The silver-haired girl who emerged from the Bloodwood Coffin fixed Qin Yu with her deep crimson eyes, a faint trace of threat glinting within their depths.
She searched his gaze for any sign of deception.
But she found none.
Either he was a master of lies… or he spoke the truth.
As for whether he’d shared the incantation with others—how could she not know?
The Bloodkin Oath required more than just reciting words. Each Bloodkin possessed a unique personal incantation, known only to themselves, spoken only when pledging to a beloved.
In nearly all cases, the Bloodkin initiated the oath.
Yet now, the roles were reversed—utterly baffling.
“Mortal,” she said, voice cool. “I’ll overlook your presumption in forging the Bloodkin Oath with me. State your name.”
“Qin Yu.”
The girl descended from midair, hovering before him, studying his face intently.
“Silver Crimson Snow. Remember it well—this is the name of your master… and your beloved.”
She lifted his chin. Her lips brushed his gently. In that instant, the Bloodkin Oath was sealed.
[Congratulations! You have forged the Bloodkin Oath with the Bloodkin Empress: Silver Crimson Snow!]
[Name: Silver Crimson Snow]
[Title: Bloodkin Empress]
[Power: Tier 7]
[Potential: 9]
[Fated Artifact: Bloodwood Coffin (Orange-grade, Relic)]
[Affection: 10]
[Contract: Bloodkin Oath (Partner: Qin Yu)]
All this information shimmered before Qin Yu’s eyes. At last—he had reunited with the one he loved.
And once more, he felt the softness of her lips.
Just as he leaned in closer, Silver Crimson Snow pulled away.
“Little Snow…”
He used the nickname from his past life.
“Mortal,” she murmured, crimson eyes narrowing slightly. “Your address surprises me. Is it because of my current petite, lolita-esque form?”
She assumed the “Little” referred to her small stature.
“No… I’m just used to calling you that.”
To her, it sounded like flirtation. She let it pass.
From afar, Tang dared not approach, afraid to disturb the intimate pair.
Qin Yu glanced at the Affection stat—only 10. *Reborn husband chasing his wife*, he thought wryly. One step at a time.
Still, this beginning was far better than last life. Back then, their first meeting started at -1 Affection under a master-servant contract—*she* the master, *he* the servant.
Her other stats were higher now too. In his past life, he’d chosen Beastfolk Metropolis at launch, only stumbling upon her deep in the Bloodsoul Domain mid-game.
Back then, the Bloodsoul Domain was far deadlier. These seven launch-day blessings let new players roam the Pantheon Realms safely.
Don’t be fooled—the current Bloodsoul Domain seemed dangerous, but compared to its late-game chaos? A walk in the park.
Solo without Tier 7 strength later? Certain death.
Right now? Still newbie territory.
“U-um… you two… c-can I come over now…?” Tang called hesitantly, stretching each syllable.
Silver Crimson Snow’s gaze snapped to her. Blood-red pupils glowed faintly—a psychic dread washed over Tang. Her body trembled violently.
“Little Snow, she’s not an enemy,” Qin Yu interjected quickly.
The crimson glow in her eyes dimmed. The blood-fear assault ceased.
Tang collapsed onto the ground, shuddering. *This NPC’s aura is insane…*
“You alright?” Qin Yu offered a hand. Tang looked up, placed her slightly trembling fingers in his, and he pulled her up.
“I… I’m fine…”
But her wide eyes and stiff posture screamed otherwise. The once-confident PvP prodigy now kept her head bowed.
“No harm done. As apology for the scare—everything here is yours. Take what you find. We’re leaving.”
Qin Yu turned to go with Silver Crimson Snow. What came next was for them alone.
“Wait!” Tang called out, wanting to add him.
Silver Crimson Snow glanced back. One sharp look—and Tang shrank back three steps, voice gone.
“What is it?” Qin Yu asked, hiding a smile.
“C-could I… add you as a friend?” Tang whispered, face turned away, refusing to meet Silver Crimson Snow’s eyes.
“Better not. If fate brings us together again… I’ll add you then.”
With a wave, Qin Yu and Silver Crimson Snow vanished into the mist, leaving Tang utterly bewildered.
“Ugh…!” She clenched her fists. *Abandoned? Am I really that useless?*
She was an esports PvP prodigy!
And she’d been *terrified* by an NPC. Humiliating.
*Fine. If the loot’s good, I’ll forgive him. If it’s trash… next time, I’ll beat him up.*
*(…As long as that “wicked woman” isn’t around.)*
“What is this…?”
As Tang forced down nausea to loot the graves, her eyes widened in shock…
---
Outside the cemetery, Qin Yu and Silver Crimson Snow faced a monster horde drawn by the earlier disturbance—swarms of Tier 1 and 2, sprinkled with Tier 3 and 4. Any solo player would’ve died instantly.
But not Qin Yu.
Beside him stood a Tier 7 Bloodkin Empress.
“Servant,” Silver Crimson Snow said coolly. “Shall I handle this?”
“Come on, Little Snow. We’re bound by the Bloodkin Oath. Since when does one call their beloved ‘servant’?”
“To me? About the same.”
*Classic Little Snow,* Qin Yu mused, smiling faintly.
“Now… become shadows of blood.”
Beneath the monsters, the Bloodbog erupted. Crimson tendrils surged, dragging creatures into the crimson mire as gear exploded from their forms.
Qin Yu moved swiftly—harvesting the bounty.
