Morning came too soon, yet not soon enough.
Zhu Zhuqing barely slept, her heart racing with anticipation and anxiety. The reality of her decision weighed on her, but it was far less terrifying than the life she was leaving behind.
When she opened the small enchanted box, a single coin lay inside, along with a note.
"Hold the coin tightly and say 'Sanctuary.' It will bring you to me. Make sure everything is packed before you do."
Her grip on the note trembled. This was it.
She took one last look at the room she had suffered in for years, the cold walls that had done nothing to protect her from her sister's cruelty or her family's expectations. It wasn't a home. It was a prison.
No more.
She made sure everything was stored in her spatial storage device, leaving nothing behind. Then, she held the coin tightly in her palm, took a deep breath, and whispered:
"Sanctuary."
A sudden pull yanked at her navel. The world blurred, a vortex of colors twisting around her as she felt herself being lifted off her feet and flung through space. The sensation was disorienting—weightless yet overwhelming.
And then—
Solid ground.
Zhu Zhuqing stumbled as her feet hit soft grass, her body adjusting to the sudden shift in reality. She lifted her gaze, her breath catching in her throat.
Before her stood a handsome boy, his sandy blonde hair catching the morning sunlight, his steel-blue eyes focused on her with calm assurance.
She knew instantly.
"Ryan?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
A gentle smile played on his lips. "Yeah. Welcome."
The sight of him—the person who had been her only source of comfort for years—was too much.
Without thinking, she rushed forward and threw herself into his arms.
Ryan barely had time to react before she buried her face into his chest, her fingers gripping his shirt tightly. The dam inside her shattered, and the overwhelming stress, fear, and loneliness she had bottled up for years came flooding out.
She sobbed.
Not the quiet, restrained tears of someone holding back, but the uncontrolled release of a soul that had endured too much for too long.
Ryan held her firmly, his hand stroking her back in slow, soothing motions. He didn't speak, didn't ask questions. He simply let her cry, providing the one thing she had been denied her entire life—warmth and safety.
Minutes passed, but to Zhu Zhuqing, it felt both like an eternity and a fleeting moment.
When her sobs finally subsided into quiet sniffles, she pulled back slightly, her red-rimmed eyes looking up at him.
"I made it," she whispered, almost as if she couldn't believe it.
Ryan nodded, his steel-blue eyes steady. "You're safe now."
For the first time in years, Zhu Zhuqing believed those words.
~~~~
It took a while for Zhu Zhuqing to fully calm down. The storm of emotions that had overtaken her finally settled, leaving only a quiet relief in their wake.
Now, she sat up and looked around the unfamiliar surroundings. It was a simple yet comfortable hotel room. The air was clean, the bed soft, and the furniture well-maintained—nothing extravagant, but it felt more welcoming than the cold halls of her family's estate ever had.
Curious, she walked to the window and pulled back the curtains. A city stretched before her, bustling with life. People moved through the streets, their voices blending into a distant hum.
"Where are we?" she asked, eyes widening as she took in the unfamiliar skyline.
"Suotuo City," Ryan answered, watching her reaction. "In Heaven Dou."
Her breath hitched. Heaven Dou? That was halfway across the continent—an entirely different empire! The realization of just how far she had come, how truly free she was, sent a shiver through her body.
Ryan reached out, his warm hand enclosing hers. "Come. We have a lot to talk about, and there are people you should meet."
Zhu Zhuqing blinked at the sudden contact, a faint blush dusting her cheeks. But she nodded.
And then, just as suddenly as before, the world shifted around her.
---
When her vision cleared, she found herself somewhere else entirely.
The air was different—thicker with energy, more alive. The scenery was breathtaking, unlike anything she had seen before. It was a vast space, an expanse of vibrant landscapes stretching in all directions. Towering trees with glowing leaves swayed in an unseen breeze, and the sky shimmered with a warmth that felt… welcoming.
She turned to Ryan in question.
"This is my Inner World," he explained. "A place where you'll always be safe."
Zhu Zhuqing absorbed his words in stunned silence. A world of his own? She had never heard of such a thing.
They sat down, and Ryan explained everything.
Other worlds. Peerage pieces. The Inner World.
At first, it sounded unbelievable—like something out of a myth. But Ryan had never lied to her before, and what reason would he have to start now?
Then came his offer.
"If you want, you can become one of my peerage members," Ryan said, meeting her gaze steadily. "You'll be safe here. You'll have a place to call home, people to protect you… and I will always stand by you."
Zhu Zhuqing barely needed to think.
What did she have to lose?
Her old life had nothing left for her. Her family had abandoned her in all but name. She had no allies, no safety, no future.
But here?
Ryan was offering her everything.
"I accept," she said, voice steady.
Ryan smiled, and in the next moment, a Pawn piece glowed in his hand.
As he placed it against her chest, a pulse of power spread through her body. She gasped, feeling the surge of something new, something powerful settle within her.
For the first time in her life, she felt connected—to him, to this place, to a future that was now hers to shape.
A soft glow surrounded her, and as the changes settled, she knew she was no longer the same.
Zhu Zhuqing, age 12
Martial Spirit: Hell Civet
Rank: 30
The hardworking, cold-tempered cat girl was no longer just a runaway.
She was reborn.
A faint shimmer caught her eye, and when she turned, she realized—wings. Not of flesh and bone, but energy, flickering to life behind her in elegant, glowing patterns.
There was a flash of light as a small silver plate appeared in front of her and while she didn't fully understand its significance, she could feel the tangible benefits settling into her very being.
A safe home.
A new family.
A future filled with possibilities.
For the first time in years, Zhu Zhuqing felt light. Like she could finally breathe.
"Come let's go and meet the others."
"Mhm." With a soft smile she took his hand and headed towards the manor with him.