Chapter 193: The Return of Tian Dao [Moon Ticket Bonus]

Moments after Tian Dao finished speaking, the screen abruptly flickered—as if someone had hit rewind.

People flowed backward. Waves surged inland. In the dizzying, fractured reversal of time, the scene froze on a sight that sent shivers through every Dimensional Audience member: the deep sea.

There, unmistakably, was Yujin Base—sunk beneath the ocean floor.

And more than that, it was the very place where Tian Dao had last fallen into slumber during Season 1 of Stellar Prodigy.

【Six years after the fall of Embers. Half a year before the start of Season 2’s Faint Light arc】

【Deep Sea, Yujin Ruins】

Plomp. Plomp.

On the surface, a monstrous creature over thirty meters long thrashed violently in the water.

Its head bore the likeness of a dragon, its body armored in jagged, glowing red-gold scales like molten rock. Along its spine, serrated ridges of stone-like plates ran from its neck all the way to the thick, undulating tail.

Its presence radiated raw, overwhelming power—so intense it felt like it could burst from the screen.

Of course, that effect was immediately ruined by the sight of its limbs desperately clawing at the water.

Because who in their right mind would expect a fire- and earth-elemental Stellar Beast to swim like a dog?

The sheer absurdity was crushing the atmosphere.

"Swim faster, Xiao Jin! What are you dawdling for?"

A black-haired woman stood atop the beast’s head, frowning sharply. Her voice carried clear, impatient urgency.

She wore a form-fitting black top that accentuated her athletic curves. Her lower half was wrapped in a high-split, dress-like black skirt—reminiscent of a qipao—paired with long, glossy black boots and matte-black stockings.

She exuded dominance with every inch, a classic, fierce dame aesthetic—powerful, stylish, and dangerously alluring.

But beyond her appearance, what truly struck the Dimensional Audience was the small, distinctive beauty mark beneath her left eye.

Recognizing the familiar face, and that unmistakable tear-shaped mark, the viewers instantly realized who she was.

This woman—no, this legend—was none other than Yun Meng, the elite instructor from Embers, who had appeared multiple times in Season 1.

"!! It’s Yun Meng-sensei!"

"Cloud Sister’s back! Tian Dao can’t be far behind!"

"I came here just for this!"

Many fans remembered the final moments of Season 1, when Doctor had told Yun Meng not to rush. He promised he’d contact her the moment he sensed Tian Dao awakening—and she’d be the one to retrieve him.

Now, here she stood.

And her presence meant one thing.

Tian Dao was waking.

The realization sent a wave of excitement through the audience. After nine entire episodes of waiting, would the old Stellar Prodigy apex finally return?

Below, the creature—now evolved from Great Earth Lizard into Yanyu Yalong, a dominant-tier Stellar Beast—puffed out two small rings of bubbles with a disgruntled sigh. It shot back a sullen retort, tail flicking.

Who’s dragging their feet?

I’m already going as fast as I can!

As a top-tier beast, I’ve maxed out the dog-paddle!

Still, despite its grumbling, the massive body accelerated, its dragon-like head cutting through the waves with a regal flair—while its legs flailed chaotically beneath the surface.

The contrast was hilarious.

The audience burst into laughter.

This was their old Great Earth Lizard—a dragon in name, but a husky in spirit.

But even with Yanyu Yalong pushing harder than ever, Yun Meng wasn’t done mocking it.

She tapped the beast’s head with the toe of her boot.

"Seriously, Xiao Jin," she said, dryly, "other dominant dragon-type Stellar Beasts are already flying."

"Yet you? No wings. And your swimming speed is worse than before."

"Did you skip the wing upgrade during evolution? Are you secretly trying to spite me?"

Yanyu Yalong: ???

Wait—that’s the issue?

I’m sorry I’m not a flying dragon!

I’m a born dragon!

Still, she kept her gaze locked ahead, one hand brushing back a strand of hair whipped by the sea wind. A faint, almost imperceptible smile tugged at her lips.

"Doctor said the base just registered a signal a few days ago. Looks like Little Tian Dao… is about to wake up."

She glanced down at the grumpy beast beneath her.

"Xiao Jin, we’re about to see Little Tian Dao. Aren’t you excited?"

Excited?

Yanyu Yalong remembered when it was still a second-tier beast—back when that silver-haired, blue-eyed kid had tricked it with some shady tactic.

It wasn’t just not excited. It had been itching for revenge.

But then it remembered Doctor’s words.

That kid hadn’t just been sleeping. His power had been evolving in ways no one could predict.

So… could it really win a rematch?

With a frustrated huff, it blew two scalding plumes of white vapor from its nostrils.

The water around it instantly erupted in a hissing storm of steam.

The heat was intense.

After swimming for a while, Yun Meng and Yanyu Yalong finally reached the exact spot where Yujin Base lay buried.

The surface was calm. Nothing visible. The ruins were over a hundred meters below.

But Yun Meng didn’t seem worried.

She reached into her pocket and pulled out a quantum device—gifted to her by Doctor.

She pressed the button.

The sea surface rippled. Then, slowly, a massive black cube rose from the depths.

And there it was—the former Yujin Base Quantum Control Center.

The very chamber where Tian Dao had last slept in Season 1.

Yun Meng leapt gracefully from Yanyu Yalong’s back, landing atop the cube with a single, fluid motion.

"Xiao Jin, stay here. I’ll go wake up Little Tian Dao."

"Rooooar!" Yanyu Yalong bellowed, clearly acknowledging.

Yun Meng rubbed her ear, exasperated.

"Next time, just nod. I didn’t ask for a roar. Got it?"

Yanyu Yalong: "..."

What?

Say nothing—get scolded.

Say something—get scolded.

Maybe you just want to yell at me, huh?

Ignoring the beast’s sulky expression—its massive head now half-submerged in the sea—Yun Meng crouched down and placed her palm on the cube.

A flash of quantum data surged across the surface.

Then, with a deep, mechanical groan, the cube opened.

Through a corridor filled with debris and the scars of battle, Yun Meng stepped into the chamber that had haunted the dreams of fans for years—the Quantum Control Center.

They’d already learned the truth in the main timeline: the identity of the Mysterious Masked Man.

But wearing a mask… and removing it… were two entirely different things.

Tap. Tap.

Her heels echoed across the sealed chamber, the sound crisp and clear in the silence.

Soon, she stood before the Advanced Quantum Calculation Chamber—the very room where Tian Dao had last entered during Season 1.

Gone was the boyish face from six years ago.

Now, Tian Dao stood taller, his features matured, his expression calm, steady—no longer a child, but a young man forged by time and power.

Yun Meng reached out and lightly tapped the cold chamber door.

"Little Tian Dao. After sleeping this long… it’s time you woke up."

Her words faded.

The chamber door slid open with a soft hiss.

A thick cloud of cold mist poured out, swirling across the floor—and crystallizing into delicate frost patterns.

The camera slowly zoomed in.

Focusing.

On a pair of eyes—veiled beneath long, silvery eyelashes.

And then… they opened.

In perfect silence, the audience held their breath.

And then, a voice—familiar, smug, and dripping with that old, arrogant charm—rang out across the chamber.

"Hey, Cloud Sister. Long time no see."

Though this moment had already been shown in Innate Strongest, the Season 1–2 exclusive special, the emotional impact was unmatched when it finally appeared in the main Season 2 storyline.

Because now, all the uncertainty, all the questions, all the speculation—had been answered.

The kid who once punched through the stars and kicked the Association?

He was back.

Thanks to the advanced Quantum Chamber’s adaptive data suit, Tian Dao didn’t emerge naked—no embarrassing moment.

He looked down at Yun Meng, then smirked.

"Cloud Sister… you’re shorter now?"

Yun Meng chuckled, patting his arm.

"No, I haven’t shrunk. It’s just… you’ve grown."

She looked up at him—still taller than her, even in her high heels.

And for the first time in years, she smiled.

"Little Tian Dao… welcome back."

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end