Sky Ninja Ruins, Shinnō's Hidden Abode.

"Hold on tight."

"Otherwise, it won't be my responsibility if you fall."

Looking at the girl clinging to his arm like dead weight, Arata's words carried no particular emotion.

Hearing the abrupt voice, Hotaru did not answer, but the tension and fear in her heart could be seen from her tightly furrowed delicate features.

At the same time, she obediently wrapped her arms even tighter around his arm, terrified that his cursed words would come true.

After all, they were soaring a thousand meters above the ground!

Falling from here would undoubtedly mean being smashed to pieces.

Besides,

What kind of teacher is this?!

How could he say something so cold so casually to his adorable little disciple?!

Grandpa, what on earth were you thinking?!

As Hotaru's fear mounted, she repeatedly cursed Arata's indifference and her grandfather's arbitrary decision in her heart.

This was her first time leaving the family home to travel far away, and it had begun in such a heart-stopping manner.

Fortunately, in the world behind her closed eyes, the journey did not seem to last long. In her hazy senses, it felt as though only half a day had passed when the voice of her newly acknowledged teacher sounded beside Yu Zhi's ear. "We're almost there. You can open your eyes now."

Hotaru opened her tightly shut eyes as instructed, and a breathtaking sight instantly filled her vision.

On the distant horizon, a massive crimson sun was slowly setting. The clouds, sky, and world around Yu Zhi were all dyed a fiery red.

And she was suspended in the air, watching this scene that was exceedingly special to Yu Zhi.

"It's so beautiful."

Only after a long while did that soft appraisal slip from Yu Zhi's lips.

From beginning to end, her gaze remained fixed blankly