The morning mist curled around the mountains like an ancient beast awakening from slumber. The quiet of dawn settled over the forest, yet a sense of unease lingered in the air.
Qing'er stepped out of the cave, stretching lightly. The events of the past days still weighed on her, but… she felt different. Stronger. More certain.
Perhaps it was because of Yao Yan.
She turned, only to find him already outside, perched on a boulder, gazing into the distance. His red hair danced in the wind, and the morning light made his golden eyes glow like molten gold.
Qing'er crossed her arms. "You wake up too early."
Yao Yan smirked. "I don't sleep, Master. Remember?"
She clicked her tongue. "Still annoying."
His smirk deepened. "Yet last night, you leaned on my shoulder like a helpless kitten. Should I be touched?"
Qing'er's face heated instantly. "Shut up!"
Yao Yan laughed, a low, rich sound.
But just as quickly as the playful moment came, it vanished.
His gaze turned sharp. Focused.
Qing'er followed his line of sight—and immediately felt a chill run down her spine.
Dark figures approached from the far end of the valley.
At first, they were mere shadows in the mist. But as they drew closer, their presence became suffocating.
A dozen cultivators.
Their robes bore the insignia of the Ji Clan.
Qing'er's heart clenched.
"They found us…" she whispered.
Yao Yan cracked his knuckles. "Took them long enough."
The leading cultivator stepped forward. A middle-aged man with a sword strapped to his back. His aura alone was enough to make the trees tremble.
"Li Qing'er," the man called out, his voice cold as ice. "Do you know what you've done?"
Qing'er straightened, refusing to show weakness. "Your heir tried to kill me first."
The man's eyes darkened. "And yet, you stand here while Ji Xuan lies dead."
The other Ji cultivators radiated killing intent. The tension thickened like a storm about to break.
Qing'er swallowed hard. She had trained, yes. But these were experts of the Ji Clan. Could she fight them all?
She didn't have to.
A hand fell gently on her shoulder.
Warm. Steady. Unshakable.
"Master," Yao Yan said casually, stepping in front of her.
"Stand back. I'll handle this."
Qing'er blinked. "Alone?"
Yao Yan grinned.
"Of course."
And with that, he vanished.
In a blink—he reappeared in the middle of the Ji cultivators, his aura erupting like a blazing sun.
Before they could react—
Boom!
One cultivator was sent flying, his ribs shattering.
Another barely drew his sword before Yao Yan's palm crashed into his chest, sending him cratering into the ground.
Screams echoed. Blood splattered the stone.
The leader's face twisted in shock.
"Who is he?! How is he this strong?!"
But Yao Yan wasn't done.
In a blur, he appeared behind another Ji cultivator—grabbing him by the neck and slamming him into the earth.
Dust exploded.
The remaining cultivators hesitated. Fear crept into their eyes.
Yao Yan rolled his shoulders. "Too slow."
In an instant—he was in front of the leader.
The man barely raised his sword before Yao Yan's fist crashed into his gut.
Crack!
The man coughed blood, his eyes wide with disbelief.
"You came here to kill Qing'er," Yao Yan said calmly.
His grip tightened.
"I should return the favor."
The Ji Clan leader struggled to breathe.
Qing'er watched, heart pounding.
This wasn't just a fight. This was annihilation.
Yao Yan glanced over his shoulder, golden eyes locking onto hers.
"Master." His voice was casual.
"Should I kill him too?"
Qing'er hesitated.
This was different from Ji Xuan. Ji Xuan had wanted her dead—this man was avenging his kin.
But…
If he lived, he would keep coming back.
Yao Yan was waiting.
The Ji Clan leader, though barely breathing, stared at her—defiant even in defeat.
Qing'er inhaled deeply.
This time, she didn't waver.
"Kill him," she said.
Yao Yan smiled.
And in the next breath—the Ji Clan leader was dead.
Blood dripped from Yao Yan's fingertips.
The remaining Ji cultivators turned and fled, fear overriding their loyalty.
Silence fell over the battlefield.
Qing'er exhaled slowly, trying to steady her pulse.
Yao Yan walked toward her, his smirk still in place.
"You're getting better at this," he teased.
She met his gaze. "I'm learning from you."
Yao Yan chuckled. "Then you'll be terrifying soon."
Qing'er wasn't sure if that was a good or bad thing.
But one thing was certain—this war wasn't over.
The Ji Clan had lost today. But they wouldn't stop.
And soon, even greater threats would come.
Yet, as long as Yao Yan was beside her—
She wasn't afraid.