After walking deep through the winding tunnels inside the mountain, the group finally arrived at a vast cave. The air was damp and heavy, and moss clung to the cold stone walls.
In the center of the cave, a narrow stone path led to a sealed stone gate on the far side. It could only be opened by triggering a hidden mechanism.
Lang Huan glanced at Lin Ruochen and gave a small nod—this was the place they had agreed on.
The Falcon Army, under the princess's secret orders, had already prepared everything days ago. They had entered the mountain through another path and spread gunpowder along the ceiling and between cracks in the rocks. Hidden fuses and secret markers were already in place. Only Lin Ruochen knew where the trigger was.
Lang Huan stepped forward and said calmly, "I think… we should check the path on the right too."
Several months ago, Bai Fei had come here with people from the Eldest Princess's side. Many lives were sacrificed just to reach this sealed door. Even after they got there, they never made it past the third layer leading to the treasure room.
Bai Yuren spotted a suspicious-looking stone near the cave wall. From the records Bai Fei had left behind for them, he remembered clearly — that stone wasn't the real switch.
Still, he turned to Lang Huan and said calmly, "You press it. It might open the door."
Lang Huan said nothing, her eyes fixed on Bai Yuren, who was smiling at her with wicked intent. He had done it on purpose.
Lin Ruochen's expression changed. The wrong one would activate one of the deadliest traps in the cave.
"Don't," Lin Ruochen whispered urgently. "It's not…" She hesitated, her voice faltering under Bai Yuren's sharp gaze.
Bai Yuren's smile vanished. His eyes narrowed as he stared coldly at Lin Ruochen. "Who are you? How do you know where the real switch is?"
He took a step forward, pressing her for an answer.
Lang Huan's anger surged. Bai Yuren kept messing with her, pushing her patience to the limit.
She took a deep breath and drew on her inner strength. The air around her shifted. A strong wind began to swirl inside the cave, picking up dust and leaves from the ground.
Tiny particles of gunpowder, hidden in the cracks above, began to fall like black snow.
Bai Yuren's eyes widened slightly. "Trying to show off now?" he scoffed. "Your inner force is strong… but do you really think you can win against us? We've cultivated for decades. You're still too green to challenge us."
Lang Huan had turned deaf to his words. With a roar, she struck forward, her palm glowing with energy as she aimed directly for Bai Yuren's chest.
Bang! He blocked the attack just in time, but the shockwave sent him sliding backward.
The rest of the Bai clan jumped in, surrounding Lang Huan and forcing her into a chaotic fight. They hurled their inner force at her, the air cracking with energy.
Lin Ruochen's face turned pale. She looked up—more gunpowder was beginning to rain down. One spark, one wrong move, and the entire cave would explode.
Blood spilled from Lang Huan's lips, but she didn't stop. Her arms trembled from blocking the endless waves of attacks, but she refused to fall. Every strike from the Bai clan pushed her farther back.
"Lang Huan!" a voice echoed through the cave.
Out of the corner of her eye, Lang Huan saw a fluttering white robe—she knew that figure. It was Lang Ruhua.
Lang Ruhua landed beside her. She raised her palm and struck forward. A wave of scorching heat burst from her hand, slamming into the group of attackers.
The heat within her inner force ignited the floating gunpowder particles in the air. Tiny flames flickered to life on the cave walls. The Bai clan formation broke apart.
With rage in their eyes, they turned and charged at her. Lang Ruhua parried blow after blow, flames dancing around her arms.
Lang Ruhua was outnumbered. Though her cultivation was profound, she had carried internal injuries for centuries. If this continued, it would only bring her harm.
Lang Huan, coughing up blood, continued to fight back. She launched strike after strike at Bai Yuren and the others.
A sudden explosion burst from the far side of the cave. The rocks shook, and dust fell from the ceiling. The entire chamber trembled.
"Another spark and this place will collapse!" Lin Ruochen shouted from across the stone path, her voice filled with urgency.
The cave had become a ticking bomb. Then—another explosion rocked the ground.
BOOM!
A massive blast erupted from above. The ceiling cracked, and huge rocks began to fall. Dust and fire filled the air.
The narrow stone path behind them collapsed.
"Lang Huan go….!" Lin Ruochen shouted. She turned to Lang Huan and pointed to the side. "Go! The switch is on the right wall! Just Go!"
Lang Huan's eyes widened. "What about you?!"
Lin Ruochen had already spun around, her sword raised, standing between the Bai clan and the escape route. "I'll hold them back!" she yelled. "Now go!"
The flames lit her face. Her stance was steady, even as the ceiling began to rain stones.
Lang Huan stood frozen. Her heart clenched seeing Lin Ruochen face the enemies alone, her green robe stained with ash and blood.
"Ruochen…" Lang Huan in dazed her corners of her eyes slid tears.
"Damn it, ! We can't stay here!" Lang Ruhua growled, frustration flashing in her eyes as she saw Lang Huan frozen in place.
She shoved Lang Huan toward the wall. Her fingers quickly found the carved stone—there was a soft click, and the ancient door began to shift open with a low rumble.
The wind roared behind them. Fire rushed forward like a wave.
She dragged Lang Huan through the narrow passage and slammed her palm against the heavy stone door from the inside—BAM!—just in time.
KA-BOOOOM!
A massive explosion hit the sealed cave entrance. The stone walls shook violently, cracks spiderwebbed across the surface. Even behind the door, the shockwave was powerful.
Lang Huan and Lang Ruhua were thrown backward by the force. They hit the ground hard—dust flying everywhere, ears ringing.
For a long moment, everything was silent.
Lang Huan groaned, trying to lift herself up. Her body ached, and her mind was spinning. "Ruochen…"
She fainted.
---
Lang Huan stood in a white, endless space. It was as if time had stopped. Then, she heard a familiar voice calling her name.
"Lang Huan…"
It was Lang Yuyan.
"Lang Huan… do you want to go back? Back to your old life?"
Suddenly, Lang Huan saw her sisters, dressed in the clothes she used to wear before she left the modern world.
The moment their eyes met, the world around her shifted. She saw her parents standing in the distance, smiling warmly.
A deep ache spread through her chest. If she had never come to Great Qi… her life might have been simple. Going to university. Graduating. Joined in family company…
She took a step toward her family.
"Little brat…"
Lang Huan stopped and turned around.
"Didn't you say you want to marry me?"
There—just a few steps behind—stood Feng Yao. She wore her phoenix robe. There was blood on her sleeve, her long hair falling loosely down her back. Her eyes were clear, and her smile shone like sunlight breaking through the clouds.
"Something happened," Feng Yao said gently. "I'll wait for you."
Lang Huan's breath caught. She looked back at her family—then at Feng Yao.
Her lips trembled. But her heart already knew the answer.
"…Your Highness," she whispered, tears slipping down her cheeks. "Yes… I'll marry you."
She turned and ran toward Feng Yao.
Just before she reached her—
Gasp!
Lang Huan's eyes flew open. She sat up with a sharp breath, her chest rising and falling.
She was back.