There are enemies.
There are monsters.
And then there are those who killed you once — and are coming back to do it again.
---
Above the Mortal Realm
The sky above the Crimson Flame Sect darkened unnaturally, despite the sun high overhead.
It wasn't storm clouds.
It was divine pressure.
A golden chariot pulled by lightning-winged beasts descended from the heavens, tearing open the skies with thunderous might. Its wheels sparked lightning across the clouds, and divine drums echoed like the beat of war.
Atop the chariot stood a young man cloaked in storm-gold silk, his long silver hair flowing freely, his eyes like cracking thunder, and his lips twisted in amusement.
> "So this is where he crawled back to?"
---
Who Is He?
Name: Lei Wuxian
Title: Crown Prince of the Thunder Heaven Domain
Realm: Mid Divine Ascendant
Aspect: Heaven's Judgment Flame + Lightning Dao
Alias in Past Life: The Heaven's Executioner
The one who led the heavens to burn Long Feng's divine body a thousand years ago.
The one who smiled as he drove a celestial spear through Long Feng's back.
The one who whispered…
> "You were born to defy fate.
I was born to enforce it."
Now, he had returned.
And this time, he wore the crown.
---
Crimson Flame Sect Reacts
Elder Bai Wen rushed to the mountain gates as the golden chariot descended, accompanied by dozens of armored celestial guards and spirit fairies.
Bai Wen knelt. "Honored Prince of the Thunder Realm… we are unworthy of your presence."
Lei Wuxian stepped down slowly, the air humming with static wherever his boots touched.
"No need for theatrics, Elder," he said with a smile. "I've merely come to visit… an old flame."
The elders didn't miss the double meaning. Nor did they dare question it.
---
Long Feng Senses Him
In the courtyard, Long Feng paused mid-step.
His Soul Flame cracked violently within his core.
His blood burned.
A face flashed before his eyes — lightning-white hair, eyes like godfire, a voice that haunted his last breath.
"No," Long Feng whispered. "It can't be—"
But the sky thundered in answer.
He staggered slightly.
Mei Ling ran to his side. "What's wrong?"
Xue Yiran's face paled. "That aura… that's not from this realm."
Long Feng's silver eyes narrowed.
> "He's here."
---
Past Life Fragment
A memory surged without warning.
—Long Feng, standing in the Heavenly Flame Temple, robes tattered, body bathed in blood.
—Lei Wuxian descending from the sky with divine guards, spear glowing with judgment.
> "Long Feng. You were the brightest fire in the heavens.
But now… you're just a spark waiting to be snuffed."
—The spear pierced his heart.
—A soft laugh.
—And then darkness.
---
Reunion at the Sect
By nightfall, the sect gathered for an emergency reception.
The Crown Prince sat at the highest table, surrounded by golden-robed envoys and guarded by archangels of lightning flame.
Long Feng entered from the lower gate.
Their eyes met across the distance.
No words.
No anger.
Just silence.
And underneath it all…
a promise.
> One would rise.
One would fall.
---
The Unspoken Challenge
Lei Wuxian stood slowly, raising a wine cup toward Long Feng.
"To the reborn," he said lightly. "May you shine brighter than you did before… so that I may destroy you again properly."
The crowd murmured in confusion — unsure whether it was a jest… or a warning.
Long Feng raised his cup back.
"To the crowned," he said softly. "May your lightning not dim… before my flame burns through it."
And then he drank.
---
Mei Ling's Reaction
After the gathering, Mei Ling cornered him in a quiet garden.
"You knew him," she said.
"I did."
"Who is he to you?"
Long Feng stared into the moonlit sky.
"He was the one who made me fall."
"Then why aren't you fighting him?"
Long Feng turned slowly.
"I am."
---
Elder Huang Watches
In the high tower, Elder Huang watched the reunion through his mirror flame.
He whispered to himself:
> "The Thunder Crown and the Soul Sovereign…
Fate is correcting what it once delayed."
Then he smiled — not with joy, but dread.
> "And the world… will burn for it."