"Phew, doesn't look as bad as I imagined," Wang Jun murmured, gazing at the wreckage before him with a relieved expression.

"I think it's pretty terrible here," said the fire-wielding youth who'd once met Cold Night Feather. He stared at the sheared-off residential building, the road torn up like it'd been plowed, and the scattered trees and streetlights, his eyes gleaming with admiration.

Wang Jun walked over and patted the red-haired youth's shoulder. "An ability user like that could flatten this block in minutes. That's why I say this isn't so bad. Stop looking so starry-eyed—you're young, and you've done well. If you really want to grow stronger... visit the battlefield someday. Though honestly, I'd rather you didn't go."

Without waiting for a reply, Wang Jun turned to the heavily armed soldiers behind him. "Alright, soldiers! Focus on cleanup. Send teams to evacuate residents from those damaged buildings. Later, use loudspeakers to tell civilians it's safe."

Watching them move efficiently, Wang Jun pressed his earpiece. "Notify HQ: send assessors for damage evaluation and secure cleanup funds. As for what happened here—tell them if they're curious, they can ask that lady themselves. That's all."

After finishing his tasks, Wang Jun silently lit a cigarette, exhaling a smoke ring. He gazed at the moon veiled by gathering clouds and sighed. "Looks like Dawn Harbor won't stay peaceful for long."

...

Meanwhile, Cold Night Feather and the others had returned to Bai Xin's villa.

"Hey, are you serious?" Cold Night Feather asked, exasperated, staring at Bai Xin's pleading face and at Li Ming lying pale-faced on the bed, eyes tightly shut. "Our household—including White Feather—is all female. Well, I used to be male, but are you sure about Li Ming staying here? Won't it be awkward?"

Bai Xin meant that Li Ming, a single guy recovering alone, might not survive. Better to keep him here—more hands, more strength. Though Cold Night Feather had muttered that even a hundred Li Mings couldn't match her.

"Of course I'm serious! With you here, Night Feather, I'm not scared!" Bai Xin said with a smile, her words brimming with trust. This incident had clearly drawn them closer.

Cold Night Feather glanced at Bai Xin's eager face, then helplessly turned toward the door. "Fine, whatever. I don't mind. If you think it's okay, it's okay."

Bai Xin happily followed her out.

"But, White Feather, what exactly are you?" Bai Xin squatted down, poking the white cat's head. "They call you Storm Realm Beast—what's that?"

Cold Night Feather stayed silent, pulling up a chair to listen.

Disliking the upward view, White Feather floated up on cyan energy to their eye level, paws crossed. Its feline face wore a proud, human-like expression. "I'm not some 'thing'! I'm a great Realm Beast! Realm Beast! Understand?"

The two women exchanged bewildered glances and shook their heads.

White Feather rubbed its forehead. "Ugh, fine. Realm Beasts are mystical creatures born from this world. In a way, we're like Sin Beasts—but hey! Put down that stool! I didn't say I *am* one!"

Bai Xin warily lowered the stool. Cold Night Feather's lips twitched beside her.

Only after Bai Xin sat on the stool did White Feather continue. "Realm Beasts have intelligence. Sin Beasts come from the Sin Realm, so we're opposites. We're rare but powerful—world's darlings—so we allied with humans. The most famous are the Four Primordial Realm Beasts: Storm, Scorching Sky, Thunder, and Water Spirit! See how amazing I am?" It puffed up proudly.

Bai Xin snorted. "The strongest is *you*? Guess Realm Beasts aren't much."

White Feather flinched. "Primordial Realm Beasts aren't strongest yet—but they mature into it! We're immortal; when one dies, the world births a new one. High talent, high affinity—it's a legacy of honor. I'm just a newborn!"

Bai Xin facepalmed. "Seriously, aren't you embarrassed bragging like that?"

Cold Night Feather stroked her chin. "I get it. But why does 'Heavenly Mandate' want to capture you?"

White Feather shook its head. "I don't know. No grudge with them, but they chase me every time they spot me. This time, they came prepared. Anyway—thanks for saving me." It bowed slightly.

Cold Night Feather frowned. "Have you heard of 'Heavenly Mandate' before?"

White Feather nodded. "They've hunted Realm Beasts for ages, then targeted us Primordials. The other three old-timers survived since last century—they can't catch them, so they focus on me."

Seeing Cold Night Feather's worry, Bai Xin patted her shoulder. "Haha! Why overthink? We're alive, right? Enemy's hidden; we take it step by step. This isn't like my cool older sister!"

Cold Night Feather smiled at Bai Xin's bright grin. "You're right. Overthinking's useless—I can't believe a kid like you lectured me."

"Hey! Who's a kid?!"

"Heh, whoever's angry is."

"You're dead, Cold Night Feather!"

The night deepened, yet Dawn Harbor's nightlife had just begun. Moonlight vanished behind thick clouds; only artificial lights pierced the pitch black. In shadows beyond their reach, something panted heavily. This peaceful rear city was finally tearing off the disguise hiding its darkness and taboos.