Seeing the look on Nie Kong’s face, the woman in red chuckled sweetly, “Little brother, stunned, are we? There are so many things in this world you don't know yet, just like this little beast surnamed Snake.” As she spoke, her beautiful eyes glanced down at She Yan on the ground, a look of undisguised disgust flashing across her charming features.

“Surnamed Snake?”

Nie Kong was startled. There was such a surname on the Tian Ling Continent?

Right, Shé (snake) and Shé (a common surname) were homophones!

If this woman wasn't lying, then that fellow's real name must be She Yan. Judging by the woman’s demeanor, she harbored a deep-seated loathing for the one surnamed Snake. He had no idea what her background was, but based on the current situation, she didn't seem malicious.

Nie Kong’s thoughts raced. Just as he secretly breathed a sigh of relief, he watched the red-clad woman sway her hips gracefully and glide toward Hua Mei.

“What are you doing?”

Nie Kong was alarmed. The heart that had just settled back into his chest soared again. He struggled desperately to stand, but his entire body was weak and sore. His legs managed to push him up barely halfway before he collapsed powerlessly back to the ground. He could only watch helplessly as she lifted Hua Mei from the **.

The woman in red turned back with a smile, “Heh heh, little brother, don’t stare at your sister like that. Would I harm my own kinswoman?”

“Kinswoman?”

Nie Kong knew nothing of Hua Mei’s origins. He only knew that the day Hua Mei drifted into Jiyang City, she was nearly defiled by local ruffians until Nie Qingyang, passing by, rescued her and brought her home. Later, seeing that Hua Mei was alone and helpless, and observing his eldest son Nie Qiong’s worsening illness, Nie Qingyang decided to marry Hua Mei as his daughter-in-law to bring some good luck.

In gratitude for Nie Qingyang’s kindness, Hua Mei agreed. Unfortunately, the marriage brought no good tidings to Nie Qingyang. On the wedding day, before the ceremony could even conclude, Nie Qiong died from his sickness. Hua Mei, who could hardly be considered a daughter-in-law of the Nie family, remained behind, continuing to care for the equally ailing Nie Kong in her capacity as an elder sister-in-law, right up to this day.

Three years had passed, and Nie Kong remained completely ignorant of Hua Mei’s background. Apart from knowing her own name, Hua Mei retained no other memories. In recent months, Nie Kong had attempted to use his past life’s medical skills to help Hua Mei recover her memories, but it proved fruitless.

“I am also surnamed Hua. My name is Hua Lanyan!” The red-clad woman approached Nie Kong, holding Hua Mei with a radiant smile. “Can’t believe it, can you?”

Without waiting for Nie Kong’s reply, Hua Lanyan tapped her right index finger onto the center of Hua Mei’s brow. A flash of crimson glow entered.

Under Nie Kong’s astonished gaze, a pattern emerged on Hua Mei’s forehead. It was a tiny flower, vibrantly and gorgeously colored, resembling a beautiful, brightly patterned butterfly. Its four petals were fully spread, like the wings of a butterfly preparing for flight, seemingly about to burst forth from Hua Mei’s brow.

Then, Hua Lanyan swept her finger across her own brow, revealing an identical floral pattern. Unlike Hua Mei’s kaleidoscope bloom, the pattern on Hua Lanyan’s forehead resembled a proud, open red rose, its color infinitely deeper than Hua Mei’s—as red as blood, dazzlingly vibrant.

“Little brother, do you believe me now?” Hua Lanyan teased, winking mischievously at Nie Kong.

“……”

Nie Kong was already astonished by the markings on their brows. Though he remained silent, he was mostly convinced. At this moment, Hua Mei asked with a smile, “Do you know why this little snake brought Hua Mei here?”

“He coveted my sister-in-law’s beauty?” Nie Kong blurted out instinctively. He had initially assumed She Yan’s motive was lust, but now he felt less certain.

“Do you think that’s possible? In Jiyang City, belonging to your Nie family, attacking one of the Nie family’s women just for her beauty?” Hua Lanyan sighed faintly. “Little brother, let me tell you the truth: this little snake captured Hua Mei because he actually intended to drain her blood.”

“Blood?”

Nie Kong’s spirit jolted. Hua Mei’s blood contained a strange power—could that power be of great benefit to this She Yan? Thinking back to She Yan’s actions when he first entered, the biting seemed far more severe than a mere kiss! Nie Kong now believed every word Hua Lanyan said.

Hua Lanyan let out another cold laugh, “The blood of a Flower Spirit clan woman is indeed a great tonic for the Snake Spirit clan. But how could a mere little snake covet the blood of my Flower Spirit Imperial line! If it weren't for the deadline for Hua Mei’s bloodline awakening drawing near and her aura leaking out, how would this little snake have possibly detected her?”

Flower Spirit Clan? Snake Spirit Clan? Was Hua Mei royalty of the Flower Spirit Clan? Listening to Hua Lanyan, Nie Kong’s doubts multiplied.

“What do you mean by ‘the deadline for the bloodline awakening is approaching’?” Nie Kong managed to ask. “I discovered a power within her blood, but it was difficult to extract.”

“Oh?”

Hua Lanyan looked at Nie Kong with surprise, then chuckled, “Little brother, you actually managed to detect the power of our Flower Spirit bloodline? Not bad! The deadline for the bloodline awakening for my Flower Spirit Clan is eighteen years old, but the Imperial line can extend it to twenty. Hua Mei is exactly twenty this year, correct?”

“That’s right!” Nie Kong nodded.

“If I guess correctly, after the first day of this year, Hua Mei has been having frequent nightmares?” Seeing Nie Kong nod again, Hua Lanyan continued, “That is the sign that the bloodline power is about to erupt. If she doesn’t awaken her bloodline within this year, once the power spirals out of control, Hua Mei will certainly be torn to shreds.”

“You have a way to make her bloodline awaken?” Nie Kong’s heart tightened. Hua Lanyan’s words were almost identical to his own deductions after discovering the anomaly in Hua Mei’s blood.

“The only way for the bloodline to awaken is to return to my Flower Spirit Clan’s ‘Flower Butterfly Secret Realm.’ Little brother, do you still intend to stop your sister from taking her away now?” Hua Lanyan asked with a smile.

Nie Kong offered a wry smile. Given his current condition, there was no way he could stop Hua Lanyan if she insisted on taking Hua Mei. After a moment of silence, Nie Kong abruptly asked without preamble, “What is her chance of success?”

Hua Lanyan understood his meaning and sighed softly, “At most, thirty percent. She has delayed for too long. Although the Imperial line’s limit is twenty years, the older one gets, the greater the danger becomes. Alas, how did an heir of my Imperial line end up in this remote Jiyang City?”

“I understand. Take my sister-in-law away,” Nie Kong said, his expression dim. Rather than waiting for death here in Jiyang City, it was better to grasp a thirty percent chance of survival.

“Do you have anything you wish to say to her? Although she is unconscious, her consciousness is clear.” Hua Lanyan squatted down in front of Nie Kong, still holding Hua Mei.

At this moment, Nie Kong noticed the anxiety etched across Hua Mei’s features—she clearly did not want to leave with Hua Lanyan. A sharp pain suddenly pierced Nie Kong’s chest. He raised his hand to gently stroke Hua Mei’s smooth, delicate face. After a long pause, he took a deep breath and gazed at her, as if trying to imprint her image onto his soul. Softly, he whispered, “Sister-in-law… Hua Mei, you must succeed. I… I will come find you! Remember, you must live, live well…”

“……”

Hua Mei’s eyelashes fluttered continuously, and two strings of crystalline tears welled in the corners of her eyes. Her face flushed crimson as if from emotion, and the butterfly pattern on her brow brightened slightly…

……