Chapter 25: The Gap Between Us and the Monster

“Ah, superstar, finally awake?”

Seeing Chen Kong in his pale white hospital gown, barely standing upright, Tian Dao couldn’t help but grin and greet him playfully.

Chen Kong stiffened at the remark, caught off guard, utterly unsure how to respond.

Tian Dao’s eyes gleamed with quiet mischief. Without waiting for a reply, he stepped forward toward the siblings, his gaze sweeping over Chen Kong with unnerving scrutiny.

The odd behavior left the two utterly confused—completely unable to keep up with the sudden, unpredictable shift in his thoughts.

After a pause, Tian Dao suddenly leaned in toward Chen Xing, then, without warning, poked her bandaged arm with a finger. “Star, look at your brother’s recovery. Not a single scar on him.”

He paused, then continued, “Now look at you—refusing to heal cleanly, insisting on keeping a scar. You call that a ‘warning’? Please. You’re just chasing pain for no reason.”

“Honestly, you’ve got it too easy. If you weren’t so desperate to suffer, why would anyone choose a scarred surgery over a clean one? You’re the one with the problem.”

Tian Dao’s words hit like a slap.

Chen Xing’s expression darkened instantly. Her Star Energy surged uncontrollably, flaring into a violent storm.

Boom!

A wave of searing flames erupted around her, blazing with the intensity of a supernova. The sudden heat shattered the thermometer hanging on the wall nearby with a sharp crack.

But despite her fury, she didn’t lose control. With iron will, she contained the flames—just barely—preventing them from engulfing the nearby Chen Kong, who was already barely holding his ground.

Still, even after stepping back to safety, Chen Kong could feel the oppressive heat rising around him. The air was like a furnace.

Only once Chen Kong had retreated far enough did Chen Xing finally release her restraint.

No longer holding back, she unleashed the full force of her Red Lotus Inferno—and the flames immediately lashed toward Tian Dao.

“Whoa! Seriously? You’re this quick to snap?” Tian Dao feigned shock, leaping back with exaggerated panic. Then, with a casual flick of his hand, he swatted the flames aside—as if brushing away a stray leaf.

Outsiders see spectacle. Insiders see truth.

Chen Kong froze.

Tian Dao hadn’t just ignored the deadly flames—he’d effortlessly seized control of the fire itself, dismantling Chen Xing’s command over her own power with a single gesture.

The gap in strength was undeniable.

But unlike Chen Kong, Chen Xing remained eerily calm.

She had already learned this lesson—three days ago, after gaining her Red Lotus Inferno, she’d foolishly challenged Tian Dao again.

The result? Another crushing defeat.

And worse—this time, she hadn’t even been able to touch him.

If anyone else had faced such a humiliation, their spirit would have shattered. They’d have given up, broken.

But Chen Xing wasn’t like others.

Her pride forbade surrender. Not even to someone like Tian Dao.

So even though she knew she was far beneath him, she still chose to stand firm.

Now, facing his provocation, she bared her fangs—not in fear, but in defiance.

“Tian Dao,” she said, voice low and sharp, “your hands are getting a bit too involved.”

“Whatever I do with my body is my own choice. It’s none of your business. You have no right to decide for me.”

Tian Dao shrugged, smiling easily. “Star, you’re overthinking it. I’m just worried about you. If you don’t want to hear it, fine. But no need to get so heated.”

His words only deepened her scowl.

She stared at him, unwavering. “Tian Dao, scars are meaningless to me. I’m not some fragile, helpless ornament—some weak doll hiding behind others.”

“Instead of wasting time on useless things, I’d rather focus on exploring the Stellar Source.”

“That’s the only way I might—just barely—catch up to you.”

Tian Dao blinked. A faint, awkward smile tugged at his lips. He hadn’t expected her to turn the conversation so serious.

After a long pause, he raised both hands in mock surrender. “Alright, alright. If that’s how you feel… I won’t say anything again.”

He turned, starting to walk toward the exit—clearly intending to leave.

But in his mind, a silent countdown began.

3… 2… 1…

“Wait.”

Before he could step out, Chen Xing’s voice rang out from behind.

Tian Dao turned, feigning confusion. “What now, my dear Chen Xing?”

“I’ve trained all day. I’m exhausted. Can’t you just say what you need to say… in one go?”

She looked at him, eyes sharp, voice steady. “Tian Dao… I want to fight you again. I want to see just how far the gap between us really is.”

“Again?” Tian Dao groaned, face twisted in mock despair. “Seriously? I’m going to eat.”

But then he caught sight of Chen Kong—wide-eyed, curious, watching them intently.

Suddenly, it clicked.

“Ohhh… So that’s it. You want your brother to see what a real Stellar Envoy battle looks like.”

He turned back, feigning offense. “Star, if you want to teach him, go ahead. Why drag me into it? I’m starving.”

Chen Xing was caught. Her icy composure cracked instantly. Her cheeks flushed—visible even beneath the dim red glow of her flames.

The contrast was stark.

But Tian Dao, sensing the sudden shift in the atmosphere, sighed.

“Fine. Fine. I’ll play one more round.”

He walked to the center of the training arena, then stopped.

With a flick of his wrist, he drew a circle—one meter in diameter—around himself.

He looked up at Chen Xing, calm, almost playful.

“Star… new rules. I won’t attack you. I won’t leave this circle.”

“Just… if you can force me out of it within three minutes, I lose. Deal?”

Chen Kong’s breath caught.

He knew his sister. She wouldn’t accept such a blatant insult.

Yet—against all expectation—Chen Xing nodded. No hesitation. No anger.

She accepted.

And as she walked toward the circle, passing Chen Kong, she suddenly spoke, cold and quiet.

“Watch closely, Kong. You’ll soon see the real gap between us… and the monsters.”

Her voice dropped. “And that gap… is so vast, it’s truly hopeless.”

Chen Kong opened his mouth—then closed it.

He couldn’t speak.

Because even if Tian Dao was strong… they were the same age. Restricted in movement, unable to fight back.

Could he really win?

His opponent wasn’t just any rival. It was his sister—Chen Xing—the one he’d always seen as untouchable.

But now, watching her solemn face and Tian Dao’s effortless calm, Chen Kong felt a chill.

He wasn’t sure anymore.

Maybe… she was right.

And maybe—just maybe—this gap wasn’t just about strength.

It wasn’t just about power.

It was about what they were.

As Chen Xing stepped into the circle, Chen Kong’s vision blurred.

The air shimmered.

Tian Dao—once just a peer—now seemed to grow, expanding until he filled the entire space, towering over Chen Kong like a living legend.

It wasn’t just a person anymore.

It was a monster.

A being beyond comprehension.

And in that moment, Chen Kong remembered his sister’s words.

“It’s never the Stellar Source that’s strong. It’s Tian Dao.”

He shook his head hard, forcing his mind back to clarity.

Now, eyes locked on the center of the arena, he waited.

He needed to know.

Just how strong the monster truly was.

And how far—how hopelessly far—his own world was from that kind of power.

The answers were coming.

And they would arrive—right before his eyes.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end