Yun Wu and Xiang Shuai stood at the edge of the shore, at the very place where Xue Yunxue had last vanished—dragged into the sea by Lin Yuan.
The waves rolled gently, breaking against the sand as if unaware that someone had disappeared into the depths. The ocean breeze carried a cold, salty scent that brushed against their faces, yet it did nothing to calm the unease weighing heavily in their chests.
Yun Wu's face was pale. His gaze remained fixed on the endless sea, as though expecting a figure to emerge from the water at any moment.
"It's been more than six hours," he finally said, his voice low and heavy.
"No land creature could survive that long underwater."
His fingers curled into fists unconsciously.
He turned slightly, looking at Xiang Shuai.
"What if you go after them into the sea?"
Xiang Shuai snorted softly. The tip of his tail, hidden beneath his clothing, shifted restlessly.
"I'm a freshwater serpent," he muttered, irritation and frustration mixing in his tone."Not a sea serpent. The currents in this region would tear my scales apart before I found anything."
It wasn't an excuse—it was a bitter truth.
Silence fell over them once more until—
Swoosh!
The wind suddenly spiraled.
A massive shadow descended from the sky, accompanied by a powerful gust. Yun Wu and Xiang Shuai instinctively stepped back.
A figure landed gracefully upon the sand.
Luo Shixin.
He descended slowly, his large brown-gold wings still spread wide. Even in a half-transformed state, the pressure of his aura was unmistakable. His body remained human, yet the pair of sturdy wings resembling those of a war angel made his presence impossible to ignore.
Sand scattered lightly beneath his feet as he folded his wings.
"I've inspected the entire surrounding area," Luo Shixin said, his voice calm but grave.
"There were indeed energy fluctuations beneath the sea… but they've completely subsided now."
Yun Wu's heartbeat quickened.
"That means…?" he asked, his voice restrained.
"It means they're already far from here," Luo Shixin replied bluntly.
"And most likely have entered the protected territory of the Eastern Sea Kingdom."
He turned toward the ocean, his gaze deepening.
"These waters already fall under the jurisdiction of the Eastern Sea Kingdom," he continued."As warriors of the land, we are not permitted to cross its borders without authorization."
Even his voice lowered slightly. "Not even through the skies."
The sea before them appeared calm, shimmering beneath the light of dusk—yet behind that tranquility lay a kingdom governed by laws, power, and boundaries that could not be violated lightly.
"We'll wait here, at least until Lu Xiao returns," Luo Shixin said.
He then took a portable tent from his storage space and set it up. Yun Wu and Xiang Shuai did the same. For now, waiting was the only thing they could do.
Lin Tianhai hosted Xue Yunxue and Lu Xiao with a banquet that could only be described as lavish. A round table made of crystal glass was filled with an array of sea delicacies: shimmering spirit-fish meat, pearl clams still radiating gentle energy, and a clear soup infused with the scent of the deep ocean, containing faint spiritual fluctuations.
For sea beings, such dishes were undoubtedly rare treasures.
But for Xue Yunxue and Lu Xiao, everything felt… ordinary.
The flavors were clean and fresh, slightly better than food on land—where meals were often nothing more than raw or simply roasted meat, lacking seasoning and proper energy refinement techniques. It wasn't unpleasant, yet neither was it impressive.
Xue Yunxue continued eating calmly and politely. Every movement she made was composed—neither hurried nor excessive.
Lin Tianhai observed her briefly before speaking in a refined tone.
"So, young lady… where do you truly come from?"
The question sounded casual, yet Xue Yunxue immediately sensed the subtle pressure behind it—a delicate test.
She lifted her gaze and answered calmly,
"I come from a very distant place."
The reply was vague, but not a lie.
Inside her consciousness, Moa immediately warned her.
Do not reveal your identity. Do not speak of your origin.
Moa concealed its presence as thoroughly as possible. Lin Tianhai's aura was too deep, too ancient. If this priest truly chose to investigate, even the faintest trace of a foreign entity could be detected.
Before such overwhelming power, caution was the only option.
Lin Tianhai did not press further. He merely smiled faintly before smoothly shifting the topic—yet his next words struck directly at the core.
"Hmm… don't you find it strange," he said slowly,
"that your soul bond with Hu Shui's five beast husbands still remains within your body?"
Xue Yunxue froze.
It was the very question that had haunted her for so long.
"Yes," she answered honestly, making no attempt to hide it.
"Shouldn't the bond have disappeared when Hu Shui died?"
Lu Xiao and Lin Yuan—who had remained silent until now—unconsciously held their breath.
They, too, awaited the answer.
A soul marriage bond was no trivial matter. Once the owner of the body died, all contracts, vows, and bindings should have been severed. Yet reality… proved otherwise.
Lin Tianhai smiled gently.
There was neither mockery nor condescension in that smile—only the calm understanding of an elder who had witnessed countless turns of fate.
"Because," he said softly,
"your destinies… are not yet finished in this world."
The words fell like ripples upon the sea's surface, yet shook the depths of their hearts.
"What do you mean, Uncle?" Lu Xiao asked without restraint.
Hearing the form of address, Xue Yunxue glanced sideways.
From their conversation and demeanor, she finally understood—
Lu Xiao was the son of Lin Tianhai's elder sister.
Which meant…
Lu Xiao and Lin Yuan were cousins.
Lin Tianhai gazed forward, his eyes deep and distant, as though piercing through the crystal walls and observing threads of fate not yet carved into the mortal world.
"That bond," he said slowly, his voice heavy yet steady, "was formed far earlier than you imagine."
Soft crystal light shimmered across his face.
"The five of them were destined to become your husbands," he continued while looking at Xue Yunxue,
"not Hu Shui's."
Silence.
The air in the room seemed to freeze.
"In truth, I am grateful I did not cancel that marriage," he added calmly,
"and instead followed the advice of that 'foreigner.'"
Crack—
The chopsticks in Lin Yuan's hand creaked sharply.
He nearly snapped them in half.
The muscles in his face tightened, his jaw hardening. Those words struck like a slap. Fate? Predetermined from the beginning? Then what of his own will? What of the hatred he had nurtured all this time?
Yet this time, he did not explode.
He merely lowered his head, gripping the chopsticks tightly, suppressing the turmoil within his chest.
Unlike Lin Yuan, Lu Xiao remained silent.
His expression was calm, but deep within his crimson eyes flickered understanding—as if scattered fragments of mystery were finally beginning to assemble.
Lin Tianhai turned his gaze toward him.
This nephew of his had long lived in isolation—estranged from clan, family, and ambition. Yet today, without hesitation, he had crossed into the Eastern Sea territory, a place even aerial warriors were forbidden to enter.
All for a single girl.
Had this young vampire already realized something?
A quiet ripple stirred within Lin Tianhai's thoughts.
"Lu Xiao," he called.
Lu Xiao lifted his head.
"I hear your sister is preparing to become a true vampire. Your father himself is assisting her."
The atmosphere instantly grew heavy.
"And you," Lin Tianhai continued, "have obstructed them repeatedly. Now… they are targeting you."
Lu Xiao showed not the slightest surprise.
"I know," he replied calmly.
There was no fear in his voice.
"They may try to capture me," he said flatly,
"if they are given the chance."
Cold confidence radiated from his words—not arrogance, but absolute trust in his own strength.
Lin Tianhai nodded slowly.
He raised his hand, and a faint glow shimmered from his storage space. An ancient book appeared in his palm.
Its cover was dark and simple, yet the engraved characters upon it glowed faintly—symbols from a primordial era, a language long vanished from the world.
He handed the book to Lu Xiao.
"Consider this a small gift from me," he said.
"Perhaps one day, it will help you."
Lu Xiao's eyes widened briefly upon seeing the script.
He recognized it.
Ancient vampire runes—the original inheritance from before their clan fractured and strayed from its earliest teachings.
He quickly composed himself and accepted the book with elegance.
"Thank you, Uncle," he said sincerely.
"I truly appreciate it."
Lin Tianhai then extended his hand once more.
This time, two items appeared.
A small translucent pink pearl—clear as morning dew, radiating a gentle glow.
And a dense, dark-blue energy stone, heavy and pulsing with pure power fluctuations.
He handed the pearl to Xue Yunxue.
Her eyes brightened as she received it. The pearl was so beautiful that, for a moment, she thought—even without spiritual power—it would be priceless on land.
But Lin Tianhai spoke softly,
"That pearl will allow you to breathe underwater."
Xue Yunxue froze.
So… it was not merely an ornament.
Lin Tianhai then turned toward his son.
"This stone will assist your cultivation."
Lin Yuan accepted it silently. Warm energy flowed from his palm, seeping into his meridians and shaking the core of his power.
His expression remained stiff, yet in his heart—he knew.
His father had never truly ignored him. He was far too precious to be overlooked.
After the brief banquet ended, Xue Yunxue and Lu Xiao rose to their feet.
There was no longer any reason to remain beneath the sea. The land awaited them—and with it, troubles far more complicated.
Xue Yunxue offered a polite salute.
"Thank you for your hospitality, Sir."
Lu Xiao also gave a slight bow.
"We shall take our leave."
Lin Tianhai looked at the two of them before speaking in a calm yet firm tone,
"If you return to the surface… Lin Yuan will accompany you."
Silence fell for a moment.
"What?" Lin Yuan immediately frowned. "I don't want to go back with them."
He crossed his arms, his mermaid tail swaying faintly behind him—his refusal obvious.
"I still want to train here. My cultivation hasn't stabilized yet."
His tone was stubborn, like a young man unwilling to leave his comfort zone.
"No," Lin Tianhai replied without hesitation.
"You must go."
His deep blue gaze fixed on his son.
"You must help Xue Yunxue grow stronger."
The crystal chamber fell silent once more.
Lin Yuan stared at his father in disbelief.
"Why me?"
He glanced toward Lu Xiao with clear displeasure.
"I think that crazy vampire is already strong enough to train with her."
His words were sharp, almost deliberately provocative.
Lu Xiao did not react. He merely raised a brow slightly, his gaze cold yet too lazy to respond.
Meanwhile—
Xue Yunxue felt a faint throbbing in her temples.
Another man with a tongue as sharp as a blade.
Xiang Shuai alone had already given her enough headaches. Now there was Lin Yuan—stubborn and sharp-mouthed.
Truly a deadly combination.
Yet amid her quiet complaint, her thoughts suddenly drifted.
Her other three beast husbands…
Yun Wu.
Xiang Shuai.
Luo Shixin.
Were they searching for her right now?
Were they worried?
She fell silent for a moment.
Though their relationship was complicated and filled with friction, one thing she could not deny—when Lin Yuan dragged her away, the four men had fought without hesitation.
None retreated.
None weighed the cost.
They fought… for her.
Warmth suddenly spread through Xue Yunxue's heart.
The feeling was soft yet real, like a small light igniting within her chest.
So… she was not alone in this world after all.
Lin Tianhai, noticing the subtle change in her expression, only smiled faintly.
"Lin Yuan," he spoke again, his voice deeper now,
"the world above is no longer as peaceful as you imagine."
"What do you mean, Father?" Lin Yuan asked, frowning.
"If the storm truly arrives, training in a safe place will not be enough."
Lin Tianhai's gaze shifted toward Xue Yunxue.
"And this girl… is the center of that storm."
The air grew heavier.
"If you still wish to become the Guardian of the Eastern Sea one day," he continued to his son,
"then you must learn to face destiny, not hide from it."
The words struck their mark perfectly.
Lin Yuan fell silent.
His jaw tightened—not from anger this time, but inner conflict.
At last, he let out a quiet snort.
"…Fine."
The answer was short, reluctant, yet no longer resistant.
He glanced briefly at Xue Yunxue.
"Don't misunderstand. I'm not doing this for you."
Xue Yunxue shrugged lightly.
"Relax," she replied casually. "I didn't ask you to."
Lu Xiao suppressed a faint smile.
Amid the tension, the atmosphere somehow became slightly lighter.
Lin Tianhai did not personally escort them.
He simply stood at the entrance of the crystal palace, ordering several sea guards to prepare an underwater carriage—a magnificent vehicle pulled by two gigantic silver-scaled seahorses, their long elegant bodies resembling ocean dragons.
The carriage was formed from transparent crystal shells, layered with protective formations that split the ocean currents apart as it moved.
Soon, the three of them were seated inside.
Silence filled the carriage.
Xue Yunxue sat in one corner, her body leaning slightly against the crystal wall. Her face was pale from exhaustion—emotion, battle, and the sudden weight of destiny had all descended upon her within a single day.
Unknowingly, her eyelids slowly closed.
Her breathing grew steady.
She fell asleep.
Her long black hair draped across her cheek, making her appear far more fragile than when she had stood firmly before Lin Tianhai earlier.
Lin Yuan glanced at her.
For a moment, the hatred in his eyes softened.
But then—
His father's voice echoed again in his mind.
'Do not even think of hurting her… or you will deeply regret it.'
Lin Yuan frowned.
Regret?
Since when had he feared threats like that?
Suddenly, he remembered something.
He turned toward Lu Xiao, who sat across from him, leaning back with his eyes closed as though resting.
"Lu Xiao," Lin Yuan called quietly but sharply.
The vampire opened one eye—dark red and calm.
"What?"
"Earlier you said that if I hurt her, I would regret it," Lin Yuan said in a low voice. "What did you mean?"
Lu Xiao fell silent for a moment.
His gaze shifted toward the sleeping Xue Yunxue.
Then he smiled faintly.
A smile difficult to read.
"You don't need to know," he said lightly. "But what I said wasn't wrong."
Lin Yuan's expression hardened instantly.
"Explain."
His tone pressed heavily.
"You know I won't be at peace unless I understand."
Lu Xiao studied him for several seconds, as if deciding how much should be revealed.
Finally, he exhaled softly.
"Fine."
The underwater carriage sped forward, streaks of ocean light flashing beyond the crystal walls.
"Your father already mentioned the Star Princess, didn't he?" Lu Xiao said slowly. "The one destined to lead the world against the power of darkness."
Lin Yuan did not interrupt.
"And that the Star Princess was Hu Shui."
Lin Yuan's jaw tightened at the name.
"But Hu Shui is already dead," Lu Xiao continued. "Her soul vanished long ago."
He paused briefly.
"Now, Xue Yunxue has fused with the Star Princess's body."
His crimson gaze returned to the sleeping girl.
"That means… she is the only one capable of fully controlling the Star Princess's body. I believe she is Hu Shui's successor—the one meant to continue the Star Princess's duty."
The carriage trembled lightly as it passed through a current vortex.
The atmosphere suddenly grew heavier.
"If that body truly is a vessel chosen by destiny," Lu Xiao continued calmly, certainty hidden in his voice, "then as long as she lives… this world still has a chance."
"A chance to defeat the power of darkness."
Lin Yuan fell silent.
His thoughts raced.
So that was why…
His father protected her.
His father forced him to go.
Even Lu Xiao—who usually cared about no one—had descended into the depths of the sea to save her.
He looked at Xue Yunxue again.
The girl slept peacefully, unaware of the immense burden she carried.
So fragile. So ordinary.
Yet within her body… rested a destiny capable of determining the life or death of the entire world.
"And if she dies?" Lin Yuan asked quietly.
Lu Xiao smiled faintly, this time without warmth.
"If she dies," he said flatly, "you won't be the only one who regrets it."
He opened both eyes fully.
"I will make sure anyone who touches her pays a price they cannot afford. I am speaking about Xue Yunxue—not Hu Shui."
A different coldness lingered in his voice.
Not a threat.
A promise.
The carriage continued rising toward the surface.
Lu Xiao closed his eyes again.
His expression returned to calm—cold and untouchable.
As though the conversation had been nothing more than passing wind.
Yet behind those closed eyelids, his thoughts never truly rested.
Of course… he would not reveal everything so easily.
There were many things he knew. About the Star Princess. About Hu Shui's body. About soul bonds older than five thousand years.
And about himself.
If he revealed the whole truth—if he spoke everything he truly understood—the path of destiny would accelerate. And once that happened, Xue Yunxue would no longer belong to him alone…
Even with his eyes closed, Lu Xiao's expression darkened slightly.
The selfish side of him—long suppressed beneath layers of cold rationality—began to whisper.
Why should he share?
Why should he accept that the girl was destined to have five husbands?
He had lived long in solitude. Isolated. Betrayed by his own clan. Rejected by blood and lineage.
And now…
For the first time, there was someone who made him willing to oppose his own father. Willing to descend into the ocean's depths without hesitation. Willing to reveal secrets he had guarded for years.
Xue Yunxue—he did not want to share her.
He wanted her to stand only at his side.
To look only at him. To trust only him.
But reality was far crueler.
Four other men were already bound to her.
Four soul bonds. Four destinies.
And Lin Yuan… now sat directly before him.
Lu Xiao opened his eyes slightly.
His crimson gaze drifted toward Lin Yuan, then lowered to the sleeping figure of Xue Yunxue.
Her black hair fell softly, her breathing light. Defenseless. Unaware.
The corner of Lu Xiao's lips curved faintly.
Very well.
If destiny truly forced him to share…
Then he would become the strongest among them.
The one who understood her secrets the most.