Chapter 236 - Flames Fade, Shadows Rise

Aiko's small hand trembled as she clutched Yukang's arm, her breath visible in the cool night air outside Kyoto's old temple. The city stretched below, its lantern-lit streets winding through a fragile peace, the hum of bio-soldiers silenced for now. Feng Ruoxi stood a few steps ahead, her dark hair tangled with sweat and blood, the phoenix tattoo on her wrist glowing faintly, its whisper, "The fire rises…" a quiet pulse in her veins. Her chest throbbed from old wounds, her fire simmering beneath her skin, but her eyes held a fierce resolve shaped by Xingxing's sacrifice and the origin lab's collapse. Three clusters of Chen's soldiers remained, scattered across Kyoto, a final test before rest could claim them.