That night, Luo Shixin and Xue Yunxue hurried back to the hotel.
Lu Xiao's body rested in Luo Shixin's arms, completely motionless. His black robe was stained with dried blood, while the icy aura emanating from his body caused the surrounding air to feel frozen.
When Luo Shixin first received Lu Xiao's message saying he would escort Xue Yunxue back to the hotel, he had not felt suspicious. However, not long after, the tracking pendant he had given Xue Yunxue suddenly began to vibrate violently.
The energy fluctuations radiating from it surged wildly.
Unstable.
And… filled with the pressure of battle.
By the time he traced the signal, the glowing point had already moved far beyond the capital.
Without hesitation, Luo Shixin set off immediately.
Throughout the journey, an ominous premonition pressed heavily against his chest—and when he finally arrived, what he found was an injured Xue Yunxue and Lu Xiao on the verge of losing consciousness.
Something had clearly happened.
Inside the hotel, the atmosphere turned tense.
Xue Yunxue recounted everything while helping tend to Lin Yuan's injuries. Her voice was soft, yet every word carried the lingering shadow of the battle still vivid in her memory.
About the illusion trap.
About the mysterious man.
And about the name she had finally learned—
Zora.
The three men exchanged glances.
The room suddenly fell silent.
That name was not unfamiliar.
Zora… one of the elite officers of the Dark Dominion. A figure who appeared only in top-level classified reports. Entire regions had fallen simply because of his presence.
He was not merely an enemy.
He was a walking god of death.
None of them had ever truly faced him before.
The night grew deeper.
The room lights dimmed, leaving only a soft, warm glow.
Xue Yunxue sat beside Lu Xiao's bed without moving even slightly.
He still had not awakened.
His skin was pale, his breathing faint, and his body… cold as ice.
She held his hand, trying to pass warmth through her touch.
But nothing changed.
Not even a little.
The coldness felt as if it originated from deep within his bones.
Xue Yunxue bit her lip softly.
Was… a vampire's body temperature truly this cold?
Or…
was this a sign of something far worse?
Hour after hour passed.
Exhaustion eventually overtook her. Her body, already drained after the battle, finally began to give in.
She remained seated beside the bed, her head resting against her own arm.
Unknowingly… she fell asleep.
The door opened slowly.
Lin Yuan entered with calm, measured steps.
His gaze immediately fell upon Lu Xiao lying motionless, then shifted to Xue Yunxue, who had fallen asleep sitting upright, still clutching the edge of the blanket as if afraid the man would disappear the moment she let go.
For several seconds, he simply stood there.
His expression was unreadable.
Suddenly, Xue Yunxue's head tilted to the side.
She woke instantly.
"—Ah…"
Her eyes blinked several times before she realized someone was standing before her.
Lin Yuan.
He stood near the doorway.
The man walked closer with slow steps, his calm aura contrasting sharply with the tension filling the room.
"I need to speak with you," he said.
His voice was low and serious.
He sat on the soft sofa in the corner of the room.
Xue Yunxue glanced briefly at Lu Xiao, making sure he was still breathing, then stood and sat across from Lin Yuan.
Her face appeared calm… but her eyes held exhaustion and worry she could not conceal.
"What do you want to talk about?" she asked softly.
Lin Yuan clasped his hands together, his gaze sharp yet controlled.
"I want to know," he said slowly,
"What exactly happened… before that vampire collapsed?"
His voice fell gently, yet it felt like a stone thrown into still water.
The room suddenly felt smaller.
On the bed, Lu Xiao's breathing was faint—almost inaudible—rising and falling slowly like a candle on the verge of being extinguished.
Xue Yunxue looked at him for a moment before turning her gaze away.
"I already told you everything earlier," she said softly. "That's what really happened."
Silence followed.
Lin Yuan did not respond immediately.
Instead, his eyes remained fixed on her, sharp and penetrating, as though trying to peel away every layer she kept hidden.
"Yes," he finally said. "But that's not what I meant."
He raised his hand and pointed directly at her chest.
"Something… inside you."
Xue Yunxue's heartbeat quickened.
"What do you mean?"
Lin Yuan leaned back slowly, yet his gaze never left her.
"Hu Shui's body was originally a fire-element fox," he said calmly. "Yet you possess the plant element. That alone proves your souls are different."
He paused.
His voice lowered, becoming softer… heavier.
"But after what happened today… I sensed something else."
His gaze darkened.
"Your plant power… does not belong to this world."
The air seemed to leave Xue Yunxue's lungs.
He noticed…
For a moment, she did not know how to respond.
Her fingers slowly tightened around the edge of her clothes.
"I'm sorry…" her voice was barely a whisper. "I can't tell you yet. Maybe… after my mission is finished, I will explain everything."
Lin Yuan's eyes narrowed slightly.
"Then… who are you really?"
The next question came like a blade pressed slowly against her throat.
"Where do you come from?"
Xue Yunxue let out a long breath. Her chest felt heavy.
Tao Ling's promise flashed through her mind—her vow to avenge the destruction of her world and conquer the Dark Dominion. And the oath she made never to reveal her true identity. Her revenge was not yet complete.
She lowered her head.
"I'm sorry… I can't tell you."
Silence fell once more.
Lin Yuan closed his eyes briefly.
Frustration stirred within him. The girl before him was his bonded partner—a soul connection that could not be denied—yet she stood like a living riddle he could never fully reach.
For a fleeting moment, a dark thought crossed his mind.
Perhaps I should read her thoughts…
But he restrained himself. Forcing his will upon someone with determination like hers would only push her further away.
He opened his eyes again.
"Lu Xiao is a vampire," he said quietly. "Half human, half creature of the night. He should never truly be bound to anyone."
His gaze sharpened.
"Yet today… he nearly died protecting you."
He leaned slightly forward.
"Who are you… to him?"
Xue Yunxue fell silent.
That question… was one she could not even answer for herself.
She had only lived in Hu Shui's body for less than three months.
Of course she had no past memories with Lu Xiao—not a single one.
"I never knew him before," she answered honestly. "I myself… have only been in this body for three months."
Lin Yuan remained silent for a long time.
Then the corner of his lips lifted faintly.
"I already knew," he said softly. "You are not Hu Shui."
A sharp glint appeared in his eyes.
"Your personalities are different. Your powers are different."
A faint smile formed—too sharp to be called gentle.
"Even your souls… are different."
Xue Yunxue raised her head.
"It's good that you realized," she said calmly. "I am indeed not Hu Shui."
She met his gaze without avoidance.
"What else do you want to ask?"
For the first time, Lin Yuan hesitated.
But the question pressing against his chest finally escaped.
"Do you know… that inside Lu Xiao's body, there is an evil power devouring him from within?"
Xue Yunxue's eyes widened.
Even Moa within her consciousness was startled.
"What do you mean? I did sense something… but I don't know what it is. I couldn't even penetrate it."
Hope colored her voice—a hope for answers.
Yet Lin Yuan's expression turned cold instead.
"It is a legendary Gu poison." He paused before continuing. "And his life… will not last much longer."
Xue Yunxue felt as though the world had stopped spinning.
"What—" her breath caught. "Is there a way to save him?"
Lin Yuan did not answer immediately. Instead, he studied her face carefully.
Observing every subtle change.
Every trace of worry she could not hide.
"Do you care about him?" he asked quietly.
The question felt like a trap.
Yet Xue Yunxue answered without hesitation.
"Of course." Her voice was firm.
"He is my partner."
For a brief moment, Lin Yuan's blue eyes trembled faintly. Something he refused to acknowledge stirred within his chest—something between relief and bitterness. He looked away.
"You must find the method to cure him yourself," he finally said. His tone was low. Serious.
"Otherwise… when the next Blood Moon phase arrives…"
His gaze shifted toward Lu Xiao lying motionless on the bed.
"…he will not survive."
Silence once again filled the room.
The night moved slowly.
The dim light in the hotel room cast long shadows across the walls, while the world outside had sunk into complete silence. Only Lu Xiao's faint breathing could be heard—weak and unstable, like someone standing on the boundary between life and death.
Xue Yunxue sat beside the bed without moving.
She had not slept at all.
Her hand held his—cold, almost devoid of warmth. Even after hours, the heat of her own body could not drive away the freezing chill clinging to Lu Xiao.
Her gaze fell upon his pale face.
Usually, this man always appeared calm… cold… even slightly arrogant.
Now, he looked fragile.
Extremely fragile.
"What exactly did you do to end up like this…" she murmured softly.
Within her consciousness, Moa's voice finally appeared.
"Sister Xue… the Gu poison inside Lu Xiao's body should have disappeared from this world long ago."
Xue Yunxue listened carefully.
"What do you mean?"
"It is an ancient poison," Moa continued slowly. "Created by the Owl Clan around three thousand years ago. Its purpose was only one… to exterminate plant-element beast humans."
Xue Yunxue's heart pounded heavily.
A poison created… specifically for the plant element.
Unconsciously, her grip on Lu Xiao's hand tightened.
"The poison was sealed inside a hidden cave along with the clan's secrets," Moa said. "Its location was never recorded. No one knows where it is."
Silence lingered for a moment before Moa continued.
"Perhaps… Lu Xiao found it."
Xue Yunxue lowered her head, her hair falling to conceal her expression.
"Do you know how to cure it?"
The question came out softly.
But within the space of consciousness, Moa froze.
—
For a moment, her thoughts fell into chaos.
She knew.
She knew very well.
The Gu poison did have an antidote.
But the price…
was far too great.
The pure heart-blood core of a plant-element beast human.
Which meant—
Xue Yunxue's own life would be at risk. Extracting the heart-blood core could easily be fatal.
If she told the truth… it would force the girl into an unbearable dilemma.
Moa understood her master's heart.
She would choose sacrifice.
Without hesitation.
A wave of anxiety filled Moa's small consciousness. For the first time since following Xue Yunxue, she felt fear.
Fear of losing her master.
"Moa?"
The call pulled her back.
Moa was forced to lie.
And that lie hurt far more than telling the truth.
"…No."
The answer finally left her lips.
"The records about the Gu poison and its cure were lost hundreds of years ago."
Silence fell.
Xue Yunxue did not respond immediately.
She simply stared at Lu Xiao's face for a long time, as if hoping he would suddenly open his eyes.
Her fingers slowly brushed against his cold cheek.
"I see…"
Her voice was calm.
Too calm.
Yet Moa could sense the subtle change within her emotions—a determination slowly hardening.
If no known method existed…
then she would find one herself.
No matter the cost.
Within her consciousness, Moa could only remain silent.
Guilt weighed heavily upon her heart.
Hu Lian stood before a large silver mirror in her chamber.
One by one, she removed her jewelry—the pearl earrings, the star-crystal necklace, the golden bracelet that shimmered beneath the night lamps. Soft metallic chimes echoed as each piece fell onto the dressing table, breaking the silence of the spacious room.
Her white gown slipped slightly from her shoulder, revealing pale skin that appeared fragile and delicate.
But her eyes… were cold.
Suddenly—
A sharp gust of wind slipped through the open window.
A black shadow glided inside without a sound, landing upon the floor like condensed smoke.
The scent of blood instantly filled the room.
Hu Lian turned sharply, her eyes widening.
"…Zora?"
A man in black robes stood there. His breathing remained steady, yet dark blood seeped from beneath his cloak, dripping slowly onto the white marble floor.
For the first time…
he looked injured.
"How did it go?" Hu Lian asked quickly, her voice nearly trembling. "Did you kill her?"
She stepped closer, raising her hand to touch Zora's face. Her fingers traced the long scar across his cheek—a centipede-like mark that made his appearance even more savage.
"No," Zora replied calmly. "She received help."
Silence froze the air.
In a single instant, Hu Lian's beautiful expression changed.
Her smile vanished.
A faint vein pulsed at her temple, and her silver-gray eyes trembled with barely restrained fury.
Failed.
Her perfect plan… had failed.
She wanted to scream. To destroy something. To vent her anger directly at the man before her.
But she restrained herself.
Because she knew exactly who stood before her.
An elite officer of the Dark Authority—Level Ninety in strength.
And… someone she still needed.
Her breathing gradually softened again. Her anger sank beneath a flawlessly practiced sweet smile.
Her hand rose, gently brushing Zora's lips.
"Then… we will try again," she whispered coyly. "No matter what… that girl must die."
Zora stared at her for a long moment. Then, without warning, he pulled Hu Lian into his arms.
The princess's body felt light and warm. Enchanting. Yet for some reason, another image surfaced in his mind—dark hair flying amidst battle, cold determined eyes, wild yet vibrant green energy.
Xue Yunxue.
The girl was not merely beautiful. She was strong, dangerous… and intriguing.
"Why do you want her dead?" Zora murmured near Hu Lian's ear. "Wouldn't it be more interesting if we kept her alive?"
Hu Lian's smile froze.
Her heart pounded violently.
A cold fear crept upward from deep within her chest.
No… not again. Was this man also becoming interested in that woman, just like Hu Shui's five husbands? Why was that girl so special in the eyes of men?
She would not allow anyone—even Zora—to become fascinated with her.
Her arms quickly wrapped around Zora's waist, holding him tighter as if afraid of losing him, resting her face against his chest.
"No," she whispered softly but firmly. "She must die. Otherwise… all of my plans will collapse."
At that moment, she felt something wet against her palm.
Warm. Sticky.
Hu Lian looked down.
Blood.
A great deal of blood.
Zora frowned slightly. The wound on his abdomen throbbed—the emerald spiritual sword had left behind a strange burning sensation.
"You… you're bleeding?" Hu Lian's voice turned panicked.
She pulled away, staring at her blood-stained hand. A fleeting trace of disgust crossed her eyes—so brief it was almost invisible—before she masked it with concern.
"Let me treat you."
Her hands moved to open his robe.
But her wrist was caught.
Zora's grip was firm, unyielding.
"No need," he said quietly. "Just a minor injury. It will heal on its own."
"You were hurt… because of me…" Hu Lian's voice softened as tears gathered in her eyes, sliding slowly down her pale cheeks.
The tears were perfect.
Fragile. Sincere—or at least they appeared so.
A sight capable of softening even the most ruthless man.
And Zora… froze.
How could such a gentle girl exist in a world filled with blood and violence?
His chest trembled faintly. Without realizing it, he wiped away her tears with his thumb.
The princess's charm worked flawlessly. Behind her tender gaze, Hu Lian smiled inwardly.
Another man… had completely fallen into her grasp.
"It's alright… I'll kill that girl for you next time," Zora said softly, almost tenderly, as though making a romantic promise rather than speaking of murder.
He gazed at Hu Lian for a long moment, his dark eyes reflecting her image.
"I must go. This wound needs time to recover."
Hu Lian nodded gently, her expression filled with seemingly genuine concern.
Zora lifted her chin slowly—
and kissed her.
The touch was brief yet warm. His breath still carried the scent of blood and cold dark energy.
Hu Lian's cheeks flushed instantly. She lowered her gaze shyly, her lashes trembling, making her appear innocent… almost sacred.
"Hm… tell me when you've recovered," she murmured softly, her voice smooth as silk. "I'll be waiting."
Zora's gaze softened. Without another word, his body dissolved into dense black mist. Dark energy swirled through the air before shooting out the window like a living shadow swallowed by the night.
The room fell silent again. Only the curtains swayed gently in the night breeze.
Several seconds passed.
Hu Lian remained standing still.
Silent.
Then—
she slowly raised her hand and wiped her lips with the back of it.
The gentle expression disappeared.
There was no shyness anymore. No softness.
Her eyes turned cold, sharp as frozen glass.
No matter what, she needed every sharp blade she could obtain to become the next Emperor of the Yanhuo Kingdom. She possessed no overwhelming power—but she wielded a far deadlier weapon:
her beauty.
A beauty capable of making every beastman kneel before her.
The sun had risen.
Morning light slipped through the hotel curtains, falling faintly upon the bed where Lu Xiao lay motionless. The warm rays should have brought peace—but to Xue Yunxue, the morning felt colder than the night.
She had not slept at all.
Since last night, she remained seated beside the bed, her fingers holding Lu Xiao's hand, cold as ice. Gentle green healing energy flowed slowly from her palm, pulsing like endless breaths of life she refused to stop giving.
The wounds on his body had long since healed. His skin was flawless once more. No scars remained, no blood.
The vampire's regeneration had worked perfectly.
And yet—
Lu Xiao did not wake.
His breathing was slow. Too slow.
As if his soul had wandered somewhere far away.
Xue Yunxue lowered her head slightly, her eyes reddened with exhaustion, yet she continued channeling energy without pause.
After all… he had been injured because of her.
Outside the room, an unusual silence lingered. Luo Shixin and Lin Yuan chose not to disturb her. Even Xiang Shuai—normally the most impatient among them—did not dare ask her to cook breakfast.
Everyone understood.
The girl would not leave Lu Xiao's side.
The door opened slowly.
Luo Shixin stood at the entrance, tall and upright, yet his steps were deliberately softened, as though afraid to disturb the fragile calm within the room.
He walked closer.
"Yunxue…" he called gently.
Xue Yunxue turned her head. Her movement was slow, revealing just how exhausted she was. In Luo Shixin's hands was a warm breakfast tray; thin steam still rose from a bowl of soup.
"I'm not hungry yet," she said quietly.
Her voice sounded flat, almost empty.
"Even so," Luo Shixin replied gently but firmly, "you still need to eat something."
He placed the bowl on the small table beside the bed.
"After you eat… I have something to tell you."
Xue Yunxue raised an eyebrow slightly.
"What is it?"
"You'll know after you finish your breakfast."
The general's tone left no room for refusal.
Finally, though somewhat reluctant, Xue Yunxue accepted the bowl. She slowly scooped up a spoonful of soup.
Warm.
The meat broth tasted rich and dense with spiritual energy. The warmth flowed from her throat throughout her exhausted body, easing the stiffness she had endured all night. She paused briefly.
This general… was unexpectedly skilled at cooking.
Within minutes, the bowl was empty.
Her body felt noticeably lighter, and her spiritual energy stabilized once more.
Her eyes narrowed slightly.
An energy tonic.
He had secretly added it.
She placed the empty bowl onto the table.
"So… what did you want to tell me?"
Luo Shixin drew a long breath before speaking. His expression turned serious.
"The military detected fluctuations of Dark Authority energy near the palace."
The atmosphere in the room instantly grew heavy.
"It seems they have already infiltrated the capital. And… Zora is not acting alone."
Xue Yunxue showed no surprise. Her expression remained calm. She had already heard the same information from Moa.
Luo Shixin observed her for several seconds before letting out a faint sigh, realizing the girl had likely learned this earlier.
"Last night," he continued, "I dispatched elite soldiers to sweep the entire capital."
His voice lowered, turning colder.
"They found something."
Xue Yunxue looked straight at him.
"What?"
"Mutant potions."
The words fell like a stone.
"In large quantities. Ready for deployment."
Xue Yunxue immediately recalled the previous incident—the potion Eyen had used in an attempt to turn her into a mutant, only to fail.
"Is this related to Bai Ling?" she asked softly.
She had seen Bai Ling together with Eyen during the ceremony the previous night.
Luo Shixin shook his head.
"I don't think so. They were likely only black-market buyers. The quantity we discovered is far too large… this isn't an individual operation."
He paused, his gaze hardening.
"And the mayor is not the type bold enough to stage a rebellion."
Silence once again filled the room. Xue Yunxue stared at him sharply.
"You're still hiding something?"
Luo Shixin did not answer immediately. He walked toward the window, looking out at the morning light before finally speaking.
"On our way to the capital… I saw something in the contaminated zone."
His voice lowered.
"A laboratory."
He turned back toward her.
"It was massive. Organized. And saturated with dark energy."
Their gazes met.
"I believe… that's where all those potions came from."
An illegal laboratory… producing mutant potions on a massive scale.
Just imagining it made Xue Yunxue's chest feel heavy.
Whoever built such a place was not merely a scientist—but someone preparing an army of mutants for war.
Creatures without control, without pain, without humanity.
The perfect weapons.
This was not research.
It was a massacre in preparation.
"Do you have any leads on who built that laboratory?" Xue Yunxue finally asked. Her voice remained calm, but her eyes sharpened.
Luo Shixin fell silent for a moment. His jaw tightened as if weighing his decision.
But he knew there was no point hiding anything from this girl anymore.
"The mutant potion… was not originally a weapon," he said slowly.
Xue Yunxue's gaze lifted.
"It was a failed experiment meant to create an anti-mutant serum."
Silence hung between them.
"One of the lead scientists who developed it was named… Pei Yu."
The name felt unfamiliar, yet for some reason it made Xue Yunxue's heart beat slightly faster.
"However," Luo Shixin continued, "Pei Yu disappeared shortly after the experiment was halted. Many believe he died."
He shook his head lightly.
"But I never believed that."
His tone grew heavier.
"Pei Yu is the only known surviving scientist from the Owl Clan."
Xue Yunxue stiffened slightly.
The Owl Clan…
The name felt like a missing puzzle piece suddenly snapping into place.
"Long ago," Luo Shixin said, "the Owl Clan was the closest ally of the Vampire Clan. They were masters of ancient poisons, soul experimentation, healing arts, and life-energy engineering."
He paused before continuing in a lower voice.
"But several centuries ago, a great conflict erupted between the Vampire Clan and the Owl Clan. The vampires' fury led to the extermination of the Owl Clan. After that… the entire clan vanished."
"Dead?" Xue Yunxue asked.
"No."
Luo Shixin's gaze hardened.
"They changed sides."
The air in the room seemed to freeze.
"The last reports claimed the remnants of that clan became followers of the Dark Authority."
Xue Yunxue's heart pounded violently.
The Owl Clan…
Did Pei Yu know about the Gu poison?
Life-energy experiments. Ancient toxins.
All the pieces were beginning to connect.
If Pei Yu was still alive…
Then he most likely knew the origin of the Gu poison.
And perhaps—
the method to cure it.
Xue Yunxue's gaze unconsciously shifted toward Lu Xiao, who still lay motionless on the bed. His face was pale, his breathing faint, as though every passing second stole another fragment of his life.
They did not have much time.
Her hand slowly clenched.
I cannot wait.
I cannot just sit here and watch him die slowly.
A cold determination appeared in her eyes.
"I want to go to that laboratory."
The words fell firmly, without the slightest hesitation.
Luo Shixin shocked stared at her—