Qianji Sister’s speed was a comet, but my nerves stayed strung like a bowstring. I kept high alert, flung my Sword Intent out like a silk net, letting no ripple slip past.

Huh? Ahead, a strange breath crept in like cold mist, growing stronger. Odd—our distance should’ve been wide as a valley already.

But this game makes us dance to Zuari’s steps, not the other way around.

A chill crawled up my spine, a bad omen blooming in my chest. Qianji Sister, fall back!

Mm. She stopped like a hawk braking mid-flight, then streaked back along our trail.

A heartbeat later, a vast black shape bloomed without warning, and a huge light ring burned like a second moon in the night. The scrub around us flashed to ash in a breath, leaving sparks like fireflies and white smoke like unraveling silk. That ring carried heat like a kiln.

Thanks to little Emperor. Zuari is maddening—its aura hides like a fox; I only felt it when it fully showed. Aunt Saintvoice glanced back, fear flickering like a shadow, then ruffled my hair with a warm smile.

Yeah. Looks like Emperor is the key to clearing this game. Qianji Sister nodded, cradling me like a precious ember. On any normal day, I’d bask in it like sunlight. Pity—Zuari never gives us a breath.

Qianji Sister, Aunt Saintvoice, don’t relax. Zuari’s on us again! Uh… right turn ahead!

As expected, Zuari blinked in with a whoosh, emotions bright as fireworks. Its wide eyes curved like crescent moons—happy to have playmates at last.

Because of that joy, Zuari fought like a storm, without a drop of mercy. We had no path but to play to the end, like boats swept by a tide.

Qianji, this won’t do. Full-speed flight works for a sprint, but it eats body and mana like firewood. Any plan? Hide-and-seek should be about hiding—why are we fleeing like refugees?

Seeing Zuari still glued to us, Aunt Saintvoice rubbed her temple like a drumbeat. She spoke for all of us; Qianji Sister and I felt our strength leak like sand.

I kept Sword Intent at full surge, senses spread like a storm. The drain gnawed at me like frost. Good thing Qianji Sister carried me like a bundle; if I ran, I’d probably crumple like wet paper.

I want to know too. Zuari’s blink and teleport are riddles without answers. Wherever we go, it arrives. Emperor, do you have a way?

A plan… Racing Zuari head-on is a cliff; we won’t last. Even with a Supreme Divine Elixir to refill, we’d still be stuck in passive flight like leaves in wind.

I swept the terrain with a glance: boulders like crouching beasts, scattered shrubs like islands. Does Zuari track us by sight or by aura? Maybe both, like twin nets. If so, I have an idea.

We hide in a blind corner of Zuari’s sight, then shroud our aura with magic, like mist over a pond. I quickly pointed out spots that looked like dead angles, tucked like shadows under stone.

Makes sense, but Zuari’s light ring is huge. If it sweeps us by accident, what then? Aunt Saintvoice’s worry hung like a knot.

We hide and watch. If it nears, we slip aside like fish. If not, we leap to the next spot. Better than being chased endlessly like deer before hounds.

Her worry was a knot I understood, but everything starts with a try; we must learn how Zuari senses us.

Right. We’ll act under Emperor’s lead. Emperor, where do we hide next?

Agreed. Little Emperor, speak your mind; we’ll back you to the hilt.

Whew—finally, I could be useful, and warmth rose in me like dawn. I combed the area for hideouts, eyes tracing every shadow like brushstrokes.

Southwest edge, there’s a cave tucked into a blind corner. Go before Zuari closes in.

Got it.

Qianji Sister and Aunt Saintvoice poured on speed like falling stars and reached the spot in a blink. The cave breathed dust like old books. Qianji Sister cast a cleansing spell, and it turned spotless like polished jade.

Space was tight, narrow as a bamboo tube, barely enough for the three of us. No choices now; hesitate and Zuari will appear like a ghost at the door.

We slipped into the little cave, while Aunt Saintvoice and Qianji Sister wove aura-hiding magic like veils.

…

The air felt a little charged, like thunder before rain. The cave was small, so to fit we had to press close, bodies braided like bundled reeds.

Good thing we’re used to bathing and sleeping together like kittens; otherwise the awkwardness would’ve been a mountain. Even so, my composure frayed like silk.

Qianji Sister and Aunt Saintvoice are beauties that could topple cities, and I’m a boy with little armor against that. We were close enough to trade breath and heat, their faint fragrance drifting like tea steam—hard to endure.

Worse, their chests are full and warm, now snug against me like pillows. I’m a boy; when we bathe together it’s noisy as a market, so the feeling dulls a bit—still tough.

But now, afraid of Zuari finding us, we dared not stir. So thoughts ran wild like horses.

Emperor, are you uncomfortable? Your temperature feels high.

She leaned to my ear, voice soft as petals, concern bright in her eyes. Uwah—she came even closer, almost a kiss. Aunt Saintvoice leaned in too, checking me with care—wait! Her hands started roaming like playful sparrows.

I’m fine. Also, Aunt Saintvoice, could you stop, just a little?

Aiya—our shy little Emperor is so cute. I just can’t help it.

…