Lingxi and Zeyan were both standing close. He pulled her even closer, wrapping his hand tightly around her waist, slowly lowering his face toward hers.
She couldn't resist. Before he could cross a line, she pushed him away and turned around.
"So finally… your drama?" he said firmly.
"No, my lord, don't doubt my sincerity. I was just shy. Being with you today only, and all of a sudden you came," she said with a mild smile.
He grabbed both her arms and folded her against the wall. Sliding his hands down, he grasped her waist and placed his other hand on her cheek, his thumb brushing her lips.
Their faces were close enough to feel each other's breath.
Her heartbeats increased. It was not easy for her to breathe.
She tilted her face down. Within a second, he lifted her chin up, forcing eye contact.
" I forgot to ask your name" he said
"Lingxi," she snapped immediately.
" So Lingxi , this is your last chance," he said in a deep, low voice. "If you want, you can prove your sincerity. Otherwise, the truth will be clear."
He slid his hand from her cheek to her shoulder, grabbing her arm tightly and leaning his face toward hers. His lips were at a minimal distance from her cheek, but without touching , he slided his lips down toward her neck, maintaining the barest distance.
Lingxi interrupted. She placed both her hands on his shoulders, pushing him slightly away. He thought she was about to surrender, but she had already gathered all the courage she could.
Before he could speak anything, Lingxi looked at him with affection in her eyes and deliberately moved toward the bed. He stepped backward, and Lingxi kept pushing him gently until he sat on the bed.
"My lord, I will not let you down," she said, rubbing his shoulders.
He pulled her, making her sit on his lap. Her left hand wrapped around his neck. He pulled her closer, his lips near her neck, his nose brushing against her skin. His eyes were closed, as if sensing something different.
I was prepared for every scenario—even death—but not for this, she whispered in her mind.
"My Lord… My Lord…" they heard shrieks coming from outside the room. A girl was shouting, and within moments, she enters the room, continuing to cry out, "My Lord! My Lord! How can you do this to me? What have I done wrong?"
They both separated immediately and stood up. Zeyan's face showed no unfamiliarity when the girl ran inside and grabbed him, shaking him.
"My lord! Why have you done this? You know how much I love you, and now you are with this girl?" The girl turned toward Lingxi and began abusing her. "Hey, you wicked girl! What spell have you used on my lord? Why is he near you?"
"Stop it, Ruling!" Zeyan interrupted.
"You are telling me to stop, my lord? So you have already become biased toward her?" Ruling snapped. "Just because you find her more beautiful than me!"
Ruling, the daughter of Minister Lan, was indeed a cute and beautiful girl. She always admired Lin Zeyan. Despite his cruel nature, she was the only one who never feared him and always tried to win his love and affection.
"Tell me, my lord… Why did you choose her?" Ruling continued to cry.
Zeyan, without even replying, left the room. When he reached outside, he found Minister Lan already rushing toward the place.
"Forgive us, my lord…" Minister Lan pleaded. "Please forgive Ruling. I tried to stop her, but she…"
"Thank her later on my behalf," Zeyan replied.
"Pardon..... my lord...?" Minister Lan said, unable to believe his ears.
"Don't scold your daughter," Zeyan said and left.
Zeyan returned to his room.
Near the window, he noticed a vast red dragon flying through the air at great speed, approaching the window directly. As the dragon reached the opening, it shrank its figure just enough to pass through. The moment it entered the room, its form shifted into that of a youthful man with long grey hair, fair skin, and grey eyes.
"Finally, you came," Zeyan said as he bowed to him.
This dragon was Yanlong—the imperial beast of Lin Zeyan.
"Apologies for the delay, Master," Yanlong said.
"Have you got any information about her?"
"Yes Master. I followed her aura. She did not use any spells, so it was easy to sense it and follow the path from where it came. I tracked it across the sea, and it led to the Canglan Realm. When I reached there, her aura was spread everywhere at a high degree, and that only happens when someone has lived in that place for a long time. So it is clear she belongs to the Canglan Realm. She could be a spy, Master."
"Yes, but there is something even more alarming about her."
"Does she possess the Ocean Heart Veins, Master?"
"That would not shock me," Zeyan replied. "If they are sending a spy, obviously they would choose someone with the highest cultivation of their realm—the Ocean Heart Veins. But it was not that. It was something different."
"Does she possess any other spiritual veins, Master?"
"That is what worries me," Zeyan said. "I could sense immense power in her when I was close to her. I could feel the great strength, but I couldn't identify what it was. She has not used any spiritual power. She sits there like some harmless creature who knows nothing… but the truth is, she is hiding something different, something extraordinary."
"But Master, if she was that powerful, then why didn't she escape when you brought her here?"
"Because she did not want to," Zeyan snapped. "She wanted to be here. And the reason is a secret. She has come with a dangerous agenda—something she is willing to sacrifice anything for. But I will uncover everything she is hiding. No power can remain hidden from me. Sooner or later, I will find out both her purpose for coming here and the special power concealed inside her."
"You are right, Master. She won't be able to resist for much longer. She will make her move soon."
"What about the other task you were entrusted with?" Zeyan asked more seriously, his sharp gaze fixed directly on Yanlong.
Yanlong did not reply. He lowered his head, his eyes reflecting disappointment and guilt.
Zeyan took a deep breath. It took him a moment to compose himself again before he finally spoke.
"Recently, the Blessed Moon has passed. He must have lost another petal. Day by day, his condition is getting worse… and you stand here with no answers." His voice grew heavier.
"We don't have much time left."
With that, Zeyan and Yanlong left the room together, heading toward a different place.