Taiji

"Belle, I've fixed both generators on my side!"

"Brother, mine's running again too!"

Wise and Belle used the Perception Technique to repair the three generators one by one. As the power system hummed back to life, the factory gates—the final barrier before the four of them—slowly opened.

(This power... feels familiar somehow, just like the Hoshimi Family's Tail-less Demon Blade...)

(You mean Yunkui Mountain's Azure Nether Sword? I know about it...)

The instant the four entered the factory, a scene formed from Corruptive Breath came into view:

A female scholar in a white lab coat and thin-framed glasses, with a pair of horns atop her head, appeared amid the Corruptive Breath. She seemed to be discussing something... something about the Azure Nether Sword, something about the Tail-less Demon Blade.

"Professor Carole..."

Belle's breathing hitched for half a beat as she called out softly.

This was the second time they had seen an illusion of their teacher since entering this area.

Wise's fingers tightened slightly as well, doubt churning in his heart—why was Professor Carole here?

Earlier, the Corruptive Breath illusion had shown their teacher's curiosity toward Primus. This time, it showed her thorough understanding of the Demon Blade and the Azure Nether Sword.

The mystery surrounding their teacher was growing deeper and deeper. The two of them had never truly understood her at all.

"Hmm... Who is Carole? Is she Little Junior Brother and Little Junior Sister's teacher?"

Ye Shunguang noticed the fluctuations in their emotions and spoke up out of instinctive concern.

Yet Ye Shunguang's concerned question not only failed to help, but made Wise and Belle's hearts tremble as though they had fallen into an ice pit.

"Senior Sister Xiaoguang, has the Azure Nether Sword's backlash made you forget even this?"

Belle asked.

After all, it had only