The Inner Sect did not calm down after Lin Ye's victory over Liu Feng.
If anything—
It grew louder.
Whispers spread through courtyards, training halls, and even the quiet meditation chambers. The name Blood Shadow echoed more frequently now, no longer just a rumor from the trial, but a reality confirmed by those who had witnessed the duel.
Lin Ye sat on the low stone wall outside his courtyard, staring lazily at the distant mountain peaks.
"…I just wanted a quiet day," he muttered.
The wind brushed gently past him, carrying faint traces of spiritual energy.
Inside his body—
The demonic bloodline pulsed.
Steady.
Alive.
The system flickered faintly.
[Bloodline Awakening: 87%]
Lin Ye narrowed his eyes slightly.
"…Still rising."
Even without fighting.
Even without killing.
That wasn't good.
Because it meant one thing.
The power inside him was no longer waiting.
It was growing on its own.
A sudden voice interrupted his thoughts.
"You're thinking too much."
Lin Ye glanced to the side.
Gu Chen stood at the entrance of the courtyard.
"…You again," Lin Ye said.
Gu Chen stepped inside calmly.
"You've been attracting trouble."
Lin Ye shrugged.
"Trouble finds me."
Gu Chen didn't argue.
Because that was clearly true.
Instead, he looked at Lin Ye more carefully.
"…Your aura is unstable."
Lin Ye smirked.
"Getting popular has side effects."
Gu Chen's expression remained serious.
"This isn't a joke."
The tone made Lin Ye pause slightly.
For a moment—
Silence.
Then Lin Ye exhaled.
"…Yeah."
Because deep down—
He knew.
The demonic power inside him was getting harder to ignore.
Gu Chen crossed his arms.
"If you don't control it…"
"…someone else will."
Lin Ye raised an eyebrow.
"That sounds familiar."
Gu Chen nodded.
"Su Qingyue said the same thing."
Lin Ye chuckled.
"…She really doesn't trust me."
Before Gu Chen could respond—
Another presence appeared at the courtyard entrance.
Zhao Tian.
"You're both here," he said calmly.
Lin Ye sighed.
"…Group meeting?"
Zhao Tian ignored the sarcasm.
"The Black Fang faction is moving."
Lin Ye straightened slightly.
"…Already?"
Zhao Tian nodded.
"They won't act openly."
"But they'll test you."
Gu Chen added,
"Pressure."
"Isolation."
"Provocation."
Lin Ye rubbed his temples.
"…That sounds annoying."
Zhao Tian's gaze sharpened.
"It's dangerous."
Lin Ye looked at him.
"I noticed."
Zhao Tian stepped closer.
"You embarrassed them."
"You rejected them."
"And now you defeated one of their members."
Lin Ye smirked.
"Sounds like I'm doing everything right."
Zhao Tian didn't smile.
"You're making yourself a target."
Lin Ye stood up from the wall slowly.
"And?"
Zhao Tian studied him carefully.
"You're not strong enough yet."
For a moment—
Silence.
Lin Ye's smile faded slightly.
"…Fair."
He didn't argue.
Because it was true.
He had potential.
But compared to the real powerhouses of the Inner Sect—
He was still catching up.
Gu Chen spoke quietly.
"The ranking matches start soon."
Lin Ye nodded.
"Yeah."
Zhao Tian crossed his arms.
"That's your opportunity."
Lin Ye's eyes gleamed faintly.
"…To get stronger."
Zhao Tian nodded.
"And to prove your position."
Lin Ye chuckled.
"Good."
Because fighting was the fastest way forward.
Suddenly—
A faint ripple of spiritual pressure passed through the air.
All three of them turned instinctively.
It was subtle.
But clear.
Someone was watching.
Zhao Tian's expression hardened.
"…We're not alone."
Lin Ye's eyes narrowed slightly.
"Yeah."
He felt it too.
The presence lingered for only a moment—
Then disappeared.
Gu Chen frowned.
"Testing."
Zhao Tian nodded.
"They're already watching you."
Lin Ye exhaled slowly.
"…Good."
Both Gu Chen and Zhao Tian looked at him.
Lin Ye's smile returned.
"But if they're watching…"
"…then I should give them something worth seeing."
At that moment—
A figure stepped into the courtyard.
A messenger disciple.
He bowed slightly.
"Lin Ye."
Lin Ye raised an eyebrow.
"Yeah?"
"You've been summoned."
Lin Ye blinked.
"…By who?"
The disciple hesitated slightly.
Then answered.
"Senior Sister Su Qingyue."
Silence.
Gu Chen raised an eyebrow.
Zhao Tian's gaze sharpened slightly.
Lin Ye scratched his cheek.
"…Why do I feel like that's not a good thing?"
The messenger didn't respond.
Lin Ye sighed and stepped forward.
"…Guess I'll find out."
As he walked past Gu Chen and Zhao Tian, he waved lazily.
"Try not to miss me."
Gu Chen shook his head slightly.
"You won't be gone long."
Zhao Tian added quietly,
"…If you survive the conversation."
Lin Ye laughed as he left the courtyard.
"…You guys are really encouraging."
A few minutes later—
Lin Ye arrived at a quiet terrace overlooking the mountain cliffs.
The wind was stronger here, carrying a cold, steady breeze.
And standing at the edge—
Was Su Qingyue.
Her white robes moved gently in the wind as she looked out over the distant peaks.
She didn't turn when Lin Ye approached.
"…You came," she said calmly.
Lin Ye stopped a few steps behind her.
"You called."
Silence lingered for a moment.
Then she spoke again.
"Your power is growing too fast."
Lin Ye sighed.
"…Everyone keeps saying that."
Su Qingyue finally turned.
Her cold eyes locked onto his.
"This isn't praise."
Lin Ye met her gaze calmly.
"I figured."
She stepped closer.
The distance between them shrank.
"You're losing control."
Lin Ye smirked slightly.
"Not yet."
Her expression didn't change.
"But you will."
The air between them felt heavier now.
Lin Ye crossed his arms.
"…So what?"
Su Qingyue's voice was calm.
"If that happens…"
Her gaze sharpened.
"I will stop you."
Lin Ye blinked.
"…That sounds serious."
"It is."
For a moment—
Neither of them looked away.
Then Lin Ye smiled faintly.
"…You'd really kill me?"
Su Qingyue didn't hesitate.
"Yes."
Silence.
Then—
Lin Ye laughed softly.
"…Fair enough."
He turned slightly, looking out over the mountains beside her.
"…Then I guess I just have to stay in control."
Su Qingyue watched him carefully.
"…You don't understand."
Lin Ye glanced at her.
"Then explain."
She hesitated.
Just for a moment.
Then said quietly—
"Your bloodline…"
"…isn't normal."
Lin Ye's eyes narrowed slightly.
"…I figured that much."
Su Qingyue looked back toward the horizon.
"It's dangerous."
"Even among demonic cultivators."
Lin Ye's smile faded slightly.
"…Good to know."
The wind passed between them again.
For a moment—
There was no hostility.
No tension.
Just quiet understanding.
Then Su Qingyue stepped back.
"Prepare for the ranking matches."
Lin Ye nodded.
"I will."
She turned away.
"And Lin Ye…"
He paused.
"…Yeah?"
Her voice softened slightly.
"Don't lose yourself."
Lin Ye stood there for a moment after she left.
The wind continued to blow across the terrace.
Inside him—
The demonic bloodline pulsed again.
Stronger.
Closer.
The system flickered.
[Bloodline Awakening: 88%]
Lin Ye closed his eyes briefly.
"…Yeah."
Then he opened them again.
His gaze sharp.
Focused.
"…I won't."
But deep down—
He wasn't entirely sure.