Zhao Linchuan kept walking, leading her up the red-carpeted stairs. At her words, he chuckled and asked in return,
"If it were you, what would you do?"
Yue Shen was still smiling brightly, her tone easy and casual. "Me? Of course... I'd gouge out his eyes first, then cut out his tongue, tear out his tendons, skin him alive, and finally... hoist him up as a human lantern~"
Her smile remained as sweet as ever.
Zhao Linchuan shook his head with a laugh. That girl's ruthless nature was carved into her bones. She'd never change.
Outside the Rose Hotel, amid the bustling crowds, a young woman with an exceptionally curvaceous figure, clad in tight leather, had seen everything that happened in the lobby.
She looked at Dai Mubai, sprawled on the floor with his lower half in a mess. Her delicate brows drew tightly together, and complicated, unreadable emotions flickered in her eyes: shock, disappointment, and worry for the future.
He really does seem to be ruined. Even if he manages to defeat his elder brother in the struggle for the throne one day, the Star Luo Empire would never let someone incapable of continuing the imperial bloodline inherit it.
What... what should I do? Zhu Zhuqing's heart sank. The fury she'd felt over Dai Mubai's debauchery in Suotuo City had now been replaced by a colder, more immediate dread.
It seemed that no matter what, she couldn't escape death.
Not far away, in another direction, a tall, slender young woman in simple, fitted clothes, with a lively and spirited air about her, was also peeking curiously over to watch the lightning-fast scene.
She blinked her bright eyes, surprise spreading across her face.
Wow! That man... so fast! So fierce! He took him down with one move?
Ning Rongrong rubbed her chin, her little mind racing. If I could bring him back to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and make him my personal guardian Soul Master... Dad, Sword Grandpa, Bone Grandpa, and the others would probably be thrilled, right?
The sect doesn't seem to have any young Soul Masters like him... well, so handsome and so powerful!
Meanwhile, Tang San, travel-worn and weary, seemed to have been affected by something. He hurried as fast as he could and had only just entered Suotuo City...
At the top of the Rose Hotel, in the Red Ocean, Yue Shen stood gracefully before the spacious floor-to-ceiling windows, gazing down at the distant scenery. Hearing Zhao Linchuan's approaching footsteps behind her, she didn't turn around. Her voice held the scornful tone of someone who'd seen right through him.
"I knew it. You went out of your way to bring me here, so it was bound to be for 'no good'!"
Zhao Linchuan ignored her teasing. He walked straight to the soft, broad bed and flopped onto his back without a care, stretching his limbs and letting out a contented sigh. Then he closed his eyes and said flatly,
"I can't be bothered with you. I'm going to rest for a while. Whatever it is... we'll talk later."
"Hm?!"
At his words, Yue Shen spun around, her brows shooting up as she glared at the man on the bed, who looked very much like he was saying, "I'm going to sleep, so don't bother me." She lightly bit her lip, sounding both irritated and coquettish as she asked,
"You... you're just going to sleep?"
Zhao Linchuan didn't even open his eyes. "What else? What do you want to do?"
Seeing how utterly impervious he was, Yue Shen felt anger flare up inside her.
She took a few graceful steps to the bedside and looked down at him, chin tilted ever so slightly. She gave a soft snort, her tone haughty yet unmistakably suggestive.
"What do I want to do? You... what do you think?" Her cheeks nonetheless flushed a faint pink.
Zhao Linchuan suddenly opened his eyes.
He turned his head toward Yue Shen. Her cheeks were flushed, her eyes darting away, though there was anticipation hidden in them. The corner of his mouth slowly curled into a half-smile.
The next instant, his arm shot out like lightning and seized Yue Shen by her slender wrist.
"Ah!" Yue Shen let out a soft cry. Before she could react, an irresistible force pulled her forward. She pitched toward him with a startled gasp and tumbled onto the soft bed beside Zhao Linchuan.
Zhao Linchuan rolled over and loomed over her. Their noses were almost touching, and they could feel each other's breath.
Yue Shen could clearly see her reflection in his eyes, along with the flames burning there, no longer concealed.
"Mm... a-are you going to bully a weak woman like me? Be gentle!"
Yue Shen's voice softened against her will, trembling with shyness. Her long lashes fluttered like the wings of a startled butterfly.
However, some things didn't seem to go quite as expected.
Three minutes later.
Yue Shen lay on her side, propping her cheek on one hand while her other pale, jade-like hand idly stroked Zhao Linchuan's hair. He was draped across her chest, seemingly exhausted and resting with his eyes closed.
She wore a smug expression, touched with a hint of mischief, and whispered in his ear with unmistakable teasing.
"I thought you were so amazing~"
She drew out the words, her fingertips brushing his sweat-damp temple. "But when you stepped onto this 'Soul Fighting Arena'... all told, you only lasted... one minute? Heh~"
Her soft laugh said it all: You're nothing special.
Zhao Linchuan's body stiffened almost imperceptibly. He remained sprawled across her, but his fingers tightened involuntarily around her lapel.
Yue Shen caught the tiny movement at once, and the smile in her eyes grew. She leaned closer, breathing warm air against his ear as she continued to fan the flames.
"What's wrong? Can't take it?" Her voice was coquettish, but every word struck home.
Zhao Linchuan was silent for a moment before he spoke in a low voice. "You'd better not beg for mercy later."
"Beg for mercy? Hahaha." Yue Shen extended the tip of her tongue and lightly licked her slightly swollen lips. Her eyes were provocative, her smile growing more alluring and teasing. "So what if I only put up with you for a minute?"
Those words completely set fire to his competitive spirit and a Soul Master's pride.
The more Zhao Linchuan listened, the angrier he grew, until hot blood surged straight to his head.
He drew in a deep breath, as if to suck all the air around him into his lungs, and then... said nothing, answering her taunt with action!
He flexed his arm and scooped the still-dazed Yue Shen up into his arms!
"Ah! What are you doing?!" Yue Shen cried out.
Zhao Linchuan ignored her and strode toward the indoor Martial Arts Arena with her in his arms.
"Zhao Linchuan! Put me down! We can talk this out! I-I was only joking!"
Yue Shen realized she'd pushed things too far and began struggling in his arms.
"Too late." Zhao Linchuan dropped only those two words, kicked open the bathroom door, which had been left ajar, and went inside.
Before you continue