Watching Lulu’s playful, endearing manner, Yue Yang felt a sudden pang for her brother.

  The longing twisted into hatred. The plump, juicy green wood fruit in her hand frosted over in an instant, encased in a thin layer of ice.

  “The situation today is nothing like it once was,” Yue Yang said quietly. “In my view, joining the Iron Code Division might not be a bad thing.”

  “You say that, but something feels off about them,” Lulu replied. “Ever since the Tian Yuan Elder left, the Iron Code has changed. It used to be impartial, blind to favoritism. Now they overstep, act like they answer to no one.”

  “Then the head of the traitors is either inside the Iron Code or has infiltrated it. Everyone who survived that siege years ago is a suspect.”

  A flicker of dark energy passed through Yue Yang’s eyes. She steadied her breathing, forcing down the hatred and grief. The ice on the fruit melted; she took another bite.

  “Yes,” Lulu continued. “That makes it tricky. Fei told me the old Yi regiment commander was terrifying in battle. His scout team breached the enemy and turned the tide. But now… something’s not right with him.”

  “Why do you say that?”

  “It’s hard to explain. Ever since Captain Feng Yi died, he’s been different.”

  “Feng Yi was a prodigy. If he’d lived, with elemental gene fusion he’d have reached the peak of the Envoy stage by now.”

  “True. His death was a terrible loss.”

  “The regiment commander poured everything into training him—gave him every personal resource. Anyone would be devastated. It would warp the heart.”

  “But why was Lady Yi so calm? Unnaturally calm. She didn’t shed a single tear at the funeral. Is that… a side effect of elemental gene fusion?”

  “Side effect? You mean Lady Yi underwent the procedure too?”

  Lulu nodded solemnly. “I’m certain. Her name back then was Mingzhu Yang—she shared the Tianyuan Elder’s surname. The Yang clan has always been rare in the Watch Legion. It only rose to prominence starting with the Tianyuan Elder’s generation.”

  Yue Yang sensed the girl was fishing for family history, but she knew little herself.

  “The Tianyuan Elder… has lived a very long time. Old Bai once said he was already ancient when she was a child. She improved spiritual foods and medicines. Old Bai guesses she reached at least the Envoy peak to live so long.”

  “You’re so clever, Sister Yue—you know what I’m getting at. Before the Yang clan appeared, the Gan and Guo families held true power. The ancient legion was fading until the Tianyuan Elder arrived and built the prestige we have today.”

  “I know all that. I know the Tianyuan Elder was Timo’s and my great-grandfather. And I know you want to ask about the Spirit Taming clan. I don’t know any more than you—only rumors.”

  “Do you believe in the Son of Darkness?”

  “No. I believe in human nature. The problem lies in hearts, not bloodlines.”

  “I don’t believe it either. From what I’ve learned, the last person Timo saw was the Tianyuan Elder. If your own descendant was in danger, would you stand by and do nothing?”

  “It’s hard to say. The Tianyuan Elder’s wisdom is beyond my understanding.”

  “Let me be bold, then. What if the Elder’s spirit dissipation was to protect Timo and you? That way the secrets of the Spirit Taming clan would stay buried forever. Just a theory, of course.”

  “I’ve thought the same. It’s possible. But without proof, theories are meaningless.”

  “Yeah. I don’t dare ask the current Elders—they were there. I’m afraid they’d lock me up too if I pushed.”

  “It’s all in the past. Talking changes nothing. Maybe they saw the Yang clan’s potential and wanted me to marry Feng Yi. When they couldn’t have it, they removed us. That fits the rules of power games.”

  “Talking to smart people is different,” Lulu sighed, shaking her head. “Everything clicks. I’ll keep investigating. I still feel it’s all tied to the Spirit Taming clan.”

  She popped the last green essence fruit into her mouth—pit and all.

  Yue Yang felt genuine warmth. With Lulu’s sharp mind, the Watch Legion had a bright future.

  “Things may be more complicated than we think. By the way… did they secure the construction rights for the inner and outer camps?”

  Lulu shook her head and scrambled to her feet.

  “Old Gan deserves credit there. If they switched to magical ore materials, it would weaken the heavy-armor guards’ defenses. If something happened, the logistics corps couldn’t protect everyone.”

  “Because of Old Gan, I suspect the traitors don’t yet hold real power. Otherwise the legion would have fallen apart long ago.” Yue Yang sighed. “So much happening out there… The physicians’ department is simpler. I miss my sisters.”

  She gazed at the daily supplies her sisters still sent—unchanged after all these years.

  “If you miss them, leave. Apologize to the Tianjiao Elder. She’d release you. You’re a physician, and with territorial expansion coming, they need every healer.”

  Yue Yang was stubborn; admitting fault was impossible.

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  “An apology would mean Timo and I were guilty. I will never believe my brother is the Son of Darkness. Justice will prevail. I’d rather die than confess to that lie.”

  Her tone left no room for argument.

  Lulu only admired her more.

  “Don’t be upset, Sister—I was just suggesting. How about we talk about Fei instead?”

  At the mention of Fei, Yue Yang softened. Their last meeting had been six months ago; he had brought spiritual medicines and several essence stones.

  “Fei is like Aunt Guo and Uncle Yuan. He’ll become a great warrior.”

  “Hehe… missing him, huh? Fei’s campaigning everywhere now, piling up merits to rise through the ranks. And it’s not all for himself, you know.”

  “Little tease. If you have nothing else, go take missions—stock up on spiritual herbs.”

  “I’m heading out soon. You’re the only person left in the legion I trust enough to talk to.”

  Yue Yang sensed the girl’s worry—she was avoiding someone again.

  “Ning Guo’s two children are decent. You should make more young friends.”

  “They’re all muscle and no brain—just brute force. No common ground. They’re follower material at best. If Timo were alive, he’d be my real rival.” Lulu wrinkled her nose in disdain.

  The words struck deep. Tears welled in Yue Yang’s eyes at the memory of her brother leaping from the judgment platform.

  “I’m sorry—I didn’t mean to hurt you.”

  “I’m not hurt. My brother was brave—braver than any warrior. He lived clean and honorable.”

  “Yes…” Lulu trailed off. “What will our future even look like?”

  Her communicator chimed. She glanced at it and exhaled in relief.

  “Sister Yue, I have to go. Regiment Commander Yi is summoning me again. He keeps assigning Kai Yi and the others to my team—I’m sick of them.”

  Yue Yang patted Lulu’s head gently, smiling with warm affection and deep admiration.

  “Lulu, among our generation, you are the wisest. You can guide them onto the right path. I believe in you.”

  Lulu’s eyes glistened. She bowed deeply, then slipped away through the hidden passage.

  Yue Yang finished the last bite of her green essence fruit and returned to the round stone, crossing her legs once more. Dark light flickered in her eyes as the spirit lord’s whisper slithered into her mind.

  “I savor your hatred, your resentment, your hypocrisy. You are already broken beyond repair, yet you cloak yourself in noble pretense. Surrender your body to me. I will make you ruler of the world. We will share it all…”

  Yue Yang held her breath, steadying her focus. The pale blue glow of her Purifying Spirit Eyes rippled outward, sending a wave of cleansing energy through her veins. The voice receded, suppressed once again.

  For five years she had fought this battle daily, uncertain how much longer she could endure. Watching those around her grow stronger, she often burned with injustice for her brother—fury at her own powerlessness.

  Meanwhile, as Lulu Gan hurried to the command hall, Jun Zhao—President Zhao’s son—arrived almost simultaneously.

  Jun Zhao still wore his long hair tied back, his skin fairer than most women’s. Clad in the deep-gray uniform of a logistics corps recruit, he stood quiet and unsmiling.

  “Well, if it isn’t Mei Wu’s little shadow,” Lulu teased. “Just finished running errands for the beauty?”

  Jun Zhao scratched his head with an embarrassed grin.

  “You got me again.”

  “I’m not blind. Everyone knows you’re smitten with Mei Wu. You’re even stranger than your brother. Just don’t let love make you do something stupid.”

  “I won’t… Mei just has a lot on her plate. Helping her builds my strength too. I don’t want to drag the team down on missions.”

  “At least you know your limits. As a surrendered recruit, keeping your head down is the smart play.”

  They entered the command hall together. Like nearly everyone their age, Jun Zhao knew Lulu saw the world in black and white—she spared no one’s feelings. He simply took his place quietly behind the others.

  The hall had been freshly renovated, spotless and orderly. Kai Yi stood at attention; beside him, Mei Wu and Qiang Wu wore their usual carefree grins.

  The dragon-phoenix twins possessed the most imposing physiques. Even with elemental gene fusion, Kai Yi’s rigorous training could never match their raw power.

  Kai Yi carried himself with the same proud bearing his late brother Feng Yi had once shown. Yet Regiment Commander Fan Yi barely glanced at them, absorbed in his work.

  Among the three, only Kai Yi had real tactical sense. The Wu twins knew only courage—challenge them, and they fought. Lulu saw it all and guessed the reason for the summons.

  “Commander, everyone is here,” Deacon Lan announced.

  Fan Yi looked up from his maps. His first thought upon seeing the young faces was Feng Yi; a sorrowful sigh escaped him.

  “In recent years, you five have stood out in special training. The Black Forest is no longer safe—the Evil Cultivators have built real strength and infiltrated nearby villages.”

  He handed the mission briefs to Deacon Lan, who distributed them.

  “These are legion commissions. Your objectives are clearly outlined.”

  Lulu signed without reading. Five years ago, the Evil Cultivators had deceived her; the battle between the Earth Mother and the spirit lord still haunted her.

  “Anything involving Evil Cultivators—I, Lulu Gan, will see it through, even if it costs my life.”

  Fan Yi nodded in approval. His gaze swept the group and lingered on Kai Yi’s hesitation with faint disappointment. Feng Yi would have volunteered without prompting.

  “Well said. Worthy of the Gan family’s genius. None of your brothers have your fire.”

  Lulu stood at attention, right hand to chest, bowing slightly.

  “Thank you, Commander. But I have a request—may I speak?”

  A rare smile crossed Fan Yi’s face. The gesture echoed his eldest son uncannily.

  “Go ahead.”

  Like seasoned warriors, Lulu placed her signed brief on the commander’s desk. Her merit already surpassed many adults.

  Fan Yi rose, treating her as an equal rather than a child.

  “If we complete this mission perfectly, I want no reward. Instead, I ask for Physician Yue Yang’s freedom. I need a combat healer for higher-risk commissions.”

  Lulu was not the first to make such a request—only loyalists of the former commander had dared. The Tianjiao Elder had strictly forbidden contact between Yue Yang and those veterans. The Gan family avoided the topic entirely. Lulu’s boldness intrigued Fan Yi.

  “Jun Zhao may be a recruit, but he has potential—rare talent in defense, control, and healing.”

  Fan Yi pointed approvingly at the young man standing at the rear, watching for Lulu’s reaction.

  Lulu remained composed, her analysis clear and measured.

  “Physician Yue Yang can purify undead toxins—I’ve seen it myself. No one else in the legion can. Five years ago I witnessed the spirit lord’s power. The Black Forest’s curses twist the mind. Timo and I both fought that traitor.”

  Fan Yi and Deacon Lan exchanged satisfied glances.

  Seeing the commander value her opinion, Lulu pressed on.

  “I know the feel of darkness. Physician Yue Yang knows it too. We understand Wan Lin’s methods. Among our generation, she is the strongest healer. Fighting beside us would save lives.”

  Mei Wu and Qiang Wu fell silent at her maturity and experience, signing without a word.

  Admiration filled Kai Yi’s eyes; he signed decisively. Jun Zhao followed, placing his brief on the desk with the others, awaiting orders.

  “Excellent,” Fan Yi said, smiling warmly. “Deacon Lan, these are the elites you’ve shaped—Feng Yi’s spirit lives in them.”

  Had they been male soldiers, he might have embraced them as he once had his son.

  “Sergeant Lulu Gan—if the mission succeeds, I will consider your request. Physician Yue Yang is indeed a rare talent. These years in the ice prison have surely honed her ice affinity…”

  Lulu stepped back respectfully, awaiting further orders.

  “We’ll discuss her after your return. This mission is reconnaissance—identify the infiltrators. Risk level unpredictable. You five will form a team. Rewards include premium spiritual herbs, high-grade spiritual ore, and full merit recording.”

  Premium rewards and merit meant high stakes—and high danger. Glancing at the inexperienced recruits, Lulu knew she would lead.

  “Understood!”

  Lulu’s shout led the chorus.

  “One more thing. You’ll operate under the old codename: Thunder Eagle. Carry its legacy forward. Sergeant Lulu Gan is team leader. I trust her judgment—support her fully.”

  “Understood!”

  None objected.

  To these young warriors, surpassing Lulu Gan had always been the goal. Now, eyes blazing with determination and passion, they burned to prove themselves.

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