Demon Blood, Maiden Vail

Lin Yuan lay on a bed, motionless—until his eyes snapped open.

The world was still. Quiet. Too quiet.

No pain. No trembling. Only a lingering echo in his chest, like a breath remembered from another life.

He whispered, "What… happened to me?"

Lady Mingyan sat beside him, arms folded, her gaze steady. "You fought well. That battle didn't just test you—it changed you. Your **demonic will matured**. That's something few survive."

He blinked slowly, trying to recall what felt like a blur of blood, steel, and fire.

"In fact," she continued, "you awakened something rare—**the Mark of the Hunted**."

"Mark… of the hunted?" Lin Yuan murmured, his voice hoarse.

Lady Mingyan nodded. "Most demonic beasts track prey by scent. But demons like us—those born of abyssal blood—we hunt by **soul**."

She pointed gently to the center of his chest.

"In the Abyss, there are demons who run… and demons who hunt. Both learn a forbidden technique called the **Soul Pursuit Art**. You now bear its first imprint. You can distinguish soul threads… sense danger before it comes. If someone has harmed you—even if they flee a thousand miles—you can still find them."

Lin Yuan frowned slightly. "I think… I heard whispers. While I was unconscious."

Lady Mingyan offered a rare smile. "That's the Mark whispering. It fuses your subconscious with your soul's instincts. With time, you'll learn to hear them clearly."

She softened. "Now rest. Qingxiu completed the mission. Four allies survived, Five died from the poison. One was struck down by arrow. You personally killed seven enemy. One escaped… but if needed, we'll find him."

She looked into his eyes. "In that battle, your soul purified itself. Your life force stabilized. You can live a long life now, Lin Yuan."

Lin Yuan exhaled slowly. "I can't believe it. I thought I was dying. But that fight… gave me so much. It made me realize—every life saved is a blessing."

Lady Mingyan stood. "Then let me give you another.You can sleep now . "

She walked to the door. "I told the others to wait… but now, they're coming."

Before Lin Yuan could sit up, footsteps filled the room.

Lady Bihua. Lady An. Lady Fangyan.

And waddling behind them, proud as a rooster, came Xiao Hu—carrying the little baby . Actually she is Lin yuans wife.

Lin Yuan's eyes widened, then curled into a **smile so wide it hurt**.

They surrounded him with warmth—laughing, chiding, holding his hand, fussing over his pillows. Xiao Hu tried feeding him soul fruit and spilled the whole bowl. Lady An scolded him. Lady Mingyan simply sighed with quiet amusement.

**It was chaotic. It was loud. It was loving.**

**It was home.**

In that moment, Lin Yuan **felt safe**.

And as his eyes closed, a deep healing sleep claimed him.

He stood atop a massive obsidian cliff, wind dancing through his hair.

Below, an army of dream-forged warriors stood—golden-eyed, armor shining, waiting for his command. Behind him, hundreds of beautiful cultivator girls in flowing robes called him "Commander Lin!" with admiration in their voices.

He laughed—powerful, proud, free.

Then—

**Boom!**

The sky cracked.

A **massive woman** descended from the heavens and hugged him with enough force to crush a dragon.

His bones cracked.

His face turned blue.

He screamed—

Lin Yuan jolted awake, **gasping for breath**, drenched in sweat. His robe clung to his skin—soaked.

"…a dream," he muttered, cheeks burning. "…a wet dream…"

The door creaked open.

Lady Mingyan raised an eyebrow. "Go take a bath."

He obeyed—grateful for the excuse—and returned with flushed cheeks and a clear head. The poison was gone. His soul felt whole again.

That day, warmth replaced pain.

Qingxiu returned from the mission, safe and smiling.

Xiao Hu arrived with a pile of snacks—ice cream, biscuits, dried fruits—and they all sat together like kids around a fire, the baby dozing peacefully nearby.

"I still can't believe you got the Mark of the Hunted before me," Xiao Hu complained, cheeks puffed out.

Lin Yuan smirked. "That's because I'm stronger. If you didn't use your tiger body, I'd flatten you."

"Hmph! Then fight me later!"

Qingxiu popped a piece of candied plum into Lin Yuan's mouth. He suddenly burst into quiet laughter, his eyes misty.

She tilted her head. "What's so funny?"

"I'm just happy," he said. "You're all here. I remember when you were just a baby, Qingxiu… I used to feed you."

She turned away quickly. "Don't joke like that. I thought you were going to die, you idiot…"

Lin Yuan leaned back and asked, "When you fought in your dream, who did you fight?"

Qingxiu crossed her arms. "Xiao Hu, of course. He's always the villain in my dreams. He never lets me sleep peacefully.What about you"

Lin Yuan chuckled. "I was crushed to death by a giant girl's hug."

Everyone paused.

Then—

**Laughter exploded around the room.**

Even Lady Mingyan smiled faintly.

Xiao Hu added proudly, "My dreams are different every night. I've fought grasshoppers, foxes, tigers, boats, donkeys, horses, humans, human girls, rats, cows, birds… every dream's a boss battle!"

They laughed until their sides hurt.

Later That Night Lin yuan watching the moon. Because he had nothing to do. His body is in pain and he feels week.

Lady Mingyan tapped Lin Yuan's shoulder. "Come with me."

She led him deep into the **secret realm**—a glowing meadow of pale soul-flame flowers. In the center stood a single tree.It blooms with a beautiful flower, with two trembling leaves that pulsed like a heartbeat.

"This is for you," she said softly. "A **Soul Condensing Formation**. It will help your soul recover. You've walked the edge of death, Lin Yuan. But now… it's time to live."

Lin Yuan stepped into the formation.

Warmth surrounded him.

He knelt, placing both hands on the soil.

The soul light danced across his fingers. The air was gentle. The whispers inside him quieted.

He smiled.

He **felt alive**.