The soft voice slipped into the guards' ears, making them itch until both men shuddered involuntarily.
The graceful figure stopped three meters in front of them. A delicate fragrance wafted over, rushing straight into their nostrils.
The guards instinctively looked toward the newcomer, but the moment they met You Lian's violet-glowing eyes, they froze.
"Enter."
The two guards mechanically uncrossed their Long Halberds and stepped aside.
The corners of You Lian's mouth curved beneath her veil as she swayed past the guards.
You Lian met no obstacles along the way.
The maids she passed paid her no heed, as if an indistinct boundary separated them from her.
After crossing the corridor, You Lian stopped outside Dai Mobai's bedchamber.
Her gorgeous violet eyes swept across the room. It was empty.
"An intruder. Soul King strength."
The little girl's voice in his mind made Dai Mobai's fingers pause as they tapped the bathtub.
"Man or woman?"
Dai Mobai propped up his upper body, sending ripples across the water.
"A woman."
"A woman? Coming here at a time like this—does she want to throw herself into my arms?"
Dai Mobai raised an eyebrow and looked at himself in the mirror.
This time, the voice in his mind did not answer. It only breathed a little harder.
"All right, I was only joking. Even if she really does want to throw herself into my arms, I'd have to be interested in her first. You know my standards are high."
Dai Mobai braced both arms against the bathtub and pushed himself up.
He grabbed the bathrobe hanging on a nearby clothes rack, put it on, and walked out of the bathroom.
As soon as he opened the door, a voluptuous figure appeared in his sight.
"Your Highness, Second Prince."
You Lian curtsied to Dai Mobai, her ample bosom spilling halfway out from her neckline, pale and swaying.
"Who are you?"
Dai Mobai's gaze fell unabashedly on You Lian's neckline.
Noticing his stare, You Lian's eyes flashed with disdain, but she lowered herself even further.
"This humble woman is You Lian, a gift from the Third Prince to Your Highness, the Second Prince, as an apology."
"A gift as an apology?"
Dai Mobai pulled out a chair and sat down.
"Come closer and let this prince have a good look at you."
He beckoned You Lian with a finger.
"Yes."
You Lian obediently nodded and swayed toward Dai Mobai.
As her steps crossed, the view beneath her skirt was impossible to miss.
In a corner of the bedchamber, Li Yue's brows had knitted together.
He said he wouldn't be affected, yet he still fell for it. Men really were all the same.
Though vexed, Li Yue tensed, her gaze fixed on You Lian.
If the other woman made even the slightest move, she would act at once and save Dai Mobai.
You Lian approached Dai Mobai step by step, making no effort to hide her charms.
Feeling his gaze linger on her, a hint of smugness appeared in her eyes.
Men really were the easiest creatures in the world to control.
She wondered what a prince's blood tasted like.
Beneath her veil, You Lian stuck out her tongue and licked her sharp fangs.
Just then, a cool breeze swept past, lifting You Lian's qipao and carrying her delicate fragrance toward Dai Mobai's face.
Dai Mobai inhaled, his brow furrowing slightly.
"Stop."
Dai Mobai's sudden command reached You Lian's ears.
You Lian froze for a moment, then quickly reined in her emotions.
"Sure enough, I still can't do it."
Dai Mobai shook his head, his gaze settling on You Lian.
When she met Dai Mobai's mismatched gold and red eyes, You Lian's heartbeat missed a beat. A naked feeling of being seen through rose in her heart for no reason.
"Your Highness, Third Prince, have I done something wrong?"
You Lian stood three steps away from Dai Mobai. She blinked, her voice gentle and pitiful.
"I'd wanted to play along with you, but I can't help it. That stench on you is simply too pungent."
Dai Mobai waved a hand in front of his face, as though trying to dispel some foul smell.
"Your Highness, Third Prince, you're so mean, teasing this humble woman like that. How could there be any stench on me?"
You Lian's face stiffened, but she quickly recovered.
She raised her arm and sniffed near her nose twice.
"I smell lovely. Your Highness must have gotten it wrong. If you don't believe me, smell again."
As she spoke, You Lian stretched out her arm toward Dai Mobai.
Dai Mobai said nothing. He only looked at You Lian, the corners of his mouth faintly raised in mockery.
The unease in You Lian's heart grew, but the opportunity was right in front of her. She could only grit her teeth and press on.
Her hand drew closer and closer to Dai Mobai.
Five feet... three feet... one foot.
"Smack—"
Dai Mobai seized You Lian's wrist. His fingers tightened, instantly leaving a red mark.
"You really think your ridiculous disguise can fool me?"
He frowned at You Lian, the golden pupil in his left eye glowing faintly.
"Shriek—"
The answer to Dai Mobai was a piercing scream that nearly burst his eardrums.
Violet light enveloped You Lian in an instant.
Her once graceful body swelled and stretched in the purple glow.
Her slender arms grew thick, and pale bones sprouted from her elbows.
Her long legs grew shorter and thicker. Her toes pierced through her high-heeled leather shoes, clawing into the floor like a chicken's feet.
"Riiip—"
A pair of pitch-black bat wings burst from her back, completely shredding the tattered black qipao she wore.
Watching You Lian's graceful figure turn into such a monstrous creature, Dai Mobai let go of her wrist with a disgusted look.
"Now you're not only stinky, but ugly, too. No wonder you hide behind a black veil."
"I really don't know what Dai Mubai was thinking, sending you to use a honey trap."
Every word Dai Mobai spoke struck deep into You Lian's heart.
Her once-violet eyes now glimmered with a hint of crimson.
"Stinking man! How dare you humiliate me, Moon Concubine! I'll bite through your neck, then drain your blood little by little!"
She bared her mouthful of fangs and let out a furious roar.
Moon Concubine?
Li Yue, who had been about to act, froze in the room, a look of surprise crossing her face.
But while she was distracted, the Soul Ring beneath Moon Concubine's feet lit up.
"Fourth Soul Skill—Soul-Absorbing Eye!"
Rich purple light poured from Moon Concubine's eyes and shot straight toward Dai Mobai.
Moon Concubine, whose Martial Soul was the Soul-Sucking Demon Bat, had absolute confidence in this move.
Back when she had been a Four-Ring Soul Ancestor, she had used this move to forcibly control a Six-Ring Soul Emperor.
Dai Mobai was only a three-ring Soul Elder. There was no way he could escape her control.
A bloodthirsty gleam shone in Moon Concubine's eyes. She could hardly wait to bite through Dai Mobai's neck and drain his blood.
By the time Li Yue came to her senses, Moon Concubine's Soul Skill was already less than a palm's distance from Dai Mobai.
Damn it, I...
Li Yue drew the soft sword from her waist. Just as she was about to rush out, a dense crimson light flared, instantly filling the entire bedchamber.