The faint, serene fragrance of Zixuan washed over Yichen. He tried to push himself up immediately, but searing pain shot through his body, rendering his arms useless.

Pressed tightly against Zixuan, Yichen could feel the rapid thump-thump of her heartbeat. He suddenly realized how much smaller her frame was compared to his. The fierce Zixuan from moments ago now felt utterly delicate. Even through their thin clothes, her soft, smooth skin seemed to seep into his senses. Every point of contact sent tingles down his spine, his heart pounding like a trapped rabbit.

Yichen’s hand brushed against something incredibly soft and yielding—too large for his palm to fully cover. Seeing Zixuan’s face flush crimson, he instantly understood what he’d grabbed. Normally, he’d yank his hand away at once, but pain locked his body in place.

"Um… sis… could you push me off? I can’t move. Everything hurts… ugh."

Yichen managed a pained grin before his expression twisted in agony.

"Yichen!? How did this…"

He couldn’t see her face from this angle, but her voice trembled with panic.

"I-I’m sorry. I thought I’d controlled my strength."

When Zixuan’s fingers lightly touched his back, Yichen yelped.

"Uwaaah!"

She snatched her hand back.

Then, Zixuan cradled his head with both hands and pressed her lips firmly against his. Their mouths met. Yichen’s eyes flew wide, locking onto Zixuan’s ruby-red irises. *So beautiful. Like polished gemstones.* The thought flashed through his mind.

Warmth flowed from Zixuan’s mouth, spreading through Yichen’s entire body. He recognized it instantly—her Soul Power. It was immeasurably stronger than his own, a thick, potent energy seeping into every corner of his being. Within seconds, the pain vanished completely.

The moment Yichen could move, he jerked his hand away from her body and pushed himself up on his arms.

"Yichen, I’m so sorry. I never meant for it to be this bad."

Tears glistened in Zixuan’s crimson eyes.

Though the pain was gone, exhaustion clung to Yichen’s bones. He didn’t want to move.

"Guess I’m weaker than you thought, huh? Heh. Thanks… sis."

"Huh?"

"You were strict because you were worried about me, right?"

Zixuan’s face reddened further. She looked away without answering.

"Don’t worry. I’ll remember what you taught me today. I’ll fight hard to stay alive… because if I die, I won’t get to see you again." He gave a weak chuckle. "But… could you go a little easier next time? That really hurt."

Zixuan gave the tiniest nod. Then she turned to him, the corners of her lips lifting slightly.

"You won this round. So… a reward."

A bewitching smile spread across her face. Before Yichen could react, she flipped him onto his back, pinning him beneath her.

"What are you—"

His words were cut off as her lips sealed his. It was a slow, deep kiss that flooded his mind with pink haze.

Somehow, Yichen found the strength to wrap his arms around her. *So alluring. So fragile.* Holding her like this, he thought he could endure ten times the pain without complaint.

They parted breathlessly after what felt like forever, a glistening thread of saliva snapping in the sunlight between them. A flicker of desire stirred in Yichen’s chest. His hand slid slightly on Zixuan’s slender waist before he forced it still.

"Sis… you’re really strong."

Yichen gazed at her, dazed. Doubt crept in—*Would I ever be worthy of standing beside her?*

"Mm. I know."

Her matter-of-fact reply made Yichen chuckle wryly. *Well, that’s just her.*

"Do you… fear me?"

"For a second, yeah. Heh."

Zixuan traced his cheekbone with gentle fingers, her gaze adoring.

"Then be a good boy and listen to your sister, silly."

"T-that’s… kinda hard. Ha."

She puffed out her cheeks slightly.

"Ugh. I don’t want a disobedient little brother."

"Eh?!"

Yichen’s shocked expression made her giggle softly.

"Fool. I’m joking."

Relief washed over him.

Suddenly, Zixuan hugged him tightly, her softness pressing against his chest. Heat flooded Yichen’s face. She leaned close, her cherry lips brushing his ear as she whispered:

"Yichen… don’t let humanity’s boring rules chain you down."

"Sis… what do you mean?"

"Just what I said."

Her breath tickled his ear, stirring something deep within him.

***

Back in the living room, Yichen slumped onto the sofa, drained.

Zixuan brought him a glass of water.

"Rest. I’ll make dinner."

He took the glass with a nod.

Soon, the sizzle and clatter of cooking filled the kitchen. Yichen watched Zixuan’s profile from the doorway. An apron covered her frame, but couldn’t hide her graceful curves. Her slender arms reaching toward the stove looked impossibly fragile. *Is this really the same person who fought me earlier?* he wondered.

Before long, Zixuan set steaming dishes on the table. She knew his favorites—the sweet and sour pork ribs alone made his stomach growl. He devoured his food the moment he sat down. Zixuan watched him with a tender smile before finally picking up her own chopsticks.

Halfway through the meal, Yichen remembered Shiyue.

"Sis… when I leave, can Shiyue still work here?"

Zixuan nodded.

"If that’s what you want, of course."

"Thanks."

Relief eased his chest. He’d insisted Shiyue take the job partly out of selfishness, and Zixuan had never openly approved. He’d worried she’d fire Shiyue after he left—without this income, Shiyue’s family would struggle again.

"Last week, I asked her if she’d go with you."

Yichen stared at her, stunned.

"I didn’t pressure her. I promised to care for her family if she chose to follow you."

Yichen knew Zixuan had never warmed to Shiyue—likely disliking how close they were. Her offer confused him.

"Why would you let her come with me?"

Zixuan’s expression remained calm, showing no displeasure.

"From what I’ve seen, Shiyue Zhao would become a formidable Soul Force Wielder with proper training. I can’t always be by your side… having her there would put my mind at ease."

Her selflessness tangled Yichen’s emotions.

"Oh—what was that green light that healed Shiyue that night? Do all Soul Force Wielders do that?"

He remembered Shiyue’s near-miraculous recovery. If all wielders could heal like that, wouldn’t they be immortal? Yet their teachers had never mentioned such power.

Zixuan shook her head.

"Ordinary wielders can’t."

She raised her palm. A white orb of light materialized above it.

"Soul Power enhances metabolism and bodily functions. Remember when I healed you?"

"Yeah… you had a light like that."

"I simply circulated high-density Soul Power through your body to accelerate your natural healing. That’s what I just did for you too. It’s highly inefficient—massive energy spent for minimal results. And it only works on injuries the body could heal on its own. If surgery’s needed… this won’t save you."

"But you healed me so fast! And I was pretty banged up."

Zixuan smiled faintly.

"Your injuries weren’t beyond natural recovery. And… my Soul Power reserves are far larger than average."

"Will I ever have power like yours?"

Yichen leaned forward, hopeful. *She’s my sister. Maybe I inherited some of that strength…*

His excitement faded under Zixuan’s quiet gaze.

"Right now… you’re slightly above average for a new wielder."

"Haha… well, at least I’m not below average."

Yichen scratched his head, forcing a laugh to mask his disappointment.

"Shiyue Zhao’s ability… I’ve never seen anything like it in a human. I’m still investigating why she’s different."

"What did she say about coming with me?"

"She hasn’t decided yet."

Zixuan’s tone was light, as if she already knew the answer.

*She won’t go,* Yichen thought, staring at his plate. Relief and disappointment warred within him.

*Click.*

The front door unlocked.

*Did Sis step out?* Yichen glanced up—but Zixuan was still there.

*Shiyue!* He whipped his head toward the entrance.

Shiyue walked in wearing casual clothes, dragging a large suitcase behind her.

"Shiyue? What are you doing here?"

She ignored him, fixing her eyes on Zixuan instead.

"You promised to take care of my family."

A satisfied smile curved Zixuan’s lips.

"Naturally. Rest well tonight. We leave at 10 a.m. tomorrow."

"Eh? Tomorrow morning?"

Zixuan nodded at Yichen.

"Pack light. They’ll provide most things at Skyvoid Academy. I’ll handle the enrollment."