Chapter 10: Conflict

“They’re innocent. I have to save them.” Yi Ke met Bai Yanci’s eyes, low and steady. “Worst case—they’re Qiming test subjects, part of the case. Morally and procedurally I save them.”
“But it’s forbidden art!”
“Is there any other way?” Certain. “If there were, you’d tell me—wouldn’t you?”
On the way back to SI Bai Yanci sat beside her—silent. Furious but insisted on coming.
She didn’t stop her—didn’t dare speak first. At the station she took all five to holding.
Safest place—SI jurisdiction, soundproof, convenient for whatever needed doing.
Forbidden art—she didn’t want bureau or Ability Bureau to know. Especially Mu Wenxin.
She looked back at Bai Yanci, complex: “Sister, wait outside for me?”
“Think I’m in the way?”
“No, you’re overthinking…”
Not that Bai Yanci was in the way—afraid seeing would make her angrier.
Sister looked like she’d fight heaven, earth, and air—never showed hurt.
That was worse.
Bai Yanci found her own step down: “I’ll guard out here. In case something changes.”
“Okay.” Soft.
Into holding. Door shut tight.
Barrier first. Summon flame the familiar way.
Seeing her own flame—strength up wasn’t illusion.
Breath thicker, color clearer. Last strip not fully healed—but recovering faster.
Last pain still carved in bone. Azure flame—heart-tearing memory—hand wouldn’t move.
Long while. No more hesitation. Eyes closed. Forbidden art—strip flame again!
Five people—so much flame—pain sharper than last time!
Backlash—blood at her lips—hands didn’t stop—power slowly into five bodies, gaps mended whole.
Done—barrier down—wiped blood fast—left holding.
“See, I’m fine.” Seeing Bai Yanci, acted casual, light laugh. “I’m that strong—little forbidden art, nothing.”
Bai Yanci’s gaze heavier. Formed a handkerchief from art, wiped the blood she’d missed.
“What’s this then?” Threw the cloth to her—worry in the tone.
One slip!
Caught—but stubborn: “Just a scratch. Fine.”
“Scratch? Flame is root power—the foundation of a person—you call that a scratch?” Rage broke hold—grabbed her wrist. “Come back with me.”
“Wait, I still…”
“Come back!” Louder—real fire this time.
“Okay.” She agreed.
Five out of danger—Jiang Ran and Lin Qingzhu would handle the rest.
Bai Yanci pulled her all the way to the apartment.
Door shut—Bai Yanci took off her coat, reached for her shirt.
“What?”
“Don’t talk.” Cold face, still angry. “I won’t speak to someone who can’t care for herself.”
Down to inner layer only—Bai Yanci stopped, formation with a wave: “You lost that much flame—without supply you’ll collapse.”
Hand out—several clusters of flame rose from her palm: “Flame I brought from the moon palace. Borrowing it. Pay me back later.”
“But you said flame is scarce in the immortal realm…”
“I’m strong. Happen to have some. Happy?”
No more talk—flame through the formation slowly into Yi Ke.
Pain eased at once—no burn at her chest—familiar warm power instead.
The company last night… this power.
Morning—Bai Yanci said she’d had fever.
So last night Bai Yanci had tended her the whole night!
“Last night was you…”
“Don’t talk. Mind your cultivation.” Cold. “If you want to die, don’t drag me under.”
That strong current through meridians and blood—every place left traces of Bai Yanci.
Why would Bai Yanci—refined self-interest—help her? Even spend precious flame?
Because she’d saved her? Free rent?
Art done—Bai Yanci withdrew hand. Formation in the room vanished.
“What move was that? Looks high level.”
Bai Yanci lifted lids—ignored her.
“How do I return the flame? When I’m healed I peel some off for you?”
That got a reply—still sulking: “Owe me. I’ll decide later.”
Bai Yanci still angry—voice soft: “Sister, don’t be mad, okay?”
Dragged the ending long.
“Don’t be reckless next time.” Bai Yanci’s eyes softened. “I was beside you this time. If I weren’t? You’d really throw your life away?”
“Your body isn’t ordinary. Flame isn’t just power for you. You lost so much so fast—without remedy, how long could a human body hold?”
Topic shift again: “You’re wanted in the immortal realm. Jade Dust is from the moon palace—won’t showing up at Qiming expose you?”
“Fine.” Eye roll—anger nowhere to vent—but answered: “No big arts outside. Their third-rate tricks won’t find me.”
“Was that formation just now a big art?”
“No. I know my limits.” Rabbit again, curled aside. “Stop fishing. Flame recovery takes time. Go rest in your room.”
Sister told her to rest—then slept first herself.
That formation—even if not “big”—wasn’t simple. Must have cost effort.
Thirty percent power—how much left for herself?
This time she knew she was dreaming—moon palace again.
Probably because Bai Yanci had poured power into her.
Before the moon palace—mist and cloud. No guards. She walked up, pushed the gates—huge pool: Spirit Tide Pool.
A jade pendant hung above—likely the guardian artifact.
Mu Wenxin’s ancient book had said: all things in the immortal realm had spirit, many artifacts. High-rank immortals had their own.
Sacred places like Spirit Tide Pool had artifacts to guard the power.
She reached for the pendant—hand passed through.
No physical body in the dream.
Forward—into the palace.
Moon palace empty—no one in sight.
Inside—many fallen in blood, dead.
A young woman held a sword, blood on the blade, half smile admiring the scene.
Brow, bearing—younger—but she recognized her.
---
This was… Bai Yanci!
Outside—a report, respectful: “Lord Bai, all cleaned up.”
“Well done.” Bai Yanci tossed the sword, disgusted face: “I’d had enough. These people… deserved to die.”
She woke sharp.
Memory still clear.
By the face in the dream—young Bai Yanci’s past.
One fragment—not enough to know what happened.
She couldn’t judge a person on one clip.
Bai Yanci still asleep—ears drooped, chest rising steady.
She couldn’t help petting the rabbit—texture as good as ever.
“Sister.” Soft. “So many secrets on you—I can’t see through you.”
Countless moments she wanted a way up to the moon—see what environment raised Bai Yanci.
Just now—that wish peaked.
Enough power… could she enter the immortal realm? Visit the moon palace?
Next day—Bai Yanci insisted—she took her to class.
Sister didn’t want to be rabbit—human form all the way, top-tier looks drawing stares.
Two beauties together—who wouldn’t look twice?
Design major—light schedule. Classroom still not full.
Teacher droning up front—she was sleepy, scrolling phone below.
“Explained fine, didn’t they?” Bai Yanci listened serious a while, tossed comment: “So what mindset made that rabbit nest? Doesn’t look like something you’re good at.”
“…You actually listened?”
And the rabbit nest feud again!
Low voice: “Then Lord Bai, make one yourself—show this humble one?”
Bai Yanci frowned, displeased: “I don’t like the ‘lord’ title.”
“Fine, sister then.”
“Actually that also…”
“Picky.” She copied Bai Yanci’s frown. “I’ve called you sister days—you never objected. Like it or not—I’m keeping it.”