The Mortal Realm felt heavier now.
Yue Yun stood at the edge of a cliff, the wind pulling at his robes. Behind him lay the ruined temple—the broken seal, the lingering darkness, and too many unanswered questions.
Ahead of him stretched the endless sky.
And somewhere beyond it…
The Celestial Realm.
"I have to go back," he said quietly.
Mei Lin stepped up beside him. "Even if the path is closed?"
Above them, Ao Xuan circled through the clouds, his massive form cutting through the sky with ease.
"There is always a way," the Azure Dragon said, his voice echoing with ancient power. "But it will not be easy."
Yue Yun didn't look away from the horizon.
"I'm ready."
A soft blue glow began to surround him as Ao Xuan descended, landing beside him with a powerful gust of wind.
"To return," the dragon said, lowering his head slightly, "you must pass through the Trial Gate. It does not test strength… only the heart."
Yue Yun stepped forward without hesitation and climbed onto Ao Xuan's back. Blue Skyfire curled around him like a living cloak, flickering with quiet intensity.
"I don't care what it tests," he said. "I need to see Yue Yan. Something is coming… and we have to face it together."
Ao Xuan let out a deep roar.
The sky answered with thunder.
In the next instant, he launched upward.
The clouds shattered as they surged into the heavens, moving faster than the wind itself. Lightning flashed around them as they climbed higher and higher—toward a place few could reach.
Then—
It appeared.
The Gate of Trials.
A massive ring suspended in the sky, forged from ancient gold and inscribed with glowing symbols that pulsed with quiet power.
As they approached, the symbols began to shine brighter.
Then a voice echoed directly in Yue Yun's mind.
"What do you fear most?"
He blinked.
Of all the things he expected…
That wasn't one of them.
Still, his answer came without delay.
"My sister falling," he said. "Not in battle… but into something she can't return from."
The Gate fell silent.
Then—
"And if you had to lose yourself to save her?"
Yue Yun didn't hesitate.
"Then I would."
For a brief moment, everything went still.
Then light erupted from the Gate.
A path opened.
Ao Xuan surged forward, soaring through the glowing passage as the storm parted around them.
Below, the Mortal Realm began to fade into the distance.
Ahead—
Light.
Endless, radiant light.
Golden palaces rose among the clouds. Towers shimmered like stars. Floating cities drifted across the sky.
The Celestial Realm.
It welcomed him once more.
Yue Yun stood tall as they passed through, his eyes steady, his resolve stronger than before.
He had returned.
And this time—
He would not leave weaker than he came.