Dawn had not yet broken, but the Sword Discourse Arena was already packed to the brim. Today marked the final match of the Blue Wind Ranking Tournament, and the anticipation crackled through the air like lightning on the verge of a storm. The contenders were an extraordinary, almost surreal pair: a young man and woman, both merely seventeen years of age.
Miraculously, the night had passed without incident. No assassinations, no provocations, not even Ling Kun showed his face. Not that he could—Yun Che had seen to that. The previous nights, he and his women had personally crippled the three heads of the three sects, leaving them too wounded to act, and Ling Kun had been mentally bound by a command far more powerful than personal ambition.
Yun Che stood as a paradox: the participant with the lowest cultivation level—True Profound Realm—yet had cut a blazing trail through opponents far stronger than himself. His every victory had been nothing short of legendary, culminating in yesterday's battle where he unveiled his golden-haired transformation, blue arena destroying beam attack, drawing awe and dread alike. At his side, Unohana Retsu and Princess Cang Yue had revealed their own terrifying strength: Retsu, now known to be in the Grand Perfection Sky Profound Realm, and Cang Yue in the Grand Perfection Earth Profound Realm. Their disguises shed, their powers undeniable.
Today, all eyes were not only on Yun Che, but also on the girl who stood across from him—Xia Qingyue.
Yesterday, she had revealed her true cultivation and her domain. It was a spectacle that shook the Blue Wind Empire. A domain so pristine, so absolute, that many had dubbed her the greatest genius of the age alongside Nezuko. Though debates had flared over whether Unohana Retsu should be named number one, Retsu herself had conceded the title. Her quiet nature and utter disinterest in status left the crown for Qingyue to wear—at least in the eyes of the world.
Replacing Ling Yun, Xia Qingyue had now ascended to become the unrivaled number one of the younger generation. Her potential was overwhelming—one destined to rise to the level of a King Realm expert, someone whose name would one day shake the entire Blue Wind Empire.
But this final battle… was far from ordinary. Because Yun Che hadn't shown his full hand yet.
And this time, Heavenly Sword Villa, the sect that had always occupied the center stage of the final battles, had been reduced to mere spectators.
Ling Yuefeng, the Sword Villa's Villa Master, had arrived early. Yet he said nothing and remained seated, his expression unreadable—neither anger nor disappointment could be clearly seen. Beside him sat Ling Yun, who had lost to Princess Cang Yue the day before. Though his face bore a calm tranquility, anyone with insight could see it was only surface-deep. After all, not only had he suffered defeat, but his arrogant confidence had been shattered when the public Profound Display exposed his infatuation for Qingyue—and worse, it had been thoroughly humiliated.
His final disgrace came when he was mysteriously knocked unconscious and rolled to the bottom of the Sword Discourse steps, left sprawled for all to see.
It wasn't that Ling Yun was too weak. On the contrary, he had been considered a favorite to win—until he ran into an opponent whose strength was so overwhelming it simply defied logic and prediction. In the end, he fell to sixth place, a quiet and crushing fall from grace, while Ling Jie, with his vibrant swordplay and lively personality, had secured seventh.
Today, the Sword Discourse Arena was scheduled to host two battles.
The first: the match to determine third and fourth place.
But even this fight, which would normally be the center of attention, was now just an opening act—overshadowed by the legend that was building between Yun Che and Xia Qingyue.
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[Third Place Bracket]
Blue Wind Imperial Family Unohana Retsu -------versus-------- Blue Wind Profound Palace Xia Yuanba
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"May both contestants ascend the Sword Discourse Arena!"
The arena erupted into wild cheers. The moment Unohana Retsu stepped forward, dressed in her flowing battle kimono and veiled hat, murmurs of reverence and awe spread like wildfire. Many of the male cultivators instinctively straightened their backs.
And when Xia Yuanba followed—massive, armored, and wielding the Hope Sword—the crowd erupted again. He had earned his fans, especially after yesterday's explosive display.
"Urrghhh… I don't think I can fight Aneki…" Yuanba groaned, visibly shrinking.
"Just concede," Mai said calmly from the stands. "You saw what she did to the others. She overpowered your sister."
"Where's Aniki, by the way?" Yuanba asked, glancing around the viewing stands while brushing dust off his shoulders.
The others were scattered across the seating zone, enjoying the lull before the final match.
Mei was laughing as she played an energetic game of tag with multiple Nezuko clones, who were surprisingly nimble and chaotic.
Lin Yueru sat composedly on the other Kotatsu, sipping delicate tea alongside Xue Ling and Jin Mulan, the three exuding elegance with every gesture.
Kon was lying down, lazily chomping down a stack of cookies like his life depended on it.
Nemu scribbled rapidly in her notebook, muttering calculations to herself, occasionally glancing up at the arena with interest.
Cang Yue, ever calm, nibbled at a small plate of pastries while seated beside Mio, who looked every bit the refined lady with her fan gently waving in rhythm.
"No sign of him," Yuanba mumbled. "Is he still sleeping or what?"
Mio giggled behind her fan.
"Danna-sama stayed back at the Ark for a while. He said he needed a moment to prepare… mentally and spiritually. But don't worry—he'll be here."
She gave a knowing smile, one filled with the confidence of someone who had seen Yun Che face countless storms.
"Knowing him, he's probably planning to make a very dramatic entrance," Lin Yueru mused from the tea table without looking up.
Yuanba chuckled. "That sounds like Aniki."
And high above, beyond the Sword Discourse Arena—on the edge of the sky—a faint glimmer began to form.
Nearby, Retsu's soft, musical voice floated down as she descended onto the arena. "Ufufu… let's do our best, Yuanba." She tilted her head, adjusting her veiled hat. "I want to see your Super Saiyan… at full power."
"Aneki, can I concede now?" Yuanba whispered, twiddling his fingers.
"Dame." Retsu's sweet voice as she wiggled her finger, held no room for argument. "If you do… no lunch for you."
"Urrrrghhh…" Yuanba looked like a man condemned. Mai, ever prepared, held up several potions with a resigned sigh.
The crowd laughed in good nature, watching this absurd exchange. But deep down, they all shared a silent thought:
'Poor kid. Unohana Retsu's going to mop the floor with him.'
In the stands, Ling Yun clenched his fists. Why did Xia Yuanba, of all people, get the honor of dueling her?
Both combatants took their place on the elevated arena. Retsu floated gracefully into the air, her robes fluttering like moonlight.
"Let's take this to the skies." she said gently. Yuanba nodded and spread his black wings, flapping into the air after her.
From the officiating platform, Ling Wugou's voice echoed through the arena.
"Are both contestants ready?"
Both nodded. But in that split second, Yuanba's expression shifted—from timid to intensely serious.
From the spectator stands, Xia Qingyue watched the battle unfold with quiet anxiety. Her gaze was fixed on her younger brother, Xia Yuanba, now golden-haired and burning with the Super Saiyan aura.
He was fighting her opponent from yesterday—the woman who had dismantled her Frozen Cloud Domain with frightening grace: Unohana Retsu.
Her fingers clenched unconsciously.
Yuanba… please be careful.
Just then, a soft, reassuring hand touched her shoulder.
"Don't worry," said Little Fairy gently, her voice calm and steady. "She won't go overboard. She knows he's your brother."
Qingyue turned, meeting the ice fairy's gaze. Despite their once-distant relationship, a strange warmth bloomed in Qingyue's heart.
She nodded slowly.
A few seats away, Chu Yueli blinked in confusion as she watched the exchange, her brows rising. Sitting primly on her lap was Nezuko, snuggled up like a warm little teddy bear, silently observing the battle with her round, curious eyes.
But Chu Yueli wasn't focused on the fight anymore.
Since when Nee-san get so close with Qingyue…? she thought, utterly baffled.
Wasn't Qingyue the one who used to avoid everyone in Frozen Cloud Asgard? Yet here she was—shoulder to shoulder with Little Fairy, sharing quiet concern like sisters-in-arms.
Did something happen yesterday?
Meanwhile, Nezuko tilted her head, her small hand reaching up and booping Chu Yueli's cheek softly as if to comfort her confusion.
"Begin!"
"Take your time." Retsu's gentle words drifted down like snowflakes.
"HAAAA!!!"
Yuanba erupted in golden light. His hair burst upward in sharp, gleaming spikes, his pupils turned turquoise, and an explosive aura surged around him like a tidal wave. His Super Saiyan transformation was now smooth, instantaneous—just like Yun Che had taught him.
From her place in the air, Retsu smiled behind her veil. Her eyes gleamed—not with malice, but with excitement.
"Here I come, Aneki!!"
Yuanba charged, a golden blur slicing through the air. His Super Saiyan aura flared with each movement as he unleashed a barrage of high-speed strikes that would have overwhelmed most Sky Profound cultivators.
But Retsu simply smiled beneath her veil.
Sway. Pivot. Glide.
Her body moved like a leaf in the wind—each of Yuanba's punches and kicks missing by a hair's breadth.
"Ufufu~ You don't have to hold back against me, you know." Her voice was calm, almost playful.
Before Yuanba could reset, she pirouetted with unearthly grace and—thump!—planted a light kick to his abdomen. It wasn't brutal, but it sent his massive body reeling backward mid-air.
Flash.
She teleported behind him instantly.
Flash!
Yuanba gritted his teeth and teleported behind her in return—matching her movement. But just as he launched his fist forward, Retsu raised her slender hand—and caught his punch effortlessly.
"Ufuuu~ Nice one?"
With a mischievous flick of her wrist, she redirected his force and added a burst of energy, blasting Yuanba across the arena sky like a meteor.
BOOM!
He spiraled, flipped once mid-air, and regained control just before he crashed.
"Aneki, you're way too strong for me!!" Yuanba shouted, half-laughing and half-defeated, golden hair whipping around his face as he tried to recompose himself.
The entire arena fell into stunned silence.
This was the same Xia Yuanba who went toe-to-toe with Yun Che just a day ago. Yet here, in front of Unohana Retsu, he looked like a toddler swinging at the moon.
Even high elders and seasoned cultivators leaned forward, eyes wide.
"Impossible… He was pressuring Yun Che yesterday…"
"And now he's getting—tossed around—like a rag doll!?"
One profound practitioner muttered, "...Is she even trying?"
Retsu hovered in the air, serene and unruffled, her kimono fluttering like a banner of calm in the storm.
On the stage, Xia Yuanba calmed his breathing. His golden aura rippled as he planted his feet firmly on the ground. Energy churned in his palms.
"Galick Gun…"
He thrust his hands to his side—fingers spread, Ki compressed into a spiraling violet sphere. Unlike yesterday's overwhelming full-power version, this one was compact—swift, efficient. A quick charge. Perfect for battle use.
The beam roared forward like a thunderbolt, crackling with concentrated Ki. The shockwave stirred dust and loose tiles across the Sword Discourse Arena.
In the sky, Unohana Retsu simply smiled under her veil.
"Ara… Yuu-kun didn't teach me the Kamehameha yet." Her voice was playful—but her eyes narrowed, reading the energy signature in an instant.
As the beam approached, her palm extended. A soft hum filled the air as her hand shimmered—not just with Spirit Energy, but something far more advanced.
Spirit Ki.
It wasn't just energy anymore—it was an evolved, seamless fusion of her Reiatsu, Haki, and spiritual essence. The invisible armor of Haki that once drained from a separate gauge was now fully integrated into her internal Spirit Ki system. No longer would she burn out trying to maintain elemental shaping, weapon bending, or aura manipulation.
Her MP gauge had surged by 40,000 units overnight.
Now, the moment the beam hit her hand—
She grabbed it.
Gasps erupted across the arena. Elders, disciples, even the usually composed Ling Yuefeng stood up in disbelief.
"She caught it?! That's not possible!"
"That's pure energy! It should've burned through anything!"
But Retsu held the twisting beam like it was silk ribbon. Her Spirit Ki flared across her arm as the beam arced upward—redirected into the sky with a light flick.
A bright explosion painted the morning clouds violet.
Retsu exhaled softly, still floating, hand outstretched.
"Ufuu… this Spirit Ki is something else," she mused, admiring the afterglow dancing across her fingers. "Yuu-kun will be so proud."
Below, Yuanba stared slack-jawed, his golden aura flickering in disbelief.
"Aneki... seriously?!"
"Ufufu… I owe Yuu-kun for teaching me last night. And the system, of course," Retsu giggled behind her veil. She hid the last part with a sweet smile—instant mastery was too broken to mention out loud.
Floating in midair, her tone turned more earnest.
"Well then, come at me with everything you've got. Let me shoulder the full weight of your power."
Yuanba's face turned resolute. "Aneki! I'm coming at you with my full power!"
With a roar, he drew the Hope Sword, its radiant light crackling with his overflowing Super Saiyan Ki. His golden aura erupted like a burning sun as he charged it to the limit—the sky trembled under the pressure.
BOOM!
He launched himself forward, slashing down with a titanic overhead strike—a move strong enough to split boulders and shatter barriers.
CLANG!!
The moment froze.
Yuanba's eyes widened in utter disbelief.
His full-powered sword strike… had been stopped. Cleanly. With two fingers.
Unohana Retsu stood gracefully, her veil fluttering from the impact, but her body unmoved. Two fingers—thumb and index—pressed against either side of his blade.
Gasps rippled through the crowd.
"She stopped that with her fingers?!"
Retsu's expression was calm, kind. "You've grown, Yuanba-san."
And with that, her fingers flicked slightly outward.
CRACK—
Her other leg came up—a single, well-placed, restrained kick to his back. The blow sent Yuanba crashing down like a meteor.
BOOM!
He smashed into the arena floor, creating a shallow crater. Debris scattered in all directions as dust clouds billowed.
"Yuanba!" Mai shouted from the seating zone, holding up a potion with trembling hands.
Retsu gently floated down and knelt beside him. "Ara… I'm sorry. Are you okay?"
Covered in dust, hair ruffled, Yuanba groaned. "Yes… kind of…" He sat up with a dazed smile. His Super Saiyan form flickered out, and he let out a breath.
"You win, Aneki. I can't beat you at all… but that was awesome."
He stood up on his own, storing his sword.
"Match over!"
Ling Wugou's voice echoed throughout the Sword Discourse Arena.
"Xia Yuanba has conceded! Winner and third place: Unohana Retsu!Fourth place: Xia Yuanba!"
The crowd erupted in applause—not just for Retsu's overwhelming strength, but for Yuanba's courage and spirit. He may have lost, but he had earned the respect from all.
Ling Yun gritted his teeth, jealousy simmering as he watched Xia Yuanba walk beside Unohana Retsu, basking in her serene presence. The two descended gracefully from the skies, the battlefield behind them, the roar of the crowd still echoing in their wake. Retsu's soft smile as she walked with Yuanba only deepened the knife in Ling Yun's pride.
That should've been me.
Cang Wanhe let out a long, quiet breath of relief.
His daughter had secured fifth place. Unohana Retsu, her close companion, had claimed third. And then there was Xia Yuanba—raw, unpredictable, yet undeniably powerful—seizing fourth place after a fierce battle with her.
Sort of.
To most, even breaking into the top hundred in the Ranking Tournament was a mark of honor. But top five?
Unprecedented.
A glimmer of pride lit his eyes. Who would have thought that the ragtag group recruited from New Moon Profound Palace—a place once overlooked, dismissed—would rise to such heights?
From behind him, Qin Wushang and Dongfang Xiu wore matching expressions of pride and satisfaction, their usually composed faces now subtly smug. Their gamble had paid off. Their star disciple, Xia Yuanba, had not only stood shoulder-to-shoulder with the mightiest, but outpaced them.
The ripple effect was undeniable.
Blue Wind Profound Palace—once a middling sect in the eyes of the elite—had ascended into the top three sects of the empire.
They had even surpassed Heavenly Sword Villa, now languishing in fourth place, its prestige dented. As for Xiao Sect and the Burning Heaven Clan?
They weren't even worth mentioning anymore. Irrelevant.
For the first time in the long and storied history of the Blue Wind Imperial Family, their palace stood shoulder to shoulder with giants. And for the first time...
They were no longer looked down upon.
They were leading.
Retsu, veiled and graceful as ever, paused near the edge of the royal seating zone. Yuanba gave her a grateful look before heading toward Mai. Eager to treated by her.
Maybe getting hurt might be a good reason to get her attention.
Just as Retsu turned to follow, a too-familiar, irritating voice pierced the air like a screech across glass.
"Goddess Unohana!"
Retsu halted mid-step, the soft elegance in her aura chilling instantly.
She slowly turned, her eyes narrowing behind the veil.
Ling Yun stood just a few paces away, flushed with confidence, holding up a small ornate vial glowing faintly pink. Some kind of potion—thick, swirling with glimmering energy. His posture was stiff with forced bravado, his voice louder than necessary as dozens of eyes landed on him.
Even Ling Jie shouted encouragement from the stands: "Big bro! You got this!"
She detected something odd with that potion. Retsu's voice dropped cold and sharp.
"What do you want?"
Ling Yun stepped forward with a flourish, presenting the vial like a sacred offering.
"A gift… for the most radiant woman I've ever seen." He smiled, clearly rehearsed. "This elixir was refined by my clan's elder alchemist. One sip can raise a cultivator's power tenfold."
The surrounding spectators murmured in surprise. A few gasps. Some skeptical. Others amused.
But Retsu remained utterly unmoved.
Her eyes didn't even flicker toward the elixir.
===============
[Ding…]
[Eternal Love Potion Detected.]
[Discard immediately.]
================
"Arara?" Retsu tilted her head slightly, her soft voice drifting through the air like silk.
Ling Yun's heart skipped. She was walking toward him. Was she intrigued? Was this finally his moment?
He straightened his posture, smiling smugly as whispers rippled through the crowd.
But his hope shattered the moment she raised her hand.
FWOOM.
A shimmering spiritual blue cube barrier formed instantly around the glowing pink elixir in his palm. For a heartbeat, the bottle floated—suspended like a condemned soul.
Then—
SSSSSSSHHHH!
It vaporized in a blinding burst of light and heat inside the cubic barrier, leaving only a trace of smoke and ash.
Gasps erupted from the audience. Even Ling Jie's jaw dropped.
Retsu's tone turned razor-sharp beneath her veil.
"Trying to control me? How bold… Are you seeking death?"
The temperature around her dropped as her Spirit Ki flared—calm and refined, yet filled with chilling menace. Her eyes bore into Ling Yun like frozen daggers.
"That potion—" she said coldly, "—was designed to enslave righteous women. A forbidden charm masked as a gift. You would dare offer me something so foul?"
Ling Yun paled. He stammered, mouth dry.
"I-I... It was a gift—I didn't know—I just—"
The crowd wasn't buying it. Their murmur grew darker, full of judgment, and even a few scoffs of contempt echoed.
Retsu took a single step forward. That was all it took.
"Leave," she said, voice low and absolute. "Before your fate becomes the same as that bottle of filth."
Her words struck harder than a slap.
Ling Yun stood there, humiliated, his trembling hand still hovering where the potion once was. Publicly rejected. His so-called final plan disintegrated before the very woman he tried to impress.
Retsu turned her back without hesitation, stepping calmly into the royal seating zone as if nothing had happened. Her grace, unshaken.
Ling Yun lowered his arm slowly, face flushed with shame and fury.
He had lost the battle. And now… he'd lost the last shred of dignity he clung to.
---------------------------------
"Trying to use Eternal Love Potion on me… What does he think I am? A cheap woman?" Retsu huffed, her voice tinged with scorn as she removed her veiled hat and gracefully let her braided hair down.
Beside her, Mai had already begun tending to Yuanba's injuries. Despite how quickly it had ended, Retsu didn't regret the fight—it had been entertaining, if nothing else.
"Third place, huh? Not bad, Ret-chan," Mio said with a sly grin, lazily fanning herself while lounging elegantly.
"Ehee~ Third place... Little Yue must be proud." Retsu's lips curled into a soft smile at the thought. Just then, a familiar presence approached.
"Ara… Nemu-chan?" Retsu turned as the ever-diligent Nemu walked up, her expression calm but with a glint of excitement in her eyes.
"Nee-sama. Yue-nee-sama. I've finished preparing your gifts."
With a small flourish, she unveiled what she had been carrying — a breathtaking pair of wings that instantly drew everyone's attention. Even Xue Ling, Lin Yueru, and Jin Mulan, seated nearby, turned their gazes in awe.
The wings shimmered with transcendent beauty. Each wing extended in a graceful arc, their structure reminiscent of both angelic feathers and crystalline aquatic fins. Shades of sky blue, aqua, and deep ocean danced fluidly across their surfaces, sparkling with ethereal energy. Sleek silver and black inlays traced elegant curves along the frame, giving them the appearance of both artistry and artifact. At their joint, a mystical core pulsed softly — a mechanism that seemed both magical and mechanical, tying the wings together as one.
"They're… stunning," Xue Ling breathed.
"Such beautiful wings!" Lin Yueru echoed, captivated.
"What do they do?" Jin Mulan asked, her eyes fixed on the luminescent pair.
Nemu's lips curved ever so slightly. "They allow the wearer to fly freely without requiring Sky Profound Realm cultivation. They use a unique conversion system that draws minimal energy, making sustained flight possible for even Earth Profound experts."
"They're called Wings of Merciful, Wrathful Waters," Nemu explained reverently, her fingers grazing the wings like she was handling sacred art.
"They're wings that allow flight regardless of cultivation realm… You don't need to be in the Sky Profound Realm. And they use significantly less energy compared to normal flight."
Yuanba, already half-recovered thanks to Mai, chimed in. "Yeah. I use the Wings of First Flight. They're more graceful. Flying is easy with it."
The three women blinked in surprise, exchanging glances.
"Artificial wings that allow flight… even below Sky Profound Realm?" Jin Mulan murmured. "That's practically a divine artifact…"
"I've prepared this for you, Nee-sama…" Nemu said softly, her cheeks tinged with a gentle blush. In her hands were the majestic wings she had unveiled moments earlier — but now, she leaned closer to reveal a more personal truth.
"These wings… they're attuned to your nature. They respond to your Ki," Nemu explained, showing a carefully inscribed schematic etched in glowing ink. "If you channel your Reiryoku into fire, they'll shift into a deep ruby red. If you use water, they'll transform into sapphire blue. But in their resting state… they'll always shine platinum silver, like your spirit."
Retsu's eyes widened in awe. The beauty of the wings alone was staggering — but now knowing they were personally attuned to her elemental nature, made by Nemu's own hands… it was overwhelming.
She stepped forward and embraced Nemu without hesitation. Her arms wrapped around her precious little sister with deep affection.
"It's beautiful, Nemu… absolutely beautiful," Retsu whispered warmly. "Winning was worth it… just to receive something so thoughtful from my little sister."
Nemu blinked, stunned for a heartbeat — then smiled, her cheeks flushed with pride. "It's for Nee-chan after all."
Retsu suddenly paused.
"…Eh?" her ears twitched. "Say that again!"
Nemu tilted her head with the smallest of smirks and repeated, softly: "Nee-chan."
"Kyaa~!" Retsu's body jolted with a squeal of joy, practically glowing. Her expression, rarely so open, lit up with pure happiness. It was as if her heart had just been pierced by a sweet arrow of familial love. That was it — she was never letting Nemu go for the rest of the day.
Nemu was pulled into another tight hug as Retsu twirled her around slightly, completely ignoring the stares of everyone nearby. The crowd might've been watching the aftermath of a major battle, but in that moment, all Retsu cared about was her sister — the one who called her Nee-chan at last.
"Ehem… you do realize she has something for me as well." Cang Yue pouted.
Retsu let her beloved sister go and pouted. "Muu... I'll let you borrow her a bit."
Nemu gave a small bow before turning her eyes toward Cang Yue, who had been calmly sipping tea beside Mio.
"Yue-nee-sama," Nemu began, her voice formal yet warm. "In recognition of placing fifth in the Ranking Tournament. As promised, I have crafted these for you."
She pulls out a pair of wings from her inventory with a soft click, revealing a breathtaking pair of wings—the Wings of Descension.
Gasps escaped from several onlookers.
The wings shimmered with an otherworldly radiance. Midnight black feathers with deep navy hues fanned outward, gradually fading into ethereal blues at the tips, speckled like a sky full of stars. Intricate glowing runes and icy-cyan patterns lined the surface of the feathers, while a mystical sigil pulsed at the center—like a beating heart of light and magic.
"These… are for me?" Cang Yue blinked in surprise, clearly taken aback by the elegance and aura of reverence the wings carried.
"They are attuned to your spirit," Nemu explained. "Graceful yet commanding. Quiet, but noble. Just like you. You've earned them."
Cang Yue hugs Nemu and gave a deep, heartfelt bow. "Thank you… I will treasure them."
As the Wings of Descension unfolded behind her and fused with her spirit energy, a gust of soft wind swept through the arena stands—cool, noble, and awe-inspiring.
In that moment, no one saw Cang Yue as merely a noblewoman or the emperor's daughter.
They saw her as the future empress she was always meant to be.
Nemu turned towards Mio.
"Mio-neesama," she said, her voice slightly hushed but filled with pride. "I made these for you as promised."
She opened and pulled another set of wings. "This is the Wings of the Ethereal Monarch."
The onlookers were stunned as the seating zone caught its breath.
Inside lay the Wings of the Ethereal Monarch—a masterwork of both aesthetic and arcane craft. Softly glowing like starlight, the wings were mesmerizing, radiating both whimsical charm and imperial grace.
Mio blinked in surprise, then slowly smiled. "Ara… these are quite fancy. Did you craft them based on a butterfly, Nemu-chan?"
Nemu nodded. "Yes. Because Mio-neesama is graceful, unpredictable, and beautiful... like a monarch butterfly in full bloom. But also… very dangerous when provoked."
Everyone in Yun Che's flock chuckled at the spot-on description.
Retsu leaned over and whispered, "They suit you perfectly."
Mio gingerly lifted the wings and felt them respond to her touch—soft energy curling around her fingers, the wings subtly fluttering as if they recognized their new mistress.
"They're enchanting," Mio murmured, eyes gleaming.
"And enchanted," Nemu added. "They grant silent flight, and their energy dispersal system makes you harder to track midair."
Mio turned and smiled at her. He pulls the girl into a bear hug. "You're really spoiling me now, Nemu-chan. I love it."
Retsu grinned. "Better watch out—now she'll be even harder to catch."
The entire seating zone couldn't help but admire the sheer artistry, while Mio gracefully attached the wings, letting them unfold in a soft pulse of light. Like a celestial queen taking flight, she stood among them with effortless poise, her new wings gently fluttering behind her.
Xue Ling, Lin Yueru and Jin Mulan could only sigh in envy. They didn't know the girl well enough to be given such valuable gifts, especially Lin Yueru as she too wanted to experience flight.
As the joyful air still lingered around Retsu and Mio admiring their newly gifted wings, Nemu turned her attention to another group who had quietly supported from the background—Cang Yue's imperial protectors: Xue Ling, Lin Yueru, and Jin Mulan.
With calm, deliberate steps, Nemu approached the trio—Xue Ling, Lin Yueru, and Jin Mulan—her violet eyes glinting with sincerity and quiet resolve.
"Elder sisters," Nemu began softly, her voice clear despite its gentle tone. "You have stood by Yue-neesama not merely as protectors, but as her family… as sisters-in-arms. That loyalty deserves recognition." She paused, turning her gaze briefly to Jin Mulan. "Even if your time at her side has been short, Mulan-sama, the fact that Yue-neesama entrusted you with her back… is more than enough for me to do the same."
The three women blinked—clearly touched and a bit surprised by the unexpected gesture.
From her inventory, Nemu drew out three elegantly wrapped bundles, each tied with delicate silver cords and bearing name tags penned in her meticulous calligraphy. With a graceful flick of her fingers, she unraveled the wraps, revealing what lay within:
A trio of radiant, matching wings, crafted with exquisite care.
"These are called the Wings of Companionship," Nemu explained, her tone light but proud. "They aren't meant to dazzle… but they are light, durable, and attuned not to power—but to purpose. Forged to respond to loyalty, unity, and shared spirit."
The wings themselves were breathtaking—dominating the eye with a bold, celestial design.
Dark gradients of deep blue, twilight purple, and obsidian black formed the structure, textured with subtle curves and contours that caught the light like rippling silk.
Specks of soft white and pale blue shimmered across their surface like stars scattered across a night sky. Along the lower edges, gem-like beads and polished filigree danced in the ambient glow, giving them a regal, near-mythical allure.
"They grant flight, just like Yue-neesama's," Nemu added, "but more than that… they serve as a bond. A sign for those who walk beside someone—not for glory, but for faith and devotion."
The three women exchanged glances. Silence lingered for a moment—not from hesitation, but from the weight of emotion.
"…Thank you," Jin Mulan said quietly, her voice steady yet deeply respectful.
"To be recognized by Retsu's sister… it's truly an honor," Lin Yueru added, her expression unusually tender as she carefully fastened her wings to her back.
Xue Ling, ever composed, simply bowed. "We'll wear them with pride. And protect her until the end."
Watching from nearby, Cang Yue's expression softened, her eyes misted with quiet pride. Before she could say anything, Retsu leaned in and nudged her playfully.
"Looks like your family's growing more radiant every day," she whispered with a warm smile.
Cang Yue chuckled softly, brushing a lock of hair behind her ear. "With sisters like them… how could I not shine?"
At the edge of the gathering, Mai and her younger sister Mei stood quietly, watching the radiant displays of winged gifts with wide, awestruck eyes. They didn't say anything—only observed with quiet reverence, the kind born of those who had never dared to dream such things for themselves.
Then, to their surprise, Cang Yue and Retsu approached them—graceful, smiling, and holding two sets of wings.
"These are for you two," Cang Yue said softly, kneeling slightly to meet Mei's gaze. "They were our first… our Wings of First Flight."
Retsu nodded, her expression unusually tender. "Wings of First Flight. The very ones we wore before earning the ones we have now. They're not as refined or majestic… but they're special. They represent the first step toward the skies."
Carefully, they unwrapped a pair of sleek, modest wings, similar in shape and design to Yuanba's—simple yet elegant, humming faintly with profound energy. Though less ornate than the others, they held an unmistakable weight of meaning, a legacy passed from hand to hand.
"These wings will allow you to fly… even before reaching the Sky Profound Realm," Cang Yue added gently. "You don't have to use them now. Just keep them close—for the day you need to rise."
Mai's lips trembled as she accepted the gift. Her hands shook slightly, overwhelmed by the gesture. These weren't just tools—they were symbols of trust, of inclusion, of recognition. Of a journey she had never expected to be part of.
She blinked rapidly, trying to keep her emotions in check, but a tear slipped down her cheek. "…You gave me purpose. Taught me recipes… gave me friends. And now… this."
Mei clutched the wings to her chest, beaming with childlike joy.
In that moment, the two sisters stood beneath the light of recognition—not as background figures, but as part of something larger. A circle of strength, loyalty, and kinship.
And with these wings… she was ready to soar.
"But, Nemu-chan…" Retsu tilted her head. "You gave everyone wings… but you don't have a pair for yourself."
Nemu paused, her hands folding neatly before her as she replied with calm grace, "I do have wings, Nee-sama. But I'm preparing something special—for myself and for Yuu-sama. It's still under development."
She offered a subtle smile, that serene stoicism ever-present.
Retsu narrowed her eyes, sulking. "Mou… but earlier, you called me Nee-chan. Now you're back to being formal again."
Nemu's gaze softened as she leaned in and whispered just loud enough for Retsu to hear, "I'll say it again… but only in private. Nee-chan."
The word, so gently spoken, struck Retsu's heart like a soft arrow. Her eyes sparkled, and in an instant, she lunged forward and enveloped Nemu in a fierce, loving hug.
"Mou~!! You're too precious, Nemu-chan! I'm never letting go!"
Nemu didn't resist. She simply allowed herself to be held, her arms quietly returning the embrace. In a moment filled with warmth and unspoken affection, the stoic little sister melted briefly into the arms of her elder—her Nee-chan.
=====================
[Grand Finals]
[Frozen Cloud Asgard Xia Qingyue ------versus---------- Blue Wind Imperial Family Yun Che]
=====================
"…The final battle of the Ranking Tournament: Blue Wind Imperial Family's Yun Che, versus Frozen Cloud Asgard's Xia Qingyue. May both contestants ascend the Sword Discourse Arena!"
The crowd erupted into cheers, the excitement nearly deafening. Yet, amidst the growing anticipation, a noticeable tension lingered—because one of the finalists had yet to appear.
"Where is he, anyway?" Cang Yue asked, brows gently furrowed as she scanned the sky.
"We left early this morning after breakfast," Mio answered, elegantly fanning herself. "He said he needed to prepare something special."
Retsu let out a soft sigh as she sat beside Nemu, arms crossed in amusement. "It's Yuu-kun. He's probably staging some ridiculous entrance."
Nearby, Mai leaned toward Yuanba, who was still nursing the aftermath of his bout. "Yuanba," she asked gently, "who do you hope wins? Your sister… or your Aniki?"
"Eh…" Xia Yuanba froze, scratching the back of his head, clearly flustered. "If Aniki wins, I'll be happy. If Big Sis wins, I'll also be happy…"
He paused, his expression suddenly lighting up. "Actually, it's kinda cool. I couldn't beat him, and Aneki beat me, and now big sister and Aniki fighting for first place."
Mai tilted her head. "Still, if you had to choose?"
"…I think I'd want Aniki to win," he admitted sheepishly.
"Oh? Why?" she asked, teasingly.
"Well… Big Sis is a girl, y'know. And also his wife. It feels more… natural if he wins?" Yuanba's reasoning was as awkward as it was sincere.
Mai giggled. "So you're saying he has husband powers now? He did mop the floor with you yesterday."
"Ughh…" Yuanba groaned, rubbing his neck, flustered. Even though he'd lost, Mai's teasing made it hard to sulk.
Meanwhile, Xia Qingyue had already ascended the stage, flanked gracefully by Little Fairy and Chu Yueli. As her feet touched the platform, a gust of cold surged outward, encrusting the arena floor in a crystalline frost. It wasn't merely a technique—no, the arena itself seemed to resonate with her presence, as if acknowledging the queen of ice.
Standing there alone, her robes gently swaying with the breeze, Qingyue's gaze settled on the opposite side of the stage—the spot meant for her final opponent. Her eyes, clear as moonlight, betrayed a quiet intensity.
This was the moment.
The person she'd spent two long years preparing to face.
The one she had to surpass—not just for the sake of strength, but to honor her vow… and to continue her search for her mother.
The crowd buzzed with hushed conversation.
"Where is he?"
"He wouldn't back out, would he?"
"He's up against a Peak Sky Profound Realm… He'd be crushed."
But they knew better. This was the man who had shattered Ling Yun. The man who broke Sky Profound weapons with raw force.
Yun Che might only be in the True Profound Realm—but after everything they'd seen, no one could predict what he might do next.
Just as Ling Wugou raised his voice, preparing to formally address Yun Che's absence—
"Since the finalist has failed to appear, by tournament law—"
A sudden tremor rippled through the air.
And then… silence.
It lasted less than a heartbeat.
BOOM.
An invisible wave of pressure exploded across the arena like a tidal shock, silencing Ling Wugou mid-sentence. Every spectator felt it—an overwhelming, crushing weight that pressed on their chests, making it hard to breathe.
The ground rumbled.
Then came the cracking sound—every shard of ice across the Sword Discourse Arena fractured, shattered, then disintegrated into stardust under the sheer weight of the energy flooding the space.
Xia Qingyue's breath caught. Her eyes widened in pure disbelief.
This… this pressure…
Her heart pounded with déjà vu. She had felt this once before—on the day that changed everything. On the wedding stage. The pressure. The chasm of destruction.
Beside her, Chu Yueli turned pale, her knees buckling slightly.
Little Fairy, usually composed, instinctively took a step back.
That aura… No. That presence—
It wasn't just profound energy. It wasn't simply cultivation.
It was will.
Dominating. Sovereign. Untamed.
From the stands, cultivators began to grimace. Some clutched their heads, while others dropped to one knee. It was powerful, but not enough to knock them out.
Even peak Sky Profound experts looked around in confusion and awe.
"What… what is this?"
"This doesn't feel human—"
Then, the silence cracked.
Step.
A footstep echoed—soft, yet it thundered across the arena like a drumbeat in a storm.
The icy fragments that once adorned the platform were now nothing but dust. And out from the mist and pressure… he emerged.
Yun Che.
Casually striding into view, his head slightly lowered, unruly bangs veiling his eyes. The heavy, pressurized aura surrounding him pulsed with quiet fury, every step he took distorting the air like heat rising from a forge.
He was clad not in the garments of a sect, nor in the colors of nobility—but in the solemn, otherworldly uniform of a Shinigami.
The Shihakushō.
A white shitagi beneath a flowing black kosode, tied at the waist by a white hakama-himo. His hakama shifted with every step, and at his feet, white tabi and waraji met the cold arena floor in measured rhythm. But what drew every eye—what froze every breath—was the pristine white haori draped across his shoulders. It billowed behind him like the wings of a reaper, etched with the Gotei 13 insignia, and beneath it, the newly inscribed number:
10.
The mark of his current unlocked Division.
His very presence warped the space around him. Like a moon controlling the tides, he bent the will of the air, the earth, and even spirit itself.
Xia Qingyue's eyes widened in stunned recognition.
That outfit… That aura… It's the same…
The same as during the wedding. The day he revealed his true nature—not just as Yun Che, but as something more. Something beyond this realm.
And now… he bore not the Khyber-shaped greatsword he once wielded, but twin katanas—sleek, elegant, deadly. Resting calmly at his waist, they awaited the storm to come.
As he advanced, every step closer tightened the air, drawing gasps and stunned silence from the crowd.
He didn't need to speak. His arrival alone declared everything.
"Mouu… He came in with pressure and walked in silence. And in our formal uniform too," Retsu mused with a smirk, her eyes following the slow, commanding approach of Yun Che. "He really knows how to make an entrance. Ufufu… That's our Yuu-kun."
Cang Yue nodded silently. The sheer weight of his aura… it wasn't Haki, nor spiritual coercion in the traditional sense—it was something else entirely. Yet it pressed down like a divine decree, enough to make even Sky Profound Realm experts feel smaller by comparison.
"Sigh… Danna-sama really does love the theatrics," Mio added, gently fanning herself as if to keep the atmosphere from weighing on her too heavily. Beside her, Nemu calmly adjusted her glasses, her expression blank as she scribbled down notes in her ever-expanding journal. "Phenomenon… localized pressure. Suppression range confirmed. Aura source… stable."
Meanwhile, in the seating zone reserved for Cang Yue's protectors, Xue Ling, Lin Yueru, and Jin Mulan couldn't hide their astonishment. Their eyes were wide, their postures subtly stiff. This wasn't like any Yun Che they had ever encountered.
"…That pressure… it doesn't even feel like him…" Lin Yueru murmured.
"…It's not spiritual power. It's not profound strength either…" Xue Ling whispered.
"…Then what is it?" Jin Mulan muttered, swallowing as her heart pounded.
And yet—despite the crushing force—two young girls sat calmly.
Mai blinked in curiosity. Mei tilted her head, more amused than concerned. The pressure didn't affect them at all.
"Strange…" Mai whispered. "It's like it skips people like us."
Nezuko, not far behind, giggled playfully on Gong Yuxian's lap as she watched Yun Che make his way forward.
The matriarch of Frozen Cloud Asgard herself abruptly stood up while cradling Nezuko. Her usually serene expression was overtaken by disbelief.
This… This pressure… He's never released this before…
Even Yun Che's golden-haired transformation from before felt like a candlelight compared to this overwhelming, oppressive force. Her five fellow Frozen Cloud Fairies, elite among the elite, stared in open shock.
"What kind of pressure is this?!" Feng Hanxue exclaimed as her sister held her for support. Murong Qianxue stared with wide eyes alongside, Jun Lianqie and Mu Lanyi.
No words could do justice to what they were feeling. Only Nezuko among them kept smiling.
And still, Yun Che walked.
With every step, the ground beneath him quivered as if recognizing a monarch's path.
The Sword Discourse Arena was no longer a battleground. It had become his domain.
"Sorry. Bit late," Yun Che said casually, flashing a small, lopsided smile as he reached the center of the arena. With that, the suffocating pressure that had blanketed the entire Sword Discourse Arena evaporated, and his flaring garments settled around him, returning to their still, formal drape.
The crowd erupted into hushed murmurs, shaken by the heavy pressure from moments ago—some in awe, others still catching their breath. It wasn't just his arrival, but the raw dominance that had turned the entire stage to dust before he even said a word.
"I took a nap and didn't realize the time," Yun Che added with a carefree grin, as if he hadn't just shaken the nerves of half the sect leaders present.
Xia Qingyue stood across from him, her gaze sharp and steady. She said nothing, but her eyes—clear as crystalized frost—narrowed slightly. He's choosing to fight me in that form… that black-clad form…
The same one he wore at the wedding.
The one that brought both chaos… and truth.
Above, hovering at the arena's edge, Little Fairy sighed inwardly. You really do like making an entrance, don't you? she mused silently.
Pffff… You know me so well, Yun Che's voice echoed lightly back into her thoughts, teasing.
Just don't go overboard, she warned, her mental tone cool but firm. Unless you plan to injure your own wife on purpose.
That final word hit with a twinge of something she didn't voice—something unspoken. Jealousy, perhaps. Or longing.
Uhh. I guess… you knew, Yun Che glanced aside, the playfulness in his voice now laced with guilt.
Yes, Little Fairy's reply came with an eerie smile. And we're going to have a talk about this… later.
"Yes, mum," Yun Che muttered like a soldier resigning to his fate.
Little Fairy exchanged a glance with Chu Yueli and gave a faint nod. Without a word, the two leapt into the air and retreated to the observation stands, leaving only two figures on the arena.
Yun Che and Xia Qingyue.
Husband and wife.
Two years of destiny, training, heartbreak, and silence—all coming to a head on this one final stage.
Under the gazes of several thousands of people, Yun Che stood at the center of the Sword Discourse Arena, and opposing Xia Qingyue.
A cold wind stirred on the stage, but it wasn't what chilled Yun Che.
Standing across from him was Xia Qingyue—veiled in ice, her features hidden beneath a gossamer frost veil. Even from this close, he could not see her face, yet he could feel the sharp, unspoken weight in her gaze. Silent, poised, and distant… just like the day they had first met as husband and wife.
Few in the arena truly understood the truth: that the man and woman facing off before them—on the grandest stage of the Empire—were not merely rivals. They were husband and wife.
A truth buried beneath titles, silence, and time.
Their minds wandered, back to a different day. The day of their wedding.
She, the daughter of Blue Wind City's heavens, blessed with innate talent and bearing the glory of Frozen Cloud Asgard. He, a crippled youth thought to be trash, scorned and dismissed by the world before they were married.
The gulf between them then was vast—one carved by birth, talent, and fate itself. Their marriage was a farce to the outside world. And yet, on that day, he had shocked her. Not just with his power…not by his ultimate awakening, but with the way he looked at her. Not with desire, but with disdain. Disillusionment. Like someone throwing away a chain he'd been forced to wear.
Something he once meant, he is not the man she supposed to marry. So, the promise that binds them together was voided at that time.
That day, Yun Che had handed her the marriage certificate and his wedding gift… and eventually left.
At the time, she had thought him arrogant. Foolish. But the seed of doubt—and curiosity—had been planted. As he despised a sacred bond on a promise.
And now, two years later, here they were again. Not as strangers joined by arrangement, but as individuals sculpted by battle, choice, and fate. And the one standing before her now… he was no longer that bitter youth.
He had become a giant. A storm. A presence that forced even the heavens to acknowledge him. In two short years, he had risen from the mud and soared past even the highest stars. The power she now sensed from him was vast, deep, and immeasurable… an ocean hiding beneath still waters.
Meanwhile, she had walked her own path—pursuing strength through seclusion, through icy discipline. Frozen Cloud Asgard had made her into something pristine, something untouchable. Revered, envied… but caged.
While she remained locked within discipline and tradition, he had lived freely. Fought. Bled. Transformed. And though she stood high now, at a level her past self could never imagine… he stood even higher.
He is… unreachable.
That realization stung.
This wasn't just a final match.
It was a convergence.
A twist in fate's long thread—where a forsaken marriage, once tossed aside, had come full circle at the summit of the empire's martial world.
Two people who never should've crossed paths again.
Yet here they stood.
Alone.
Together.
As final opponents.
A promise fulfilled.
At the summit of the Empire.