The Calm Before the Duel
The Crimson Forest was behind them.
The remaining six stood at the summit of the Grand Jade Platform, high above the clouds.
Li Wei.
Yue Xiaolan.
Lana Qi.
Shen Ruo.
Scarlet Fang.
And Meiyu.
Only six finalists remained — all bound to him in one way or another.
Even now, as the breeze played with their robes, Li could feel the tension between the girls. Lingering touches. Long glances. Slight nudges.
Every one of them had a stake in him now.
And it was only getting harder to hide.
The Announcement
Overseer Hu Lin appeared in a flash of silver mist. He wore ceremonial robes this time — a sign the final phase had truly begun.
"Congratulations, chosen six," he began. "You have survived flame, illusion, poison, beasts, betrayal… and perhaps worse: emotional entanglement."
A few people chuckled. Li didn't.
"Now comes your final test: The Duel Ascension."
The floating platform shifted beneath them. Stone circles rose from the floor, creating six fighting arenas.
"You will face one another in one-on-one duels. Three rounds. The winner of each advances."
Gasps rang out across the clouds.
"Pairings will be randomized."
A silver orb floated above them, spinning with ancient runes.
Li closed his eyes.
Please… don't make me fight one of them yet.
The orb flashed.
Names appeared:
Round 1 Pairings:
Li Wei vs ??? (Hidden Entry)
Yue Xiaolan vs Meiyu
Lana Qi vs Shen Ruo
Scarlet wasn't listed.
"…Where's my name?" she asked.
Overseer Hu narrowed his eyes. "An outside challenger has been approved. You'll duel her… if you survive."
The Banquet of Flame and Flowers
That night, a celebration was held at the Heavenly Bloom Pavilion — a flying banquet hall suspended on petals and light.
Everyone wore ceremonial silks.
Li didn't recognize himself in the mirror — dark robes embroidered with flames, a silver crest over his heart.
He looked… powerful.
And lonely.
Until Yue appeared.
She wore a crimson qipao, her blade strapped to her back, hair flowing like ink.
"…Say something," she muttered.
"You're breathtaking," he said.
"…Say something less cheesy."
"You terrify me in the best way."
She smirked. "That's better."
Lana entered next, wearing a half-armored gown of steel-blue silk. A single spark floated behind her ear.
"You're lucky I wore this," she said. "If it catches fire, I'm blaming you."
Shen Ruo followed — a gentle white and lilac dress with falling petals woven into her sleeves.
"I stitched this myself," she said softly. "For tonight."
Scarlet arrived last — unchanged.
Still in black. Still barefoot. Still with the coffin on her back.
"You look…" Li paused.
"Like myself," she finished. "Don't waste compliments."
The Dance of the Faction Leader
Music swirled through the air — strings, flutes, soft drums.
Overseer Hu's voice boomed.
"As is tradition, the faction leader shall dance with the partner of his choosing."
Everyone looked at Li.
He froze.
"I, uh—"
Lana grabbed his hand. "You're going with me."
"No," Yue growled. "He's mine tonight."
Shen Ruo stepped in, placing her hand gently on his arm.
"I made my dress for this."
Scarlet remained silent, watching.
Then, quietly: "I'll pass."
Li took a deep breath.
"…I'll dance with each of you."
The crowd murmured.
Hu Lin's eyebrows rose. "Unorthodox… but approved."
The Dances
First: Shen Ruo.
They moved in slow circles beneath the floating lanterns.
She rested her head on his chest.
"I don't need a spotlight," she whispered. "Just this."
He kissed her forehead. "You'll always have more."
Second: Lana.
She led the dance — fast, sharp, spinning him in rhythm with her heartbeat.
"You're mine tomorrow," she grinned. "Win or lose."
"I'll try not to die."
"Don't. I'll kill you myself."
Third: Yue.
She danced like she fought — precise, powerful, nearly trembling.
"You're the first man I ever wanted to share a sword form with," she said.
"That's romantic in a terrifying way."
"Good."
Fourth: Meiyu.
They didn't speak.
She simply danced, close and trembling.
"…I'll prove I'm not your enemy," she whispered.
"I know," he said.
And just for a second — he believed her.
The Stranger in White
As the final song ended, the music halted.
The crowd shifted.
A woman stood in the center of the dance floor.
She wore a flowing white cloak, her face obscured by a half-mask.
A cold, distant aura surrounded her.
"Who is that?" Lana whispered.
"An outsider," Yue hissed. "I don't like her."
The woman stepped forward.
"I am the final challenger," she said. "Approved by the Divine Envoy himself."
Overseer Hu nodded grimly. "She has been granted one duel."
Li narrowed his eyes.
"…Who are you?"
She removed her mask.
Everyone gasped.
She was beautiful. Sharper than Yue, colder than Scarlet, more graceful than Meiyu. Her eyes were a haunting silver-blue.
"…You don't remember me," she said.
Li froze.
"I… know you?"
She walked closer.
"I'm the one who watched you bleed on the orphan cliff at age nine. The one who gave you a single lotus petal to keep you alive."
He staggered.
"Wait—"
She smiled.
"I'm the girl from before your memories were sealed."
System Shock
Hidden Memory Fragment Detected
WARNING: Forgotten Timeline Overlap Detected
The Duel of Forgotten Ties
Overseer Hu's voice broke the silence.
"Your first duel begins at dawn, Li Wei. Against her."
"What's your name?" he asked, heart pounding.
She smiled again.
"Call me Lotus."
Then she turned and walked into the mist.