Then—

FrostyLily Dream didn’t keep condensing ice Primordial Source; she breathed her own Primordial Source out like drifting frost, letting it seep into this half-ruined plane and drink its last light.

Not right—unease rose like a dark tide before thought. As it merged, it also kept drawing the plane’s remaining energy, like roots sucking dry a cracked riverbed.

So that’s it. A cool realization slid in like moonlight: since this plane will be destroyed anyway, she’ll use what’s left as fuel, to fatten the power of her final strike.

Ice Origin · Null Spirit.

The temperature plunged to an unthinkable abyss, winter knifing straight into marrow; even I felt a bite like iron snow. I glanced back, and the air turned to misted glass.

Across the whole plane—no longer just nearby—the hazy air gleamed with a numberless drift of sword-shaped ice slivers, a swarm of cold blades born of ice Primordial Source.

Sword Intent? I furrowed my brow; emotion swelled first like storm surf. She’d steeped her Sword Intent with her Primordial Source into the air, dye soaking silk, then forced the plane to change.

In short, everything in this plane was hostile to me now; even the air buzzed like a field of invisible knives.

Don’t tell me—an ill premonition rose like smoke. A heartbeat later, countless sword-shaped ice slivers detonated together, like stars that refused to hold their light.

A chain reaction spread like wildfire through dry reeds; every thing in the plane turned to ice-aspected matter, then burst in sheets upon sheets of blue ruin.

Is she trying to blow the entire plane? Honestly, for the first time, her idea felt mad, like trying to set the sea on fire.

Detonating a plane can’t threaten me, but it might topple reality like dominoes and drag other planes in. That’d be real trouble, like a storm crossing borders.

Priority: cage these shockwaves, and stop FrostyLily Dream’s last sword. Pen the tempest, then take the blade.

If this comes down to Sword Intent—

World Will.

I cloaked my blade in Sword Intent and swept it around, like brushing sand from a map. Time seemed to rewind; blasts unraveled before touching me, echoes fading like smoke.

The ice Primordial Source woven through the plane snapped out in a blink, threads of frost unspooling and vanishing into still air.

The plane returned to itself, yet stayed wrecked, a sandcastle already under the tide, minutes from becoming nothing. Unsaveable and not worth saving.

Anyway, no suspense—this battle was mine. I did need a bit more effort than last time, like lifting a heavier lid.

…Sigh. So easily unraveled?

Knowing the result, FrostyLily Dream exhaled like a petal falling, then dropped her Sword Spirit form and returned to her normal self.

Ah, looks like I still can’t beat you, Sis. Even with my Sword Spirit form and every trick, I couldn’t touch your normal form, and got beaten instead. I thought I’d force you to go Sword Spirit this time.

She shook her head and sighed, wind through bamboo. She looked a little crushed, like rain bending thin grass.

Be satisfied. You made me use Origin Sword Qi and Sword Intent at the apex tier. That’s real progress, like a sapling finding sun.

I stared, wordless, a mountain unmoved. Did she really think she could force me to go all out?

Ahaha, fair point.

She fist-pumped, a spark lighting her eyes. Looks like I’ve gotta double my grind. Next time, I’ll make you take Sword Spirit form.

Save the dreams for after sleep. For now, let’s head back. This plane is a cracked shell; it won’t last.

Hey! I’m not dreaming!!

Seconds before the plane collapsed like a cliff giving way, FrostyLily Dream and I returned to our world.

…

What happened to you?

Back in the room, I found Yumigawa Senki and the others sprawled on the beds, faces paper-pale and bone-tired, like reeds after a gale.

Why’s everyone half-dead? FrostyLily Dream’s voice curved with puzzlement, like a cat peering at rain.

Oh, oh! Master, you’re back?!

Hill, the only one with a flicker of energy, hopped off the bed; her words came bright like bells. Just now Master and this FrostyLily Dream pervert—mmph!!

Before Hill finished, FrostyLily Dream pinched her soft, mochi-like cheeks with gusto. You little loli dragon! You dare call me a pervert? I’ll boil you and eat you!

Uu-uu… Master.

Hill looked at me with eyes brimming like water that wouldn’t fall, pure pity painted on her face. I sighed and pried FrostyLily Dream’s hands off, like separating feuding cats.

Aren’t you loli-sized too? And you are a pervert. Why pick a fight with a child? It’s like a hawk pecking a chick.

Hill, hush. Don’t cry. Don’t stoop to this pervert. Also, FrostyLily Dream is a pervert, but her strength stands like a mountain—show proper respect.

Her cheeks were red and swollen like plums; I wiped her tears away and smoothed the puffiness with a touch, cool as spring water.

Yes yes! I understand. Hill nodded, quick and cute, like a sparrow.

Sis, you’re biased!! I want that gentle treatment too! FrostyLily Dream stared at Hill in my arms, clinging like ivy and starting to whine.

So, what happened to Yumigawa Senki and the rest?

I ignored the ivy and asked Hill again, voice steady as stone.

The aftershocks from Master and FrostyLily Dream’s fight were too strong, a storm surge battering our shields. Even at full defense we couldn’t hold. If you hadn’t pulled us back, we’d be lost.

Smart girl; she’s even calling Yumigawa Senki “Sis” now, familiarity sprouting like moss.

I see. Fine.

I’d overestimated their strength, like expecting reeds to stop a flood. I called to FrostyLily Dream, who was rolling like a cat in sunshine.

Hey, stop rolling around. Heal Yumigawa Senki and the others.

Eh? Healing isn’t my forte. Sis, you’re the one who’s good at that. Her voice tinkled like glass beads.

Three seconds. Get over here. My gaze dropped like a royal scepter.

Yes! Ah—Sis, that queenly look, I can’t even! She shivered in glee, a moth to flame.

…

A moment later, Yumigawa Senki, Little Sis, Elyar, Eastern Moon Aixue, and Faya were back to normal, colors returning like dawn.

Phew, saved. Yumigawa Senki rolled her shoulders, body loosening like silk in warm wind, and thanked FrostyLily Dream first.

FrostyLily Dream, thank you.

Thank you so much, FrostyLily Dream sister! Little Sis chimed in, voice bright as a bell.

Thank you! The last two—Eastern Moon Aixue and Faya—spoke together, twin ripples on a pond.

No need. That was a finger’s flick, a leaf’s twitch. By the way, got anything to eat? After crossing blades with Sis, my whole body feels clear as spring, and I want food.

She stretched lazily, like a cat after sun, telling them not to mind with that airy tone.

Please wait. We’ll prepare pastries and red tea at once!

Eastern Moon Aixue and Faya bowed like willow tips, then hurried out of the room, skirts swaying like bright leaves.