Xue Yunxue stepped carefully into the cave, each movement filled with unease. The chaotic aura surrounding Xiang Shuai grew clearer the deeper she went, pressing heavily against her chest for reasons she could not understand.
"Shuai…? Are you alright?" she called softly.
The groaning inside the cave suddenly stopped.
"…Yunxue?" Xiang Shuai's voice sounded heavy and hoarse, as if forced through clenched teeth. He clearly recognized her gentle voice — and the faint rose fragrance that always lingered around her.
Xue Yunxue walked farther inside.
The cave was dark, but deep within lay a small natural pool. Moonlight streamed through a crack in the cave ceiling, piercing the darkness and casting a pale glow across the water's surface.
And there… was Xiang Shuai.
His body was in a half-serpent form.
His upper body was bare, pale skin covered in cold sweat. His long hair clung to his shoulders, and his breathing was heavy and uneven. The once-clear pool water was now faintly stained red — blood mixing with water, slowly swirling under unstable spiritual energy.
Xue Yunxue immediately approached, worry filling her face.
"You're injured—"
"Don't come closer!"
Xiang Shuai's voice suddenly sharpened, almost like a growl.
She froze.
His golden eyes were far darker than usual, pupils narrowed into vertical slits. A wild aura pulsed from his body — hot, dangerous.
"You're hurt. Let me check—"
"No…" Xiang Shuai's breath hitched. He turned his face away, as if trying to escape her scent. "You… need to leave."
His voice sounded strained.
Not with anger.
But with control that was on the verge of breaking.
Xue Yunxue grew even more anxious. "How can I leave? You're clearly in pain."
She took another step forward—
"Leave. Now." His voice dropped low, filled with pressure as his serpent tail slammed against the water, sending splashes echoing through the cave.
At that moment, Moa's voice sounded inside her mind.
'Sister Xue… I think you should leave right now.'
Xue Yunxue frowned.
'Why? Isn't he injured?'
Moa fell silent for a moment before replying seriously.
'No. He isn't injured.'
'Then why—?'
The answer made Xue Yunxue freeze mid-step.
'He's entering his heat cycle.'
Her heart seemed to stop beating.
'If you don't intend to help him through it… you must leave immediately.'
She swallowed hard.
Only now did she notice something strange she had sensed since entering the cave — the air was unusually hot, Xiang Shuai's scent far stronger than usual, mixed with wild and unstable spiritual energy.
Ahead of her, Xiang Shuai gripped a stone at the edge of the pool so tightly that cracks spread across its surface.
He did not even dare look directly at her.
"Go…" he said more softly now, almost pleading. "Before I lose control."
The water trembled faintly.
The white serpent's aura grew increasingly unstable, as though his primal instincts were slowly overtaking his rational mind.
His face became paler and paler beneath the moonlight filtering through the cave ceiling. His breathing turned ragged, and his golden eyes gradually dimmed, fading into a pale silver — a sign that his spiritual energy was falling into chaos.
The aura surrounding him was no longer stable.
Ripples continuously formed across the pool, responding to their master's suffering.
Xue Yunxue bit her lower lip.
What should I do to help him? she asked inwardly.
Moa sighed deeply within her mind.
'Sister Xue… do you really need to ask?' Moa sounded slightly impatient. 'The most direct way is to mate with him.'
Xue Yunxue nearly choked on her own thoughts.
Impossible.
Xiang Shuai still frequently threw sharp remarks at her. If he regained consciousness afterward, it was entirely possible he would become furious. Just imagining it made the back of her neck grow cold.
'And… if I don't help?' she asked quietly.
Moa's tone turned grave.
'A serpent's heat cycle is extremely painful. If it isn't resolved properly, their energy will turn against their own body. He could suffer until he's on the verge of death.'
Xue Yunxue stiffened.
Before her eyes, Xiang Shuai's white serpent tail lashed uncontrollably against the cave wall. Stones cracked and collapsed, fragments splashing into the pool. The temperature inside the cave rose rapidly, and the man's breathing became increasingly chaotic.
He even submerged half of his body into the water, trying to suppress the burning heat raging from within.
But it was clearly not enough.
'There is still another way,' Moa finally continued. 'You can channel your spiritual energy. Gentle energy can temporarily soothe his instincts.'
Channel spiritual energy…
Xue Yunxue recalled an ancient record she had once read — young beastmen who lost control could sometimes be calmed by pure and stable spiritual energy.
She lifted her gaze.
Xiang Shuai's body was trembling violently now. His spiritual aura fractured like a storm that had lost its center.
If this continued… he might truly die.
Ignoring his earlier warning, Xue Yunxue stepped forward.
"Yunxue… don't…" Xiang Shuai's voice was hoarse, barely audible.
But this time, she did not stop.
She knelt at the edge of the pool and carefully grasped his hand.
His skin was hot — far too hot.
Xue Yunxue closed her eyes.
She steadied her breathing, recalling the meditation techniques Lu Xiao had taught her. The spiritual energy within her body slowly moved, flowing from her spiritual core toward her palm.
A soft green light appeared.
Warm. Gentle.
Like morning dew deep within a forest.
The energy slowly flowed into Xiang Shuai's body.
His entire body tensed instantly.
A low hiss escaped his throat — not from rejection, but from the sudden soothing sensation enveloping his chaotic consciousness.
The wild aura that had raged moments ago began to slow.
The ripples across the pool gradually calmed.
Xue Yunxue bit her lip, maintaining the flow of energy even as her spiritual core began to feel hollow. Cold sweat formed on her forehead, yet she did not release his hand.
"Calm down… it's alright," she whispered softly, not even realizing she had spoken aloud.
For the first time—
Xiang Shuai's breathing began to stabilize.
The silver sheen in Xiang Shuai's eyes slowly regained a faint golden glow. Warm energy flowed through his meridians, gentle yet powerful, like a quiet river after surviving a long storm.
Before him, Xue Yunxue sat weakly. Her breathing was uneven, her chest rising and falling slowly. She had poured her inner energy into him for nearly an hour without pause; her pale face revealed just how much strength she had sacrificed.
When the dark aura finally vanished completely, she released a relieved breath.
"Thank goodness…" she murmured.
She lifted her head — and unknowingly, her gaze stopped on Xiang Shuai's face.
He looked far too calm for someone who had just escaped spiritual deviation. His long lashes cast faint shadows across his cheeks, his jawline sharp and defined, and his exposed upper body reflected the damp cave light, revealing perfectly sculpted muscles.
For a moment, Xue Yunxue forgot to look away.
This man… was too handsome.
"Have you finished staring at me?"
The low voice suddenly sounded.
Xue Yunxue jolted.
Xiang Shuai's eyes were still closed, yet a faint smile curved at the corner of his lips, full of confidence — as though he enjoyed the reaction he provoked.
"I—I wasn't looking at anything!" she protested quickly, her face instantly heating.
"Oh?" Xiang Shuai slowly opened one eye, his gaze lazy yet sharp. "You've been staring at me like a pervert."
His tone was calm, but unmistakably teasing.
Xue Yunxue fell silent, only realizing then that she had been holding her breath.
Feeling defeated before even arguing, she quickly stood up. "I'll go outside. You're fine now."
But she moved too hastily.
The wet stone floor caused her foot to slip.
Her body tilted backward — and in the next instant, she fell toward the pool.
Water splashed high.
A strong arm suddenly wrapped around her waist, pulling her back just before she completely fell into the water. Ripples spread softly, droplets scattering into the quiet cave air. Though saved, both of them were left completely drenched.
Water soaked through Xue Yunxue's clothes, the white fabric clinging tightly to her body, tracing lines meant to remain hidden. The air seemed to freeze — or perhaps her heart had simply forgotten how to beat properly.
For a moment, time itself seemed to stop.
Xiang Shuai looked at her unintentionally.
Her black hair clung to her pale cheeks, droplets sliding slowly from her temples down her slender neck before falling into the water. Her wet lashes trembled lightly, while her slightly upturned almond-shaped eyes shimmered — soft, yet unconsciously alluring.
Xiang Shuai's gaze stiffened.
As if suddenly realizing what he was seeing, he quickly turned his face away. A faint blush appeared on the young prince's face — something rarely seen from him.
"…You're truly careless," he muttered quietly. His voice was lower than usual, heavy, as if restrained by something he himself refused to acknowledge.
Only then did Xue Yunxue realize their position.
Her hands were still pressed against Xiang Shuai's bare chest. Warm — far warmer than the cold pool water. She could feel the steady, powerful rhythm of life beneath his skin. His arm supported her back and legs, keeping her close — far too close.
Her heartbeat became chaotic.
"Y-you… let go of me," she said, trying to sound calm, though her voice weakened at the end.
Xiang Shuai turned back toward her.
His golden eyes met hers directly — sharp, deep, and unreadable. This girl had dared approach him while his heat cycle raged, touching him without fear, yet never once taking advantage of his weakness. Something even the women of the royal court had never done.
Normally, he felt disgust toward a woman's touch.
But this time…
He found himself unwilling to let her go so quickly.
The gaze lingered too close. Too long.
Xue Yunxue bit her lip unconsciously. Had his heat cycle truly passed? Then why did the way he looked at her still make the air feel unbearably warm?
'Sister Xue, spiritual calming only suppresses the cycle temporarily,' Moa's relaxed voice echoed inside her mind. 'If it returns, you'll have to calm him again… or mate with him.'
Before Xue Yunxue could respond, the small voice chuckled softly.
'I won't disturb you anymore. Enjoy yourselves.'
Its presence vanished instantly.
"Moa…?" Xue Yunxue called inwardly, but no answer came.
She swallowed, feeling an unfamiliar warmth creep across her face.
"Could you… put me down?" she finally said, her voice softer this time, almost pleading.
As if awakening from a long daze, Xiang Shuai blinked slowly.
Only then did he realize how long he had been holding her.
And how reluctant he was to truly let go.
His massive serpent tail lifted Xue Yunxue gently, the movement slow and steady, as though he feared hurting her even slightly. His silver scales shimmered faintly as he carried her away from the water before carefully setting her upon a dry, flat stone.
Moonlight slipped through the cracks of the cave ceiling, falling like a curtain of silver over their bodies.
Her soaked clothes clung softly to her skin, outlining the faint silhouette of her figure without mercy. The white fabric had turned thin from the water, glistening beneath the moonlight, while strands of her black hair fell messily over her shoulders, droplets trailing slowly along the curve of her neck.
For a moment, Xiang Shuai forgot to breathe.
He swallowed, his jaw tightening slightly. His gaze lingered—then he quickly turned his face away, as if the moonlight had become too bright to face for long.
But the image had already engraved itself into his mind.
The cave felt warm despite the cold night outside. He could sense the faint fragrance of Xue Yunxue mingling with the mist rising from the pool, subtle yet deeply unsettling to his composure.
"Wait outside," he said quietly. His voice was lower than usual, nearly a restrained whisper. Stepping out of the pool, Xiang Shuai dressed himself again in a single fluid motion.
Xue Yunxue nodded and quickly left the cave. The night wind swept across her wet clothes, sending a slight shiver through her body. Without wasting time, she retrieved a change of clothing from her storage space and hurriedly changed.
She did not realize that Xiang Shuai—gifted with sharp night vision—accidentally glanced in her direction. A faint redness appeared on his face, his expression turning restless.
Why is this girl changing clothes out in the open like that? What if someone else saw? he grumbled inwardly. A moment later, however, irritation turned toward himself instead. Since when did I start caring about this girl?
Not long after Xue Yunxue finished changing, Xiang Shuai emerged from the cave. His face appeared slightly stiff, as if he were trying to conceal something.
"How are you feeling? Are you better now?" Xue Yunxue asked as she approached.
"I'm fine," Xiang Shuai replied shortly. "And… thank you for helping me." His tone sounded awkward, yet sincere. "But don't tell anyone about this."
This serpent prince truly valued his pride, Xue Yunxue thought, suppressing a smile. Could embarrassment actually kill him?
"Of course. By the way, I came to invite you to dinner," she said casually.
The moment he heard the word dinner, Xiang Shuai's stomach growled loudly. After fighting all day and enduring the exhausting heat cycle, he was genuinely starving.
"If you plan to give me hard biscuits or tasteless camp meat, I refuse," he said flatly.
"Of course not," Xue Yunxue replied lightly. She brought out several sealed jars filled with dried meat and fried meat she had prepared earlier.
She spread a mat at the cave entrance, arranging the food one by one.
"Sit," she said with a gentle smile. "Let's eat together."
Xiang Shuai's eyes widened slightly. Only then did he realize—this girl had truly prepared everything in advance. The simple mat lay at the cave's mouth, illuminated by moonlight that blanketed them like silver silk. The warm aroma of fried meat blended with the cold night air, creating an atmosphere that felt strangely… peaceful.
He sat slowly, maintaining his usual cold demeanor, though his gaze occasionally drifted toward Xue Yunxue as she divided the food.
"You always carry this much supplies?" he asked flatly.
Xue Yunxue chuckled softly. "Taking care of beasts like you requires preparation."
Xiang Shuai raised an eyebrow, though the corner of his lips nearly—almost—curved into a smile. He took a piece of meat, bit into it, and paused briefly. The flavor was warm and lightly seasoned, far better than the battlefield rations he was used to.
Without realizing it, he began eating faster.
Xue Yunxue watched him from the side, her eyes gentle. In her mind appeared the images of her other four beast husbands one after another. Had they eaten as well? Were they injured? The thought warmed her chest while leaving behind a faint emptiness.
Meanwhile, Xiang Shuai ate with measured restraint. He stopped before becoming completely full. He knew his body's limits—if he ate too much, his serpent instincts would drag him into a deep sleep lasting days. In wartime, that would be the same as courting death.
The silence between them was not awkward. Instead, it felt comfortable. Only the sound of the night wind, rustling leaves, and the faint crackle of burning wood near the cave entrance filled the air.
"Do you feel much better now? Do you need medicinal elixirs for your supplies?" Xue Yunxue suddenly asked. She possessed many medicinal concoctions of various effects; perhaps Xiang Shuai might need them on the front lines.
Xiang Shuai glanced at her. "Yes, I'm better. Keep your medicines for others. My serpent skin is extremely tough—harder than any armor. I won't be easily injured."
This girl is quite considerate, he thought. His usually cold serpent heart felt a faint trace of warmth.
Their gazes met briefly—long enough that Xue Yunxue was the first to look away. She pretended to busy herself organizing the food containers, though the tips of her ears had turned slightly red.
After finishing the meal, she stood and brushed the dust from her skirt.
"Let's return to camp together," she suggested.
Xiang Shuai fell silent for a moment before shaking his head lightly. "You go ahead. There are some things I need to take care of."
His voice returned to its usual cool tone, though it was no longer as sharp as before.
Before Xue Yunxue could ask further, his body became enveloped in silvery light. In a single breath, the man vanished, replaced by a massive silver-scaled serpent shimmering beneath the moonlight. His golden eyes lingered on Xue Yunxue for a moment—as if he wanted to say something—before the long body slid into the forest and disappeared among the shadows of the trees.
Xue Yunxue let out a small sigh.
She quickly packed away the remaining food, returning everything to her storage space. The lingering warmth of their dinner still rested faintly in her chest, making the journey back feel less lonely.
She walked along the same path she had taken earlier, stepping carefully across a rocky stream glimmering beneath the moonlight. The sound of flowing water soothed her mind, causing her to lower her guard slightly.
Suddenly—
A hand burst out from the ground.
Her wrist was seized tightly.
Before she could react, a heavy force like living earth dragged her downward. The ground beneath her feet collapsed soundlessly, swallowing her whole in an instant.
Darkness immediately consumed her vision.