Yanlong tried again to use his powers beneath the water, but no matter how hard he tried, he still could not touch Lingxi.
The very next moment, a powerful force tore through the lake.
Yanlong was pushed violently aside as the water churned.
Through the distorted currents, he saw a hand wrap firmly around Lingxi's body.
Yanlong came out gasping—and his eyes widened.
Zeyan emerged from the depths, holding Lingxi tightly in his arms. The water burst upward like rain as they rose into the air above the lake.
Moonlight reflected off the scattered droplets, framing them in a surreal glow.
Zeyan held her possessively, his arms locked around her fragile body, his eyes dark with worry as he looked down at her pale face.
Without a word, he vanished—and reappeared at the palace.
He reached Lingxi's room and gently placed her on the bed. As he leaned forward to pull his hand away, his face was dangerously close to hers.
Suddenly, her fingers tightened around his clothes near his neck.
"Come closer…" she whispered weakly, her voice barely audible.
Zeyan froze.
His gaze softened, but then he noticed Yanlong standing nearby. After a brief pause, he said calmly,
"Leave."
Yanlong's mouth opened slightly in surprise, but he said nothing. He bowed and left the room.
Zeyan sat beside her and placed his hand on her forehead.
It was cold—unnaturally cold.
"What's wrong with her…" he murmured.
He raised his index and middle fingers, forming a seal, and gently pressed their tips against the center of her forehead. A soft yellow light emerged, flowing from his fingers into her body.
His eyes never left her face.
After a while, he touched her cheek with his other hand.
His brows furrowed.
"How is this possible…?" he snapped under his breath.
"There's no change. Her body is still freezing."
Even after transferring his energy, her temperature remained the same.
He increased the flow, closing his eyes in concentration—
When suddenly, a sensation ran through his hand.
Lingxi's fingers closed around his wrist.
She opened her eyes slightly and removed his fingers from her forehead, pressing his palm fully against her cheek.
"It's warm…" she murmured, breathing deeply, as if relieved.
She held his hand tighter.
Zeyan saw her lips move, but her voice didn't reach him. He bent closer, lowering his head to hear her.
Her other hand lifted and touched his cheek.
"Help me…" she pleaded.
Before he could react, her hand slid down desperately to his neck, then to the bare skin of his chest, rubbing slowly, instinctively.
The movement caught him off guard.
Zeyan swallowed.
"You're not in your senses," he said gently, his voice low.
But her hand continued to explore beneath his clothes, brushing his shoulder.
His face hovered just inches from hers—her dry lips painfully close.
"What happened to you?" he asked softly, holding her wrist to stop her.
"You're warm…" she whispered. "It's hurting...please don't go....!"
"What's hurting you..he asked immediately, tell me what is happening with you?"
"I don't feel the pain when you're close…"
Her eyes fluttered shut again.
"Lingxi…" He patted her cheek lightly, trying to wake her.
She opened her eyes with difficulty and weakly tugged at his clothes near his neck, lacking the strength to pull them away.
Zeyan exhaled slowly.
"If this is what relieves your pain," he said quietly,
"Then I won't step back."
Without hesitation, he removed her hands, pulled off his upper garment, revealing his bare torso.
He leaned down and gathered her fully into his arms, lying beside her and enclosing her against him.
The moment Lingxi felt his warmth, she responded instinctively, clutching him tightly. Her head buried into his chest, her arms wrapped around his back, fingers rubbing near his shoulders.
Suddenly, she dug her nails into his back, pressing closer.
Zeyan responded by pulling her even tighter against him.
She shifted and brushed her lips near his neck.
A sharp sensation surged through his body.
Zeyan stiffened.
He had not thought that cold body of Lingxi will react with the warmth of flame veins inside his body.
"Why are my Blood Flame Veins reacting…?" he thought. "How can they respond to someone with no powers?"
Something about her was deeply wrong—yet deeply connected to him.
He looked down at her face.
Her eyes were closed now. Her breathing was steady. The cold had vanished completely.
She was sleeping peacefully in his arms.
This eclipse night was different.
Usually, it was unbearable torture for her—but tonight, wrapped in Zeyan's warmth, she slept calmly, beautifully.
He lifted his hand and brushed his thumb gently against her cheek, gazing at her with an unfamiliar softness.
Without realizing it, she had carved a quiet place inside the heart of the Demon Lord.
"I hope you won't regret this in the morning," he murmured, a rare smile touching his lips as he held her closer.