Yue Shen's Initiative

Zhao Linchuan did not stop his pace, leading her up the red-carpeted stairs. Hearing her words, he chuckled and countered, "If it were you, what would you do?"

Yue Shen remained all smiles, her tone light and casual. "Me? Naturally, I would... first gouge out his eyes, then cut out his tongue, followed by pulling his tendons and peeling his skin, and finally... hang him as a human lantern~"

Her smile remained as sweet as ever.

Zhao Linchuan shook his head with a laugh; this girl, the ruthlessness in her bones could never truly be changed.

Outside the Rose Hotel, amidst the bustling crowd, a girl with an exceptionally voluptuous figure, dressed in tight leather, took in everything that had happened in the hotel lobby.

She watched Dai Mubai, who lay on the ground unable to rise, his lower body in a wretched state. Her delicate brows furrowed tightly, and her eyes flashed with complex, inscrutable emotions—shock, disappointment, and anxiety for the future.

He seems truly crippled. Even if he manages to defeat his older brother in the struggle for power, the Star Luo Empire would never allow a man unable to continue the royal bloodline to inherit the throne.

What... what should I do? Zhu Zhuqing's heart sank. The anger she had originally felt over Dai Mubai's debauchery in Soto City was now replaced by a more realistic, icy chill.

It seemed that no matter what, she could not escape death.

Not far away, from another direction, a tall and slender girl dressed in simple, practical attire, with a lively and spirited temperament, was also curiously craning her neck, having witnessed that lightning-fast scene.

She blinked her bright, large eyes, a look of surprise appearing on her face.

Wow! That man... so fast! So fierce! He finished it in one move?

Ning Rongrong rubbed her chin, her little head spinning rapidly. If I could bring him back to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect to be my personal guardian soul master... Father, Sword Grandpa, and Bone Grandpa would probably be very happy, right?

The sect doesn't seem to have such a... hmm, handsome and powerful young soul master yet!

Meanwhile, the travel-worn Tang San seemed to have been influenced by something; hurrying along, he had just stepped into Soto City...

Rose Hotel, the top-floor ocean of red.

Yue Shen stood elegantly before the spacious floor-to-ceiling window, overlooking the scenery in the distance. Hearing Zhao Linchuan's approaching footsteps behind her, she did not turn her head, her tone carrying a hint of long-expected disdain.

"I knew it! You specifically brought me out, and it definitely wasn't for anything 'good'!"

Zhao Linchuan ignored her teasing, walked straight to the soft, large bed, and unceremoniously lay back. He stretched his limbs, let out a comfortable sigh, and then closed his eyes, saying flatly:

"Can't be bothered with you. I'm resting for a bit. If there's anything... we'll talk about it later."

"Huh?!"

Hearing this, Yue Shen spun around abruptly. Her willow brows arched, and her beautiful eyes glared at the man on the bed who wore an "I'm sleeping, don't bother me" expression. Her silver teeth gently bit her lower lip, and she asked with a touch of annoyance and coquetry:

"You... you're just going to sleep like that?"

Zhao Linchuan didn't even open his eyes, lazily retorting, "Otherwise? What do you want?"

Seeing his impenetrable attitude, the fire in Yue Shen's heart flared up instantly.

She moved with lotus steps to the bedside, looking down at him from above. She tilted her exquisite chin slightly and let out a soft huff through her nose, her tone haughty and carrying a clear hint of suggestion.

"What do I want? You... what do you think?" Her cheeks, however, involuntarily flushed with a faint blush.

Zhao Linchuan suddenly opened his eyes.

He turned his head to look at Yue Shen, who stood by the bed with flushed cheeks, her eyes darting away yet harboring hidden anticipation. A smirk slowly curled the corners of his mouth.

The next instant, his arm shot out like lightning, grabbing Yue Shen's slender wrist.

"Ah!" Yue Shen let out a soft cry. Before she could react, an irresistible force pulled her forward. She gasped as she tumbled into the soft bed, landing beside Zhao Linchuan.

Zhao Linchuan rolled over, pinning her beneath him. Their noses were almost touching, and their breath was audible.

Yue Shen could clearly see her own reflection in his eyes, along with the unmasked flames dancing within them.

"Ooh... are you going to bully a weak girl like me! Be gentle!"

Yue Shen's voice softened involuntarily, tinged with a tremor and shyness, her long eyelashes fluttering like the wings of a startled butterfly.

However, the development of certain things did not seem to go entirely as expected.

Three minutes later.

Yue Shen lay on her side, one hand propping up her cheek, while the other, white as jade, stroked the hair of Zhao Linchuan, who was lying on her chest as if exhausted and resting his eyes.

A look of triumph and a hint of playfulness played on her face. She whispered in his ear with a clearly teasing tone.

"And here I thought you were so powerful~"

She drew out the syllables, her fingertips tracing his sweat-dampened temple. "As it turns out... on this 'Soul Fighting Arena,' adding it all up, you only... lasted a minute? Heh~"

That soft laugh was filled with the implication of "is that all?"

Zhao Linchuan's body stiffened imperceptibly. He remained lying still, but his fingers, which were clutching her collar, tightened involuntarily.

Yue Shen keenly sensed this small movement, and the smile in her eyes deepened. She lowered her head, breathing her warm breath against his ear, and continued to pour oil on the fire.

"What? Not convinced?" Her tone was charming, yet every word stung.

Zhao Linchuan was silent for a moment before saying in a low voice: "You'd better... not beg for mercy later."

"Beg for mercy? Hahaha." Yue Shen extended the tip of her tongue to gently lick her slightly swollen lips. Her eyes were provocative, and her smile became even more alluring and teasing. "So what if I endure you for a minute?"

These words completely ignited the "desire to win" and the dignity of a Soul Master within someone's heart.

The more Zhao Linchuan listened, the angrier he became, feeling a surge of hot blood rush straight to his head.

He took a sharp, deep breath, as if trying to inhale all the surrounding air into his lungs, and then... without a word, he expressed his "defiance" through action!

He exerted force in his arms and swept Yue Shen, who was still somewhat dazed, up into a bridal carry!

"Eek! What are you doing?!" Yue Shen exclaimed in surprise.

Ignoring her, Zhao Linchuan held her tight and strode toward the indoor Martial Arts Arena.

"Zhao Linchuan! Put me down! Let's talk this over! I—I was just joking!"

Realizing she might have pushed things too far, Yue Shen began to struggle in his arms.

"Too late." Zhao Linchuan dropped only those two words, kicked open the ajar bathroom door, and walked inside.

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