Chapter Five: Sister, We Love You

Inside a simply adorned palace within the Demon Emperor’s Palace, Bai Yue and Bai Nianxuan sat together, locking eyes in silence.

“Sister.”

“Wipe your tears.”

Bai Nianxuan pulled a handkerchief from her space ring. “Don’t cry anymore.”

Her soft, gentle voice drifted to Bai Yue’s ears. Watching those clear, crystal tears fall through the air, Bai Nianxuan’s heart ached more than anyone’s for her sister. Her beautiful elder sister was heartbroken!

That Demon God Emperor Feng Xiu was truly despicable. If she were strong enough, she would have given him two hard slaps to wake him up.

“Nianxuan…”

Bai Yue’s voice grew hoarse. “I really hate him.”

“I know.”

Bai Nianxuan nodded, letting her know she understood. Seeing Bai Yue so sad made her own heart ache. Her gentle, lovely sister shouldn’t be one to cry.

Bai Nianxuan gently placed her hand over Bai Yue’s and said softly, “Sister, I know you’re hurting, but crying all the time isn’t good for your health. Your complexion is even paler than usual.”

A golden glow appeared in Bai Nianxuan’s palm. The warm light flowed into Bai Yue’s body, soothing her limbs and bones, nourishing her frail form. Bai Nianxuan had not yet learned the priest’s healing arts, so she could only use her own light-attribute spiritual power to ease Bai Yue’s weakness and replenish her energy.

The golden glow was warm and gentle, and its comforting sensation made Bai Yue pause, momentarily dazed by the unfamiliar warmth.

“I’m sorry, Nianxuan…”

Bai Yue’s eyes reddened even more, her voice trembling with grief. “This is all my fault for dragging you into this.”

It was Bai Yue whom the Demon God Emperor Feng Xiu wanted, not Bai Nianxuan. In other words, Bai Nianxuan had been caught up in this only because of her. The weight in Bai Yue’s heart grew unbearable.

Had Nianxuan not stayed by her side, she wouldn’t have been swept into this mess—she wouldn’t be trapped in the Demon Emperor’s Palace.

Now, both sisters were imprisoned here, and with their strength, escape was nigh impossible. The Demon Emperor’s Palace, located in the heart of the demon city, was the most vital place for the demonic race. Here, the dark energy in the air was inescapable, seeping into every corner.

Even though Bai Yue could not cultivate, she could sense the dense darkness all around. For those with light attributes, this dark energy was especially hostile. Nianxuan, at only seven years old, could already wield light-attribute power—a sign that their uncle, Bai Heng, was already teaching her to cultivate. The longer she remained in this darkness, the greater the harm.

The thought filled Bai Yue with regret. She was ashamed. Were it not for her, Nianxuan would never have been entangled in these events. Now the two of them could not leave the Demon Emperor’s Palace.

Hearing Bai Yue’s words, Bai Nianxuan immediately threw her arms around her, pressing herself into her sister’s embrace.

Her tender, youthful voice sounded by Bai Yue’s ear. “Sister, don’t overthink it.”

“This is fate’s arrangement. Father once said, when faced with danger, we must strive to overcome it, not blame anyone. This isn’t your fault, sister. It’s Feng Xiu’s.”

“If he hadn’t captured us, neither of us would be here. All the blame lies with Feng Xiu, not with you.”

Hearing Bai Yue’s self-reproach, Bai Nianxuan hurried to comfort her. She didn’t believe Bai Yue had done anything wrong. She was someone who couldn’t even harm a fly, with no ability to fight back. This was never her fault.

Bai Yue’s gaze dimmed, her hand gently stroking Nianxuan’s head. “If I died, would he let you go?”

“You have nothing to do with him…”

Her words were tinged with exhaustion, her mood sinking to its lowest point. Upon learning that her father was none other than the most powerful of the demon race—Feng Xiu—Bai Yue could not accept the truth. She had even begun to contemplate death.

She would never forgive Feng Xiu. She didn’t resent her uncle Bai Heng, for she knew she would have done the same in his place.

At Bai Yue’s words, Bai Nianxuan’s eyes widened in disbelief. “Sister, don’t be foolish.”

“What’s done is done. What we must do now is seek an advantage, not be defeated by hardship. We are sisters, meant to help one another.”

Her dark eyes met Bai Yue’s unflinchingly. “We have already lost our aunt—we cannot bear to lose you as well.”

“All these years, Father has lived under a burden of guilt. He hasn’t dared meet you, not just because of your bloodline, but because of his own remorse.”

“He can’t face his own weakness, so he hides from responsibility.”

On Nianxuan’s young face was a look of unwavering determination. “Our Bai family is renowned in the Priest’s Sanctuary. Aunt was the hope of the previous generation. Father’s talent is poor, so our grandparents pinned all their hopes on Aunt, hoping she would uphold the family’s honor.”

“Mother told me that Aunt had already reached the rank of eighth-tier Cardinal and was the family’s hope for a century.”

“This was never your fault—it was Father’s weakness that led to all this. After Aunt’s death, Father had no family left. Grandfather and Grandmother died in battle with the demons when Father and Aunt were still children…”

“Mother said Father’s heart is heavy. He feels deep remorse toward you, yet is powerless to make amends.”

Bai Nianxuan’s words left Bai Yue dazed. She had grown up relying on the charity of the Priest’s Sanctuary. The reason was simple: after such tragedy, her family could not face her.

Though they couldn’t face her, her relatives still arranged for the sanctuary’s priests to look after her in secret. Without their help, Bai Yue might never have survived to adulthood.

Bai Yue was a gentle soul.

Tears welled in Nianxuan’s eyes. “Sister, everyone is trying to move past the shadows of the past. We cannot bear any more losses. Father’s talent is poor, not even half as good as Aunt’s, yet he tries his best to support the family. But effort cannot overcome lack of talent. After more than a decade, he’s only reached the seventh-tier, and still cannot restore the Bai family’s standing.”

“Mother told me that our Bai family once rivaled the Ling family, and was famous in the Sanctuary. But after Aunt and our grandparents died, the family declined. If, after my sacred awakening, my talent proves insufficient, the Bai family will fall into obscurity.”

“And because I resemble Aunt as a young woman, they named me Nianxuan, in remembrance.”

Bai Yue hugged Nianxuan tightly, her heart aching. Nestled in her sister’s warm embrace, Nianxuan wept softly.

“So, sister, even in the worst of times, you must never choose death. We truly cannot bear such a loss.”

“I promise you…”

Bai Yue bit her lip. “No matter what, I will not die.”

Nianxuan nodded. “Sister, I’m glad you understand.”

The two sisters clung to each other, sharing their warmth. The knot that had troubled Bai Yue’s heart for so many years quietly dissolved.