The red mist ball was about to hit Lingxi. It was only inches away from her when, at the last moment, someone appeared in front of her.
With a single wave of his right hand, he erased the attack as if it were nothing more than an insect.
"My lord!" the man shouted in shock and immediately bowed. "You are awake!"
Zeyan stood there, completely fine. His posture was steady, his aura powerful, and all his strength and cultivation had returned.
"With whose permission were you going to take such a step?" Zeyan asked firmly, his voice cold.
"My lord…" the man stammered. "She tried to kill you—"
"Who said that?" Zeyan snapped sharply. "Taking action without knowing the whole truth doesn't suit you."
"Forgive me, my lord."
"Leave," Zeyan commanded.
As the man hurried away, Zeyan turned toward Lingxi.
Her condition was pitiful. Chains hung loosely from her wrists, her clothes were stained, and exhaustion was written clearly on her face.
Without saying a word, Zeyan waved his hand, freeing her from the restraints. Her body swayed slightly as she struggled to stand.
"I didn't think I would have to pay this way for saving you," Lingxi said in a weak voice.
Zeyan didn't reply.
Instead, he stepped forward, lifted her into his arms effortlessly, and in the blink of an eye, they disappeared from the dungeon.
---
They reappeared in Lingxi's room.
Zeyan placed her down gently and made her stand in front of him.
"I know what's going on in your mind," Lingxi said softly. "You're thinking I'm a liar. I told you I don't have any powers, so how did I use that spell—"
"Shhh…"
He stopped her by placing his finger against her lips.
That single touch didn't just silence her words—it stole her breath.
"Did I ask you anything?" he said with a faint smile.
His eyes fell on her injuries.
Cuts were visible on her hands, a wound near her forehead, and marks along her wrists where the chains had held her.
For the first time, the sharp gaze of the Demon Emperor softened.
He stepped closer.
Gently, he raised his hand and brushed his fingers over the cut on her forehead.
A faint glow spread beneath his touch.
The wound disappeared—as if it had never existed.
Lingxi felt warmth, relief, and something unfamiliar spreading through her chest.
He then took her wrist, turning her hand gently. His fingers slid upward from her wrist, slow and careful. Wherever his touch passed, her wounds healed instantly, leaving no trace behind.
She inhaled sharply, trying to steady herself.
His hand reached her shoulder, then slid behind her back, turning her around. Her back pressed against his chest, leaving no space between them.
He wrapped his arm around her shoulders, one hand wrapping her waist, the other sliding downward to heal the remaining injuries.
Her head rested against his chest.
Her eyes closed on their own.
Her heartbeat slowed—but not because of relief alone.
His healing touch was gentle… intimate… unbearably warm.
She didn't utter a single word.
"Do you have any other wounds?" he whispered near her ear.
She shook her head slightly.
"Are you sure?" he asked again, raising his eyebrow when he noticed her hesitation.
"If you hesitate," he said quietly, "then I'll check myself."
Before she could react, he turned her toward him and pulled her into a full embrace.
His chin rested against her shoulder.
One hand wrapped around her waist while the other moved along her back, carefully checking for injuries.
A soft light emitted from his palm as it touched her skin.
Slowly, deliberately, his hand traced downward, healing each hidden wound.
Lingxi clenched her fingers into fists, trying to control herself.
When his hand reached her waist, she finally couldn't take it anymore.
She grabbed his wrist and stepped back, separating herself from his arms.
"I'm fine," she said quickly. "You checked already. There are no more injuries. Don't trouble yourself."
He looked at her for a moment, then smirked.
"Rest," he said simply and turned to leave.
"Thank you," she said.
"For what?" he asked, turning back.
"For saving me… and for healing me. I thought you would suspect me for..."
"For using the freezing charm?" he completed her sentence calmly. "I'm not foolish. I know that freezing spell is given to people without cultivation so they can escape danger. It's usually hidden in ornaments. That thing you used proves you don't possess spiritual power."
So… he knows, she whispered in her mind.
"Now rest," he said again and left.
Lingxi rubbed her arms slowly.
"What just happened to me?" she murmured.
"That strange feeling…"
She shook her head.
"I saved him, He healed me. That's all," she told herself.
"Even if something is going in his mind , whatever he plans, I'll face it. For now… I must focus on my mission."
---
Zeyan entered his chamber, where Yanlong was already waiting.
"Why did you save her, Master?" Yanlong asked anxiously.
"She has nothing to do with what happened," Zeyan replied. "Night Valley has become the center of a far greater conspiracy."
"What?" Yanlong exclaimed.
"Someone is trying to awaken the evil spirits by nourishing them with blood. That snake was merely a transport vessel, which was nourishing the blood into the evil spirits. It was casted with a death spell. When it was killed, it released an aura meant to instantly kill the one whose powers destroyed it. But because of my Blood Flame Veins, it couldn't kill me," Zeyan continued. "Instead, it began absorbing my power. That is why I couldn't use my abilities."
"And she?" Yanlong asked.
"She saved me."
"Death spells are among the most dangerous forbidden weapons," Yanlong said seriously. "It's fortunate you survived."
Zeyan smiled faintly.
"I cannot be killed so easily."
"But Master, the one behind this is extremely dangerous."
Yanlong's worry was evident.
"As my imperial beast, those expressions don't suit you," Zeyan said calmly. "Among all realms, nothing is more dangerous than your master."
Yanlong hesitated, then spoke again.
"Master… you care for the kingdom and your brother, but you ignore one thing."
"What am I ignoring?" Zeyan asked sharply.
"Yourself," Yanlong snapped. "All these years you've tried to cure Luohan, but you've never tried to cure your own curse—the one that's slowly consuming you."