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.The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.

　　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.