"...Xiao Yan."
Yao Wan drew in a soft breath, then forced herself to rally and called out gently.
"—Mm, I'm here."
A moment later, her husband in front of her responded, but most of his energy was also focused on refining the Holy Flame. Even though his cultivation had surged and the process was already nearing its end, Xiao Yan's reaction was still somewhat off.
"Did it work?"
Yao Wan slowly breathed out a scorching breath. She only felt as if even the inside of her body had begun to burn, and her head had grown muddled too, like a mass of paste.
"Mm, the refining is basically complete. Because part of the origin has the same nature, the fusion went very smoothly... barring any surprises, it should already be at Immortal Grade."
Xiao Yan forced himself to stay focused as he spoke.
"I see. That's good..."
Xiao Yan's answer made Yao Wan let out a breath of relief, and as though she had finally received permission, she leaned forward and drew close to his face.
"—Wan'er?"
His heartbeat gradually sped up, and his body temperature rose with it. The scorching heat that had just been piling up in his chest was swiftly ignited like dry kindling meeting open flame, burning away what little reason he had left.
"...Can you not be so dense?"
Her slightly trembling fingertips hooked his collar, then slid over Xiao Yan's neck like a snake. She stroked that lean face, which also carried a trace of dazed confusion. His dark red eyes were like mirrors, reflecting her faintly visible figure. That soft panting, half-lidded expression was not much different from his own before her.
"Wait, the pills... I prepared pills in advance—"
Xiao Yan subconsciously opened his Storage Ring, but before he could even steady