The immortal Arena transformed overnight.
What had been a trial ground of glowing beasts and floating mazes was now a celestial banquet hall nestled between galaxies— stars dangling from the skies
like lanterns, a floating river of wine trickling through the air, and an endless buffet of food that shimmered with spiritual energy.
Yueli narrowed her eyes at a dancing dumpling. " Is that thing… flirting with me?"
" It's wagging its tail," Di Yan observed.
" That's new."
Their daughter cooed from her hovering cradle orb, wearing a little red robe that
matched her mother's. She blinked up at
the glittering sky, then belched a bubble of gold lightning that zapped a nearby immortal's wine glass to dust.
The immortal squeaked and ran.
Di Yan clapped a hand over his mouth,
trying not to laugh. " You really did give birth to the apocalypse."
" She gets it from your side," Yueli said smugly, swiping a moon cake that blinked at her.
Suddenly, trumpets blared. A staircase of clouds spiraled downward from the heavens, and walking down it like she owned every plane of existence was…
… a woman in violet armor, heels made of obsidian, a seven- foot blade strapped to her back, and cheekbones sharp enough to slice through fate.
" The Queen of Blades," someone whispered in awe. " Champion of the Realms. Untouchable. Unmatched. Unmated."
Yueli's eyebrow twitched. " Unmated? I sense foreshadowing."
The Queen stopped in front of Di Yan.
" You must be the Starborn Child's father."
" Yes," he said, politely bowing.
" You're quite attractive," she said casually. " You should consider leaving this mortal for someone with real power."
Yueli coughed.
Three times.
" Hi. Mortal here. Also, wife. And professional blade thrower. Would you like a demonstration?"
The Queen raised a brow. " Oh? You challenge me?"
" No," Yueli said sweetly. " I threaten you. There's a difference."
Di Yan casually stepped between them.
" Let's all enjoy the banquet without killing anyone."
" But why is killing someone always on the table?" Yueli muttered.
Before anyone could respond, a horn blared again— followed by a scroll unfolding in the air, revealing glowing text.
"Final Trial: Duel of Bonds."
Gasps echoed across the banquet hall.
" The what-now?" Yueli asked.
An ethereal host appeared. " Your final challenge is a battle against your greatest fear. But since the child's future is shaped by her guardian's bond, you will fight… each other."
Di Yan blinked. " You're joking."
" I wish I was," Yueli said.
" No weapons. Just spirit," the host announced, vanishing in a flash.
The banquet hall folded in on itself,
transforming into a vast arena of glass and starlight. The crowd roared.
Yueli and Di Yan stood across from each other.
" You ready?" he asked, smirking.
" I was born ready," she replied, cracking her knuckles.
Their baby gurgled from her cradle orb,
munching on a floating grape.
The dual began.
Di Yan struck first, sending a wave of silver fire toward her. Yueli back flipped,
spinning mid-air and launching a burst of red chains to bind his feet. He melted them with a smirk.
" You've improved," he teased.
" I've had a good teacher," she fired back,
tossing an illusion bomb that created seven copies of herself.
Di Yan grinned and charged— only to slam into one of the illusions face-first.
" Ow. That one was solid!"
" It was also me," Yueli said from behind him— and kicked him square in the back.
He rolled, landed on his feet, and countered with a spiral of wind and flame, sending her sailing upward.
" Di Yan!" she yelled mid-air, spinning like a comet.
" Love you too!" he called.
She landed with a ground-shaking punch that cracked the arena floor.
The crowd was losing it— cheering,
screaming, placing bets. Even the Queen of Blades clutched her pearls in excitement.
They clashed again, and again— sparks flying, sweat glistening, smiles tugging at the edges of their lips.
Then Di Yan caught her by the waist
mid- spin, pulled her in close, and whispered:
" I surrender."
Yueli blinked. " What?"
" You heard me." He kissed her, hard and unapologetically.
The arena went silent.
Then the sky exploded into stars.
" TRIAL COMPLETE," the cosmos roared.
Lights swirled, a divine sigil etched
itself into the air above their child, and a soft voice echoed across the realms.
" The Starborn Child shall be protected by a bond forged in fire, chaos, and love."
The crowd erupted.
The Queen of Blades nodded, mildly impressed. " Fine. You can keep him."
" Thanks," Yueli said. " He's not house- trained anyway."
Later that night, with the baby asleep between them and the stars humming above, Yueli snuggled into Di Yan's chest.
" That was the most romantic punch-fest
I've ever had," she said.
" Next time we duel," Di Yan murmured,
" remind me to wear armor over my ego."
She grinned. " Deal."