By the time Shu Yue finished her meditation, the morning sun was shining through the windows, filling her room with warmth. She drew in a breath and examined her physical state. Her internal injury had completely healed, and her chi flowed like a rushing river through her body. She had fully recovered.

She spent the night meditating in the hopes of regaining her strength before continuing her preparations for the recruitment event, which was coming up in a month. She had to ensure that everything was properly set up before leaving for the Imperial City to prevent some flaws in her plan.

Now that she obtained a soul-binding scroll, she wouldn't have to go to so much trouble to acquire a spirit beast. But finding a high-quality beast, one that was powerful and useful enough to bring with her, would still not be easy. Maybe she should start looking now.

With a sigh, she came over to her dressing table and grabbed the bamboo tube. As she opened the lid and took out the soul-binding scroll, a small piece of paper fell out. A line etched between her brows as she watched the paper land on the floor next to her foot. Her frown deepened when she saw a dark red mark on it.

Something was written on the paper.

She set the scroll down and picked up the piece of paper, scanning her eyes over the letters. A chill crawled down her spine the second she saw the words.

It was written in blood.

A faint smell of rotten, metallic blood assaulted her nostrils, and her stomach twisted with abrupt nausea. This blood belonged to a beast. A frisson of dread rippled over her body as she stared at the note. But it wasn't because of the blood, but of the words written on it: This is for you, Miss Shu Yue. Good luck in your hunt for a spirit beast!

Despite that, the handwriting was graceful and neat. But Shu Yue had no time to admire the handwriting. Anxiety swirled around her as she kept staring at the blood-red letters.

It had her real name on it.

Someone knew of her true identity.

It was a threat.

Shu Yue's face distorted as she balled her fist, crumpling the piece of paper, wanting to crush the throat of the person who sent this note. A cold and murderous glint flashed in her eyes as her calm mask shattered. There was no trace of the gentle woman from before.

There was no doubt that the man behind this note was the same one Dishan had told her about. He was the mysterious man who threatened an elder, the one who bet on her. Whoever he was, he was up to something. But who was he? How did he know who she was? What was his motive?

He threatened to kill Lu Baiyu's entire family in order to force the old man to use the soul-binding scroll as a prize for the sparring competition yesterday. According to Xiao Ran, someone else had bet on her, a gold belt bearer who didn't seem to be a member of the Ophiuchus Clan. Apparently, the soul-binding scroll was meant for Shu Yue to receive.

The mysterious man placed his bet on her because he was confident that she would defeat Dishan and win the sparring. He had predicted whose hands the prize would end up.

It was all planned out.

And now this note confirmed all of that. This man was toying with her. He wouldn't give such a rare item away for free, would he? Clearly, he was plotting something. He wanted something from her, and unless she took care of him first, Shu Yue might have to pay the price soon for receiving the soul-binding scroll.

A sudden surge of frustration coursed through her knowing that she made a slight mistake or overlooked something that have led this mysterious man to discover her identity. She had to be extra careful from now on. But first, she had to find that guy and eliminate him in order to correct whatever error she had made.

Where did I go wrong?

No one should know her true identity, or all of her plans, which she and her father had been working on for years, would be ruined. And if that happened, her personal plan for vengeance would be ruined as well.

She couldn't let such a horrible thing be her ending.

That fucking bastard! He dared to toy with me?

She dragged herself to bed and sank onto it, closing her eyes.

Calm down, Shu Yue. Breathe in and out. This is not the time to give in to your emotions. You must remain calm and devise a strategy. A plan.

Shu Yue took deep breaths, summoning years of training and control to keep her emotions in check. She'd get nothing but trouble out of it.

A moment later, a knock sounded at the door. After she gave her permission, she heard it open.

"Young Mistress," a very familiar voice reached her ears. But there was something different in Xiao Ran's voice today. There was a note of firmness in it.

Shu Yue opened her eyes and turned her head. Xiao Ran was standing in the doorway. His long, silver-white hair was held up into a half ponytail, as it was every day. His eyes were sharp and alert, and somehow baffled. He wore a pale blue robe this time. Shu Yue hadn't seen him wear anything dark ever since she told him that light colors suited him perfectly.

She couldn't help but smile. Xiao Ran seemed to value her opinions greatly. He trusted her like how a bird trusts its own wings. And that pleased her immensely.

That's right, I'm the only one you can trust. Likewise, you're the only one I can truly rely on.

Xiao Ran met her gaze, his golden eyes steady and warm.

Don't worry, I'll soon make the world a better place for us. Someday, we'll live like a free bird. No more hiding, no more restraints.

She then sat up, alert, but she maintained a calm manner. "So, what prompted my fox to appear so early in the morning and with such an expression?

"That old man from the Sparring Ground is here," Xiao Ran replied, frowning. "If I recall correctly, his name is Lu Baiyu, and he's asking for you."