Chapter 271: Affections
Chapter 271: Affections
In just a brief moment, the stone pillar sank into the blood lake. Cheng Lingyu and Hu Yuer were shielded by the golden light emitted from the scroll, forming a protective barrier roughly ten feet in diameter that repelled the corrosive blood water.
“I wonder how the others are faring. Could anyone have perished here?”
Cheng Lingyu said, “Hard to tell. Those who entered the blood lake likely have some tricks. Though the blood water corrodes everything, spirit artifacts might buy them time.”
Hu Yuer stared toward the lake’s center, where the blinding crimson hue drowned out all other colors. Yet, a horrifying disturbance pulsed from the depths, leaving them trembling.
The scroll spun rapidly, its protective barrier shrinking under relentless pressure.
Cheng Lingyu’s expression darkened as he pulled Hu Yuer closer.
With the barrier contracting, their peril grew. Hu Yuer’s cheeks flushed, but she stayed nestled against him, eyes darting nervously.
When the barrier dwindled from ten feet to three, both gasped for air. Suddenly, the scroll rippled, unleashing a Powerful Force that stabilized the barrier at three feet.
The blood lake heaved like a thrashing beast, waves surging violently.
Cheng Lingyu’s eyes gleamed with an eerie darkness as his Destruction of Space Divine Thought Wave shifted frequencies, stretching its reach to probe the chaos.
The lake’s eerie environment nullified ordinary scans, yet his unfathomably mystical technique—cycling through thousands of frequencies—soon pierced the mystery.
“Could that be the Blood Moon?”
He sensed a peculiar energy deep within the lake, rising steadily and radiating a tremor that shook all existence.
After what felt like hours, the waves subsided, the horrifying disturbance fading as the Blood Moon ascended.
At the three blood river entrances, beasts materialized, each bearing a blood shadow—the Blood River True Monarchs.
Cultivators retreated to a safe distance, wary of approaching.
All stone pillars had sunk into the blood lake, its churning surface masking any clues of others’ fates.
As the Blood Moon rose, the lake’s pressure eased.
Cheng Lingyu’s barrier expanded to six feet.
Hu Yuer tried to push away, but Cheng Lingyu gripped her waist, smirking. “Rare opportunity. Let’s chat.”
She glared. “Take responsibility, and I’ll marry you.”
His grin stiffened. “Flattering. Let’s head to the bridal chamber now—”
“Chamber nothing!” she snapped. “How can you think of that here?”
He chuckled. “Perfect spot—no interruptions. Surviving together beats moonlight strolls.”
Hu Yuer seethed, knowing he taunted her. Their rivalry remained unresolved, each determined to outwit the other.
She arched a brow, lips curving coyly. “Then let’s do it here.”
Her eyes glimmered with Temptation.
He drew her closer. “Why not? We’ve time to spare.”
She masked her irritation with a sugary tone. “Go on, if you’ll take responsibility.”
He laughed. “Deal. I’ll provide everything.”
Their eyes met, gazing deeply like lovers entangled for millennia.
Hu Yuer pouted, “You think feeding and housing me is enough? Where’s my proper wedding?”
Cheng Lingyu grinned, “I can be shameless sometimes. Let’s taste first, talk later.”
As he lowered his head, her tempting lips drew nearer, their sweet fragrance teasing his senses.
Hu Yuer’s fluttering eyes dodged his stare, fully aware of his intentions.
To his surprise, the seemingly timid fox girl suddenly wrapped arms around his neck, launching her own counterattack by pressing soft lips against his.
This overturned Cheng Lingyu’s scheme – he’d only meant to gain psychological advantage through flirtation, not actual intimacy.
Hu Yuer’s bold move shattered his plans yet again in their ongoing mind games.
Though mentally cursing this cunning fox’s unpredictability, Cheng Lingyu physically responded by crushing her slender waist against him, plundering her mouth with conqueror’s fervor.
Now it was Hu Yuer’s turn to miscalculate.
Her impulsive kiss meant to assert dominance backfired when Cheng Lingyu’s experienced assault left the untouched fox girl breathless and compromised.
Their passionate clash stirred both – his masculine charm eroded her defenses while her mystical allure intoxicated him.
“You…” she glared, torn between emotions.
“Delicious. Again.” His roguish smile preceded another stolen kiss before she could protest.
As she squirmed against him, their bodies rubbing suggestively, Hu Yuer abruptly sensed his consciousness probing her sea of thoughts.
Instinctively shielding her secrets, she engaged in silent mental combat while their lips remained locked.
Cheng Lingyu retreated upon detecting terrifying energy buried deep within her mind, though his mouth continued savoring her sweetness while comparing her to Lan Xiaozhu’s tenderness and Hong Xiu Tian Xiang’s charm.
Hu Yuer shoved him away, flushed with conflicting emotions.
He simply smiled, holding her waist contentedly as she finally rested her head on his shoulder – temporary truce in their war of wills.
Both knew their alliance stemmed from mutual curiosity and hidden agendas rather than romance.
“What’s on your mind?” His fingers threaded through her hair.
“Whether that stone pillar will surface tomorrow. How many will survive? What if it doesn’t rise?”
“Wasteful worries. The blood lake’s mystery matters more – three rivers feed it endlessly yet the water never rises.”
“Something’s strange under the central island,” she murmured.
“You sense it too?” His eyes narrowed.
Her nod confirmed this enchanting Fox People female held deeper secrets than he’d imagined.
Directing his Destruction of Space Divine Thought Wave toward the eerie island core, Cheng Lingyu manipulated frequencies to penetrate defenses that shredded ordinary probes.
Only through constant adjustments could his mystic waves breach the lethal barrier, revealing the blood lake’s hidden truth.