"Sacred Eye?" Ling Ling asked doubtfully.

"That's right. You should know about the Five Ancestors of antiquity, right?" Nan Ling replied.

"Holy Emperor, Blood Ancestor, Demon Emperor, Beast King, Rakshasa, plus the two Divine Dragon Emperors—White Dragon Emperor and Heavenly Dragon Emperor," Ling Ling said as she pondered.

"Correct. The Sacred Eye belongs to the Holy Emperor, humanity's founding ruler. Legend says he unified humans with that very eye. It holds an unstoppable power, amplified by Holy Magic," Nan Ling explained.

"Isn't that great? Yeer has such powerful eyes!" Ling Ling said cheerfully.

"No! Quite the opposite. A Sacred Eye on someone with no background, low status, and weak strength is a tragedy. Lin Ye lacks the power to control it. If he accidentally awakens it, disaster will follow," Nan Ling answered.

"Don't worry. I'll protect him," Ling Ling declared firmly.

"Those coming for him will be at least Masters or higher. You can't shield him," Nan Ling countered.

"What!" Ling Ling gasped. High-level mages ranked in five tiers: Sage, Grand Sage, Master, Crowned King, and Emperor—the last three also called Mage Master, Mage King, and Mage Emperor. Ling Ling had barely reached Grand Sage and stood no chance against such foes.

"But how do you know Yeer has the Sacred Eye?" Ling Ling questioned.

"Let me tell a story. When young, the Holy Emperor and Blood Ancestor were inseparable comrades. Once, the Blood Ancestor accidentally drank the Holy Emperor's blood. He craved it daily after that. Out of love, the Holy Emperor gave his blood freely. But later, the adult Blood Ancestor was consumed by Rakshasa. The Holy Emperor sacrificed himself to seal Rakshasa. Our family records show his blood—the Sacred Eye's essence—acts like a drug to the Bloodline," Nan Ling said.

"Wait—you're saying all this, could it be!" Ling Ling exclaimed in shock.

"Yes. I licked Lin Ye's wound during an accident. I thought it harmless since Bloodline don't need blood to survive. But now I'm losing my mind. I dream only of Lin Ye... of sucking his blood," Nan Ling admitted, her face flushed.

"No! My precious, pure Yeer was licked by you, you wretched woman! Give him back!" Ling Ling shrieked hysterically. She lunged at Nan Ling, who shot skyward, leaving Ling Ling's strike empty.

"In short, we can't fight now. We must endure until Yeer grows stronger," Nan Ling urged.

Confusion flooded Ling Ling's heart. She knew her current strength couldn't protect Yeer. For his sake, she'd have to tolerate this vixen.

"Hmm! Fine, I'll cooperate. But you must not suck Yeer's blood!" Ling Ling agreed reluctantly.

"T-this... I can't promise that. I'm at my limit. Without blood, I'll lose control. I might do worse to Lin Ye. Ah—time's up!" Nan Ling gasped, fighting her craving. Her eyes widened as the Celestial Spirit Card dimmed.

"Then I'll kill you instead. Ice Spikes!" Ling Ling cast a mid-tier spell, icy projectiles flying toward Nan Ling.

"What are you doing?" Nan Ling dodged, heart pounding with fear.

"Testing my partner's strength. How else can you help me protect Yeer?" Ling Ling retorted.

"Fine. I accept your challenge!" Nan Ling declared, her body swirling with dark aura.