In just a single night, the entire Tianlan Continent was thrown into a shocking upheaval.
Yet the one responsible had already returned to her own world without anyone noticing.
She had no idea what kind of profound mark she had left behind.
Whoosh—!
Particles of light emerged.
The four of them returned once more to Blue Star.
They appeared atop a rooftop in a familiar commercial district.
"Wow! Where is this?"
Having just arrived in a completely different world, Little Yao immediately looked around with curious eyes, taking in everything before her.
"We're really back…"
Jiang Qingning and Song Qianqian stood there in a daze, not expecting their return to be so effortless.
Yet both of them understood clearly in their hearts—
This "ease" had come at a cost.
And all of it was thanks to Acheron.
After confirming that they had safely returned, Acheron began to consider how to settle Little Yao.
Although Ability Users existed in this world, a beast-eared girl was still far too conspicuous.
After a brief pause, Acheron spoke.
"Little Yao, can you revert to your form before transformation?"
"Oh? I can!"
Acheron had only asked as a test, not expecting such a straightforward answer.
In an instant, Little Yao's body was enveloped in a soft white glow, her figure turning hazy and indistinct.
As the light gradually faded—
The white-haired girl disappeared.
In her place was a nimble and adorable white weasel.
Seeing this, Acheron felt slightly relieved.
It was not that she wished to restrict Little Yao's freedom—
But she had no means of concealing those beast ears.
Although Hanabi's illusions could achieve such an effect, they were neither permanent nor reliable.
There was also a more pressing issue.
Little Yao did not understand the basic common sense of this world.
Staying by Acheron's side would ensure her safety—
And it was also the most appropriate arrangement for now.
Watching this unfold, Song Qianqian immediately understood Acheron's intentions.
However, as someone living in a dormitory and attending classes, she was in no position to take Little Yao in.
After all, Little Yao was not an ordinary pet.
But seeing the little white weasel nimbly climb onto Acheron's shoulder, she could not help but imagine the future scene—
Song Qianqian: (●—●)
Is it really okay to let Acheron teach Little Yao common sense…?
Song Qianqian silently looked away, offering a quiet prayer for Little Yao's future.
Hopefully, her luck would carry her through.
Jiang Qingning: 눈_눈
Jiang Qingning quietly observed everything.
Even though they had already left the mystic realm, she had no intention of leaving.
Her gaze remained fixed on Acheron's back.
As expected, Acheron sensed it.
"Miss Jiang, have we met before?"
Jiang Qingning responded with a simple "Mm."
And then, nothing more.
No one could tell what she was thinking.
Song Qianqian, standing nearby, quickly sensed that something was off.
Though she did not understand the details between the two, she still stepped in to explain.
"Well… about that, Acheron's memory… um, she tends to forget things easily, so she might not remember events from a few days or months ago."
Hearing this, Jiang Qingning showed no suspicion.
Instead, a quiet realization dawned within her.
So it's not just memory… No wonder it's been impossible to read any emotion from her from beginning to end.
With that thought, Jiang Qingning asked the same question she had once asked ten years ago.
"Why didn't you kill me back then?"
To obtain an answer, she ignored Song Qianqian completely and spoke directly about what had happened that year.
As for Song Qianqian—
Upon learning that Jiang Qingning had once intended harm toward Acheron, her expression shifted instantly.
Confusion gave way to anger.
A sense of betrayal ignited within her chest.
Yet Jiang Qingning paid her no attention, her gaze still locked onto Acheron.
When she asked the question again, she had already prepared herself—
Prepared for the possibility that Acheron might give a different answer this time.
But reality did not unfold as she expected.
Acheron's expression paused slightly, as though recalling something faint and distant.
Her grip tightened subtly around the blade at her waist.
Then she spoke.
"If one carries a blade, one must eventually use it to cut something down.
The reason I draw my blade… in the past, in the present, and in the future, is only one.
And you—
I could not see any killing intent or anger in your eyes.
There was only confusion.
A deep confusion about the path you were walking."
Jiang Qingning's pupils shrank sharply.
Slowly, she lowered her gaze, her lashes casting shadows that concealed her expression entirely.
Acheron's words struck her like a heavy hammer against still water, sending ripples across the depths of her heart—
Ripples that reflected the truth she had long tried to suppress.
Acheron watched her quietly, then turned away.
"One walks upon the path of destiny… seeks, realizes, and then exists."
With those words, she prepared to leave.
Little Yao and Song Qianqian were both completely lost throughout the exchange.
Little Yao (＠_＠;): What is Acheron talking about…?
As for Song Qianqian, she had long grown accustomed to Acheron's obscure way of speaking.
Those incomprehensible phrases were practically part of daily life.
Seeing Acheron about to leave, she glanced once more at Jiang Qingning.
In the end, she sighed, said nothing, and followed after Acheron.
They had barely taken a few steps—
When Jiang Qingning's low voice rang out once more.
"It won't be…"
"What?"
"That question you once asked me."
Jiang Qingning slowly raised her head.
Within her eyes, sorrow and hatred churned like a deep-sea vortex, swallowing even the faintest trace of warmth.
Her voice was hoarse.
Each word cut like a blade.
"In my heart, there is only hatred.
Hatred for those people—etched into my bones and blood.
If revenge demands that I tear apart my humanity and become a servant of the devil…
Then I will sever these hands myself—
Just to drag them into the abyss!"
Song Qianqian: …
Her fingers unconsciously tightened against the edge of her clothes.
After all, this was someone who had saved her—twice.
And yet, hearing those cold, razor-sharp words pierce the air, she opened her mouth—
Only to lower her gaze again, swallowing both her words and the bitterness rising in her throat.
"Is that so."
Acheron responded calmly, offering no judgment.
"This world passes like rain, eventually returning to the earth.
I hope that when we meet again… the sky has cleared."
With that, Acheron and Song Qianqian gradually disappeared beyond the rooftop, leaving behind only the sound of the wind brushing across the tiles.
Jiang Qingning remained standing where she was—
Like a frozen statue.
Her gaze lingered in the direction they had left, following them until even the faintest trace had vanished into the night.
This journey into the mystic realm had been like a carving blade—
Etching a deep, irreversible mark into her heart.
For the first time, she clearly understood—
The gap between herself and Acheron was no longer the distance between mortal and immortal.
It was the distance between a speck of dust and an entire galaxy.
And so she knew—
If she had not asked that question just now,
There might never have been another chance.
Even after Acheron and the others had completely disappeared,
Jiang Qingning remained standing in silence.
Acheron's words echoed endlessly within her mind.
Until, at last—
The surrounding darkness swallowed her figure.
That slender silhouette dissolved like ink in water,
Fading quietly into the night.