Under the unnoticed gaze, Ouyang Ge slipped past all guards by exploiting blind spots—a technique honed from years of practice—and slipped out of the Ouyang Clan.
"Still unchanged... just like in my memories."
Gazing at the bustling streets, Ouyang Ge compared the scene to his recollections. The conclusion was undeniable: *exactly the same*.
"But how to find the weapons and gear I need? Buying them would draw too much attention. And in this child’s body... no one would sell to me anyway."
As he walked, Ouyang Ge pondered how to obtain the necessary funds.
This eight-year-old frame was a hindrance—too weak for anything. And...
—*Someone’s following me.*
After turning several corners, that persistent gaze remained. No malice, but the fact was clear: *I’m being watched*.
Only one move left...
At a narrow alley entrance, Ouyang Ge suddenly darted sideways, vanishing into the shadows.
"!!!"
The pursuer panicked, shoving against the crowd to squeeze into the alley. But Ouyang Ge was long gone—alleys were his battlefield, a maze he mastered.
"Tch!"
A frustrated grunt echoed before the tracker vanished down a side path.
".........."
Ouyang Ge’s eyes tracked the retreating ice-blue figure until it disappeared around the corner. *Sister? What’s she doing here? Shouldn’t she be in class?*
The tracker was his sister, Ouyang Shi—a shock. No wonder the tailing was so clumsy, utterly devoid of skill...
"Now that I’ve lost her, time to go."
Pushing aside the crate hiding him, Ouyang Ge stood up.
"Hey, kid. Where to in such a hurry?"
A mocking voice rang from above. Ouyang Ge looked up—a grinning young man perched on an old balcony.
*Damn. Local gang thugs!*
More flashy-dressed youths emerged, tightening the circle. Panic surged through Ouyang Ge.
"Lost, little one? Know whose turf this is?" The man thumbed his own chest. "Mine. You just trespassed. Guests leave gifts, yeah?"
His words were a signal.
*Crack!*
A fist slammed into Ouyang Ge’s cheek, sending him flying.
"Don’t kill him," the leader yawned to his lackeys before turning away. "Thought he was worth something. Just a brat."
"......."
Pain exploded everywhere as boots rained down. Ouyang Ge curled into a ball, arms shielding his head.
Then—ice-blue appeared.
"You........"
A voice strained to its limit cut through the alley.
The attackers froze, turning toward the newcomer.
"Whoa! A beauty!"
Whistles replaced kicks as they surrounded Ouyang Shi. Her expression didn’t flicker. One glance at her crumpled brother, and her eyes turned glacial.
"Hey gorgeous, visiting us? We’ll show you heaven~"
A leering thug reached for her budding curves.
"Don’t touch me..."
A whisper. His hand froze mid-air—frost crawling over his body, sealing his fate.
"You—!!"
Screams died instantly.
In a breath, all became ice sculptures. Ignoring them, Ouyang Shi rushed to Ouyang Ge.
"Brother! Are you hurt? This is my fault—if only I hadn’t—"
"Sister..."
Ouyang Ge (feigning weakness) turned to her.
"I’m taking you home now!"
As she pulled him up, a figure blocked their path.
"Hey now. I run this place. No one leaves without my say-so."
Leaning against the alley wall, the balcony youth now stood before them. He ignored his frozen men, eyes gleaming at Ouyang Shi.
"Pretty thing, you use Magic too? Be my woman. I’ll spoil you rotten."
"Get out of my way."
Ice spread from her feet, creeping fast—her fury made visible.
"Tsk tsk. I love wild ones. Breaking them’s the best part."
He advanced, a lecherous grin spreading. Crimson light flared around him. Ouyang Shi’s frost shattered against his skin, melting instantly.
"See, sweetheart? This world’s Magic has layers. Your little *elemental* trick can’t touch my *Furnace*!"
Ouyang Ge struggled upright. The man’s words rang true—but incomplete.
"Don’t joke..."
"Huh? Brat’s still breathing? Tough little pest~~~"
A voice from behind Ouyang Shi drew the thug’s mocking gaze.
"Don’t joke, bastard... You don’t understand Sister’s Magic..."
"What nonsense?! My Magic’s invincible! Beats toys like yours!"
The thug snarled, stomping the ground—spiderweb cracks split the stone.
"Try it. My sister won’t lose to trash like you..."
"Brother, stop—"
Ouyang Shi cut off her ice field, catching Ouyang Ge as he swayed. Her Magic lacked precision; lingering frost would freeze his frail body.
"*I’m* trash?! HAHAHA! Time you learned reality!"
Laughing coldly, the thug charged—each step cratering the earth.
Ouyang Ge studied the footprints, tactics forming. He leaned close to his sister, whispering:
"Sister, his Magic hyper-activates muscles—like a permanent adrenaline rush..."
"Muscle activation?"
"No time to explain. I’ll stall him. Freeze him when I signal!"
"Wait—*you* stall him?! You can’t!"
"I’m not the same as before!"
Shaking free, Ouyang Ge darted along the wall toward the charging brute.
"Kid wants a fight? Fine! I love snapping bones!"
The thug roared, fist swinging.
"Wild haymaker. No restraint. *Fail*."
Ouyang Ge ducked, thumb jabbing the arm’s inner nerve.
"Gah!"
Agony made the thug recoil.
"No retreat after being hit? *Fail*."
A brick—snatched from the ground—smashed into his skull, shattering on impact.
Head snapping back, the thug staggered.
"Don’t... underestimate me!"
Steam erupted from his body, heat waves forcing Ouyang Ge back.
"Damn brat... You dare mock me?!"
"Sister!"
"I know."
Ouyang Shi’s shock was palpable—*since when could her recovering brother fight like this?* No time to wonder. The thug lunged, tank-like.
Frost surged from her feet, encasing him—
—but melted instantly under searing heat.
"*Keep it up!*"
Ouyang Ge yelled, snatching a dagger from a frozen thug’s pocket.
"Not sharp enough... but it’ll do!"
He charged *toward* the human bulldozer.
"Your fight’s with *me*!"
"Turn to paste, you maggot!!!"
"You’re not worthy to kill me!"
At the last second, Ouyang Ge leapt—sailing over the thug’s head. The dagger plunged into his back.
"Ghk?!"
The charge died. The thug collapsed, heat fading as ice crept over his skin.
"Why... How?! What did you do?!"
"Acupoints. Some heal. Some paralyze."
"*Acupoints?!* What garbage is this?!"
"Your *Furnace* vibrates muscles for heat and strength. It counters Sister’s ice... but burns stamina fast. And against someone who knows the body?"
Ouyang Ge crouched, dagger-tip pressing a spot on the thug’s spine.
"*AAAAAGH!!!*"
"One precise strike... and power means nothing."
He stepped back to Ouyang Shi’s side.
"Sister. Finish it."
"Understood."
This time, thick ice swallowed the thug whole—his proud Magic silenced mid-roar.
—but it wasn’t over.
"Those who hurt my brother... *unforgivable*......"
Cracks spiderwebbed the ice sculpture. It shattered—taking the man within.
No mercy. No hesitation. Ouyang Shi’s eyes stayed dry after taking a life. For her brother, she’d cross any line.
"Sister..."
"It’s alright. I’m here. No one will ever hurt you. *No one*."
"I’m fine, Sister."
"I won’t ask why you changed. But next time... never leave my sight again."
—*I won’t, Sister. From now on... I’ll protect you.*
Ouyang Ge vowed silently.
