In an elegant room.
Si Jianye sat in meditation, his eyes tightly shut.
Countless spiritual energies surged into his body, as if awaiting favor.
Normally, he wouldn't cultivate so diligently.
Even when he slept, spiritual energy would constantly pour into him, requiring no active absorption.
Anyone witnessing this would surely exclaim at the monstrous talent.
Cultivators were always the ones absorbing spiritual energy; it was unheard of for energy to actively seek them out.
Sensing a subtle disturbance, Si Jianye opened his eyes and looked towards a direction in the shadows. "I am not yet resting. You may enter."
Feng Ninghe pushed the door open and entered.
The candlelight in the room was soft, casting a faint glow on the man's handsome face. His cool, thin eyes were unfathomably deep.
These eyes held a wicked arrogance, as if he held nothing in the world in high regard.
Even after facing this face daily, Feng Ninghe's gaze couldn't help but falter.
Si Jianye met her gaze, his deep eyes seeming to pierce through her soul. "You've come because you want to know about the Dragon Realm, haven't you?"
He had even guessed her purpose for coming, which was most likely related to the Dragon Realm.
His low, pleasant voice broke through Feng Ninghe's thoughts.
She sat down on a chair with ease and stated her purpose directly. "What I want to know more is when you plan to go to the Dragon Realm."
As the King of the Underworld of the Western Nether Continent, he held immense power.
If he desired something, he would find a way to obtain it, even if it meant venturing to the Dragon Realm.
Mentioning departure, Si Jianye's eyes deepened slightly.
He looked up at the sky outside the window, a hint of hesitation appearing on his face. "Within these few days."
He could have gone to the Dragon Realm earlier.
But he had something he was reluctant to leave behind in Lin Country.
The subtle expression that crossed the man's face was clearly seen by Feng Ninghe. "You're reluctant to leave Xin Xin? Go with peace of mind; I will take good care of her."
Si Jianye rose and walked towards her, his broad, tall frame enveloping her. "It's not just Xin Xin I'm reluctant to leave, but you as well."
These simple words struck her heart, causing it to involuntarily clench.
Feng Ninghe's heart pounded uncontrollably within her chest, leaving her stunned and at a loss.
Si Jianye lowered his gaze, his long, narrow eyes fixed on her. "Xin Xin has Grandpa Luo and Ah Xi; I don't need to worry about her safety. Now that you've merged with the Phoenix Bone and your cultivation has greatly increased, there are few in the Xuan Continent who can take your life. I can leave with peace of mind."
Every word he spoke was true.
If he wished to leave, no one could stop him; if he wished to stay, he would.
Feng Ninghe's cultivation was already exceptional, allowing her to traverse the Xuan Continent with ease.
At worst, as long as she ran fast enough, no one could harm her.
Feng Ninghe unconsciously clenched her sleeves, her cheeks warming slightly.
Her various experiences had made her like a hedgehog, distrustful of others. Si Jianye's appearance had gradually given her a sense of security.
Her trust in Si Jianye had also risen to an ineffable level.
"You're staying to protect me?"
Feng Ninghe looked up directly into the man's ink-black eyes.
So much had happened around her that she hadn't had time to confront her own heart.
Now that her mind was calm, she seemed to understand something...
Si Jianye crossed his arms, a smile playing on his lips. "Feng Ninghe, you're not a fool. You should understand my feelings. In all these millennia, no one besides you has been worthy of such treatment from me. You owe me so many favors; I'm afraid you'll have to repay them by offering yourself."
His voice sounded somewhat flippant, but Feng Ninghe knew he wasn't joking.
A smile also bloomed on her face, her voice slightly deeper. "As for repayment, I'll think of a way to repay you when I reach the Dragon Realm."
She disliked owing favors.
Yet, she owed Si Jianye quite a few.
If not for Si Jianye, she would likely be dead by now.
"Oh?"
Si Jianye showed a curious expression, his well-defined fingers gently lifting her chin. "Then have you thought about how you want to repay me?"
The moment the man's warm fingertips touched her skin, it felt like lightning striking Feng Ninghe.
The air in the room grew heavy with unspoken tension.
She instinctively leaned back and turned her head away.
This action, however, piqued Si Jianye's interest, and he looked at her with a hint of playful amusement. "What, scared?"
His magnetic voice was alluring and made her heart flutter.
It also caused Feng Ninghe's delicate eyebrows to rise. She stood up decisively and stood straight before him. "What am I afraid of?"
With this movement, the distance between them instantly closed.
Si Jianye slightly curved his thin lips, the soft candlelight illuminating his face, making him appear wickedly unrestrained.
It had to be admitted that the man's face was like the most perfect creation of heaven, with skin so fine and features so exquisitely perfect.
Feng Ninghe's gaze also fell upon him. As her eyes shifted to his thin lips, her heart pounded wildly in her chest, as if it would leap out.
"Feng Ninghe, your heartbeat seems a bit off. If it keeps beating like this, it might break."
Si Jianye opened his lips and slowly uttered these words, his thin, hawk-like lips curving into a smile.
Cultivators had heightened senses.
The room was quiet, and Si Jianye easily heard the frantic beating of her heart.
Feng Ninghe slightly lowered her gaze, concealing the deep meaning that had surfaced in her eyes.
She quickly stood on tiptoe and leaned in to kiss his thin lips.
This time, Si Jianye's heart also pounded wildly in his chest.
Feng Ninghe's lips curved unconsciously, as if triumphant in her scheme. She gazed at his handsome, extraordinary face. "King of the Underworld, why is your heart beating so fast too?"
The next moment, her head was held by a hand, and the man's warm, soft lips instantly covered hers.
Their lips met, and the kiss was passionate and deep.
Were this man's lips really so soft?
The thought that entered Feng Ninghe's mind was not to evade. Instead, she wrapped her arms around his neck, reciprocating the kiss.
Outside the house.
Ah Xi was holding a chicken drumstick.
As he passed by Si Jianye's room, he quickly stuffed the drumstick into his mouth before knocking on the door. "King of the Underworld, are you in the room?"
Ah Xi's voice echoed from outside, and Feng Ninghe's heart instantly fluttered. She quickly pushed Si Jianye away.
Si Jianye, having finally held the beauty in his arms, was unwilling to let go so easily.
He held Feng Ninghe tightly, giving her no chance to break free.
Outside the house.
Ah Xi scratched his head in confusion, staring at the still-burning candlelight within the room. "The candlelight is still on; the King of the Underworld should be in the room."
He knocked on the door again. "King of the Underworld, are you in the room? If you don't answer, I'm coming in!"
He even concentrated his senses on the room.
Faintly, he could still see a figure.