After several days of travel, the carriage finally reached the gates of the Four Peak Sect.
The towering stone stairs stretched endlessly upward, disappearing into the mist that surrounded the mountain peaks. Disciples moved along the steps like tiny streams of white robes flowing toward the sect.
As soon as Yang Luoya stepped down from the carriage—
A small floating figure suddenly appeared before him.
A kirin.
But unlike the majestic mythical beast spoken of in legends, this one looked like a tiny floating doll—round, chibi-like, and glowing faintly with spiritual light.
Its brows were furrowed in an exaggerated pout.
"You abandoned me."
Its tiny hooves floated angrily in the air as it glared at him.
Of course—
Only Yang Luoya could see it.
Yang Wei, who had just stepped down behind him, noticed his brother staring into empty space.
"Is there something up there, big brother?" he asked, following Yang Luoya's gaze.
Yang Luoya blinked once before answering calmly.
"Ah… it's nothing."
Then he turned to the others.
"You all go ahead. There's something I need to take care of first."
Wu Zhen, Jing Lei, Xu Yanran, and Yang Wei had already climbed several steps when they paused and glanced back.
Yang Luoya still stood at the bottom of the staircase.
Most of them soon turned and continued upward.
Only Yang Wei lingered.
His gaze remained on Yang Luoya a little longer than the others before he finally followed them up the countless stairs.
"Why did you leave me, human?" the kirin complained, floating circles around him.
Despite its angry tone, its tiny doll-like body made it look almost adorable.
Yang Luoya raised a brow.
"You've grown bold. Calling me human now?"
Then he folded his arms.
"And why didn't you follow me before?"
The kirin puffed its cheeks.
"I tried! I followed your carriage for a while."
It waved its tiny hooves dramatically.
"But then I hit some kind of barrier. A spiritual wall blocked me."
Yang Luoya frowned slightly.
"A barrier?"
"Yes."
The kirin hovered closer.
"It's probably because I'm still bound to Yan Xiaoluo's soul. Even though his body is dead, the essence of his soul still remains here."
Yang Luoya fell into thought.
"That's troublesome."
He rubbed his temple lightly.
"Is there no way to undo the contract between you two?"
The kirin shook its head.
"I don't know. Maybe we have to ask him directly."
Yang Luoya nodded slowly.
"Then we'll go to Yan Xiaoluo's chamber."
The kirin immediately shook its head again—much faster this time.
"We can't."
Yang Luoya frowned.
"Why?"
"The sect is on high alert right now," the kirin explained. "Liu Yong's detection artifact has been sending warnings that a Level 5 monster is somewhere near the sect."
Yang Luoya's eyes narrowed slightly.
"Level 5?"
"Yes. But since Liu Yong suspects it might be a false signal meant to deceive the sect, he sealed all important artifacts and treasures inside the sect library."
The kirin sighed.
"Even Yan Xiaoluo's private chamber."
Yang Luoya was genuinely surprised.
"Even that?"
The kirin nodded.
"How long has this been happening?" he asked.
"Two weeks already," the kirin said. "And Liu Yong's artifact still keeps sending strange signals. Patrols have searched repeatedly, but no monster has been found."
Yang Luoya looked toward the distant peaks.
"It seems the library won't be accessible for quite a while."
A faint smile appeared on his lips.
"Which means…"
"We'll have to sneak in."
The kirin blinked.
"Wow. I thought Yang Luoya was a disciplined and obedient disciple."
"Be quiet," Yang Luoya replied dryly. "This is also for your contract."
He began climbing the stairs.
Step by step.
The kirin floated beside him as they continued their quiet conversation.
When he was nearly at the top, Yang Luoya suddenly noticed someone waiting there.
Yang Wei.
He leaned casually against a stone pillar, arms crossed as he gazed up at the sky.
When he heard footsteps approaching, he turned.
Then he walked toward him.
"I was waiting for you."
For a brief moment—
Yang Luoya was strangely captivated.
The sunlight illuminated Yang Wei's face, and the wind lifted his long hair behind him. The boy who once hid timidly behind others now looked completely different.
Taller.
Stronger.
More confident.
More… grown.
"Oh—um… I'm done," Yang Luoya said, unexpectedly stumbling over his words. "I'll return to Kirin Peak to rest. You should go back to Dragon Peak."
Yang Wei stepped closer.
"I know you're tired, big brother."
Then suddenly—
He gently took a lock of Yang Luoya's long hair resting against his cheek.
And kissed it.
"Rest well, brother."
He bowed slightly before walking away.
Yang Luoya froze.
A faint red tint appeared on his face.
"…Where did he learn that?" he muttered.
After Yang Wei's figure disappeared into the distance, Yang Luoya continued toward Kirin Peak, the tiny kirin floating behind him.
When he reached the base of the peak, he saw two familiar figures.
His master.
Gao Jun.
And Bai Zhi.
Gao Jun turned immediately when he saw him.
"Yang Luo. You're back."
Yang Luoya approached and bowed respectfully.
"We've returned, Master."
Gao Jun nodded.
"Welcome back. The situation within the sect isn't good right now, but Liu Yong has set up protective formations around the mountains."
Yang Luoya hesitated before speaking.
"…I heard the library is currently off limits."
Gao Jun sighed.
"It might not be just a few days."
He shook his head.
"Perhaps several weeks."
Then he waved his hand dismissively.
"Forget about it. Come, let's go up. You must be tired from the journey."
They began climbing together.
Yang Luoya noticed that Bai Zhi seemed much better now.
His smile had returned.
So had his usual chatter.
That night.....
Yang Luoya prepared to sneak out.
"You're really going to do this?" the kirin asked while floating around the room.
Yang Luoya wore simple clothing designed for easy movement, though it still looked elegant. His hair was tied neatly into a ponytail.
"Yes," he replied calmly.
"We need to enter Yan Xiaoluo's chamber again."
He tightened his sleeve guards.
"We need to break your contract. And I have questions for him."
Just as he opened the door—
He froze.
Bai Zhi stood outside with sparkling eyes.
"Senior… are you going to the library?" he whispered excitedly.
"Can I come with you?"
Yang Luoya stared.
"…How did you know?"
"I overheard you earlier when we were at the mountain base," Bai Zhi said proudly. "I don't know who you were talking to, but my hearing is very good."
"He can hear you," the kirin whispered beside Yang Luoya, "but not me."
Before Yang Luoya could respond—
CRASH.
The window behind him suddenly opened.
Both Yang Luoya and Bai Zhi turned.
Yang Wei climbed in through the window as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
"Are you going somewhere?"
He landed lightly on the floor.
Yang Luoya pinched the bridge of his nose.
"Why are you both here? I have something to do."
Yang Wei stepped closer.
"I want to come too, brother."
Yang Luoya looked between their hopeful faces.
He sighed.
"…We're sneaking into the library."
"Don't get caught."
They quietly descended from Kirin Peak.
But before they reached the library—
"Yo. So you're all here."
Wu Zhen appeared.
Yang Luoya stared at him in disbelief.
"…Why are you outside?"
Wu Zhen smirked.
"I saw Yang Wei sneaking out suspiciously. So I followed him."
Yang Wei smiled politely.
"Shouldn't senior go back? It's late."
The hostility in his tone was unmistakable.
Wu Zhen grinned.
"I'm just worried about my junior."
Before their rivalry escalated—
Two more figures appeared.
Jing Lei and Xu Yanran.
They bowed.
"Senior brothers, why are you all out so late?" Jing Lei asked.
Yang Luoya felt a headache coming.
"Why are you here?"
Xu Yanran replied calmly.
"Jing Lei and I were resting after training. Then we saw Senior Wu sneaking around suspiciously."
"So we followed him."
Somehow—
They were all together again.
Yang Luoya didn't even know what to say anymore.
Suddenly—
Footsteps.
He immediately pulled everyone behind a nearby building.
Two patrolling disciples passed by with lanterns.
The group stayed perfectly silent.
After a long moment, the patrol moved on.
Yang Luoya exhaled softly.
"Quick. To the library."
They reached the library.
The old librarian had already fallen asleep at his desk.
"Senior…" Bai Zhi whispered. "There are no traps here, but I can sense many alarm formations."
"Do you know a safe path?" Yang Luoya asked.
Bai Zhi nodded confidently.
"I know the spots without alarms."
"Then lead us."
They followed him quietly through the dark halls.
Soon—
They reached Yan Xiaoluo's chamber.
It looked exactly the same as it had three years ago.
"Elder Yan Xiaoluo," Yang Luoya called softly.
A figure appeared.
A handsome young man with long hair.
The spirit of Yan Xiaoluo.
Everyone else froze in shock.
But something was wrong.
His body flickered.
Like a glitch.
Like something unstable.
His form distorted as if it might disappear at any moment.
Yang Luoya's eyes widened.
The kirin rushed forward in panic.
"Xiaoluo! Xiaoluo! What's happening to you?!"
Yan Xiaoluo looked down at his own flickering form.
He tried to speak.
But no sound came out.
"Elder Yan Xiaoluo?" Yang Luoya called again.
The spirit opened his mouth—
Then vanished instantly.
The room fell silent.
The kirin spun around in panic.
"Yang Luo! Something severed the connection between Yan Xiaoluo's spirit and his original body!"
Its voice trembled.
"Someone… interfered with his soul!"