Upon hearing this, Ju Zi's face flushed even more, but she met his gaze without flinching. A glint of cunning and relief flashed in her beautiful eyes as she breathed heavily and said:
"When you disappeared, Elder Kong was seriously injured, Huo Yuhao was dominating the continent, and we were beset by internal and external troubles... I was really worried sick, hoping for your return every day, feeling like the sky was falling..."
She paused, looking at Toji's powerful and aggressive face so close to hers, feeling the reassuring aura emanating from him. Her voice became languid and alluring, carrying a sense of relief as if she had just survived a catastrophe.
But now you're back.
"Seeing you makes me less anxious."
"Those worries can wait until later..."
She leaned close to Toji's ear, her breath sweet as orchids, and whispered in a voice only the two of them could hear, filled with irresistible allure:
"Right now, I only want to do one thing."
Hold me tight... Let's go to my room!
Immediately! Right now!
Before she could finish speaking, Ju Zi clung to Toji like a koala, squeezing her legs tightly together, wrapping her arms around his neck, and burying her burning cheeks in the crook of his neck, looking like she was determined to cling to him.
Toji felt the softness and heat of the delicate body in his arms, listened to her whispers that were almost commanding yet full of temptation, and looked at her willful appearance, as if she wouldn't get down unless he carried her.
He paused slightly for a moment, then a wild and wicked smile slowly bloomed on his lips.
"Oh."
He chuckled softly, his laughter filled with knowing amusement.
His strong arms firmly supported Ju Zi's bouncy buttocks, holding her tightly in his arms as if she were the most precious trophy.
"As you wish, Your Majesty."
He stopped looking at the situation in the ward, picked up the Ju Zi hanging on his body, turned around, and strode towards the Ju Zi's bedroom.
The heavy alloy door slid open silently to either side in front of him, as if it were a piece of paper.
Toji carried the Ju Zi and walked straight through the ornate yet empty corridor.
The door to Ju Zi's bedroom opened automatically after sensing its owner's presence.
Toji he stepped inside, the heavy palace gates closed silently behind him, temporarily shutting out all the disturbances and pressures.
The palace was luxurious and warm, filled with the unique fragrance of Ju Zi.
Sunlight streamed through the huge floor-to-ceiling windows, spilling onto the soft carpet.
Toji, carrying Ju Zi, walked to the enormous phoenix couch.
Ju Zi raised her head, her cheeks flushed, her eyes hazy yet carrying a hint of queenly command:
"Put me down."
Toji gently put her down as instructed. As soon as her feet touched the ground, Ju Zi did not back away. Instead, she moved closer again, cupped Toji's cheeks in her hands, stood on tiptoe, and offered him a sweet kiss.
"Now..." Ju Zi gasped, her eyes burning with intense fire, her voice trembling slightly yet unwavering, "It belongs only to us."
Toji looked down at the empress in his arms, who was majestic, cold, and shrewd in front of the empire's subjects, but now revealed her most primal and fiery desires and dependence to him, her eyes gleaming with a scarlet light.
He said no more, responding directly with his actions. He lowered his head and fiercely captured those alluring red lips, then pulled Ju Zi's soft, fragrant body into his arms, and together they fell onto the phoenix bed, a symbol of the empire's highest power and the ultimate in romance...
The empire's crisis, the continent's survival, and God Level adversaries—all of these were temporarily cast aside from the warm, erotic atmosphere of the palace.
At this moment, there is only the most primal attraction and conquest; it is a fierce war between Tyrant and an empress, a war unrelated to power but solely about romance.
Compared to the flames of war on the front lines and the precarious state of the Star Luo Empire, the Core Zone of Mingdu was shrouded in an unusual silence and oppression.
The glory of the victor was overshadowed by a huge shadow, and that shadow's name was Huo Yuhao.
Until late on the third night, the palace was brightly lit but sparsely populated, and the air was filled with the smell of herbs and an invisible heaviness.
Inside the hall, Ju Zi staggered as she tried to stand up from the soft couch.
Her cheeks were slightly flushed, and her legs seemed to be trembling slightly, as if they couldn't support her body.
Just as Ju Zi was about to get up, her legs gave way and her body tilted forward uncontrollably.
"Watch out." Toji's deep voice rang out, and his figure flashed and he was already close by. A steady and strong arm caught Ju Zi's swaying waist in time, stabilizing her with a half-support and half-carry.
Ju Zi's entire weight was leaning on Toji.
"Let's go, we still need you... to save Kong Deming."
The soreness in her legs forced Ju Zi to lean on Toji's arm and whisper.
Toji didn't say much, just nodded slightly, his arm steadily supporting Ju Zi, half-supporting her, and quickly returned to the ward.
The secret room was softly lit and filled with the rich energy fluctuations emanating from healing Soul Tool and the aroma of precious medicinal herbs.
Inside the enormous soul-guided life support pod, Kong Deming lay still quietly.
"How did he become like this?"
Toji, I inquired.
Ju Zi leaned against Toji's arm, her voice filled with a deep sense of helplessness:
"Right in front of the capital of the Star Luo Empire, Huo Yuhao appeared, and with just one strike, just one strike!"
Her voice trembled with excitement.
" The Silver Moon Divine Light Shield, a level ten Life-Bound Soul Tool Elder Kong had poured his heart and soul into, integrating all his life's learning and embodying all his beliefs, was shattered by Huo Yuhao with a single finger. It wasn't a repulsion, but a complete defeat, causing unimaginable damage to Elder Kong's Spiritual Origin and Soul Core."
She took a deep breath, trying to calm her turbulent emotions, her voice filled with bitterness:
"Master Elder Kong dedicated his life to proving the ultimate power of Soul Tool, proving that they could surpass the traditional Soul Master system, and proving that the era of Soul Engineer would eventually arrive..."
" Huo Yuhao's appearance was like a merciless hammer, shattering his lifelong pursuit and unwavering faith!"
"It wasn't that they were weaker, but... it was a complete and incomprehensible crushing defeat."
He woke up twice, each time muttering to himself, 'Impossible, Soul Tool, this shouldn't be happening...' before vomiting blood and falling unconscious...
"Now, his heart is probably dead."
Ju Zi sighed.
Kong Deming was not only a pillar of the empire, but also her spiritual support and mentor on the path of Soul Tool.
His fall was a Destruction blow to Ju Zi and to the confidence of the entire Sun Moon Empire's Soul Guidance System.
Toji listened quietly, his gaze fixed on Kong Deming's ashen face. He could sense the deathly aura emanating from the old man, the withering of his soul after the collapse of his spiritual beliefs. He helped Ju Zi to the life support pod and said in a deep voice:
"Don't worry, leave it to me."
Upon hearing this, a glimmer of hope instantly ignited in Ju Zi's eyes. She nodded vigorously and gripped Toji's arm tightly, as if it were her last resort.
Toji carefully helped the Ju Zi to sit down on a soft chair, then walked to the life support pod.
The hatch slid open silently. He didn't use any soul guidance instruments, but simply slowly extended his right hand, placing his palm on Kong Deming's withered chest.