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Qi Yuan didn't know how much time had passed.
As dusk settled in, he gently released Zhou Yuan's soft lips. The tender sensation lingered, making it hard to let go.
Before experiencing it, there had been no thoughts in his heart. But once he tasted it, it left an unforgettable imprint—one that would haunt him, day and night.
A sudden sense of gratitude rose within him toward Shui Lingdang. If not for her coercion, this moment would never have happened.
Zhou Yuan, still in a daze, gradually came back to her senses. Her beautiful face flushed with shame. She had just been... with her younger brother.
At that moment, the restriction binding her was lifted without warning. Her magical power returned.
In a flash, she vanished from the cave.
Qi Yuan instinctively moved, about to chase after her, fearing something might happen to Zhou Yuan. After all he had done to save her, it couldn't end like this.
But before he could take a step, Shui Lingdang blocked his path.
"She just went out for some fresh air. Nothing will happen to her under my watch," she said confidently, licking her lips slightly. Her wild expression carried an odd glint.
Then, without warning, she placed another seal on Qi Yuan, binding him tightly once more.
"You..."
Qi Yuan struggled, but found himself completely restrained. Even with his cultivation level, he couldn't break free. He tried summoning the Chaos Cauldron for help, but it only stirred in his soul.
Where was the white light?
If it appeared, he could break free with ease...
But no matter how loudly he called within, the Chaos Cauldron merely quivered and failed to emit the white light.
Shui Lingdang gently stroked his face with her jade-like hand, smiling sweetly as she whispered, "Stop struggling. Your spiritual companion won't attack unless your life is truly in danger. Let me absorb your magic power—it'll be over soon."
As a member of the demon clan, Shui Lingdang had never learned the customs or values of the human race. She didn't understand restraint or shame.
She kissed Qi Yuan boldly, mimicking Zhou Yuan's movements.
Now it was Qi Yuan's turn to be stunned. He had lived among mortals for years and had always been the one to take the initiative.
This reversal shocked him.
But the demon woman was domineering, heedless of his feelings. He would have to teach her a lesson.
Qi Yuan immediately fought back, engaging her in a fierce, unrelenting struggle.
A soft gasp escaped from Shui Lingdang. She had never experienced anything like this. Her usually cold eyes softened, and a faint moan slipped from her throat.
However, her will was strong. With a brief counter, she regained her composure and activated a supreme demon clan technique, slowly siphoning the magic power from Qi Yuan's dantian.
As his energy entered her, she immediately sensed a weakening in the world's natural restrictions upon her. She felt a burst of joy—and began absorbing his power even faster.
Qi Yuan's expression changed as he felt his magic rapidly draining. A wave of horror hit him. His lifeline was slipping away, and helplessness surged through him.
Perhaps cultivating alone really wasn't safe.
An hour passed.
All of Qi Yuan's magic power had been absorbed by Shui Lingdang. She exercised just enough control to avoid damaging his foundation.
"Haha..."
Shui Lingdang laughed joyfully. She could feel it—those oppressive restrictions were gone.
Now she could fly freely, unhindered by the laws of the world.
It wouldn't last forever, but as long as she had her 'blood bag,' she could enjoy her freedom again and again.
"Live well, boy. My freedom depends on you."
She patted Qi Yuan's shoulder, planting a trace of demonic power on him to track his location in the future.
Not that she needed it. She was already deeply familiar with his aura—she could find him by scent alone.
"Little brother, are you okay?"
Zhou Yuan rushed back in, having heard the laughter from the cave. Fear gripped her heart as she saw Qi Yuan pale and barely able to sit up.
Qi Yuan forced a smile. "Sister-in-law, I'm fine. I'll take some pills to restore my mana."
Her heart trembled. She immediately retrieved several pills from her storage bag, handing them to him personally. Knowing he had no magic left to refine them, she placed her palms on his back and slowly passed her energy into him.
The pills began to work. Qi Yuan's color gradually returned—his face was no longer ghostly white.
Zhou Yuan smiled, relieved. But her thoughts flickered back to that earlier moment of indulgence, and her cheeks flushed red again.
Shui Lingdang glanced at them with a flicker of emotion, then scoffed. "I'm going out to play. Be smart—leave this sea as soon as you can. Don't lose your lives."
With a gust of demonic wind, she vanished.
Now only Qi Yuan and Zhou Yuan remained in the cave.
Qi Yuan wanted to speak, to explain, but Zhou Yuan gently stopped him. "Focus on restoring your magic. We'll talk later."
Three hours passed.
Qi Yuan's magic had returned, and he was no longer a wilted flower but once again full of life.
He checked the bone-breaking vine and confirmed it was genuine. Now, it was time to seek vengeance on Wen Tianren.
If he didn't deal with this grudge, he feared that his elder brother Wang Heng might one day appear in his dreams, demanding answers.
"Sister-in-law, it's time to avenge my brother."
"You've just recovered. Let's not rush," Zhou Yuan replied softly, turning away.
"It's better to settle it now," Qi Yuan said firmly.
If someone else killed Wen Tianren, it would be harder for him to overcome the resulting inner demons.
Zhou Yuan was silent for a moment, then nodded.
Shortly after, two figures rose from Sanxian Island and flew toward a distant location.
Sanhuan Sea, Yinshi Island.
Beneath the surface lay a mysterious altar. Four great pillars of light surrounded the center tightly.
At the altar's core floated three treasures: a blood-red bead the size of a marble, a portrait of a stunning woman, and a refined inkstone carved with mountains and rivers.
Each glowed with a faint aura, clearly no ordinary items.
Wen Tianren stared at them with greedy eyes. These were true treasures of the ancient world—powerful tools that would greatly amplify his abilities.
He had stumbled on this information by chance, and it had paid off beyond expectation.
Turning to the curly-bearded man and a pair of sinister twin youths, he said, "Brothers, let's break the seal together. We'll split the treasures equally."
The curly-bearded man nodded, still mesmerized by the sight.
The twins exchanged glances and agreed.
All three were from the demonic path, and their respective masters were aligned with the Six Paths Saint. They didn't suspect Wen Tianren of betrayal—at worst, there might be some uneven distribution.
Together, the four launched a serious assault on the altar.
After a night of relentless effort, the pillars' glow faded and the seal was broken. The altar stood unprotected.
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