At the same time, before the Worldgate, the air felt like cold iron humming.

If the Worldgate had a mouth, it’d be spitting curses. I mean it—its “body” keeps being smashed and stitched, like beating someone half-dead, healing them, then doing it again, a cruel tide without end. Anyone would call that torture; if the Worldgate had a mind, it would’ve hexed me and Xiyue a hundred times over.

Sigh. I really don’t want to go see Xiyue; her stubbornness is a whetstone that grates the nerves.

Merging two worlds or severing them clean is like splitting mountains; if Xiyue helped, it’d be easier... but that’s wishful mist. She listens to no one, and helping is even less likely.

“How about we go to the Inner World together, big sis? It’s safer with two.” FrostyLily Dream volunteered, bright as a lantern in dull fog. No wonder—waiting here is dead water; tagging along for a change of scenery makes sense.

“Mm. With your current strength, if you go...” Last time in the Inner World, besides Xiyue, several Origin Realm experts watched from the horizon like circling hawks. I could ignore them, but they might eye FrostyLily Dream. She could probably protect herself. Fine. I’ll let her see the currents for herself.

“My strength isn’t enough? Are the Origin Realm over there all stronger than me?” FrostyLily Dream stared at me, breath held like a drawn bow.

“Not all. You’d be upper-middle among the Origin Realm in the Inner World. I’m worried if Xiyue ties me up, the ones lurking far off will move on you.”

That sounded off the moment it left my mouth; irritation pricked like thorns. Am I admitting I can’t protect FrostyLily Dream? That’s not like me.

“Oh, so you’re worried about me, sis! It’s fine. I’ll guard myself and won’t drag you down!”

Her warmth met my gloom like sunrise on frost. Such a simple soul, despite living ages at the pinnacle.

“Don’t overthink it. I’ll keep you safe.” Starting a trip by showing weakness? Not my style. I hate trouble, but I’ll have room to shield FrostyLily Dream while dealing with Xiyue.

“Mm-hmm! I trust you, sis!”

Maybe it’s my imagination, but her admiration flared brighter, like incense in a still shrine. She’s adored me since we first met; at this point, why fuss over small waves?

“No time like now. Let’s go, though I doubt I’ll talk sense into that woman.”

I took FrostyLily Dream’s hand and stepped through the Worldgate in one clean stroke.

Inner World.

As expected, a deluge of Origin Sword Qi came down like a steel monsoon. Some hospitality.

I scattered the sword qi after a bit of work, then stared at Xiyue’s stormy face. “Do we have to act like it’s life and death every time? I don’t owe you anything.”

“Then why come back to make yourself miserable, Xinuo? And you brought an adorable little sister.”

Her glance slid to FrostyLily Dream, her tone still thorny, like winter wind.

“You think I came because I’m bored? I’m here because a certain hardheaded slacker is a constant headache.” I couldn’t help the complaint; it rose like steam.

“Haha. I knew it—your patience is nowhere near mine. You’ve cracked already. Did you come to surrender?”

Her laugh grated like gravel. Surrender to her? Not happening.

“Save the sleep-talk for when you’re asleep. I’ve got a proposal. Whether you accept it is on you.”

“Hmph. The fact you came to bargain is already a step back. Go on, what’s your dull little idea?”

Maybe I’m imagining it, but her voice held a spark of pleasure, as if she thought she’d won. Whatever. Business first. I laid it out, and, predictably, her expression soured like rain on ash.

“Merge the Prime Realm and the Inner World, or cut them apart forever? Absurd. And if we merge, you want me—and everyone here—living under your ‘monitoring’?”

“That’s right. Until the unstable factors are cleared.”

“I see. A fine plan—peace, order, harmony. Is that what you expect me to say, Xinuo?”

As expected, not an ounce of agreement. I make the trip to talk, and this is the stone wall I get.

“Explain your reason. If the merge succeeds, you return to the Prime Realm you dream of. The Inner World’s resource drought ends. That’s win-win.”

It’s the biggest compromise I can offer. What’s still stuck in her throat?

“Sure, it’s lovely—if we don’t live under your monitoring.”

She bit that word like it tasted of iron.

“Leaving others aside, do you think I’d accept living under your eye?”

“No.”

The answer snapped out before thought. Imagining Xiyue obedient made my skin crawl.

“There you have it. Also, Xinuo, are you thinking something rude?”

Her brow lifted. Did she sense the image I had of her as a docile lamb? Sharp woman.

“If you came only for that, here’s my clear answer—no.” She paused, firm as a slammed gate. No room to bargain.

“What do you want, then?”

I almost turned to leave. But walking away empty-handed tasted bitter. Let’s hear her price.

“I thought you’d flounce off. Staying makes me… a little happy.”

“...”

“How about we both step back? I’ll agree to merge the worlds and even help. In return, when it’s done, you let me and the beings of the Inner World live freely.”

An unreasonable ask. Leave Xiyue unchecked, and future trouble grows like weeds.

“If I step aside, what will you do?”

“Do I need to say it? First, free the Central Continent. Then build a hegemony with me at the center! With supreme strength and status, why live a bland life?”

“...”

I really can’t see eye to eye with Xiyue. Even a unified world can’t survive a Pinnacle of Origin Realm thrashing it for fun.

By rights, the Inner World’s resources shouldn’t have drained so fast. But with Xiyue driving overdevelopment like a wildfire, this is where we are.

“Same thing—save the sleep-talk for bedtime. You’re at the Pinnacle of Origin Realm and still drooling over conquest.”

If her rule leaned gentle, fine. But she’s a say-it-once-and-it’s-law autocrat. She never takes advice—who even dares? Combine that with her peak strength, and she’s a walking storm.