Suffocating

After the attack dissipated, the shield remained, but another "flower" appeared, identical to the first.

Its "petals" spun at high speed, radiating flashes of silver light. In an instant, it was before Pupula.

With a whoosh, the flower bloomed, exquisitely beautiful, like the purest, most flawless fairy blossom. White and lovely, it brimmed with holiness, as though it were a flower of salvation. Yet this lofty, noble, sacred flower now bloomed with a seductive beauty. The red dewdrops clinging to its petals shattered that sanctity, like a deity fallen to the mortal world, stained by earthly dust.

A touch of red amid pure white—the clash of white and red, the stark contrast of colors, the contradictory impression—held an exquisite beauty that struck at the soul. Beautiful yet dangerous, it captivated anyone who saw it.

Blooms of blood burst across Pupula's body. Her stained white dress and disheveled hair made her look like a fallen noblewoman who had lost everything, fragile enough to soften anyone's heart.

Her eyes widened in disbelief. She looked down at her wounds. They would not heal, and her magical power was rapidly draining away.

Her life force was slipping away! She could not stop it. She cast a bitter glance at the Castle of Memories, then turned and fled. No one stopped her, as though mocking her for overestimating herself.

After she left, the two "flowers" flew off toward a certain place, trailing specks of starlight...

Jun Yi sat at his desk. Without looking up, he extended a hand that would drive anyone with a thing for beautiful hands wild and caught the two "flowers" steadily.

He placed them in the pool prepared on the desk. The water shimmered as though made from the aurora itself, radiant with flowing colors.

"Rest well."

His pleasant voice rang out, low and textured. (Note: not a smoky voice, so please don't misunderstand.)

As though being tended to, the "petals" of the two "flowers" grew sharper, reflecting a cold gleam as they absorbed nutrients. The two "flowers" nuzzled Jun Yi happily, their oppressive aura growing stronger.

Jun Yi remained utterly unaffected. He raised his hand and drew a talisman, enclosing the two flowers and protecting them within it.

When he rose to leave, another "flower" was already following at his side.

"I'm beginning to see some clues..." The wind carried his soft murmur.

Pupula returned to the Palace and once again went behind the throne to draw runes. The gate of light that appeared this time was different: a green brimming with vitality. Even before entering, she could feel the richness of its life energy. She stepped through, and with a flash of light, arrived somewhere with a lush tree that radiated a gentle glow. She hurried forward, pressed her hand against its trunk, and closed her eyes. Energy streamed continuously from the tree into her body...

After roughly three months, Pupula opened her eyes and took her hand away from the tree. Her injuries had completely healed, but...

The tree's glow had visibly dimmed, and its energy fluctuations were faint. Pupula knitted her brows tightly and murmured:

"It seems I'll have to speed up the plan... Ancient Spirit Fairy Clan, just wait. That day will come soon. It won't be long!"

Then she formed another seal and returned to the Palace. Expressionlessly, she concealed the runic array, then beckoned her daughters, the Three Fairies, to come.

Lulu, Luna, Lusha.

Lulu, the Fairy of Love; Luna, the Fairy of Wisdom; Lusha, the Fairy of Beauty.

They symbolized love, beauty, and wisdom.

At the sight of them, Pupula's expression softened:

"My daughters, you are the ones I trust most. I am going to assign you a task. You must carry it out well, without the slightest mistake."