Seeing that Ling Feng had eyes only for Xuan Su, Xia Wanjin, who had been through such things himself, understood his intentions and hurriedly motioned for everyone to withdraw.
Sensing Ling Feng's burning gaze, Xuan Su felt inexplicably flustered.
She was clearly uneasy around him.
When she saw Ling Feng wave Xia Wanjin and the others away, she seemed to realize what he had in mind and tried to leave first. But how could her movements escape his notice? He caught her with one hand.
"Y-you, let go of me."
With everyone watching, Xuan Su could not help struggling, though she clearly made no attempt to use force.
"No."
"It looks bad if someone sees you holding me like this." Finding her struggles futile, Xuan Su lowered her head and spoke softly, her face flushed crimson.
Ling Feng gave a teasing smile. "So you mean, when no one's around, I can..."
As his words strayed further and further off course, Xuan Su hurriedly raised her head and interrupted, "No, that's not what I meant."
As she spoke, Xuan Su stole a glance around. Seeing the strange looks Xia Wanjin and the others were giving her, she blushed scarlet and lowered her head, as though she wanted to find a crack in the ground to crawl into.
Ling Feng smiled knowingly. "I don't see anything wrong with it. Besides, did any of you see anything?"
At the end, Ling Feng's expression suddenly turned cold as he looked at Xia Wanjin and the others, the threat unmistakable.
"No!"
Xia Wanjin and the guards and stewards behind him shook their heads in unison. The sight was so comical that Ling Feng smiled in satisfaction.
That only made Xuan Su's crimson cheeks grow redder. Forcing herself to remain composed, she deliberately found an excuse. "The president still needs me for something. Let go of me."
As she spoke, Xuan Su secretly cast Xia Wanjin a pleading look. Ling Feng immediately shot him a sideways glance. "President Xia, do you need my Su'er for something?"
"Ah... no. Of course not."
At Ling Feng's hostile gaze and tone, Xia Wanjin hurriedly extricated himself, while inwardly cursing. You two lovebirds are flirting. Why drag me into it?
"President! You..."
Xuan Su's face flushed red, but she could find no words.
"Oh dear, why can't I hear anything? I'd better get that checked..."
Xia Wanjin stuck his index fingers into his ears and hurried away, thinking, Xuan Su, oh, Xuan Su, don't blame me. That boy's too fierce. Even I can't stand up to him. Sacrifice yourself, and make things work out for all three of us...
Once Xia Wanjin left, his subordinates followed one after another. Xia Zhilan pursed her lips and walked away looking displeased as well.
"My Su'er, you can't escape."
With everyone gone, Ling Feng grew even bolder in his teasing. Her face crimson, Xuan Su feigned anger. "Don't call me Su'er! W-what exactly do you want?"
By the end, her voice had softened despite herself. Knowing she was not truly angry, Ling Feng continued teasing her.
"You're asking what I want? Do you really want to hear it?"
A little curious herself, Xuan Su followed up. "What exactly do you want?"
Ling Feng gave a roguish grin. "I want to @ you!"
Straight to the point, simple and crude.
His blunt, vulgar words left Xuan Su stunned for a moment. Once she recovered, her entire face turned scarlet, and she spat at Ling Feng, her cheeks and ears burning, "Lecher!"
With that, Xuan Su immediately tried to flee. But Ling Feng's wicked hands pulled her straight into his arms, and without hesitation, he pressed a forceful kiss onto her tender red lips.
Xuan Su's beautiful eyes widened. Clearly, she had never expected Ling Feng to be so bold. But when he thrust straight in... Xuan Su, who had begun to lose herself, immediately struggled free.
Although she resisted his domineering behavior somewhat, she inexplicably felt no disgust. It was simply that his boldness left her visibly flustered.
"Y-you're asking to die!"
Xuan Su glared at Ling Feng, embarrassed and angry, her words tumbling out. "How dare you..."
Despite Xuan Su's embarrassed anger, Ling Feng continued smiling. He even licked his lips at her, as though he had not had enough. Xuan Su glared at him in mortification, but when that proved useless, she fled with her face burning red.
"A little teasing every day feels great!"
Watching that lovely figure flee in panic, Ling Feng smiled knowingly. Then, recalling something, he licked his lips again and chuckled inwardly. So sweet!
But why have I become so wicked and domineering? It's as though my desires have been magnified. Could it be... the Taotie bloodline?
Noticing the changes in himself, Ling Feng grew thoughtful. According to legend, Taotie was one of the dragon's sons, and dragons are lustful by nature. Perhaps the Taotie bloodline has affected me too.
Still, that doesn't seem like a big deal. It's a man's true nature. I'll just find a few more women...
Having figured it out, Ling Feng broke into another wicked grin.
Just like that, without the slightest qualm, Ling Feng blamed his lust on his transformed bloodline.
And so, he grew increasingly bold, frequently seeking out Xuan Su to flirt with her over the following days.
As for cultivation, after advancing several times in succession, Ling Feng still wanted to spend some time stabilizing his foundation. He would resume cultivating once he had thoroughly consolidated his realm.
Those days continued until the Ancient Tomb Mansion was about to open.
The Tianyan Mountain Range lay where the outskirts of Yan City met those of two neighboring cities. Vast beyond measure, it stretched across nearly half of Tiandu Commandery. Calling it the commandery's foremost mountain range would be no exaggeration.
The Tianyan Mountain Range covered an immense area and harbored countless ferocious Demon Beasts. It was said that anyone who ventured too deep would find escape exceedingly difficult with even one careless mistake—even an expert who had entered the Three Realms of Creation.
Thus, under ordinary circumstances, few people ventured deep into the Tianyan Mountain Range apart from adventuring teams that specialized in hunting Demon Beasts.
Naturally, once news of the Ancient Tomb Mansion spread, that ordinary state of affairs was immediately shattered.
How powerful was the lure of a Nirvana Realm expert's Tomb Mansion? Human greed instantly swept all those supposed dangers into some forgotten corner.
And so, the once sparsely visited Tianyan Mountain Range had practically become a tourist destination, with people everywhere. Figures could be spotted throughout the mountains from time to time.
Such a staggering influx of people was bound to stir up a storm. Of course, most of them would meet their deaths in the Tianyan Mountain Range. Without some ability, anyone hoping to cross the mountains and reach the Ancient Tomb Mansion safely would fall victim to their own kind's treachery, even if they escaped the jaws of Demon Beasts.
After all, a person's heart lay hidden behind their belly!
In a world like the Tianxuan Continent, where strength reigned supreme, competition and elimination were brutally fierce.
The journey through the Tianyan Mountain Range was destined to be fraught with danger. Losing one's life through a single careless mistake was perfectly normal.
Even so, people continued pressing forward, one wave after another, and Ling Feng was among them.
Naturally, Ling Feng coveted the treasures of the Ancient Tomb Mansion too. To grow stronger, he needed more treasures.