Heart of Darkness, 357 Wanchao Road, Jinming District, City A

"Tch, unbelievable. To show up in a place like this... what a pain."

I stood atop a building in an ocean park. The moment I returned from the Living World, I landed on the water in the dolphin performance area. I reacted instantly—no one should have seen me, at most they might've glimpsed a cloud of black mist on the surface.

I took out a slip of paper from my pocket. On it was written: No. 357, Wanchao Road, Jinming District, City A. I smiled with satisfaction—this was what I’d discussed with Zhang Qingyuan, something I needed to resolve. Although I didn’t know why, that day’s agreement with 000 had made me decide to travel, even if it was just her idea.

Suddenly, the paper in my hand vanished. A flash of silvery light swept past me, moving so fast I couldn’t even catch it.

"Oh, so that woman lives here!"

A languid voice drifted over, tinged with playfulness. I turned my head—it was Sylvia Blue. She’d already returned to the Living World. I still didn’t know how Lan Yin had managed it; after all, Lan Yin wasn’t a match for this woman. I’d seen her true strength before, especially that incredible greatsword.

Sylvia Blue looked at the paper and giggled, then turned her head. Her once bright blue eyes shifted to a vivid orange. I smiled helplessly as I took the paper back from her hand.

"I couldn’t even sense where you were coming from. Usually, I can feel anything within a hundred kilometers, but you appeared in an instant."

The orange faded from Sylvia Blue’s eyes, returning them to their beautiful blue. She walked over, her expression growing serious.

"How are things over there?"

I waved my hand helplessly. After a while, I roughly explained the situation to Sylvia Blue. She sat on the edge of the rooftop, deep in thought, then stood up.

"And the passage?"

I shook my head.

"It’s probably in Hades Village. I think you shouldn’t expose yourself—you're too strong. If you do, it’ll cause a lot of trouble."

"That’s what I think too."

I looked gloomily into the distance. As much as I hated to admit it, this woman was absurdly strong. I had no clue about her origins, and yet she was human.

"Honestly, maybe only Tan Tian could match you now."

I said, half-joking, half-testing. Sylvia Blue shook her head.

"My dad used to say my power might be stronger than Tan Tian’s, but if we ever fought, I’d be the one to die."

Sylvia Blue wore an innocent, childlike smile, her feet swinging in the wind. She seemed in a great mood, especially as she watched the distant dolphin show. Her eyes sparkled with excitement, full of energy—like a little kid.

"Is that a dolphin? It's even cuter than the ones I've seen in picture books!"

I let out a surprised sound, then looked at Sylvia Zhang, coming up behind her and asking a question.

"If it's convenient, can you tell me? Where are you from?"

At that moment, Sylvia Zhang suddenly turned around, grinning at me.

"Sure."

I acknowledged, but immediately my eyes widened, staring at Sylvia Zhang.

"But you have to promise not to tell anyone else."

I looked at Sylvia Zhang seriously and nodded.

"My name is Sylvia Zhang. My father's name is Ethan Zhang, and my mother is Rachel Lan."

For a moment, my mind buzzed. Everything Sylvia Zhang said was too shocking—I couldn't react. It was as if a giant bell was ringing in my head. I blinked behind my glasses and pressed my aching forehead.

"How did I not realize it before? You do resemble that bastard Ethan Zhang, and your temperament is a bit like Rachel Lan's—it's Jiuchen, isn't it? Yunmei's instincts."

My mind was chaos, but what Sylvia Zhang said was true. Gradually, my turbulent emotions settled. I stared blankly at her as she kept watching the dolphin show.

"Forget it, asking doesn't help. The future is in our own hands."

I quietly sat down beside Sylvia Zhang. Even though I had a hundred questions, I guessed Ethan Zhang must have told his daughter some things about the future. Her power was surely inherited from Ethan Zhang and Rachel Lan, and judging by her behavior, the future could be grim.

"Promise me—you can't tell anyone."

I nodded seriously, then smiled.

"Who would've thought that bastard Ethan Zhang would be the one laughing at the end! Looks like I have to work twice as hard."

Suddenly, I stood up. A fire surged in my heart, and I started to float upward.

"Are you going to that woman's house?"

I nodded.

"Once this is over, I'm going to find a place where no one bothers me and keep training my power."

"I'll go with you, hehe."

Sylvia Zhang smiled at me. I nodded.

"If you get back to the future, pass on a message for me. It's the same as before—his thanks, I won't accept."

"Alright, alright, I got it. Let's go. If we don't hurry, she'll die."

We flew toward City A in the far north. I pushed myself to the limit, flying as fast as I could. Sylvia Zhang floated beside me, looking relaxed, her eyes full of anticipation as she gazed at the dazzling city below.

"It's your first time seeing the human world as it truly is, right? When this is over, I'll take you on a proper tour."

"It's a promise."

I made a sound of agreement, then asked a question.

"Aren't you worried about your parents?"