Hu Lian arrived at the main residence of the Luo Family in the late afternoon.
The capital's sky shimmered in shades of gold, yet the atmosphere inside the military clan's compound felt far heavier than any royal palace. Discipline and the scent of battlefield blood seemed embedded within every stone and pillar.
Inside the main hall, Luo Jin was already waiting for her.
The head of the Luo Family sat upright upon a black wooden chair carved with dragon-eagle motifs. His hair had turned white, yet his body remained straight as a war spear. Faint scars marked his face, adding to the imposing authority of a veteran who had survived hundreds of battlefields.
His sharp gaze settled upon Hu Lian.
"It is truly an honor," he said in a hoarse yet charismatic voice, "that the Star Princess has taken interest in my rather incompetent son."
Hu Lian smiled gently and lowered her head gracefully.
"General Luo is too modest," she replied softly. "Luo Shixin is a pillar of the kingdom. Many admire him."
She paused briefly, as though hesitant to continue, before speaking again in a tone filled with gentle understanding.
"Perhaps… Shixin is still burdened by loss. His partner has passed away, and sometimes people attempt to fill such emptiness with hasty choices."
Her voice was soft, almost soothing.
Yet her words struck precisely where intended.
Luo Jin's expression hardened instantly.
He had already been furious upon hearing that his eldest son had married a woman of unknown origin. For a military family that had preserved the honor of its bloodline for generations, such a matter was nearly an insult.
Hu Lian's grace and noble status only deepened his satisfaction.
This was the woman worthy of standing beside the heir of the Luo Family.
Elegant, wise, and possessing a status capable of elevating the clan's prestige.
"Since the time of our ancestors," Luo Jin said heavily, "the Luo Family has supported the empire without hesitation."
His military aura slowly spread outward, making the air within the hall feel oppressive.
"Of course, I will not allow my son to be bound to a lowborn woman of unclear origin."
Hu Lian's smile remained gentle, but beneath her lowered lashes, a flash of satisfaction appeared.
This was exactly what she wanted.
The support of the Luo Family Patriarch meant opening the path toward the greatest military power within the Yanhuo Kingdom.
The Eagle Cloud Legion—the legendary aerial army that had won countless wars—was known as the shadow of death in the skies. When they took flight, enemies were left with only two choices: surrender… or be annihilated.
If Luo Shixin stood at her side, then that entire force would gradually fall into her grasp.
And with the military might of the Luo Family…
even the imperial throne would no longer be an impossible dream.
Hu Lian bowed gracefully, hiding the faint smile curling at her lips.
After conversing for some time longer, she finally took her leave.
She returned directly to her palace.
The moment she arrived, she headed straight to her private chamber without summoning a single servant.
The doors closed.
Silence once again belonged to her alone.
Hu Lian sat upon a white jade chair and raised her hand. A soft glow shimmered as a transparent screen appeared in the air—she activated her chakra computer.
Her slender fingers moved slowly across the surface of light.
A message opened.
The tone was sweet, attentive, even slightly romantic.
The corner of Hu Lian's lips lifted.
The sender was Hei Xuan.
Her fiancé.
Hei Xuan came from the Hei Family—a powerful military clan whose strength rivaled that of the Luo Family. Their army dominated the northern territories of the kingdom, infamous for brutality on the battlefield and undefeated in open warfare.
Yet unlike his cold reputation as a young general, Hei Xuan was almost never capable of being harsh in front of Hu Lian.
From the moment they first met, the man had fallen in love with her at first sight.
Hu Lian still remembered the admiration in Hei Xuan's eyes when she smiled at him for the very first time.
And since then… everything had become much easier.
Obtaining military support from him was never difficult.
She only needed to remain the person he wished her to be.
Perfect.
Gentle.
Untouchable.
Hu Lian reread the message once more before replying with a short yet warm response—just enough to make a heart race, just enough to maintain attachment without giving too much.
A strategy that never failed.
The light of the screen slowly faded.
She leaned back leisurely, a satisfied smile finally appearing without restraint.
The Luo Family… was almost within her grasp.
The Hei Family… was already bound to her.
The two greatest military powers of the Yanhuo Kingdom were slowly moving toward the same point.
Her.
Hu Lian closed her eyes briefly, feeling warm satisfaction spread through her chest.
The plan that once seemed complicated was unfolding far more easily than she had ever imagined.
-------
Xue Yunxue lazily activated her chakra computer, her slender fingers gliding across the crystal screen that emitted a soft glow. She tried sending Xiang Shuai another message.
No reply.
Instead, rows of notifications appeared, making her brows slowly knit together — more than twenty messages she had sent before were still unread.
Not a single one.
The room felt even quieter.
Did something happen to that snake?
It had been two weeks since Xiang Shuai left, yet there was not the slightest trace of news from him.
An uneasy feeling crept into her chest.
Yun Wu and the other beast husbands were currently stationed at the border, carrying out the city leader's orders to rebuild the defensive walls. The increasingly brutal mutant attacks had pushed the entire territory into a state of high alert.
The large residence now felt empty.
Only herself… and Lin Yuan remained.
That lazy merman absolutely refused to work. Since morning, he had been soaking in the backyard pool, enjoying the warm water while pretending the outside world did not exist.
The air gradually turned colder. Autumn winds slipped through the slightly open window, carrying dry leaves that spiraled down into the courtyard. The pale sky signaled one undeniable truth—
Winter was coming soon.
Xue Yunxue let out a long sigh.
Her thoughts drifted back to the resurrection potion she had been preparing.
She walked into the kitchen and opened a specialized refrigerator filled with plant-energy formations. Inside, a bluish-white ginseng root rested within a crystal container.
A Frost Mountain ginseng root.
A rare ingredient she had obtained from a mysterious old merchant. At first, she tried planting it in the garden, but the soil in this region was far too warm. The root had nearly died before she transferred it into an artificially cold environment.
Now it was alive…
Yet its growth was almost imperceptible.
Even after she poured plant-element energy into it nearly every day, the changes were so minimal that frustration slowly built within her.
Her fingertips touched the cold glass surface.
She sighed softly.
Who knew when the potion would finally be completed?
Recently, there had been too many assassination attempts, too many dangers lurking in the shadows. She knew she had become a target, and the reason was painfully obvious — countless women were eyeing her beast husbands.
Having handsome husbands was wonderful.
But now, their beauty had become a threat to her life.
The sooner the potion was finished, the higher her chances of survival.
Yet one crucial ingredient was still missing.
Tears of a Nine-Tailed Fox.
She let out a bitter laugh.
How could a legendary creature like that possibly appear in such a remote place?
Leaning against the kitchen counter, her thin robe slipped slightly open at the collar from an unconscious movement. The cold air brushed against her pale skin, making her shiver lightly.
Her gaze returned to the still-lit chakra computer screen.
Xiang Shuai's name remained unchanged.
Offline.
No response.
Her heart suddenly felt heavy.
"…Don't tell me you really got yourself into trouble, you stupid snake…"
she murmured quietly.
------
The afternoon sky was still painted gold when Luo Shixin returned earlier than expected. The sharp military aura surrounding him had yet to fully fade as he stepped into the courtyard.
Xue Yunxue, who was watering the plants, almost could not believe her eyes.
"You're back already?"
Her voice softened unconsciously.
Luo Shixin looked at her for a moment. His gaze was always the same — calm and deep, yet carrying the possessive pressure unique to a high-level beast. He walked closer, his steady steps stopping right in front of her.
"I received a summons from my family. I need to return for a while."
His voice was low, as if reluctant to say the next words.
"I'll only be gone for a few days."
Xue Yunxue nodded gently, trying to appear calm despite the hollow feeling forming in her chest.
"Alright… send me a message as soon as you arrive."
Luo Shixin did not answer immediately.
He simply stared at her longer than usual — as though trying to memorize every small expression on her face.
Then he stepped forward.
His large hand wrapped around her waist, pulling her closer before she could react. His lips descended slowly, pressing a gentle kiss onto hers.
At first, it was only a brief touch.
Warm.
Calm.
But in the next second, the kiss changed.
Luo Shixin's breathing grew heavier, his grip tightening unconsciously. He deepened the kiss as if trying to leave something behind before departing. The warmth of his body made Yunxue lose her balance, her back nearly touching the stone table behind her.
"Mmh— Shixin…"
Xue Yunxue lightly struck his chest several times, her face burning red. Instead of stopping, Luo Shixin tilted his head slightly, deepening the kiss further, making it impossible to escape.
His masculine aura mixed with the cold scent unique to an eagle, throwing her thoughts into chaos.
Just as the atmosphere began to grow dangerously heated—
"CAN'T YOU TWO DO THAT IN A BEDROOM?!"
A lazy yet loud voice suddenly rang out from the doorway.
Lin Yuan stood there with half-wet hair, arms crossed, wearing an exaggerated expression of disgust.
"Seriously, I just got out of the pool five minutes ago and already witnessed something that corrupts the morals of a young merman. I think my eyes are injured now."
The two immediately separated.
Xue Yunxue covered her face at once, her ears burning bright red.
Luo Shixin, meanwhile, shot Lin Yuan a cold glare, clearly annoyed that the rare moment had been ruined.
Lin Yuan clicked his tongue.
"What? Don't look at me like that. If you kept going for five more seconds, I really would've glued your lips together."
He walked inside while shaking his head dramatically.
"Winter hasn't even arrived yet, but things are already this hot. Are you two trying to save firewood?"
Xue Yunxue nearly choked from embarrassment.
Luo Shixin let out a long breath before calmly straightening his collar, completely unapologetic.
"I'm leaving now."
His voice returned to its usual calmness, but his hand briefly touched Yunxue's cheek — a fleeting gesture somehow far more intimate than the kiss itself.
Behind them, Lin Yuan had already sat down casually, grabbing a fruit from the table.
"Yeah, yeah, very romantic," he muttered while taking a bite.
"But if you start again, I'm seriously moving out."
Luo Shixin said nothing. He transformed into his true form and shot into the sky at lightning speed.
Lin Yuan glanced at the flustered Xue Yunxue, who immediately fled into the house, her face still burning with embarrassment.
-------
As night approached, the front door finally opened.
A cold wind from the border swept inside along with Yun Wu and Lu Xiao. The traces of a long journey were still evident on their clothes, carrying the scent of dust, metal, and the freezing breath of late autumn. Yet all their exhaustion faded instantly when the aroma of warm food filled the room.
Xue Yunxue had finished preparing dinner.
Thin steam rose from the dishes laid across the table — roasted meat glazed with fragrant sauce, herbal soup that soothed spiritual energy, and fresh vegetables shimmering softly beneath the crystal lamps.
Without needing to be called twice, the four of them quickly gathered around the dining table.
And as usual…
There was no conversation.
Only the sound of chopsticks lightly clashing against bowls.
Lu Xiao ate elegantly, yet his speed clearly betrayed the calm expression on his face. Yun Wu didn't even bother hiding his hunger, while Lin Yuan had already refilled his rice bowl for the second time without the slightest shame.
Yunxue's cooking was dangerous — capable of destroying anyone's dignity.
Xue Yunxue looked at them one by one, the corner of her lips lifting faintly before she finally broke the silence.
"Has Xiang Shuai contacted any of you?"
The movement of chopsticks immediately slowed.
The three men exchanged glances before quietly shaking their heads.
Lu Xiao lifted his gaze.
"He hasn't contacted you at all?"
Yunxue lowered her head slightly, her fingers tracing the rim of her bowl.
"No… and I'm a little worried."
Her voice was gentle, but the concern within it was impossible to hide.
Lu Xiao calmly set down his chopsticks, his crimson eyes appearing deeper than usual.
"If you wish, I can ask one of my informants to investigate. There are few places untouched by my network."
His tone sounded casual — yet everyone knew the vampire's information network was nearly as pervasive as the shadows themselves.
Xue Yunxue nodded softly.
"Alright."
After all… Xiang Shuai was also one of her beast husbands. It was only natural for her to feel uneasy.
But before the atmosphere could grow too heavy—
"But in exchange…"
Lu Xiao's voice lowered.
A faint red glint flashed through his eyes.
"Tonight, you'll spend the night with me."
CLANG.
Yunxue's chopsticks nearly slipped from her hand.
She choked on her own breath, her face instantly flushing all the way to her ears.
This vampire… was unbelievably straightforward!
Lin Yuan slowly set down his chopsticks, his expression calm yet clearly amused.
"Oh?" he said lazily.
"So you're still hoping to have offspring with her?"
His tone carried unmistakable teasing.
Everyone knew Lu Xiao had already handed over nearly all his wealth for Yunxue. Now even his ambitions were becoming increasingly obvious.
Yunxue's face turned completely crimson.
She couldn't even lift her head anymore.
"I—I'm full!"
With a panicked movement, she shot up from her seat and nearly fled the dining table, moving as quickly as a rabbit escaping a hunter.
Her bedroom door closed with a soft thud.
Silence briefly settled over the room.
Lin Yuan leaned back lazily in his chair, watching the direction Yunxue had disappeared before letting out an impressed sigh.
"I have to admit… that girl's getting faster. Her escape reflexes have improved a lot."
Yun Wu calmly wiped the corner of his lips.
"I think," he said coolly, "she simply doesn't want to spend the night with anyone right now."
His sharp gaze briefly shifted toward Lu Xiao.
Meanwhile, the dark-haired vampire merely smiled faintly, showing no sign of disappointment.
On the contrary, his eyes seemed to deepen — like a patient hunter who knew his prey could not run forever.
The girl would not be able to escape forever.
Tonight was the peak phase of the Blood Moon.
------
Xue Yunxue stood before the window, gazing up at the night sky.
The moon hung perfectly above — full and complete, suspended majestically like the eye of heaven watching over the world. Its color was a deep crimson, resembling fresh blood that cast a cold glow across the land.
The Blood Moon.
Beautiful… yet dangerous.
Certain beastkin with special bloodlines could absorb the Blood Moon's energy to accelerate their cultivation. The crimson light was not merely a celestial phenomenon, but a wave of ancient energy capable of awakening the deepest instincts of beasts.
And one of those who benefited the most from this phase…
was Lu Xiao.
Yet ever since the Gu poison had damaged his body, the vampire had always avoided Blood Moon nights, as if that red light were a second poison to him.
Xue Yunxue frowned slightly.
Now that the poison had been neutralized… he should have resumed cultivating tonight.
She finally headed downstairs, her steps light against the wooden staircase. Her throat felt dry; she only wanted a glass of warm water before returning to sleep.
But when she reached the final step—
She stopped.
In the living hall, a man sat with his back facing her.
Yun Wu.
Under the moonlight streaming through the window, his figure appeared calm yet sharp, like a drawn blade. He was carefully polishing two short swords in his hands with a soft cloth.
Their ivory-white sheen reflected the crimson light of the Blood Moon, forming cold streaks of light that were strangely mesmerizing.
"Beautiful swords…"
Yunxue's voice was soft, almost a whisper of admiration.
Yun Wu's hands paused briefly.
He turned.
Their gazes met.
For a fraction of a second, the air tightened — then Yun Wu quickly looked away, as though the eye contact had lasted too long.
"Yes," he replied shortly. "I've had them for a long time."
Xue Yunxue stepped closer, curiosity overcoming her drowsiness.
"Really? Where did you buy them?"
The question drew a quiet chuckle from Yun Wu — a low sound rarely heard from him.
"Buy them?" he repeated.
He slowly lifted one of the blades.
The Blood Moon's light swept across its surface, revealing natural patterns like living veins of ice embedded within the weapon.
"Swords like these… aren't sold anywhere in this world."
He stared at the blade for a moment before continuing,
"They were forged from the fangs of a Taigu Ice Wolf."
Xue Yunxue's eyes widened instantly.
Taigu level?
That was a legendary existence — an ancient creature even royal generals would avoid at all costs.
Her gaze returned to Yun Wu.
How was that even possible…
Killing a Taigu Ice Wolf was nearly impossible, especially for a beastman whose cultivation was only around level seventy-five.
The crimson moonlight settled upon Yun Wu's shoulders, making his shadow appear larger than usual.
For the first time, Yunxue realized something.
The man who had always seemed cold and silent… might be hiding far more secrets than she had ever imagined.
And somehow—
beneath the red glow of the Blood Moon, he looked slightly… lonely.
"Are you going bandit hunting again with those swords?" Yunxue asked.
Yun Wu stopped polishing.
"Yes. I still need to earn more money," he said, his gaze dimming slightly.
"Why do you need money so badly? You're overly frugal, even toward yourself," Xue Yunxue asked.
Yun Wu fell silent for a moment.
"I can't tell you, Xue'er," he said at last. Then after a pause, he added softly, "But believe me, I'm not doing anything bad."
Yun Wu had always appeared solitary and quiet. It seemed the wolfman carried secrets of his own. Yunxue was deeply curious, yet she chose not to press further.
She poured herself a glass of water and returned to her room.
After Xue Yunxue went upstairs, Yun Wu opened his chakra computer. He stared at the incoming message before opening the map that had been sent to him.
His eyes turned cold.
His hand slowly clenched into a fist until his knuckles turned white.
-------
Morning arrived with soft sunlight streaming through the windows of the house.
The air was still cold, the last traces of autumn slowly giving way to winter. A thin layer of dew clung to the leaves in the courtyard, sparkling like tiny crystals beneath the morning sun.
Lu Xiao and Yun Wu had already prepared to return to the border.
The atmosphere inside the house felt more lively than usual. Lu Xiao looked noticeably refreshed; the aura surrounding him was stable and powerful, and even the faint crimson in his eyes appeared clearer. It was obvious that the previous night's Blood Moon had granted him remarkable cultivation gains.
His vampire energy felt calm… yet far deeper than before.
Before leaving, he glanced briefly at Yunxue, a faint smile curling at the corner of his lips — a satisfied smile that made Yunxue pretend to busy herself arranging her herbal basket just to avoid returning his gaze.
Not long after, the two men departed.
Silence once again settled over the courtyard.
Xue Yunxue continued her daily routine. Carrying a small water jar, she watered the rows of herbal plants growing neatly in the backyard. The scent of damp soil mixed with spiritual energy filled the air, calming her heart slightly.
Several medicinal plants she had cultivated were finally showing promising results. Their leaves grew lush and healthy, their spiritual energy stable — enough to refine several important pills she had long needed.
But her gaze soon fell upon a small pot in the corner of the garden.
The Ice Mountain Ginseng root.
The plant still looked stunted, almost unchanged since the day she planted it. Even with daily nourishment from her plant-element energy, its growth remained painfully slow, nearly imperceptible.
Xue Yunxue let out a soft sigh.
If this ingredient failed to mature… her resurrection potion would continue to be delayed.
And in a world like this, delay often meant death.
The sun had just begun to climb higher when—
Hurried footsteps echoed from afar.
A beastman ran toward the house, breathing heavily, panic written across his face. Dust scattered with every step he took.
"Madam—!"
He stopped at the courtyard entrance, panting as he struggled to catch his breath.
"There… there's trouble involving your husband!"
Yunxue's heart immediately pounded.
"What happened?"
The man swallowed before answering quickly.
"Master Yun Wu… left his group."
He took a deep breath.
"He slipped away alone… and entered the Territory of the Dark Sovereignty."
Time seemed to freeze.
The bucket of water in Yunxue's hand nearly slipped from her grasp.
Her eyes widened as countless worst-case scenarios flooded her mind.
The Territory of the Dark Sovereignty was not a place an ordinary beastman could enter alone.
Then—
What exactly was the wolfman doing there… by himself?
A midday breeze swept through the courtyard, rustling the herbal leaves.
"I thought Yun Wu was always the cautious type," a lazy voice sounded from behind her. "Turns out he's quite reckless too."
Xue Yunxue turned.
Lin Yuan leaned against a wooden pillar of the porch, his silver hair slightly messy in the daytime wind. His expression looked as relaxed as ever, yet the sharpness in his eyes revealed he understood this situation was far from simple.
After the messenger left, silence returned to the courtyard.
Too silent.
Xue Yunxue immediately opened her chakra computer, her fingers moving quickly as she tried contacting Yun Wu. The communication symbol flickered several times… then dimmed again.
No response.
She tried again.
And again.
Still nothing.
"The signal is cut off," she murmured.
Lin Yuan walked closer, glancing at the endlessly blinking screen.
"Normal," he said lightly. "The Territory of the Dark Sovereignty disrupts communication waves. Even spiritual transmissions are often distorted there."
Xue Yunxue bit her lip softly.
Wulong City stood directly along the border between the beastman world and the Dark Sovereignty. The distance was dangerously close — close enough that dark energy sometimes lingered like a thin fog that never truly disappeared.
That was why mutants were far more numerous here than in other cities.
And mutant attacks occurred almost every day.
The unease in her chest could no longer be ignored.
Xue Yunxue stood in the middle of the room, her breathing uneven. Images of the Dark Territory filled her mind — black fog, feral mutants, and corrupt energy that even experienced cultivators avoided.
She had made her decision.
She would go find Yun Wu.
But before she could step outside—
"Do you always have to risk your life for others?"
A lazy yet sharp voice came from behind her.
Lin Yuan leaned against the doorway, arms crossed. His expression appeared casual as usual, but his gaze was far more serious than his tone suggested.
Xue Yunxue rolled her eyes.
"I can't leave him alone in a place like that."
Her hands moved quickly as she packed several potion bottles into her storage space — healing potions, enhanced temporary-strength elixirs she had perfected, aura-suppressing potions, and one experimental concoction she had yet to test: an anti-mutant serum made from fragments of a healing stone. Dried food and travel supplies followed without hesitation.
Lin Yuan sighed deeply.
"Yun Wu went there of his own will," he said quietly. "I'm sure he planned this long ago. You don't need to go looking for him."
Yunxue's movements paused.
Those words… made sense.
Yun Wu was not a reckless man. If he entered a forbidden territory alone, there must be a reason he did not want others involved.
For a brief moment, hesitation surfaced in her heart.
But at that exact moment—
A faint light flickered on her wrist.
She lowered her gaze instinctively.
The Soul Bond mark.
Usually hidden, it now appeared clearly on her skin, pulsing gently like a second heartbeat.
The light flickered… once… twice…
Growing weaker.
Yunxue's heart tightened instantly.
"What does this mean…?"
A small voice echoed in her mind.
'Sister Xue… that means your husband, Yun Wu, is in danger,' Moa said, her tone unusually serious.
Yunxue's expression immediately changed.
All hesitation vanished.
"It seems Yun Wu is really in trouble," she said firmly. "I'm going to find him now. Don't stop me."
She walked past Lin Yuan.
But suddenly—
A hand grabbed her wrist.
Warm. Firm.
Yunxue froze.
Lin Yuan.
The merman rarely touched anyone. Even light physical contact was something he usually avoided with visible disgust.
"You'll only be throwing your life away," he said quietly.
Xue Yunxue looked at the hand gripping her tightly, then slowly raised her gaze to Lin Yuan's face.
Instead of anger… she smiled faintly.
"Didn't you once say," she said softly, "even the God of Death is reluctant to take my life?"
Her dark eyes gleamed with unwavering determination.
"So… I'll try my luck one more time."
Lin Yuan fell silent.
For a moment, he truly had no words left.
This girl was stubborn… far too stubborn.
He finally let out a long sigh, as if surrendering to fate itself.
"Fine," he said lazily. "I'll go with you this time."
Xue Yunxue raised an eyebrow.
Lin Yuan… coming along?
The lazy merman who rarely left the house unless food was involved?
She looked at him suspiciously.
"The sky isn't falling, right?" she muttered. "Or… did the sun rise from the west today?"
Lin Yuan snorted softly.
"I just don't want to explain to the others why you died foolishly," he replied coldly.
But as he turned away, the corner of his lips lifted slightly — a faint smile that was almost impossible to notice.
Outside the house, the wind began to blow stronger.
----------
Author's Note:The author is continuously trying to develop the story and make it as realistic as possible so readers can fully immerse themselves in the world.Please continue supporting and don't forget to share!