🌑 Astra & Chu Feng — Quiet Walk After Battle
After the assassins' corpses were removed and the courtyard cleared, Astra and Chu Feng walked along a stone path behind the Inner Hall.
Chu Feng kept glancing at Astra…
every few seconds…
like a puppy trying not to stare.
Astra noticed.
"What is it?"
Chu Feng quickly looked away.
"N-Nothing."
Astra stopped.
"Chu Feng."
His tone was calm.
Warm.
"Why did you help me?"
Chu Feng hesitated. Then—
"…Because you helped me first."
Astra blinked.
"In the spar… you didn't look down on me.
And today… you protected me."
Those usually lonely eyes of Chu Feng lit with something new—
trust.
Astra exhaled slowly.
He had admired Chu Feng from his past life.
But this… this was the real boy.
Not the legend.
Not a warrior fight against destiny ..
not the feared asura….
Not the protagonist.
Just… Chu Feng.
A child trying to be strong.
Astra placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Let's grow stronger together."
Chu Feng froze—
then smiled softly.
"…Yes."
💞 Bai Ruyin Sees Them Together — Jealousy Awakens
From behind the corner, Bai Ruyin watched the two boys walking side-by-side.
Something twisted inside her chest.
She clenched her scroll tightly.
Why does it bother me…?
Why do I feel like I'm being… replaced?
he tried to calm her heart.
"He's just a disciple… I shouldn't—"
Astra turned and saw her.
"Elder Bai?"
Her heart jumped.
She approached stiffly, trying to look strict.
"A-Astra… come with me.
We need to talk."
Chu Feng stepped back respectfully.
Astra followed her into a quiet alcove.
Bai Ruyin took a deep breath.
Then—
"What are you?"
Astra blinked.
That wasn't what he expected.
She stepped closer.
"You fight like a trained expert."
"You resist assassins like you've done it before."
"And your aura… changes. It feels alive."
Astra didn't answer.
Bai Ruyin's voice softened, trembling:
"…Are you going to leave the sect someday?
Disappear suddenly?"
Astra stared.
So this is what she feared.
Not his strength.
His absence.
He smiled gently.
"I'm not leaving."
Her eyes widened, breath catching.
She turned away quickly.
"G-Good. You better not."
Her cheeks burned red.
🛕 Sect Elders Gather — Astra Becomes a Topic of Fear
Inside the Elder Hall, elder after elder argued loudly.
"This Astra Long must be investigated!"
"No normal child fights assassins like that!"
"Is he from a hidden clan?"
"Is he a cultivation experiment?"
"Should we… eliminate him before he becomes a threat?"
Elder Jian slammed the table.
"Silence!"
Everyone froze.
Jian's voice lowered dangerously.
"We will watch him.
We will guide him.
We will NOT act rashly."
An older elder whispered:
"But… that pressure he released—
it felt ancient. Dangerous."
Jian narrowed his eyes.
"Yes.
Which is why we shall not provoke him."
😈 Hidden Assassination Faction — Escalation
Far away, in a dark underground hall—
A masked leader slammed his fist.
"Five adults failed… to kill a child!?"
A trembling underling bowed.
"Master… he is not a normal child."
The leader growled.
"Prepare the Silver Rank assassins.
No… prepare the Gold Rank."
Gasps.
"B-But master! Gold rank are forbidden for common missions—"
"This is no common mission."
His eyes glowed with madness.
"That child's aura…
it's wrong.
We must capture him before he grows."
👁 Heaven Sealing Clan Woman — Growing Interest
The mirror floated.
The woman in moonlit robes watched the assassination attempt replay.
Her smile deepened.
"He saved the lightning child again.
How gentle."
She touched the mirror.
"He's growing fast…
My future husband."
Behind her, two clan elders knelt.
"Lady Yue… shall we approach him soon?"
She shook her head gracefully.
"No rush.
Let him grow.
Let him discover himself.
Let fate tighten around him."
She smirked.
"And when he is ready—
I will claim him."