The morning mist thinned. The Yao Tower's radiance had stabilized again, and the last ember-haze suspended above the clouds finally vanished. The city lay quiet; the first strip of dawn fell over the stone steps of the Yao Residence, bringing a warmth that felt long overdue.
As the situation settled, the commoners who had taken shelter in the Yao Residence began returning home in waves.
The Ding family's four brothers—along with their three sisters-in-law—left with their children and their aging father. They shouldered their packs, weary but smiling, already talking about rebuilding their courtyard wall and putting their household back together. Before departing, Old Master Ding clasped his hands toward the attendants again and again.
"This time, we kept our lives only because the lords protected us."
The Li household departed as well. Servants, guards, and maids packed their valuables, preparing to return and repair what had been damaged. At the gate, Li Furong bid farewell to her parents. She wore a calm expression, yet the light in her eyes refused to hide.
"Father," she said softly, "Doctor Sang saved our entire family. His medical skill is extraordinary—and he's upright and reliable."
Li Father fell silent for a long moment. Finally, he nodded. "A life-saving debt must be remembered. If that is so… then if you truly have feelings for him, I won't block you anymore."
Li Mother smiled beside him. "Doctor Sang is gentle. If anyone can tolerate your temper, it's him. Perhaps it's fate."
Li Furong's cheeks warmed. She lowered into a small curtsy. "Thank you, Father and Mother, for granting your blessing."
Not far away, Ding Yuxuan was saying goodbye to her family too. She smiled brightly.
"I have to stay and discuss some mechanical matters with Master Lin. I'll go back a bit later."
Old Master Ding eyed her. "That wooden-headed boy?"
Ding Yuhao grinned and teased, "Father, that's your future son-in-law."
"Nonsense!" Ding Yuxuan flushed scarlet, glaring at him—yet the smile at the corner of her mouth refused to disappear.
Sunlight poured through the gate, turning the ground a bright wash of gold. Voices faded into the distance; the residence returned to its quiet, leaving only the soft chime of wind bells and the lingering scent of medicine.
—The flames had ended, yet hearts were still repairing.
Everyone, in their own way, was picking up the ordinary life that had been lost before the chaos.
[Yao Residence · Before Noon]
Ever since the Crown Prince bestowed this residence upon the Four Yao, it had been meant as both a place of rest and a hall for counsel.
But after the battle at the Sacred Hall, only Luo Ye returned here each day.
The attendants had gradually grown used to it—this place was called the "Residence of the Four Yao," yet for a long time it had held only the presence of the Fire Yao.
Until today.
With the Yao Tower stabilized and the refugees gone home, the other three finally returned.
Sang Qi's medicinal fragrance once again seeped into the corridors. Lin Lie and Ding Yuxuan had been in the workshop since early morning, both dusty from tinkering. Cang Yuan walked through the courtyard with Xie Wenyun at his side, laughter lingering lazily in his voice.
Those long-missed footsteps made the entire estate feel alive again—even the wind bells seemed to tremble as if stirred by that sound.
The bells had been hung at Lingdang's insistence after she moved into the residence. She had said someone once told her that a "ding-dang" chime sounded festive and lively. She wanted the residence to stop feeling dull, wanted Luo Ye to stop feeling alone.
Now the bells still chimed in the wind—
but her clear, bright laughter was no longer there.
Noon light fell softly. A faint glimmer lined the eaves. The scent of medicine had not yet faded, but a warmth—long absent—had returned.
After the war, Yao Capital was finally calm. From the kitchen came the small clinks of bowls and chopsticks; the fragrance of food and the murmur of conversation wove together into a picture of rare peace.
Luo Ye's seat, however, stood empty.
He had left at dawn and had not returned. According to Sang Qi, he was still searching for Lingdang. And Youqing—who had only come back from the Yao Tower late last night, her energy severely drained—was still resting in the eastern pavilion.
Sang Qi entered first, Li Furong beside him, his smile warm and gentle. Cang Yuan followed with Xie Wenyun, their pace unhurried and their tone natural. Lin Lie came last, one hand carrying a food box, the other guarding Ding Yuxuan as if she might trip on her skirt at any moment.
When the three pairs stepped into the dining hall, even the attendants froze.
It looked less like an official residence and more like a gathering of close friends.
"The dishes look good today," Cang Yuan drawled first, smiling in that lightly flirtatious way of his.
Sang Qi glanced at him. "The kitchen prepared them specifically for you. They know you like spicy food—extra chili oil."
"Old Sang gets me," Cang Yuan grinned. "Truly my mentor and dearest friend."
"Yes," Sang Qi replied lazily. "Specialized in treating foul mouths."
Xie Wenyun couldn't help laughing. "You two should swear brotherhood already."
Lin Lie helped Ding Yuxuan into a seat, expression flat as ever. "Don't run around. One chair leg still has a nail that hasn't been fixed."
Ding Yuxuan nodded obediently. "I know."
The moment she sat, though, she pulled out a tiny tool and began measuring the chair with absolute seriousness.
Lin Lie sighed. "Can you eat first?"
"Inspiration doesn't wait," she declared righteously.
Everyone laughed.
Then Li Furong looked around, frowning. "Why don't I see Luo Ye or Lingdang? Aren't they eating?"
Sang Qi had just lifted a piece of meat toward his mouth. His hand paused.
"Lingdang is missing," he said quietly. "Luo Ye left before dawn to look for her. He hasn't come back."
"What?" Li Furong sprang to her feet so sharply the chair legs scraped the floor with an ugly squeal. "Something this big—and you only say it now?"
Panic flashed in her eyes. Before her words even finished, she turned as if to rush out.
"No. I'm going too—I'll look for her!"
Sang Qi startled and immediately set down his chopsticks, reaching out to stop her.
"Calm down."
His voice wasn't loud, but it carried a rare severity. "Luo Ye knows the capital's alleys better than anyone. If even he hasn't found a lead yet, you going out now will only cause trouble."
"But she's a girl alone—" Li Furong's voice shook. Her chest felt like it was in knots.
Sang Qi let out a slow breath. He lifted a hand and patted her shoulder gently; his tone softened.
"I understand. But the most important thing right now is to trust Luo Ye. He won't give up on Lingdang."
Li Furong bit her lip. Her hands still trembled—but she finally stopped.
Sang Qi looked at her, and something in his gaze softened for a brief instant. His voice lowered, heavy and steady.
"When he returns, if he hasn't found her, then we act. If he doesn't come back—then I will personally go search. For now, eat. You can't search on an empty stomach."
As he finished, he drew her back to her seat and placed the chopsticks into her hand.
"Eat."
Li Furong took them silently and picked up a bite.
The food was the same familiar taste—
yet in her mouth it turned pale and flavorless.
She chewed twice. Her mind was already far away.
And at that moment—a bright, crisp female voice sounded from outside the hall:
"It's so lively in here. Can I mooch a meal?"
Everyone turned.
Youqing stepped in wearing plain white. Dew still clung to her hair, as if she had just risen. Her expression was gentle; her steps were steady as always, though fatigue—washed thin by night—still lingered at the edges of her eyes.
"Xingyu?" Cang Yuan lifted a brow, grinning. "The servants said you only got back at midnight. I thought you'd sleep until afternoon."
"Not that dramatic," Youqing smiled, moving closer to the table. Her gaze swept the room and quickly settled on Li Furong.
"You're… Dangdang's sister, aren't you?" She paused, genuine surprise crossing her face.
Li Furong looked up, anxiety still lingering in her eyes. "Miss Youqing? Why are you here? Were you taking shelter as well?"
"You two know each other?" Sang Qi raised a brow, gesturing between them.
Li Furong drew a breath and explained, "Do you remember the night Lingdang didn't come home? That night—Miss Youqing invited her to rest at her place."
Sang Qi recalled it at once—the night he and Luo Ye had seen a woman's silhouette from afar, and he had thought she resembled Gu Xingyu. So it really had been her.
Lin Lie studied Youqing, his voice calm but edged with inquiry. "Xingyu—when did you change your name to Youqing?"
"I am You Nian's daughter," Youqing answered evenly. "In the Rift-Yao Nether Realm, I recognized my lineage and returned to my roots. Youqing is my true name."
Faces turned. Xie Wenyun, Li Furong, and Ding Yuxuan all froze; the air grew awkward, tight.
Youqing, however, sat down beside Xie Wenyun as if nothing had happened. Her gaze swept over the three pairs at the table, and her lips curved slightly.
"These three young ladies… are they your girlfriends?"
Cang Yuan set down his chopsticks, smiling as if it were the simplest thing in the world.
"Not girlfriends. My wife."
He glanced at Xie Wenyun with easy pride. "She's Xie Wenyun, daughter of Peak City's lord. We married there."
The table went still for a heartbeat.
Youqing's eyes brightened with delight. "You married? Oh—congratulations! Cang Yuan, you really moved fast."
Then she turned with a teasing smile toward the other two.
"What about Lin Lie and Sang Qi? Are you married too?"
Lin Lie's expression remained cool, but under everyone's gaze he answered directly.
"Soon. This is my fiancée, Ding Yuxuan."
The moment he said it, Ding Yuxuan went red and jabbed him with her elbow, grumbling under her breath, "Did you have to say it that directly…?"
Laughter rose around the table.
Cang Yuan teased, "I told you Lin Lie had it handled. Quiet guy, big moves."
Sang Qi's expression was gentle, his tone calm and unwavering.
"My future wife—Li Furong."
Not many words, but steady as the man himself.
Li Furong's face warmed. She lowered her voice, embarrassed. "Who said you could introduce me like that…"
Youqing watched the laughter and warmth at the table; a soft light flickered in her eyes. Smiling, she said sincerely:
"That's wonderful. I'm truly happy for you. To find someone to anchor your heart in a time like this… that kind of fate is rare."
Then she glanced around, realizing one presence was missing.
"But—where's Luo Ye? Why don't I see him?"
The atmosphere tightened slightly.
Sang Qi set down his chopsticks. His voice dropped. "He went to find Lingdang."
Youqing's expression shifted. "Find Lingdang? What do you mean?"
"He believes Lingdang was taken by her older brother—Ling Shuo," Sang Qi answered truthfully, the weight in his tone unmistakable.
"Ling Shuo?" Youqing frowned, repeating the name as if she couldn't accept it. "Wait… Dangdang is Ling Shuo's sister?"
For a moment she stared, mind flashing to that small girl with the huge appetite—and the ache she always carried.
"My heavens… that's too dramatic."
The laughter faded completely.
When Youqing said "Ling Shuo," everyone's expression grew heavier by degrees.
She set her chopsticks down carefully. Her face became still, her voice turning sharp and controlled.
"Ling Shuo is someone whose body was taken by Ye Yi.
"And Ye Yi's possession of him wasn't achieved by soul arts alone. Years ago, Ye Yi used the Metal-Yao forbidden art—Yao-Seizing—to rebuild his own spiritual core."
Her eyes narrowed.
"Back then, he used it to steal the former National Preceptor's position—and took the name 'Fengmian.'"
"Fengmian?" Cang Yuan's brows knit. "The Preceptor who assisted the Realm Emperor and commanded the Yao-Armor Army?"
Youqing nodded once. "Yes.
"The name Fengmian was originally a stolen shell. The real Fengmian was left with only a remnant soul after Ye Yi's Yao-Seizing art.
"Ye Yi took his body and his status, served the Nether Emperor on the surface, and hid within the Yao Palace—recruiting Rift-Yao followers and gathering the Yao-Armor Army's loyalists in secret."
Lin Lie's gaze sharpened. "So the attack on Xiling City… was for Ling Shuo's body?"
"Exactly." Youqing's voice stayed calm, but anger pressed beneath it.
"That war looked like Rift-Yao cruelty. In truth, Ye Yi had already chosen Ling Shuo's body—one of the few vessels capable of bearing his soul's power.
"For that, he orchestrated betrayal. He betrayed both the Nether Realm and the Yao Realm. He personally led the Rift-Yao and the Yao-Armor Army to surround Xiling—just to claim a body that could grant him immortality."
Xie Wenyun's voice dropped, barely audible. "Then… the Ling Shuo now…?"
Youqing closed her eyes and took a slow breath.
"Ling Shuo now… is no longer himself.
"In Trial Valley, Ye Yi activated the Black-Yao forbidden art—Soul-Crossing. He forced Ling Shuo's soul into a woman named Wanluo.
"And he himself… moved out of Fengmian's body and entered Ling Shuo's."
The table jolted, as if the floor had shifted.
Ding Yuxuan gasped. "So… the woman named Wanluo is the real Ling Shuo now?"
"Yes—and no." Youqing's gaze dimmed. "They share one body. Two souls in one vessel."
She lifted her eyes, voice turning colder.
"And Ye Yi… is the evil soul wearing Ling Shuo's body. He walks the Yao Realm under Ling Shuo's name, and no one knows the truth."
Li Furong listened, sitting very still. The more she heard, the tighter her heart became—fear for Lingdang's safety coiling like wire.
Sang Qi slammed his palm on the table and rose. "That madman! Stealing souls, stealing bodies—dragging two realms into chaos. What does he even want?"
Youqing shook her head, voice low. "Not power."
Her eyes were dark, unwavering.
"Destruction."
Silence fell like a blade.
Then Youqing swept her gaze around the table, collecting herself. When she spoke again, her voice was calm—yet it carried an unmovable will.
"This is too much to explain all at once.
"We eat first. After the meal, we go to the council hall. I will tell you everything—about Ye Yi, and the Rift-Yao's movements."
Everyone nodded in silence. No one spoke again.
Only the wind bells chimed beyond the window—clear and soft, like a warning carried from afar.
A reminder to them all—
This peaceful lunch was nothing more than the final moment of calm before the storm arrived.