Hu Liena: Be My Woman, Love Me!

Hu Liena's eyes lit up.

"You finally know how to compliment someone."

"It's the truth."

"You're not allowed to speak only the truth today."

She picked up another piece of Soul Beast meat.

"Give me another compliment."

"The meat is grilled well."

"What else?"

"The spirit fruit is good too."

Hu Liena placed the spirit fruit in his hand.

"You eat this yourself."

"Weren't you going to take care of me?"

"I took care of two pieces."

She lifted her face.

"Now it's your turn to take care of me."

Lin Tian picked up a spirit fruit and held it to her lips.

Hu Liena opened her mouth and took a bite.

Her red lips brushed across his fingertips.

She did not pull away immediately, merely looking at Lin Tian.

"I accompanied you to hunt Soul Beasts today."

"You didn't make a move."

"I blocked the aftershocks for you."

"You already said that."

"So I deserve credit."

"You want a reward?"

Hu Liena nodded softly.

"I want you to take out your sword."

Lin Tian took out the dark-gold longsword and placed it before her.

Hu Liena reached out and gripped the hilt.

She drew the longsword partway from its sheath.

The dark-gold sword light reflected in her eyes.

"This sword is quite heavy."

"You can hold it with Soul Power."

Hu Liena circulated her Soul Power.

The golden light on the blade brightened in response.

She tried swinging it once.

The blade sliced through the air, stirring up a gust.

Hu Liena immediately withdrew her power and returned the sword to its sheath.

"It still doesn't suit me."

"You use Enchantment and spiritual power."

"So I'm only suited to holding it and looking at it."

"Mm."

Hu Liena pushed the sword back in front of Lin Tian.

"Then I'll keep you company when you practice swordsmanship from now on."

"Alright."

"You practice your sword, and I'll watch from the side."

"Alright."

"When you rest, I'll sit beside you."

"Alright."

Hu Liena moved closer and placed her palm against Lin Tian's chest.

"You answer so quickly every time."

"Nothing you said affects my cultivation."

"Then what does it affect?"

"Nothing."

Hu Liena looked at him and wrapped her arms around his waist.

"I'm very tired today."

"I'm the one who absorbed the Soul Ring."

"I'm the one who walked alongside you too."

"You can rest."

"Then hold me."

Lin Tian raised a hand and supported her waist.

Hu Liena naturally leaned into his arms.

Her light-brown hair fell over Lin Tian's arm, and the hem of her dress rested against the stone platform. She closed her eyes, her body gradually relaxing.

"Does the sixth soul skill have any side effects?"

"No."

"What about Soul Power consumption?"

"It consumes less than the fifth soul skill."

"Then your strength has improved again."

"Mm."

Hu Liena pressed her face against his chest.

"When will I be able to catch up to you?"

"After you reach level sixty."

"You're already level sixty-five."

"You'll continue improving."

"But you'll improve too."

"So the gap will remain."

Hu Liena raised her face.

"You can't keep discouraging me like this."

"I'm telling the truth."

"Then I'll tell you a truth too."

"What?"

"You need to rest now."

"I can still cultivate."

"Not today."

Hu Liena reached out and took away the Whale Rubber in front of him.

"You've already absorbed a Fifty-Thousand-Year Spirit Ring."

"Your body needs to adapt to the new Soul Power."

"I'm fine."

"This is my arrangement."

Lin Tian looked at her.

Hu Liena stored the Whale Rubber in her Soul Tool.

"I'm your friend now."

"You're still my teammate."

"Then I have the right to remind you."

"Alright."

She leaned back into Lin Tian's arms.

"No cultivation tonight."

"Continue tomorrow."

"Not too early tomorrow either."

"I'm going to the Worship Hall in the morning."

"Then cultivate in the afternoon."

"Alright."

Hu Liena nodded in satisfaction.

She raised a hand, grabbed Lin Tian's collar, and pulled him closer.

Her red lips paused beside Lin Tian's for an instant.

"This is the first reward."

"There's more?"

"Of course."

She raised both arms and wrapped them around Lin Tian's neck.

This time, she did not pull away immediately.

Lin Tian held her waist and lifted her onto his lap.

Hu Liena gently adjusted her sitting position, her Light Golden Long Skirt spreading from the side of her knees. Her legs were pressed together, her body against Lin Tian's chest.

"You're more proactive than before today."

"You asked for it."

"I didn't ask you to hold me."

"You took the initiative to move closer just now."

"You could have chosen not to hold me."

Lin Tian tightened his arms.

"It's too late now."

Hu Liena pressed her face against his shoulder.

"I like it like this."

"Mm."

"After you return to Spirit City, will you enter seclusion again soon?"

"No."

"You're going to cultivate the Angel Three Absolutes?"

"I'll set aside time every day."

"Then I'll accompany you while you practice your sword."

"You don't know swordsmanship."

"I can watch."

"Alright."

Hu Liena looked up at him.

"Where are you sleeping tonight?"

"The cultivation room."

"You can't sleep there tonight."

"Why?"

"I already said it. You need to rest."

"It's the same wherever I rest."

"Then go to my room."

Lin Tian looked at her.

Hu Liena did not avoid his gaze.

"You promised that after we returned from hunting the Soul Ring, you would give me a greater reward."

"This is the reward?"

"This is only part of it."

"What else is there?"

"I'll tell you when we get to the room."

Lin Tian stood up while holding her.

Hu Liena's arms rested around his neck, her legs naturally drawing together.

"Are you really going to carry me there?"

"I thought you just asked me to rest."

"I told you to rest, not to carry me."

"You can walk by yourself."

Hu Liena buried her face against his shoulder.

"I don't want to walk right now."

Lin Tian carried her out of the cultivation room.

Night had completely enveloped the courtyard.

Two Soul Power lamps were lit in the room.

Lin Tian set Hu Liena down on the edge of the bed.

She raised a hand and caught Lin Tian's sleeve, not letting him leave.

"Sit down first."

Lin Tian sat beside her.

Hu Liena reached out to undo the sash at the waist of her long dress, gathering part of the skirt upward.

Her black stockings rested against the edge of the bed, while she kicked her white soft boots aside.

"This is more comfortable."

"Are you getting ready to sleep?"

"Mm."

Hu Liena pulled the covers over and covered her legs.

She shifted closer to Lin Tian, resting her shoulder against his arm.

"You're not taking off your outer robe?"

"No need."

"Then how are you going to sleep?"

"By sitting cross-legged and cultivating."

Hu Liena immediately sat upright.

"No."

"What's wrong with that?"

"You have to sleep tonight."

"I can cultivate."

"You just absorbed a Fifty-Thousand-Year Spirit Ring."

"My body is fine."

"I don't care."

Hu Liena pressed a hand against his chest.

"Tonight, you can only sleep with me."

"We still have to go to the Worship Hall tomorrow."

"That's why you need to rest even more tonight."

Lin Tian looked at her for a moment, then lay down on the bed.

Only then was Hu Liena satisfied.

She pulled the covers apart on both sides and lay down close against Lin Tian.

Her long hair spread across the pillow, its ends falling over Lin Tian's shoulder.

She wrapped an arm around Lin Tian's waist and pressed her face to his chest.

"That's more like it."

"How long are you planning to hold me?"

"Until you fall asleep."

"I won't fall asleep that quickly."

"Then I'll keep holding you."

Lin Tian's palm settled on her lower back.

Hu Liena relaxed.

"Back in the Great Star Dou Forest today, did you see me block the aftershock?"

"I did."

"Did I do well?"

"Not bad."

"Just not bad?"

"You did well."

Hu Liena's eyes lit up.

"This time, it doesn't count as a fact."

"It is still a fact."

"I still like hearing it."

She lifted her face and lightly brushed her lips against Lin Tian's.

"This is the second reward."

"That reward is too little."

"What else do you want?"

"You said it was a reward for me."

Hu Liena blinked.

"I'm not ready yet."

"Get ready now."

"Then close your eyes first."

Lin Tian closed his eyes.

Hu Liena propped herself up, her Light Golden Long Skirt spreading over the covers. She leaned down close, her long hair falling from her shoulders and concealing them both.

A moment later, she lay back down in Lin Tian's arms.

"Done."

"What?"

"I already gave you the reward."

"I didn't feel anything."

Hu Liena lightly tapped his chest.

"You had your eyes closed just now, so of course you wouldn't know."

"Then what was it?"

"I'll tell you tomorrow."

Lin Tian opened his eyes.

Hu Liena immediately shut hers.

"I'm asleep."

"You're not asleep."

"I am now."

She tightened her embrace around Lin Tian's waist and buried her face deeper.

Lin Tian did not press the matter further.

The room fell quiet again.

The Soul Power lamps cast their light over the two of them.

Hu Liena's breathing gradually steadied, but her fingers continued clutching Lin Tian's collar.

Lin Tian raised a hand and smoothed her hair.

After a long while, Hu Liena finally spoke softly.

"Lin Tian."

"Mm."

"If you get anything better in the future, you have to think of me first too."

"If it suits you, I'll give it to you."

"Not something that suits me."

She did not lift her head.

"Something you're willing to give me."

"Mm."

Only then did Hu Liena relax.

"I'll remember that."

"Just remember it."

"Tomorrow, when you go to the Worship Hall, I'm coming with you."

"Master didn't summon you."

"I'm your friend."

"And my teammate."

"So I can come with you."

"You can."

Hu Liena chuckled softly.

"You agreed faster than Teacher did this time."

"She won't stop you."

"And I won't let her stop me."

She tightened her arms.

"You can't go see her alone."

"It's only cultivation."

"I know."

Hu Liena kept her eyes closed.

"But I'm still coming with you."

"Mm."

"Will you always stay in Spirit Hall?"

"For now."

"That's not the answer."

"Then what is?"

"You should say that you won't leave."

Lin Tian looked at Hu Liena in his arms.

"I won't leave."

Hu Liena's fingers slowly relaxed.

"That's good."

She moved a little closer into Lin Tian's embrace.

"You're not allowed to leave tonight."

"I won't."

"Tomorrow, you have to come find me first too."

"You'll be in the cultivation room."

"Then come straight there."

"Alright."

Hu Liena finally closed her eyes.

"Good night."

"Good night."

Lin Tian tightened his arms and held her close.

The dark golden longsword beside the table rested quietly on its sword stand.

The Seraphim pattern on its scabbard glimmered faintly with golden light beneath the Soul Power lamps.

Hu Liena's breathing gradually steadied.

She stayed beside Lin Tian rather than returning to her own room.

That night, the two slept in each other's arms.

The next morning.

The sky had only just begun to brighten.

Pale golden light slipped through the gap in the window and fell along the edge of the bed.

Outside, the faint rustle of wind through leaves could be heard, while the Soul Power lamps in the courtyard had already extinguished themselves.

Hu Liena opened her eyes.

She was still nestled in Lin Tian's arms, one hand resting at his waist and the other gripping his collar.

Her Light Golden Long Skirt spread across the covers, its hem rising and falling gently with her breathing.

Lin Tian was already awake.

He sat cross-legged at one side of the bed, his black-and-gold robes neatly worn.

Hu Liena's cheek rested against his chest, her light brown hair scattered beside his arm.

"When did you wake up?"

Hu Liena lifted her face.

"Just now."

"Why didn't you wake me when you got up?"

"You were still sleeping."

"Then why didn't you keep sleeping?"

"I need to cultivate."

Hu Liena propped herself up, her long hair sliding over her shoulders.

She glanced out the window, then fell back into Lin Tian's arms.

"It's still early."

"It's already time to cultivate."

"You just broke through to level sixty-five. Shouldn't you rest today?"

"My Soul Power has stabilized."

"You still need to rest."

Hu Liena reached out and pressed a hand against Lin Tian's chest, refusing to let him get up.

She wore a light-colored long dress, its hem spread across the bed. Black stockings wrapped around her calves, and the white soft boots she had taken off last night rested by her feet.

"We're not going to the Worship Hall today."

"Master told me to go tomorrow."

"Then you're not allowed to start cultivating right away today either."

"What are you planning to do?"

"Keep me company while I get up first."

"You're already awake."

"Even if I'm awake, I still need someone to keep me company."

Lin Tian looked at her.

Hu Liena did not avoid his gaze.

She raised a hand to straighten Lin Tian's collar, smoothing the black-and-gold neckline as her fingertips traced the golden patterns down to his chest.

"You carried me through the forest the whole way yesterday."

"You asked me to."

"This morning, I want you to take care of me too."

"How?"

"Help me put on my boots."

Lin Tian looked toward the bedside.

Hu Liena followed his gaze, but did not get up immediately.

She wrapped her arms around Lin Tian's neck and pressed herself a little closer.

"Say you'll do it first."

"Alright."

"And comb my hair."

"Alright."

"And have breakfast with me."

"Alright."

Only then did Hu Liena loosen her arms.

Lin Tian got out of bed and brought the white soft boots to the bedside.

Hu Liena sat at the edge of the bed, her Light Golden Long Skirt hanging just above her ankles. She lifted one foot and lightly tapped Lin Tian's knee with her toes.

"Put on the left one first."

Lin Tian held her ankle and slipped the soft boot onto her foot.

Hu Liena lowered her head to watch him, a smile gradually appearing on her face.

"You've never helped anyone else put on shoes before, have you?"

"No."

"Then am I the first?"

"Yes."

"You'll remember that?"

"I'll remember."

Lin Tian tied her soft boot, then picked up the other one.

Hu Liena drew back her left foot and extended her right foot before him.

Her ankle was slender, and a small strip of skin showed where the black stocking met the white soft boot.

"Move a little slower."

"Going too slowly will delay cultivation."

"There's no rush today."

"You were the one who wanted to cultivate just now."

"I changed my mind."

Lin Tian put on her other soft boot.

Hu Liena stood and walked to the bronze mirror. She gathered up her long hair, but it was too disheveled, and she failed to arrange it properly after several attempts.

Lin Tian came up behind her.

"Sit down."

"You're going to comb my hair?"

"Yes."

Hu Liena sat on the wooden chair before the mirror.

Lin Tian picked up a wooden comb and slowly drew it down from the top of her head. Her light brown hair fell along her shoulders and back, several strands sliding over her pale gold skirt.

Hu Liena looked at their reflections in the mirror.

"You're getting better and better at taking care of people."

"It's only combing hair."

"Putting on boots, combing hair, having breakfast together."

"None of that is difficult."

"But I like it."

She raised her hand and held Lin Tian's hand resting by her shoulder.