Sky Kingdom trembled that day.Everyone was on edge—whispers, rumors, accusations.The Warlord and Grand Master Wuxin lay wounded, and all fingers pointed toward Huo Feng.Mei, always hungry for chaos, spread the rumor that Huo Feng had harmed Wuxin… and fled.
Inside Wuxin's chamber, the atmosphere was calmer.The healer tended to him while Master Li sat nearby, his eyes fixed on the recovering Wuxin.Bit by bit, Wuxin's strength was returning.
He finally lifted his cup, sipping his tea quietly. For a moment, neither of them spoke—both lost in their thoughts about her.
Without raising his eyes, Wuxin asked,"Do you think she'll succeed in her mission?"
Li answered with unwavering confidence,"She will. She's strong… unbelievably strong."He smirked, rubbing his back as the old pain returned."She defeated me once, remember? I still feel the mark where she tore my wings."
Wuxin turned his head toward him."And clever. She figured out back in the Dust Realm that you were Little Li."
Li replied softly,"Souls recognize those they cherish… even when faces change."
Wuxin's fingers tightened around his cup.Does he truly love her?The question stung him, so he shifted the conversation.
"Tell me… what happened back then? After the three of you disappeared?"
Li stood and walked toward the window, staring at the sky that seemed almost within reach—searching for a memory both sweet and painful.
At last, he spoke:"The darkness swallowed us… then threw us at the Emperor's feet."
Wuxin interrupted,"You mean your father? Why did you hide that from me?"
Li didn't turn around."I thought you'd abandon me like the others when you learned who he was… but it doesn't matter anymore."
He sighed and continued,"We were children—helpless under his control. He began tormenting that gentle girl, little Fuu… I couldn't save her. His magic bound me in place. Then Shushu arrived… brave Shushu. She sacrificed herself for us."
Wuxin whispered,"What happened to her? Did she die?"
"No," Li answered. "Not then. She became my father's servant."
Li reached into his pocket and pulled out a piece of jade.A faint glow danced over its surface.
Wuxin stiffened at the sight and instinctively touched the jade he kept in his own pocket."Was… was it hers?"
Li hesitated, lost in thought, then blinked and answered,"Yes."
Wuxin rushed to pull out his own jade, stepping closer—But a voice halted him.
"Where is my granddaughter, Commander?Didn't you promise to protect her?"
The old Furnace Master approached slowly. His frailty was startling—much worse than before.
Both masters exchanged worried glances but stayed silent.
Li reassured him,"She's on a mission, but she'll be back soon. I'm sure… she'll return before the test results are announced—"
But the elder silenced him with a sudden lift of his hand.
His gaze lowered to the glowing magical thread emerging from Wuxin's heart, stretching upward—toward the unknown… toward Huo Feng.
Then he looked down—at his own feet.His thread was collapsing, its light fading and unraveling.
He understood.His time had come.
A mysterious smile touched his lips."At last… I shall go to bring her back."
He took a few steps—Then stopped.
She was already standing there.
For a heartbeat, the three men fell silent.Seeing her again froze time itself.
"Huo Feng," the elder whispered.
She ran to him, wrapping him in a sudden, innocent embrace."No need, Grandpa… I hurried back. I completed my mission."
He nearly collapsed, but she held him steady.
"No," he said softly. "Your mission begins now."
She seated him beside Wuxin, watching him carefully.Then she poured tea and said with quiet pride:
"I saved Master Li's friend at last…and my other master's mother."
Her gaze shifted between the two jade halves in their hands.
Wuxin gripped his jade tightly."So it was true…"
Li stepped forward and placed the two halves together.They merged into a single royal jade—shaped like a dragon, like Wuxin himself.
Li blinked in disbelief."But… you're too old to be her son. Shushu's son."
Wuxin stepped back, stunned."A friend once told me… I'm younger than I appear.""Jin Hai said I traded a thousand years of my life to save my mother. I never believed she truly was my mother… not until I saw that jade in your hand."
Both men turned to Huo Feng at once.
"Were you able to save her?"
She nodded calmly."Yes. My mission is complete. But—wait."
She looked toward the elder, her voice low."And what is my mission, the one you mentioned before?"
The elder rose, retreating step by step.
"It is not a mission…""It is my final imperial decree in the Sky Kingdom.""And I will announce it tomorrow, before all, when the test results are declared."