The purge evaluation was still six weeks away, but the sect already felt like a pressure cooker. Whispers in the corridors grew sharper. Disciples trained harder, slept less, and eyed each other like wolves waiting for the weakest to stumble. Huo Yan had taken a liking to me after the Zhao Kun incident—nothing overt, just a nod here, a casual "keep your head down, Little Mo" there—but favoritism in a demon sect was a double-edged blade. It painted a target on my back.
Luo Mei noticed it too.
She'd become bolder in small ways. A stolen glance during morning assembly. A brush of fingers when passing spirit stones for chores. At night, she came without knocking—slipping in like she belonged there, shedding her robe before the door even latched. Our sessions had evolved from desperate first times to something almost ritualistic: slow build-ups, deliberate qi circulation, whispered plans between climaxes.
Last night she'd ridden me until we both broke through again—her to Stage 4 mid, me edging into Stage 6 peak. Afterward, lying sweat-slick and tangled, she'd traced the faint red veins now visible under my skin from the demonic qi buildup.
"You're changing," she said softly. "Faster than anyone I've seen."
"System perk," I muttered, half-asleep. "But it's not enough yet. We need leverage. Real leverage."
She propped herself on an elbow. "Like what?"
"Information on the young master."
Her eyes widened. "Xuan Ling? Your… son?"
I'd told her everything one night—reincarnation, the prophecy, the twisted father-son dynamic. She hadn't run. If anything, it made her cling tighter.
"He's kept in the inner sect nursery," she said. "Guarded by two Foundation Stage caretakers—old women loyal to the previous sect master's wife. They don't let outsiders near him. Not even branch family members without permission."
I stared at the ceiling. "He's three now. Almost four. The prophecy should be showing signs already—strange qi flares, dreams, that 'heavenly light' bullshit."
Luo Mei was quiet for a moment.
"I know one of the caretakers," she said finally. "Auntie Lan. She used to oversee the laundry detail before they promoted her. She still owes me a favor—her daughter got caught stealing herbs last year. I covered for her."
I turned my head. "You're offering to arrange a meeting?"
"Not openly." She bit her lip. "A 'chance' encounter. Auntie Lan takes the boy to the small spirit garden behind the nursery every third afternoon for fresh air. It's fenced, but there's a service gate for deliveries. If I time it right… you could be there sweeping leaves or something. See him. Talk. Nothing suspicious."
I studied her face. "Why help with this?"
"Because he's part of you," she said simply. "And because if the prophecy is real, we need to know what we're up against. Or… what we can turn to our advantage."
I pulled her down for a slow kiss—grateful, possessive.
"Tomorrow afternoon," I said against her lips. "Make it happen."
She smiled. "Consider it done."
The next day dragged.
I spent the morning running errands for Huo Yan—fetching low-grade pills from the outer alchemy hall, delivering messages to minor elders. Busywork that kept me visible and useful. By early afternoon I'd "volunteered" for leaf-clearing duty near the inner sect boundary—boring enough that no one questioned it.
Luo Mei had done her part perfectly. A whispered conversation with Auntie Lan during laundry handoff, a small pouch of spirit stones slipped into the woman's sleeve, and the promise of future help if needed.
At exactly three bells, the service gate creaked open.
A sturdy old woman in gray robes stepped out first—Auntie Lan—carrying a small basket of fruits. Behind her, holding her hand, came the boy.
Xuan Ling.
He was smaller than I'd pictured. Tiny frame swallowed by a simple white robe embroidered with faint silver clouds. Hair black like mine but soft and wavy, falling to his shoulders. Face delicate—high cheekbones, big dark eyes, a small mouth currently pursed in concentration as he tried to match Auntie Lan's steps.
But the qi…
Even from thirty feet away, I felt it.
Pure. Bright. Like sunlight cutting through smoke. Heavenly yang—completely at odds with the demonic qi swirling in my own veins. It made my skin prickle, my dantian twitch uncomfortably.
The prophecy wasn't subtle.
Auntie Lan spotted me sweeping near the gate. Gave a tiny nod—barely perceptible—then let go of the boy's hand.
"Go pick some spirit plums, young master. Auntie will watch from here."
Ling toddled forward, small basket in both hands. He stopped under a low-hanging branch, reached up on tiptoes, but couldn't quite reach.
That was my opening.
I set the broom aside, walked over casually—like any outer disciple helping a child.
"Here," I said softly, plucking two ripe plums and dropping them into his basket. "Careful not to bruise them."
He looked up.
Our eyes met.
For a second, time stretched.
Those eyes—dark like mine, but clear, innocent. No recognition. No fear. Just curiosity.
"Thank you, gege," he said in a small, polite voice. The word—older brother—hit harder than it should have.
I crouched to his level, keeping my tone light. "You like plums?"
He nodded vigorously. "Auntie says they help qi grow strong."
"They do." I smiled—careful, not too wide. "What's your name?"
"Xuan Ling." He puffed out his chest a little. "I'm gonna be strong like Father someday."
My stomach twisted.
"Yeah?" I kept my voice steady. "What's your father like?"
He frowned, thinking hard. "Big. Scary sometimes. But… he's sleeping. Auntie says when he wakes up, he'll teach me everything."
Sleeping. Right. The ten-year "meditation" coma before I hijacked the body.
I reached out slowly—hesitant—and ruffled his hair. Soft. Warm. Nothing like the cold calculation in my chest.
"You'll be strong," I said quietly. "Stronger than anyone thinks."
He beamed. "Promise?"
I swallowed. "Promise."
Auntie Lan cleared her throat—subtle warning.
I stood. "Better get back to Auntie. Don't want to get in trouble."
Ling nodded, clutched his basket, and toddled back. Halfway there he turned, waved one small hand.
"Bye, gege!"
I waved back.
Then he was gone, gate closing behind him.
I stood there longer than I should have, broom forgotten, staring at the spot where he'd been.
The system pinged softly.
[First Contact: Xuan Ling – Heavenly Yang Bloodline Confirmed]
[New Hidden Quest Unlocked: Corrupt or Control the Prophecy]
[Reward: 10,000 DP + Dao Heart Shatter Pill (upon full completion)]
[Warning: Prolonged exposure to pure heavenly qi may cause minor backlash to demonic cultivation]
I exhaled slowly.
Back in my room that night, Luo Mei arrived as usual.
She locked the door, shed her robe, but paused when she saw my face.
"You met him," she said quietly.
I nodded. Pulled her onto the mat. Kissed her hard—needing the distraction, the heat, the reminder of what I was building here.
She didn't ask questions. Just opened for me, legs wrapping around my waist as I sank inside her in one smooth thrust.
We moved together—faster than usual, almost desperate. Her nails on my back. My teeth on her shoulder. Qi surging hot and chaotic.
When we came—her crying out my name, me burying deep with a growl—the breakthrough followed like thunder.
[Cultivation: Qi Gathering Stage 6 (Peak) → Stage 7 (Early)]
[Luo Mei: Stage 4 (Mid)]
[Bond Loyalty: 94% – Primary Concubine Status Achieved]
Afterward, she curled against me, head on my chest.
"He's just a child," she whispered.
"I know."
"Are you going to hurt him?"
I stared at the ceiling.
"Not yet."
She lifted her head. Searched my eyes.
"But someday?"
I pulled her closer. Kissed her temple.
"Someday… we'll see what he becomes."
She didn't push. Just nestled back down.
In the dark, my mind turned.
The boy was innocent now.
But innocence in this world never lasted.
And when the prophecy came knocking, I'd be ready—with schemes, with power, with her at my side.
The game had just gained another player.