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The scabbard remained in little Miyabi's hands.
And so, Miyabi carried her mother on her back, cradled her younger self in one arm, and gripped her former weapon—the cursed blade Tailless—in the other.
Above her, the Sword of Red Heaven hovered, cutting down enemies on its own.
Like a shooting star, she tore through the encirclement of Ethereals and broke out.
No matter what kind of Ethereal stood in her way—whether mindless creatures or even Sacrifice-like forms—they were all annihilated by Miyabi, her twin blades working in perfect harmony.
But she knew clearly that the battle had only just begun.
She had to escort her mother and her younger self beyond Hollow Zero. Only then could she ensure their survival.
Arden had told her that the development of the world possessed inertia. Only upon reaching a certain critical threshold could one break through the world's corrective force and truly alter the future.
Miyabi no longer remembered how she had escaped the Hollow back then. Now, she had no Carrot in hand—only the guiding talisman Arden had left her.
Unfortunately, she herself could not wield spells. The talisman could only offer minimal guidance. As for the rest… she would cut her way forward and leave the outcome to fate.
It had to be said—Miyabi wielding blade and sword together was terrifyingly powerful. After her breakthrough during the battle with Sacrifice · Bringer, she had already surpassed the limits of a Void Hunter.
Even Notorious Ethereals crumbled before her like porcelain.
Not a single Ethereal along the way could withstand even one exchange.
She even managed to rescue several trapped survivors.
She did not know whether they had survived in the original timeline. But given her nature, even if it affected the future, she would never abandon those she could save.
Perhaps the lucky charm Arden had given her before the Taizan Fukun no Matsuri—crafted from Ju Fufu's tiger fur—had taken effect.
By fortune, she discovered a spatial rift leading out of Hollow Zero.
"Haa… finally!"
Gazing at the rift before her, she knew that accepting the betrothal gift—her mother's salvation—was only one final step away.
Yet regret lingered in her heart.
She had passed through many areas. So many civilians had already perished before she arrived.
After all, those with Ether resistance were few. Most had long since transformed into Ethereals, and she had personally granted them release.
In ten years…
The recovery period of the Taizan Fukun no Matsuri was ten years.
Miyabi silently resolved that when the decade passed, she would return to before the fall of the Old Capital—and end the tragedy before it began.
With that conviction, she leapt into the spatial rift with her mother and younger self.
A wave of dizzying weightlessness washed over her, like sudden motion sickness, before quickly fading.
When light returned to her vision, she found herself at the outskirts of Hollow Zero.
Rescue teams and fortunate escapees filled the area. Those capable were helping one another. Yet Hollow Zero was still expanding—no one could remain long.
Carrying her mother and holding her younger self, Miyabi moved through the crowd, searching for someone she could entrust them to.
Soon, she spotted a surviving member of the Hoshimi clan.
Fox ears atop the head, the family crest embroidered on the clothing—she could not mistake it.
She had originally wanted to find her father. At this moment, Hoshimi Souichirou must have been frantically searching for his wife and daughter. In the original timeline, he had found only his daughter.
But she decided it was better not to meet him herself.
"You're from the Hoshimi family, aren't you? Please deliver Madam and Miss Miyabi to Mr. Souichirou."
She gently set down her mother and younger self, entrusting them to the clansman.
The man naturally recognized Madam and the young miss. But his gaze lingered on Miyabi in confusion.
"You are… a member of the Hoshimi family?"
He glanced at her fox ears, then at her attire. "Or perhaps… a Daoist from Yunkui Summit?"
To his knowledge, no one from the Hoshimi family had ever joined Yunkui Summit. Yet her presence and sharp aura spoke of strength. And she wielded Tailless. She was unmistakably of their bloodline.
"Mm… you could say that."
She was undeniably Hoshimi by birth. And once married to Arden, she would indeed belong to Yunkui Summit as well.
"Beautiful and powerful big sister, thank you for saving Mama and me! When I grow up, I'll become a great hero like you!"
Before parting, little Miyabi tugged at her sleeve, wide innocent eyes brimming with admiration.
From overwhelming despair to a hero descending like a comet—that image carved itself deeply into the child's heart.
"Little one, you'll do even better than big sister. From now on, Mama will be under your protection."
Miyabi knelt and gently patted the child's head. "Here's your blade back. Don't be afraid of it. Tailless will become your strength as well."
Before returning the cursed blade, she silently warned it in her heart.
Tailless, remember this! From now on, you'd better listen to Miyabi obediently. Otherwise, I'll have Ar—my husband—skin you alive!
After accepting the "betrothal gift" and now the "revived mother" gift, calling Arden her future husband posed no issue at all.
"Oh, and practice swordsmanship from time to time. It'll be very useful in the future."
"Mm! I will!"
The little girl nodded obediently.
She didn't fully understand the hero big sister's words. But she would remember them. One day, when she grew up, she would understand—and become a hero just like her.
Before leaving, Miyabi had one final task.
Her cheeks flushed slightly as she slipped a small note into her still-unconscious mother's hand.
It contained only one sentence:
If you wish to repay the life-saving grace, then please betroth your daughter to Daoist Xu of Yunkui Summit in the future.
…
Yunkui Summit.
"Arden, I…"
After returning from the altar in Hollow Zero, Miyabi wished to express her gratitude.
Yet her usually agile mind turned blank. Countless words of thanks filled her heart, but none would form on her lips.
"You don't need to say anything. I understand."
Arden bent down and sealed her lips with his own.
On paper, she stood at 1.7 meters and he at 1.8. He needn't have leaned down. But her height included her fox ears—if he didn't lower himself, he'd end up kissing those instead.
"Go on. Do what you want to do."
What did Miyabi want most right now?
Aside from marrying Arden… it was to return home and confirm her mother's revival.
"Mm."
Standing on tiptoe to kiss him back, she dashed out of the courtyard like a gust of wind.
"Well, well. Look who's back—our master of wish fulfillment. No wonder even the youngest Void Hunter in New Eridu fell head over heels for you."
Not long after she left, the door opened again.
A beauty in a qipao stepped inside.
"Heh, we're already an old married couple. Whatever wish you have, just tell your husband—I guarantee the mission will be accomplished!"
Arden pulled the clearly jealous Sweety into his arms.
"Who's old? You're the one who's old."
Sweety lightly pounded his chest with her fists.
"Yes, yes. Our whole family will stay young forever! Now tell me—what wish do you have?"
"What wish could I have? I've been with you this long… Fufu and Yixuan already… and I still…"
Arden immediately understood.
She wanted a child too.
"Hehe, that's simple…"
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