The morning light rose from the east, spreading softly across the land.
A new day had begun.
"Mm…"
On a grassy field deep in the nameless mountains, a girl let out a sweet, sleepy moan. Her beautiful, misty eyes slowly opened.
She blinked in confusion and tried to sit up, but a sharp pain from her lower body made her frown.
Then she froze.
Lying beside her was a handsome, naked boy. His well-toned upper body was covered in kiss marks, and every trace of last night's passion was visible.
Fear and shyness flashed in Meng Yiran's eyes. Her first instinct was to scream—but then the memories hit her like a tidal wave.
"This…?"
She actually… last night…
Meng Yiran, her short blue-gray hair sticking to her damp skin, covered her flushed face. She wanted to crawl into a hole.
Her memories were crystal clear: herself, crazed and desperate, asking over and over again… fainting… waking… and repeating.
But this guy… he was incredible.
Meng Yiran's cheeks turned crimson. She pressed her hand to her flat stomach with lingering fear.
He had been so intense, using both his soul power and snake venom. If it had been anyone else, they'd be dead by now.
But he survived.
As she recalled everything, her heart pounded wildly. She subconsciously reached out to touch his flawless, handsome face.
But just then, the boy's eyes opened.
Their gazes met—and silence instantly blanketed the air.
What's it like waking up to find a gorgeous, naked girl with a killer figure sitting in front of you?
Ma Hongjun would say—even though they did it countless times last night—Little Hongjun still stood at attention out of sheer respect.
Meng Yiran noticed too. Her face turned hot, and a rosy flush spread down to her collarbone.
"Ahem… uh, how about we get dressed first?" Ma Hongjun coughed awkwardly and began feeling around, then froze. Their clothes… they'd probably been reduced to ashes in the heat of passion.
"Uh…"
He looked up helplessly and spread his hands. "Do you have anything?"
"Pfft."
His awkward expression made Meng Yiran relax. She laughed and pulled out a set of short, neutral clothing for him from her storage soul guide, along with her own clothes.
When traveling, she'd packed several changes. No men's clothes, but neutral gear would work.
"Thanks."
Ma Hongjun scratched his head and turned his back politely.
"Tch, like I haven't seen it already. Don't be so shy," Meng Yiran muttered playfully. Seeing his ears turn red, she burst into laughter.
"Hahaha, I was just messing with you!"
Ma Hongjun:
You're such a handful.
Still, the awkward tension between them began to melt away.
Once dressed, Meng Yiran stood tall and extended her fair, slender hand. "I'm Meng Yiran. What's your name?"
"Ma Hongjun," the red-haired boy replied, shaking her hand.
Their palms touched gently, and just like that, the memories of last night surged back.
"Um... I'm really sorry about yesterday. I'm grateful to you—but I can't be responsible for what happened."
Meng Yiran pulled her hand back, her blue-gray eyes filled with guilt.
"My family situation is complicated. If my grandparents found out about you, you'd be in danger."
The renowned Serpent Couple weren't the type to listen to reason. If word got out, Ma Hongjun would absolutely be dragged into trouble.
If they couldn't tie him down as their son-in-law, they'd probably use... other methods. Meng Yiran couldn't let that happen.
Her classmates were one thing, but Ma Hongjun was truly innocent. If not for his special body, he'd have died from their night together.
The guilt in her eyes deepened.
"But don't worry. I'll make it up to you."
Her tone was firm. Then, as if remembering something, the blush that had just faded returned in full force.
"If you ever want to... do it again, you can come find me."
Ma Hongjun:
Wait... what?!
You don't want me to be responsible… but you're open to doing it again?
Is this some kind of dream deal?
Ma Hongjun stood there stunned.
He didn't know what to say. After a long pause, he finally managed, "It's not your fault."
After all, he hadn't lost anything. In fact... wasn't it her first time?
"Thank you. But really, I'm the one at fault here."
Meng Yiran looked at him with heartfelt emotion, her tone tinged with disappointment.
"If possible, I hope you won't feel burdened. And don't worry—aside from you, I probably won't be with any other man for the rest of my life."
After witnessing his divine physique and that ahem level of performance last night, she doubted anyone else could move her heart.
Whether it was fortune or misfortune, she couldn't say.
"Uh… I guess that's fine," Ma Hongjun mumbled, scratching his nose awkwardly.
I mean, what else could he say?
You can't take advantage of someone and then act ungrateful.
"Let's head back. I have no idea where we are."
Meng Yiran looked around at the surrounding mountains and valleys, rubbing her temples in frustration.
Did I seriously go that crazy and drag him all the way out here?
Wait… didn't I vaguely remember flying through the sky?
The lingering effects of the medicine made her memory fuzzy. She vaguely remembered he had a fire-type martial spirit…
Then there was Ma Hongjun saving her—and their night of passion.
"Okay."
The red-haired boy nodded and picked her up in a princess carry.
"W-Wait! I can't do anything right now! Let's save it for next time!" Meng Yiran's face reddened again. She didn't resist, though, and gently rested her head on his chest.
But before she could finish her sentence, her eyes widened in shock.
From Ma Hongjun's back, a pair of fiery wings spread wide. With a single flap, sparks scattered—and they soared into the sky!
"Ph-Phoenix?!"
Meng Yiran was stunned as they rose into the air, the heat washing over her.
A top-tier beast martial spirit—the Phoenix Martial Spirit?!
She was speechless.
Even after they landed outside Soto City, she still felt dizzy, staring at him with disbelief.
She never imagined the man who saved her—and who'd shared such a wild night with her—wasn't just anyone, but a soul master with a legendary beast spirit!
Of course... how else could anyone withstand her madness?
"If that's the case—"
She was about to speak, but suddenly—
A powerful presence closed in fast, followed by a furious voice echoing through the air:
"You little bastard! Let Yiran go!!"
...
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