Forty-five days had flown by quickly.
And in that time, Rana Flare had changed.
She had trained relentlessly under Jalen's guidance—day and night, through pain and fire and silence. And now, at just fifteen plus, she stood at the peak stage of the Amethyst Realm.
Even her parents and the elders of the Flare family could hardly believe it.
But it wasn't just her cultivation that had transformed.
Her hair, once a deep ember-red, had turned white—like the flames she now wielded. Her eyes shimmered with a pale gold hue, glowing faintly even in darkness. Her aura was no longer just hot—it was radiant. Alive.
The Flaming Spirit Seed had bloomed.
And with it, her body had undergone a rare transformation—becoming a true Flaming Physique. It had happened during a breakthrough session, when her qi surged beyond control. Her body had ignited, burning like a phoenix in its final flight.
She should have died.
Instead, she rose from the ashes.
In that time, Rana had also grown closer to Jalen. Not romantically—at least not openly—but with a quiet, unspoken bond. He was still a mystery. Still a prick. Still impossible to read.
But she was grateful.
Because of him, she had become something more.
The next day, her teacher—Elder Shia Flare of the Ember Clan—arrived at the Flare estate.
A peak Star Realm cultivator and one of the Ember Clan's most respected pillars, Shia had trained Rana since childhood. She had come to retrieve her disciple. Rana had been away from the clan too long, and her parents had promised the Ember Clan that one of their most gifted pupils would return in time for the Ruona Continent International Tournament, now just a week away.
The contest was no ordinary competition.
Held once every decade in the neighboring state of Ember Pearl—the unrivaled powerhouse of Rouna—the tournament unfolds in its radiant capital, Ember Pearl City. Hosted by the royal family and the continent's three most prestigious clans, the event draws the attention of the entire cultivation world. Over a hundred elite families, sects, and clans send their finest disciples to compete, each seeking glory, recognition, and favor. Even distant lands, such as the Vernon Continent, dispatch their prodigies, hoping to carve their names into legend beneath Ember Pearl's blazing skies.
Shia and Simon exchanged greetings with mutual respect. When Shia asked about her favorite disciple—whether she had slacked off—Simon simply said:
"See for yourself."
Rana, summoned by a guard, entered the chamber moments later. She was so excited to see her master that she ran to her without hesitation.
But when Shia saw her, she froze.
"Rana… What happened to you?"
The girl before her was different. Stronger. Wilder. Her aura burned with a pressure that made even Shia's skin prickle. She was three realms and nine sub-realms below—but the danger in her flame was undeniable.
Her hair, now white. Her eyes, gold. Her presence, transformed.
Rana smiled. "It's good to see you, Master."
Shia blinked, then composed herself. "Did something happen while we were apart?"
Rana nodded. "Yeah. I had some luck out on the expedition over two months ago. Found a technique that helped me improve quickly."
It was a lie. But not far from the truth.
Shia studied her for a long moment. Then she nodded once.
"Very well. We'll talk more."
And they did.
They spoke for hours—about cultivation, about the tournament, about old memories from the Ember Clan. Shia asked questions, and Rana answered most of them honestly—skirting only the parts that involved Jalen or the Fire Spirit technique. She spoke of breakthroughs, of pain, of fire that nearly consumed her. And of rising from it stronger.
Shia didn't press. But her eyes lingered on Rana's white hair and golden gaze.
"You've truly evolved," she said softly. "Not just in power. You carry yourself differently now. Even your explosive temper seems to have vanished." She smiled faintly. "It's like you're someone new."
"I had to be," Rana replied. "The old me wouldn't have made it this far."
Shia nodded, but her expression was unreadable.
"Then let's see if the new you is ready for the world."
__
Later that evening, Jana found Jalen meditating in his quarters.
"You've been quiet lately," she said.
"I prefer silence."
"I came to ask if you'd be interested in joining the tournament."
Jalen opened one eye. "That would be overkill. None of my peers are my match. What's the point?"
"Fair enough," Jana chuckled because the little monster was right. "But you don't have to fight. You could just watch."
Jalen gave her a look. "I know what you're trying to do."
"You can't blame a mother for trying," she said with a sigh. "I'm surprised you two haven't gotten together yet. After all this time."
"Are you sure you're a mother?"
"I'm a very modern one," she said sweetly. "Besides, I'm going to miss you, son-in-law, when you decide to leave."
"Who's your son-in-law?"
"Don't go around cheating on my daughter now."
Jalen didn't respond. He simply closed his eyes and resumed his meditative posture.
Jana watched him for a moment longer, then turned, gearing to leave.
"You're leaving tomorrow, aren't you?"
"Yes."
"The Erupt Family and the Shadow Sect are still out for blood. This past month, we've managed to fend off their assassins and keep you safe. But if you go, you'll be in danger. They've even sent a Star Realm assassin after you. And I know you're a monster—but even monsters die when they bleed."
"I know," Jalen said. "But I can't stay here forever. I won't hide behind your family."
Jana nodded. "Fine. Be stubborn, monstrous son-in-law. But if you do manage to survive—and you need a place to return to—the Flare estate will always have a room for you."
Jalen said nothing.
But his silence, as always, said enough.