Soon after receiving their master's orders, the Hell Black Market officially transferred ownership of Salang Blossom Valley to Master White Mask—presented as a gesture of goodwill.
Bai-Xue accepted it without hesitation.
And then, she left.
As they walked away from the market, Rinvi finally spoke, her brows tightly knit.
"Master... is it really alright to accept it like this?"
"Don't you find it strange? What if there's a hidden trap?"
Bai-Xue laughed softly beneath her white mask.
"Rinvi," she said casually,
"when someone gives you something for free, you take it."
She turned her head slightly, her masked eyes glinting with confidence.
"And if they have a hidden motive..."
"Then they are truly unlucky."
She smiled.
"Because they can't do anything to me."
Her aura suddenly sharpened.
"And if they want to try..."
"Let them."
"I promise—they'll regret it."
Then, just as suddenly, her tone softened. She turned to Rinvi and smiled brightly.
"Come on, Rinvi."
"We have a home to build."
A massive crowd had gathered outside the entrance of Salang Blossom Valley.
"Why isn't the gate opening?"
"We want to enter!"
"This place has always been public!"
Murmurs filled the air.
The guards standing at the entrance raised their spears and spoke coldly.
"This valley is no longer a public land."
"It is now the private residence of Master White Mask."
The crowd froze.
The guard continued:
"If anyone has an objection..."
"Master White Mask has said he is willing to deal with you personally."
Silence.
Utter silence.
People exchanged frightened glances.
One by one, they turned around and left—
not daring to say another word.
And thus—
Hidden deep within Salang Blossom Valley stood an ancient mansion, so magnificent and serene that it seemed unworthy of mortals. White stone pillars carved with forgotten runes supported its structure, while flowering vines wrapped around its walls like gentle guardians.
Behind the mansion, a towering waterfall cascaded down a sheer cliff.
What made it truly mystical was its color.
At dawn, the water shimmered pale silver.
At noon, it turned crystal blue.
By dusk, it glowed faintly gold, as if reflecting the sun's last blessing.
It was said that even gods would hesitate before claiming such a place as their home.
And yet—
Within just a few days, every nation came to know one truth:
Salang Blossom Valley officially became the domain of White Mask.
Outside the mansion, Rinvi practiced her sword techniques tirelessly.
Her peach-colored hair danced with each movement.
Sweat soaked her clothes.
Her breathing was heavy—but her strikes remained imperfect.
From the mansion's porch, Bai-Xue watched silently.
"Rinvi's progress..." she murmured, tapping her finger lightly against her arm.
"...is still too slow."
A shadow rippled beside her.
The Dark Moon Rabbit appeared, its crimson eyes gleaming intelligently.
"Master," it spoke respectfully,
"why don't we return to the Nine Volt Forest? If you allow her to cultivate within that lake again, her growth will accelerate rapidly."
Bai-Xue's lips curved upward.
"Hmm... you're right, Darky."
"We should go back."
She turned and called out, "Rinvi."
Rinvi immediately stopped and bowed.
"Yes, Master!"
"We're heading to the Nine Volt Forest. Prepare yourself."
Rinvi hesitated.
"Master... why so suddenly?"
Bai-Xue smiled faintly.
"You'll understand once we get there."
"Move quickly."
They soon arrived at the familiar forest.
The air crackled with faint lightning energy. The lake shimmered ominously.
Bai-Xue pointed toward the water.
"Enter the lake and cultivate."
"Today, you will attempt to break through your Gold Layer."
Rinvi nodded firmly and stepped into the lake, sitting beneath a massive ancient tree.
Bai-Xue took her place nearby, closing her eyes.
Then—
BOOOOM!
"AAHHH—!"
A violent explosion echoed from afar.
Bai-Xue's eyes snapped open.
She turned sharply toward Rinvi.
"Fri-Ze."
A surge of scorching yet pure energy rippled through the air.
With a sharp phoenix cry, silver-white flames spiraled downward from the sky. The flames did not burn—instead, they shimmered like sacred light.
From within them emerged Fri-Ze.
A majestic phoenix, its wings stretching wide, each feather glowing with divine runes. Its eyes burned with ancient intelligence, and faint flames danced around its body, illuminating the forest in ethereal light.
The temperature of the surroundings shifted instantly—warm, yet comforting.
"I will return shortly," Bai-Xue said calmly, her voice steady.
"Protect Rinvi."
Fri-Ze lowered its head respectfully, wings folding with grace.
"Understood, Master. No harm shall reach her."
Bai-Xue gave a slight nod before her figure blurred and vanished like mist, rushing toward the source of the explosion.
Fri-Ze spread its wings once more, standing guard beside the lake, phoenix flames forming a silent barrier around Rinvi as she cultivated.
As she rushed forward, she sighed.
"Darky... is there ever peace in this forest?"
"Why does trouble always follow us here?"
Dark Moon replied calmly,
"Master, perhaps not for you. But this forest is extremely dangerous for others. Conflict is inevitable."
The Surrounded Cultivators
Bai-Xue halted abruptly.
Her gaze sharpened.
Ahead—
Fifteen to eighteen cultivators were surrounded by dozens of ferocious beasts.
These were no ordinary creatures.
They were Level Twelve to Thirteen Spirit Beasts.
Several cultivators were Silver Rank.
A few were Gold Rank.
And among them—
Four or five were Level Two Summoners.
Yet numbers overwhelmed strength.
Bodies lay bloodied.
Soul energy was nearly depleted.
Desperation filled the air.
Still—
One boy stood at the center.
Bleeding.
Breathing heavily.
Yet refusing to fall.
Bai-Xue smiled faintly.
"Darky," she said softly,
"why is it that wherever I go... I find something interesting?"
Dark Moon widened its eyes.
"Master... people are about to die."
"I'm not talking about them," Bai-Xue replied.
"I'm talking about that boy."
Dark Moon frowned.
"I don't understand."
Bai-Xue's eyes gleamed mysteriously.
"You know I can see things others can't."
"So think carefully."
She winked.
A Frozen Moment — Inside the Mind
Bai-Xue turned to the rabbit.
"Lend me some of your power."
"I want to play a little."
The boy struggled desperately, protecting his companions as beasts closed in.
Then—
Everything froze.
"So..." a calm voice echoed.
"You've already decided to die like this?"
The boy stiffened.
"Who—who's speaking?"
"Come out!"
"Alright," Bai-Xue replied.
"I'm right here."
Suddenly—
The boy found himself standing in darkness.
"Where am I...?"
"You're inside your own mind," Bai-Xue said calmly.
"And don't worry—time has stopped."
"What do you want?" the boy growled.
"I'm trying to save my friends!"
"Yes," she agreed.
"You're trying."
Then her voice sharpened.
"But you're lying."
"You're not trying your best."
"What are you saying?"
Bai-Xue laughed softly.
"You know exactly what I mean."
The boy clenched his fists.
"I can't use it," he whispered.
"If I do... my friends will fear me."
"They might even kill me."
"You're going to die anyway," Bai-Xue said coldly.
"But imagine this—
You survive... and they die."
Her voice became cruelly honest.
"Can you live with that regret?"
Silence.
"You're afraid," she continued.
"Afraid of a truth you don't even understand."
Tears welled in the boy's eyes.
"I don't even know who you are..."
"I can't see your face."
"I'll show you my face," Bai-Xue replied,
"when you recognize yourself."
Then—
"Decide."
"Die here..."
"Or save them."
The Awakening
Time resumed.
A beast lunged toward one of the boy's companions.
The boy's eyes widened.
Without thinking—
A blinding light erupted from his body.
The ground cracked.
Bones reshaped.
Fur burst forth.
In an instant—
A massive black wolf stood where the boy once was.
Golden wave-like markings shimmered above its eyes.
A radiant golden dot glowed on its forehead.
The wolf roared.
With terrifying power, it tore through the beasts.
One fell.
Then another.
Then another.
Until—
Several beasts attacked from behind—
FLASH!
A silver arc sliced through them all.
Bodies fell cleanly in half.
Bai-Xue stood behind the wolf, blade glowing.
The remaining beasts fled in terror.
Fear and Judgment
The wolf transformed back into a boy.
His companions stared at him in horror.
"Shin-Lu..." one whispered.
"You're a beast."
"You lied to us all these years!"
"I never wanted to lie," Shin-Lu said desperately.
"I never wanted to hurt anyone."
"How can we trust you after this?!"
Bai-Xue's voice echoed coldly.
"He saved you."
They froze.
"If he hadn't used his full power," she continued,
"you'd already be inside those beasts' stomachs."
"Who are you?" someone asked fearfully.
Bai-Xue descended from the tree.
The moment they saw her—
Everyone fell to their knees.
"Master White Mask!"
"Please forgive us!"
She looked at them calmly.
"You couldn't recognize your friend when he was wrong."
"You couldn't recognize him when he was right either."
"But Master," one cried,
"he's a ferocious beast!"
Bai-Xue shook her head.
"He's human."
"...Half human."
Silence.
"One of his parents was a werewolf," she explained.
"He cultivates."
"That alone makes him human."
She turned to Shin-Lu.
"From today onward," she declared,
"Shin-Lu is my brother."
Her voice echoed like law.
"My elder brother."
The world fell silent.