In the pitch-black ocean, the fisheries patrol vessel No. 2105 sped swiftly toward Roc City’s harbor.

Inside the cabin, Yae-hime, Pixie, and Mylene sat together on the sofa. To be precise, Yae-hime was lying with her head pillowed on Mylene’s lap, while her own legs rested across Pixie’s thighs.

As for how things had turned out this way, the story was long enough to fill a roll of cloth. Long story short… she was simply too popular.

At that moment, Yae-hime had already entered the game. It was her first time letting herself appear so defenseless before others. Well, strictly speaking, Pixie and Mylene could hardly be called outsiders.

One was her own little sister. The other was her confidante from the past life. That was why she could lower her guard and enter the game without worry.

“These legs… I could play with them forever…” Pixie’s cheeks were flushed, her beautiful eyes fixed unblinkingly on Yae-hime’s flawless legs as she whispered under her breath.

Mylene faintly caught her words and turned her head with a puzzled look.

Pixie, pretending she had said nothing at all, closed her eyes instead, inhaling the fragrance that lingered in the room as she drifted into a curious realm of reverie.

Mylene withdrew her gaze and looked back at Yae-hime’s perfect face. Her lips curved into a soft smile, her heart brimming with delight.

* **At the same time, in Yanjing, within the Gongshu family estate—**

“No wonder the Ye family hasn’t gone to trouble her.” The head of the Gongshu family, Korg’s father—Lucian Gongshu—leaned back against his chair, his expression carrying a look of vindicated realization.

“This child’s strength places her within the top twenty among Grandmasters.” Sitting opposite him, a simply dressed yet dignified woman spoke. She was Lucian’s wife and Korg’s mother, Serena Li.

Lucian shook his head. “An eighteen-year-old pinnacle Grandmaster. Have you not thought about what that really means?”

At his words, Serena froze for a moment, then drew in a sharp breath. “—You mean to say this child might come from Kun Ruins!?”

“It’s not a possibility. I’m certain of it. You know well what kind of man Donald is. His son was beaten so badly his own mother wouldn’t recognize him, yet he endured it in silence. Even then, I found it suspicious. Now, after watching this duel, there’s no longer any doubt. That Ye-hime is none other than a prodigy from Kun Ruins!” Lucian declared with absolute conviction.

Serena leaned back in her seat, her face filled with shock. “No wonder… no wonder!”

“That man withheld this information just to see us make fools of ourselves!” Lucian said darkly.

“Unfortunately for him, we are not so reckless as he. We don’t act without thought.” Serena gave a cold smile.

“Had we known Ye-hime was a Kun Ruins prodigy, we should never have sent Korg to Roc City.” Lucian let out a heavy sigh.

“The blow Korg suffered was far too great. I fear it may leave lasting scars on her.”1 Serena’s face was clouded with worry.

“Let’s see what fortune has in store for her.” Lucian gently shook his head. If she could rise from this setback, she might even gain from it. But if she could not…

The two of them exchanged a glance, then both lowered their heads with a sigh. For the mountain called Ye-hime was simply far too high. Far too high.

***

* **Ye Family.**

Donald sat within the grand hall, a trace of pride flickering across his face. To him, the stronger Yae-hime proved herself to be, the less shameful the humiliation the Ye family had once suffered appeared.

“She shares the same surname. Who knows, perhaps eight hundred years ago we were one family.” He suddenly chuckled as he spoke.

* **At Jinxi International Airport.**

Dominus sat in the departure lounge, his face full of impatience. Originally, he was supposed to fly abroad at noon today, then transfer to Baiding Island. But just as he arrived at the airport, he was summoned for questioning by the authorities and temporarily banned from leaving the country.

The anger inside him nearly made him erupt on the spot. Only after hearing that other Grandmasters across the country had received the same treatment did he feel somewhat better.

In the end, he could only send his disciples to watch the duel in his stead.

“The result should be out by now.” Checking the time, he saw it was already half past eight. If it were a duel between two Grandmasters of equal rank, it would not be surprising for the fight to last an entire day and night.

But if one was Primary and the other Intermediate, lasting even half an hour would already be impressive.

Another fifteen minutes passed before Dominus’ phone suddenly vibrated. He picked it up. It was a call from one of his disciples.

Since Baiding Island had no communication infrastructure, for his disciple to be calling now meant he had returned to a place with proper facilities.

“Judging by the timing, that makes sense.” Domnus swiped the screen and answered the call.

An excited voice immediately came through. “Master, something terrible has happened!”

Dominus blinked in confusion.

“What is it? Speak.”

“Master, Lucky lost!”

“What!? What did you just say!?” Dominus shot up from his seat, his voice shaking with agitation.

The commotion earned him irritated stares from the people around, but he had no interest in paying them any mind. For the news was simply too explosive!

“Master, Lucky lost!” Believing his master hadn’t heard clearly, the disciple repeated himself.

“No, impossible! Lucky is much stronger than her!” Dominus’ voice trembled.

“Master, here’s what happened…” The disciple recounted in detail everything he had witnessed. He even sent over a recorded video from his phone.

After watching the footage, Dominus’ body went limp, and he collapsed back into his seat. “How is this possible… how could she be so strong…” For a moment, he found the truth impossible to digest. The shock in his heart was like an earthquake of magnitude twelve.

Only after a long while did he regain some calm. “So after all this time, Old Man Tian was just a bodyguard. So that’s it. That explains why my disciple was beaten into such a state! Ronald, I will never forgive you!” Dominus snarled in hatred.

As for Yae-hime, he deliberately excluded her from his thoughts. Such a terrifying figure…any sane man would avoid provoking her at all costs. Better to squeeze a soft persimmon than to strike at a mountain!

At that very moment, far away in Roc City, Ronald suddenly sneezed. His body shivered, and a chill crawled down his spine. “Has the weather turned colder?” he muttered in puzzlement.

Remembering that his frail, ailing body could no longer endure torment, Ronald returned to his bed, still trembling from the shock earlier, and slowly tried to settle his mind.

The battle on Baiding Island had ended, but the aftershocks continued to ripple across the world. They left profound marks on many lives.

Inside the game, Yae-hime lay on the bed in the village chief’s guest room, eyes fixed on the ceiling, looking somewhat bored. She neither knew nor cared about the changes happening in the outside world.

“Good thing Mylene and Pixie were here this time, otherwise going back would’ve been such a hassle,” she suddenly muttered.

Having once suffered at the hands of a spatial teleportation, Yae-hime was not foolish enough to risk it again. Who knew if that mysterious existence would present her with another ‘gift.’

“Tempting as benefits may be, one must not be greedy.” Recalling that torment worse than death, she could not help but shudder. “Still… why did the lingering aura in that space give me such a subtle sense of familiarity? It felt like I had encountered it a very, very long time ago.”

There was indeed a faint impression in her mind, but no matter how hard she tried, she could not recall the truth. At last, she simply pulled the blanket over her head, closed her eyes, and feigned sleep, quietly waiting for her prison timer to pass.