The Four Mothers Meeting

The soul tree stood tall in the center of a secluded valley, its silvery leaves shimmering with starlight. Beneath its branches, a soft glow blanketed the earth, calming the air like a sacred temple.

On that quiet night, four figures gathered.

Lady Mingyan, the Tiger Demoness, sat with Lin Yuan resting peacefully in her lap. Her presence was calm but commanding—eyes watchful, arms gently cradling the boy as if holding both his future and her own regrets.

Beside her stood Lady An, Lin Yuan's mother. Her face was worn with human worry, yet her spirit remained unwavering.

A gust of wind rustled the canopy as Lady Fengyan, the Golden Rock Bird Demoness, descended in a flurry of feathers, landing with regal poise. Her daughter, Qingxue, stood a step behind—curious but silent.

Moments later, a crack in the air shimmered, and from it emerged a violet mist. The serpentine form of Lady Baihua, the Heavenly Python Demoness, materialized with grace.

Though still incubating her egg deep in a hidden realm, she projected her avatar here tonight—for this meeting was too important to ignore. All eyes turned toward the sleeping Lin Yuan.

"He grows quickly," Baihua murmured.

"And not just in body. His soul brushed the boundary of the dream realm. He is awakening."

Fengyan folded her arms.

"He will soon draw the attention of demon clans."

A heavy silence settled over the group.

"What about Xiao Hu?" Lady An asked softly, stroking the tiger cub now dozing beside the boy.

"He's growing stronger every day… and hungrier. He needs high-quality spiritual milk."

Mingyan nodded grimly.

"Ordinary beast won't do anymore. He needs milk from higher-rank demon beasts."

"But if we start hunting them—"

"The Demon Empire will know," Baihua finished. "We'll be exposed."

Fengyan clicked her tongue.

"It's only a matter of time before one of their scouts finds this part of the forest. Lin Yuan can't remain hidden forever."

Lady An, quiet until now, spoke with calm clarity.

"Then we stop hiding in plain sight. Let's send him to a human sect."

All three demoness mothers turned toward her.

"In a human sect," she continued,

"we can hide more easily. They don't monitor bloodlines as harshly, especially in the outer sects. Spiritual milk is traded freely—he can obtain it without suspicion."

"And if we place our home inside a pocket dimension connected to his spiritual token," she added,

"we can remain nearby. Lin Yuan and his siblings can roam the sect freely while we remain hidden."

Baihua's eyes glowed faintly.

"So you would disguise his siblings?"

Lady An nodded.

"Xiao Hu and Qingxue can pose as spiritual pets. Mingyan and Fengyan's auras can be sealed. Baihua—you can remain linked to his soul core and guide him remotely."

"And if something goes wrong?" Mingyan asked.

Lady An's expression hardened.

"Then we flee. We retreat to the deepest region of Demon Forest, or return to the ancestral lands."

"But if we do nothing, the day will come when we must fight both demons and humans. At least this way, he'll have allies, training, and time."

Fengyan, silent until now, finally spoke.

"Which sect?"

Lady An glanced at Lin Yuan, sleeping under the tree, as if destiny would whisper the answer.

"I heard of one in the Eastern Mountains... the Flowing Sky Pavilion."

"They value talent over bloodline and admit outer disciples regularly. Their sect leader is known for taking in orphans and wanderers."

Mingyan looked down at Lin Yuan's peaceful face.

"Then that's the path we choose."

Baihua's mist began to fade.

"I will anchor my soul to his talisman. If danger approaches, I'll know before he does."

Fengyan spread her wings.

"I'll watch from above. And if any dare threaten him, I will strike first."

Mingyan shifted, letting Lin Yuan rest fully in her lap, brushing his cheek with affection.

"He will not walk alone. No matter the name he bears or the robes he wears… he is our son."