Han Lie gazed down at Xiao Qingge’s flushed, exquisite face, a knowing smile curbing the corner of his lips. Judging by her ragged breathing and the glaze over her eyes, she was beginning to enjoy this dangerous game just as much as he was.

For Han Lie, this was excellent news.

“Well, Sister Qingge,” he teased, his voice dropping to a low rumble. “Was it I who failed to satisfy, or are you the one left wanting?”

Xiao Qingge lowered her gaze, her lashes fluttering against her burning cheeks. “Brother is so annoying. You know the answer perfectly well.”

“Haha! Alright then, let’s move.”

If he couldn’t have the main course yet, he would happily gorge himself on the appetizers.

Han Lie scooped her up in his arms, his movement technique blurring them into a streak of shadow as they plunged deeper into the Cloud Sea Forest. They found the thick, sturdy branch of a towering ancient tree, high above the forest floor.

The moment Han Lie settled against the rough bark, Xiao Qingge pounced. She buried her face in his chest, her inhibitions stripped away by the altitude and the isolation.

Pleasure, no matter how intense, always seemed to make time evaporate.

In what felt like the blink of an eye, the sun had begun its descent, casting long, golden shadows through the canopy. Both Han Lie and Xiao Qingge were disheveled, their robes clinging uncomfortably to skin slick with perspiration.

“So,” Han Lie asked, brushing a stray lock of hair from her damp forehead. “Are you satisfied now, Sister?”

“Mmm-hmm!” She nodded vigorously. “Brother is amazing… I feel a little…” She bit her lip, leaving the sentence hanging in the humid air.

“A little what?” Han Lie grinned, pressing his advantage.

“Brother is terrible! You ask even though you know!” She playfully swatted his chest. “I’m already looking forward to our next date. This will surely be the most unforgettable memory of my life.”

Xiao Qingge looked up, her mind clearly racing to find a graceful exit before things crossed the final line.

“Then how about…” Han Lie began, testing the waters.

To have the meat right in front of his mouth and be forbidden from taking a bite was a torment, even for a man of his patience.

“Brother, be patient,” Xiao Qingge said firmly, though her eyes remained soft. “I want to give everything to you, truly. But not this time. You promised me last night, remember? Surely you wouldn’t go back on your word?”

“Tsk… fine.” Han Lie scratched his head, feeling a mix of awkwardness and regret.

He shouldn’t have played the gentleman last night. Being a scoundrel yielded far more immediate results. He made a mental note to remember this lesson.

“Hehe, I knew Brother was a man of honor. Here, a reward!”

She leaned in, planting a kiss on his lips—light and fleeting, like a dragonfly skimming the surface of a pond.

“We’re a mess,” Han Lie noted, pulling at his sticky collar. “How about a bath?”

“Okay! To the Jade Clear Pool? or the wild lake?”

“The Jade Clear Pool, naturally,” Han Lie said. “Would my little sister care to join me?”

“Mmm…” Xiao Qingge pretended to ponder the offer for a long moment. “I suppose it’s okay. But Brother must promise not to do anything excessive.”

“Yes, yes. I promise. Let’s go.”

They relocated to a private, high-end enclosure within the Jade Clear Pool.

The water temperature was perfection, the air thick with soothing steam, and the humidity wrapped around them like a warm blanket. With a beauty in his arms and the heat seeping into his bones, Han Lie’s body and mind finally relaxed completely.

They spent the night in quiet intimacy, resting in the safety of the private chamber.

By the time they emerged, the sun was high in the sky.

“Brother, I have to go back now,” Xiao Qingge said, her face glowing with a sweet, radiant smile. “I’ve been so happy these past two days.”

“Me too.” Han Lie chuckled. Aside from failing to fully conquer her, the excursion had been perfect.

“I’m leaving then. You have to miss me, okay?” She walked backward for a few steps, waving. “You can come find me at the Spirit Treasure Hall whenever you’re free. Since I don’t know where to find you, you’ll have to do the work.”

“Heh. What if I said I’m free tomorrow?” Han Lie called out with a wicked grin.

“Not so fast, Brother!” She laughed, her voice like silver bells. “At least give me some time to recover, alright?”

Han Lie smiled and nodded, watching her until she disappeared into the crowd of disciples. Once she was gone, the warmth in his eyes cooled into a sharp, calculating focus.

“Mm… time to check on Su Mei,” he murmured.

He had made a promise to the White Tiger Squad Captain, and standing her up would be poor form. He turned and headed straight for the Law Enforcement Hall’s administrative district.

“Is Captain Su Mei here?” Han Lie asked the disciple manning the front desk of the White Tiger Squad.

“I’m sorry, Captain Su isn’t here.”

“Oh? Where did she go?”

“I don’t know. Her Master simply said that Senior Sister Su won’t be back for a short while.”

“Hah?” Han Lie paused, frowning. “What do you mean?”

“By the way, are you Han Lie from the Servant Department?” the young female disciple asked, blinking at him.

“Yes, that’s me.”

“Then you should go to Law Enforcement Peak and find our Grand Elder. She said she would explain the truth to you.”

“Thank you, Fairy.”

“N-no need to thank me!” The girl blushed and looked down. When she looked up again, Han Lie had already vanished.

Law Enforcement Peak, Headquarters.

Because of his relationship with Zhuo Hongyi and Qin Lan, and his previous visits, Han Lie faced no obstruction. He was ushered quickly into the presence of the Law Enforcement Elder, Elder Su.

“Follow me.”

Faced with Han Lie’s immediate questions, Elder Su didn’t answer. She simply rose from her desk and walked toward the private chambers deep within the headquarters.

After a moment of hesitation, Han Lie followed.

They entered a quiet, secluded room. Elder Su opened a drawer and retrieved a sealed letter.

“She left this for you. Read it.”

“Thank you, Elder.”

Han Lie didn’t stand on ceremony. He tore open the envelope and scanned the contents.

Little Old Man,

When you see this letter, I will already be gone from the sect. Don’t worry! I haven’t defected; I’ve just returned to my clan for a visit. I’ll be back in a while.

You must be wondering why I left so suddenly, right?

Whether you admit it or not, as your cultivation surpasses mine, the opportunities for us to interact are becoming fewer and fewer. This is a terrible signal for me! Sister Zhuo has already inherited her ancestor’s cultivation and become a Nascent Soul monster. I can’t afford to fall behind!

Hehe, just wait. The next time we meet, I will definitely give you a huge surprise!

Signed: Your Su Mei.

Han Lie let out a breath he didn’t realize he was holding, a relieved smile touching his lips.

He had worried she was avoiding him out of anger or some misunderstanding. If this was the reason, he could rest easy. In fact, he understood her mindset perfectly. It mirrored his own desperate drive to catch up to Sect Leader Ye Qingxuan.

Without strength, even with a Pure Yang Sacred Body, he and Ye Qingxuan existed in different worlds. Su Mei clearly felt the same gap widening between them.

“Well? Has your worry been resolved?” Elder Su asked, watching him closely.

“It has. Thank you, Elder.” Han Lie folded the letter carefully. “I won’t disturb you any longer. I’ll take my leave.”

“Wait.”

Elder Su’s voice stopped him at the door. The tone had shifted—heavier, more solemn.

“Uh…” Han Lie turned back. “Does the Elder have further instructions?”

Elder Su looked at him with piercing eyes. “You have known the child for some time. Do you know what species of beast she belongs to?”

“Well…” Han Lie scratched his head, laughing dryly. “I am ashamed to say she never mentioned it. Though, looking at her appearance, I could make a guess.”

“You can guess from her appearance, yes, but the reality is far from simple.”

Elder Su stood up, her expression grave.

“Su Mei belongs to the Heavenly Fox Clan. Her ancestors were once royalty among beasts, standing at the very apex of the hierarchy. However, a great war thousands of years ago shattered them. The Heavenly Fox Clan declined until they became little more than a joke in the cultivation world.”

“Su Mei carries a secret within her bloodline. That secret is the primary reason she chose to return to her clan now.”

“What secret?” Han Lie’s ears practically perked up.