Back to the present.
The haze of sorrow faded from Liu Xiyue's eyes, replaced by a fierce flame igniting deep within her gaze.
She stood up abruptly, her hands clenching into fists so tightly that her knuckles turned pale. Yet her voice remained steady.
"Don't worry, Auntie. Even if I die, I won't die for nothing. Even if the opponent is a 'God,' I'll tear a piece off it."
Having reaffirmed her resolve, Liu Xiyue quickly left the Ability Bureau.
Inside the office, after venting her emotions, Liu Yunshuang's sobs gradually subsided.
She sat there as if her soul had been hollowed out, sinking into a strange, deathly silence.
Slowly, she raised her head.
Her eyes were red, like agates soaked in blood. Strands of hair clung messily to her forehead, and dried tear tracks marked her cheeks.
Despite her disheveled appearance, the despair in her eyes had already been replaced by a fierce and concentrated determination.
You foolish girl, trying to play the hero behind my back. It's far too early for that. I'm still waiting to see you wear a beautiful dress for me. Don't you dare think of leaving without a word.
Liu Yunshuang took a deep breath, forcefully suppressing all stray thoughts and burying the surging emotions deep within her heart.
Anger could break shackles, but it could also destroy reason.
What she needed now was clarity.
She understood her own limits. Compared to her niece, she did not possess overwhelming strength. She was merely an Internal Power martial artist with decent talent.
Relying on herself alone was not an option.
Her brows knitted tightly as she interlaced her fingers, thinking rapidly.
Since I cannot achieve this alone, I must find another way. There may not be many stronger than her, but there are plenty of people with unique abilities. Among them, someone must be able to help.
Several candidates quickly came to mind.
Coincidentally, a number of unusual individuals had recently appeared online and across forums. Even if they were not as powerful as Flame Heart, they might still offer alternative support.
But before that, she needed answers.
She needed to find her father.
Hmph, you old geezer, hiding things from me. If you dare lie again and it puts my niece in danger, I'll personally pull your oxygen plug one day.
Not long after, the call connected.
"Hello? Daughter, what made you call suddenly? Has Yue arrived?"
The moment his voice came through, Liu Yunshuang snapped.
"Old geezer! How long were you and Yue planning to keep this from me? Do you even still consider me your daughter?"
Her words came in a rapid barrage.
On the other end, silence followed.
After a brief pause, Liu Chengfeng finally spoke.
"…Yunshuang, how much do you know?"
"Oh? Finally dropped the act?"
Liu Yunshuang let out a cold laugh.
The fact that he didn't even bother criticizing her tone this time was already an answer.
And it meant one thing.
Time was running out.
She stopped wasting words and laid out all her deductions in full detail.
When she finished, silence once again settled over the call.
It lingered like a thin fog.
Then, a sigh drifted through the line, heavy and worn, like the toll of a distant bell.
Within it lay the weight of years, the chill of disappointment, and the helpless tenderness of a father facing fate.
"As expected, Yunshuang. You're as sharp as ever."
"Hmph. Of course I am. But enough flattery. I won't press further, and you probably won't say everything anyway. Just tell me what you can. And don't try to be vague. Even if you stay silent, I won't sit still anymore."
"Oh, that's perfect. I've been a little curious about this myself."
Liu Yunshuang: (*ﾟﾛﾟ)!!
Liu Chengfeng: （｀Δ´）!
A young girl's voice suddenly cut into their conversation, laced with faint electronic distortion.
Liu Yunshuang's body tensed instantly.
She shifted into a guarded stance, her gaze sweeping the room, searching for the source.
Nothing.
"Yunshuang, is someone else there with you?"
Liu Chengfeng's voice came from the other end.
When no reply came, he immediately grasped the situation.
Is the line being tapped, or has someone intruded?
As he frowned in thought, Liu Yunshuang was also on high alert.
A faint chill crept into her heart as questions flooded her mind.
Where is she hiding? When did she get here? How much did she hear? Is she connected to Xiyue?
Just as her thoughts spiraled—
The voice sounded again, clearer this time, carrying a lazy indifference.
"Relax. I'm not even there, so there's no need to look around. Besides, if I really wanted to do something, it wouldn't matter who showed up."
"Who are you? State your purpose."
Liu Yunshuang's voice was sharp, probing.
"Oh, then wait a moment."
Before she could process the meaning—
A flicker of blue light appeared in the air, like a digital screen coming to life.
A petite figure emerged, formed from shimmering light, as if projected from nothingness.
Liu Yunshuang's expression shifted briefly to shock before quickly settling back into calm.
"Who are you? State your purpose, or don't expect to leave easily."
As she spoke, she subtly moved toward her desk.
The girl rolled her eyes.
"I already told you, I'm not in Canglan City. And that button under your desk? Press it if you want. No need to hide it."
She paused, then added casually,
"I've already hacked your entire Ability Bureau. You won't even be able to clock in."
She blew a small pink bubble with her gum, completely at ease.
Liu Yunshuang pressed the button without hesitation.
Nothing happened.
Her heart sank.
Shock surged through her once more as she stared at the figure before her.
It was a small silhouette, wrapped in faint blue light, its outline flickering.
Yet within that haze, she could make out a delicate face, almost unreal in its perfection, like something straight out of an anime.
But she had no time to dwell on appearances.
"Who are you?" she demanded again.
The girl sighed, clearly annoyed.
Then she snapped her fingers.
In the next instant, the office began to change.
From the floor upward, waves of colorful, dreamlike particles swept through the room like flowing water. Space warped, colors distorted.
In the blink of an eye, the entire office transformed into a surreal, game-like environment.
Lines of code streamed across the walls like a rushing river of data.
Then, the girl casually pulled out a floating screen and tapped it a few times.
The scene shifted again.
A figure began to materialize, forming like data assembling itself.
When it became clear, Liu Yunshuang's heart jolted.
It was Liu Chengfeng.
Their eyes met.
In that instant, countless unspoken questions collided between them. Confusion and disbelief reflected equally in both their gazes.
The girl finally spoke.
"Let me introduce myself. You should both know, or at least have heard of me."
She paused, her tone casual.
"Stellaron Hunter. Call me Silver Wolf"