Demon Blood, Maiden Vail

High above the sect, the wind carried Lin Yuan's quiet sobs away into the night sky. He didn't realize Sect Leader Yuexian had been silently watching him, her expression unreadable.

She stood on the edge of her flying sword, her robes fluttering gently. After a long silence, she spoke softly:

"Lin Yuan… may I touch you?"

Startled, he turned around, quickly wiping his eyes. "Why?" he asked, his voice hoarse.

"I don't know," she admitted. "I just… want to."

Lin Yuan gave a tired smile. "Sure, I guess."

She stepped closer and gently embraced him. Her arms were cool and light, like falling snow.

Lin Yuan blinked, surprised. "You're acting like a little girl."

"I feel like one," she murmured.

Just then, the sword beneath them wobbled unexpectedly. Both lost balance—and began to fall.

Instinct took over.

Lin Yuan wrapped his arms around her tightly, his body turning mid-air to shield her from the wind and impact. But before they hit the ground, Yuexian reasserted control and steadied their descent, lifting them back into the air.

Lin Yuan gave her a sideways glance. "Don't look at me like that. If someone sees, they'll think I'm your lover."

Yuexian raised an eyebrow. "People know you as a girl." Lin yuan,"Thats why They'll think we're… bisexual,means… women loving women."

"That's not possible," she said, shaking her head. "Women don't… have that."

Lin Yuan blinked. "What does that mean?"

Lin Yuan confused "Don't have what?"

She turned away quickly. "Never mind. You don't need to know."

---

That night, back at the outer courtyard, Lin Yuan gathered his younger siblings and let them sleep beside him under the warm blankets. Their peaceful breathing calmed the storm in his chest. Lin yuan think I want to stay alive a bit more. I will walk the paths of kindness.

Later, Yuexian quietly entered the room.

She paused at the door, her gaze falling on the softly sleeping children. Then she walked over and checked Lin Yuan's **soul stone**much drained.

Her heart sank.

*His soul is that injured? Just how much is he bearing alone…?*

---

At sunrise, Lin Yuan met her again and placed a small jade pouch on the table.

"These are seventeen **Sunfire Purified Dark Stones**," he said. "Please take them.It's now sun stone.I want to give the refugees a proper journey—let them see a world beyond slavery. Let them feel what freedom tastes like.And I want to take this soul stone with me"

Yuexian looked at him carefully. "These People belong to you now. I gave you that stone. You are its rightful owner."

She hesitated, then added, "Take your master with you. You shouldn't go alone."

---

After inspecting his body, she nodded in approval. "You've completed the fourth step—**Organ Strengthening**. Next is **Pulse and Flow Sync**. You must harmonize your qi with your heartbeat. This one… you must do on your own."

She gently pressed a talisman to his wrist.

"This will track your location If anything goes wrong, Qingxiuan will find you."

As Lin Yuan prepared for departure, Lady Qingxiuan stood waiting in the sect leader house.

Yuexian turned to her. "He may need things. If he asks, give them. And…" she paused, "…treat him like a brother. Not… whatever the rumors are saying."

Qingxiuan's eyes flickered. She had heard the whispers too.

---

At the **Mission Hall**, the crowd grew hushed when Lin Yuan stepped in. Disciples whispered behind folding fans.

"They say the princess is the Sect Leader's lover…"

"Wasn't she in the cultivation formation for thirty days straight?"

"I heard she broke through five stages—insane!"

Ignoring them, Lin Yuan calmly accepted **all the hunting and gathering missions**, especially ones in remote regions.

---

When he returned to his residence after completing his first set of missions, he opened the door—and stopped.

A girl sat cross-legged on his bed, her back facing him.

"Who are you?" Lin Yuan asked. "Why are you in my room?"

The girl turned slowly.

It was her.

The woman who had once disguised him. The one who handed him his first **imperial weapon**. His **master**.

Lin Yuan dropped to his knees. "Forgive me, Master. I didn't recognize you at first. I've overstepped."

She didn't speak. Instead, she pointed at the **egg** resting beside his bed.

Lin Yuan stood, picked up the egg with reverence, and say, "its a snake egg.Sect leader give this room to me. I didn't mean to intrude," he said, bowing deeply. "I'll take my leave—"

But her voice stopped him cold.

"…Should I call you *Master* now?"