Xuan Ye had to admit, this feeling was actually quite nice.
Ever since he had crossed over into this world, he had been struggling to survive, his nerves constantly taut.
This was the first time he had enjoyed such a peaceful life.
He even felt that life among the Moon Demon Race wasn't much worse than in his previous life, except that he couldn't play on his phone.
If he wanted, he didn't even have to walk. The Twin Sisters could carry him on either side whenever they pleased, or even pick him up in their arms.
Of course, Xuan Ye wasn't that indulgent.
The only thing giving him a bit of a headache was the Twin Sisters.
They had always been openly hostile toward him. They couldn't hide it even if they tried.
That evening, Xuan Ye walked along the stone-paved path within the clan with Yueye at his side.
Several members of the Moon Demon Race were gathered by the roadside, whispering among themselves.
"Hey, look. Isn't that the traitor?"
"That's him. He's disgraced our Moon Demon Race, and now the Undead Demon Race keeps putting pressure on the clan..."
"What on earth is Princess Royal thinking..."
Though their voices were low, every word drifted clearly into Xuan Ye and Yueye's ears.
Yueye's expression changed at once.
The gentle smile on her face vanished, replaced by a layer of frost.
She spun around, murderous intent glinting in her purple eyes.
"Anyone who dares say another word will die!"
A terrifying aura burst from her. The few gossips were immediately forced to their knees, trembling all over, their faces ashen.
Yueye showed no mercy and ordered them to be severely punished on the spot.
Only then did Xuan Ye fully understand.
Why Yue Chen and Yue Xing were so hostile toward him.
To complete the system's choices and grow stronger, he had made himself an enemy of the demons and killed them.
By protecting him, Yueye had put the entire Moon Demon Race in the line of fire.
What's more, his identity wasn't as simple as being a human-demon hybrid.
He had also grown up in human society, received a human education, and harbored hatred toward demons.
This was a serious matter indeed.
Recalling the undisguised loathing of the Twin Sisters, Xuan Ye was left feeling helpless.
He could sense that Yueye must have paid a tremendous price to save him.
A warm current slowly flowed through his heart.
Aside from Cai'er...
She was the second person since he had crossed over into this world to treat him so well.
It wasn't that his mother, Bai Yue, had treated him badly.
It was just that he was far too mature for his age, while his younger brother, Long Haochen, was still little. Naturally, Bai Yue devoted more of her energy to the child who needed more care.
As Xuan Ye's thoughts wandered, Yueye returned to his side after taking care of things.
The killing aura around her had vanished without a trace, and she was once again the gentle big sister next door.
She reached out and lightly touched Xuan Ye's forehead, then asked softly,
"What are you thinking about? Don't worry. I'm here, and I'll protect you."
Xuan Ye came back to himself. Seeing the sincerity in her eyes, he nodded and called out softly,
"Big Sister Yueye."
The words came from the bottom of his heart.
Yueye parted her lips, as if she wanted to say something in response.
But just as the words reached her mouth, she suddenly froze.
Wait...
What was his name again?
The gentle smile on Yueye's face stiffened.
A trace of bewilderment flickered through her purple eyes.
She... really seemed to have forgotten.
It was indeed strange. She had saved someone and cared for him for so long, yet had never even asked his name.
But Yueye quickly regained her composure. She cleared her throat and spoke with a hint of apology.
"Sorry... I still don't know what your name is."
Xuan Ye didn't think much of it.
After all, he hadn't asked her name either.
They had spent nearly a day together, and only now had they thought to introduce themselves—the most basic thing of all.
"My name is Xuan Ye."
"Xuan Ye..." Yueye softly repeated the name, then her eyes lit up. "My name is Yueye. Xuan Ye, Yueye... Those names really do suit each other."
Almost at the same time, Xuan Ye voiced the same thought.
"They really do."
They smiled at each other.
But neither smile was quite genuine.
Yueye's lips curved, but there was no real smile in her eyes.
In her heart, the name "Xuan Ye" was superfluous.
The person she had wanted to protect and cherish at all costs was an image she had conjured in her mind—a little girl, all alone, shunned because she was a human-demon hybrid.
"She" should have been called "Yueye."
Xuan Ye was smiling too, but the smile never reached his eyes.
He also felt that the name "Yueye" was somewhat superfluous.
Since waking up, he had been cherished and cared for without reservation. Combined with the concerned eyes he had seen before losing consciousness, for a moment he had almost mistaken the person before him for Cai'er.
But she wasn't.
She had her own identity and her own name. She wasn't Cai'er, the girl who had grown up alongside him, supporting each other through a life of hardship and wandering.
The atmosphere turned a little awkward.
Xuan Ye was the first to break the silence.
"Big Sister Yueye, I want to cultivate."
"Okay!"
Yueye seemed to have found an outlet. She took his hand and led him deeper into the camp.
"I'll take you somewhere nice!"
She brought Xuan Ye to a round stone chamber made entirely of Moonlight Stones.
Countless Moon Pattern Magic Stones, glowing with a soft radiance, were embedded in the walls. The energy within was so dense it seemed almost tangible.
"This is my Moonlight Cultivation Room, a training ground reserved for high-ranking members of our Moon Demon Race."
Yueye explained.
"These Moon Pattern Magic Stones can speed up the absorption of Spiritual Power. Ordinary members of the clan aren't even allowed near this place."
Not only did she let him use the Cultivation Room, she also took a fist-sized, crystal-clear stone and an old, yellowed notebook out of her storage space.
"This is a Moon Soul Crystal. It can help stabilize your Spiritual Power and reduce the risk of backlash when you break through. A piece this size would last an ordinary member of the Moon Demon Race half a year."
She pressed the crystal and notebook into Xuan Ye's hands.
"This is my cultivation notebook from when I was little. It records all the problems I encountered during my cultivation and how I solved them. If there's anything you don't understand, just come to me anytime."
Looking at the resources and notebook in his hands, Xuan Ye's lingering unease over their names vanished in an instant.
This feeling of being cared for without reservation...
It had been a long time.
It was just like... Cai'er was still by his side.
It was so much warmer than struggling to survive alone in the wilderness and tending to his wounds.
He entered the Cultivation Room and sat cross-legged.
Yueye didn't leave. She simply crouched by the doorway, quietly watching Xuan Ye as he diligently circulated his Spiritual Power inside.
Watching his focused profile, she grinned without realizing it, wearing a thoroughly contented smile.
The awkwardness she had felt earlier vanished completely as she watched Xuan Ye's concentration.
Just being able to watch him like this was enough.
As if...
At that same age, that little girl hadn't been neglected just because her father was busy.
Even as a hybrid...
She had been... loved.
Before you continue