That night, energy roiled inside her like a storm locked in a bottle.
Xuan Mo stood behind her as she meditated, his presence grounding the chaos.
"Let the resonance settle," he murmured. "Do not fight it."
"Easy for you to say—your soul isn't trying to explode out of your body—"
A surge of qi tore through her. She gasped as pain crackled along her veins.
The floor split beneath her knees.
"Lin Yue," Xuan Mo warned, "you are approaching a breakthrough."
"Then bring me snacks and encouragement—!"
"Breakthroughs at this level can kill you."
"Oh. Cool. Love that."
She screamed as the energy tore through her again.
Xuan Mo stepped behind her, placing his palm between her shoulder blades.
His touch was icy. Anchoring. A lunar gravity pressing her soul back into place.
"Breathe," he commanded.
"I AM BREATHING—"
"Breathe deeper."
Moonlight flared.
Searing.
Beautiful.
Uncontrolled.
The chamber shook violently.
Cracks webbed across the floor.
Lin Yue felt something snap——but not break.
Her vision whited out.
A new realm opened inside her.
Foundation Establishment, Lunar Variant.
She did it.
She broke through a realm mortals weren't supposed to touch.
But her body collapsed.
Xuan Mo caught her instantly, his arms tightening around her with terrifying gentleness.
"You reckless, impossible girl," he whispered into her hair."You bend fate as if it is paper."
Her heartbeat fluttered against him.
"You shouldn't… hold me like this," she murmured weakly.
"Why?" he asked, voice quiet.
"Because I might… get used to it."
His arms tightened.
"Good."
Before she could process the emotional terrorism he just committed, darkness pulled her under.
But just before she lost consciousness, she heard him say:
"I will not let this world take you from me."