Night descended slowly, like a curtain drawn by unseen hands.
The branch sect no longer felt small.
Astra stood at the edge of the training field, watching lantern light sway in the wind. Disciples passed by him now with hesitation instead of mockery. Some bowed. Some avoided his gaze. Some stared too long, trying to understand what he was.
None succeeded.
Behind him, Chu Feng wiped sweat from his brow, lightning still faintly crackling along his arms. His breathing was steady now—stronger than when they first met, steadier than when they had fought back-to-back days earlier.
"You're spacing out again," Chu Feng said, half-smiling. "Thinking about something dangerous?"
Astra replied calmly, "Always."
Chu Feng laughed quietly, then his expression turned serious.
"Back then… if you hadn't been there, I would've lost control. I don't know why, but when we fight together, my lightning listens better."
Astra didn't answer immediately.
nside him, the Spirit Egg pulsed once.
Thump.
A soft, displeased presence stirred.
"…because you are reckless," a cool, feminine voice echoed faintly within Astra's mind.
"…and because his power resonates poorly with mine."
Astra suppressed a smile.
She's awake again.
Partially.
And grumpy.
Chu Feng continued, unaware. "One day, I'll repay that debt. Not because I owe you—because I want to stand beside you properly."
Astra met his gaze.
"You already are."
The words were simple. Honest.
Chu Feng's eyes hardened—not with hatred, but with resolve.
Then, without warning, the wind shifted.
The night grew heavier.
Not hostile.
Not murderous.
Just… vast.
From deep within Astra's dantian, the Spirit Egg stirred again—stronger this time.
Thump… thump…
Astra closed his eyes.
Within the Inner World
The star-filled void unfolded as before.
The Egg floated there, larger now, its surface etched with clearer, ancient runes. Light shimmered beneath the shell like a restrained ocean.
"…you are moving too fast," the Spirit Queen's voice said, sharper than before.
"…and surrounding yourself with noisy mortals."
Astra crossed his arms in thought.
"You're awake longer than before."
"…do not misunderstand," she replied coldly. "…I am not awake. I am merely… aware."
A pause.
"…and stop smiling."
Astra chuckled softly.
"You sensed Chu Feng."
"…hmph. Lightning brat. Unstable. Dangerous."
"You like him," Astra teased.
Silence.
Then—
"…I tolerate him."
A clear tsundere response.
Astra grew serious.
"You don't need to rush. I won't force you to hatch. You can grow with me. When the seal breaks… it should be because you choose it."
The Egg glowed faintly.
The voice softened—just a fraction.
"…good. You would not survive my wrath otherwise."
Back to Reality
Astra opened his eyes.
Chu Feng was watching him.
"For a second there," Chu Feng said slowly, "it felt like… something ancient looked at me."
Astra shook his head lightly.
"Your imagination."
Chu Feng snorted. "Then my imagination is terrifying."
They both laughed quietly.
Above them, the sky rippled.
Not visibly.
Not to ordinary eyes.
But the heavens felt it.
Somewhere far away—beyond sects, beyond provinces—an ancient formation trembled.
A sealed eye opened briefly…
…then shut again.
As It saw nothing….
Time Begins to Move Faster
Days passed.
Then weeks.
Astra no longer lingered in the outer halls. He moved between cultivation grounds, missions, and quiet nights where his Spirit Egg spoke more frequently—sometimes mocking, sometimes warning, sometimes merely watching.
Chu Feng advanced steadily beside him.
They trained together.
Fought together.
Argued.
Improved.
Their bond was not sworn with oaths—but with shared danger.
His veins—already transformed earlier—adapted further, widening silently, enduring pressure that would have shattered ordinary cultivators.
The system remained silent.
A Quiet Promise
One night, before departing on the next journey, Chu Feng stood beside Astra at the mountain's edge.
"When we reach the main stage," Chu Feng said, "things will change."
"They always do," Astra replied.
Chu Feng clenched his fist.
"Then don't fall behind."
Astra smiled—slow, dangerous, calm.
"I don't plan to."
Inside him, the Spirit Egg pulsed once more.
"…good," the Spirit Queen whispered.
"…because I dislike replacing hosts."
The wind carried their laughter into the dark.
Two protagonists.
Two paths.
One world.
And a fate that had already begun to diverge.