"To find Yu Sui," Mo Yan said, standing tall despite the pain.
"I know he's out there. I felt him."
Without another word, he vanished into the dark forest.
---
Deep in the forest...
Mo Yan pushed through thorns and branches until he reached a quiet clearing. There, he fell to one knee, took a deep breath, and closed his eyes.
"bai long…"
A flash of silver light erupted from the sigil on his back.
The White Dragon emerged from his body, curling gracefully through the air before bowing low.
"At your command, Young Master," bai long spoke, his voice echoing like wind through ancient mountains.
"Find Yu Sui. Now."
Without hesitation, the dragon rose into the sky, spinning in a vast spiral. Then..boom!
A glowing circle of white light burst from bai long's body, spreading across the sky like a divine signal.
Far away, hidden deep within the trees, it touched the burning sigil on Yu Sui's back.
Zixi sensed it instantly.
He dove back to Mo Yan, and with a flick of his head, released a single spiritual butterfly...white and shining, carrying Yu Sui's location in its wings.
Mo Yan didn't hesitate.
He chased the butterfly through the woods.
---
The sound of clashing steel broke the silence.
Mo Yan's heart skipped a beat.
Through the trees, he saw it..Yu Sui, fighting alone, surrounded by eight or ten armored soldiers. His robes were torn, flames danced around his body, and the blue phoenix on his back flickered with rage.
"Yu Sui!!"
Mo Yan burst into the clearing, drawing his sword mid-sprint.
Their eyes met...just for a moment.
That single moment was enough.
The binding threads between them shimmered bright and visible once again, the ancient queen's curse surging to life like fire.
A soft golden aura rippled from their wrists, pulsing between them..alive.
Together, without speaking, they moved.
Mo Yan's blade danced in silver arcs, slashing down the first two soldiers instantly.
Yu Sui, his phoenix bursting out in blue fire behind him, incinerated two more in a single sweeping flame.
Blood, light, fire..chaos.
Despite their injuries, despite exhaustion, they fought as if one soul resided in two bodies.
And when the last enemy fell..
Only the sound of rustling leaves remained.
Yu Sui stumbled slightly, catching his breath.
Mo Yan stepped beside him, also panting, still holding his sword.
For a moment… they said nothing.
Then...
Yu Sui looked away.
"Why did you come?" he muttered.