As the kiss deepened, Lingxi's body slowly stopped struggling. Within moments, it became completely still.
Her body surrendered as the aura entered her, and the pain inside her eased. Gradually, she fainted into his arms.
Zeyan took a deep breath, holding her protectively and looking at her face.
Yanlong finally dared to look at them again. His expression was still unnatural—he had never expected his master to do something like this.
"I never thought Master would go to such lengths to save her" , Yanlong whispered in his mind.
Zeyan carried Lingxi straight back to the palace. In her room, she was laid gently on the bed and covered with a white blanket. Her eyes were closed, and she was sleeping peacefully, like an innocent creature.
Zeyan sat beside her, while Yanlong stood quietly nearby.
"Master, we didn't find anyone there," Yanlong said. "How did that person know we were approaching?"
"When the evil spirit was disturbed," Zeyan replied, "he must have sensed its aura when Lingxi reached near the cave."
"He must be someone with very high cultivation," Yanlong added. "That's why he escaped in a blink."
"Not only high cultivation," Zeyan said gravely. "He is someone from our royal lineage."
"What?!" Yanlong exclaimed.
"Yes," Zeyan confirmed. " He was just disappeared moments ago when we reached there, his aura was lingering in the air, I have sensed that. There is no doubt—he belongs to the royal bloodline. One of our own."
Yanlong clenched his fists. "Then what now, Master?"
"First, I must fix her," Zeyan said, looking at Lingxi. "What I did earlier was only a temporary solution. The evil spirit will again awaken its thirst for blood. She will feel pain again. Now that she's sleeping peacefully, I can enter her Soul Realm and destroy the evil spirit damaging her body."
As he spoke, Zeyan gave Yanlong a brief glance—a silent signal to leave.
Yanlong understood immediately. "I… I think I should go now, Master," he said and stepped out of the room.
Standing outside, Yanlong looked conflicted. He had never seen his master care for someone like this—especially a girl.
Inside the room, Zeyan leaned closer to Lingxi. He placed one hand near her head on the pillow, then slowly rested his forehead against hers, aligning them perfectly. He closed his eyes—this was the way to enter her Soul Realm.
The moment he closed his eyes, darkness engulfed him.
He had no idea what her Soul Realm would look like, but reality shocked him. There was nothing—only endless darkness. A vast, narrow, hollow space without even a single glimmer of light.
Within seconds, Zeyan opened his eyes and pulled back sharply, his face turning grave.
"How is this possible?" he muttered. "Her Soul Realm is not awakened yet, It's Sealed!
He didn't give up.
This time, he placed both his palms on her cheeks, holding her face firmly. He leaned in again, touching his forehead to hers, and closed his eyes.
Once more—darkness.
He gathered his power and spread white light across the space, but it vanished instantly, as if it had never existed.
Zeyan returned to reality, opening his eyes and pulling away.
Before he could think further, he noticed Lingxi's expression changing. She was unconscious, till now sleeping quietly—but his attempt to enter her Soul Realm had triggered the pain again.
She slowly opened her eyes and found Zeyan sitting beside her.
"Lingxi," he said softly. "Are you okay?"
"It… hurts," she murmured weakly.
Zeyan closed his eyes in disappointment. He had failed to destroy the evil spirit inside her.
"You'll be okay," he said gently, looking at her with softened eyes.
"I… I want that," she whispered in a broken voice.
"What do you want?" he asked, leaning closer to hear her clearly.
His face was only inches from hers—close enough to feel her painful breaths.
Lingxi looked at him differently now, as if he were her only hope, her only relief. Without waiting, she gathered her remaining strength, lifted her head slightly, and sealed Zeyan's lips with hers.
Zeyan's eyes widened for a moment.
Lingxi pressed harder, deepening the kiss, making it more intimate and desperate.
Zeyan did not resist. He kissed her back, understanding what she needed. She was drawn to the aura of his Blood Flame Veins—the only thing that could ease her pain and protect her body from the evil spirit.
Zeyan pressed her head gently against the pillow, kissing her continuously, giving her the only relief he could.
Outside, Yanlong was unaware of what was happening inside.
"Why hasn't Master come out yet?" he muttered. "He should have finished by now… I should check once."
Yanlong stepped into the room—but froze at the doorway.
His eyes widened. His mouth fell open.
Zeyan and Lingxi were kissing each other desperately.
What has happened to Master? Yanlong thought in shock. I never imagined he would use such a method to enter her Soul Realm…
Blushing, Yanlong covered his eyes with his fingers and immediately left the room.
Inside, Zeyan finally pulled away, his face still close to hers.
She was breathing heavily, her eyes looked innocent—yet vulnerable.
"Please… leave," she whispered weakly.
"Why?" he asked immediately, not moving even an inch away.
"I don't know what's happening to me," she said softly. "I don't know how long I can control myself. Please… leave."
She clutched the white bedsheet tightly and turned her face away.
In an instant, Zeyan turned her face back toward him, forcing her to meet his eyes.
"You really have the courage to tell me to leave?" he said in a low, intense voice, pressing his palm against her cheek.
Lingxi tried to speak, but he interrupted her.
"I'm not finished yet," he said firmly. "If you make me leave now… I won't come back."