"My Mortal Domain Is the Biggest, Biggest."

Thud.

The lunchbox slipped from Gongyang Yue's hand and hit the ground. She stood frozen, trembling slightly.

She had made braised ribs today. She had spent the whole morning cooking them until the meat fell from the bone, then added several spices Qi Yue liked. The old turtle-shaped lunchbox was looking worn, so yesterday she had gone to Mortal City's market to choose a new one, shaped like a fish for the blessing of abundance year after year. She did not know exactly how the war was going for the Mortal Domain.

But she knew they were in grave danger.

She had meant to leave the food quietly outside the Strategist Pavilion and go, without disturbing Qi Yue's work.

But when she reached the foot of Nameless Mountain, she saw War Pavilion members packed shoulder to shoulder.

She saw Qi Yue standing atop the ruins.

She saw him raise the Three-Foot Green Edge, which had not left its sheath in so long.

And she saw him sever his own legs with his own hand amid a flash of green light.

The lunchbox struck the ground. Ribs and broth spilled everywhere, and the fish-shaped box split in two.

She opened her mouth, wanting to call his name.

But something seemed lodged in her throat. She could not force out a single word.

Logistics Pavilion members hurried all around her. People from the Formation Pavilion adjusted the Teleportation Formation, and the roar of the Vanguard Sky-Piercing Pillars launching rose again and again from behind the mountain. Everyone was busy. No one noticed her.

She stood there, staring toward where Qi Yue had disappeared.

Only a pool of blood remained.

A loneliness unlike anything she had ever felt swallowed her whole.

She did not know how long she stood there.

Then she began