The trunks of the hundred-year-old purple trees, dark as midnight, had never been touched by human hands. Though planted in neat double rows, each tree possessed its own unique silhouette; no matter how far its branches stretched, they always left behind a generous canopy of blooms.

The blossoms, perfectly sized, hung in delicately spaced clusters like cascading waterfalls. Above them poured warm sunlight, filtering through gaps cast by tender yellow leaves, creating shifting patterns amidst the grand sweep of purple. It was breathtaking without the need for any artificial adornment.

The path itself was made of smooth, clean cobblestones, carpeted haphazardly with fallen purple petals. Occasionally, more petals drifted down from above, creating a scene of exquisite beauty. One trod upon it with careful steps, fearful of inadvertently crushing the lovely flowers.

However, this world was never short of louts who failed to appreciate beauty, and the Twins were certainly among them. They stood by the roadside, simultaneously raising their hands. A quick countdown: Three, two, one—and they sprinted off!

Their footfalls stirred the petals into a flurry in the air. Ziye spread her hands in exasperation; these two idiots would compete over anything.

She set Douzai down, allowing it to crawl slowly on the ground.

Since they were finally out traveling, it was good for the little thing to lose some weight.

Bōbō had wandered off somewhere, while Lingyin and Li Chunyǔ stayed together, occasionally leaping up to tap a flower or urging Li Chunyǔ to take pictures of her. One moment she’d scoop up Douzai to use as a prop, the next she’d run over to Ziye for a joint photo. The weariness she’d shown earlier was completely gone.

Ziye played along with her for a while, then Lingyin pulled Li Chunyǔ forward and they ran ahead.

The reason was simple: Douzai’s crawling speed was painfully slow.

It was still early, and few people were walking along Lovers' Road, lending it a quiet serenity. Only soft, pleasing music issued from stone-shaped speakers mounted near the massive trees.

It was the perfect setting for zoning out.

Ziye, too, inevitably let her mind wander.

She had been too busy recently, so busy she hadn't even had time to daydream. Now, with the perfect alignment of time, place, and atmosphere, before she even consciously realized she could relax, her thoughts had already drifted to the horizon.

Forget it, she mused. I might as well call Ān Jūnliè over for a walk.

She and Ān Jūnliè hadn't taken a proper stroll together in ages.

If he was willing, she wouldn't mind running with him either. Under this magnificent waterfall of blossoms, even a run would feel refreshing to the soul.

Suddenly, a fleeting shadow caught the corner of her eye. She snapped her head around—it was Bōbō.

She couldn't help but feel surprised. "Little Bell, the Twins ran ahead. Why are you still here?"

Bōbō’s expression tightened awkwardly, but he didn't try to flee. He walked up to Ziye. "I came to find you."

Ziye smiled. "That's fine too. It's been a long time since we properly talked."

Not just a long time—they had practically never talked at all. Before Bōbō got together with Lingyin, Ziye hadn't been close to him. After he started dating Lingyin, there was no natural reason for her to seek him out to discuss life goals, so...

There was also a fundamental reason: Bōbō belonged to the Interstellar Federation. He was the son of the Federation Marshal, carrying a lofty halo that placed him in a different world from her.

Bōbō walked beside her in silence for a few steps, then suddenly sighed. "Perhaps this trip is the last journey our team will ever take together."

Huh?

Something felt wrong.

Just as Ziye was about to ask, he changed the subject. "Ziye, do you hate me?"

Ziye was even more startled. "Why would I?"

Bōbō continued, "Sometimes I genuinely feel like Kājiā is just one big mess. Our legions are fighting and dying out there, yet the future of our corps sits in the same classroom, listening to the same teacher."

Ziye couldn't immediately grasp what Bōbō was trying to articulate.

But he wasn't wrong.

She turned her head to look at him and smiled. "What would you think if you saw your sworn enemy sitting right next to you?"

Bōbō tilted his head up toward the waterfall-like blossoms and sighed. "Honestly? A confusing mix of emotions." He paused, then abruptly asked, "Do you know who my greatest enemy is?"

Ziye guessed, "Feya?"

Bōbō shook his head. "It used to be Aixbent, but now it might be you."

Ziye’s expression abruptly changed. "What?"

Bōbō gave a wry smile. "Did you know that my respected father, Marshal Kālu of the Interstellar Federation, is actually dead? The one here now is just a clone."

He ignored Ziye’s shocked gaze and pressed on. "The one who killed him was Ān Jūnliè, the commander of the Angel Legion—your boyfriend."

Ziye: "..."

There were bloody incidents in the stars every day. If hatred could transfer so easily, Kājiā would have long ago become the largest battlefield in the entire galaxy!

Bōbō asked, "Do you know why I joined the Sheathed?"

Ziye shook her head honestly. "No."

Even if his father was only a clone, their family hadn't fallen, and the Interstellar Federation hadn't collapsed. He could get whatever he wanted with just a word. Back then, she thought he just wanted to experience life, but now it seems Bōbō’s depths are far greater than she imagined.

Bōbō said, "Before I entered the Sheathed, I knew the Twins’ two trump cards were inside. The reason I came here was that I wanted to see what the future pillars of the Angel Domain looked like!"

He spoke without emotion or expression; his tone was chillingly cold, unsettling.

Ziye couldn't help but ask, "Did something happen to you?"

Bōbō pulled at the corner of his mouth, wanting to nod but only managing a shake of his head. "Nothing much. During the time I spent with the Twins, although they’re lazy about socializing and interpersonal relations, their talent is damnably infuriating. And you, Ziye, with just a casual effort, you can leave me several streets behind..."

Ziye countered, "No, that's not it, Bōbō. You have no idea how hard the Twins work in private. Even when we’re traveling, even now, they haven't given up training. Every day they push past their limits."

Because they were twins, because they loved to fool around, they’d nudge each other when standing close or race to see who walked faster. In their minds, they were each other’s positive energy, mutually motivating each other to excel.

Ziye hadn't forgotten the scene where they practiced every move repeatedly for days after obtaining the video from the Platinum Tycoon owner.

They chose an optimistic lifestyle, but they had never stopped striving!

Bōbō sneered, "And you?"

Ziye froze for a moment, then murmured softly, "The suffering I endured is something you cannot imagine. All I can say is: the deeper the pain, the stronger my rebound. Otherwise, I couldn't survive in this world."

Bōbō stopped walking and turned around to face Ziye directly. "Ziye, if one day I do something that betrays you, will you hate me?"

Ziye suddenly sensed something wrong; it felt as if many people had appeared nearby—and they didn't look friendly?

She shouted, "What are you doing?"

Simultaneously, Little Sprout screamed in her mind: Run! Someone is surrounding you!

Instinctively, Ziye spun around and ran toward Douzai, planning to scoop it up and bolt.

But as her foot landed, her body froze.

Bōbō spoke without feeling: "Don't move."

What followed his words was a cold, unfeeling object pressing against her carotid artery. If she moved even slightly, that object would slice through her artery!

She was familiar with this kind of thing; the sensation against her neck was identical to the feeling of the knife Old Dog had given her—it radiated pure killing intent.

Ziye could never have imagined that one day Bōbō would turn against her. And in such a direct, ruthless manner.

A companion she had always trusted, a good friend she still trusted today. After their "catch-up chat," he had effectively kidnapped her!

No wonder he had said earlier that this would be the team's last trip.

He had planned to make his move all along!

She had been wary of so many people, yet she had ultimately been brought down by someone she trusted.

Ziye felt a sudden burning behind her eyes and reached out to touch her Comm Unit.

"Don't move!" Bōbō's voice turned several shades colder.

Ziye’s hand froze mid-air. She suddenly remembered Lingyin’s unhappiness over the past few days and asked, "Lingyin has been unhappy these days—is it because of you?"

Bōbō did not answer, merely made a gesture. Instantly, several people disguised as travelers emerged from the vicinity of Lovers' Road, seizing Ziye and marching her out. As soon as they stepped clear of the path, a shuttle craft descended from the sky. Bōbō shoved Ziye onto the airship.

Ziye glanced back one last time at the endless sea of purple flowers, feeling a sharp bitterness in her heart.

She had wanted to walk Lovers' Road with Ān Jūnliè, but...

The moment she stepped onto the airship, her hand subtly moved over her Silver Link.

Then, the craft shot upwards. Bōbō pulled out a pair of handcuffs and fastened them around Ziye’s wrists and ankles. Next, he detached her Comm Unit and, under her furious glare, tossed it without hesitation out the window.

"What exactly do you want?" Ziye raged. "Why are you kidnapping me? Is it just because I’m Ān Jūnliè’s girlfriend? Bōbō, when did you become this kind of person?"

Bōbō didn't reply. He reached out to take the Silver Link from her wrist.

Ziye gasped in alarm and tried to collide her body against him, but with her hands and feet bound, she was no match for Bōbō. The Silver Link slipped lightly into his grasp.

Bōbō was a member of the Sheathed; he knew about her Silver Link.

Ziye’s face turned ashen.

The most terrifying thing in the world is betrayal from the person you once trusted most.

Every single secret will become a weapon in their hands.

She only managed to curse internally: Damn it!

Bōbō had intended to throw it away, but after a moment’s thought, he powered it down, extracted the core chip, and tossed the empty casing out the window.

Ziye was enraged and threw herself at him, trying to bite his hand.

Bōbō, you’re not human!

Bōbō backed away several paces, looking down at her with a cold gaze. "Struggling is useless."

Ziye’s hair came loose, and she glared at him like a madwoman. "Bōbō, tell me, why?"

Bōbō turned his back, refusing to meet her eyes. "War is about to break out."

Ziye’s heart clenched.

Was she the fuse for this war? Or the first prisoner of war?

Bōbō warned, "You better behave. Otherwise, I can't guarantee you'll still be alive when you see Bái Lánxuě."

-RS