From Death To Dominion

"I was watching you the entire time," Shea Viridessa stated calmly. "And yet, you continued to fight as if I wasn't even there."

Ye Xian narrowed his eyes. "You were there? Then why didn't you step in?"

Shea Viridessa lips curved slightly, a glint of amusement flickering in her jade-green eyes.

"Because your spiritual perception is far beyond what it should be for someone at your cultivation level. I was curious—curious to see what else you might be hiding."

Ye Xian felt a shiver run down his spine. The way she said it, as if she had peeled away a layer of his very being, made him uneasy. But he maintained his composure, forcing a casual smile.

Ye Xian's heart skipped a beat.

She noticed

"And? Satisfied with what you saw?" he asked lightly.

Shea Viridessa smirk deepened. "Not yet. But I will be."

When Ye Xian had extended his spiritual perception during the fight, he hadn't realized that the person watching him from a distance was none other than the principal. It was only when she revealed herself that the truth dawned on him.

Shea Viridessa expression became unreadable.

"Interesting," she murmured. "Do you realize how abnormal that is?"

Ye Xian frowned. "What do you mean?"

"For a cultivator at your level, spiritual perception usually doesn't exceed ten meters. Yours covered several dozen meters."

He kept his face neutral but internally scrambled for an excuse. "Uh… well, you see—"

"What's your talent?" she cut him off.

Ye Xian hesitated. "C-rank," he replied smoothly.

Shea Viridessa lips curved into a knowing smirk. "Give me your hand."

Ye Xian blinked but complied, extending his hand toward her.

With a swift movement, she ran her delicate fingernail across his finger, drawing a drop of blood.

He watched, stunned, as she brought her hand close to her lips. Her red lips parted slightly, and a small, pink tongue flicked out, sensually licking the drop of blood off her finger.

Ye Xian felt a sudden heat rise inside him, but he quickly forced himself to stay calm. Calm down, calm down. This is the principal. One of the strongest cultivators in Azure Sky City.

She observed him closely, then narrowed her eyes. "You're lying."

Ye Xian's smile remained. "I lie a lot. You'll have to be more specific."

"Your talent isn't C-rank," she said flatly. "It isn't D, B, or even A. It's beyond that. I'd say it could be S-rank… but I've never encountered a talent like yours before."

Ye Xian's heart pounded.

Was it because of the Reverse Taiji Treasure?

Shea Viridessa sharp gaze softened slightly as she studied his reaction.

"Looks like you remembered something."

Ye Xian quickly masked his expression and nodded.

"Yeah… now that I think about it, it was probably because of that wandering Daoist."

She frowned slightly. "A wandering Daoist?"

Ye Xian nodded solemnly. "A few days ago, I was on the brink of death after being ambushed by two assassins. But then, out of nowhere, a Doist appeared, slew them effortlessly, and gave me medicine. After taking it, my injuries healed completely. I think that might be the reason my cultivation changed. You can even confirm it from my clan they had verified it."

For a moment, Shea Viridessa was silent.

Then, she murmured, "Who could that Daoist be? I've never heard of a medicine that could increase talent to such a degree. And increase the spiritual perception range to several dozen meters. For a weakling cultivator like you."

Ye Xian face twitch and then he shrugged, playing the part of an ignorant youth perfectly. "Beats me."

Shea Viridessa leaned back, her jade eyes flickering with thought. Then, she looked at him again, a smirk forming on her lips.

"You're an interesting one, Ye Xian."

Ye Xian grinned. "I get that a lot."

She tapped a delicate finger against her lips, as if in deep thought, then suddenly mused, "Should I take you for myself?"

Ye Xian blinked. "Uh… what?"

She smirked. "Talents like yours are rarer than phoenix feathers. Once in a million years, perhaps."

Ye Xian chuckled, crossing his arms. "Well, if you insist, I suppose I could be yours… Wait, no, actually, you'd be mine. I am getting married soon, after all. My future wife is a cultivation genius, so we'd have to ask for her permission first."

He sighed dramatically.

"Oh, wait, never mind! She already gave her blessing. Principal, it's our chance."

Shea Viridessa just licked her lips, her voice dipping into a sultry whisper. "I just want to eat you."

A shiver ran down Ye Xian's spine.

He felt an inexplicable heat rising inside him under her piercing gaze. He quickly shook it off and forced a laugh.

"Uh, Principal, I haven't even turned eighteen yet. Shouldn't we wait until I'm off legal—"

Her smirk widened, a dangerous glint in her eyes.

"You misunderstand," she purred. "I was referring to drinking your blood essence."

Ye Xian stiffened. His instincts screamed at him—something was off. Just moments ago, she had been cold and composed, yet now she was playful, teasing… but beneath it all, he sensed a hidden intent.

His muscles tensed. If not for this uneasy feeling, he might have actually pinned Principal Shea Viridessa against the table and stolen a kiss before ripping apart her dress.

Wait.

What the hell am I thinking?!

Before he could react further, Shea Viridessa took a slow step forward. Her jade eyes darkened, her tongue flicking out to trace the corner of her lips.

"You don't seem too worried about being eaten," she murmured.

"But let me ask you this—do you know what happens to cultivators with extraordinary talents like yours?"

Ye Xian took a cautious step back. "They… become powerful figures in the cultivation world?"

Her smirk turned predatory. "No. They become nourishment for others."

A chill shot through Ye Xian's back. "Nourishment?" he echoed, his voice barely above a whisper.

Shea Viridessa took another step forward, her presence pressing down on him like a mountain.

"Do you know how many cultivators would be willing to kill for a body like yours?"

she continued, her voice smooth and slow, each word sending a fresh wave of unease through him.

"Your flesh and blood essence could help others break through bottlenecks they've been stuck at for decades. Some could use it to extend their lifespans. Others…"

She ran a finger along her jawline, tilting her head. "Could consume you to retain their beauty indefinitely."

Her smile turned downright dangerous.

Ye Xian's body tensed as beads of cold sweat formed on his back. He gulped.

Shea Viridessa suddenly lunged.

"HELP—!"

Before he could finish shouting, her hand clamped over his mouth.

"Shh." She sighed, shaking her head. "I was just scaring you."

Ye Xian stared at her, his mind still in panic mode.

"You—!"

"That was a lesson, not a threat," she interrupted smoothly.

"I wanted you to understand just how cruel the world can be. If certain cultivators learn about your potential, they will come for you. And they won't be nearly as kind as I was."

Ye Xian swallowed hard, finally realizing the weight of her words.

After a moment of silence, he let out a shaky breath and muttered,

"Well, thanks for the warning, I guess… but did you really have to traumatize me in the process?"

She smirked. "Of course."

Ye Xian shot her a glare, but it had no effect.

She waved a dismissive hand. "I only did it because of Ye Feng , your father"

Ye Xian froze.

My father?

He had thought—hoped—this stunning, terrifying principal had taken an interest in him, but now she was saying it was for his father?

"Wait… my father?"

Shea Gev Ruth gave him an amused glance. "Did you really think I'd personally involve myself in a random student's affairs? Ye Feng is one of the academy's biggest financial supporters. He donates high-level resources regularly, and he specifically requested that I look after you since, apparently, you were weak."

Ye Xian's mind reeled. His father—the man he had a strained relationship with—had done that for him?

A complicated feeling stirred in his chest.

Noticing his dazed look, Shen Gev Ruth's expression softened slightly.

"Though, after seeing you now… you're far from weak. More like a walking treasure trove."

Ye Xian let out a bitter laugh. "Great. So I'm not just talented, I'm valuable. That really makes me feel safe."

Shen Gev Ruth chuckled. "Consider it an honor."

She turned and, with a flick of her wrist, tossed a small, tube-shaped bottle toward him.

Ye Xian caught it and frowned. "What's this?"

"My blood," she said casually.

Ye Xian nearly dropped the bottle.

"Principal, I—I'm flattered, but I'm not into that kind of stuff—"

She rolled her eyes. "Idiot. It's a healing elixir."

"Oh." He coughed awkwardly, uncorking the bottle.

"Drink it," she ordered. "And stop sulking."

With a deep breath, Ye Xian tipped the bottle back.

The moment the elixir entered his system, warmth spread through his body like a tidal wave. The heat rapidly condensed toward his injured arm, and with a crack, the pain vanished. His arm felt better than new.

His eyes widened in amazement.

He looked up, a playful grin forming on his lips. "Wow. Principal, I think I might just have to hug you for this."

Shea Gev Ruth shot him a cold glare.

Ye Xian immediately reconsidered. "Or I could just say thank you and leave."