Noticing Yan Yu’s gaze and understanding her curiosity, Yan Qi saw no reason to hide anything.
With that, she stepped forward, closing the distance between herself and the Flesh Blossom. Once she was close enough, she activated her skill—Samadhi True Flame.
A wisp of azure fire flickered to life on her fingertip.
Familiar with the flame’s nature, Yan Qi calmly aimed it at the Flesh Blossom and blew gently.
The next second, the slow-burning ember soared toward its target.
Upon contact, the tiny flame erupted like gasoline meeting a spark. In the blink of an eye, the Samadhi True Flame engulfed the unbloomed Flesh Blossom, drawing a piercing, agonized shriek from it.
But the scream didn’t last. Soon, the flower was utterly consumed, leaving no trace behind.
Watching from a distance, Yan Yu couldn’t hide her astonishment at the azure inferno—its heat palpable even from afar.
“That blue fire… If I were trapped in it like the Flesh Blossom, I wouldn’t stand a chance either.”
With the Flesh Blossom’s demise, the dark barrier it had sustained began crumbling. Moments later, the trio was ejected from the liminal space between reality and the abyss, returning to the ordinary world.
“Are we… back?”
Yan Yu, who had been fixated on the burning flames without noticing the passage of time, murmured under her breath.
“Yes, we’re back, Sis.”
Having cleared the area of Abyss Beasts and dealt with the Flesh Blossom, Yan Qi no longer needed her alter ego, Ji Zige, to remain on the mountaintop. She guided the分身 down to join them.
Hearing Yan Yu’s muttering, Yan Qi seized the chance to respond through Ji Zige’s voice.
“Oh! Little Zige! You startled me!”
Caught off guard by the sudden voice behind her, Yan Yu nearly swung her Bloodthirsty Sword on instinct—stopping just in time when she recognized Ji Zige.
“Do I really look that scary, Sis?”
Aware of Yan Yu’s reflexive hostility (thanks to her barrier’s surveillance), Yan Qi feigned mild offense through Ji Zige’s tone.
“N-No! You just surprised me, that’s all. Sorry!”
“Well, since you apologized so sincerely, I’d be petty not to forgive you.”
Seeing her sister’s earnest expression, Yan Qi—who hadn’t actually been upset—dismissed the matter through Ji Zige.
“Thanks for understanding.”
“Anyway, it’s getting late. Let’s hurry and escort Auntie Zhao back to the dorms.”
Reminded of her roommate’s mother waiting near the tunnel, Yan Yu quickly nodded.
“Right, let’s go. But… is your friend Dao Yan coming with us?”
Before Ji Zige could answer, Yan Qi—still in her Dao Yan Empress form—spoke up from behind.
“No. I have other matters to attend to. Escorting Auntie Zhao will be up to you and Zige.”
Turning at the sound of her voice, Yan Yu replied, “Oh! I didn’t realize you had other business. Thanks for letting me know.”
“No need for thanks—it’s just an answer. Zige, come here. There’s something we need to discuss in the grove over there.”
Maintaining the act, Yan Qi gestured for her分身 to follow.
“Got it!”
Playing along, Ji Zige excused herself and trotted after her “other self.”
The two vanished into the grove without another word.
Left baffled, Yan Yu stared after them, curiosity gnawing at her. For a fleeting moment, she considered sneaking closer to eavesdrop—but between Dao Yan’s overwhelming power and her debt to Ji Zige (who’d granted her supernatural abilities), she reluctantly stayed put.
The wait wasn’t long. Soon, Ji Zige emerged alone—Dao Yan nowhere in sight.
“Little Zige… Where’s Dao Yan?”
Having already switched her transformation card from Dao Yan Empress to Virtual Diva, Yan Qi cleared her throat.
“Like she said earlier, she had things to do. After our talk, she left.”
“Oh… I was hoping to thank her on my roommate’s behalf.”
A tinge of disappointment colored Yan Yu’s voice.
Noticing this, Yan Qi (as Ji Zige) offered a reassuring smile.
“Don’t worry. If fate allows, you’ll meet her again someday.”