Hidden By Moonlight

The golden sun rose gently over the eastern peaks, painting the rooftops of the Taiyin Sect in amber light.

Lin Yuan woke with a groan.

Every bone throbbed. Fire still hissed inside his veins the bitter agony of soul poisoning.

Without thinking, he reached into his storage bag and devoured forty soul fruits in one sitting.

A voice stirred in his mind, soft and comforting:

> " Your soul is already stronger than Xiao Hu's," whispered Lady Mingyan from her hidden dimension

---

While Lin Yuan and sect leader rested, Xiao Hu and Qingxue become independent.They go to market and returning with milk, seeds, and fresh meat.As cultivator and demon they eat more than normal people.

Always enthusiastic xaio hu cook the meats.Now he can delicious spicy meat. That is cooked but you have to eat with milk.

Lin Yuan continued munching soul fruits like candy.

---

Later, Xiao Hu served lunch. To everyone's surprise, the meat turned out crispy, spicy, and addictive.Because of spiritual harb.

> "If it's too hot, drink milk," he added with pride.

Meanwhile, Qingxue, calm as ever, pulled out a frosted cream cake she'd been baking quietly all morning.

> "This is dessert," she said coolly, arching an eyebrow.She makes only cake with different flavor.

---

That afternoon, the group escorted Sect Leader Yuexian to the city clinic for her check-up. They stood in line like ordinary townsfolk,now they just come to see doctor because Qingxiue wanted to take them to a doctor. Actually they are almost recover fully.

While waiting, Lin Yuan and Xiao Hu darted off to buy milkshakes.

Nearby, a noblewoman was grumbling:

> "Children are so loud. Always crying… specialy when they are sick.Did you left behind so that your other don't get disturbed? "

Yuexian, ever composed, responded gently:

> "I'm the one who's ill. My children brought me here."

The woman blinked in disbelief. "…You have such… capable children?"

Lin Yuan returned with milkshakes—two for Xiao Hu, one each for Qingxue, Yuexian, and himself.

Without a word, he handed his to a nearby child who is crying.Yuexian passed hers to the noblewoman. Xiao Hu, watching, handed one of his two to Yuexian as well.

Qingxue sat down beside Yuexian and began massaging her temples. Because she always have headache.

> "Your children are… quite kind."

Xiao Hu grinned and leaned toward her child.

The child screamed.

> "Ah—! MONSTER!"

Mortified, Yuexian gently apologized and removed a necklace bearing a high-grade spirit stone, carved with floral runes.

> "Take this. But don't show it around. If you ever need help, the Taiyin Sect will assist you."

The noblewoman hesitated, but Yuexian insisted.

---

Inside the Doctor's Chamber, the physician bowed immediately.

> "Sect Leader…"

> "Treat me like a normal patient," she said.

The doctor frowned. "If I touch your wrist, I might be hunted down by your admirers…"

> "It is a spiritual backlash from a killing formation," she clarified. "I can't control my admirers.I am so old but young boys say they are in love with me. If I wear a vail,they become more interested.What can I do!"

> "Then… I recommend spiritual fruits. There are no medicine just eat well and sleep well."

Yuexian nodded—and then gestured to Lin Yuan.

> "Check her too."

Lin Yuan stepped forward. The doctor's expression turned serious.

> "You… have soul poison?"

> "Yes I eat a soul restoration pill."

> "That's rare. And dangerous. Eat as many soul fruits as possible."

Lin Yuan did more than that.

Using every last spirit stone Lady Mingyan had given him—low, mid, and even high-grade—he emptied the fruit market.

They bought exotic spirit fruits from over ten stalls. His main target was soul fruit. He buy 1850 soul fruit.

So many that the carriages can't carry the weight. They had to switch to a flying boat to carry it all.

---

Back at the sect, Yuexian used ice-element formations to preserve the fruits in a massive cold array.

She smiled as she worked.

> "Can I use some of your fruits in the upcoming Beauty Competition?"

Lin Yuan blinked. "Sure.But do I have to really participate.?"

> "All female disciples in the Body Refining Realm must participate.It's a warning,like if you are lazy you have to get married. It's not a major event, but some wandering cultivators and nobles attend. This year, a princess will be competing."

> "A… princess?" Lin Yuan asked, trying to sound casual. "From where?"

Yuexian smirked. "Why? Interested in royalty now?"

> "Back in my village, people always said princesses were the most beautiful…"

She chuckled. "You'll find out. I've prepared a surprise."

Lin Yuan stepped into mini moonlight formation. He sat cross-legged, eyes shut, breath slowing.

The silver light draped over his skin like snow.

> Let's grow stronger

In the softly glowing chamber, Lin Yuan sat cross-legged. The miniature Moonlight Formation pulsed with gentle silver light, casting long shadows across the jade floor.

Cool lunar Qi wrapped around his skin, slowly seeping into his bones. The chaotic storm in his soul finally began to settle. Even the raging heat from the Sunfire Seed in his core softened, syncing with the cold moonlight in a slow, rhythmic breath.

Suddenly, Lady Mingyan emerged, her form wreathed in light and fragrance. With a flick of her hand, she conjured a protective formation barrier around the chamber.

"Alright, little club," she teased gently. "Let's start your first real soul cultivation."

Her soul energy flowed into Lin Yuan's body like warm ink into paper. Guided by her will, his own soul energy twisted and curled, gradually forming the Black Tiger Clan's ancient cultivation path.

It wasn't painful—just strange, like someone gently carving lines across invisible skin.

Within moments, Lin Yuan fell asleep.

He woke hours later with a sharp, burning ache inside.Now it became normal pain for him.Munching on the fruit while she steadied his energy flow. The pain dulled quickly, replaced by a curious warmth.

For the first time in a long while, cultivation felt… enjoyable.

Over the next fifteen days, he devoted himself entirely to soul cultivation. Under Lady Mingyan's gentle guidance, every session brought more clarity, strength, and control. He consumed every last soul fruit in his storage bag.

Then, just as he sat down to meditate again—

Lady An appeared, and Lady Mingyan vanished back into her pocket dimension.

"Alright, son," Lady An said, smiling softly. "Now it's time for Qi cultivation."

Her approach was different—firmer. She guided his internal energy through the Taiyin Sect's core techniques. The pain returned—like thorns pushing through his skin—but Lin Yuan gritted his teeth and bore it.

"Cultivation is slow and boring," Lady An explained as she manipulated his meridians. "If you want to grow faster, you must accept pain. Without a master, it's even slower. That's why they say—masters are like second parents."

The fruits he now ate were not soul fruits—they were real,Spiritual fruits.

Which meant… after three days, he had to leave the chamber.

Groggy and sore, Lin Yuan wandered outside—and found Xiao Hu feeding a small army of goats.

"Why are you feeding goats?" Lin Yuan asked, blinking. "That's over a hundred of them."

Xiao Hu puffed his chest. "So I can eat them in the future! I'm also digging ponds, see?"

"But you drink milk…"

"That's now. When I grow up, I'll eat meat more than meat" Xiao Hu grinned. "Also, Sect Leader told me to dig a pond. So I am."

"Where's Qingxue?"

Xiao Hu shrugged. "I dunno. Baking, maybe?"

Later that day, Lin Yuan joined in digging. The earth was hard, but the work was grounding.

As dusk fell, Qingxue arrived with a small paper bag.

"How are you?" she asked gently.

"I'm fine," Lin Yuan replied, brushing hair from his eyes.

She handed him a handful of honey-roasted nuts. "Eat while you dig."

That night, as moonlight spilled across the courtyard, Sect Leader Yuexian gave him a strange look.

"Don't go back to cultivate from tonight."

She didn't explain why.

But Lin Yuan obeyed.

The Next Morning

He woke refreshed. His soul felt lighter than ever. Even the lingering traces of poison were reduced to fading embers.

In the kitchen, Xiao Hu struggled to chop radishes while Qingxue delicately prepared honey rice cakes.

"Brother, want a bite?" Qingxue asked, holding up a small, golden square.

In the courtyard, voices rose with excitement.

Near the announcement stone, a group of outer disciples had gathered.

"The princess from the Liu Kingdom is arriving for the beauty competition!"

"She's already at the gate—they say she flew in a sky chariot!"

"They say her soul is half-awakened, and she's only in the Body Refining Realm! That's royal blood for you!"

Lin Yuan, eavesdropping quietly, frowned.

"Why would a princess attend a low-tier competition… unless she has another goal?"

Then, without warning, Sect Leader Yuexian appeared beside him like a ghost.

"Go change into a clean robe. You'll be meeting the princess today."

"What? Me?" Lin Yuan blurted.

"She'll be staying in the sect for a week. I'm assigning you as her assistant to help her adjust."

His heart dropped. "But—"

Yuexian gave him a sly smile. "Relax. You're still her junior sister. And your disguise is flawless… unless you plan on letting her see you without clothes?"

Lin Yuan turned bright red. "NO!"

"Then prepare yourself. She arrives in a few hours."

Hours Later

A shimmering sky chariot, drawn by four jade-plumed spirit birds, descended into the outer courtyard.

Disciples lined up in crisp rows, murmuring in awe.

From the chariot emerged a girl in flowing blue silk robes, embroidered with golden stars. A translucent veil covered her face, but her presence spoke of status, poise, and control.

Her eyes, clear and cold, surveyed the sect.

They carried the grace of royalty—and the sharpness of a sword.

The Princess of Liu Kingdom.

Lin Yuan stepped forward, every motion rehearsed. He bowed deeply, speaking in the soft, polished voice of a young noble lady.

"Junior Sister Lin greets Your Highness. I've been assigned as your guide."

The princess stopped in front of him.

Her gaze lingered.

Her brows twitched—just slightly.

"You… don't seem like a simple disciple."

Lin Yuan smiled, head still bowed. "I assure you, I'm quite average.

The princess said nothing, but her eyes didn't wawaveWould you like to cocontinueconThe princess testing Lin YYuaA private moment bbThe early rounds of the beauty ccompetitioOr flashbacks to why the pprinLet me know the tone you'd prefer—tense, comedic, romantic, or mmmmystm