Revelations and Reflections

  After preparing to erase any trace that could lead their pursuers to them, the group finally found a moment of respite. Mio Hio, with a determined yet sorrowful gaze, ignited the flames that would consume the pile of bodies of their fallen comrades. As the fire rose, devouring the remains of those who had lost their lives in battle, tears streamed down her face.

  These tears were not just of sadness, but also of deep anger and a burning desire for revenge against those who had caused so much pain and destruction.

  Five days have passed since then. The group was moving deeper into the forest, now far away and seemingly safe. Huang Di approached Mio Hio, noticing the storm of emotions she was facing. He knew the moment demanded sensitivity and understanding.

  "Mio Hio," he said softly, "you mentioned a brother... Where is he? Why didn’t he retreat with the other young masters?"

  Mio Hio paused for a moment, as if gathering strength to touch on an open wound.

  "My brother..." she said, her voice heavy with emotion, "is responsible for everything that is happening."

  Huang Di, still under the guise of Raizan, looked at her with surprise and curiosity, encouraging her to continue.

  She took a deep breath before proceeding:

  "A few years ago, my brother, Mio Yato, was considered the greatest genius since the founding of our family in this city. From a very young age, he stood out with exceptional talent for cultivation. Everyone expected him to be the first to reach the Sky Rank before turning thirty. This, of course, awakened envy and hostility from other families, who began to plot his downfall."

  Huang Di nodded silently, understanding well the political dynamics and rivalries among noble families.

  "A week ago, before all this happened," Mio Hio continued, "a blonde woman appeared in the city, riding a six-tailed fox. Her power was palpable... she was one step away from reaching the Sky Rank. This heightened the tension among the families even further. All, including ours, invited her to social events, trying to win her favor."

  She paused. Her expression grew darker.

  "My brother, who had always been focused on cultivation and never showed interest in romance... completely fell under this woman’s spell. He began acting irrationally, doing everything she asked, following her like a dog follows its master. This enraged my father... and my grandfather, the ancestor of our family."

  Huang Di listened attentively, sensing the growing complexity of the situation. Sara, who was also following the conversation, could not hide her curiosity:

  "And what happened next?"

  Mio Hio sighed, resuming:

  "The shadow men of my family were sent to investigate her. What they found was... nothing. No past, no history, no records. This only increased suspicion. Then, my grandfather used an ancient relic, something that reveals a person’s fate. The result was disastrous. The seer said that if this woman stayed by my brother’s side... she would bring the destruction of our family."

  Huang Di frowned. He was beginning to understand the magnitude of the threat.

  "Faced with this," Mio Hio continued, "my family decided to act. They needed to get rid of her. But all who were sent... died. One by one. Until my grandfather, along with some elders, decided to intervene personally."

  She paused again. Her voice now trembled.

  "When they arrived to confront her, they found an... absurd scene. The young masters of the Mio, Che, and Qui families... were, serving food and massaging the blonde demoness. Others were cooking for her. And all wore vacant expressions. Like zombies."

  Huang Di clenched his fists unconsciously.

  "My grandfather, upon realizing it was a demonic technique, unleashed his Sky Rank aura, major stage. He destroyed the place... and engaged in direct combat with the blonde demoness."

  The Battle’s Account

  Mio Hio, with a serious expression and a voice heavy with emotion, continued her account to Huang Di, who listened attentively.

  "The battle began intensely," she said, "with the ancestor Mio advancing to attack the blonde demoness. However, he was intercepted by the young masters of the principal families who, under her influence, were ready to fight fiercely."

  Huang Di nodded, picturing the scene in his mind, as Mio Hio went on:

  "The elders accompanying my grandfather reacted swiftly, engaging in combat with the young masters. The scene was chaotic, with energy and skills unleashed in all directions. It was as if the very air was on fire."

  She paused, taking a deep breath before continuing:

  "Meanwhile, the ancestor Mio pressed forward toward the blonde demoness. But suddenly, he stopped... feeling overwhelming pressure. The fox behind her released its aura, a Rank 6 beast, equivalent to a Sky Rank specialist. Depending on the species, it could even surpass them on the same level."

  Huang Di frowned, impressed by the revelation.

  "My grandfather, realizing the danger, stepped back a few paces but remained firm. He took out a pagoda to suppress beasts, a Rank 6 treasure used by Sky Rank cultivators. The pagoda began emitting a golden light, trying to suppress the beast’s pressure and temporarily paralyze it."

  Mio Hio paused again. Her expression grew even darker:

  "The blonde demoness reacted swiftly. She used a Rank 6 mirror that nullified the pagoda’s effect. My grandfather was surprised and realized he needed to change strategy. He looked around and saw the fight between the young masters and elders, the battle was balanced, but the young masters, even influenced, had superior skills and were using high-level equipment lent by their families."

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  Huang Di absorbed every detail silently.

  "Determined, the ancestor Mio decided to face the fox directly. He leapt into the sky, initiating a fierce combat. Each exchanged blow made the air tremble, and the battle drew elders from neighboring families, who came to protect their respective heirs."

  Mio Hio’s voice trembled slightly.

  "In the shadows, there was a hidden specialist. A masked man watched everything with interest. He laughed quietly, realizing he could profit from the situation. ‘This is an opportunity I cannot miss,’ he thought, preparing to intervene."

  "The fight in the sky intensified. The elders, in turn, struggled to suppress the young masters without seriously injuring them. They tried to use their most powerful techniques to knock them unconscious, but the young masters, even under influence, responded with their best attacks."

  "The fox was injured. One of its tails was struck, and it let out a sharp cry. But the ancestor Mio was also exhausted. Using his most powerful ability left him with only 40% of his Qi remaining. Both were on the brink of exhaustion, yet neither backed down."

  Huang Di was tense, following every word.

  "Then the masked man acted. He appeared behind the ancestor Mio with astonishing speed. My grandfather realized it was too late. The blow struck him in the back, knocking him out of the sky. The impact was so strong it dissipated from the clouds above."

  "The elders were alarmed. One of them, disregarding his own safety, attacked with full force and managed to cripple the young master of the Qui family by striking his dantian and disabling him. Amid the chaos, this same elder flew to rescue my grandfather, who was gravely injured with a hole in his chest."

  Mio Hio took a deep breath; her voice choked with accumulated tension.

  "The elderly forced my grandfather to ingest high-level healing pills and fled the battlefield carrying him. The fox, wounded and crying beside its mistress, was taken away by the masked man."

  She paused one final time before concluding:

  "The masked man knelt before the blonde demoness and handed her the captured pagoda. ‘Princess Di Saba,’ he said, forgive my delay. Your servant apologizes for the wounds of your beast.’ The scene shocked all the Elders still fighting. To see a Sky Rank specialist kneeling before a young woman... was terrifying."

  Huang Di nodded slowly, absorbing the weight of the revelation.

  "With the defeat of the ancestor Mio and the control over some young masters, the remaining elders managed to capture the young master of our family and retreated with him. The heir of the Che family was paralyzed, unsure how to react."

  Between Light and Shadow

  After recounting the events of the battle, Mio Hio explained that her family had posted a wanted notice for Princess Di Saba, the blonde demoness. However, the situation was more complex than it appeared.

  “We couldn’t contain or cure my brother,” she said, her voice heavy with sorrow, “so we were forced to seek out the Rank 6 Alchemist, a specialist in pills that affect Sky Rank cultivators. But he was busy and informed us that he would only help if we brought two hearts from Rank 5 beasts.

  Huang Di listened attentively, sensing the gravity of the situation.

  “A team from our personal guard, led by Captain Cairus, undertook the mission,” continued Mio Hio. “They found the beasts but apparently failed to retrieve the hearts. My father, irritated, expelled them from the family. Since they were only hired guards, this did not impact on our structure much. Shortly after, they were hired by the Che family.”

  “They were likely spies from the Che family infiltrated into our house,” said Sara confidently.

  Mio Hio paused, her expression growing even darker.

  “Because of this, my brother, Mio Yato, worsened. My father, Mio Yoto, seeing it as the only way to save his son’s life, sealed his meridians, crippling his martial path. He was cured of madness... but devastated to learn he was now crippled.”

  Huang Di nodded, comprehending the pain and complexity of the situation.

  “It is a tragedy,” he said empathetically. “But now we must think about what to do next. Fleeing and regrouping seems the best option for the moment. What do you think, Mio Hio?”

  She sighed; her gaze lost in possibilities.

  “Yes, fleeing is the only option we have now. But... where do we go? How will we survive?”

  She looked at Raizan, seeking a solution, a spark of hope.

  Huang Di pondered for a moment before replying:

  “Sara mentioned she has a cousin in the Strong Steps Sect. Perhaps you can seek refuge there. The sect is known for its strength and protection of allies. It could be a good place to rebuild and plan the next move.”

  Mio Hio nodded, considering the idea.

  “Yes... the Strong Steps Sect might be our best chance. But the journey is long and dangerous. We need a solid plan.”

  Sara, who had been listening attentively, joined the conversation:

  “I agree with Raizan. The sect can offer protection and resources. And if we can reach the next city, we can use the teleporter to shorten the journey. That could give us a considerable advantage.”

  Huang Di nodded, appreciating the contribution.

  “It is decided then. I will accompany you until you are safe. From there, you can head to the Strong Steps Sect. But we must leave immediately. Every moment we linger here is a risk.”

  Three days later, the group arrived at a Caravan Camp, a relatively safe and well-guarded place. There, they planned to depart the next morning for the nearby city with a teleportation system. It was the place where Mio Hio and the others would say farewell to Huang Di before heading to the sect.

  That night, as the group prepared to rest, Mio Hio asked Sara to leave for a few hours. She wanted to be alone with Raizan before his departure.

  Now alone in the tent, Mio Hio approached Raizan. There was a silent determination in her eyes.

  Farewell Under the Moonlight

  “Before you leave,” she began, her voice soft, “may I ask a favor?”

  Huang Di, surprised yet curious, nodded slowly.

  “As long as it is within my power,” he replied cautiously.

  Mio Hio looked deeply into his eyes as she drew closer.

  “Please, make me your own,” she asked, her tone sweet and heavy with emotion.

  Huang Di’s eyes widened. His cheeks flushed, feeling a mix of surprise and excitement. He knew exactly the weight of those words. He recalled the teachings of the Emerald Elder: a promise made by a warrior must always be kept. And although he thought his vow was to protect Mio Hio and her family, he had never imagined the request would take such an intimate form.

  Before he could respond, Mio Hio added:

  “But... I want it to be with your true form. Not this disguise.”

  Understanding the importance of the moment, Huang Di quickly activated a Rank 5 concealment formation inside the tent, sealing the space completely. No sound or aura would escape, the outside world vanished, leaving only the two of them.

  Within the tent, the atmosphere was thick with anticipation. Mio Hio approached with silent determination. Huang Di, still absorbing the request, took a deep breath and spoke gently:

  “Mio Hio... are you certain of this? Once done, there is no turning back.”

  She nodded firmly, her eyes sincerely:

  “Yes. I want this night to be ours, no matter what tomorrow brings.”

  Moving by her courage, Huang Di revealed his true form. His long, night-dark hair flowed down to his waist. His intense black eyes seemed to contain entire galaxies. His muscular, well-defined body reflected years of training and perseverance. Seeing him thus, Mio Hio’s heart raced.

  They drew near, step by step, as if fate gently pulled them together. The tension was dense but filled with meaning. When they finally touched, it was as if two souls recognized one another.

  The night passed in a whirlwind of emotions. Between whispers and caresses, they shared a moment of genuine connection, more than physical, it was spiritual. Mio Hio, in his arms, felt more alive than ever before. Huang Di, in turn, discovered a facet of himself he had never explored.

  When the sun began to tint the sky, they were still entwined, reluctant to break the moment.

  But the world outside was calling.

  With a heavy heart, Huang Di rose and began to dress. Mio Hio watched silently, her eyes filled with sadness yet gratitude.

  Before leaving, he turned to her and said:

  “Mio Hio... what happened between us was more than I could have imagined. But now, I must follow my path. And you, yours.”

  She nodded, forcing a smile:

  “I know. But... know that there will always be a place for you by my side, wherever we may be.”

  Moved by her words, Huang Di withdrew a letter from inside his tunic and handed it to her.

  “Here is the truth about my origins,” he said. “If you decide to follow me... find me at the place indicated in this letter. In ten months, I will be there for one week. I will wait for you.”

  Mio Hio held the letter delicately, understanding the promise’s significance.

  With one last look, Huang Di departed. His steps were firm, but his heart was heavy. He knew that night would mark his life forever. In silence, he followed his path, carrying not only memories but a new purpose.