Dawn came to Crimson Lotus Peak like a reluctant guest — pale light filtering through the volcanic mist, turning the flame-lotus blossoms from crimson to dull rose.
Inside the pavilion, the air still carried the scent of sex and scorched silk
Huo Lanyue lay sprawled across the wide bed, one leg draped over Xiao Yang's thigh, the other bent at the knee
Her hair fanned out like spilled ink and embers
The robe — or what remained of it — was tangled around her waist, leaving most of her body bare
Small bruises bloomed on her hips where fingers had gripped too hard; faint red marks on her breasts from teeth and suction
She looked sated
Dangerous
And — for the first time in centuries — almost vulnerable
She opened her eyes slowly, golden irises catching the light
"You didn't leave," she said, voice rough from screaming
Xiao Yang was already sitting up, back against the headboard, arms folded
He hadn't slept — not truly
His body had recovered, but his mind kept replaying the night: her heat, her moans, the way her yin had tried to consume his yang and failed
"I don't run from what I start.
Huo Lanyue stretched — languid, catlike — breasts lifting with the motion
"Good
Because I'm not done with you.
She rolled onto her side, propping her head on one hand
"Tell me the truth
Was I just another target
Another name on your list of stolen women?
Xiao Yang looked at her — really looked
"You were never on a list
You invited yourself.
She smiled — slow, sharp
"True
But you accepted
And now I'm marked
Everyone will smell you on me
The sect will know.
Su Qingxue stood near the open balcony doors, silver hair loose, arms crossed beneath her breasts
She had dressed in a simple inner robe — ice-blue silk that clung to her curves
Her expression was calm, but her eyes were distant
"They already know," she said quietly
"Rumors spread faster than fire here.
Ling Xue'er sat cross-legged on the floor near the bed, knees drawn up, chin resting on them
She looked smaller this morning — younger, almost fragile
The betrothal hairpin still gleamed in her hair, untouched
"Will you join us?" she asked Huo Lanyue — voice soft, curious
Huo Lanyue laughed — low, genuine
"Join you
I don't join
I take what I want
But yes… I'll stay close
If only to see how long the three of you last before you tear each other apart.
Xiao Yang felt the familiar stir — the system's quiet presence
New bond detected: Huo Lanyue
Affinity: 28%
Volcanic Yin integration: +0.03% Nascent Soul purity
Cumulative progress: 0.22% toward Soul Transformation
He closed his eyes for a second
The number was so small it felt like mockery
He spoke without opening them
"You should know something
This isn't a game
Every time I take someone, something breaks
Inside them
Inside me.
Huo Lanyue's smile faded slightly
"I know
I felt it last night
When you were inside me, I saw… flashes
My husband's face
The way he begged
The way I let him die.
She paused
"I didn't care then
I still don't
But it's there
A splinter I can't pull out.
Su Qingxue turned from the balcony
"That's how it starts
The splinter grows
Until it's all you feel.
Ling Xue'er hugged her knees tighter
"I dream about him every night
Zhao Tian
He's always smiling
Like he doesn't know yet.
Huo Lanyue looked at her — something almost gentle in her eyes
"Then dream harder
Maybe one day you'll stop waking up.
Xiao Yang stood
He dressed slowly — black robes, simple, unadorned
"We can't stay here forever
The sect is watching
Zhao Tian is plotting
Zhao Wuji is waiting.
Huo Lanyue rose — naked, unashamed
"Then let them watch
Let them plot
Let them wait.
She stepped close — pressed her body against his, breasts soft against his chest
"I'm not asking to be saved," she whispered
"I'm asking to be used
Until there's nothing left to use.
Xiao Yang looked down at her
Then at Su Qingxue and Ling Xue'er
They met his gaze — steady, unflinching
The pavilion doors opened on their own — a silent invitation to leave
Or to stay
Outside, the sect waited
Inside, the fire still burned
And somewhere deep in Xiao Yang's mind, a quiet voice — his own, perhaps — whispered
Keep going
You're not done ruining things ye
Keep going.
You're not done ruining things yet.