She had no idea how long it had been—hours maybe. Strength crept back like a receding tide. She stepped outside, hand lifting toward the distant palace, her gaze fraying.

Her body leaned toward the sea of flames by reflex. The thought of Dreamsound tugged her back like a cold chain.

At least get Dreamsound safe first.

There was one last emergency teleport at home, set to a random site among their old anchors. Yaya laid Dreamsound onto the glowing array. Tears fell like warm rain.

She wiped the corner of her eye and forced a smile. She bent and kissed her daughter’s brow, soft as a winter petal.

Dreamsound… this is goodbye.

Mom…? Qingyu Mengyin’s eyes flew open. She saw her mother’s face and didn’t yet understand. The ache rose like a storm.

Mom… why are you suddenly crying?

Huh? Why am I…

She blinked and swiped at her eyes. Warm, wet drops slid from her fingertips like dew. Panic struck; she spun and lunged for her mother.

Mom—!

Her voice faded like smoke. The teleport flared and took her away.

Yaya closed her eyes and let a long breath out. Dreamsound’s safe. Then I do what I must.

Find the Sea God Trident. If she could claim the Divine Artifact, there was still a thin thread of hope.

A Divine Artifact grants a wish when it chooses its master, as long as the wish fits its tier.

The Sea God Trident can passively touch the whole world, a weight deeper than this plane itself.

So it can change this.

Yaya armed herself and headed toward the palace’s inner vault where the artifact rested.

Outside was calmer than she’d imagined. Silence lay like ash. Her heart hammered. She stepped carefully, deeper and deeper. Unquenchable flames fed on the ruins. Distant beams collapsed like dying waves. She lost her way.

Home had turned foreign. Even the place where her parents once lived was gone to smoke and stone.

A familiar shape drifted into view. A deep-blue silhouette cut the haze. Yaya almost tripped on a jagged stone.

Little Tangxue…?

Her voice shook with disbelief. The girl didn’t answer.

The gap between them closed. Yaya finally saw her face. It was Tangxue, yet something in her state was awry, like frost over a mirror.

!

The girl sensed her approach and slashed in a blink. Frostwhisper kissed Yaya’s cheek. No blood flowed; ice sealed the wound at once. Yaya stood, stunned, heart punching her ribs.

That speed… seriously?

No. Tangxue hesitated. Otherwise my head would be rolling.

Her expression tightened. She swallowed and stepped forward.

Tangxue… it’s me.

…? The familiar voice wavered her stance. A spark returned to her eyes.

…Mom?

Mm. It’s me.

She shut her eyes to recheck, then opened them. Light gathered like dawn.

Mom… it’s really you… ugh…

Mm. I’m here. Don’t be afraid.

Yaya stroked her back, voice low and steady, like a hand smoothing ripples on water. Seeing someone she knew, hope kindled.

Mom, look out!

!

Tangxue shoved Yaya aside. A crimson greatsword bloomed where they’d stood, a blade of heat without a shape.

Heat licked Yaya’s face at that range and seared like a brand. With Tangxue’s glacier-cool presence against her, it didn’t go deeper.

What… is happening?

The shove rattled her skull. Her vision swam. Crimson fire filled most of it like a burning sky.

Tangxue stood in front of her, spine straight, eyes hard on the stranger.

A mouse slipped the net. Perfect. I’ll kill you both.

The black-haired woman raised her right hand. Red-gold fire flickered like molten coins. Layered arrays spun into place. Pressure fell like a mountain; Yaya couldn’t lift her head.

!

Tangxue surged forward and pressed her palm to the enemy’s array, plugging the cannon’s mouth. A blade of cold wind brushed Yaya’s cheek.

Everything froze in a breath. Magic. Flesh. Scattered stone. Even time felt locked like ice in a river.

…

While Yaya stared, Tangxue tore her right hand free and raised it high. Frostwhisper drew shards together, shaping a larger ice sword like a glacier’s fang.

She brought it down.

The ice layer cracked, then vanished like mist. A clearing opened ahead and sea water rushed in to fill it, silver and sudden. Yaya went blank with awe.

What was that? Ice seal? Time magic? Or space itself?

The Tangxue before her felt unfamiliar, and glorious. Yaya grabbed her in delight.

You’re this strong? Amazing! Then everything can still—

Dozens closed in before hope took root.

Eh…?

Troublesome technique. Tch. No time. Finish it fast.

Only one voice spoke among them, thrown from no clear mouth. Yaya couldn’t tell who.

They began to chant in rings, colors rising like storm clouds. Some charged headlong. Some vanished as if stepping through mirrors.

Tangxue, I’ve got your back!

Mm.

Yaya shifted behind Tangxue and watched the edges. Her water blade flashed a hundred times in a heartbeat, droplets blooming like sparks. Each foe was at least her equal.

If they came from the continent, then the continent’s elites had emptied the nest.

Their aim seemed fixed on Tangxue. Heat rolled off them, near enough to singe. Yaya felt her hair threaten to curl and burn. The pressure around Tangxue was a different league entirely.

Tangxue’s strong. I just can’t drag her down.

…!?

They must have sensed Yaya as the weak link. Most of the red-flame fighters turned toward her like a tide. Above, multicolored arrays finished their hymn. Spells braided together into a blazing sun.

If that detonated, the whole city would flatten into dust.

Suddenly, time felt nailed in place. Terror pricked her skin. She couldn’t move. Not just her—everyone was fixed like insects in amber.

Tangxue walked forward, slow and sure, eyes scanning the ring. She found each stranger and marked them like stars.

Crack.

Ice fractured from within. The strangers and their half-born magic shattered. They went to glowing dust and drifted away like fireflies.

Tangxue closed her eyes. The world resumed like a clock restarting.

Yaya dropped to one knee and gulped air. What had just happened was too immense.

Ice… can it really do this?