Demon Blood, Maiden Vail

Steam drifted through the air as Lin Yuan sat with a towel around his waist. Lady Mingyane, now behind him, turned her gaze politely away and began massaging his back with warm soul energy. Her touch was firm but gentle, drawing out the tension rooted in his nerves.

"You know," she began casually, "you could always try one of those flower house massages."

Lin Yuan blinked. "What kind of massage?"

"They use their bodies." She smirked. "Body-to-body massage. You'd enjoy it."

Lin Yuan flushed red. "Mother, I'm not that kind of person."

Mingyane chuckled softly. "Thinking about these things doesn't make you bad, Lin Yuan. It just means you're human."

She paused for a moment before whispering, "Don't focus so much on that dream about the dragon. Think instead about that holy maiden who hugged you. Do you know how many men would risk their lives just for a touch like that?"

"I—I wasn't trying to think that way…" Lin Yuan mumbled, clearly flustered.

Lady Mingyane's tone turned sharper. "Her husband never dares to introduce her as his wife. Why? Because if he did, men would fight him in the street out of jealousy. Do you even know how badly he was injured?"

Lin Yuan blinked. "Injured?"

"Both his body and his soul. That means cultivators with real strength came after him. He bought talismans in bulk—used them all. His ship's defensive system was completely destroyed. His flying sword was changed, probably to escape faster. That kind of battle scars a man."

She leaned closer, lowering her voice. "Your disguise saved you. You avoided the very people who want to beat him ."

Lin Yuan was silent, thinking. For a moment, his nightmare of the sky dragon faded... but it returned again like a cold wind in the chest.

Lady Mingyane let out a breath. Her soul massage clearly wasn't helping.

"Alright," she said gently, "wash up. I'll clean your clothes."

Lin Yuan obeyed, bathed quickly, and changed into fresh robes. He left behind a note:

"Going to the market. I won't attend the auction today."

In the bustling town, Lin Yuan rented an expansive grass field for six months at the price of **one high-grade spirit stone**.

Shortly after, Lady Mingyane arrived with Lady An, who began inscribing a massive **Grand Concealment Array** across the field. The winds grew still. Birds avoided the space. Even light bent slightly around the formation's edge.

"This will hide you from both enemies and curious allies," Lady Mingyane said. "Now eat."

She handed him a pouch full of **8th-grade soul fruits**, their pulsing glow tempting the very soul.

"Eat as much as you can. You'll need it."

Then she constructed a Soul Condensing Formation —a complex altar that radiated ancient power. Lin Yuan recognized its nature immediately.

"If this used humans instead of spirit stones, it'd be a sacrificial altar," he murmured.

Lady Mingyane sat at the edge and patted the space beside her. "Sit down, Lin Yuan. We're going to construct your dream."

He hesitated. "You saw my dream?"

"I didn't need to. I predicted it. Because it isn't just a dream—it's a manifestation of your inner shadow.When you first time fight with you inner shadows I also contract a dream "

She stared into his eyes. "The dragon is not real. It's you. Your fears. Your shame. Your bloodline. You must defeat it to move forward."

Lin Yuan slowly sat beside her.

"This formation will guide you through the dream again," she said softly, "but this time, you'll fight back, you will fight again and again until you defeat it. If you aren't afraid you can just slapped the dragon to death. Lin Yuan sat beside Lady Mingyane, surrounded by a ring of soul stones. Sunlight streamed in through the leaves, dappling the concealment array in shimmering golden patches. Soul runes carved into the stones pulsed in time with his heartbeat.

"You'll be fighting inside your own consciousness," Lady Mingyane said softly, her hand brushing across his forehead. "If your soul breaks..."

She didn't finish. She didn't need to.

Lin Yuan nodded, gaze calm. "I'm ready."

She pressed her palm gently against his brow. "Then close your eyes."

When Lin Yuan opened his eyes again, the world had changed.

Silver dust covered the endless ground. Above, swirling moons painted the skies in muted light. It was quiet—but heavy.

Then came the sound:

**Wings. Massive. Slow. Echoing.**

The **Sky Dragon** descended.

It was colossal—its scales shimmered like shattered starlight, its eyes cold as ancient judgment. Behind it, vague shadows flickered: the Holy Son, the Sect Leader, his demon mothers... even Lin Yuan himself. All watching.

He was alone.

"No," Lin Yuan whispered. "I've come too far to lose to fear."

But before he could raise a hand, the dragon unleashed a **silver flame of despair**.

It struck his soul like a thunderclap.

He screamed—

Lin Yuan jerked awake, clutching his chest. Blood dripped from the corner of his lips.

Lady Mingyane was already there, stabilizing his soul with a flash of light. "You barely lasted a moment," she said, worry in her voice. "Your heart wavered. Again."

Lin Yuan wiped his mouth. "Again."

He bit into another **8th-grade soul fruit**, drew a deep breath, and sat again.

Back in the realm of twilight, the Sky Dragon returned.

Lin Yuan stood tall.

*It's not real,* he reminded himself. *Believe in yourself.*

The dragon attacked, flames surging. He dodged, barely. A **sword of moonlight** formed in his hand. He slashed once—twice—but its scales deflected everything.

"You're pretending," the dragon growled. "Still a child in a girl's robes."

"No," Lin Yuan shouted. "I am me!"

He struck its wing. The dragon roared—and the illusion shattered.

—

Back in the waking world, he collapsed to his knees, gasping for air.

Lady Mingyane steadied him. "Your will is growing stronger. But not enough."

Again. And again. And again.

Each time, Lin Yuan fought the dragon. Each time, he lost or broke through a little more.

One moment between attempts, he asked, "Why doesn't it use its tail? Or bite me?"

Lady Mingyane looked up from rebalancing the soul formation. "Why do you care?"

"Because it's my shadow. If it's me, something's missing."

She paused… and nodded. "Then tell it."

The twilight realm.

The dragon was there. But this time… it didn't roar. It only watched.

Lin Yuan didn't summon a weapon. He took a step forward.

"I'm not here to kill you," he said calmly. "But… why don't you use your tail?"

The dragon tilted its head.

"Use your teeth."

The dragon shrank. Its massive body coiled into a smaller shape—until it was no longer terrifying, but a **strange bird-like creature** with six wings and a long tail.

It fluttered before him—then bit his arm, softly.

"…You're not here to destroy me," Lin Yuan whispered. "You're here to be understood."

The strange creature grew again, this time taking the shape of a sky dragon—gentler, familiar.

"I feared you… because you're part of me. My shame. My confusion. My hidden blood. My weakness."

He placed a hand on its snout.

"But we'll face everything together."

The dragon exhaled, its breath not fire—but light. It slowly dissolved into silver motes, drifting into Lin Yuan's soul.

The sky split open, and a **silver lotus** bloomed in his chest.

It pulsed with moonlight.

Lin Yuan's eyes fluttered open. Tears slid down his cheeks.

Lady Mingyane sat beside him, calm and proud.

"You did it."

"My soul?" he asked hoarsely.

"Still injured," she said, placing a **Soul Restoration Pill** in his hand. "But healing. Stronger than before."

He took the pill and swallowed. Peace filled him.

"Mom… thank you."

She smiled and ruffled his hair gently. "Next time the dragon appears—don't run. Walk toward it."

Lady Mingyane say "Do you want me to find another girl now?"

Lin yuan don't say anything.

Lady Mingyane chuckled. "You're tired?"

"I've had enough dragons and soul shattering for one day."

She patted his shoulder. "Alright. No more shadows for now."

But in her eyes, a glint remained.

*His soul was beginning to heal"