Holding Jue Mo within the Illusory Purple space, Zila hadn’t even processed what was happening when—*whoosh!*—she was yanked back into reality.

The transition was near-instant. A violent shockwave slammed into her face.

"Eep!" Unprepared, Zila instinctively covered her head and crouched low.

The impact faded quickly. A faint voice echoed in her mind—Jue Mo’s.

"Young Princess, fear not. I am here. Rest easy."

Soothed by the words, Zila’s panic eased slightly. She slowly opened her eyes—and froze, stunned speechless.

Rocks that had been plummeting now floated gently under Jue Mo’s violet glow, weightless. A hemispherical purple barrier enveloped her. *Jue Mo’s doing.*

Realizing she was protected, Zila’s fear melted away. She lowered the blade she’d raised in panic, bringing it level before her blurry vision. Stars still dancing in her eyes, she gazed at it in awe.

"Wow! Sister Jue Mo, you’re amazing!" Drool trickled from the corner of her mouth as she marveled.

Up close, Jue Mo was breathtaking—flawless material, intricate etchings whispering of masterful craftsmanship. Surprisingly light, like holding air, yet solid and resilient to the touch.

"Of course!" Jue Mo declared proudly. "Forged by the First Demon Sovereign himself—a peerless divine weapon for the Demon God Bloodline!" She caught herself. *Wait.*

"Hey, hey! Young Princess—this isn’t the time! You came to save someone! Hurry!"

Though formless, Jue Mo’s voice painted a vivid picture: exasperated, grumbling.

"O-oh! Right, right!"

Zila pushed up on wobbly knees. Xia Mo lay half-buried nearby—but shielded by the glow, no more rocks fell. Just needed to dig her out. Zila stepped forward… then halted.

"What’s wrong, Young Princess?" Jue Mo asked, a flicker of hope in her tone. *Maybe she’ll quit.*

Zila gripped the blade, pointed at the barrier. "Sister Jue Mo… how do I open this?"

"You… don’t know?"

Zila shook her head like a rattle drum. "Nope!"

*You… don’t know?!* Jue Mo’s mental expression shifted from smile to utter disbelief.

Jue Mo: (｀Д´)

"Are you trying to kill me?! How did I get a master like you?!" she groaned, longing to slap her own forehead—but had no hands. "Controlling my power is simple, you just—" She cut herself off with a sigh. *…Right. She was human recently.*

Her tone softened instantly. "Young Princess, breathe. Calm your heart. Feel the power flowing in your bloodline."

Zila closed her eyes, focusing inward. A vast, star-sea-like energy stirred within. *So immense…*

"Now guide it with your will. You can do it."

After mere seconds—though it felt like ages—Zila’s heterochromatic purple-and-gold eyes opened. The barrier dissolved.

To Zila, it was monumental. To Jue Mo? As easy as breathing.

Zila’s first move? Sprint to Xia Mo. She tossed Jue Mo aside with a *thud*.

Jue Mo: (｀Д´)

"Hey! Handle me gently! What am I, trash?!" Jue Mo’s voice trembled with rage, imaginary # veins throbbing.

But Zila heard nothing. All focus was on her disciple. Bare hands scraped raw digging through rubble, she finally pulled Xia Mo free.

"Sister Xia Mo! Please be okay! Master failed you… I’m sorry! Waaah~" Tears streamed. "It’s my fault! I lost Sudden Sever fighting that purple hag! I couldn’t protect you! Waaah~"

"Hmph. Still crying over that defeated blade?" Jue Mo scoffed, a jealous mutter slipping out: "I’m way better than it."

"Don’t worry. She’s breathing. Heart’s beating. Far from dead."

Zila froze mid-sob. She pressed a finger under Xia Mo’s nose—felt the faint breath. Leaned close—heard the steady *thump-thump*. Relief flooded her. "She’s alive! Yay!"

"My power won’t last. Move!" Jue Mo chided, though warmth tinged her words.

"Wait! Sister Jue Mo!" Zila scooped Xia Mo into a princess carry, then stiffened. "I… can’t change back yet, right?"

She remembered: after forced reversion, her transformation item temporarily failed.

"Yes," Jue Mo confirmed. "I activated your power to protect you. For now… you remain as a Succubus Curse."

"What?! But—everyone outside is human!" Zila’s legs turned to jelly. *A lamb in a wolf’s den… torn apart!*

"Ah…" Jue Mo blinked. "Then… eliminate the humans? No witnesses."

"No way! Bad sister! Bad blade! I’m ignoring you!" Zila huffed, turning away—

*Whump!* A black cloak dropped over her face.

"Wah?!" Blinded, she tumbled backward, Xia Mo landing on top. "Ow! What—?" Rubbing her sore bottom, she pulled it off. *A cloak!*

*Perfect.* Just what she needed. She draped it over her shoulders, hiding her features, and hurried out with Xia Mo.

"Hey! Don’t ditch me, brat!" Jue Mo yelled from the rubble—but as a sentient artifact, she levitated and followed.

Only after Zila left did the rocks, freed from the purple light’s hold, clatter down.

Stumbling into the grove beside the trial hall, Zila tripped—*on her own tail*.

"Oops!" Body went limp. She dropped Xia Mo and face-planted into the dirt.

"Waaah! It hurts!" Clutching her reddened forehead, she wailed.