Zeyan and Yanlong were standing inside a room filled with a dark and heavy aura. The light was dim. Zeyan stood near a man lying on a long black stone. The man's eyes were closed, his pale face barely visible—clearly unconscious.
Above the man, a rose floated in the air. The red rose was unusually large, its petals exaggerated in size, nothing like normal roses. But the rose was incomplete—the petals were not fully formed, not closed, and the most shocking part was that the petals glowed like embers, flickering with lightning rather than warmth.
Zeyan gazed at that strange flower.
"A new petal has formed… and we are still standing here doing nothing, just watching him loosing his life."
"Master," Yanlong interrupted softly, "all these years, every single day, we have tried to find the person with Spirit Wave Veins. But we have not found even a single clue. This is the rarest vein among all realms. Why don't we try to find another way?"
"There is no other way," Zeyan snapped. "I know Spirit Wave Veins are the rarest. Only a few people across all realms are born with them, and finding such a person is almost impossible. But we must! We have to find that person to save my brother, Luohan. I can't see him like this, it's been a while, I have heard his voice, from decades, I am waiting to see his smile"
"I know Master , you both were so close, I can understand how much you miss him even I also want master Luohan to wake up but....
There's no place for ifs and buts, At any cost… I will find that person."
Suddenly, his expression changed. Zeyan stepped closer to the door. The next moment, he opened it—only to find Lingxi standing at a distance from the room. Fortunately, she was not close enough to touch the protective barrier surrounding the place. If she had, she would have been thrown back instantly.
But the fact that Lingxi was standing near the room was more than enough to provoke Zeyan.
His gaze turned sharp, intense.
"Do you know where you are standing?" Zeyan asked, taking one step closer.
"I am standing in front of you, my lord," she replied softly. "I saw you walk here and then disappear. I only followed… I didn't know you were inside this room."
"You are spying on me? Have you already started your work?" he growled.
"No… No, my lord!" Lingxi panicked. "You are doubting me again. I only came to see you. By the way… what is this room?"
"The only thing you should know," Zeyan said coldly, "is that this is a restricted area. No one is allowed to come here."
"Pardon me, my lord… I will not come here again."
"And who permitted you to roam freely inside my palace?" Zeyan's eyes narrowed.
"I thought you accepted me. Whatever was happening in my room last night… you came and—"
She paused, lowering her gaze shyly.
Zeyan's hands stayed behind his back, but his eyes were fixed on her. He stepped closer, leaning down slightly.
"Don't you think you are crossing the line?" he asked in a deep voice, looking straight into her eyes.
"Why would you draw any line between us, my lord?" Lingxi snapped softly.
He stepped back and said, "Fine. You may go anywhere you want in this palace—but not here. This area is strictly prohibited. No one is allowed to roam here."
"Ok," she replied desperately. "As you say, my lord." She forced a smile.
Lingxi had no idea what was inside the room. She couldn't see anything due to the darkness—and Zeyan's figure blocking the entrance.
Without wasting another moment, she left.
Now only Zeyan and Yanlong were standing inside again.
"Master… why did you allow her that?" Yanlong asked.
"To know her motive, we must give her space," Zeyan replied. "Making things too difficult will only expose my suspicion. Let her think everything is easy."
---
Next Morning
Lingxi woke up early. When she got off the bed, she noticed clothes placed nearby along with some jewelry. She walked closer and examined them. She picked up a light-pink outfit—it was indeed beautiful.
A lady entered the room.
"Is this for me?" Lingxi asked.
"Yes. You must get ready. His Highness wants to see you."
"What? Early in the morning?" Lingxi exclaimed.
"Yes. He ordered me to bring you to him. Please get ready. I'll wait outside."
Saying this, the lady left.
A few moments later, Lingxi was walking toward Zeyan's room with the lady beside her. Her face was anxious.
"What could be going on in his mind?" she whispered. "Did he find something against me? But I haven't done anything yet… What could it be?"
Lingxi entered the room.
Zeyan was standing there in a black outfit, dressed neatly. The lady left, and now only Lingxi remained in the room. Her anxiety was clearly visible on her face.
"What happened?" he asked. "Why do you look so nervous?"
"No… nothing like that," she replied quickly. "It's just… you suddenly called me this early, so I—"
"Fine then. Come with me," he said.
"Where?" Lingxi asked. "Don't you trust me?"
Zeyan's eyes turned playful.
"I'm just curious," she added.
"Just come with me. You'll know."
He extended his hand toward her.
She hesitated, then placed her hand in his. The moment she did, he pulled her close, and in a flash—Lingxi found herself rising into the sky, surrounded by clouds.
Zeyan held her close to him tightly by the waist . Realizing she was in the air, Lingxi panicked and wrapped her arms around him tightly.
"What happened to you?" Zeyan asked. He hadn't expected her to be so frightened.
"I've never flown like this…" she whispered, looking down, unable to see anything clearly.
He smiled faintly but didn't say anything further.
Lingxi wasn't comfortable in the air—she was terrified. But what scared her even more… was where Zeyan was taking her.