Yuyan was frozen in place, her body trembling as fear coursed through her veins.
Is my second life really going to end as pathetically as my first? she thought bitterly. Just when I finally have a loving family… people who actually care about me.
She closed her eyes, bracing herself for the fatal strike.
But the pain never came.
Instead, a sudden cry of agony tore through the air. Yuyan's eyes snapped open to see her father standing between her and the assassin, his sword dripping with blood. The assassin staggered back, clutching a deep wound.
Her mother rushed to her side, wrapping her in a protective embrace. "It's alright, Yuyan. We're here," she whispered, her voice both trembling and firm.
Realizing he was no match for her father, the assassin retreated into the shadows.
Relief washed over her, but the tension was too much—her knees buckled, and she collapsed. The stress of the night finally dragged her into unconsciousness.
⸻
When Yuyan awoke, she found herself in a different room. Warm sunlight streamed through carved wooden windows, and the faint scent of medicine lingered in the air. Her parents were seated beside her, relief lighting their faces the moment her eyes fluttered open.
"Where… am I?" she asked, still disoriented.
Her father rested a hand gently on her shoulder. "Don't move too much. After the attack, we moved the entire clan to a safer location. The enemy knows where we were before—staying there would have been suicide."
"But… how did you know I was in danger?"
Her father's expression darkened. "The moment you threw your blood dagger, those who saw it recognized it. It was forged from the blood of the royal bloodline. Considering only your mother, I, and you carry that blood… we knew something was wrong."
Her mother brushed Yuyan's hair back. "We came as fast as we could. You were so brave… holding on for so long."
Her father smiled proudly. "If it wasn't for your quick thinking, we might not have found you until it was too late. From now on, you'll train to protect yourself. No more waiting for someone else to save you."
Yuyan's heart raced. Training like in the novels she once read… this was the kind of adventure she'd dreamed of.
Her father's voice grew firm. "Before you begin cultivation, you must first pass through all nine stages of the Body Tempering Realm. Only then will you be ready."
Excitement burned in her chest. This is it. My new life starts now.
⸻
Far from the Xuèyàn Clan's new home, the wounded assassin knelt before a figure cloaked in black—the leader of the Heavenly Dao Sect.
"You failed," the leader's voice was cold, carrying the weight of a death sentence.
"I—She had protection. I couldn't—"
A single flick of the leader's sleeve, and the assassin's words were cut short—his body falling lifeless to the ground.
The leader's gaze turned toward the horizon. "Lin Yuyan… you won't be so fortunate next time."