Outside Star Luo City, an isolated patch of wasteland lay still in the open wilderness.
Wild grass spread unchecked across the land. Beneath the desolate, chilly sky, a lone, low mound of earth stood. A blue-haired girl silently stood before the grave. She slowly bent down and carefully pulled out the weeds that had run rampant over the past year, her movements gentle and reverent.
Not far away, Xiao Yi stood quietly, his gaze fixed on the girl's back as he kept watch in silence.
"Mom, Yu Tong has become a Soul Master. And a very powerful one..."
Huo Yutong crouched before the grave, speaking softly as she told her mother, sleeping beneath the earth, about the experiences and growth she had found over the past year.
A warm sense of having achieved what she had wished for touched her features. Her heart was full of the earnest desire to comfort her mother, but the more she spoke, the more the longing and grievances she had bottled up came surging forth. Her voice gradually trembled, and she could no longer hide her sobs.
Every bit of the happiness and transformation she had found over the past year, she now shared with the one she had loved most.
After a long while, Huo Yutong finally composed herself, her eyes red-rimmed. She rose and went to Xiao Yi's side, no longer able to restrain the tenderness in her heart, and nestled gently into his warm embrace.
Before everyone else, she was a Soul Master steadily growing stronger. Only at Xiao Yi's side could she lower her guard and show her weakness.
"Let's go, Yu Tong." Xiao Yi gently wrapped an arm around the girl in his embrace. The black-and-white wings of flame unfurled behind him, carrying her as he soared into the