When Master Jin Xiu heard those words, he hurriedly threw on his crystal-sheened cloak. He stepped forward to soothe Vela's parents, his voice steady yet gentle."Respected elders, as Vela's master, I will continue to watch over her with all that I am."
Gui Xia was crying uncontrollably. She clutched Jin Xiu's shoulders as though grabbing the last strand of hope."I used to remind Vela to be sensible… But now—now I only wish she wouldn't be so sensible. I wish she wouldn't choose to shoulder everything alone."
Chi Ling held the sobbing Gui Xia in his arms, gently patting her trembling shoulder. Tears had soaked through his own clothing; his exhausted eyes barely stayed open, yet he forced them to."Master Jin Xiu… we have duties here in the Upper Realm. We must watch over the Lower Realm from afar."
His voice cracked with longing."But how I wish—how I wish—we could descend with you and stay by Vela's side…"
Jin Xiu placed a firm, reassuring hand on Chi Ling's shoulder."Vela is strong by nature. She has faced countless trials before this. And this time—" he inhaled softly, "—this time I will descend as well. I will protect her. I will care for her."
The officials of the Divine Realm watched as the Reincarnation Gate contracted and expanded like a living vortex. One of them stepped forward and urged, voice echoing with urgency:"Jin Xiu, the Reincarnation Realm is about to close."
"May you guard well the phoenix maiden Vela—beloved by both the Immortal and Divine Realms."
Jin Xiu cupped his hands in a formal salute, then strode into the center of the Reincarnation Realm. With one firm motion, he waved to the officials, his voice unwavering:"I will not fail the trust placed in me. I will protect her—no matter the cost."
Inside the Realm, the great spinning wheel suddenly accelerated, whirling so violently that Jin Xiu struggled to keep his footing. Never before had he witnessed the Reincarnation Realm behave so chaotically. A tight knot formed in his chest.
And strangely… it was not fear for himself.
It was fear for her—for the girl whose smile always bloomed bright and honest, whose emotions were worn openly like colors in the sunlight.His disciple.His responsibility.Vela.
A jagged stone shot toward him. Jin Xiu unsheathed his sword in a single familiar motion, shattering the rock mid-air. With his other hand, he gripped the glazed dragon mask—the gift Vela once gave him.
It burned hot in his palm.As if carrying the warmth she left behind.As if echoing her voice when she first looked up at him, called him Master, and smiled with a brightness that could melt winter ice.
That smile…now felt worlds away.
His heart whispered a prayer:May my disciple Vela be safe. Please let her be safe…
This time, Jin Xiu did not wait for the Realm to transport him gently as usual.He leapt directly onto the tumbling boulders within the vortex, racing downward through collapsing fragments of reincarnation. Anxious urgency throbbed in every heartbeat.
He had only one thought:Find Vela. Confirm she is unharmed.
Every barrier, every falling slab of stone—he cut them down without hesitation, pushing himself faster, faster still.
For an instant—a flash—he felt he saw her.
A streak of pure light.The silhouette of a girl falling.
He reached out, desperate, arms extended as though he could catch her, shield her, pull her against his chest where no harm could reach.
But the distance was far too great.The light slipped through his fingers.
Still—he charged downward with everything he had.
He would not lose her.
At that very moment, Vela plummeted out of the sky—and crashed straight into a bustling, noisy market filled with smoke, street vendors, and mortal chatter.No divine glow accompanied her descent.Only chaos.
Shouts erupted immediately:
"Bad omen! A disaster has fallen from the heavens!""Look, look! Something unnatural!"Children screamed and burst into tears.Elders muttered "ill fortune" under their breath.People backed away from her as if she were a curse given form.
Vela's mortal father in this lifetime—Fu Gui—was passing nearby.
His sword-sharp brows rose instantly as he turned toward the commotion. His eyes flashed with a dangerous glint, and the black-and-gold kimono he wore rippled with authority under the morning sun.
The moment he spotted Vela falling, he moved.Swift.Precise.He caught her directly into his arms, though his words came out gruff and stern:
"What disgrace is this! A daughter of our esteemed family—falling from the sky like some unruly urchin?"
At his side stood Vela's mother, Ling—a petite woman with a delicate face and bright, lively eyes. Wrapped in a fluffy fur shawl over her gold-threaded red robes, she quickly squeezed Fu Gui's hand in warning.
"Not so loud," she whispered hurriedly. "Everyone is staring!"
Fu Gui cleared his throat, instantly understanding.He straightened, then turned toward the crowd with a composed smile.
"Ahem—please don't misunderstand! This is merely our daughter's playful theatrics. A harmless prank, nothing more. Please, everyone, carry on!"
The crowd hesitated…but eventually began to disperse.
Ling pressed a hand to her chest, exhaling in relief.Fu Gui shifted Vela in his arms, still grumbling under his breath—though a faint trace of worry flickered in his eyes.
High above, through the still-shuddering Reincarnation Realm,Jin Xiu was still falling,still fighting,still reaching.
Toward her.Always toward her.