Chapter 166: The Final Preparations

Sunlight, filtering through a gap in the curtains, playfully danced upon Su Mian’s eyelids.

She stirred, groggily opening her eyes to find herself nestled in her own bed, the quilt drawn snugly over her. The room was imbued with the familiar, tranquil essence of morning.

Her memories of the night before were hazy, fragmented. She only recalled the profound sense of security leaning against Xiao Moyuan’s shoulder, the distant murmur of the television, and then… nothing more.

Had he carried her back to her room?

A faint warmth bloomed on Su Mian’s cheeks. She hugged the quilt to herself, sat up, and gently rubbed her eyes.

Strangely, despite having trained to the point of exhaustion and stayed up late, she felt none of the anticipated aches or fatigue.

Instead, her spirit felt refreshed, her demonic energy flowed smoothly within her, and even the faint lunar power deep within her bloodline seemed more vibrant than usual.

She instinctively activated her cultivation technique, surprised to discover that her control over her powers had advanced yet another level.

This wasn’t an increase in quantity, but a qualitative improvement.

It was as if, after the complete relaxation and deep sleep of yesterday, the potential she had forcefully squeezed out during her previous training had been truly digested, absorbed, and integrated into the very foundation of her being.

Was it because of that simple home-cooked meal?

Or was it due to that reassuring, utterly defenseless sleep? Or perhaps, both?

A warm current flowed through Su Mian’s heart.

She understood that Xiao Moyuan, in his own way, was helping her to ‘regulate’ herself, to loosen her taut strings so she could withstand even greater tension.

He was always like this—seemingly calm and serious, yet always considering her in every detail.

She rose, washed up, and changed before stepping out of her room. The apartment was quiet, a faint aroma of coffee lingering in the air.

Xiao Moyuan was already awake, seated at the dining table. Several complex topographical maps and energy spectrum analysis charts were spread before him, and a half-finished cup of black coffee sat by his hand.

The morning light fell upon his focused profile, highlighting his sharp, chiseled jawline. Yet, the subtle hint of relief in his brows, which had softened upon her waking, did not escape her notice.

“Morning,” Su Mian greeted, her voice still soft and slightly husky from sleep as she approached.

Xiao Moyuan lifted his head, his gaze resting on her face for a moment, as if confirming her state. He gave an almost imperceptible nod. “Mm. How do you feel?”

“Excellent. Never better.”

Su Mian answered honestly, taking a seat opposite him and reaching for a piece of toasted bread. “Thank you for dinner… and…” She paused, too embarrassed to add, ‘and for carrying me back to my room.’

Xiao Moyuan seemed disinclined to press the matter. He simply pushed a file, marked with numerous red and blue annotations, across the table to her.

“Hong Luan and Hua Liang have the latest developments.”

Su Mian immediately put down her toast, her expression turning serious.

“First, regarding Shen Zhixia’s energy outburst yesterday.”

Xiao Moyuan pointed to a waveform analysis in the document.

“Hong Luan utilized some unconventional channels to capture more detailed residual energy from the moment of the outburst. He confirmed that it wasn’t merely pain and resistance.

At the core of the eruption, there was an extremely faint, clearly directed fragment of will, like an insect trapped in amber. The content of this fragment, painstakingly deciphered, yielded only a few broken words: ‘library,’ ‘location,’ ‘don’t come.'”

Su Mian’s heart clenched. “Is she warning us? Warning us not to go to the leyline node beneath the Grand Library? Or…”

“More likely, in her extreme pain and mental confusion, it was an unconscious leakage and resistance against Hia’s intentions.”

“This confirms our previous speculation—Hia is indeed attempting to exploit her connection to you to influence, or even contaminate, that leyline node, transforming it into a ‘Blood-Stained Eye.’

Yesterday’s outburst was likely a failed attempt at forceful extraction or guidance, triggering Shen Zhixia’s intense, instinctive resistance.”

“So, the node now…”

“Hong Luan’s monitoring shows slight signs of loosening in the node’s seal. Its energy activity has increased by 15%, and its nature is beginning to lean towards cold and corrupted.”

“However, it still seems to lack a crucial ‘catalyst’ or ‘fuse’ to fully transform into a ‘Blood-Stained Eye.'”

Xiao Moyuan turned to the next page, which displayed a simplified structural diagram of the abandoned command post in Luoxia Mountain.

“Hia’s primary ritual site in Luoxia Mountain has an energy configuration that shows clear remote resonance and energy conduit design with the grand leyline node.

He likely plans to remotely guide the initially corrupted node energy to Luoxia Mountain during the ‘Blood Moon,’ using it as the ‘ignition fuel’ and ‘amplifier’ for the ritual’s core.”

Su Mian gasped. What an intricate scheme, what a vicious plan! Linking two locations to mutually enhance each other.

“Secondly, regarding the guests and provisions.”

Xiao Moyuan’s tone grew even colder. “Information ‘leaked’ within the Demon Extermination Bureau has begun to ferment. Several factions have already privately started investigating Luoxia Mountain and the recent disappearance cases.”

“While this might alert Hia, it also diverts some of his attention, forcing him to accelerate certain steps.”

“Hong Luan monitored a 30% increase in dark aura entering Luoxia Mountain over the past 24 hours.

Simultaneously, the density and aggressiveness of the vampiric magic traps and sentinel puppets around the command post have significantly increased. They are tightening their defenses, preparing for the final ritual.”

“Then we…”

“Our time is running out.”

Xiao Moyuan closed the file, his gaze sharp as he looked at Su Mian. “According to the latest astrological and energy tide calculations, the most likely window for the ‘Blood Moon’ is exactly forty-eight hours from now.”

“Forty-eight hours!”

Su Mian’s heart gave a violent lurch.

“Therefore, today is the final day for preparation and confirmation.”

Xiao Moyuan stood up and walked to the center of the living room, where a waist-high silver metal case had been placed at some point.

“Hong Luan will lead a team to complete the final blockade and interference setup on all entry and exit paths around Luoxia Mountain.

This will ensure that no new ‘guests’ can easily enter once the ritual begins, and will also delay any potential external reinforcements as much as possible.”

“Lu Yang’s mission has been reconfigured into joining an outer perimeter support team, responsible for mobile patrols and emergency response in the external areas.”

He opened the metal case, revealing various pieces of equipment, some familiar, some new to Su Mian, neatly arranged within.

There was a thin yet durable form-fitting protective inner armor, communication headsets and tactical goggles with concealment and anti-interference runes, several explosive, flash, and smoke talismans for different uses, two sleek short blades with shimmering cold edges, and several sealed syringes containing liquids of different colors.

“These are your gear.”

Xiao Moyuan picked up each item, explaining them one by one.

“The inner armor can withstand conventional physical attacks and a certain degree of energy erosion. The tactical goggles integrate night vision, thermal imaging, and spiritual energy fluctuation display functions.

The short blades are infused with evil-breaking metal, which deals extra damage to dark creatures, for close-quarters self-defense.

The syringes contain powerful stimulants, hemostatic agents, and spiritual energy supplements for emergency use. Do not use them unless absolutely necessary; they have side effects.”

He handed the equipment to Su Mian one by one, his movements steady, as if performing a solemn ritual.

Su Mian silently accepted them, feeling the cold texture of the items in her hands and the precise power contained within, her mood growing calm and grave.

“Our action plan is divided into three steps.”

Xiao Moyuan began to sketch a simple diagram on the floor with spiritual energy.

“First step, infiltration. Utilizing the covert passages previously deployed by Hong Luan and the most chaotic period of the early ‘Blood Moon’ energy field, you and I will breach the outer defenses and infiltrate the command post.

Your task is to follow closely behind me, maintaining absolute silence and stealth. Unless I give the order, do not act proactively. Your primary objectives are self-preservation and observation.”

“Second step, localization and disruption. Once inside, our main goal is to locate and confirm Shen Zhixia’s position and condition, as well as the location of the ritual’s core altar.

Then, depending on the situation, we will decide whether to prioritize destroying the critical nodes of the ritual or attempting to rescue Shen Zhixia. At that time, I will give you instructions based on the actual circumstances.”

“Third step, extraction and rendezvous. Regardless of success or failure, once our actions are exposed or our objective is achieved, we will immediately withdraw along the predetermined route.

Hong Luan and Lu Yang’s teams will create diversions on the outer perimeter and provide cover for our extraction.”

The plan sounded clear, but Su Mian knew that every step was fraught with peril and uncertainty.

“My final, and most important, task for you is this,”

Xiao Moyuan walked in front of Su Mian, placing his hands on her shoulders, his gaze deeply searching her eyes.

“No matter what happens, you must preserve your own life.

You are not just the most important link in this plan—your bloodline power may be our only hope for turning the tide at the last moment. But the prerequisite is that you must be alive.”

His tone was unprecedentedly serious, even carrying a hint of imperceptible earnestness.

“Promise me, Su Mian. In any situation, survival is the first priority. If… if the situation spirals out of control, if I tell you to leave first, do not hesitate, leave immediately. Understand?”

Su Mian looked at her reflection in his eyes, seeing worry, and seeing unconditional trust. Her nose stung, and she nodded vigorously, her voice choked but exceptionally firm:

“I understand. I will protect myself, and I will… do everything I can to help you and save Shen Zhixia.”

Xiao Moyuan seemed to visibly relax, the tension in his shoulders easing slightly. He reached out, and just like last night, gently brushed a stray lock of hair from her forehead, his fingertips warm.

“I believe in you.”

These three simple words held more power than any grand declaration.

For the better part of the day that followed, the two remained in the apartment, making final preparations.

Xiao Moyuan meticulously checked every piece of equipment, explaining various contingencies and countermeasures to Su Mian, even simulating several escape routes for extreme situations.

Su Mian, in turn, diligently absorbed the vast amount of information, constantly adjusting her state to keep her demonic energy and bloodline power at their most refined and active, yet utterly restrained.

***

As evening approached, Hong Luan sent the final comprehensive reconnaissance report.

The outer defenses of the Luoxia Mountain command post had reached their peak. Internal energy reactions were intense and chaotic, with high-intensity life signatures detected in multiple areas.

The core altar region was shielded by a powerful energy barrier, preventing detailed reconnaissance. Simultaneously, the energy contamination rate of the grand leyline node was accelerating.

The calm before the storm was palpable.

Lu Yang also sent a brief voice message through an encrypted channel, his voice still boisterous but with a rare earnestness:

“Brother Xiao, Sister Mian, I’m all set here! Sister Chen Wan also said she’s in great shape and told me to go all out! You two go in without worries, we’ll handle the outside! You *must* rescue Sister Shen!”

Night fell once more.

No main lights were on in the apartment; only a few wall sconces cast a soft glow.

Her final gear now donned, Su Mian, clad in a black combat suit, with clear, resolute eyes, felt a sudden sense of unreality.

Just a few months ago, she was an ordinary student troubled by a gender secret and weak demonic power. Now, she was about to venture deep into the lion’s den, to confront an ancient evil face-to-face.

Xiao Moyuan walked up behind her, their figures reflected side-by-side in the mirror.

He, too, had changed into a similar black combat suit, which made his physique appear even more towering and firm like a pine, his demeanor as sharp and cold as a drawn sword.

“Are you afraid?” he asked.

Su Mian looked at his reflection in the mirror, then at herself, and slowly shook her head. “With you, no.”

It was the truth. Fear still existed, but it was overshadowed by a stronger conviction and trust.

Xiao Moyuan seemed to curve his lips, a faint yet genuine smile. “Remember, we are one.”

He extended his hand. Su Mian understood, placing her hand into his palm. His hand was warm and dry, enveloping hers, bringing an irreplaceable sense of security.

“Let’s go.”

…

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