Amid the clouds, a lurking figure witnessed Xueji’s terrifying power and swiftly vanished into the sea of mist. The fog that had shrouded the battlefield began to dissipate.
After Xueji’s cataclysmic magic swept through, the oppressive gloom over the southern district of City A was completely dispelled, allowing the troops stationed outside the blockade to finally move in.
Xueji landed lightly on the ground, about to leave, when she caught sight of a plump crimson bird fluttering in the embers. At first glance, she thought it was just an ordinary chicken—but no normal chicken could emerge unscathed from flames. Moreover, when she rescued the “chicken” from the fire and held it in her hands, fragmented memories flashed through her mind.
A sickbed… a girl in ancient attire… an old tree outside the window… and an argument…
Xueji didn’t know whose memories these were, but curiosity compelled her to take the bird home.
Holding the bird by its legs as if she had just bought a live chicken from the market, she failed to notice the creature’s sparkling eyes brimming with barely concealed delight—as if some scheme had succeeded.
To calm her tangled thoughts, Xueji deliberately chose to walk back slowly, casting a shielding spell to avoid disturbance.
As she passed through the ruined streets, crossed the familiar bridge, walked by her old school, and strolled down the snack street she used to frequent, her faded memories were repainted in vivid colors. Due to the giant wolf’s rampage, the streets were deserted, leaving Xueji feeling like a lone boat adrift in solitude.
Back in the day, Xueji had few friends and often walked alone, earning her the nickname “The Lone Legend of Third High” from her classmates. Remembering this, she suddenly realized that her current experience wasn’t so different from before. Even then, she had walked alone amidst the crowd.
By the time Xueji reached her apartment building, the full moon hung high in the sky.
Old Man Zhao and Old Man Li from next door were still playing chess downstairs, seemingly unaffected by the chaos. It seemed there were some benefits to living in a quieter part of town.
Old Man Li spotted Xueji and greeted her.
“Little Xue, where’d you buy such a fat chicken?” he asked, eyeing the plump bird in her hand. The bird, as if understanding human speech, began flapping wildly in Xueji’s grip.
“Old Li, you’re confused again—Xueji’s a boy,” Old Man Zhao sighed.
Old Man Li squinted at Xueji for a moment, then stubbornly insisted, “Ah, right, right! I remember just fine! He’s just playing one of those… whatchamacallit… cosplay things.”
Xueji smiled and exchanged a few pleasantries before heading upstairs.
At home, with her parents often away, Xueji had honed her cooking skills to perfection.
She tossed the bird into a corner of the kitchen and ignored it for the time being.
Originally, she had planned to buy groceries, but given the circumstances, no vendors were out. Checking the date, she realized that while ten years had passed for her in the other world, time on Earth had barely moved. She couldn’t even tell if she had returned or been reborn. Using stargazing magic to seek answers, she only saw chaos.
In her mind, the image of a blonde priestess flickered briefly. Xueji realized the priestess’s blessing was still active on her—which meant she hadn’t died! The thought brought her inexplicable relief, as if a weight had been lifted.
Pulling half a chicken from the fridge, she began chopping, only for her hand to ache after a few cuts. Strange. Even though her body was now female, her physical abilities should have carried over from her original form. Why was she so sensitive now?
Turning around, she noticed the crimson bird staring at her in horror, wings covering its beak as it cautiously shuffled backward. The sight was downright comical.
“Oh? Trying to run away?” Xueji teased, spreading her arms like a hungry ghost coming to claim its prey.
“Don’t eat me! I’ll kneel for you! Waaah!” The plump bird desperately dropped to its knees in an exaggerated, utterly submissive display.
Xueji pretended to ponder. “But I’m hungry, and I really want chicken.”
“You already have half a chicken! Why must you take me too?” the bird wailed, tears practically streaming down its face.
Watching the bird’s dramatic kung-fu stance—as if ready to fight for its life—Xueji couldn’t help but laugh. “Pfft, I’m just kidding. Don’t be scared.”
“R… really?”
“Do I look like a liar to you?”
“No! Someone as beautiful as you must be a good person!”
Receiving an unexpected “good person card,” Xueji’s eye twitched slightly. “Alright, explain—where’d you come from, and why were you there?”
The bird lowered its head, brows furrowed in thought, but after several attempts, it could only look up pitifully. It seemed to have amnesia.
Xueji sighed. “Can’t remember? Then tell me whatever you do recall.”
“Honorable Benefactor, my name… my name is Ling Xiaoxiao.” After saying this, she fell silent again.
Ling Xiaoxiao spun in circles before suddenly recalling something. Flapping her wings, she blurted out fragmented memories.
“So, you’re saying you were human, then woke up as a bird?” Xueji asked curiously.
“Indeed, Benefactor. The only memory I have left is my name,” the bird replied. Then, with curiosity, she added, “Might I ask… what dynasty is it now?”
“Well… if you’re asking that, it’s probably been hundreds—if not thousands—of years since your time.”
“Wha—?”
Xueji spent the next ten minutes explaining the modern world.
Ling Xiaoxiao, now grasping her situation—a time-displaced ancient in the modern era—fell silent before speaking again. “Benefactor, please let me stay. I’ll repay you in the future.”
“Weren’t you afraid I’d eat you?” Xueji teased.
“Benefactor, your mystical arts are profound, and you are no ordinary person. Besides, someone as breathtakingly beautiful as you could never be cruel.” She laid on the flattery thick.
Pleased by the praise, Xueji smirked. “You’ve got a silver tongue. Fine, you can stay for now.”
As Xueji prepared dinner, her gaze drifted to the bright moon outside the window. Turning back, she asked seriously, “Do you… want to become human again?”
“Of course! But I don’t even know how I became like this. Turning back seems impossible.” Ling Xiaoxiao’s voice was heavy with dejection.
Xueji crouched down, gently stroking the bird’s crimson feathers. “I may not know your past, but that doesn’t mean I can’t help you. After all, I’m a sage who conquered another world. I’m pretty amazing, you know?”
Ling Xiaoxiao looked up, eyes shining.
“You have multiple seals on you. I can use tonight’s full moon to break the first one. After that, you should regain human form.”
Overjoyed, the bird hopped around. “Benefactor, please help me!”
Words from her adventurer days slipped out: “I’ll help, but what’s in it for me?”
Ling Xiaoxiao pondered for a few seconds before declaring, “I’m really good at fighting.”
“How good?” Xueji had seen her fair share of absurd combat prowess—cultivators splitting mountains, heroes wrestling frost giants, even gentle priestesses lifting bulls with ease.
The bird tapped its head with a wing. “In my current state… I could tear this building down.” She nudged the wall with a claw, looking eager to demonstrate.
Horrified, Xueji quickly waved her hands. “Deal! No need to prove it!” The bird deflated slightly.
Both parties were satisfied—Xueji gained a powerful ally, and Ling Xiaoxiao secured a place to stay.
…
Meanwhile, the surviving members of the special ops team reported their encounter to their superiors. The report soon reached Chen Shijie, head of City A’s supernatural forces.
After reviewing it, Chen turned to his adjutant. “What do you make of this white-haired girl?”
The adjutant frowned. “Frankly, there’s too little data. A being capable of wielding fire, wind, and earth abilities consecutively—each at an elite-level intensity—has no precedent, even in spiritual revival records.”
Chen nodded. “According to Team 02’s account, she’s human and likely lives in City A. What’s our move?”
The adjutant thought for a moment. “Find her. Recruit her.”
Chen shook his head. “Unnecessary. If she’s truly on humanity’s side, she’ll come to us. Besides, we have bigger priorities.”
The adjutant’s eyes widened. “Ah—the government’s going public about the spiritual revival?”
Chen confirmed, “City A will be among the first to unveil the awakening. Prepare accordingly.”