Zhu Zhihao set down her teacup. "If I had told you about this sooner, you would have rushed here already." She said it as a matter-of-fact.

"You wouldn't have listened to my words. And since a young man was involved—" She paused, her eyes sharpening. "Do you truly believe you would have remained calm after knowing Yue Mei was living alongside him?”

Heat crept into Yue Mei's cheeks. She had never experienced such remarks before. No one had ever spoken of her in this way, as if she were... involved with someone. She wanted to explain. To clarify the nature of her relationship with Su Ting, but the words tangled in her throat.

Did she find him appealing because of her physique's resonance? Or was there something more? She didn't know. She couldn't explain what she herself didn't understand.

Fei Yan did not look at Zhu Zhihao. She moved to sit beside Yue Mei and took her hand. "Mei'er, you see? Lady Zhu is just making excuses. Why would I worry when you were searching for a cure? I would not do that."

"No, Aunt Yan, I think you would…" Yue Mei began in a low voice. But when Fei Yan's lips curved into a knowing smile, her words died.

"Alright. That is enough." Zhu Zhihao's tone was firm. "We have more important matters to discuss."

Feii Yan straightened her back. Her calm look returned. She gracefully poured fresh tea for them, a polite smile fixed on her face. But the hurt had not entirely left her eyes.

Zhu Zhihao turned her attention back to Yue Mei. "Has anything else important happened?"

Yue Mei shook her head. "No, nothing. But," she continued, her face growing more serious, "there is something that will happen soon. It requires your attention."

Zhu Zhihao took a sip of tea. "What is this about?"

"A new secret realm has appeared in Jiang State," Yue Mei explained. "Su Kang wishes to explore it. He needs your help."

Zhu Zhihao fell silent. Her fingers rested on her teacup as she considered the information.

"Exploring a new secret realm is a dangerous task," Fei Yan said, a worried frown appearing on her face. "They are legacies from ancient times. Many times they are unpredictable. Even a Nascent Soul cultivator cannot promise they will be able to come out safely after entering one."

Yue Mei nodded. "That is true. But it is likely a medium-sized realm. And Aunt, you would not need to explore all of it. Su Kang's plan is to explore it for a month or two. He wants to take as many resources as he can in that short time and then leave."

Fei Yan looked at her. "It seems Little Mei has already decided. She wants you to explore it, Lady Zhu."

Zhu Zhihao nodded slowly. "It is a good opportunity. No new realms have opened in this region for thousands of years. I will try it." Her face turned serious. "But it is best to take only a few people. Even I cannot promise their safety if something goes wrong."

Yue Mei understood. "I will give him this message."

"Good," Zhu Zhihao said. "Now, I want to see your cultivation. Show me your practice."

"Okay, Aunt. Let's go back to my courtyard," Yue Mei said.

Soon, Yue Mei walked back to the Su Manor with them. She entered the gate with her guest token without any problem.

After reaching her courtyard, she set up a cultivation array. She sat down and began to practice her Qi technique.

Soon, the two energies appeared again. A blood-red aura pulsed from her body. It pulsed like a living flame, hungry and untamed. Then came the second energy—pure golden radiance, holy and serene as dawn breaking over still water. They didn't clash or fight. Instead, they circled her in perfect balance, light and shadow moving together in silent harmony.

When Fei Yan saw the blood-red energy, her body moved on its own. She took a step back, unconsciously, instinctively. The gentle, sweet smile vanished from her face. As the aura pulsed, she felt a wave of raw feeling wash over her, triggering some old memories.

Her eyes, usually so warm and kind, grew cold as ice. A look of deep, visceral disgust and old, bitter resentment appeared in them. Her hands, hidden in her long sleeves, clenched into tight, white-knuckled fists.

She closed her eyes, trying to force the feelings down, down into the dark place where she'd kept them buried for years. She took a long, deep breath, steadying her rhythm.

When she opened her eyes again, she met Zhu Zhihao's gaze. Zhu Zhihao’s expression was unreadable. Her eyes, calm like a deep lake, were staring her.

Zhu Zhihao held her eyes for one more heartbeat, then turned her attention back to Yue Mei. Fei Yan lowered her head. A long, sad breath left her lips.

Zhu Zhihao studied the two energies circling Yue Mei. She recognized the crimson aura immediately. The bloodline manifestation was unmistakable.

The crimson aura's manifestation is because of her bloodline, she thought, her brow furrowed in deep concentration. But this golden energy… what is this? If it can balance that violent bloodline, it must have come from an equally powerful source… but from where?

The questions multiplied in her mind, each one leading to deeper confusion.

She extended a thread of her own Qi toward the swirling energies. It passed through them like mist through air. Neither the crimson nor the golden offered any resistance to her probing. She focused, trying to sense deeper meanings, hidden properties. The crimson energy felt—a volatile mix of rage, hunger, and an untamed, primal will. But the golden energy was completely different. It gave off a feeling of soothing calm, a serene and holy presence.

"Lady Zhu," Fei Yan whispered, moving closer, her voice low and hesitant. "Could this golden energy be because of Lady Yourong?"

Zhu Zhihao shook her head, a trace of deep sadness flickering in her eyes. "Junior Sister never showed such an energy," she said softly. "I do not think Mei’er inherited it from her."

She then glanced at Fei Yan, her expression turning firm. "Control your emotions in front of Mei'er. She will notice if you wear such expressions.”

"It won't happen again," Fei Yan said, a quiet conviction in her voice.

Silence settled between them after that. They watched Yue Mei cultivate, each lost in their own thoughts.

Soon, the energies began to fade. Yue Mei's eyes opened.

She rose and walked to them. "Aunt Zhu, do you know something?"

Zhu Zhihao met her hopeful gaze. " Not yet," she answered honestly. "But I will find about it in future."

Yue Mei said no more about it. She trusted her aunt completely. "Then I should inform Su Kang about your arrival. And deliver your message about the secret realm.”

"Go ahead." Zhu Zhihao waved her hand in dismissal. "

----------------------------------------

Evening settled over the Su Manor.

Su Kang sat in a cultivation chamber with Bai Yunxi. The air was thick with a dense, pure Qi. After a long moment, her eyelids fluttered, then opened. A soft, satisfied smile gracing her lips.

“How do you feel? Are you close to a breakthrough?” Su Kang asked, his own smile warm and encouraging.

“Yes,” she spoke, a note of excitement in her voice. “Perhaps in around a week. I can definitely reach the ninth level of Qi Refining then.”

She paused, her awareness turning inward. "My soul's power is progressing well too. I think I'll reach the middle stage of the second realm around the same time."

“I can see that progress clearly." Su Kang reached for the teapot and poured spiritual tea into her cup. "It's only your body cultivation that hasn't advanced."

“I cannot cultivate everything at once,” she said with a soft laugh. “I am happy as long as I can cultivate Qi and my soul.,” she added after a slight pause, a delicate frown appearing on her face,"Besides, I have no interest in body cultivation. It doesn't suit a woman.”

Su Kang laughed slightly, charmed by her words. He looked at her beautiful, elegant face. "Dear, body cultivation won't change your appearance. If you're worried about becoming muscular then put that fear aside."

He smiled, his eyes twinkling. “There are techniques designed specifically to refine the body without altering its form. You'd remain exactly as you are.”

Bai Yunxi took the tea cup. “Even so, I don't see the need. Body cultivation takes time and I don't have enough for it.”

"But you aren't practicing all day," Su Kang pointed out gently. "You spend a lot of time reading scrolls and books and learning about spiritual herbs. I think that time isn't being used to its full potential.”

He looked at her, his expression turning serious. "Your talent and comprehension are better than mine, Xi'er. When we go to the Central Plains, I don't just want you to meet Li Fang. I want you to go there for yourself. I want you to join the Heavenly Sword Sect with me.”

The words struck her like a bolt of lightning. She froze, the teacup halfway to her lips. The Heavenly Sword Sect? Me? For years, she had looked up to Foundation Building cultivators as unreachable figures.

Sects like the Qingyun Sect and clans like the Su… they were untouchable mountain peaks. I was happy as the mother of Jiang State's number one genius. That was enough for me.

But now, she looked at the young man beside her with a warm smile.

He was a Core Formation cultivator. He was a core member of the Su family. He was her husband.

I have really come a long way, she realized, a wave of warmth bloomed in her heart.

"The Heavenly Sword Sect…" she whispered, the name feeling heavy on her tongue. "Husband, do you truly think I could?"

"I don't just think you can," he said, his voice firm with conviction. "I know you will be able to do it.”