Lu Xiao tried to focus his vision.
Everything before him was still blurred, the ceiling spinning faintly as if the world had yet to fully stabilize. His head felt heavy, a dull pulse throbbing at his temples, leaving behind the lingering ache of a nightmare that had only just passed.
His last memory—
He had been walking beside Xue Yunxue.The calm afternoon air. Their footsteps moving together. The girl's gentle voice…
Then—
It felt as though hundreds of needles pierced straight through his heart, the pain spreading violently through his entire body.
His brows furrowed slightly as he attempted to sit up. His body felt… strange.
The sharp agony was gone.
He had not felt this light in two years.
Lu Xiao froze.
The Gu poison.
The torment that had gnawed at his body for so long — like living thorns piercing his bones and blood vessels every moment — had disappeared.
No burning sensation.No crushing pressure in his chest.
He immediately circulated his spiritual power, probing inward to detect the poison's presence.
Nothing.
The toxin had completely vanished.
Shock flashed across Lu Xiao's face as he repeated the scan several times, yet the result remained the same.
His breath faltered.
A strange energy flowed through his body — and it felt incredibly familiar.
His hand slowly clenched, sensing the steady current within him. His vampire power had fully recovered. His supersonic abilities had returned, and he could smell human blood from dozens of kilometers away.
What… happened?
Lu Xiao stood up. He took several steps without pain, disbelief filling his expression.
He could not wait any longer.
He needed to ask Yunxue directly.
A hand suddenly pressed against his shoulder.
Lin Yuan.
The merman's expression was darker than usual, as though he were hiding something.
Cold sweat formed along Lu Xiao's back.
A possibility he did not wish to consider slowly surfaced in his mind.
Xue Yunxue.
His gaze immediately locked onto her figure.
At the dining table, the girl sat casually, chatting lightly with Yun Wu. Her face was lively, her expression bright; she even laughed softly while picking up food.
Lu Xiao stared longer.
Had Yunxue known all along that he was suffering from the Gu poison?
If she knew… then had she—
He did not dare think further.
If Yunxue had truly given away her heart-blood core…
then she should now be hovering between life and death.
Yet she looked… perfectly fine.
She was even eating heartily.
Confusion mixed with anxiety tightened his chest.
So what exactly had happened while he was unconscious?
His gaze slowly shifted—
Toward Lin Yuan.
The merman stood not far from the table, his face unusually grim. The cold aura that always surrounded him now felt heavier, like the sea before a storm — calm on the surface yet hiding monstrous waves beneath.
His blue eyes were dull.
Lin Yuan had always looked indifferent and melancholic, but now he resembled a lifeless fish, sitting on the living room sofa while staring silently out the window.
Was this fish suffering from severe depression?
Lu Xiao's attention returned to Xue Yunxue.
He walked toward the dining table and sat beside Yun Wu.
There was another sensation he noticed now—
Hunger.
During the time the Gu poison devoured him, he had almost no appetite. As the Blood Moon phase approached, it became even worse; the only thing he desired was fresh blood.
Lu Xiao picked up his chopsticks and grabbed a piece of meat.
One bite.
Two bites.
Soon, he had finished nearly an entire plate.
Xue Yunxue, Luo Shixin, and Yun Wu stared at the vampire who normally had no appetite suddenly eating like a starving man.
He reached for more meat—
Clack.
Luo Shixin struck his chopsticks aside.
"You should leave more for Yunxue. She's still too thin," Luo Shixin said calmly.
Lu Xiao glanced at Xue Yunxue and stopped.
Yunxue felt a pang of sympathy.
Had Lu Xiao truly been in so much pain all this time that he could not even eat?
"It's alright. I'm already full. You can eat more," she said, placing a large piece of meat onto Lu Xiao's plate.
"May I speak with you after dinner?" Lu Xiao asked, looking directly at her.
As if understanding something, Yunxue nodded.
"I'll wait for you in the back garden," he said.
Luo Shixin watched the vampire silently. Earlier, he had thought the man would soon die from the Gu poison. Yet now he looked remarkably healthy — and seemed intent on stealing his "dinner."
Though Luo Shixin's face remained calm and emotionless, the veins on his forehead betrayed the irritation he could no longer fully conceal.
Night descended quietly, wrapping the garden in gentle stillness.
A soft breeze carried the scent of damp earth and fallen leaves. Beneath the dark sky, illuminated by a crimson-tinted moon, the world seemed frozen — silent, yet filled with unseen tension.
Lu Xiao sat alone on a stone bench.
His posture was upright, one arm resting casually along the backrest while his gaze stretched into the distance, lost in thought. Moonlight slanted across his face, casting sharp shadows along his defined jawline.
He had changed.
The vampire no longer appeared deathly pale and fragile, no longer like someone lingering constantly at death's edge. His complexion retained the aristocratic pallor of the night race, yet now carried a subtle vitality — like cold marble finally warmed by flowing blood.
Thin crimson veins appeared near the corners of his eyes, pulsing faintly like threads of living light, making him appear even more noble and breathtaking. His ears were slightly sharper, lending him a wild elegance. His lips were vividly red against pale skin, while his high nose and deep crimson eyes reflected the moonlight with a mesmerizing glow.
He looked less like a human—
and more like an ancient god's painting brought to life beneath the night sky.
Even his aura had changed — stable, deep, and oppressive. No longer chaotic from the Gu poison. His vampire energy flowed calmly yet powerfully, like a dark ocean whose tranquil surface concealed immeasurable strength beneath.
Light footsteps sounded along the stone path.
Xue Yunxue stopped a few steps away from him.
For a moment, she simply stood there.
Her eyes stared at Lu Xiao without blinking.
Admiration appeared before she could hide it.
With the Gu poison gone, the man seemed to have returned to his true form — no longer a dying vampire enduring endless agony, but a powerful and dignified vampire noble. His aura was sharp yet steady, creating a subtle pressure that made even the surrounding air feel heavier.
He looked… dangerous.
And at the same time, beautiful.
Yunxue's heart beat softly.
She approached unconsciously, her light shoes barely making a sound against the stone path.
Lu Xiao slowly lifted his head.
His crimson eyes immediately found her.
In an instant, the cold sharpness within his gaze melted into a gentleness almost impossible for others to notice.
Yunxue slowly sat down beside him.
The park bench was wide enough, yet for some reason the distance between them felt far too close—close enough for her to notice every breath Lu Xiao took, every subtle fluctuation in the vampire man's aura.
Night sank once more into silence.
A gentle wind rustled through the leaves, its soft whisper becoming the only rhythm between them. No one spoke. No one moved.
Lu Xiao stared straight ahead.
Inside him, however, thousands of questions clashed endlessly.
He remembered the agony when the Gu poison began to react violently, seizing control of his heart. Then, in the midst of unbearable pain, his consciousness had suddenly faded away.
And when he woke—
the Gu poison was gone.
His body had recovered.
Power that had long disappeared now flowed through his veins once more.
Yet a fragment of his memory felt empty.
And the answer to that emptiness… sat right beside him.
Strangely, not a single word could leave his lips.
Xue Yunxue finally let out a long sigh.
Did this man really call her out just to sit here like a statue?
She glanced at Lu Xiao before finally surrendering to the suffocating silence.
"You look much better than before," she said softly, her voice clear like flowing water in the quiet night."What happened to you?"
Lu Xiao slowly turned his head.
His crimson eyes narrowed slightly.
The gaze was not sharp… but far too deep.
As if trying to pierce through lies that had not even been spoken yet.
"I should be the one asking that," he replied in a low voice."What did you do to me… to make me like this?"
The air between them instantly tightened.
Yunxue's heartbeat quickened slightly.
Her fingers unconsciously gripped the edge of her shirt.
She did not answer—more precisely, she did not dare to.
Lu Xiao watched her for several seconds before reaching out and gently taking her hand.
His touch was warm… far warmer than before.
"Come with me."
Before Yunxue could ask anything, Lu Xiao pulled her closer.
Her body was instantly trapped within his embrace.
In the next instant—
Lu Xiao's body dissolved into thin black mist.
The world around them distorted.
Wind roared past Yunxue's ears as the cityscape stretched into streaks of light. The floating sensation made her stomach tremble, as if they were tearing through the night itself.
Then—
everything stopped.
Her feet touched the ground again.
The black mist slowly dispersed, revealing Lu Xiao standing behind her.
Xue Yunxue lifted her head… and her breath caught.
Before her lay a secluded hilltop.
There was no sound of life.
Only a vast sea of white flowers stretching as far as the eye could see.
Moonflowers.
Thousands of blossoms bloomed beneath the crimson moonlight, their petals reflecting a pale glow like a gentle ocean of light. The night wind swayed them softly, creating the illusion of silent white waves.
The scenery felt unreal.
Like another world hidden away from humanity.
Yunxue's eyes widened in amazement as she stepped out of Lu Xiao's embrace.
"This…" she whispered.
Moonlight fell upon her face, making her eyes shimmer. The view was breathtakingly beautiful.
"There's no one around us now," Lu Xiao said quietly.
The night wind swept across the hilltop, causing the moonflowers to ripple like a slowly breathing white sea. Red moonlight rested upon their shoulders, casting long shadows that intertwined.
Lu Xiao knew clearly that Luo Shixin had been watching them all along, and Lin Yuan would never stop observing either. He had no choice but to bring Xue Yunxue far away so they could speak alone.
A vampire's speed was not something easily pursued.
Lu Xiao completely concealed his aura, suppressing it until it was nearly nonexistent. He became part of the night itself—without scent, without sound, undetectable.
Erasing his trail effortlessly, he left the two men who had been monitoring him furious and enraged.
At last, for the first time in days…
they were truly alone.
Lu Xiao turned to face Xue Yunxue. His crimson gaze was no longer cold, but heavy—as though he had held this question back for far too long.
"Now tell me…" he said softly, his voice nearly swallowed by the wind."Did you know about the Gu poison inside my body?"
Yunxue felt her chest tighten.
She knew this moment would come.
There was no avoiding it.
She simply nodded.
That small movement struck Lu Xiao like a hammer against his chest.
His heart pounded violently.
His first thought immediately went to one person.
Lin Yuan. Who else could have known about this besides his cousin? He must have told Xue Yunxue about the Gu poison within him.
But now… that was not what mattered.
"So…" Lu Xiao's voice grew heavier,"you also know how to neutralize it?"
Xue Yunxue fell silent for several seconds.
The wind lifted her long hair, covering part of her face.
"…Yes," she finally answered softly.
Lu Xiao's eyes trembled.
He almost did not dare to ask the next question.
But he had to know.
"And… did you give me your heart's core blood?"
The air seemed to freeze.
Lu Xiao unconsciously held his breath.
He was afraid.
Afraid of hearing the honest answer from her lips.
Xue Yunxue did not reply with words.
She simply lowered her head slightly…
and nodded.
Thump.Thump.Thump.
The sound of Lu Xiao's heartbeat thundered in his ears.
In a sudden motion, he pulled Yunxue into his arms.
Her small body disappeared against his chest, wrapped within his long black coat fluttering in the night wind. His embrace was tight—too tight—as if he feared she would vanish the moment he let go.
"Why…" he whispered near her ear.
His voice trembled faintly.
"Do you not know you could have died after giving me your heart's core blood?"
For the first time, genuine fear appeared in the usually calm vampire's voice.
Xue Yunxue merely smiled softly.
Warm.
Gentle.
This vampire… was far more fragile than she had imagined.
"I won't die," she replied lightly.
Lu Xiao immediately loosened his hold, studying her face, trying to determine whether it was merely empty reassurance.
Instead, she gave him a mischievous smile.
"What do you mean?" he asked quietly.
"Because I have two heart blood cores."
Silence fell.
Complete silence.
Even the wind seemed to pause.
Lu Xiao's crimson eyes widened slightly—an expression rarely seen on his face.
It was… impossible.
Throughout the entire history of the Beast World, no beast-human had ever possessed two blood cores.
"How… is that possible?" he whispered.
Xue Yunxue then began to explain.
About how she had "accidentally" discovered an illegal laboratory.
And about the strange parasitic plant that granted her a crimson soul crystal core.
She told him how she slowly extracted it… and transformed it into a second blood core within her own heart.
She also told him—casually, as if it were something insignificant—how she had deceived Lin Yuan and staged her own false death to make her plan succeed.
There was no mention of battle.
No blood.
No life-threatening danger.
Everything sounded like a chain of harmless coincidences.
Yet that was precisely what made Lu Xiao's chest feel heavier.
He stared at the girl before him for a long time.
Disbelief.
Admiration.
And… anger at himself.
Because he understood one thing with absolute clarity.
None of it could have happened without risking death.
The night wind blew once more.
Moonflower petals drifted between them.
Lu Xiao slowly raised his hand and touched Yunxue's cheek with the tips of his fingers—extremely gently, as if touching something fragile.
"You…" his voice was low, nearly swallowed by the night,"…truly have no idea how dangerous what you did was."
His gaze softened.
He lifted Xue Yunxue effortlessly with one hand, as though she weighed no more than the night breeze. In one smooth motion, their faces aligned. Moonlight fell softly upon her features, making her skin glow like living porcelain. A faint blush colored her cheeks, her breathing slightly unsteady, long black hair loosened and dancing gently in the wind.
Her almond-shaped eyes lifted faintly at the corners, shimmering with emotions she could not hide. That gaze was so clear—innocent, yet captivating—that Lu Xiao felt his chest tighten with feelings he could barely restrain.
Lu Xiao swallowed.
For a moment, the world seemed to stop moving.
Only a thin distance remained between them—only Yunxue's warm breath brushing against his lips.
His hand rose slowly, fingers carefully lifting her chin as though she were something precious and delicate. Unable to restrain himself any longer, he lowered his head and kissed her.
Their lips met.
Warm.
Soft.
Yet filled with longing held back for far too long.
Yunxue's lips were warm and alive, a stark contrast to Lu Xiao's cool touch. That difference created a sensation that made his heartbeat quicken uncontrollably. The kiss began hesitant, almost cautious… but gradually deepened, becoming more emotional, as if Lu Xiao needed to confirm that the girl in his arms was truly real.
His other hand moved to the back of her head, holding her gently yet firmly, closing what little distance remained between them. The world faded away—leaving only mingling breaths and unsteady heartbeats.
Yunxue unconsciously clutched his clothes. Her breathing grew uneven, her chest rising and falling rapidly. Warmth spread to her fingertips, emptying her thoughts completely. A thin layer of tears gathered at the corners of her eyes—not from pain, but from emotions too overwhelming to understand.
The kiss finally broke when Yunxue nearly ran out of breath.
She gasped softly, her face flushed all the way to her ears. Her gaze wavered, shy and confused by the trembling feelings within her chest. The vampire who was usually calm and gentle now looked at her with a passion she had never seen before.
Under the silent moonlight, the distance between them felt closer than ever—
Xue Yunxue did not dare meet Lu Xiao's eyes. She lowered her reddened face.
Lu Xiao's fingers lifted her chin again, gently but leaving no room for escape. Their gazes met.
"Do you… not like me?" he whispered.
His crimson eyes trembled faintly—not with anger, but with something far more fragile.
Fear.
Yunxue froze. She had never seen Lu Xiao like this before.
"No… it's not that I don't like you, but—"
She never finished her sentence.
With a swift yet careful movement, Lu Xiao laid her down. Spiritual energy flowed from his palm, forming a soft cloud beneath her body. Yunxue fell without pain, as if supported by the sky itself.
Lu Xiao hovered above her, both hands bracing his weight so he would not fully press against her. Only a few inches separated them—close enough to feel each other's breath.
W-What is this…? Yunxue panicked inwardly.
Her eyes widened, her breathing caught. The position was too intimate. Too close. Her heart pounded so loudly she feared he could hear it.
Within her consciousness, Moa—who had been watching everything—let out a quiet complaint before decisively shutting herself off.
"I… I'll just go to sleep…" she muttered shyly, her awareness fading away and leaving Yunxue alone to face the situation.
Lu Xiao noticed every change in Yunxue's expression—the tension in her shoulders, her trembling breath, the fear she tried to hide.
His gaze softened.
"Don't be nervous," he said gently, his voice warm and reassuring. "I won't do anything if you're not ready."
The words fell softly, like a promise.
He lowered his head slowly, giving her time to turn away if she wished. But the girl only froze, cheeks flushed, eyes trembling between nervousness and emotions she could not name.
His lips touched hers again.
This time slower.
Softer.
As if he were asking, not taking.
Her slightly swollen lips felt warm beneath his. The kiss was unhurried—he lingered, allowing her to feel every moment, every emotion flowing between them.
The night wind drifted softly, stirring Yunxue's black hair spread across the spiritual cloud. Moonlight enveloped them, making the moment feel quiet, almost sacred.
They did not go any further that night.
There was no pressure that crossed boundaries, no desire turning uncontrollable. They only kissed… and held each other in silence, as though the world beyond the moonflower hill had completely disappeared.
Lu Xiao held the sleeping Yunxue carefully in his arms, as if guarding something fragile. Her warmth seeped slowly through his cold vampire body, reaching something even he struggled to understand. Her long lashes rested softly against her cheeks, making her appear even more beautiful.
The night wind blew gently. Moonflower petals trembled, reflecting the deepening crimson moonlight above.
The Blood Moon phase… was almost here.
For vampires, it was not merely a celestial phenomenon.
It was a call of instinct.
When the moon turned red, the blood within them resonated with the world's energy. Their power multiplied, senses sharpened, and instinctual urges—especially the desire to unite with a partner—rose mercilessly. It was the best time for vampires to cultivate, to refine their strength and stabilize their souls.
And also the best time to mate.
Yet for the past two years, that phase had been Lu Xiao's nightmare.
Whenever the Blood Moon approached, his power would spiral out of control. The vampire energy within him would awaken too violently, stirring the Gu poison hidden in his veins into savage activity. The pain felt like thousands of burning needles tearing through bone and blood.
He could not cultivate.
Could not move freely.
Could not even stand beneath the moonlight.
For two years, he survived by fasting to suppress the poison's attacks, locking himself away in darkness while forcing down power that threatened to tear his body apart. Those nights were filled with silent suffering—no one knowing how close he had come to death.
But this time was different.
He could feel it clearly.
His body felt light. His energy flowed steadily and powerfully. The Gu poison that once raged now lay dormant deep within his veins. For the first time in a very long while, he was in perfect condition.
Too perfect… to the point of danger.
He lowered his gaze to Yunxue resting against his chest. Her scent was painfully clear to his heightened senses—warm, alive, irresistibly tempting to his vampire instincts.
His heartbeat grew heavier.
Desire he had suppressed for years slowly awakened, like fire finally finding oxygen.
His hand unconsciously tightened around her back before loosening again, as if he had suddenly realized the boundary he nearly crossed.
He exhaled slowly.
"I…" his voice was low, hoarse with restraint, "…have to hold myself back far more than you can imagine."
The girl remained asleep in his arms.
His crimson eyes darkened beneath the rising Blood Moon, faintly glowing.
There was passion there.
There was longing.
But most evident of all… was restraint.
He pressed his forehead gently against hers, closing his eyes as if calming the storm within himself.
"I want you," he whispered honestly, without force."…only if you want it too."
His embrace softened.
More protective than possessive.
----
Xue Yunxue slowly opened her eyes.
Morning sunlight pierced through the curtains, falling sharply across her face and turning her vision white for a brief moment. She blinked several times, her breathing still heavy from the lingering exhaustion of the previous night.
A familiar ceiling greeted her sight.
This… was her room.
She immediately sat upright.
Fragments of last night returned like shattered glass—moonflowers, the silent hill, a warm embrace, and Lu Xiao's crimson eyes beneath the Blood Moon.
Her cheeks grew warm.
Lu Xiao secretly brought me back…
She touched her lips, as if she could still feel his kiss lingering there. If Luo Shixin's kiss had been gentle, dominant, and controlled, then Lu Xiao's had been deep and filled with passion.
She buried her face into the pillow, embarrassed at the thought that she had kissed both men. Her face flushed uncontrollably.
But before her thoughts could settle—
CRASH!
The sound of something shattering echoed from downstairs.
It was followed by a surge of energy vibrating through the air.
The atmosphere around her grew heavy, as if invisible pressure pressed against her lungs. The hairs at the back of her neck stood on end. Her instincts tightened instantly.
This was no ordinary argument.
It was an aura clash.
High-level energy.
Without even putting on her slippers, she rushed out of the room. Her hurried footsteps pounded down the stairs, her heartbeat growing louder with every second.
The closer she got to the ground floor, the more tangible the pressure became—like standing at the center of an invisible storm.
The air trembled.
The wooden walls creaked softly.
And when she reached the final step—
She froze.
The sight in the dining room stole her breath.
Luo Shixin sat casually at the dining table, one leg crossed elegantly. In his hand, a cup of warm milk still released thin curls of steam. His expression was calm… far too calm for someone clearly in the middle of a battle.
Behind him—
Dozens of golden spiritual swords floated in the air.
Each blade radiated sharp light like miniature suns, humming softly as their tips pointed straight toward the living room.
Toward Lu Xiao.
On the other side of the room, Lu Xiao sat on the sofa with his eyes closed, his posture straight and unmoving, as though asleep while sitting upright.
But the air around him was dark.
Thin black mist slowly swirled around his body, and from within it emerged jet-black spiritual swords—long, sharp, and cold like a starless night.
Their number was no less than Luo Shixin's.
Every blade pointed directly at him.
Between the two men—
two overwhelming forces collided.
Golden and black energy clashed in the center of the room, forming an invisible wall that pulsed like the heartbeat of a giant. Faint cracking sounds echoed every second, as if space itself was on the verge of shattering under the pressure.
The spiritual swords trembled violently, pushing against one another, yet neither side could break through.
The dining table shook.
Glassware shattered one by one on the shelves.
Thin cracks spread across the marble floor.
And yet—
both men looked… relaxed.
Luo Shixin calmly took a sip of milk.
"The milk isn't sweet enough today," he said flatly, as if he were not threatening someone with dozens of lethal blades.
Lu Xiao did not even open his eyes.
"I think your sense of taste is deteriorating," he replied coldly. "Your strength is still too low to fight me."
His voice was quiet, but the dark energy around him surged sharply, making the air hiss.
A faint smile appeared at the corner of Luo Shixin's lips.
"At least I am an honorable man," he said lightly. "I don't kidnap innocent girls in the middle of the night."
Xue Yunxue stood stiffly at the end of the stairs, her breathing still uneven. The lingering pressure of their clash echoed inside her chest. The two men before her—who were supposed to be her protectors—had nearly destroyed the house simply by challenging each other.
She let out a long breath and stepped forward.
Each footstep sounded clear in the tension-filled room.
"Can you… stop this already?"
Her voice was not loud, but firm enough to slice through the killing intent lingering in the air.
It was as if the world paused.
In a single blink—
all the spiritual swords vanished.
The golden light dispersed like dust in the wind. The black mist faded slowly, absorbed back into its owner's body. The suffocating pressure disappeared completely, leaving behind an almost awkward silence.
Luo Shixin casually set down his cup of milk as though nothing had happened.
Lu Xiao leaned back against the sofa, his eyes half-open lazily, expression calm.
Xue Yunxue looked at both of them in turn.
Her brows knitted together.
"You two are always fighting," she said, unable to hide her irritation.
Her gaze then fell onto the side table.
Her favorite flower vase—the one she had carefully taken care of for so long—was cracked along its side. Thin fractures spread across it like a wound ready to break at any moment. She stared at it helplessly.
The front door slowly opened.
Yun Wu and Lin Yuan finally entered from outside. Earlier, both had chosen not to interfere in the conflict between the vampire and the eagle-blooded man. They had waited at the doorway, not out of indifference, but because they both understood that the pride of two apex predators would never accept outside intervention.
But the moment the hostile aura disappeared, they stepped inside.
Yun Wu's footsteps were light, though his expression clearly showed displeasure. Lin Yuan walked more slowly, his face returning to its usual cold calm, though his sharp gaze swept cautiously across the room, glaring irritably between Lu Xiao and Luo Shixin.
The atmosphere became strange.
Four men with completely different auras now stood within the same room—and at the center of it all was only one person.
Xue Yunxue.
Luo Shixin placed his cup down calmly. His movements were elegant, almost too relaxed for someone who had nearly entered a serious fight moments ago. But when he lifted his head, his gaze locked directly onto Yunxue.
"Xue'er," he said softly, his voice low yet firm, "something like this won't happen again… if you fulfill your duty."
The look in his eyes was too direct.
Too deep.
As if giving her no chance to avoid it.
Xue Yunxue tilted her head slightly, her brows furrowing in confusion.
"Duty…?"
One second passed.
Then suddenly, realization struck her.
Her face instantly flushed all the way to her ears.
Did he mean… 'that' kind of duty?
-----
Good night!