After dealing with Chu Qing, Night Frost strode toward the underground city of the Second District. Yin Tianchen and Lin, still dazed, quickly fell into step behind her.

She changed into a white lab coat, passed through the UV sterilization channel, and stepped into the underground sector. Breathing air faintly tinged with disinfectant, she walked to a quiet corner—Yin Chen Yue’s quarters.

A soft knock. The door cracked open slightly. A little girl with silky black hair peeked out, her cute face lighting up.

“Daddy!”

Yin Chen Yue lunged into his arms. Yin Tianchen held her tightly, not letting go for a long moment. Lin quietly stepped aside, unwilling to disturb the tender reunion.

“You’re back so early!”

“This time… I wanted to stay with you longer.”

Yin Tianchen’s eyes crinkled with warmth. Night Frost stood beside Lin, who watched her with quiet complexity. If the memories she’d shared were true, she was undeniably the hero who saved the Second District in the previous timeline—and perhaps the only hope to save Yin Chen Yue.

“I’ll take you to her.”

Lin knew where Crimson rested. He led Night Frost to Yin Tianchen’s study, unlocked the door in seconds, and pressed a hidden mechanism inside the bookshelf. The shelves slid apart smoothly, revealing a narrow passage and a chamber beyond.

Inside, Crimson sat with eyes closed, recuperating. Night Frost faintly recalled: Crimson was still injured then; only after breaking through to the Ultimate Realm and awakening a miracle had her wounds healed.

Crimson’s eyelids lifted slowly. She glanced at Lin, then at Night Frost.

“What brings you here?”

She tilted her head slightly. Why would Lin bring another Cantata Three Magic Maiden? Their agreement was clear: she’d act only if Rouge Rabbit faced danger. Yet her spiritual sense had just swept the area—Rouge Rabbit was unharmed.

“Let me explain.”

Night Frost stepped forward and revealed her origin. Crimson’s expression remained skeptical; time magic was too enigmatic to accept blindly.

Without hesitation, Night Frost flicked out Spirit Threads—but Crimson blocked them.

“If you seek proof, offer something else.”

Night Frost produced the Eye Orb and the Key. Crimson’s eyes narrowed. A palpable, terrifying power radiated from both.

“So the Magic Maiden government hunts these… and Azure and Blood pull the strings?”

Crimson smiled faintly, then shook her head. “Azure strayed, yes. But someone guides her. Same with Blood. They’re not masterminds. Blood once confessed—she’s half-artificial. Pawns. Nothing more.”

She rose slowly, pointing at the Key. “You said this unlocks the seal near the Second District… to release the Divine Heart?”

“Can you handle it?” Crimson asked, curiosity sharp. How could a mere Cantata Three Magic Maiden defeat a heart that had reached the Ultimate Realm?

Night Frost opened her palm. Black Flame surged to life, writhing hungrily as if eager to devour the world.

“A formidable flame,” Crimson murmured. Memories surfaced—the same Black Flame spewed by the Calamity Dragon, burning relentlessly until nothing remained.

“But neither of us can defeat that heart yet. Unless one reaches the Ultimate Realm.” She took the Key. “I’ll keep it. You have other paths to walk… past, future. A promising road.”

Night Frost didn’t resist. This was Crimson’s choice—to draw enemies, to forge her own ascension.

“Third District isn’t going well. We head there next.”

Moon Owl had hit a dead end. The Guardian of the Third District—now President—distrusted a Cantata Two’s words. Order Keepers hunted Moon Owl, though the President hadn’t moved personally.

The moment Night Frost exited the Second District, three figures descended from the sky. Familiar. Ominous. The Guardian of the Seventh District, Azure, and Blood.

Night Frost felt no surprise. Jin Yunan had warned her: Blood’s clones—identical in power and memory—were nearly indistinguishable from the original.

“Was it you… who killed me?” Blood’s eyes burned with fury. She’d sensed her original’s death, raced to the ruined Sixth District lab, tracked them via satellite, and summoned the others.

“Long time no see, Azure. Blood.”

“Have we met?” Azure raised her Wand, Magic Stone glinting. She remembered no such face. Night Frost waved dismissively. *Perfect. Last timeline’s fight was cut short. This time…*

Crimson materialized beside her, blocking her path. “I’ll handle Azure.”

Night Frost felt a flicker of regret—but nodded. *Fine. I’ll take the others.*

“Facing two alone? Arrogant!”

The Guardian of the Seventh District, clad in ornate robes, swung her arm. Night Frost vanished—reappearing behind the strike. *Not even Ultimate Realm? Barely a threat.*

Blood was tougher… but still just a stronger Cantata Two. Night Frost had fought them three, four times across timelines. She knew every move. Like replaying a game: she saw their patterns; they saw nothing.

Black Flame crawled up the Guardian’s Magic Armor. Night Frost’s Spear pierced her palm mid-swing. The Guardian recoiled with a sharp hiss—flames clung like living things, dimming only to roar back fiercer with each spell.

Blood’s scythe whistled past Night Frost’s neck, leaving a visible gust. A chill shot through her—but her face stayed calm. She leaped back, Spear spinning, stance low. *Predict the trajectory… now!* She thrust upward toward the Guardian’s throat.

“Flame to the dragon! Fire to my hand! Shatter life’s chains! Burn all! Slash to annihilate! Inferno—incinerate!”

Wings unfurled. Night Frost lunged like a night sprite—agile, fierce. Scales hardened her arms as she seized the Guardian’s shoulder. Blood’s scythe tore Night Frost’s Magic Armor from behind. A glance. Then—Spear plunged into the Guardian’s chest.

“No!”

Hellfire heat seared the air. Terror flooded the Guardian’s eyes, pupils reflecting flames. She swung her scythe desperately—but each clash sent agony up her arms.

*Spear descends.* Heart pierced.

Blood’s scythe flashed—siphoning the Guardian’s blood, aiming to finish Night Frost mid-spell.

Night Frost stepped forward, murmured a phrase. Blood’s own essence began draining from her body. Black Flame rose—vaporizing the crimson droplets.

“Over.”

With a flick, the last ruby-like drop vanished. Night Frost turned her gaze to Crimson.