Because the clouds had been torn open by Bai Xin and White Feather’s clash, silvery moonlight poured unobstructed onto the scarred earth, battered like a typhoon zone. Bold residents peered from their balconies, spotting the shattered Seal Barrier, and cheered wildly.

Cold Night Feather ignored the white cat—White Feather—mewing adorably at her feet. She strode toward Bai Xin, whose peaceful sleep softened Cold Night Feather’s usually cold crimson eyes.

"Hey, lazybug, wake up. Sleeping here’ll give you a chill!" Cold Night Feather crouched, gently poking Bai Xin’s exposed, smooth stomach.

"Mmm… Where am I? Ah! Night Feather, you’re here?" Bai Xin’s sky-blue eyes fluttered open, dazed at first, then sharpening as she saw Cold Night Feather. "Whoa! Didn’t that End guy stab through my gut? It hurt like hell!" She frantically felt her abdomen—only a torn shirt, no wound.

Cold Night Feather flicked Bai Xin’s forehead hard. "Seriously, you don’t remember anything?"

Bai Xin pondered seriously. "I think I blasted that nasty End into ashes with one energy beam… Wait, was that just a dream?"

A # symbol popped over Cold Night Feather’s head. She yanked Bai Xin’s cheek, forcing her gaze forward. "See for yourself!"

Bai Xin stared at the tornado-ravaged street and half-collapsed apartment blocks. Ignoring the sting, she gaped. "Don’t tell me I did this!"

Cold Night Feather nodded. "Yep. That was you after transforming."

Bai Xin froze, then bounced excitedly. "So I’ve got that power now? Wow! This is amazing!"

Another flick silenced her fantasy. Cold Night Feather scolded the tearful girl rubbing her forehead. "Wake up. That was just a temporary boost from your Mystic Necklace’s leftover energy. And clearly, you blasted every drop dry with that shot."

Bai Xin wilted like frostbitten greens. "Wahhh… I thought I’d finally be top-tier strong, living the dream!"

Cold Night Feather smiled softly, ruffling Bai Xin’s hair. "Hey, you can’t stuff a fat pig in one bite. That borrowed power wasn’t yours anyway. Nothing to mourn, right?"

Bai Xin beamed back, nodding hard. "I was joking earlier! Honestly, I’m happy just being stronger than my old useless self. Thanks, Night Feather."

Cold Night Feather nodded, then pointed at Li Ming slumped nearby—charred skin crawling with dark energy, his face darkening. "By the way, is that guy your friend? He’s fading fast."

Seeing Li Ming’s near-lifeless state, Bai Xin lunged over, shaking him desperately. "Brother Li Ming! What’s wrong? Don’t scare me!"

Li Ming coughed weakly, eyes fluttering open. "Be good… I’m done for. Live well… for both of us…" His eyes closed again, breath shallow. Bai Xin nearly sobbed, shaking him harder.

Watching Bai Xin’s grief, Cold Night Feather’s chest tightened oddly—like something blocked her throat. A flicker of jealousy rose. (Would she worry this much if I were hurt?) She shook it off, frowning as she approached the soap-opera scene.

"Stop shaking him, kid. You’ll kill him for real. Hand him over—I’ll handle it." Cold Night Feather pressed a golden light ball into Li Ming’s chest. Dark energy hissed away like evaporating water; he spat black blood.

With a flick, tiny wind blades sliced off his charred flesh. Before blood flowed, another golden ball sealed the wounds. Blue streams washed away grime. Li Ming’s body healed visibly—only his clothes hung in tatters, no trace of near-death left.

Bai Xin, holding her breath nearby, watched Li Ming’s ashen face flush to mere pallor. Her awe for Cold Night Feather deepened. The white cat, White Feather, shivered in reverence too—those three steps held deadly precision. One wrong wind blade, and they’d be debating Li Ming’s funeral.

"He’s stable now. I jumpstarted his blood cells just enough to survive, but overdoing it would backfire. He needs rest." Cold Night Feather hid her irritation; this man mattered to Bai Xin, and he’d saved her earlier.

"Thank you so much, Onee-sama!" Bai Xin’s smile bloomed like a flower. Cold Night Feather blushed faintly, turning away with a huff.

"Hmph. Don’t get it twisted—I didn’t save him for you. Personal choice."

Bai Xin giggled, silver bells ringing in the dark night. Cold Night Feather chuckled softly. White Feather joined in, clueless but loyal. A girl’s laugh, a woman’s chuckle, a child’s mewl echoed under the moon—while countless hidden watchers lurked in the shadows, eyes fixed on the trio.

(Humans are so weird, meow!) White Feather thought.