"...Xiao Yan."
Yao Wan took a light breath, then forced herself to pull herself together and softly called out.
"—Mm, I'm here."
A moment later, her husband answered. Most of his focus was still on refining the Sacred Flame, and even though his cultivation had surged and the process was nearing its end, Xiao Yan's response was somewhat off as well.
"Did you succeed?"
Yao Wan slowly exhaled a scorching breath, feeling as though her entire body were burning. Her mind was hazy too, muddled into a mess.
"Mm, the refinement is basically complete. Since part of their origins share the same nature, the fusion went smoothly... If nothing unexpected happens, I should already be at the Immortal Grade."
Xiao Yan forced himself to stay alert as he spoke.
"I see. That's good..."
Xiao Yan's answer made Yao Wan sigh in relief. As though she had finally received permission, she leaned closer, approaching his face.
"—Wan'er?"
His heartbeat gradually sped up, and his temperature rose with it. The scorching sensation that had been building in his heart was instantly ignited like dry tinder meeting flame, burning away what little reason he had left.
"...Can't you be a little less oblivious?"
Her faintly trembling fingertips hooked around his collar, then slid over Xiao Yan's neck like a snake. They caressed his gaunt yet slightly dazed face. Her dark crimson eyes were like mirrors, reflecting her indistinct figure. Her soft breaths, half-lidded eyes, and expression were not much different from his own.
"Wait, the pills... I prepared pills beforehand—"
Xiao Yan instinctively opened his Storage Ring. Before he could even grasp the jade bottle firmly, it was knocked flying somewhere by Xuan Yi's black sleeves trimmed with gold.
Slender fingertips pressed against his lips before he could voice his surprise. Yao Wan,