The afternoon sun cast long, soft shadows across Yue Mei’s tranquil courtyard. Beneath the blooming plum tree, Su Kang sat at the stone table, the remnants of their conversation lingering in the still air. He had spoken of the newly discovered secret realm and the choices that weighed upon him.

Yue Mei listened in silence, her expression calm and unreadable. When he finished, she inclined her head slightly.

"I will speak with Aunt Zhu when she returns," she said, her voice soft yet steady, carrying the weight of quiet assurance. "She has an interest in ancient formations and unexplored territories. I believe I can persuade her to assist you."

Relief touched Su Kang’s face. He rose and bowed respectfully. "Thank you, Miss Yue. Your help is greatly appreciated."

She returned the gesture with effortless grace, her lips curving faintly. "It is alright, Young Master Su."

He straightened, offering her a small smile. "Good. Then, I will take my leave."

He walked the pebbled paths of the manor. His mind replayed her earlier words about Jiang State's history.

This will only swell the pride of Heng State’s people, he thought grimly. With such pride, more skirmishes are inevitable between the cultivation families of our two states. Even those with the weakest backgrounds from Heng will no longer bow their heads before us.

The thought left a bitter taste in his mouth.

But he could do nothing about a war that occurred two thousand years ago. It was history. It was already a reality. His focus had to be on the future. With Zhu Zhihao's help, this new realm could be the first step. It was a chance to do something that would create a butterfly effect across the entire Jiang State. He was not sure if the effect would be negative or positive.

Back in her courtyard, Yue Mei watched. She stood until Su Kang’s figure disappeared from view. She then entered her room. The door slid shut with a soft click. The chamber was simple, furnished with only a bed, a table, and a few cushions. She stood in the center of the room for a short moment, then slowly raised her right arm.

She pushed back the silken sleeve of her robe. On the pale, smooth skin of her inner wrist, a small, crimson circle was visible. It was no bigger than a copper coin. The mark was faint, like a fading birthmark.

She traced its edge with her fingertip. "Is this a sign of the next bloodline awakening?" she murmured. Her voice was a near-inaudible whisper.

The circle had not been there a few months ago. It had appeared slowly, a faint pinkish smudge that had gradually deepened to its current crimson hue. I wish Aunt would have the answer, she thought, taking a deep breath.

She let the sleeve fall back into place. She retrieved a polished array plate from her storage ring and placed it on the floor. With a gentle push of her spiritual Qi, a translucent barrier enveloped the room. It sealed her off from the outside world, masking any fluctuations of energy. She sat on the bed. She started cultivating.

As she began to cultivate, a soft glow emanated from her body. It was not a single color. A vibrant, blood-red aura pulsed from one side of her, while a brilliant, sacred golden light shone from the other. The two energies did not mix. They covered the room in two distinct halves. One side was bathed in a fierce crimson. The other was in holy gold. The air in the chamber grew heavy, charged with two opposing, yet balanced, powers.

As she delved deeper, the crimson mark on her wrist began to glow. It turned a bright red, pulsing with the blood-red energy around her.

Time slipped away unnoticed.

When Yue Mei finally stirred, dusk was already falling. Her eyes fluttered open, the crimson irises tinged faintly with a golden hue before the shimmer slowly faded. She packed away the array plate and dispelled the barrier.

She slid open a window and looked outside. The last rays of the sun lingered on the horizon. She drew in a long breath, but it did little to ease the heaviness in her chest.

Her eyes clouded with unease. What am I doing here…? The thought pressed sharply against her heart. Will it even work?

---

Spirit-stone lanterns glowed to life along the walkways. Their gentle light spilled into the growing twilight.

Inside her courtyard, Bai Yunxi stood before a mirror. Her hands smoothed the fine silk of a new lavender robe. She was trying to ease the nervous flutter in her heart. Tonight was important. Su Hua had invited her to a private dinner. It was a small gathering of women. Her formal introduction to the clan.

Su Kang stepped up behind her. He was dressed in a deep navy robe.

“You are finally ready” he said. His calm smile met her reflection.

“Hmm, almost,” she murmured. Her fingers fussed with a stray lock of hair.

He reached for the sandalwood comb on the vanity. “Let me.”

He began to run the comb through her long, silky black hair. The motion was slow. It was steady. She watched him through the mirror, her gaze meeting him.

“Are you nervous?” he asked softly.

“Just a little,” she admitted. Her voice was low. “I’ve been to gatherings like this before, but those were among smaller families. This time feels different.” She took a shallow breath. “I’m afraid of making a mistake and leaving a poor impression.” Original content can be found at N0velFire.ɴet

“You won’t make any mistakes,” he said, his voice a reassuring anchor. “And even if you do, it’s just a small gathering of the ladies of our family. It's a small thing.”

She shook her head faintly. A shadow crossed her eyes. “You don’t understand. I have lived a life where I have seen these things. If I stumble here, then all those years of experience will mean nothing. I would be a fool in my own eyes.”

He paused. Understanding dawned on his face. This was about her pride. She was older than most of the women she would meet tonight. Her cultivation might not match theirs. Her background might not match theirs. But in etiquette and grace, she could not lose. It was the one area where she felt she held an advantage.

He set the comb down and picked up the lotus-shaped jade hairpin his mother had given her. With patient care, he gathered her flowing black hair, weaving it into a high cloud bun — the kind worn by noblewomen at formal banquets. A few silken strands were left to fall gracefully along her cheeks, softening her expression while maintaining dignity. With deliberate precision, he secured the bun with the jade hairpin, the white lotus glimmering faintly against her dark hair.

His fingers brushed lightly against the jade-green earrings at her ears. “Yunxi, just be yourself. You will win them without even trying.”

He leaned close and pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead. “Sister-in-law Lin Shuyin is kind,” he whispered. “With your experience, I believe you’ll get along well with her.”

She took a deep breath. She nodded at her reflection. A flicker of her old resolve returned to her eyes. "Alright. I will do it well."

He offered his arm. She accepted. Together, they walked the lantern-lit paths of the manor. The spiritual Qi in the air grew denser as they drew closer to the clan's core residential area.

At last, they arrived before an elegant residence. Its garden was filled with blooming ice lotuses that shimmered in the twilight. This was Su Hua’s courtyard.

Su Kang stopped at the gate. He gave her hand a final, reassuring squeeze. “I’ll leave you here.”

She nodded, her lips pressed into a determined line. He smiled once more before turning away. His figure soon faded into the soft glow of the lanterns. Bai Yunxi lingered for a moment. She drew in a deep, steadying breath. Just as she was about to announce herself, the courtyard gate slid open.

Su Hua stood there. She wore a flowing robe of cyan and white. A warm, genuine smile graced her lips.

“Sister Hua, were you waiting for me?” Bai Yunxi asked. A touch of uncertainty was in her voice. “I hope I’m not late.”

“No, not at all,” Su Hua replied gently. She stepped forward. “But how could I let you enter alone on your first introduction?” She stepped aside, her hand gesturing inward with a welcoming grace.

“Miss Bai, welcome to the Su family.”

For a heartbeat, Bai Yunxi froze. The simple, formal words stunned her. Then a genuine smile bloomed on her face, softening the last of her tension. Her eyes shone with gratitude. “Thank you, Sister Hua.”

Together, they walked into the glow of the courtyard. The warm murmur of voices and a sense of welcome awaited.