It took a moment for me to settle and try to process what had happened. I now stood on the lower outskirts of the qi-soaked place I’d gone through, feeling the wind howling through the mountains and tousling my hair. My senses were sharper than they’d ever been.

I took a few steps forward, feeling the strength in my limbs. I’d definitely broken through to the middle part of the fourth stage. But there was more to it. I still felt a connection to something beyond myself. Less like a solid line of qi, more like an echo. I knew I’d awakened my bloodline, a connection to the Moon.

I turned around and looked at Mior, then past them to other spirits. I could sense their presence much more clearly now, and had a better grasp of their power. It was as if someone had augmented my qi senses with a special module for spirits.

‘Our work here is done,’ Mior said. ‘I wish you luck on your continued journey.’

‘Thank you,’ I said, then hesitated. ‘The portal you showed me, that was false, wasn’t it? Just a test?’

They met my gaze, silent for a moment. ‘It was a lie.’

Then the spirit turned away and vanished into the gloom of the qi place. I looked after them for a bit, until their presence seemed to blur, before I turned around. Squaring my shoulders, I started the way down. It wouldn’t take long. I was close to where Mother had accompanied me to, although she wasn’t here now.

Experimentally, I poked at the qi around me, and took a closer look at my own channels and core. It felt like something about them had shifted, although I had trouble pinning down any change. For a moment, I paused, closed my eyes, and pulled in some qi, circling it through my body. The sun sent enough light down to be a good source, and the rocky walls cast enough shadow, as well.

I had no trouble controlling qi, the effects of the poison clearly dispelled completely. In fact, it felt like there was a small improvement. I frowned, considering my experiences. I suspected the bloodline had increased my affinity for light and darkness qi.

Well, I would have loved another cheat ability, but a cultivation improvement is nothing to scoff at. And unless I miss my guess, there’s even more to this bloodline that I haven’t realized or discovered yet.

There was a spring in my step as I continued on my way down the mountain. I felt lighter, not just because of my improved health and condition. Although being able to breathe freely once more showed I’d barely realized how much the poison had affected me. And I felt like a weight had been lifted from my soul.

Plus, my father is badass, and he doesn’t seem that bad, really. Although, would it have killed him to say ‘hello’, instead of going for drama? I shook my head at the thought, reminding myself that spirits were spirits and I shouldn’t make assumptions.

My high spirits were dampened a bit when I saw the first human figure. From their aura, probably a guard. It didn’t take me long to spot others. They must have spread themselves over the area to secure it. My path didn’t take me directly by any of them, and I didn’t deviate from it. I caught the eyes of a few of them, who bowed but didn’t change their positions.

It wasn’t long until the valley I followed led onto the hilltop where I’d left Al and the others. While it had been morning then, judging from the sun’s position, almost half a day had passed. It was already casting long shadows and would soon touch the horizon. Someone had brought or created a table and armchair for Al, who was sitting there and working on something, probably homework, with a distracted air. Kariva stood a few meters apart, hands clasped behind her back and still as a statue. She probably knew where I was right away. Mother was pacing slowly a few meters beside them, looking out into the lower parts of the mountains and the plains beyond.

All of them looked up as I approached. A wide smile spread over Al’s face and he jumped up. Even Mother’s expression seemed to relax a little.

“Surprise,” I said, smiling. “I’m still alive.”

This time, I was prepared for Al, and caught him in a hug before he could do it to me. “Thanks for supporting me,” I said quietly and ruffled his hair.

He stepped back, smoothing his hair out and sending me a playful glare. “Stop that, Nari. But I’m glad you’re back. Have you awakened your bloodline?”

I nodded, glancing at Mother. “Yes, it seems so. I’m sure the poison is gone, too.”

She, too, smiled at me and stepped closer, although she stopped before she came too close. “That’s great news, Nari.”

I nodded at her, then continued walking, passing her as I headed to the airship still sitting in the shadows of a rocky slope. I heard her stifle a sigh, but didn’t turn to look at her. I may have accepted my life and everything, but I still felt some resentment towards her. Couldn’t she have at least told me that earlier, instead of waiting so long?

Although, I guess I wouldn’t want to grow up with that kind of expectation hanging over me. Being her heir was probably bad enough.

I stopped beside the airship and waited for the guards to jump to and get it ready for departure. We’d already wasted enough time here.

“Impatient to get back?” Al asked, stepping beside me.

“There’s lots to do,” I said, shrugging. “And besides, I want to see Little An. I’m sure she’s missed me.”

The guards only needed a few moments before they let me and Al into the airship. I looked back, noting that Mother’s qi signature was already traveling away. Kariva strolled into the airship with us, and the door closed behind her.

“Can’t you stay a little longer, Big Sister Nari?” Xiaodan asked, giving me her patented puppy dog eyes.

I shook my head, smiling. I didn’t point out that I’d already spent the rest of yesterday evening and a few hours today morning with her, talking, playing chess, and haunting the palace courtyards. “I really need to get back to work and get you back to your training,” I said. “But how about I walk down to the training courtyard with you?”

Xiaodan made a face, but agreed. So we set off. As we stepped from her room into the corridor, I couldn’t help but glance at the guards. Many of them were new faces that I had only seen in passing, if at all. My main guards still hadn’t been released from interrogation. I felt a little uneasy about that, but I knew I shouldn’t interfere with what Kariva and her agents thought best. I had faith that they wouldn’t go overboard. If not in Kariva’s temperance, then in Mother’s orders.

We made our way down to the building’s side entrance quickly. Xiaodan stayed close, but at least she didn’t cling. On the way, we continued chatting, mostly about her studies and what went on in the palace. It was a little humbling to realize an eight-year-old was better informed than me, although I’d take what she said with a grain of salt.

We met a few other people on the way, most of them of high status. They made way for us and bowed. I noticed a difference in the way they looked at me, compared to before the war. Although it was subtle and might just be my imagination. Or just Xiaodan’s presence. Everyone seemed to love her.

As we stepped out of the palace, I smelled the hint of rain in the air and glanced upwards at the gathering clouds. It might rain soon. But Xiaodan’s training would continue anyway, and it wasn’t like rain bothered me. It didn’t take us long to reach the training courtyard. A few other kids Xiaodan’s age were already there, as well as a few trainers. The latter were a little more discreet in staring at me than the former, as they all bowed.

“Welcome, my princesses,” Ling Ta said, materializing beside us. “Princess Inaris, it’s good to see you again.”

I inclined my head. “Teacher. I know I haven’t come here as often as I could have.” Then I gently pushed Xiaodan towards the others. “Come on, Little An, go join the rest. Good luck.”

In front of her friends, Xiaodan didn’t make a fuss, but went over to join them and started talking animatedly. The trainers got the kids to start running laps.

“I wanted to talk to you, Teacher,” I said. If I was already here, I might as well make use of it. And for the sort of information I wanted to know, asking him was probably a good idea.

We started walking away from the class, only the guards accompanying us in a wide perimeter. Ling Ta didn’t acknowledge them at all, and they gave me enough space for the illusion of privacy.

“What can I help you with?” he asked.

“I’d like to know more about the children of spirits.”

He nodded thoughtfully. “Spirit-children are a relatively rare group, but far from unheard of. In general, it’s similar to people descended from spirit-beasts, in that in practice, it means having a special constitution or bloodline talent.”

“Just how rare, and how does it work?” I asked. We were now taking a corner into a path between several courtyards, lined with trees and flower bushes. I couldn’t sense anyone else within a few hundred meters, other than the training group.

“I don’t think there are robust statistical numbers,” he replied thoughtfully. “Although there have been historical mentions going back to before the Empire’s founding. Almost all cases happen on the mother’s initiative, as part of a bargain. Because it’s usually a human mother, for obvious reasons.”

I nodded. “I heard spirits don’t really have a gender, but many of, say, the Greater Spirits are still referred to as ‘he’ or ‘she’?”

“That’s true.” He shrugged. “Best as I can tell, it’s because humans have a tendency to classify things in familiar categories. The spirits then accept it and to some extent accommodate those beliefs. Unsurprisingly, any well-known spirit who has legends about them fathering children is seen as male. And similarly, though less often, spirits birthing children as female.”

“I see.” That’s a little messed up if you think about it. Another instance of qi conforming to people’s beliefs and concepts? I shook my head. “Why do people do this?”

Ling Ta shrugged. “The same reason some people may seek out a powerful cultivator to have children with, I assume. With powerful spirits, it’s almost assured the child will have a strong cultivation. And while there won’t be support from the father, there’s also less chance of him interfering or trying to take the child for himself.”

Well, if that doesn’t describe why Mother did this. I grimaced. “Makes sense, I suppose. How powerful are these spirits, or their children? Would you still be able to defeat one like a normal cultivator?”

Ling Ta raised an eyebrow. “Well, the spirits are usually about as strong as people in the higher stages. The records even have spirit-children of Greater Spirits, although those are rare. If there’s someone you’re concerned about, there’s no reason to panic. Spirit-children might have some innate advantages, but no more than other people with high talent, really.”

I nodded. “Thank you.”

I knew my aura had changed, although I wasn’t sure how much. I didn’t know if Ling Ta hadn’t noticed or connected the dots, or if he was just being polite and pretended not to. I guess it doesn’t matter. It’s probably going to be common knowledge eventually. Or at least common rumor.

“Are you going to come to me for training at all?” he asked, a wry smile on his lips.

I scratched my cheek, embarrassed. “I will, of course. I’m just busy right now. With the end of the war, and I need to get caught up with the team’s projects.”

“No need to justify yourself, my lady,” he said. “Good luck with your work.” He bowed.

But I barely noticed him leaving, my attention captured by a new presence moving through the courtyard. I started walking away, then slowed down as I got a better look at her. Tia Yarani didn’t seem to notice my presence, absorbed in watching the scenery as she walked towards one of the parks.

I hesitated, then started moving in the other direction, towards the labs. I really had a lot to do here. But if I stopped for every distraction, I’d never get to the lab. And I needed to at least talk to Tenira and Lei.