The setting sun dyed the horizon a warm, fiery orange. The clouds looked like a spilled painter's palette.
It was evening on the Luofu Xianzhou. On the stone-paved path leading to the Twilight Courtyard's compound, Yunli walked with a light, bouncy step. She hummed a popular Robin track under her breath, her good mood palpable. Her black hair, tied back, swayed playfully, tracing lively arcs in the air.
Truth be told, a few days ago, when she had enthusiastically run to the Hyperion to visit her Little Li, only to be blasted out the door over a hundred times by a coalition of bad women led by Kiana and Durandal, she had been so furious her lungs nearly exploded. She had wanted to draw her greatsword on the spot and wage a three-hundred-round war against them.
However, time was the ultimate coolant. A few days had passed, and her towering resentment had mostly dissipated.
Replacing it was a growing, complicated anticipation—a mix of sweetness, nervousness, and a touch of sourness.
The anticipation of seeing Fuli again.
Yunli wasn't stupid. Naturally, she wasn't going to blurt out something as massive as "I remember everything and I mastered the Tyrant's! Barricade!" in public. She planned to wait until she met Little Li, find a chance for them to be completely alone, and secretly tell him everything.
Just imagining the shock, the joy, and maybe even the loud, unmanly sobbing he might display upon learning the truth made Yunli's heart race uncontrollably, her body feeling lighter by the second.
As for the swarm of women hovering around him... thinking it over calmly, Yunli figured she couldn't blame him entirely.
The girl knew her own temper better than anyone. Said nicely, she had a strong sense of justice and clear-cut loves and hates. Put bluntly, she was a powder keg with a hair-trigger temper who offended people incredibly easily.
During the high-level Taixuan Front meetings, someone had actually dared to openly suggest that the "valuable combat assets" of the Wardance teams shouldn't be wasted trying to rescue Team Crychic on the Living Planet.
She was Yunli! The current Furnace Master of the Zhuming Xianzhou, the granddaughter of General Huaiyan!
The fact that someone dared to suggest abandoning her right in front of her grandfather was a testament to just how many people she had managed to deeply offend.
You could only say: those who liked her, truly liked her. Those who hated her, truly hated her.
Yet, despite this catastrophic starting point, Fuli had relentlessly approached her time and time again.
She recalled how the boy had tried every trick in the book to call her "Li-bao," only to be thoroughly rejected and disgusted by her past self. In the end, he had only managed to openly use the nickname by riding on the coattails of his friendship with Hyacine.
Add to that the move he named Setsuna Blade: Tyrant's! Barricade!... Every time she thought about it, Yunli felt a pang of guilt toward Fuli, and even her resentment toward the women surrounding him faded a little.
Alright, no it didn't.
But that doesn't matter!
Yunli clenched her fists, her fighting spirit reigniting.
As long as Steiner launches his attack—wait, no! As long as I find the right moment to confess, everything will be fine!
Me and Little Li... our love is pure!
Of course, before executing her confession plan, she had one piece of official business to handle.
The fading sunset cast a soft, golden rim over the artificial rock garden and flowing water at the entrance of the Twilight Courtyard compound.
Yunli appeared at the gate.
She stopped, took a deep breath to adjust her expression, and tried to look as calm as usual.
Inside the courtyard, Hyacine, Castorice, and Fuli seemed to be discussing something. Hearing footsteps, the three of them turned their heads simultaneously.
"I'm here to quit Team Crychic," Yunli said bluntly, getting straight to the point.
Then she crossed her arms and half-closed her eyes in a feigned display of nonchalance, while every ounce of her attention was laser-focused on Fuli.
The reason she decided to quit was twofold. First, she had already learned from her grandfather, General Huaiyan, that S-Rank competitors were required to withdraw from the Wardance rankings.
Second, she legitimately needed to return to the Zhuming.
After drifting in the Sea of Quanta for an untold amount of time, everything about the Tyrant's! Barricade!—aside from its core "Indestructible" trait—had been eroded away. It desperately needed to be reforged.
The Luofu was ultimately just a temporary stopover. Borrowing the Artisanship Commission's facilities to forge standard gear was fine, but anything higher-end simply wasn't smooth enough.
She had to return to her exclusive workshop in the Zhuming's Flaming Wheel Forge Palace. Only by utilizing the specialized tools and rare materials there could she reforge the Tyrant's! Barricade! into an EX-Rank Ultimate Imperial Weapon.
But practicalities aside, she was practically buzzing with anticipation to see Fuli's reaction to the news of her departure.
[If Little Li immediately lunges forward, hugs my thigh tightly, and wails, 'Li-bao, don't go! How will I live without you?!' while secretly trying to lick my leg... should I pretend not to notice, or should I lean forward a bit to make it easier for him to taste?]
Yunli's thoughts rapidly derailed into absurd territory.
Then, she watched as the three people in front of her calmly and simultaneously went, "Oh," before casually turning their heads back to resume their previous conversation, completely unfazed.
Yunli: ???
Shifting focus to the other side of the courtyard—
After an intense (yet entirely one-sided) internal struggle, Castorice finally mustered her courage, stood up, and walked over to Fuli.
The girl was visibly dressed up. The hem of her stylish skirt rested just above her knees, revealing a pair of slender, straight legs wrapped in crystalline pantyhose. Her delicate collarbones peeked out from her neckline, and the tips of her elfin ears were blushing slightly.
"Your Lord... please accept this..."
Castorice's voice was as soft as a mosquito's buzz. She held a small, palm-sized purple gift box in both hands, presenting it to Fuli.
"This is... a return gift for the ring."
She kept her head bowed so deeply she was practically burying her face in her own chest.
Cassie is so cute, Fuli thought, scratching his cheek.
She had mentioned earlier that she would not only hand over all her Wardance points as compensation for the energy-conversion ring but would also prepare an additional "thank you" gift.
In hindsight, combined with Mei's massive spending spree using those exact points, the whole situation carried a bizarrely specific vibe: 'Wealthy sugar-momma Castorice buys the body of the beautiful youth Fuli, and his girlfriend Mei takes the cash and squanders it all.' Rounding up, it felt uncomfortably like he had been paid for his services...
But regardless, her intentions were sincere, and Fuli wasn't going to reject it.
"May I open it?" he asked gently, taking the delicate box.
"You may..." Castorice squeaked. Then, as if having completed a monumental, life-or-death mission, her body went completely limp. She swayed unsteadily and collapsed onto a nearby stone stool, her eyes losing focus. Her slender fingers twisted together unconsciously, looking completely spaced out.
Fuli chuckled and carefully untied the ribbon.
An exquisitely designed silver ring lay quietly on a black velvet cushion.
An oval amethyst was inlaid in the center of the band. Beneath it, silver vines wrapped intricately around the metal. Blooming flowers and fluttering butterflies framed the gem, weaving together a serene, gorgeous, and slightly dreamy design.
A small card was tucked beside it, bearing elegant handwriting: 'Reverie of the Nether Butterfly.'
"Did you make this yourself, Cassie?" The boy took out the ring in surprise, examining it closely under the setting sun.
"Mhm."
Her response was barely audible. Her hands, resting on her thighs, clenched and unclenched, completely wrinkling her pantyhose.
"Your craftsmanship is amazing! It's genuinely beautiful!"
The ring didn't possess any supernatural energy fluctuations; it was just a piece of exquisitely crafted, normal silver jewelry.
But Fuli was still quite happy as he placed it back in the box. "Thank you, Cas. I'll cherish it."
"Mhm..."
Noticing this, Castorice bit her lower lip lightly. She gathered every ounce of courage in her body and raised her head again.
Her voice was still soft, but it carried a resolute determination.
"Your Excellency."
"Yes?"
"Allow me... to put it on for you," she said, extending her fair, soft palm toward him.
"Sure."
Fuli compliantly placed the ring back into the girl's palm and spread his fingers open.
Castorice carefully grasped his fingertips. "Which... which finger should I put it on?"
Oh my god!
Watching from the shadows, Hyacine facepalmed.
Cassie, you thick-headed idiot! Why are you asking him at a time like this?!
You should just ride the momentum and shove it straight onto his ring finger!
Even the middle finger would be acceptable!
Predictably—
"The pinky, please," Fuli answered, his tone carrying a subtle, deliberate intent.
"Understood."
A flash of disappointment crossed Castorice's eyes, but she quickly complied. With gentle movements, she slid the ring onto the boy's pinky finger.
Fuli examined it for a moment. The silver ring looked quite elegant on his long finger.
He then looked toward Yunli, who was still standing at the gate, and casually waved her over. "What are you standing all the way over there for? We're trying to figure out where to go have fun later. Come help us brainstorm."
"Hmph!"
Having witnessed the entire exchange, the string of rationality in Yunli's brain snapped with a resounding 'Crack!'
She crossed her arms and turned her head away, her cheeks puffed out angrily, looking exactly like an adorable hamster with its cheeks stuffed full of pine nuts.
According to my calculations, she thought furiously, when I announced I was quitting Team Crychic, you guys were supposed to rush over, hug my legs, and beg me through tears: 'Please! We're nothing without our Li-bao!' Or at the very least, you were supposed to crawl on the ground chanting my name! What the hell is this lukewarm 'don't let the door hit you on the way out' reaction?!
And you, Little Li! Are you that happy just because a pretty girl gave you a ring?! Have you forgotten you have a family waiting for you?!
Cuckoldry! This is blatant cuckoldry!
AAAAAAAH! I'm so mad!
Thanks to this massive distraction, Yunli completely forgot about her grand plan to confess her memories.
During the ensuing team-building activities, she maintained a sour "grumpy cat" face the entire time, hissing at anyone who tried to talk to her.
It was a complete misunderstanding, really.
The truth was, the moment Fuli learned from Theresa that S-Rank competitors were being disqualified, he immediately contacted Hyacine and Castorice to plan a farewell/withdrawal party for Yunli.
Brainstorming where to hang out was just part of planning the ceremony, which was why he had gathered everyone in the first place. Their initial, muted reaction to her announcement was simply because they already knew she was leaving.
After some careful explaining from the angelic Hyacine, Yunli's ruffled fur finally smoothed out a bit—at least, she stopped hissing at people who weren't Fuli or Castorice.
But since Hyacine was the only person left in that category, it functionally didn't look much different from her hissing all night.
Thus, the four members of Team Crychic spent a lively, chaotic night playing and celebrating together.
Early the next morning, Central Starskiff Haven—
A thin mist shrouded the bustling port. A massive starskiff sat quietly at the docks, preparing to set sail for the Zhuming Xianzhou.
"Li-bao—! Remember to text us!"
Hyacine stood at the edge of the pier, her eyes slightly red. She cupped her hands around her mouth and shouted at the slowly departing ship.
Yunli stood on the highest deck, gripping the cold railing, watching her companions shrink into tiny dots below.
"So my Wardance journey ends here," the girl murmured wistfully. The morning breeze ruffled her tied-back hair, a few stray strands brushing against her cheek and making it tickle.
Honestly, halfway through the party last night, Yunli had already started to regret her attitude.
Thinking about it logically, it was true that Castorice clearly had feelings for Fuli. But Little Li had explicitly rejected her!
Asking for the ring to be placed on his pinky finger was a universal symbol for being single and currently not looking for a relationship.
Yet, Yunli was far too proud and stubborn to apologize on the spot. So she remained awkward and aloof, dragging her feet until she boarded the ship, never finding the right moment to turn around and fix things.
She hadn't confessed her memories. She hadn't even given him a proper goodbye hug.
"No! I can't let it end like this!"
Yunli stomped her foot suddenly, yelling out loud and drawing startled looks from the other passengers.
She rapidly pulled out her phone, opened her chat with Fuli, and her fingers flew across the virtual keyboard.
Super Invincible Yunli the Great:Li-bao!
Just as she was about to type, 'Actually, I remember everything,' her phone vibrated.
The boy's reply popped onto the screen first.
Sunny and Cheerful Fuli-li:The Li-Li Duo is invincible under heaven!
"!!!"
Yunli's eyes widened instantly. Her breath caught in her throat.
That phrase was the exact slogan they had laughingly yelled out while fighting side-by-side, arms slung over each other's shoulders, in the previous timeline! It belonged exclusively to the two of them!
Of course, she wasn't surprised he knew the phrase. But the fact that he sent it... he sent it now!
Which meant—
The girl stared blankly at the words on the screen. A long moment later, a breathtaking smile—one of true relief, mixed with pure sweetness and profound emotion—finally bloomed across her face, like sunlight breaking through heavy clouds.
The morning sun bathed her in a warm golden silhouette, giving every strand of her hair a soft halo.
All her recent struggles, frustration, and jealousy... in an instant, the morning light and that familiar phrase washed them all away, leaving nothing but an overflowing warmth and joy in her heart.
Super Invincible Yunli the Great:When did you figure it out?
Sunny and Cheerful Fuli-li:The moment I first saw you.
Super Invincible Yunli the Great:Ew! So cheesy!
She followed it up with a disgusted cat-face sticker, though the smile on her face was absolutely impossible to hide.
Sunny and Cheerful Fuli-li:Plus all your little habits~ Like how you unconsciously tap the hilt of your sword with your right index finger when you're thinking—the rhythm is exactly the same as before. Or how your left cheek gets a little dimple when you eat sweets, but the right dimple only shows up when you're super happy...
The messages popped up one after another, listing off those trivial, hidden little quirks that only the two of them shared like precious treasures.
Every single message felt like a tiny hammer, gently striking the softest part of Yunli's heart.
"Hehe~"
The girl couldn't help but laugh out loud. She pressed the phone gently against her chest.
She tilted her head back, closed her eyes, and let the warm morning sun wash over her, basking in the profound connection and mutual understanding they had finally recovered.
A long time later, she picked up her phone again, her fingertips filled with renewed strength.
Super Invincible Yunli the Great:Leave Shuhu to me. This time, I am personally going to beat that bastard to death!!!
There was no doubt about it. To Fuli, there were only two absolute "must-kill" targets in this new life: the Herrscher of Dominance, and the Emanator of Abundance, Shuhu.
Even if Master Jingliu also viewed Shuhu as her sworn enemy, the boy had never intended to yield the right to vengeance, even to the famed "Transcendent Flash."
That bastard was his prey. Anyone who tried to steal the kill would face his blade.
However—
Sunny and Cheerful Fuli-li:Okay.
It was just a Shuhu. If Li-bao wanted it, he would give it to her.
"Hmph hmph~"
Yunli's mouth curled up uncontrollably. Her heart felt as sweet as an overturned honey jar.
Her fingers flew as she continued typing.
Super Invincible Yunli the Great:And make sure you save Xiao Chunan for me too, you hear?!
Sunny and Cheerful Fuli-li:No problem! Ready and waiting 24/7!
Sunny and Cheerful Fuli-li:[Good boy waiting obediently.jpg]
"???"
Staring at the reply on the deck, a barrage of question marks popped over the girl's head.
Why did that sound... slightly weird?
Ready and waiting 24/7... Does that mean... as long as I want it, Little Li will wash himself clean, smell nice, and lie on the bed waiting for me anytime, anywhere?!!
Yunli's face flushed bright red in an instant. Even the tips of her ears felt like they were on fire.
Her heart traitorously began to pound, so loudly she could clearly hear it beating like a war drum in her chest.
She hurriedly shook her head, trying to banish the increasingly explicit thoughts invading her mind.
"Agh! Whatever!"
After failing to calm down, she gave up entirely and slumped over the railing, burying her burning face in her arms.
"I guess... it wouldn't be the end of the world anyway."
After all, their love was pure!