Weakness is both a sin and a treasure. Only by facing it can one keep growing stronger.

Juben felt how utterly insignificant he was in this world. Without power, everything was hollow illusion.

Just as Juben wrestled with inner turmoil, the unconscious Xiamu let out a soft groan and slowly opened her eyes.

A stinging itch burned across her back—as if countless insects gnawed at her skin. Frowning, she tried to rise, but her body felt foreign, too weak to move. Then, a strand of pink hair flickered at the edge of her vision.

Still prone on the ground, she barely turned her head and saw Interle—brow furrowed, sweat beading on her forehead.

In an instant, Xiamu understood. So the first to arrive were her little brother’s group. Interle must be healing her. The pain reignited memories of being chased by the Spirits, and a shiver ran through her. *What a narrow escape…*

“Mm… Xiao Yin.”

Her voice was faint, nearly inaudible—but Interle, watching closely, caught it the moment it left her lips.

“Sister Xiamu! You’re awake!”

Interle’s joyful cry reached everyone. Juben bolted to Xiamu’s side, voice frantic:

“Sis! Sis! You’re still alive?!”

Xiamu’s face darkened. *So annoying…* She nearly choked on exasperation. The others fell silent. Luris spun and punched Juben square in the gut—sending him flying.

“Mm… Xiao Lu… put more into it.”

Luris nodded. A flick of her left hand summoned over a dozen water orbs. They arced gracefully—and slammed into Juben.

Amid his yelps, no one flinched. *You reap what you sow.*

Watching Xiamu, Interle urged gently: “Sister Xiamu, your wounds are severe. Rest your voice.”

Xiamu shook her head slowly.

“Wait… Is the Dean here? My companions were captured.”

Expressions shifted instantly. Right—Xiamu wouldn’t come alone. What now? The thing inside was far beyond them. Only the Dean could handle it.

Yan Yi paused, then asked: “Miss Xiamu—were your companions taken by Spirits?”

Only then did Xiamu notice the unfamiliar face. *The Dean isn’t here…* Anxiety tightened her chest.

“And you are?”

“Sister Xiamu, this is Yan Yi—a friend we met at Central Academy,” Interle explained, silently hoping the enemy wasn’t Spirits. If not… Yan Yi might stand a chance.

“Oh… Yan Yi. Thank you for looking after Xiao Yin and Xiao Lu. Hmm? Why the butler outfit?”

Yan Yi’s face twitched. He glanced at Luris—*We’re friends, right?*

Flustered, Luris cut in: “Ahem! Sister Xiamu, skip the details. Answer Yan Yi first.”

Though the vibe felt odd, worry for her friends outweighed curiosity. Xiamu spoke, voice weaker than before:

“At the Bone Forest’s heart… lies a crater a hundred meters wide.”

Yan Yi heard clearly; others leaned closer.

“As we neared it… a massive bone claw erupted from the pit. Agitated Spirits swarmed us instantly. They were seized protecting me… Cough… The aura on that hand… nearly matched the Dean’s. Definitely Demon Ascension-level or higher…”

Just as Xiamu meant to urge them to fetch the Dean—she froze. Yan Yi wasn’t grim. He looked… *pleased?*

“Ahahahaha!”

Yan Yi threw his head back laughing. Xiamu blinked at Luris and Interle—*Is he insane?*

They nodded in perfect sync, shoulders relaxing.

Yan Yi laughed twice more, then faced one bewildered pair of eyes and three resigned ones.

“Hah! Interle—see? I’m useful now!”

He turned and strode toward the Bone Forest’s depths. For the first time, he burned to unleash every suppressed ounce of power. *Drag that bone hand out… and shatter it.*

“Master! Wait—I’m coming too! I’ll handle the Spirits!” Juben followed instantly.

Xiamu blinked. *Master? Am I dreaming?*

Juben had his own motive: to witness a Demon Ascension clash. In the human realm, such battles were legends.

Yan Yi, grinning, clapped Juben’s shoulder. “Good. My obedient disciple—let’s clear this Bone Forest together.”

They advanced. Juben cast wind-binding spells, restraining wandering Spirits.

Watching them go, Luris glanced at Xiamu—hesitating—until Interle’s voice cut through:

“Go. I’ll care for Sister Xiamu. Just… don’t let Juben get himself killed.”

Interle winked one eye, teasing glint clear—but her healing magic held firm, leaving Luris unable to punch her.

Luris’s cheeks flushed. She stood abruptly. “I’m not worried about *him*! I just… want to see a Demon Ascension battle!”

She sprinted after them.

Interle smiled knowingly. Xiamu frowned. *Are we even on the same wavelength?*

“Xiao Yin… what’s happening?”

Interle’s smile softened. “In every sense… this is the most hopeful scenario.”

Luris caught up. Juben cast Haste on both, Mana Stones glowing in his palm to sustain the spell. Yan Yi matched their pace deliberately.

Fifty miles from safety, they raced. Half an hour later, the crater loomed.

Luris and Juben grew solemn. *Nervous? Impossible not to be.* A Demon Ascension entity waited ahead. One slip—and Yan Yi might not save them in time.

Yan Yi remained calm. He sensed living presences below—Xiamu’s companions. *Alive.*

He couldn’t gauge the bony thing’s power. Didn’t care. *Smash it.*

Fifty meters from the rim, Yan Yi signaled them to halt. He crouched—then leaped.

The ground cracked. Luris and Juben’s eyes widened as Yan Yi shot upward toward the crater’s edge—

He’d planned an aerial strike, but wanted a full view first. Then he froze.

Two blood-red beams locked onto him—radiating primal danger. *Eyes.*

Crawling below: a colossal Bone Dragon. Thirty meters long. Wingspread could shadow half the crater. Beneath its ribs, a violet flame burned—eerie, bone-chilling.

“Truly magnificent,” Yan Yi murmured.

*Graaawr————————!*

A shockwave erupted. Juben and Luris froze, immobilized by the roar.

Wind pressure hurled Yan Yi backward. The Bone Dragon’s skeletal wings beat down—propelling it straight before him!

Juben and Luris trembled. *Facing Demon Ascension… like a firefly challenging the moon.*

The Dragon ignored them—ants beneath its notice. Only Yan Yi held its focus.

Mana condensed visibly around its claw—*SWIPE!*

An instinct Yan Yi hadn’t felt since defeating his master flared.

His arms shot up to block.

*BOOM——————!*

The air shuddered. Impact cratered the earth below, blasting Juben and Luris away.

Pain shot up Yan Yi’s arms. A colossal force slammed into him—

He shot backward like a shooting star.

The Bone Dragon paused—*Why isn’t he crushed?*—then turned its gaze downward.

Demon Ascension pressure crashed over Juben and Luris. Their souls quaked. Luris nearly collapsed.

Juben’s sword flashed out—pure instinct. No time to think.

Yet he stood firm… directly before Luris.

Shielding her with his own trembling body.