Better to Forget Each Other

Catherine's expression was somewhat surprised as well. Nirvana could greatly increase one's power, but its greatest function was to induce a qualitative transformation in the physique and soul, allowing one's fixed foundation to make a tremendous leap and making it easier to break through bottlenecks. She had never expected to advance directly to the Kingdom level this time.

She had activated Nirvana this time prepared to die, yet the fifth Nirvana—which had caused countless geniuses of the Asmodeus Royal Family to perish—had gone unexpectedly smoothly. Of course, this "smoothness" had actually come after Chen Rui disregarded his own life to trigger his Nirvana Fire and merge it into her body. Though she did not know the exact reason, one thing was certain: without this man, she would have turned to ashes amid the "bathing flames," just like countless predecessors before her.

"Congratulations."

Seeing Chen Rui's smile, the Empress recalled their desperate, intertwined passion not long ago, and a flush swept across her cheeks. She shifted her gaze to the magical house behind them, then waved a hand and retrieved it through the air.

"Uh..."

They spoke at the same time.

"You go first."

Again, in perfect unison.

This time, neither of them spoke. The atmosphere became awkward for a moment, utterly lacking the abandon and intimacy they had shared when they had bared themselves before each other.

"I'll go first," Catherine said, breaking the stalemate. She looked straight into Chen Rui's eyes. "There's no need for us to beat around the bush. I'll ask only one question: will you come back with me?"

The question seemed easy enough to answer, but Chen Rui understood what she meant. It was a multiple-choice question.

The same old question.

Before this, Chen Rui could have given her an answer with barely any hesitation.