The Lunar Grace Goddess arrived, as stunning as the first time they met—elegant, transcendent, and peerless in beauty. Her slender, flawless figure was draped in flowing white robes, moving gracefully as if descending from the moon palace. Her raven-black hair cascaded down, framing a luminous forehead with an aura of wisdom. Her arched brows curved delicately, her sparkling eyes like stars, her nose refined and upturned, and her lips glistening like crystal. This time, she wore no veil, revealing her flawless, breathtaking visage that left one breathless. Her oval face bore a faint smile, her skin radiant and smooth as mutton-fat jade.
Her arrival was met with the highest honors from the Fire Nation. Elders emerged to escort her into the ancestral lands, while young disciples flanked her like stars orbiting the moon. She stood out even amidst the flames, exuding an ethereal grace—her white robes billowing like a celestial maiden treading the waves, transcendent amidst the firelight.
“Goddess, it’s been too long. I trust you’ve been well? I’ve missed you dearly,” Shi Hao quipped in an exaggeratedly refined tone.
A few stifled laughs erupted from the onlookers. This brat was barely thirteen or fourteen—was he seriously trying to play the rogue? Then again, in the wilderness, boys his age often married. The Fire Clan elders chuckled indulgently before withdrawing.
The girl whose backside he’d smacked earlier was the first to complain. “Senior Sister, this guy is a scoundrel!”
“What’s the big deal? Can’t touch a tiger’s rear? It was a fair fight—where I hit shouldn’t matter. Be glad I didn’t break it,” Shi Hao retorted.
“You—how can you say such things?!” The girl fumed.
Meanwhile, the young disciples from the Sky Mending Pavilion had long retreated, unwilling to face their most revered senior sister as defeated opponents.
Young prodigies from beyond the region, all present in the Fire Domain, had gathered to witness the famed Lunar Grace Goddess—her reputation as the foremost among the younger generation was unparalleled. Even the pure-blooded creatures from foreign lands remained subdued, though inwardly defiant, none daring to challenge this mythically beautiful maiden.
“I was just looking to meet with Brother Shi. Running into you here is perfect,” the Lunar Grace Goddess said softly, her faint smile sending tremors through the heart.
Shi Hao sighed inwardly. He’d grown complacent after recent breakthroughs, believing himself invincible against anyone under twenty. But facing her now, he felt a chill—despite being at the peak of the Inscription Realm, she remained an enigma, shrouded in mist.
“I was actually planning to invite you to our village,” he replied cheerfully.
“Senior Sister, he once said he’d carry you back to his village,” another girl whispered, revealing the truth.
The Lunar Grace Goddess blinked in surprise before regaining her composure.
“That’s called an invitation! Only VIPs get carried—understand?” Shi Hao argued shamelessly.
Snickers and laughter rippled through the crowd. Clearly, even this brat was wary of the goddess, hence his hasty backtracking.
“Goddess, we heard Brother Shi claims you’re his sister. Is that true?” a foreign youth asked pointedly, stirring trouble.
Shi Hao shot him a glance. “How about a spar, friend?”
The group paled. They’d wanted to provoke, but Shi Hao’s reaction made them nervous.
The Lunar Grace Goddess remained serene, merely smiling faintly. “Brother Shi is quite the humorist, it seems.”
“Speak plainly, Goddess,” Shi Hao said, dropping his playful demeanor.
“This way.” She glided forward, stepping onto crystalline petals as she ascended gracefully, her sleeves fluttering. Clearly, she intended a private conversation. The crowd exchanged glances but stayed behind.
Under the hazy moonlight, ancient trees towered, the air fragrant with flora. They’d left the scorching ancestral lands for this tranquil forest, where the night was peaceful, the oppressive heat replaced by crisp coolness. Birds sang softly, leaves rustled, and the moon cast feather-like light over the mountains, painting serenity.
“You were once a disciple of our Sky Mending lineage—albeit a branch—but the heritage remains. I wish for your return,” the Lunar Grace Goddess said, her voice calm, her jade-like skin glowing under the moonlight as if veiled in mist, radiating transcendence.
Shi Hao walked beside her, listening to the night birds. “I never joined the Sky Mending Sect, so ‘return’ is inaccurate. The Sky Mending Pavilion’s founder was exiled—your sect holds no claim over me.”
She turned to him. “The Barren Domain will soon plunge into chaos. Without an immortal legacy behind you, survival will be hard. I speak for your benefit.”
“Really?” Shi Hao’s eyes sparkled. “Then why not come to my village instead?”
For once, the goddess frowned, recalling his earlier boast. This boy was stubborn—she’d known since their talks in the Stone Nation’s capital.
Unperturbed, she delivered news: “Shi Yi will return to the Sky Mending Sect. His choice differs from yours.”
“Good. He’s him, I’m me. What’s that to me?” Shi Hao replied, though inwardly unsettled. His elder brother had made his stance clear.
“Henceforth, he’ll have a great sect behind him.”
“So what?” Shi Hao remained defiant.
The goddess fell silent. Pressuring him might drive him to the rival Severing Heaven Sect—losing a young sovereign would be a grave blow.
“Why this choice? What does our sect lack?”
“Want honesty?” Shi Hao’s tone cooled. “I won’t be caught in your sect wars.”
Joining meant opposing the Severing Heaven Sect—opportunities came with deadly risks. Worse, he refused to be shackled. Freedom was paramount; he’d be no one’s pawn.
“You’ll miss a grand chance. With your talent, you could contend for the sect’s leadership—commanding the Sky Mending Sect across domains, becoming a true sovereign.”
“What I want, I’ll seize myself. What I reject, none can force.” He paused. “Besides, with Shi Yi chosen, I’ll never step foot there.”
“You’re too rigid. The world’s edges can be smoothed.” Her voice was as cool as the moonlight.
Shi Hao grinned. “Beware—Shi Yi may yet rival you. Who knows who’ll control the Sky Mending Sect?”
The goddess laughed, a thawing of ice. “Thank you for the warning.” Confidence blazed in her eyes as she gazed skyward. “I welcome more young sovereigns to our sect.”
Shi Hao tensed. How could she be so assured? Was she truly beyond all youthful prodigies?
“I truly wish you’d join us,” she said one last time.
“Not impossible. Teach me the Sky Mending Art,” he teased, lightening the mood.
“Prove yourself in time, and you’ll earn such legacies.”
“Then it’s meaningless. Without real temptation, my resolve stands firm.”
“So it’s final? Know that from today, you’ll face Shi Yi in battle.” She tucked a stray lock behind her ear.
“Or you’ll lose him—and I’ll carry you back to Stone Village,” Shi Hao shot back defiantly.
The goddess wasn’t angered. Her smile was devastatingly beautiful. “This domain will soon drown in chaos. Do you truly believe you’ll rise when even saints may fall?”
“When I set my mind to something, I’ve never failed.”
“Then you don’t fear me ending you here? No grand duel would follow.”
“Then strike, Goddess.” His voice was calm.
She stepped forward, each footfall igniting radiant hues, divine rings manifesting—especially the halo behind her head, like a goddess descending.
Then she halted, studying him.
Silence. Tension crackled. A battle could erupt any moment—perhaps she truly considered eliminating this threat now.
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