Demon Blood, Maiden Vail

At **noon**, Lin Yuan stepped into Yuhua City's outer market street, its stone paths buzzing with cultivators and merchants. He wandered through spirit stalls until he finally found what he needed:

> **Twenty soul fruits.** The last in stock.

He sighed. "Not enough to continue my soul healing… but it's better than nothing."

Returning to the inn, Lin Yuan gathered with his mothers under the shade of the courtyard pavilion. He took out two miniature **spirit boats**—damaged but still functional—and turned to Lady Mingyan.

> "Should we sell these boats for more spirit stones… or donate them to the sect?"

She paused, lips curling slightly.

> "Give them to the sect," she said. "Sometimes, Yuan, what you need more than stones is **credit**. And favors."

As they spoke, **Lady Fanguan** returned from her own shopping trip, carrying several **tiny robes and leaf-woven shoes**.

> "Cute clothes for your chubby wife," she teased.

Lin Yuan laughed awkwardly. "Thanks… they're perfect."

Lady An took **Tearlume** from his arms and cradled her gently, her eyes serious.

> "I've been thinking," she said. "Should I still call Lady Qingxiuan my master?"

> "She took my soul stone. I told her we're not bound by that anymore… but she still treats me like a disciple."

The three other women looked at each other.

> "I don't know," they all said in unison.

Lady Mingyan added, "Don't try to **predict a young girl's heart**."

> "Should we take her to see the other baby?" Lady Mingyan continued. "They were born the same day. Maybe… it's fate."

They all turned toward Lin Yuan.

> "I don't have a problem," he said calmly.

> "Why not?" Lady Mingyan pressed.

> "What do you mean 'why'? >"Give Qingxiu a kiss."

>lin yuan give Qingxiu a kiss in her forehead.

>"Give the baby a kiss " > "Huh? No. She's not my sister."

> "Then what is she to you?"

> "…I don't know," Lin Yuan said honestly. "We'll figure it out later."

Without warning, Lady Mingyan placed baby Tearlume into **Xiao Hu's** arms and said,

> "Kiss her."

> "W-What?" Xiao Hu blinked.

> "Just do it," Lady Mingyan said flatly.

Xiao Hu leaned in and gave the baby a soft kiss on her forehead. A warm breeze stirred the leaves.

> "How do you feel?" she asked.

> "I feel… lighter," he admitted, surprised.

Suddenly, Lady Mingyan pulled Lin Yuan by the collar and **flew away** into the sky.

High above Yuhua City, Lin Yuan and Lady Mingyan floated above the jade towers.

> "Why do you think you'll die for sure?" she asked.

> "I know I will," Lin Yuan said softly. "That baby is healthy now. But I told her mother I'd die soon. I married her to give her child someone who wouldn't abandon her. Someone… who shares the same cursed blood. I feel her pain"

> "When Xiao Hu kissed her, I felt relieved," he admitted. "If I die… he'll take care of her. Like her father did. Like I couldn't."

His voice trembled. Tears ran down his cheeks.

> "But I also want to live. I want to stay beside her. Beside all of you. But it's not… possible."

Lady Mingyan said nothing at first.

Then she hugged him.

And just as quickly, she let go—and **punched him in the shoulder**.

> "Then stop crying like a woman and **fight like a man**!"

A few people below turned upward at the noise.

One bold cultivator shouted, "Hey! What are you doing to that boy?!"

Lady Mingyan just **threw a glare** that made the man faint on the spot.

Lin Yuan coughed. "Let's go… before you start a riot."

By afternoon, they returned. Everyone else was back.

Lin Yuan could **barely move**. His muscles screamed from the fight. When he finally collapsed into bed, he could barely lift his arms.

After a while, **Lady An** came in, quietly checking his pulse.

But only a few minutes later, Lady Mingyan came in too—and dragged her out.

> "He needs a bath and a massage, not your cold hands."

Lin Yuan groaned. "You're going to boil me alive again, aren't you?"

Lady Mingyan smiled wickedly. "It's called **circulating your qi through the pores**."

He didn't argue.

The next morning, the **spirit boat** glided through layers of morning mist.

**Yuhua City.**

City of jade blossoms, hidden sects, and buried truths.

Its **towering walls** shimmered like crystal mirrors. Flowers bloomed along the ramparts. But under all the beauty… Lin Yuan sensed danger.

He stood at the helm again, baby **Tearlume** in his arms.

She snuggled against him, her faint green glow stronger than before. Blossoms near the boat's bow were opening in her presence.

Behind him, Lady Mingyan stared into the distance, silent.

Lady An reviewed their inventory.

Lady Baihua was still in the old boat, finishing the **space-merging formation**.

Lady Qingxiuan leaned on the railing beside Lin Yuan, silent but close.

> "So this is Yuhua City," he whispered.

A guard cultivator flew up, dressed in white robes of the **White Orchid Pavilion**.

> "Unknown spirit boat. State your affiliation."

Lady An flashed a **Taiyin Sect token**, marked with Sect Leader Yuexian's seal.

> "We're honored guests," she said.

The guard bowed low. "Forgive me. You are welcome here."

They passed through the gates.

They checked into the **Clearmist Pavilion**, an inn filled with spirit-reinforced rooms and a serene garden courtyard. Lin Yuan bought five rooms and a private wing.

Lady An went out to **sell damaged arrays and buy new ones**.

Lady Fengyuan took some children on a **city tour**.

Lin Yuan stayed behind, muscles still too sore to move.

Lady Mingyan joined him in the courtyard.

> "Tearlume's absorbing the city's qi," she murmured.

Around the baby, **ten jade blossoms** had bloomed. None others had.

> "She's feeding on ambient energy. This isn't just passive affinity… she's evolving."

Before Lin Yuan could respond, a **courier** arrived at the inn gate.

> "Message for the guests of Taiyin Sect," the man said, bowing.

He handed a scroll.

> "You are summoned to a private audience with the **City Lord** of Yuhua."

> "It concerns the **disappearance of spirit-born children**… and an unusual glow reported in your garden last night."

Lin Yuan's heart turned cold.

He took the scroll and looked down at Tearlume.