Chapter 230: Jing Ruli: Does Kalolin know? [Revised yesterday]

On the upper levels of the Brass Tower, Jing Ruli had just steadied herself when she immediately clapped her hands over her ears and stomped her foot on the ground. Puffing out her cheeks, she glared at Chen Xing, eyes brimming with tears. “Xingxing, you’re way too mean! Sneaking up on someone like that? What kind of hero are you? If you’re so brave, then—”

“Hm?”

Before she could finish her rant, Chen Xing glanced at her.

That single look instantly erased every defiant word from Jing Ruli’s lips. Her eyes darted left and right, then she unleashed her most ferocious expression—only to deliver the most cowardly line imaginable.

“…Fine! Next time, don’t pull my ears! You’ll make me stupid!”

Watching her pouty, indignant face, Chen Xing sighed and rubbed his forehead. “Why’d you come all the way here? I told you to wait in the Gear Tower.”

“Whoa, you were the one who didn’t reply for ages!” Jing Ruli instantly pouted, her lower lip jutting out like it could hang a bottle of soy sauce. “Besides, I heard there was a big commotion here, so I just came to see what’s going on!”

To anyone who didn’t know her, this would’ve looked like a full surrender. But Chen Xing knew better. That sweet, meek expression? 90% fake. The moment he turned his back, she’d be climbing the walls—classic “eats well, forgets fast.”

So he ignored her excuse and simply raised his hand, giving her forehead a quick, firm tap.

“Tell the truth.”

“Ow!” Jing Ruli yelped, clutching her head and hopping slightly, trying to win him over with her watery, puppy-dog eyes.

“Really, I just… was curious.”

Chen Xing crossed his arms, watching her with a cold, unreadable stare. He knew exactly how hard that tap had been. Not even a normal person would’ve felt a thing. And yet here she was, acting like she’d been struck by lightning.

Seeing he wasn’t buying it, Jing Ruli finally gave up the act.

“Alright, alright… It’s Kalolin. She was worried about you. Said you’ve been acting weird lately—like something’s on your mind. So she sent me to check in.”

The moment those words left her mouth, Chen Xing’s expression flickered—something complex, unreadable.

Because her voice carried no lie. She was telling the truth.

And that was exactly what made his stomach twist.

Because what he was doing right now? It wasn’t something a good friend should be hiding from her best friend.

Just as he opened his mouth, trying to think of a way to smooth things over, a surprised voice cut in from nearby.

“Ruli-ji?”

Jing Ruli spun around—and there, not far from the top of the tower, stood Chen Kong, alongside Liu Ma, a man she hadn’t spoken to since childhood.

“Huh? Chen Kong, what are you doing here?”

Though she hadn’t seen Chen Kong in years, he’d seen her plenty on screen. So when she asked, Chen Kong smiled.

“I’ve actually been in Steam Capital all along. You just didn’t know.”

“Oh?” She tilted her head, then turned back to Chen Kong, already chatting away.

Chen Xing, watching them, suddenly spoke up—unusually, for once.

“Let’s go. It’s been a while. We should find a place to sit down and catch up.”

Chen Kong shot her a puzzled look. Just moments ago, she’d been helping Tian Dao’s brother block off the Steam Branch. Now she was suddenly inviting everyone to chat?

He could almost hear the unspoken question: What changed?

Then, as if reading his mind, Chen Xing turned and gave him a flat, expressionless stare.

That one glance sent a chill down Chen Kong’s spine—like a whisper of death. He felt it clear in his bones: Say one more word, and I’ll cut you down myself.

The instinct to survive kicked in. He shut up immediately, stepping aside without a word.

Jing Ruli, meanwhile, stared at the suddenly silent siblings, and suddenly had a theory.

So that’s it. That’s why Xingxing hasn’t told Kalolin the truth. It’s family business. Not for outsiders to meddle in.

She blinked. Then, a little disappointed.

So it’s just another sister beating up her brother? I’ve seen that a hundred times before. Boring.

But then she remembered something.

“Hey, little Kong,” she asked, suddenly curious, “why’s it so chaotic outside? When I came up here, I saw a bunch of steam guards patrolling the streets.”

Before Chen Kong could answer, Chen Xing cut in.

“Nothing serious. Just some issues between the Steam Branch and the Gear Church. But it’s mostly resolved now.”

“Is that so?” Jing Ruli frowned, studying Chen Xing’s face. Something felt… off. But she couldn’t place it—she’d only just arrived in Steam Capital.

Meanwhile, Liu Ma, standing silently beside Chen Kong, remained completely still. Though he looked thick-headed, his mind was sharper than most. He’d sensed the tension long before Chen Kong did. And in a moment like this, silence was the wisest choice.

Before Jing Ruli could press further, Chen Xing took charge.

“Enough. Let’s go. We’re outsiders. Let them handle it.”

Jing Ruli shot one last glance at the Steam Furnace before bouncing after them.

“Fine, fine…”

But just as the four were about to turn the corner of the staircase, Jing Ruli froze.

She seemed caught by something invisible—her head snapped toward the Furnace, her nose twitching slightly.

“Xingxing… did you feel anything? A familiar Stellar Energy signature?”

Chen Xing paused. Then slowly turned, a rare, soft smile touching her lips.

“There’s no familiar energy. Must be your imagination.”

“Imagination?” Jing Ruli closed her eyes, focusing. She reached out with her senses, tracing the faint, whispering thread of energy drifting from the Furnace.

As one of the rare few born with full Stellar Energy, her sensitivity ranked second only to Tian Dao among the 36 Stellar Envoys. But years had passed since she’d last seen Tian Dao—so she couldn’t place the exact source.

Why does this energy feel so familiar? I’ve felt it before… but where?

Then, without hesitation, she activated her Stellar Core ability: Eternal Night Butterfly.

Memories may fade… but the beauty of the past? It plays like a movie in the mind.

“Hey, Xingxing,” she said suddenly, eyes still closed as she walked, “did you get the invitation to the Stellar Sky Ladder? When are you planning to go?”

“After this is settled,” Chen Xing replied, voice flat, emotionless.

Jing Ruli nodded. Then, without warning, her tone shifted.

“Tian Dao’s going too, right?”

Chen Xing stopped dead.

She stared at Jing Ruli—eyes wide, stunned.

But the girl in front of her was still closed-eyed, looking innocent. Serene.

In that split second, Chen Xing knew.

Damn it. Eternal Night Butterfly’s ‘Dream Recall’.

Jing Ruli, of course, knew she’d been caught. She leaned forward half a step, her nose almost brushing Chen Xing’s cheek.

“You’ve been acting so strange lately… I get it now. Tian Dao’s back.”

At her words, the crimson flame that had been coiled around Yao Dao’s blade suddenly flared. Red fire leapt up the length of Chen Xing’s hair, creeping to the tips of her lashes, painting her eyes with a faint, dangerous red.

Jing Ruli didn’t flinch. If anything, she laughed—brighter, sharper, full of mischief.

The air around her shimmered. Purple, dreamlike butterflies emerged from nowhere, swirling in the space between them. The clash of red and purple Stellar Energy sent shockwaves through the air.

Chen Kong and Liu Ma, caught in the crossfire, stepped back fast—no desire to be caught in the storm.

Staring at the silent Chen Xing, Jing Ruli grinned.

“You’re the No. 2 of the Stars. But I’m No. 3. I can’t beat you in a fight… but you’ll never catch me either.”

Her voice dropped to a whisper.

“So… when did Tian Dao get here? And… does Kalolin know?”

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end