Mei Terumi looked at Lin Qing, her mouth half open, her lips trembling slightly.
She had so much she wanted to say.
Ever since Lin Qing had set off, Mei Terumi had imagined every late night:
What she would say to Lin Qing when he returned, and how he would fulfill the promise he had made before leaving—that he owed her one.
She had envisioned countless versions, imagined endless possibilities.
But today—
Mei Terumi could not say a single word.
She threw herself into Lin Qing's arms, pressed her cheek against his chest, listened to his steady heartbeat, breathed in his scent, and closed her eyes, feeling safer than ever before.
Mei Terumi suddenly raised her head.
The night was pitch-black, and the stars seemed to have fallen into her eyes as she looked at Lin Qing, so close before her. "What did you just say?"
"I said, I'm back."
She wiped away her tears, tilted her head slightly, and revealed a sweet smile.
"Welcome home."
Lin Qing smiled as well.
"You two..."
"Seem very happy."
A cold, languid, arrogant voice came from the end of the world, like a blade covered in barbs plunging straight into their hearts, sending chills down their spines.
Mei Terumi's smile froze on her face.
Little by little, she turned her head toward the world rift—
Hiss!!!
The world fissure pierced through by the Calamity God Tree slowly but inexorably tore open from top to bottom.
Under such tyrannical force, the world's barrier let out a sharp, ear-piercing cracking sound that echoed deep within the souls of every living creature in the Ninja World.
Humans, summoned beasts, wild animals, livestock...
All living beings instinctively turned toward the source of the sound.
The world fissure spread outward to both sides, forming a scar stretching thousands