Demon Blood, Maiden Vail

Lin Yuan awoke with a dry throat and aching limbs. The grass beneath him was warm from the morning sun. Lady Mingyan knelt at his side with a tired smile.

"Good morning," she said gently. "You were out for a full day."

He sat up slowly. His soul felt lighter… but his body was heavy.

"We used up all the soul stones and all the soul fruit," Lady Mingyan added quietly. "When everything ran out, I used a beast soul to complete the formation. I'm… sorry."

Lin Yuan blinked. "Why are you sorry?"

She hesitated, then said softly, "Using beast soul may leave side effects. You might become violent in your next dream. That's how soul impurity tries to protect itself—by resisting purification."

"I see," he said, rubbing his eyes. "Then I'll avoid girls for a while."

"You'll also need to either do something truly kind—or face real danger. One purifies the soul with compassion… the other with fear."

He nodded.

She handed him a small pouch. "Sell the remaining beast. Buy more soul fruit if you can."

---

At the market, Lin Yuan sold the beast to a pet merchant and got **eight high-grade spirit stones**. He used them to purchase soul fruits—just enough for one more breakthrough.

He then made his way to the Sect Leader's residence, hoping to see her—but no one was home.

*Maybe it's better this way,* he thought. *I shouldn't be near women right now.*

Just then, Lady Mingyan's voice echoed through his spiritual sense.

> "Your sect has a Qi Condensing Formation. Use it."

Lin Yuan turned toward the **Cultivation Hall** and rented the formation for **50 hours**, costing him five high-grade spirit stones.

As he stepped in, he felt as if he were submerged in warm water—without the wetness. The formation embraced him, boosting his body and soul. He could now **purify dark stones with his Sun Fire Seed**.

> "Your Sun Fire Seed will grow stronger this way," Lady Mingyan whispered to him. "But be warned—this path will drain your life force too."

Lin Yuan paused. "Then I'll make my own decision."

He looked down at the glowing stone in his palm.

> "We're not strong enough to protect you forever," Lady Mingyan said. "You have to survive… for your siblings."

"I might die," Lin Yuan whispered. "But if the Sun Fire stays alive… maybe it'll protect them."

> "We won't let you die," Lady Mingyan said quickly, her voice trembling. "You're not allowed to leave us."

Lin Yuan smiled gently. "I know… You've done everything you could."

His fingers curled around the stone.

> "Maybe I'll live longer than a mortal… but if I die, I want it to mean something."

There was silence.

Then, she appeared in the chamber—physically this time. Lady Mingyan knelt beside him, her eyes filled with quiet sorrow.

"I don't want them to see me cry," she said. "And don't ever tell your other mothers you may die. You'll break their hearts."

"You're also my mother," Lin Yuan replied, cupping her cheek. "That's why I told you."

She froze.

"How… how did you know?" she asked.

"I remember what you said," he murmured. "I have both **demon blood** and **fairy blood**. But those two races never loved each other. They kill each other. No story ever ends well. When I saw the tears in your eyes, I understood..."

His voice grew soft.

"I'm dying."

Tears spilled from her eyes, silent and shimmering.

"Then I'll live like a mortal," he continued. "Short but meaningful."

Lady Mingyan clutched him to her chest, her arms trembling.

"I love you, Mom."

"I love you too," she whispered. "And nothing will happen to you."

"Yes," he said. "Nothing will happen."

But she knew the truth: **Lin Yuan had less than three years.**

She gave him a soul massage, pouring her spiritual energy into him with delicate care. Soul massage was harder than physical—it drained the practitioner's spirit. But she didn't stop.

He pushed the Sun Fire Seed into a **dark stone**, and the reaction was immediate.

Flames surged.

His skin tingled. His blood boiled.

"It feels like I'm being emptied," he said aloud. "But also filled with light."

"You're happy?" Lady Mingyan asked softly.

Lin Yuan smiled through clenched teeth. "Yes. I'm happy. I have food, friends… and you."

The dark stone slowly turned clear—**one purified**.

Again. And again. He pushed through the pain.

He spent all his high, medium, low, and even ordinary spirit stones just to **keep renting the formation**.

Every time he felt he'd collapse, he whispered, "Just one more."

He purified **seventeen stones**.

Then, with shaking hands, he placed the **Dark Holy Stone** in front of him.

But this one resisted.

It felt bottomless—as if it was swallowing his fire, not being purified by it.

He kept going until the formation timer ran out.

Exhausted, he stepped out, and reality hit him.

---

Outside, disciples were gathered in whispers.

"She's been in there more than **30 days**!"

"What did she eat?"

"I heard she bought enough fruit to open a shop…"

"She thinks she owns the formation?"

Lin Yuan walked past them, numb, and went to relieve himself. As he exited, a female disciple confronted him.

"You're taking up valuable cultivation time! You think you're better than us? We dream of training there, but you block our path!"

Lin Yuan didn't argue. He reached into his robe and pulled out a silver token.

"I'm invoking **Sect Leader Yuexian's personal token**," he said calmly. "Please… let me pass."

The girl stepped back, startled.

Moments later, a beam of moonlight fell from the sky—Yuexian arrived on her flying sword.

She said nothing, only extended her hand.

Lin Yuan stepped on the blade beside her.

As they flew over the clouds, the cool wind brushing his face, Lin Yuan looked down at the world below.

"She'll feel sorry when I die," he murmured.

Tears slid down his cheeks.

But he didn't wipe them.

This time, he **let himself cry**.