
Outside, several Jin Family cultivators staggered backward.
Jin Zhuo's expression became grave.
"What kind of monsters are those?"
Zhong Chuke tightened his grip on his sword.
"They've abandoned their human forms..."
Tian Xi and Yao Yao stared in horror.
Even Princess Aluna's soldiers instinctively stepped backward.
Qingyue's eyes widened.
"They're... white masked beasts?"
Yuuki nodded.
"We called them Hollows... this one is Half-Hollows."
His expression became serious.
"That's the same unstable pill we encountered before when we ambush their Ark. They attempted to sneak people into the Blue Wind Imperial Palace."
Retsu watched the transformed elders carefully.
"They've chosen to sacrifice their humanity."
"Not just their humanity," Nemu added. "Their transformation is permanent."
Mio's eyes narrowed.
"They knew that?"
Yuuki shook his head.
"They don't think so. It'll give them a boost in power, but their human forms? That's gone for good."
Inside the barrier, Wu Tianhong spread his enormous claws.
"Do you think we don't know the price?"
His distorted voice echoed through the battlefield.
"We can't return to our human forms."
Wu Cangming laughed.
"So what?"
"We'll destroy this province first! Tomorrow, the others can take over."
Wu Zhenyuan's crimson eyes locked onto Mulan.
"If becoming a monster is what it takes to kill you..."
His claws tightened.
"...then we'll become monsters!"
The three Half-Hollows roared. Their aura surpassed Grand Perfection Emperor Profound Realm and ascend to First Level Tyrant Profound Realm.
Their Hollow energy surged outward.
Mulan stood motionless.
Her crimson flame wing flickered behind her.
Her expression didn't change.
She looked at the three creatures before her.
Then she smiled.
A cold, almost arrogant smile.
"So that's your final card."
She raised her Crimson Moon Semblance Polearm.
The crimson flames around her weapon intensified.
"You sacrificed your humanity..."
Her red eyes flashed.
"...for power."
She lowered her stance.
"Then I'll show you the difference between power..."
The flame wing spread wide.
"...and strength."
Outside the barrier, Yuuki folded his arms.
He had no intention of intervening.
Mulan had earned this battle.
And now the Wu Clan had shown their true hand.
The next exchange would determine everything.
The three Half-Hollows charged.
Mulan smiled.
"Come."
The crimson flames erupted.
"Show me what you sacrificed your humanity for."
Mulan erupted forward.
The moment the three Half-Hollows charged, her crimson flame wing flared violently.
BOOM!
Her body vanished.
The three monsters attacked the space where she had been standing, their claws tearing through the air.
Nothing.
Mulan reappeared behind Wu Tianhong.
Her Crimson Moon Semblance Polearm swept across his back.
SLASH!
A deep wound opened across his torso.
Black blood sprayed across the floor.
Wu Tianhong staggered.
"AGH!"
But before Mulan could follow up—
The wound began closing.
Muscle knitted together.
Skin regenerated.
Within seconds, the enormous gash had disappeared completely.
Mulan's crimson eyes narrowed.
She clicked her tongue softly.
Outside the barrier, Retsu watched with interest.
"Ara..."
She tilted her head.
"High-Speed Regeneration."
Her expression became slightly more serious.
"That's quite annoying."
Mio nodded.
"She can cut them apart, but they keep healing."
Nemu's eyes continued scanning the Half-Hollows.
"Their regenerative capability is exceptionally high. Destroying their limbs isn't sufficient."
"Typical hollows."
Little Fairy, Chu Yueli had fought them before and could still vividly recall how troublesome they were when they attack the Asgard back then. Even with her ice techniques and precise control, it had taken far more than raw effort to suppress those Hollows—their regeneration made every clean strike feel meaningless unless the core which was their white mask properly targeted. She had warned before that fighting them was less about power and more about endurance and precision.
Cang Yue had reached the same conclusion during her own encounter, noting that conventional cultivation techniques alone were not enough to finish them quickly; every mistake only prolonged the battle and increased the danger.
Lin Yueru, on the other hand, had never seen a Hollow before, and the sight of such grotesque regeneration and distorted forms left her visibly unsettled. The idea that something could continue moving even after being cut apart defied her understanding of combat.
Xue Ling, however, had prior experience—she had once fought against them and understood just how persistent and unnatural they were, describing them as "creatures that refuse to die properly."
Xue Yin had gone even further in the past, having participated in the extermination of several Hollows that appeared near the mountain region two years ago. That incident had been particularly severe, as the Hollows had attacked indiscriminately, forcing entire sect forces to mobilize. Even then, it had taken coordinated suppression and repeated destruction of their regenerative mask before they could finally be wiped out.
Inside the barrier, Mulan had already discovered the same thing.
Wu Cangming lunged at her.
Mulan sidestepped.
His claws passed within inches of her face.
She pivoted.
Her polearm flashed.
SHRAAAK!
Wu Cangming's entire left arm was severed at the shoulder.
The severed limb hit the ground.
For an instant, the Half-Hollow stared at the stump.
Then—
KRRRRK.
Bone emerged.
Muscle wrapped around it.
Black Hollow flesh rapidly reconstructed itself.
A new arm grew from the stump.
The hand flexed.
Wu Cangming grinned.
"You see?"
He laughed.
"You can't kill us!"
Mulan stared at the regenerated arm.
"Interesting."
Wu Zhenyuan attacked from behind.
Mulan ducked.
His claws swept over her head.
She spun and drove her polearm directly through his abdomen.
BOOM!
The weapon pierced completely through him.
Wu Zhenyuan coughed.
Black blood spilled from his mouth.
Mulan ripped the polearm free.
The wound immediately began closing.
He laughed.
"Keep trying!"
Mulan's expression remained cold.
She didn't answer.
She simply moved faster.
BOOM!
Her crimson flame wing launched her forward.
Her polearm flashed repeatedly.
SLASH!
An arm.
SLASH!
A leg.
SLASH!
Another arm.
One after another, Mulan dismantled the three Half-Hollows.
Limbs hit the floor.
Bodies were torn apart.
Crimson flames consumed sections of their bodies.
Yet every injury regenerated.
An arm grew back.
A leg reconstructed itself.
A severed torso began reconnecting.
Even wounds inflicted by her crystallized flames struggled to remain open.
Mulan landed several meters away.
Her crimson eyes narrowed.
So this is their advantage.
They had sacrificed their human forms for one thing—
Regeneration.
They could afford to fight recklessly.
Even a fatal wound could potentially be recovered from as long as their core remained intact.
Wu Tianhong laughed.
"What's wrong?"
He flexed his regenerated fingers.
"Your attacks aren't enough!"
Wu Cangming regenerated another missing section of his shoulder.
"You can cut us apart all night!"
Wu Zhenyuan spread his claws.
"And we'll keep coming!"
Mulan slowly raised her polearm.
Her expression didn't change.
But her mind was already working.
Then I simply need to find the limit of their regeneration.
Outside the barrier, Retsu smiled.
"Mulan-chan has realized it."
Yuuki nodded.
"She'll figure it out."
"Should we tell her?"
"No."
Yuuki continued watching.
"Let her discover it herself."
Nemu nodded.
"Agreed."
Mio smiled.
"Nufufu... this is going to be interesting."
Mulan's crimson flame wing spread wider.
The flames intensified.
Her grip tightened around her polearm.
The three Half-Hollows charged again.
This time—
Mulan didn't retreat.
She stepped forward.
Her eyes became colder.
"Then I'll keep cutting."
The crimson flames erupted.
"Until you stop regenerating."
And once again—
The battlefield disappeared beneath a storm of crimson light and black blood.
Mulan landed several meters away.
For the first time since the battle began, her breathing had become noticeably heavier.
"Haa... haa..."
She steadied her polearm against the ground for a moment.
Her crimson flame wing flickered behind her.
The three Half-Hollows were still standing.
Wounded.
Mangled.
Missing limbs.
Yet regenerating.
Again.
And again.
Mulan's eyes narrowed.
This is becoming troublesome.
Her Observation Haki was still only at Basic Mastery.
Her Armament Haki was the same.
She could use both, but she had nowhere near the reserves or efficiency of Yun Che, Retsu, Mio, Cang Yue, or the others who had already reached Advanced Mastery.
The problem wasn't defeating these creatures.
She could clearly overpower them.
The problem was finishing them.
Their regeneration allowed them to fight indefinitely.
If this became a battle of attrition, Mulan would eventually be the one who tired first.
I can't keep wasting energy like this.
Wu Tianhong's regenerated arm flexed.
"You finally look tired!"
Wu Cangming laughed.
"Your attacks are becoming slower!"
Wu Zhenyuan's mask twisted into something resembling a grin.
"Keep attacking us! We'll keep coming back!"
Mulan slowly lifted her head.
Her expression became colder.
Then I won't fight them like this anymore.
Her fingers tightened around the polearm.
She remembered the training she had undergone with the Fire Booster: Moonglare.
Yuuki had given her more than a transformation.
The Pseudo Piece of Eden had unlocked a complete combat system based around her new form.
She had spent days practicing those movements.
At first, they had felt unnatural.
Now...
Her body remembered them.
Mulan lowered her stance.
Her crimson flame wing folded tightly behind her.
The three Half-Hollows charged.
"Die!"
Wu Tianhong swung his enormous claw.
Mulan disappeared.
BOOM!
The claw struck empty air.
Mulan appeared beside him.
Her polearm moved.
SHING!
One strike.
Then another.
Then another.
SHING! SHING! SHING!
Three consecutive spear strikes tore across Wu Tianhong's torso.
He staggered backward.
Mulan didn't stop.
Her body flowed into the next movement.
Four.
Five.
Six.
Six consecutive spear strikes landed with frightening precision.
The final blow sent Wu Tianhong stumbling backward.
His regeneration immediately began repairing the wounds.
But this time, Mulan wasn't waiting.
She pushed off the ground.
Her crimson wing flared.
Charged Attack.
Her entire body became a streak of crimson.
BOOOOOOM!
Mulan dashed directly toward Wu Cangming.
Her polearm swept horizontally.
SLASH!
The Half-Hollow's chest was cleaved open.
Mulan continued moving.
She didn't stop after the first strike.
She maintained her momentum.
Her body became a blur.
The charged technique allowed her to maintain the high-speed movement for several seconds, repeatedly repositioning herself around the battlefield.
To everyone watching from outside the barrier—
Mulan had disappeared.
Only crimson streaks could be seen.
Jin Mucong's eyes widened.
"She's too fast!"
Jin Zhuo's expression became equally stunned.
"I can't even follow her movements!"
Even the surrounding cultivators struggled to track her.
Qingyue's eyes sharpened.
She rely on her Observation Haki.
Her perception immediately improved.
Yet even then, Mulan's movement was extraordinarily fast.
"This is..."
Qingyue whispered.
"She's moving faster than before."
Yuuki smiled.
"That's the Charged Attack."
Retsu nodded.
"She's finally using the combat arts built into the Moonglare system."
Mio's eyes sparkled.
"Ufufu... she's getting serious now."
Inside the barrier, Mulan continued her assault.
She dashed around the three Half-Hollows.
Every time one attempted to attack her, she was already somewhere else.
She struck.
Moved.
Struck again.
Never remaining in one place long enough for them to surround her.
The three monsters roared in frustration.
"STOP RUNNING!"
Wu Zhenyuan lunged.
Mulan dashed beneath him.
Wu Tianhong attacked from the opposite side.
She accelerated past him.
Wu Cangming attempted to predict her movement.
Too late.
Mulan appeared behind him.
SHRAAAK!
Another deep wound.
The Half-Hollow regenerated.
Mulan didn't care.
She was testing the limits of her new combat system.
Then she jumped.
Higher.
Higher still.
The crimson flame wing spread completely.
For a moment, Mulan hovered above the three enemies.
The three Half-Hollows looked upward.
Wu Tianhong's eyes widened.
"What is she doing?"
Mulan raised her polearm.
Her crimson eyes stared downward.
Plunging Attack.
The flame wing folded.
Mulan descended.
BOOOOOOOOOOM!
She crashed into the ground like a meteor.
A massive explosion of crimson flame erupted outward.
The impact struck all three Half-Hollows simultaneously.
Wu Tianhong was slammed into the floor.
Wu Cangming was thrown sideways.
Wu Zhenyuan was driven into the ground.
The entire barrier shook.
Crimson flames filled the battlefield.
The three monsters roared in pain as the flames consumed their bodies.
Outside the barrier, everyone stared.
Mulan slowly rose from the center of the crater.
Her white-and-black hair flowed behind her.
Her crimson eyes glowed through the flames.
Her crimson wing unfolded once more.
She raised her polearm.
The three Half-Hollows were already regenerating.
Mulan's breathing was still heavy.
But her expression had changed.
She was no longer simply trying to overpower them.
She was learning.
Normal attacks.
Charged attacks.
Plunging attacks.
Mobility.
Haki.
The Moonglare transformation.
She was combining everything.
The three Half-Hollows slowly rose from the crater.
Their bodies were damaged.
But they were still regenerating.
Wu Tianhong laughed.
"You see?!"
"We can't be killed!"
Mulan stared at him.
Then she smiled.
A faint, confident smile.
"Perhaps."
She lifted her polearm.
"But I haven't finished learning how to kill you."
Her crimson flame wing erupted.
The next exchange was going to be different.
Mulan had finally learned to combine everything.
And the combat system embedded within the Fire Booster: Moonglare.
Every strike she had landed had been accumulating something beneath the surface.
Kinetic energy.
Every blocked attack.
Every movement.
Every impact.
Every spear strike.
Every dash.
The Moonglare system had been quietly gathering it all.
And now—
Mulan felt it.
A surge traveled through the Pseudo Piece of Eden.
Her crimson flame wing suddenly erupted.
FWOOOOOSH!
The flames around her intensified dramatically.
The three Half-Hollows paused.
Even they could feel the difference.
Mulan lowered her head.
Her white-and-black hair moved in the rising heat.
Her crimson eyes glowed brighter.
Then—
KRAK!
A crimson aura exploded from her body.
Yuuki's eyes widened slightly.
"She's done it."
Retsu immediately recognized the change.
"She gathered enough kinetic energy."
Nemu's eyes focused on the Pseudo Piece of Eden.
"The hidden art has activated."
Mio's smile widened.
"Here it comes."
Mulan slowly raised her head.
The crimson flames surrounding her transformed.
They became denser.
Hotter.
More violent.
Her entire body appeared to be wrapped in an enormous crimson inferno.
The Pseudo Piece of Eden released a burst of energy.
And the transformation entered its next stage.
Masque of the Red Death
Mulan's crimson aura exploded outward.
The flames around her polearm became almost white at their core.
Her Normal, Charged, and Plunging Attacks were completely transformed.
They were no longer ordinary physical strikes enhanced by flame.
Every movement now carried extreme flame-based damage.
And the power of every successful attack scaled directly with Mulan's cultivation and the energy stored within Moonglare.
The temperature inside the barrier immediately rose.
Even the three Half-Hollows instinctively backed away.
"What... is that?"
Wu Tianhong's distorted voice trembled.
Mulan didn't answer.
She simply disappeared.
BOOOOOOM!
The ground beneath her feet exploded.
She appeared directly in front of Wu Tianhong.
Her polearm came down.
SHRAAAAAK!
An enormous crimson slash tore through his body.
This time—
The regeneration didn't immediately restore him.
The wound continued burning.
Crimson flames spread through the damaged flesh.
Wu Tianhong screamed.
"AAAAARGH!"
Mulan followed.
SHING!
Another spear strike.
Then another.
Then another.
Six consecutive strikes.
Every impact erupted with crimson flame.
The Half-Hollow's body was repeatedly torn apart and burned.
His regeneration struggled to keep pace.
Mulan didn't give him a moment to recover.
She dashed toward Wu Cangming.
BOOOOOOM!
Her charged attack turned the battlefield into a crimson streak.
She passed through him.
Wu Cangming's entire torso split open.
Flames erupted from the wound.
His regenerative ability immediately activated.
But the flesh grew back slowly.
Far slower than before.
Mulan's eyes narrowed.
So that's the difference.
The flames weren't merely burning their bodies.
They were overwhelming the regeneration itself.
Wu Cangming roared.
"You...!"
Mulan appeared above him.
Her crimson wing spread wide.
She raised her polearm.
Plunging Attack.
She descended.
BOOOOOOOOOOM!
The impact created a massive crimson explosion.
All three Half-Hollows were caught within it.
The barrier shook violently.
The floor cracked.
Flames surged upward like a pillar reaching toward the heavens.
Outside the barrier, everyone stared in shock.
Jin Zhuo's expression was frozen.
"What kind of flame technique is that?"
Jin Mucong couldn't even speak.
Princess Aluna's eyes widened.
"She never used this against the Zhu Family..."
Zhong Chuke stared at Mulan in disbelief.
"This is completely different from the power she displayed before."
Tian Xi and Yao Yao were equally stunned.
Even Mulan's own family struggled to recognize the scale of the transformation.
Her father had seen her fight before.
Her brother had seen her fight.
They had witnessed her defeat powerful cultivators.
But they had never seen this.
Mulan had never been given the opportunity to unleash the full potential of Moonglare when she fought the Zhu Family patriarch.
Plus, there are more Moonglare Arts other than this.
Now—
The Wu Clan had given her that opportunity even if its only normal attack.
Inside the barrier, Mulan stood amid the flames.
She looked less like a cultivator using a flame technique...
And more like a flame incarnate.
The three Half-Hollows struggled to rise.
Their bodies regenerated.
But weakly.
Slowly.
Their once-impressive regenerative ability had been reduced to a crawl.
Wu Tianhong looked at his arm.
The flesh was desperately trying to reconstruct itself.
It succeeded.
But only barely.
His expression changed.
"Why..."
Wu Cangming looked at his own chest.
The flames continued eating away at his Hollow flesh.
"Why isn't our regeneration working?!"
Mulan slowly approached.
Her polearm burned intensely.
"The flames are stronger than your regeneration."
Wu Zhenyuan snarled.
"You..."
Mulan raised her weapon.
"You sacrificed your humanity for regeneration."
Her crimson eyes flashed.
"I sacrificed nothing."
She disappeared.
BOOM!
A spear strike pierced Wu Zhenyuan's shoulder.
SLASH!
A second strike tore across his chest.
BOOM!
A charged attack sent him flying.
Mulan immediately turned toward the other two.
She continued attacking without pause.
Again.
Again.
Again.
Every attack released another wave of extreme crimson flames.
The three Half-Hollows were engulfed.
Their bodies regenerated.
Then burned.
Regenerated.
Then burned again.
Their regeneration became slower.
Their movements became weaker.
Their roars became desperate.
Outside the barrier, Retsu watched with a proud smile.
"Mulan finally found the answer."
Yuuki nodded.
"She doesn't need to destroy their regeneration."
He watched the flames consume the three monsters.
"She just needs to make the damage exceed their ability to regenerate."
Nemu nodded.
"Correct."
Mio giggled.
"Those poor monsters."
Qingyue stared at Mulan.
Her eyes reflected the crimson flames.
"So this is what happens when she combines everything..."
Yuuki smiled.
"Exactly."
Inside the barrier, Mulan lifted her polearm once more.
The Masque of the Red Death burned brighter.
The three Half-Hollows were barely standing.
Their regeneration had slowed to the point where their wounds remained visible.
Mulan looked at them with cold, crimson eyes.
"You wanted to become monsters for power."
She raised her weapon.
"Then burn with it."
The crimson flames erupted again.
And the three Wu Clan elders were swallowed by fire.
For nearly a full minute, the battlefield remained engulfed in crimson flames.
Mulan continued attacking.
Again.
Again.
Again.
Every spear strike carried the destructive power of the Masque of the Red Death.
But even her overwhelming flames had a limit.
The crimson fire around her began to thin.
The flames consuming the battlefield gradually weakened.
Then—
FWOOSH...
The last remnants of the Masque of the Red Death dissipated.
Mulan landed heavily.
Her crimson flame wing flickered before shrinking.
"Haa... haa..."
She was breathing hard.
Her grip tightened around her polearm as she tried to steady herself.
The Masque of the Red Death had lasted only about a minute.
And even after it ended, the flames she had already created could continue burning for roughly another thirty seconds before completely dissipating.
Mulan could already feel the price.
The Moonglare transformation itself continuously drained her profound energy.
But the moment she entered the Masque of the Red Death, that consumption had effectively doubled.
She had unleashed tremendous power—
But she couldn't maintain it indefinitely.
I need better control.
If I waste the flames too quickly, I'll exhaust myself before the enemy.
This was her first real battle using the complete Moonglare system.
She had practiced the techniques.
She understood the theory.
But practice was different from actual combat.
Especially against opponents that refused to die.
Across the battlefield, the three Half-Hollows slowly stood.
Their bodies were charred.
Their flesh was torn apart.
Several wounds still burned with fading crimson flames.
But they were regenerating.
Slowly.
Very slowly.
Yet they were still regenerating.
Wu Tianhong looked at Mulan.
Then he laughed.
"Ha..."
His voice was weak, but his arrogance had returned.
"You've finally run out of that ridiculous flame."
Wu Cangming regenerated part of his shoulder.
"Your breathing..."
Wu Zhenyuan's damaged chest slowly reconstructed itself.
"You're exhausted."
Mulan remained silent.
The three Half-Hollows sneered.
They believed they had finally found her weakness.
What they didn't know was that Mulan had discovered something equally important.
She had never actually fought a Hollow before.
She knew from Yuuki and the others that Hollows possessed an obvious weakness—
their masks.
Destroy the mask and the Hollow could be defeated.
But these creatures were different.
They were Half-Hollows.
Their human souls and bodies had not been completely replaced.
The Hollow transformation had been grafted onto their existing cultivator bodies.
Even if their Hollow masks were destroyed, the human body underneath could continue sustaining the transformation.
Their regeneration wasn't entirely dependent on the mask.
The usual Hollow weakness was therefore greatly diminished.
Mulan had not targeted their masks because she had never encountered this particular form before.
And the three elders had no intention of revealing that weakness.
But Yuuki had already understood the implication.
His expression became thoughtful.
"Interesting..."
Retsu glanced toward him.
"What is it?"
Yuuki looked at the three Half-Hollows.
"These aren't ordinary Hollows."
Nemu immediately understood.
"Their human bodies are acting as the stabilizing vessel."
"Exactly."
Yuuki's eyes narrowed.
"The Hollowification is permanent, but their original bodies are still maintaining the transformation."
Mio's expression became serious.
"So destroying their masks won't necessarily end it."
"Not immediately."
Yuuki folded his arms.
"Which means..."
His gaze shifted toward the distant battlefield.
"...they might actually be a perfect countermeasure against tomorrow's invasion."
Qingyue looked at him.
"Because of the thousands of humanoid Hollows?"
"Exactly."
Yuuki nodded.
"If the Wu Clan plans to deploy those humanoid Hollows tomorrow, we now know something extremely valuable."
He glanced toward Mulan.
"These Half-Hollows demonstrate that Hollow power can be integrated into a cultivator's body without completely replacing the original soul."
Nemu continued the thought.
"And if the invasion force consists of artificially created humanoid Hollows, their regenerative mechanism may have a similarly exploitable weakness."
Retsu smiled faintly.
"Then tomorrow's battlefield just became a little more interesting."
Yuuki turned toward Nemu. "Do you have it?"
"Hai… I managed to create it. It just needs two hours. We have a lot of Isu Metal to create more," Nemu replied as she handed him a bright blue, perfectly smooth orb.
Qingyue, Little Fairy, and Chu Yueli all stared at the object in his hand. It didn't resemble the Apple of Eden at all—just a simple, round blue sphere.
"What is that?" Qingyue asked.
"Something Nemu and I cooked up," Yuuki said with a grin, glancing at Nemu, who was already readying her notebook.
Inside the barrier, Mulan slowly raised her head.
The crimson flames had almost completely disappeared.
Her Masque of the Red Death had ended.
Her profound energy was significantly depleted.
Yet she still stood.
And more importantly—
She had learned.
She understood that overwhelming power alone wasn't enough.
She needed efficiency.
She needed to conserve her Moonglare energy.
She needed to choose when to activate the Masque of the Red Death.
And most importantly—
She needed to understand exactly how these Half-Hollows worked.
The three monsters began advancing again.
Their regeneration was slower than before, but they were still dangerous.
Wu Tianhong laughed.
"You've reached your limit."
Mulan slowly lifted her polearm.
Her breathing gradually steadied.
"Well, well... well."
A familiar voice suddenly came from behind them.
Mulan turned.
The three Half-Hollows immediately stiffened.
Yun Che stepped through Retsu's barrier as though the reinforced Kekkai wasn't even there.
He casually walked into the battlefield.
Retsu's barrier remained intact behind him.
Mio blinked.
"Ara? Danna-sama is going to fight them?"
Yuuki—or rather, Yun Che in front of the outsiders—stopped beside Mulan.
"I think we've had enough of a demonstration."
Mulan lowered her polearm slightly.
The three Half-Hollows glared at him.
"You..."
Wu Tianhong's distorted voice growled.
"Our leader told us about you."
Wu Cangming narrowed his eyes.
"The elusive Mu Che."
Yun Che grinned.
"Yeah."
He pointed at himself.
"That's me."
Wu Zhenyuan snarled.
"You think you have the brains to fight the Wu Clan tomorrow, brat?"
Yun Che glanced at Mulan.
Then at the three regenerating Half-Hollows.
"I can safely say I do."
He gestured toward the battlefield.
"Your fight with Mulan already showed us something important."
The three Half-Hollows frowned.
"Even something that appears invulnerable can be defeated."
"You..."
Wu Tianhong clenched his claws.
Yun Che continued before he could finish.
"You see, humanoid Hollows like you can regenerate as long as the human body sustaining the Hollowification remains functional."
His expression became colder.
"But regeneration isn't immortality."
The three Half-Hollows fell silent.
"If we destroy the source sustaining that regeneration..."
Yun Che tapped the side of his head.
"The brain."
Then his chest.
"The heart."
He spread his hands.
"Or simply destroy the entire body beyond what your regeneration can reconstruct..."
He smiled.
"You're dead."
Wu Cangming sneered.
"Oh? You're telling us this because...?"
Yun Che's grin widened.
"Because Hollows have another particular weakness."
The three Half-Hollows stared at him.
Yun Che reached into his storage space.
A moment later, he pulled out a perfectly smooth, bright-blue orb.
It was completely unlike the Apple of Eden.
No mechanical components.
No visible markings.
Just a simple sphere filled with what appeared to be swirling blue liquid.
Qingyue stared.
"What is that?"
Yun Che didn't answer immediately.
Instead, he looked at the three Half-Hollows.
"Hollows dislike purified water."
The three creatures froze.
Yun Che continued.
"Sure, you can survive in the sea. River water doesn't immediately kill you either. Lakes and springs aren't necessarily dangerous."
He raised the orb slightly.
"But purified water?"
His smile became almost mischievous.
"That's different."
The Half-Hollows' expressions changed.
"Rainwater is naturally purified compared to most sources of contaminated water," Yun Che continued. "Which means you don't want to fight during heavy rain."
Mulan's eyes widened.
"So that's why..."
Yun Che nodded.
"No wonder you chose tomorrow."
He looked toward the sky.
"Tomorrow is supposed to be one of the hottest days, with no rain expected for several days."
His gaze returned to them.
"Perfect conditions for your invasion."
The three Half-Hollows said nothing.
"Your plan is simple."
Yun Che raised one finger.
"Deploy your Hollow army."
A second finger.
"Infect the empire."
A third.
"Spread the transformation while the weather remains dry."
He lowered his hand.
"Then, once the rain finally comes..."
His grin widened.
"...your entire army gets washed away."
Wu Zhenyuan's expression twisted.
"You!"
"Rain can kill them?" Mulan asked, surprised.
Yun Che nodded.
"Under normal circumstances, yes. Rain is one of the reasons you can't simply deploy Hollows everywhere without considering the weather."
He turned toward the others.
"The problem is that ordinary rain isn't always enough. But sufficiently purified water?"
He lifted the blue orb while spinning it with his finger.
"That's a different story."
Wu Tianhong suddenly realized something.
"You already knew."
Yun Che's smile disappeared.
"I know a lot more than you think."
He looked directly at them.
"I'm sure you've sheltered the rest of your Hollow army on Wangya Island and Lishan Island."
The three Half-Hollows stiffened.
"Ten thousand Hollowed soldiers."
Yun Che's voice became colder.
"If tomorrow suddenly became a rainy day, you wouldn't dare launch the invasion."
He tilted his head.
"Not unless you wanted to lose your entire army."
"You..."
Wu Cangming's claws trembled.
"It was you!"
Yun Che raised an eyebrow.
"What?"
"You were the one who attacked us before!"
"Ah."
Yun Che smiled.
"Yeah."
His tone was almost casual.
"That was me."
The three Half-Hollows erupted with fury.
"We'll kill you!"
Wu Tianhong lunged forward.
But Yun Che didn't move.
He simply raised the blue orb.
"I already know your plans."
His eyes narrowed.
"Do you really think we didn't notice all those attempts to sabotage us?"
Wu Tianhong's claws were inches away.
Then Yun Che pointed the orb directly at him.
"But..."
He smiled.
"I think we can cut this fight short."
Wu Tianhong stopped.
"What are you going to do with that?"
Yun Che's grin returned.
"You said you wanted to fight tomorrow."
The orb began glowing.
"Let's see how well you like rain."
The three Half-Hollows stared at the strange device.
"What is that thing?"
Yun Che raised it overhead.
"Only rainwater can properly deal with you?"
He chuckled.
"Fine."
The blue sphere began humming.
"But what if we have something that can generate purified water?"
The Half-Hollows' expressions changed.
"No..."
Yun Che's grin widened.
"Exactly."
He thrust the orb forward.
"Orb of Tornami!"
FWOOOOOOOOOSH!
An enormous torrent of crystal-clear water erupted from the blue orb.
The three Half-Hollows didn't even have time to react.
SPLAAAAASH!
The torrent struck all three of them directly.
Their bodies immediately began smoking.
"AAAAAAARGH!"
Their distorted screams echoed throughout the barrier.
Black Hollow flesh began dissolving beneath the water.
Their regeneration suddenly went into overdrive—
Only to fail.
The wounds weren't closing.
Their flesh was being purified.
The three Half-Hollows stumbled backward, desperately trying to escape the torrent.
"What is this?!"
"MY BODY!"
"STOP IT!"
Yun Che calmly held the orb.
The torrent continued pouring forward.
Outside the barrier, everyone stared in complete disbelief.
Qingyue's mouth opened slightly.
"He just..."
Little Fairy blinked.
"Generated water?"
Chu Yueli stared at the orb.
"From a sphere?"
Mulan lowered her polearm.
She had spent nearly everything she had fighting those creatures.
Yet Yun Che had just revealed a completely different method of defeating them.
Retsu's eyes widened.
"Nemu-chan..."
She pointed toward the strange blue orb in Yun Che's hand.
"What exactly is that thing?!"
The rest of the girls immediately turned toward Nemu.
Qingyue, Little Fairy, Chu Yueli, Xue Ling, Xue Yin, Lin Yueru, Mulan, and even Jin Yuelian were staring at the orb.
Nemu adjusted her glasses.
"Yuu-sama and I's latest creation."
She paused.
"One of the new sets of Pseudo Pieces of Eden."
Everyone became even more attentive.
Nemu continued.
"We call them the Sheng Gong Wu."
Qingyue blinked.
"Sheng... Gong Wu?"
"Divine-Made Items."
Nemu nodded toward the blue orb.
"This particular one is called the Orb of Tornami."
Mio tilted her head.
"So what does it do?"
Nemu pointed toward the ongoing torrent.
"When activated, it generates a tremendous amount of water by converting the user's Ki."
Everyone looked toward Yun Che.
"The device itself doesn't contain a massive water reservoir," Nemu explained. "It converts the user's Ki into water."
She held up one finger.
"The more Ki the user supplies..."
A second finger.
"...the more water it generates."
Retsu's eyes sparkled.
"So it is basically turning Ki into an enormous amount of water?"
"Hai."
Nemu nodded.
"Any form of water can be generated, provided the user has sufficient Ki. The Orb of Tornami simply acts as the conversion medium."
Mio immediately raised her hand.
"Wait!"
Everyone looked at her.
"Does that mean anyone can use it?"
Nemu shook her head.
"No."
"Why?"
"Because we deliberately designed it that way."
Nemu's expression became serious.
"The Sheng Gong Wu can only be activated by someone capable of manipulating Ki."
Little Fairy's eyes narrowed.
"So ordinary people cannot use them."
"Correct."
"Neither can ordinary profound cultivators?"
Nemu nodded.
Chu Yueli folded her arms.
"Then they're essentially locked to your cultivation."
"Precisely."
Nemu nodded.
"That is one of the safety measures."
She glanced toward the orb.
"If these artifacts fell into the hands of ordinary cultivators, sects, or hostile factions, they could potentially become weapons capable of causing catastrophic damage. Restricting their activation to Ki users prevents unauthorized use."
The girls slowly absorbed the information.
Then they looked toward the battlefield.
Yun Che was still standing there.
Holding a small blue sphere.
And producing a massive torrent of water from it.
The realization finally hit everyone.
Little Fairy stared.
"...He just generated all of that water from that tiny orb."
Chu Yueli's eyes narrowed.
"Without a reservoir."
Xue Ling blinked.
"Without a formation."
Xue Yin stared at Yun Che.
"Without a river."
Lin Yueru looked at the torrent.
"He's literally carrying a flood in his hand."
Jin Yuelian remained silent.
Even she had difficulty processing what she was witnessing.
Mulan slowly floated upward, giving herself distance from the torrent.
She looked down at the three Half-Hollows.
Their situation had changed completely.
The three Wu Clan elders were no longer laughing.
Their bodies were beginning to melt.
"AAAAAAARGH!"
Wu Tianhong clawed desperately at his own chest.
The purified water continued washing over him.
His Hollow flesh bubbled and dissolved.
His regeneration desperately tried to reconstruct the damaged tissue—
Only for the purified water to destroy it again.
Wu Cangming staggered backward.
"No!"
His arm began dissolving from the fingertips upward.
"This isn't possible!"
Wu Zhenyuan tried to escape.
But the torrent followed him.
His white Hollow mask began cracking.
The black markings covering his body faded.
His regeneration had completely lost the battle against the purification.
Outside the barrier, everyone watched in stunned silence.
Mulan slowly lowered her polearm.
She finally understood.
Her battle had demonstrated that the Half-Hollows could be overwhelmed.
But Yun Che had just revealed something far more dangerous.
A countermeasure specifically designed against Hollow forces.
The Wu Clan had prepared ten thousand Hollowed soldiers.
They had chosen tomorrow because they believed the weather would favor them.
They had believed that their regenerative abilities would make them nearly impossible to stop.
Yet Yun Che and Nemu had already created something that could turn their greatest advantage against them.
Retsu looked at Nemu.
"Nemu-chan..."
She smiled.
"You two really are terrifying when you start inventing things."
Nemu calmly closed her notebook.
"We simply identified the weakness and designed a solution."
Mio puffed her cheeks.
"That's not a normal solution!"
Qingyue continued staring at the Orb of Tornami.
"Sheng Gong Wu..."
She repeated the unfamiliar name quietly.
"Divine-Made Items."
Nemu nodded.
"Hai."
Qingyue looked at Yun Che.
"And there are more?"
Yun Che grinned.
"Of course."
That single answer made everyone go silent.
More.
There were more of these artifacts.
The Wu Clan had arrived believing they were declaring war on the Jin Family.
They had no idea that the people waiting for them had already begun constructing an entire arsenal of weapons specifically designed to dismantle their invasion.
Inside the barrier, the three Half-Hollows screamed as another wave of purified water crashed over them.
Mulan watched calmly.
Her crimson eyes reflected the blue torrent.
The battle was no longer hers.
Yun Che had already taken over.
And for the first time since they had transformed themselves into monsters—
The three Wu Clan elders looked genuinely afraid.
The purified water continued pouring over the three Half-Hollows.
Their screams gradually became weaker.
The Hollowification that had merged with their human bodies was being completely overwhelmed. Flesh dissolved from bone, blackened Hollow tissue disintegrated into smoke, and even their regenerative abilities could no longer keep pace with the purification.
Wu Tianhong desperately reached toward Yun Che.
"Bastard..."
Yun Che looked at him without sympathy.
"Enjoy your life in torture."
His voice was calm.
"I'm sure the heavens will ensure that."
"No!!"
The final remnants of their bodies dissolved.
Their Hollow masks cracked apart.
Then—
FWOOSH...
All three bodies completely melted away into drifting black smoke.
The smoke lingered for several seconds before dispersing into the night air.
Silence descended over the barrier.
The three Wu Clan elders were gone.
Not defeated.
Not incapacitated.
Gone.
============
[Ding... Congratulations, Host, for defeating three Grand Perfection Emperor Profound Realm experts.]
===========
Mulan remained suspended in the air, staring at the empty space where they had stood.
Then she slowly exhaled.
"So... that's the power of purified water against them."
Yun Che lowered the Orb of Tornami.
The torrent immediately stopped.
But the water didn't disappear.
It remained scattered across the floor.
Yun Che looked down.
"Ah."
He tilted the orb slightly.
"Right. Once the water leaves the Orb of Tornami, I can't pull it back."
Mio blinked.
"So we're stuck with a giant puddle?"
"Basically."
Retsu did not immediately retract the barrier, a faint smile forming on her lips.
"Then leave it to me."
She stepped forward.
Her hands moved gently.
The water on the floor suddenly began to rise, drawing gasps of shock from everyone around her.
SHOOOOOSH!
A massive stream twisted through the air under her control.
Retsu guided the water toward the main entrance, sending it through the doorway and away from the Jin Family's hall.
But she didn't simply let it flow onto the ground.
She raised both hands.
The entire stream suddenly shot upward.
FWOOOOOSH!
The water climbed into the night sky.
Higher.
Higher.
Higher.
Until it dispersed above the courtyard.
Then—
Pitter...
A single droplet fell.
Then another.
Pitter-patter...
Within moments, water began falling across the Jin Family manor.
Rain.
A gentle rainfall descended from a completely clear night sky.
There wasn't a single cloud above them.
Everyone looked upward.
Qingyue blinked.
"Rain...?"
Little Fairy raised her hand and allowed a few droplets to land on her palm.
"But there aren't any clouds."
Chu Yueli stared upward.
"Sister Retsu..."
Retsu smiled.
"I simply returned the water to the sky. Waterbending is quite convenient.."
Mio laughed.
"So technically, it's artificial rain!"
Nemu nodded.
"That is an accurate description."
Yun Che looked upward.
"Well, at least the courtyard is getting watered."
Retsu gave him an amused look.
"You're welcome."
Yun Che grinned.
"Thanks, Retsu."
With the three Half-Hollows gone, Retsu finally released her Kekkai.
FWOOM.
The blue barrier surrounding the battlefield dissolved into particles of light.
The Jin Family members could finally enter the area.
Mulan slowly descended from the air.
Her crimson flame wing flickered once before disappearing.
She looked down at the Fire Crystal Keystone embedded within her gauntlet.
With a small motion, she pulled it free.
Click.
The intense energy surrounding her immediately faded.
Her white-and-black hair returned to normal.
The crimson glow vanished from her eyes.
The strange blackened markings receded.
Her elaborate Moonglare attire dissolved into its stored energy, returning her to her normal appearance.
Mulan landed softly on the ground.
She exhaled.
"Haa..."
The battle was over.
Her body was exhausted.
Her profound energy was heavily depleted.
But her eyes remained sharp.
She looked at the empty battlefield.
Then toward Yun Che.
"We won."
Yun Che smiled.
"No."
Mulan raised an eyebrow.
"We learned."
He pointed toward the remains of the battlefield.
"That's more important."
Mulan looked down at her gauntlet.
She understood.
Today had been her first real test of Moonglare against an opponent capable of regeneration.
She had learned its strengths.
Its weaknesses.
The limitations of the Masque of the Red Death.
And now she had witnessed the effectiveness of the Orb of Tornami.
Tomorrow, however, there wouldn't be three enemies.
There would be an army.
Mulan slowly clenched her fist.
"Then tomorrow..."
She looked toward the night sky where Retsu's artificial rain continued falling.
"...we'll be ready."
Yun Che smiled.
"Exactly."
Behind them, the others were still staring at the clear sky raining over the Jin Family.
Tonight, they had witnessed another secret of Yun Che and his companions.
A Pseudo Piece of Eden.
A Sheng Gong Wu.
And a weapon capable of turning an entire army's greatest advantage—
Hollowification—
into their greatest weakness.
"Are you well, Father?"
Mulan approached Jin Zhuo after reverting from her Moonglare transformation.
Jin Zhuo looked at his daughter for a moment before giving a small nod.
"Yes. I'm fine."
His eyes then moved toward her.
"Mulan..."
She stopped.
"What is your true cultivation?"
Mulan hesitated.
"I... am still at the Third Level of the Emperor Profound Realm."
Jin Zhuo's brows furrowed.
"But your strength just now..."
Mulan smiled faintly.
"The cultivation realm displayed by my profound energy hasn't changed."
She clenched her hand.
"But with Che'er help, I can now wield the strength equivalent to a Third Level Tyrant Profound Realm."
Jin Zhuo's eyes widened.
"You..."
He stared at his daughter in disbelief.
"You possess the strength of a Third Level Tyrant while only being a Third Level Emperor?"
Mulan nodded.
"Yes."
"How?"
Mulan glanced toward Yun Che.
"I had help from Che'er."
Jin Zhuo followed her gaze.
"I see..."
Before he could ask anything else, Yun Che approached.
"Father-in-law."
Jin Zhuo looked at him.
Yun Che's expression was relaxed, almost as though the battle that had just taken place was nothing extraordinary.
"It seems the Wu Clan has officially declared war."
Jin Zhuo sighed.
"Yes."
He looked toward the ruined hall.
"What is your plan, Che'er?"
Yun Che didn't hesitate.
"They wanted a fight."
His eyes sharpened.
"So we'll bring the fight to them."
Jin Zhuo frowned.
"Is there anything we should do?"
"Nothing."
The answer was so casual that several people around them exchanged glances.
"Nothing?!"
Zhong Chuke immediately stepped forward.
"What are you saying, boy?"
Yun Che looked toward him.
"We've got it covered."
The blunt confidence left everyone speechless.
Jin Zhuo was silent for several seconds.
Then he finally spoke.
"Even so, I'm not going to sit here and do nothing."
He looked toward the Jin Family soldiers.
"I'll mobilize every man I can spare."
His expression became serious.
"Nearly three thousand men are ready to fight."
Yun Che raised an eyebrow.
"Three thousand?"
"Yes."
Jin Zhuo's gaze hardened.
"They're Jin Family soldiers. They won't abandon their home."
He stepped closer to Yun Che.
"If you can truly handle the Wu Clan's main forces, then promise me one thing."
Yun Che looked at him.
"None of them will lose their lives."
Yun Che nodded.
"I promise."
Jin Zhuo relaxed slightly.
"But make sure none of them attack."
The surrounding soldiers exchanged confused looks.
Yun Che continued.
"They can witness what we're capable of."
Jin Zhuo stared at him.
"You want three thousand soldiers to stand and watch?"
"Exactly."
Zhong Chuke frowned.
"Che'er, this is war. Those men aren't spectators."
"I know."
Yun Che looked toward the assembled Jin Family.
"That's why I'm telling them not to fight."
His voice became firm.
"The Wu Clan's hollow foot soldiers are mine and Nemu's problem."
He glanced toward Nemu, who calmly adjusted her glasses.
"You just protect your people and watch our backs."
Jin Zhuo looked between Yun Che and Nemu.
Then toward the others.
Mulan.
Cang Yue.
Retsu.
Mio.
Qingyue.
Little Fairy.
Chu Yueli.
Xue Ling.
Xue Yin.
Lin Yueru.
Every one of them looked completely composed.
It was as though the arrival of the Wu Clan's army wasn't something they feared.
Jin Yuelian finally spoke.
"Are you sure about this, Che'er?"
Yun Che smiled.
"Yes, Mother-in-law."
He looked toward the night sky.
"Don't worry."
His expression carried absolute confidence.
"All I need from you is help engaging the Wu Clan's Throne-level soldiers."
He raised a finger.
"The hollow foot soldiers?"
He pointed toward himself.
"Leave them to me and Nemu."
Nemu gave a small nod.
Jin Yuelian remained silent.
She still didn't understand exactly what Yun Che had planned.
But after witnessing the Orb of Tornami, Mulan's transformation, and the way three Peak Emperor Profound Realm Half-Hollows had been eliminated without a single Jin Family casualty...
She had little choice but to trust him.
Cang Yue smiled gently.
"Trust him, Mother."
Jin Yuelian looked toward her daughter.
Cang Yue's expression was calm.
"Che'er has lots of plans."
Yun Che gave her an amused glance.
"That's an understatement."
Cang Yue smiled.
"Tomorrow, you'll see."
Outside the hall, the artificial rain continued falling over the Jin Family courtyard.
Three thousand soldiers stood ready.
The Wu Clan believed they were coming to conquer Jin Province.
They had no idea that the battlefield they had chosen—
Had already been prepared for them.
"Please let us help as well."
Two voices spoke almost simultaneously.
Yun Che turned.
Tian Xi and Yao Yao were standing together, both looking determined.
Yun Che studied them for a moment.
"Hmm..."
A small smile appeared.
"I could ask the two of you to do something for me."
Both girls immediately brightened.
"Anything!"
Yun Che reached into his storage space.
He pulled out a familiar bag.
The moment Tian Xi and Yao Yao saw it, their expressions changed.
Their smiles disappeared.
They gulped.
"Those..."
Yao Yao stared at the bag.
"Are those the same things we used before?"
Yun Che nodded.
Inside were the small C5 explosive marbles.
The same marbles the two girls had planted during the avalanche operation against King Alugang.
The same little spheres that had turned an entire battlefield into chaos.
Tian Xi looked at Yao Yao.
Yao Yao looked back.
Neither of them said anything.
They both remembered.
Yun Che casually opened the bag.
"Head approximately one hundred miles in this direction."
He pointed toward the distant coastline.
"You'll eventually reach a beach."
"There's a steep section of the coastline there. It's practically the only suitable approach from the beach into Jin Province and the nearest to Wangya and Lishan Islands."
Jin Zhuo immediately understood.
"The Wu Clan will attack there."
"Exactly."
Yun Che pointed at the projected coastline.
"They'll have to pass through that approach if they intend to land their forces from the sea."
Tian Xi nodded.
"Then what do you want us to do?"
"Plant these along the beach."
Yao Yao's eyes widened.
"We're going to blow them up?"
Jin Zhuo looked toward Yun Che.
"You're going to bombard them?"
Yun Che shook his head.
"Nope."
He held up one of the C5 marbles.
"This thing can function as a mine."
Jin Zhuo frowned.
"A mine?"
"Something that remains hidden until an enemy triggers it."
Yun Che gave a simple explanation.
"Once armed, stepping into its trigger area causes it to detonate."
He pointed toward the projection.
"It has roughly a one-mile effective radius, so don't cluster them together. Spread them out across the approach."
Tian Xi nodded.
"Understood."
Yao Yao eagerly reached for the bag.
"I'll make sure we plant them properly!"
Yun Che handed the bag to her.
Then he paused.
"And, Yao Yao?"
"Yes?"
"Don't keep one."
Yao Yao froze.
She slowly remembered the last time she had nearly kept one of the explosive marbles.
"...I won't!"
Yun Che stared at her.
"Promise?"
"I promise!"
Tian Xi covered her mouth, trying not to laugh.
Yao Yao puffed her cheeks.
"I learned my lesson!"
"Good."
The two girls immediately prepared to leave.
"Let's go, Yao'er. I'll make sure you won't keep one."
"Xi'er!"
The pair launched themselves into the air.
WHOOSH!
Within moments, Tian Xi and Yao Yao disappeared toward the distant coastline.
Jin Zhuo watched them leave.
"Then I'll have men stationed there tonight."
He turned toward Princess Aluna.
"Princess, may we borrow your Ark to transport those men?"
Aluna immediately nodded.
"Understood."
She looked toward her soldiers.
"My men aboard the Qiang Royal Ark will assist as well."
Jin Zhuo looked surprised.
"You don't have to—"
"We do."
Aluna smiled.
"After everything the Jin Family has provided us, the Qiang State has more than enough resources to begin rebuilding."
She placed a hand against her chest.
"As promised, we will join your banner and form an alliance with Jin Province."
Her expression became serious.
"The Wu Clan will eventually reach my state if we fail to stop them."
She glanced toward Yun Che.
"So we will help you win this battle."
Then she smiled.
"Although, if what Yun Che says is true..."
She glanced toward the ruined hall.
"...perhaps we won't have to fight at all."
Yun Che smiled.
"That's the plan."
Aluna nodded.
"We'll watch and support your strategy."
Jin Zhuo bowed slightly.
"Thank you, Princess Aluna."
Aluna immediately raised a finger.
"Just Aluna."
Jin Zhuo blinked.
Aluna smiled mischievously.
"After all, I'll be your daughter-in-law eventually."
Her gaze shifted toward Jin Mucong.
"And your son has already proven himself quite romantic."
Jin Mucong's face immediately went pale.
Everyone turned toward him.
He looked like a man who had suddenly realized his life was in danger.
Aluna smiled sweetly.
"Mucong."
"Yes, my sweet?"
"Help me prepare the Ark."
"Of course."
She turned and began walking toward the Qiang Royal Ark.
Mucong hurried after her.
Before leaving, he suddenly turned toward Yun Che.
"Brother-in-law!"
Yun Che raised an eyebrow.
"Why didn't you warn me that she had the power to reach my heart and crush my soul with her bare hands?!"
The entire hall went silent.
Aluna stopped.
She slowly looked back.
Mucong immediately realized what he had just said.
Yun Che folded his arms.
"Well..."
He glanced at Aluna.
"She's a warrior."
Then he gave Mucong a sympathetic smile.
"Perfect to control you."
Everyone immediately burst into laughter.
Mucong's face fell.
"Brother-in-law..."
Aluna laughed as she continued toward the Ark.
"You look so cute when you grovel."
Mucong immediately followed.
"Yes, my sweet!"
He gave her an exaggerated bow.
"Koala honor!"
Everyone sweatdropped.
Even Jin Zhuo had to look away to hide his amusement.
Cang Yue covered her mouth.
Mio was openly laughing.
Retsu giggled behind her sleeve.
Qingyue simply stared at the spectacle with a faint smile.
Yun Che shook his head.
"Those two are going to be entertaining."
Jin Yuelian sighed.
"At least Mucong seems happy."
Cang Yue nodded.
"And Aluna seems happy with him."
Yun Che looked toward the distant coastline.
The laughter slowly faded from the hall.
The atmosphere became serious again.
Tomorrow was no longer merely a battle between the Jin Family and the Wu Clan.
The battlefield had been divided.
The coastline was being prepared.
Three thousand Jin Family soldiers would stand ready.
The Qiang State had joined the alliance.
Tian Xi and Yao Yao were preparing the first line of traps.
Mulan had revealed the true strength of Moonglare.
Nemu and Yun Che had prepared weapons capable of countering the Hollow army.
And somewhere in the darkness beyond Jin Province—
The Wu Clan was preparing to unleash ten thousand Hollowed soldiers.
Yun Che looked toward the night sky.
"Come tomorrow."
His eyes narrowed.
"Let's see how far your war really goes."