Prince Yang's hand tightened around Jiao Shui's wrist, warm enough to burn through the venom fog. His grip was arrogant, confident, annoyingly sure she needed him.
Jiao jerked her hand back."What are you doing here?! You'll inhale the fog and hallucinate your worst fears!"
He smirked, stepping closer, unfazed by the swirling poison mist."My worst fear is boredom. You keep me busy."
Her spirits boo'd him without mercy, tiny ghostly jeers swirling in the air.
One shouted, "Leave her alone, mushroom prince!"The other added, "Your ego is taller than the mountain!"
Prince Yang's eyebrow twitched."Tell your floating gremlins to shut up."
Jiao sighed. "They don't listen to me."
"I'm aware." He glanced at the fog. "It's like traveling with three feral sparrows."
The spirits hissed.
Jiao shook her head. "Prince Yang, I don't need saving."
He stepped into her personal space. The fog parted around him like even the poison didn't dare touch him.
"Good," he murmured. "Because I'm not here to save you."
Her breath hitched.
His eyes glimmered with secrets sharper than blades.
"I'm here to watch you," he said softly. "The Emperor's orders."
She frowned. "Since when do you obey orders?"
He tilted his head."Since you walked into a death trap with the confidence of a drunken duck."
"I— DON'T call me a duck!"
The fog curled around them like an eavesdropper.Prince Yang's gaze lowered to the glowing cave behind her.
"So. You found it.""The Blossom of Dawn," she said quietly.
His lashes lowered. "The divine flower tied to reincarnation… and your past life."
Jiao swallowed. "You can't take it."
"Wasn't planning to. I just want to see what you'll do with it."
He reached out, brushing a strand of her hair aside as if claiming the moment.
Just then—
A sharp thrum pulsed through the cave.
The Golden Devourer thundered back, ears flattened, roaring furiously.
"WHO BROUGHT THE MENACE?!"
Jiao blinked. "…Menace?"
Prince Yang pointed at her. "You."
Jiao pointed at him. "HE FOLLOWED ME!"
The beast snarled at Yang, teeth bared."I despise humans. Especially arrogant ones wearing cologne."
Yang sniffed. "It's sandalwood."
"I HATE sandalwood."
Jiao stepped between them. "Beast Lord, he won't harm anything. Let me just take the flower and we'll go."
The Golden Devourer's eyes narrowed."That man carries dangerous fate. Touching him links your destinies."
Prince Yang froze."…What?"
Jiao blinked slowly."…What?!"
The beast stomped a massive paw, shaking the ground."If you keep him close, your reincarnation cycle will entangle with his. Your future, past, and death become inseparable."
A chilling beat of silence.
Prince Yang stared at her like he'd just been told he accidentally married her.Jiao stared back like someone handed her a cursed marriage certificate.
Her spirits gasped dramatically.
One whispered, "Soul-tied? With HIM?"
The other screamed, "WHY IS FATE LIKE THIS?!"
Jiao's voice cracked. "I didn't ASK to be linked to him!"
Yang glared at the beast. "Unlink us."
"Impossible," the beast said. "A bond is sealed when one risks life to enter the fog for another."
Jiao choked. "Prince Yang, did you—Did you run in… because of me?"
Yang's jaw clenched."I refuse to answer."
"THAT'S A YES!" her spirits shrieked in sync.
Jiao covered her face."This is a nightmare."
The Golden Devourer sighed like an ancient grandmother."Children. Take the flower and leave before fate weaves more knots."
Jiao stepped toward the glowing blossom, heart pounding.
The moment her fingers brushed its petals—
A blast of light erupted.
The fog tore open.
And outside, Song Lingfang felt the surge like a blade pressed to his soul.
He sprinted into the mountain.
As the light faded, Jiao held the Blossom of Dawn, warm and pulsing like a newborn star.
Prince Yang watched her quietly.
Her spirits whispered urgently.
And far off, a shadow moved too fast to be human.
One that whispers:
"I have been waiting, Bride of the Moonbone."