The three fellow disciples of the Twin Leaf Peak Sect exchanged glances.

Han Yu continued.

"I made a promise to that friend. That no matter what happened, I would do everything in my power to protect his companions."

Wu Shuan frowned slightly.

Senior Brother Duan narrowed his eyes.

Xuan Qing tilted her head, her thoughts already racing ahead.

"A friend… from our sect?" she asked.

Han Yu nodded.

The confirmation only deepened their confusion.

Their minds began to turn, searching through memories, piecing together possibilities. There were not many who could fit such a description. The conditions were too specific.

Someone who had left a strong enough impression.

Someone capable of forming such a bond.

Someone…

Who could convince a member of an enemy sect to risk everything.

They fell silent.

For nearly a minute, no one spoke.

Then, slowly, realization began to form.

Wu Shuan's eyes widened slightly.

Senior Brother Duan's expression shifted.

Xuan Qing's lips parted as the name surfaced.

There was only one person who matched all of it.

One person who had that kind of personality.

That kind of influence.

That kind of… shamelessness.

Xuan Qing spoke first.

"…Han Yu?"

The name echoed softly in the chamber.

Wu Shuan nodded instinctively.

Senior Brother Duan exhaled slowly, the same name already present in his mind.

All three looked at Han Yu.

Waiting.

Han Yu's smile widened.

"Yes," he said proudly. "It is indeed the great Han Yu. The strongest, the smartest, the most handsome among all."

He paused, then added with complete seriousness.

"A true genius beyond compare."

For a moment, there was silence.

Then…

The tension broke.

Wu Shuan let out a short laugh.

"Haha."

Senior Brother Duan shook his head.

"Of course."

Xuan Qing covered her mouth, unable to suppress the smile that formed.

"That tone…" Wu Shuan said, still chuckling. "I knew it."

"Only that fool would make someone praise him like that," Senior Brother Duan muttered, though there was a faint warmth in his voice.

Xuan Qing's eyes softened.

"So it really is him…"

They did not doubt it.

There was no need.

No one else could have left such an impression.

No one else could have caused this kind of situation.

Only Han Yu.

And only Han Yu would have someone willing to go this far.

Wu Shuan stepped closer.

"Where is he?" he asked quickly. "Where is Han Yu now?"

The others leaned forward slightly, their attention fully fixed on Han Yu.

Han Yu's expression shifted, becoming more measured.

"He is far away," he said. "Very far."

He let the words settle before continuing.

"He is working on something important. Planning for your return. But it will take time."

Xuan Qing's brows knit slightly.

"He is not here… because it is not safe?" she asked.

Han Yu nodded.

"It would draw too much attention. For now, this is the best arrangement."

There was a brief pause.

Then he added,

"But he has not forgotten you. He receives updates. He knows you are safe."

That was enough.

The effect was immediate.

Wu Shuan let out a breath he did not realize he had been holding.

Senior Brother Duan's shoulders eased slightly.

Xuan Qing…

Tears formed in her eyes.

She turned away for a moment, trying to compose herself, but the emotions came too quickly.

"I never thought…" she said softly, her voice trembling just enough to betray her composure, "that the boy I dragged out of that town would end up saving me like this…"

Wu Shuan laughed again, though this time it was quieter.

"You did more than drag him Senior Sister. You practically kidnapped him."

Xuan Qing gave him a small glare, though it lacked any real force.

"And look how that turned out."

Senior Brother Duan shook his head.

"That kid… always full of surprises."

For a few minutes, the chamber filled with a different kind of energy.

Relief.

Joy.

A sense of reunion, even if the person at the center of it was not physically present.

Eventually, they calmed down.

The emotions settled.

And reality returned.

Senior Brother Duan's expression grew serious again.

"If he is planning something…" he said, "then we need to understand the situation."

Wu Shuan nodded.

"What is going on here? What is this place? What is that sect?"

Xuan Qing looked at Han Yu again, her gaze steady now.

"Tell us everything."

Han Yu inclined his head slightly.

"That was the plan."

He turned to Qing Luan.

"Bring everyone."

One by one, the others who had been freed gathered in the chamber. Those who had regained their awareness stood alongside those who had only recently begun to understand their situation.

When everyone was present, Han Yu began.

He spoke of the Slaughtered Moon Divine Blood Sect.

Of its structure.

Its power.

Its methods.

He explained the nature of the Blood Continent, the isolation that separated it from their homeland, and the barrier that prevented easy passage between the two.

He told them what he knew of the invasion.

How the barrier had been temporarily broken.

And how restoring that breach would not be simple.

The room grew quiet as they listened.

Some clenched their fists.

Others lowered their heads.

The reality was heavy.

Returning home… Would not happen soon.

Han Yu continued.

"I have influence within the sect now," he said. "Enough to move without suspicion. Enough to gather information. Enough to prepare."

He looked at them all.

"But not enough yet."

No one interrupted.

They understood.

This was not something that could be rushed.

"I will continue to build my position," Han Yu said. "To expand control. To learn what is needed to break the barrier again."

His voice remained steady.

"And when the time comes… I will bring you back."

The promise lingered in the air.

No grand declarations.

No dramatic emphasis.

Just certainty.

Wu Shuan nodded slowly.

"We will wait."

Senior Brother Duan crossed his arms.

"And we will prepare."

Xuan Qing wiped the last traces of moisture from her eyes, her expression firm.

"We trust him."

Her words were simple.

But they carried weight.

Around them, others nodded.

The path ahead was uncertain.

Difficult.

Long.

But for the first time since their capture…

They had direction.

And hope.