Golden Blood

Li Tianyan crawled onto the bed and tried to contain his injuries, his face was ghastly pale and his hands were trembling, although the spark carried tremendous force, he didn't feel even the slightest discomfort from heat at all, it was as though the flames were a part of his body he could yet control.

Drip... Drip

As he sat down by the side of the bed, blood tickled down from the side of his slowly lips. If it were in a normal scenario, Li Tianyan would have already cleaned up the mess and continued with his cultivation, however what he saw before him left him dumbfounded for a while.

The small blood pool at his feet glistened with a golden hue, although it was still clearly red, if you looked close enough you would be able to discern a faint golden texture to it too.

"What is... What is happening t-to me?" Li Tianyan's eyes spaced out for a while, he tried to think back to what could have caused this sort of transformation, "Hmm was it something I ate?"

Li Tianyan wiped the blood from the corner of his lips, his breathing shallow as he leaned back against the bed. The faint golden shimmer in the pool of blood at his feet caught his attention again, his eyes narrowing in disbelief.

"What in the... golden blood?" He muttered under his breath, leaning forward to inspect it closer. His thoughts raced as he struggled to piece it together. He had seen strange things in cultivation before, but this? This was something else entirely.

A sudden thought hit him like a bolt of lightning. His dantian.

His trembling hands pressed against his abdomen, his senses diving inward. The moment his consciousness entered his dantian, a pulse of warmth spread through his body, gentle yet undeniably powerful. There it was the Xuanhu Egg.

The mysterious egg had appeared in his dantian a few days ago during the freak encounter he had with Zhao Ming, He'd thought little of it since.

"So it's you," he whispered, his voice barely audible. A flicker of irritation crossed his face. "You've been quiet all this time, and now you decide to do... whatever this is?"

The egg pulsed again, a faint glow emanating from its surface. Slowly, a bloody mist was drawn into his dantian from his body, it was quickly absorbed by the Xuanhu egg, shortly after that, a tiny golden string left the egg and circulated in his meridians before entering the blood stream and traveling to the heart.

Li Tianyan frowned, but his lips quirked into a sardonic smile. "You're a greedy little thing, aren't you?" He leaned back, exhaling slowly. "No wonder my blood's golden. You're turning me into some kind of incubator?"

Still, he couldn't deny the strange sense of connection he felt to the egg. It wasn't hostile, not really. If anything, it felt... symbiotic. Whatever it was doing, it was changing him, refining him in ways he couldn't yet understand.

As the glow from the egg subsided, Li Tianyan shook his head, wiping away the blood at his feet. "Fine," he muttered, a faint smirk playing on his lips. "You want to take from me? Then you'd better make it worth my while."

With that, he settled into a meditative posture, focusing on stabilizing his condition. Whatever the egg's purpose, he'd find out in time. For now, he could only move forward and maybe, just maybe, let this strange companion guide him toward something greater.

Li Tianyan inhaled and exhaled slowly, trying to calm the tormoil in his mind, however that was a feat he was incapable of accomplishing at the moment.

He rose to his feat with a fluid jumping motion, he took out a random green robe from his spatial ring and wore it, "I might as well take a walk to calm my mind." With that he pushed open the door of his house and stepped into the courtyard.

The sky was extremely beautiful tonight, stars dotted the sky in a random manner but they still seemed like to be meticulously planted by a divine power, the moon hung in the sky brilliantly, emitting a stunning hue of silver light that beautified the night even further.

Gasp.

Li Tianyan greedily sucked in the cool and refreshing air.

Li Tianyan stepped out of his courtyard, past the Li Clans gate and into the quiet paths of Qinglong City, the cool night air brushing against his skin. The streets were alive but not bustling, soft laughter and murmurs of conversation drifted through the air as couples strolled beneath the moonlit sky. The faint scent of night-blooming flowers mingled with the crisp air, creating an almost intoxicating atmosphere.

He wandered aimlessly with his hands tucked behind his back and his mind a storm of thoughts. The golden blood, the Xuanhu egg, the spark of chaotic flames, all of it stirred something unfamiliar within him. Yet, as he walked, his gaze occasionally caught on the couples around him. Some leaned close to one another, whispering softly; others simply walked in silence, their connection evident in their unspoken understanding.

A smile tugged at the corner of his lips. "Romance in the air, huh?" he murmured, shaking his head slightly. The sight stirred a thought, fleeting, but persistent. His fiancée, Huo Lianhua, came to mind. Her calm, distant demeanor had left him intrigued, and he couldn't help but wonder what she might be doing on such a serene night.

"Maybe she's not as cold as she seems," he mused, his smile growing wider. "Or maybe I just enjoy the challenge."

With that thought solidifying in his mind, he turned his steps toward the City Lord's Estate. The towering gates loomed ahead, illuminated by lanterns that cast a warm, flickering glow. The guards stationed at the entrance recognized him immediately, stepping aside without a word.

Li Tianyan strode in, his confidence unshaken. The City Lord's Estate was a grand affair, with sprawling courtyards, tranquil gardens, and buildings that seemed to blend seamlessly into the natural beauty of their surroundings. The faint sound of running water from a nearby fountain added to the estate's tranquil charm.

He paused for a moment, glancing around. It was late, and most of the estate's inhabitants had likely retired for the night. But the thing was... he didn't know where her courtyard was, all he could do now was go to the only place he was familiar with in this Estate, a mischievous smile appeared on his face as he changed directions and walked east.

Not long after, he appeared before a grand mansion, it looked incomparably luxurious and secure as tens of powerful cultivators patrolled the premises, he couldn't sense their cultivation and just based on this fact he knew that they were far stronger than him.

He strode forward with large strides and approched the gate casually.

"Who." A shout came from the two guards stationed at the gate.

"It's only me." As Li Tianyan drew closer, the various lanterns illuminated his silhouette and his handsome features came into full view.

"Oh.. so it's Young Master Li, forgive this servants impudence, you may go in, the City Lord has yet to fall asleep." The guard on the left spoke as he stepped aside and opened the gates.

Li Tianyan waved his hand in a dismissive motion, "Let's not bother father-in-law, I came to find Lianhua instead."

"Young Master Li, you should know that Lady Lianhua has already moved out of the Lords courtyard years ago." The guard on the right was the one who spoke this time, he had a weird look in his eyes as he looked at Li Tianyan.

"No, i know I wanted to get one of you to show me."

Li Tianyan's words made the guards exchange a glance, their expressions shifting between confusion and mild amusement. The one on the right hesitated for a moment before nodding reluctantly. "Very well, Young Master Li. I'll guide you to Lady Lianhua's courtyard."

"Ah, thanks. I knew I could count on you," Li Tianyan said with a grin, his tone lighthearted.

The guard led him through the sprawling estate, taking winding paths through serene gardens and past intricately carved archways. The sound of the bubbling fountains and the rustling of leaves in the gentle breeze filled the silence between them.

As they approached the courtyard, the atmosphere subtly shifted. The air seemed to carry a faint floral fragrance, and the surroundings exuded a quiet elegance. Lanterns with soft, warm light lined the path, casting a golden hue over the cobblestone walkway.

"This is Lady Lianhua's residence," the guard said, stopping at the entrance to a secluded courtyard. He hesitated briefly, his voice lowering. "Lady Lianhua values her privacy, so please... tread carefully."

Li Tianyan raised an eyebrow at the guard's warning but didn't comment. Instead, he stepped forward, pushing open the intricately carved wooden gate.

The courtyard was modest yet refined, with a small koi pond in the center and flowering vines climbing the walls of the residence. The soft chirping of crickets added to the tranquil atmosphere.

Li Tianyan's footsteps were silent as he made his way toward the main building. He paused just before the door, hesitating for the first time that night. A faint light flickered through the window, indicating someone was still awake.

He smirked to himself, brushing aside his momentary hesitation. "She can't avoid me forever."

With that thought, he raised his hand and knocked lightly on the door. "Lianhua, it's me, Li Tianyan. Are you awake?"

There was a moment of silence, followed by the soft rustle of movement from within. Then, a voice—calm and composed, yet tinged with a hint of surprise—called out.

"Come in."

Li Tianyan pushed the door open and stepped inside, his gaze immediately falling on Huo Lianhua. She sat by a low table, a book in her hands, her expression was serene as she looked up to meet his gaze. The flickering candlelight illuminated her features, making her seem even more ethereal in the quiet night.

"You have a strange sense of timing," she said, closing the book with a soft thud and placing it on the table. "What brings you here at this hour, Young Master Li?"

Li Tianyan chuckled, scratching the back of his head. "Strange timing is my specialty. I was out for a walk and thought I'd come by to... check in."

Huo Lianhua raised an eyebrow, her expression unreadable. "Check in? Or do you simply enjoy disrupting my peace?"

He grinned, unbothered by her words. "Can't it be both?"