Teacher by day, Farmer by passion

Yu Zhong stepped closer, his boots scraping softly against the cold soul-forged floor.

He stopped just inches from her suspended form.

With two fingers, he gently lifted her until her face tilted upward, her hair falling away to reveal a pale, hollow visage.

Their eyes met.

His—calm and calculating, like a scholar peering into a specimen jar.

Hers—dull, half-lidded, flickering with a trace of defiance before fluttering shut once more.

"You look hideous," he chuckled, voice smooth and mocking. "Truly, not the noble bloodline you are expected to be."

The girl's head lolled slightly in his grasp, but she didn't speak. Didn't move.

Yu Zhong studied her in silence for a moment longer.

Then he sighed, low and almost bored and released his grip.

Her head dropped, limp, swaying slightly on its chains.

"This is why I hate dealing with fate," he of his retreating footsteps swallowed by the silence of the soul-forged tomb.

Yu Zhong stepped out of the prison, the heavy soulstone walls finally behind him.

As the doors shut with a dull thud, he paused and took a slow, steady breath, then another.

"Two years in that soul tomb… and she's still breathing."

Yu Zhong rubbed his temple, a rare flicker of unease touching his features.

"This is why I hate dealing with phoenixes."

He rubbed his temple, eyes narrowing with a trace of disbelief.

Lifting his gaze, he looked toward the distant sky. The sun was beginning to dip beneath the horizon, casting the clouds in hues of gold and crimson.

Far from the prison's desolate silence, atop the Fairy Pavilion's highest floor—bathed in that same twilight glow—Ace and Luna continued their conversation.

The sun dipped lower still, its fading warmth touching two very different moments in time.

"Has the queen made any preparations for the war?" Ace asked.

Luna stared at him like he'd just asked whether fire was hot.

"Well, well, look who we have here…" she drawled, leaning back with a smirk. "Someone who doesn't know what's good for him."

Ace rolled his eyes and ran a hand through his hair. "White Snow Sect attacked us today. Do you have any idea why they'd do that?"

Her amused expression vanished. "You're joking."

"I'm not," Ace replied flatly.

"When did this attack happen?" she asked, surprise creeping into her voice.

"Today."

"Today?" She blinked, then burst into laughter. "And you're here? What, did you finish fighting and take a casual stroll over? You're getting good with these jokes. I almost believed you."

"I'm not joking," Ace said, lifting his teacup again with annoying calm. "They got beaten into retreat. I came to ask about the current state of the war so I can take that into account before I go ransack their sect and be back before war properly arrives."

Luna stared at him.

Then slowly sat down, hands clasped, and said, "You really don't think things through, do you?"

"I don't like to overthink. Strength suits me better," he replied with a shrug.

"Clearly…" she muttered under her breath. "It shows."

Luna suddenly asked, "Oh, have you taken in any village as a host recently?"

Ace nodded. "Yeah. We took in the nearby village."

Luna let out a long sigh and leaned back in her seat. "Then that's probably why."

Ace frowned. "What do you mean why? Make it make sense."

She raised an eyebrow. "Have you ever read the country's law?"

"...Do I have to?"

Luna let out a small laugh, brushing her hair back with a flick. "Hmm, maybe not. You and your sect elders are probably enough to topple the entire kingdom anyway."

Ace gave a slow, satisfied nod. "That's not untrue."

"Anyway," Luna continued, folding her arms, "Whether that's true or not, listen to this, the founding fathers of this country passed a set of laws long ago. If you establish a sect within the nation's borders, you're required to either take in the nearby villages or move closer to a city to provide backup when needed."

Ace raised a brow. "So it's basically mandatory to play hero?"

She gave a shrug. "Not exactly. Asking outright for free protection would've caused backlash, so they sweetened the deal. For every life saved, there are reward systems in place—official and… unofficial. So in the end, it's a win-win. The law frames it as 'mutual defense,' but really—it's the government's way of turning sects into unpaid militia."

Ace nodded slowly, starting to connect the dots.

"And that," Luna added, her voice softening slightly, "is why I recommend you don't attack the White Snow Sect. At least, not now. Not during a time like this. Lots of mortals or the humans will suffer if you do."

Ace took a long pause, considering her words.

Then he gave a nod. "Alright. I'll hold off… for now."

Luna smiled faintly. "A wise choice, though I'm not sure that's a word often used for you."

Ace smirked. "I'll take that as a compliment."

He stood up. "I'll be heading off now. And also if you find anything, anything at all, about the Void, I want you to send it to me. All of it."

Luna bowed her head. "Yes, Ace."

Ace turned and walked out of the top floor, descending the pavilion.

Once he made his way out of the fairy pavilion Pagoda.

Ace stepped into the sky, his footfall light against the air as if walking on invisible steps.

With a casual lift, he soared above the city, the wind brushing against him as he drifted away, graceful and effortless.

By the time he returned to Snow Peak, night had fully draped the world. The moon hung high, casting a silver glow across the snowy ridges, bathing the sect in quiet luminescence.

But the peace didn't last long.

"Stop! Aunt Hong, slow down! You're going too fast! You'll fall!"

A voice echoed from the southern side of the sect.

Ace turned just in time to see Aunt Hong flying nervously as she zipped across the sky on her flying sword, her crimson robes fluttering like fire in the wind.

Behind her, Elder Mati gave chase, face twisted in worry, her own sword blazing a path of icy blue light.

Ace landed softly, shaking his head with a faint smile at the sight.

She'll be fine.

He made his way through the sect grounds, letting the laughter and chaos fade behind him as he headed toward a quieter place—Lily's garden, where the spirit bot usually lingered.

He needed an update… and maybe to verify that she hasn't ran off and burn down the white Snow sect.