As both of them passed by nearby stalls together, they could hear people talking around the market. Meanwhile, Xu Hanyu's attention landed on a stall where a vendor was engaged in a heated argument with a customer.

"Boss, how much is this?"

"Ten thousand silver..!"

"What..?! You're kidding! This is a scam..!"

"What do you mean scam?! This is the famous Flying Silverfish! It's only right for me to set it to the high price!" the vendor's expression was defensive as he argued.

As they reached the stall, Xu Lian called out, “Boss Yi!”

“Oh? Xu Lian! And you brought a new friend…” Boss Yi was a short, chubby man with a wide grin on his face, looking proud promoting his goods as he greeted customers. He sells baozi and a

"Ah, Boss Yi, this is my little brother, Xu Hanyu.”

Xu Hanyu bowed slightly. Boss Yi’s gaze landed over his cursed birthmark on his left hand, but he said nothing despite his curious look.

"He’s quite tall…" Boss Yi remarked. "How old are you?"

Xu Lian gave Xu Hanyu a subtle nod, prompting him to answer.

"Uh, I’m fifteen this year, sir."

"Fifteen, huh? Still young." Boss Yi chuckled.

Xu Hanyu hesitated, then whispered to his sister, “Sis, do you know him?”

Xu Lian nodded. "Yeah, I buy baozi from him all the time."

Boss Yi laughed. "Your sister’s one of my regulars! Talk about you every time I pack her baozi!"

Xu Hanyu blinked. "Wait, you make the baozi I’ve been eating?"

"Yep! Fresh every morning."

"They taste really good."

Boss Yi grinned. "Haha! Teasing me, huh?" Slapping a hand on Xu Hanyu’s shoulder, then added, "Since the two of you are here, I’ll give you five free baozi!"

"Five baozi!? Really?" Xu Lian perked up.

"Yes."

"Oh my—! You’re such a kind man Boss Yi! Thank you so much"

Xu Hanyu, now smiling, echoed, "Thank you, sir…!"

“Haha! Of course…! Here you go.” Boss Yi handed over the basket.

“Thanks again! We’ll be on our way now.” Xu Lian waved as she walked off.

Boss Yi called after them, “No problem at all…!”

…

After leaving the stall, Xu Lian wore a bright smile as they walked side by side, helding the basket of baozi in her hands.

Meanwhile, Xu Hanyu, savoring his baozi, glanced at her. “Sis, where are we going next?”

Xu Lian shot him a playful look, raising an eyebrow. “What?” he asked, confused.

“I know where to go. Let’s go!” Without warning, she grabbed his hand and started pulling him along.

“Sis, be careful!” Xu Hanyu called out, but Xu Lian just laughed and kept dragging him through the streets.

Though Tai Hua City was small, it was filled with bustling stalls and shops. Xu Lian, excited to show her brother the world outside, dragged him from place to place. They explored various shops, tasted new foods, and tried dishes like noodles that were cheap but surprisingly delicious.

Despite the tiring day, Xu Hanyu couldn’t help but enjoy every moment, grateful for the time spent away from his usual responsibilities.

Eventually, they found themselves on the roof of one of the town’s buildings, the sun nearing the horizon. Xu Hanyu, exhausted but content, lay back and let out a deep breath.

“I never thought it would be this amazing to be outside… Is this what you always do, sis?”

Xu Lian, watching the sunset over the sea, nodded with a smirk. “Yeah, if I hadn’t dragged you out here, you’d probably regret it.”

After hearing his sister's words, Xu Hanyu couldn't help but smile, recognizing she was correct. Then he said, "We should go home now. It's getting late. They might notice my absence…”

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“You’re right, but before that, I want to take you somewhere first…”

“Somewhere? Where?”

…

“Sis, why are we on the mountain? It’s too dangerous here…” Xu Hanyu said, his eyes scanning the surroundings cautiously as Xu Lian held his hand.

“Shh, don’t worry… We’ll only be here for a moment.”

“Alright… After this, let’s go home, okay?”

“Yes, don’t worry.”

The siblings walked on, dry leaves crunching underfoot as the sun cast a golden glow. A soft breeze stirred the quiet.

Emerging from the tree line, they stepped into open space. The warmth chased away the lingering chill as birds soared above.

Ahead, Tai Hua City stretched toward the vast sea, its horizon clear. Xu Hanyu stopped, eyes wide.

“This is…”

Xu Lian smiled. “Amazing, right?”

He nodded, voice soft. “Yes…”

Looking at the city, he felt a rare peace—no rumors, no pressure, just quiet. Crouching, he exhaled, tension melting away.

Xu Lian sat beside him, watching with quiet satisfaction. “You’ve been tense lately,” she murmured. “I thought this might help.”

He met her gaze, gratitude shining through. “It did. Thanks, sis.”

They lingered, the wind filling the silence, sunlight easing old burdens.

But time never waits.

Xu Lian stood, brushing off her sleeves. “We should head back before dark.”

“Alright.”

With one last glance at Tai Hua City, Xu Hanyu followed.

Descending the winding path, the earlier ease faded. The forest grew unnervingly quiet—no birds, no rustling leaves. The air thickened, unnatural.

Xu Lian’s grip tightened around his wrist.

“Sis?”

Yet she didn’t answer, her eyes were locked on quiet surroundings, and her body was tense while observing.

“Stay close,” she whispered.

She can sense something that is coming.

“Sis—” Before Xu Hanyu could speak, Xu Lian grabbed his hand.

“Hanyu’er, hide! Someone’s coming…!”

Without a word, Xu Lian yanked Xu Hanyu behind the thick trunks of the trees. Both of them pressed their back against the trunk.

To Xu Hanyu, everything seemed normal. There was no trace of movement, no shift in the air, no aura brushing against his senses. But then again, with his meridians blocked, how could he tell?

“Sis…” he whispered, his voice barely audible as he leaned toward her. “Who’s coming?”

Her eyes were so focused and remained quiet as soon as possible. She raised a hand, warning Xu Hanyu to stay quiet as well. "Shh... They’re almost here. Stay still, Hanyu’er. Don’t move."

Then, out of nowhere, a young lady appeared from the foliage. She wore a tattered cloak with the hood lowered, revealing clothes in soft shades of blue, embroidered with delicate golden patterns.

Stumbling as she landed heavily on the ground, blood stained her clothes, trailing down her arm followed by four men in black. Despite her injuries, she gripped her sword tightly, her stance fierce and unyielding.

"So it's them.."

…

Clutching her sword with her last strength, the lady staggered back, her face set in grim determination despite blood trailing down her arm. Surrounded by four masked men in black, one stepped forward, his voice smooth yet menacing, “Young lady, please, come with us peacefully.”

Her lips curled into a defiant smile. “Tch. You really think you can get me?”

Defying her exhaustion, she lunged and her sword flashed with precise strikes as metal clashed relentlessly. Yet, her wounds sapped her power—each swing grew slower. One attacker lunged, but she sidestepped and parried another blow. Then, a strike from the left brought a dagger deep into her back. She gasped, barely dodging a fatal counterattack.

“Agh!” she cried as blood spilled. Stumbling on her stance, she fought to stay upright; every breath burned, yet she refused to surrender. With her strength draining, she realized there was no other choice.

In desperation, she slashed her palm, letting blood drip onto the ground.

The moment the blood hit the air, the attackers froze, recognition flashing in their eyes.

Meanwhile, Xu Hanyu's eyes widened in confusion. “What’s she doing?”

“It seems she’s invoking a forbidden technique…” Xu Lian answered quietly.

The lady pressed her bloodied hand to her forehead, inhaling shakily before her eyes snapped open, glowing crimson and chilling the air.

“Punishing... Bloodborne... Eye!” she declared.

The ground trembled as a red dharmic circle pulsed beneath her. Her Celestial Wheel glowed blood-red, spinning violently and sending shockwaves through the air.

Xu Lian gasped, witnessing the forbidden technique’s effect on the lady’s Wuqi Realm. “She transcended from Gao Shi to Da Sheng…!”

Meanwhile, four attackers exchanged panicked glances. One cursed under his breath, “This is bad. She’s activating it!”

Without a word, they quickly made hand signs, their movements frantic. Soon, a golden array formed beneath the lady, its sparkling threads like a spider’s web as they worked urgently to trap her.

“Trap her!”

But the lady’s power surged. She was beyond their reach now, and the barrier they formed trembled, groaning under the weight of her might.

The leader clenched his teeth. “We need more time—don’t let her breakthrough!”

The lady's hand clenched into a fist as the red eye above her swirled with power. With a fierce motion, she unleashed a devastating beam of energy at the barrier.

“No!” one of the men shouted. “Hold it—!”

But it was too late.

The barrier shattered, splintering like glass, sending the men flying backward, their bodies slamming into the ground hardly.

“Argh!”

Despite the victory, the young lady coughed up blood. Xu Hanyu gasped and moved to help, but Xu Lian held him back.

“No,” she stated resolutely, her voice filled with urgency. Xu Hanyu tightened his fists, feeling frustration rise. He was powerless to protect her and couldn’t grasp what was unfolding.

“We can’t get involved. If we do, we’ll be putting ourselves at risk. Especially with nightfall approaching.”

“But—” Xu Hanyu began, frustration coloring his voice. “We can’t just stand here. She’s injured! We need to help her!”

Xu Lian’s eyes softened, but her worry was still there. She was afraid they would get involved in such trouble. “We can’t afford the risk.”

At the same time, the four men groaned as they struggled to regain their footing.

The young lady, too, faltered. Her energy was spent. Slowly, her form began to flicker as well as her sword, her eyes dimming as the strain of her technique took its toll.

With one last gasp, she dropped to the ground, her sword slipping from her grasp.

What am I doing here?She might die. We can’t just leave her!

“Sis—she needs help now…!”

Xu Lian hesitated for a moment, clearly looking guilty. Then, with a weary sigh, she made her decision.

“Fine. But only this once.”

…

“Quick! The young lady is unconscious! We must take her!” One of the men shouted as they began to move toward her.

Just as one of them reached for the injured lady, his hand inches from her body—

“!!!”

A sudden, suffocating pressure filled the air, and the man froze, eyes darting upward. The world seemed to slow, and in the blink of an eye, a new figure appeared above them.

Unfamiliar lady moved with fluid grace, hands raising to summon a deadly projection of energy—a sharp blade of force that streaked toward them.