The aircraft descended slowly, its shadow sweeping across the vast lands of the Tian Clan.
With a deep mechanical hum, it touched the ground.
Rien Kinohutsu stepped out first, his movements calm, unhurried—as if the world itself adjusted to his pace. His eyes narrowed slightly toward the massive Tian Clan gates.
"Someone is already waiting for me," Rien said calmly.
Miss Yin paused beside him. "You should rest," she said softly. "We've traveled a long way."
Rien glanced back at her, a faint smile forming. "Don't worry. I'll return shortly."
Without another word, he walked toward the gates.
Lan Xia watched his retreating figure with a small, amused smile. She turned to Miss Yin as they followed Tian Master inside.
"That man…" she said lightly, "no matter how many times I see him, he still manages to impress me."
Outside the Tian Clan gates, beyond the stone pillars and cosmic flower gardens, a boy sat quietly on a wooden bench, gazing at the sky as if he owned it.
Rien stopped a few steps away.
"So," Rien said, voice steady, "you finally decided to show yourself, Mr. Writer."
The boy turned his head and smiled—calm, knowing, effortless.
"I've been busy," the boy replied. "Stories don't write themselves, Rien."
He leaned back on the bench.
Rien walked closer and sat beside him, eyes drifting toward the glowing cosmic flowers swaying gently in the air.
"And yet," Rien said, "here you are… Bharat."
Bharat sighed, looking skyward.
"You're not supposed to call me by my name."
Rien chuckled softly. "I couldn't help it. It's an interesting name."
Bharat shook his head slowly.
"You've crossed your limits—as a character."
Rien turned to him, eyes sharp but amused.
"A character?" he repeated. "No. I'm the one who defines power, structure, and consequence. I don't exist inside the plot—I decide whether it continues."
Bharat met his gaze, unflinching.
"You still shouldn't go against my rules."
Rien smiled faintly.
"Rules?" he asked. "You're talking about rules… to me?"
He leaned back, expression unreadable.
"I contain your entire narrative—Akira Nozomu, Yan Zhuo Fujimaro, every realm, every so-called climax."
Bharat rolled his eyes.
"Don't include them. They respect the rules. They're better than you in that regard."
Rien stood up slowly.
"You never made me," Rien said quietly. "I existed before you wrote a single word. You merely revealed me."
The air around them grew heavy.
"If I want," Rien continued, "I can erase everything—delete every scene, tear every page, or step into your reality before you even blink."
Bharat stood as well, his voice energetic but controlled.
"And yet," he said, "I'm the one who describes you."
Rien turned his head slightly.
"To whom?" he asked. "Readers? I can see them. Interfere with them. Rewrite what they think they know about me."
Bharat glanced at the cosmic flowers again.
"You're confident," he said. "But you still move with the plot."
Rien smiled—slow, dangerous.
"The plot?"
He looked back at Bharat.
"I am the plot."
Bharat sighed.
"I'll make sure you learn your limits."
Rien turned and began walking toward the Tian Clan.
"Try harder," he said casually. "So—how long are you staying? Or should I kick you out and let you go babysit Yan Zhuo and Akira?"
Bharat followed him, hands in his pockets.
"I was thinking of spending some time with you."
Rien smirked.
"Not a bad choice, Mr. Writer."
Inside the Tian Clan, Rien introduced Bharat to Tian Master and the others.
"This is my friend, Bharat Rathee," Rien said. "He'll be staying for a few days."
Tian Master smiled warmly.
"As long as you vouch for him, Rien, he's welcome."
Bharat nodded politely.
"I appreciate it."
Later, inside Rien's chamber, the two sat across from each other.
"I'm certain you came here on purpose," Rien said, eyes fixed on Bharat.
Bharat looked around the room, clearly pleased.
"Looks like I created a pretty impressive world."
Rien gave him a deadpan look.
"This entire existence can't even contain two percent of my presence. I had to divide myself down to quarks just to keep reality stable."
Bharat laughed.
"Relax. You're doing good work for the story."
He casually patted Rien's head.
Rien froze.
Then slowly turned to him.
"…Who's writing this chapter right now?" Rien asked flatly.
Bharat smiled.
"I'm sure you can control the ink and the pen."
Rien sighed.
"I'm not your assistant."
Bharat sat down on the bed.
"Don't worry. I trust you. But you still owe me an answer—about defeating the Holy Realm and the Divine Realm."
Rien's expression darkened as he sat beside him.
"They're going to kill Kuto and Yan Zhuo," Rien said quietly.
Bharat exhaled heavily.
"That's what creates emotional turning points."
Rien crossed his arms.
"No," he said firmly. "As long as I'm here, you don't touch the people I love."
Bharat rolled his eyes—but didn't argue.
Elsewhere—
Another aircraft landed at the Tian Clan.
"Finally!" Kuto shouted, jumping out like an excited child.
Shuan Master followed behind, yawning.
"I couldn't even sleep properly…"
Lan Xia stepped outside the Tian Clan gates, her gaze landing on Kuto.
"So," she said, crossing her arms and rolling her eyes, "you finally decided to show up, kiddo."
Kuto's face lit up instantly. He clapped his hands together, practically bouncing on his feet.
"I missed you, Lan Xia!" he said, bursting with energy.
Lan Xia clicked her tongue, but a faint smile betrayed her expression.
"Tch. You're as noisy as ever."
Nearby, Tian Master and Miss Yin approached Shuan Master.
"How did the meeting go?" Miss Yin asked softly.
Shuan Master smiled, the tiredness in his eyes finally fading.
"Ren Senior Academy has agreed to fight on our side," he said happily. "They'll also provide a rare artifact—one that can drastically increase the cultivation speed of our cultivators."
Tian Master nodded, sincerity clear in his voice.
"That's excellent news."
The pieces were falling into place.
The stage was set.
And the story—
had just realized it was being watched by its own creator.