Chen Nian was speechless.
Of course he couldn't abandon Ye Hongling!
Never mind that this woman was the daughter of a general in Dragon Country's Ministry of Defense,
she was also one of the strongest fighters against Calamity. For the sake of world peace through nuclear deterrence, he couldn't let anything happen to her.
What else could he do... He could only sacrifice his good looks.
Several hours remained before the trial ended.
Throughout that time, Chen Nian would be forced to accept kisses from this stunning beauty.
"Don't be nervous. We have plenty of time. We can take it slow~"
Ye Hongling hooked a finger under Chen Nian's chin and smiled. "Buyu, with such a handsome face, why do you keep hiding it every day?"
"To guard against people like you..."
"Even guarding against a lady?"
"If my identity got exposed, do you think other countries would sit back and do nothing? Once national wars become available later on, I'll become the top assassination target for other countries' powerhouses."
"It's fine. I'll keep it secret. Besides, if you come live at my house, my dad can give you the best protection possible."
Chen Nian: ???
She actually wants me to become a live-in son-in-law!
What a blatant insult.
He stood up to leave.
"I was joking! Don't go!"
"I wonder if you still remember? The first time we met in Calamity was in a high-difficulty fire-element dungeon."
"You were one of the fighters I hired at a high price. We only cleared it smoothly because of you. Ever since then, we've had a tangled relationship neither of us could unravel."
Chen Nian interrupted, "That last sentence was unnecessary."
"I'm really happy you came. Thank you."
No sooner had Ye Hongling finished speaking than she snuggled up like a clingy kitten again and kissed him just below his ear.
The wonderfully warm, soft touch sent a shudder through Chen Nian.
"Pfft, look at you, acting like you're resisting when you want more. Such a closet flirt!"
"I came in here to save you. Don't push it..."
"Are you even a man? A gorgeous woman like me is flirting in your arms. Can't you give me some kind of response?"
At that moment, the fire dragon circling in the sky was hacked to pieces by the Golden Sword of Judgment.
"Getting worked up, are we? Why are you getting so worked up? Mmph..."
Before Ye Hongling could finish, a powerful force suddenly pressed against the back of her head, and she and Chen Nian kissed again.
Her beautiful eyes flew wide open, surprise mingling with a little delight.
Their first time had been quite awkward.
But this second time was different, like a scorching summer wind, intense and passionate!
Even Ye Hongling's bones seemed to melt, yet strength filled her soft, delicate body once more.
This was one of her innate abilities, Desire's Flame Rekindled.
Feeling extraordinary power fill her again, she no longer needed Chen Nian's protection and could continue facing the abyss trial.
"They've been in there so long, and they still haven't come out..."
"Could they both have died in there?"
Not one of the people outside dared to step into the trial's pillar of light.
They knew their limits damn well. Going inside meant instant death; they wouldn't last a moment!
"We'll know when time's up. If they're dead, it'll tell us the trial failed."
"There's no way anyone could survive that, right? If even Miss Ye can't hold out, who in the world could?"
"Sigh... It's a shame we still don't know who that guy is."
"I have a guess, but I'm not sure. Even I don't believe it."
"Spit it out!"
"Forget it... It's impossible. That person would never show his face. I must have guessed wrong."
During that time, neither of them knew how many rounds of lip-and-tongue combat they had fought.
Ye Hongling suddenly opened her eyes.
[Congratulations! Fire Flame Abyss trial completed!] [Congratulations on obtaining the first inheritance of the Fire Flame Abyss. The skill "Divine Spear of Heavenly Fire" has awakened!] [Power of all fire abilities increased. Permanent growth of all attributes increased.]
She had done it!
By successfully clearing the Fire Flame Abyss trial, Ye Hongling had gained enormous benefits.
Now, the heat within the trial space had vanished completely.
"Ah, what a shame..."
"You passed the trial. What are you sighing about?" Chen Nian frowned.
"It would've been nice if the trial never ended. Then we could keep doing embarrassing things together."
"..."
Chen Nian held out his hand. "My job's done. Payment."
"Fine, fine. But can you tell me your real name?"
"No."
If she knew his real name, it would be far too easy for Ye Hongling to find him. Xiao Qi would get jealous, so he would have to tell Xiao Qi too. A shura field would be unavoidable then.
"Fine, I'll find out myself. Here."
Ye Hongling huffed and handed Chen Nian the promised high-tier skill scroll.
With this, Chen Nian could bypass the harsh requirements and directly unlock a high-tier Word Spirit!
Chen Nian continued, "I got this when I killed the boss outside earlier. Do you want it?"
The rare skill scroll, "Heavenly Meteor Descends."
An ultimate fire spell!
Any fire-element class could use it, not just mages.
At the sight of the scarlet scroll, Ye Hongling's eyes lit up. She clearly wanted it badly.
"Yes!"
"I'll sell it to you for a hundred million. A friends-only price."
"Damn, you're such a coldhearted man! You were kissing me like there was no tomorrow just now, and now you're asking for a hundred million?" Ye Hongling planted her hands on her hips in anger.
"Those are separate matters. If I auction this in the Trading Space, the bidding starts at a billion. Are you sure you don't want it?"
"How about I give myself to you instead?"
"Then I'm leaving."
"Fine, fine! So giving myself to you isn't worth a hundred million, huh? I hate how you're such a blockhead. Fine, I'll transfer it to your account later."
Chen Nian tossed it to Ye Hongling, knowing she had no shortage of money and wouldn't go back on her word.
Then he glanced at her disheveled clothes, took off his jacket, and tossed it over.
"After-sales service. No need to thank me."
As the jacket landed on her, Ye Hongling actually felt rather overwhelmed by the unexpected favor.
Giving me his clothes-doesn't that mean he's worried other men will see me exposed?
He's actually so gentle!
At that moment, Ye Hongling actually felt that paying a hundred million for this jacket would have been worth it.
By then, Chen Nian had already left. He had used the Word Spirit Hidden Shadow, so the people outside hadn't seen him.
When Ye Hongling emerged, a chorus of exclamations rose outside.
"Miss Ye, you're finally out! We've been waiting for you for ages!"
"That's right, Miss Ye! We nearly died fighting those monsters. Thank goodness you succeeded!"
"Congratulations, Miss Ye!"
Everyone crowded around to flatter her, but they also wondered why the man had disappeared.
"Miss Ye, where did that guy in the mask go?"
"Yeah, Miss Ye! You didn't see how insane he was just now. He finished off a level 95 boss in just a few moves!"
"Who is he, exactly? Is he some genius who's only recently emerged?"
Ye Hongling smiled and shook her head. "I can't say."
Just as everyone was wondering why she couldn't say, someone suddenly shuddered and blurted out in a murmur.
"Can't say... Doesn't that mean..."
"Buyu?!"