Han Lie forced a relaxed smile, shaking his head. “This senior is fine. Thank you, Captain Su, for your timely assistance.”

During the previous battle, although he hadn’t sustained obvious injuries, each collision with the shadow produced recoil force that affected his body somewhat. Accumulated over time, it caused some disturbance in his qi and blood circulation. Not a major issue though; resting a few days would suffice.

“Glad you’re okay! Luckily I arrived not too late. Let’s head back first before discussing further.”

Han Lie nodded, indicating agreement.

Returning to Su Mei’s residence, she lowered her voice, inquiring softly, “Old Servant Disciple, was the person who attacked you earlier the Saintess herself?”

Hearing this, Han Lie raised an eyebrow, slightly surprised. “Although she didn’t reveal her true appearance, I guess… shouldn’t be wrong.”

“But Captain Su, how did you know it was the Saintess?”

“Isn’t it obvious!” Su Mei proudly recounted her deduction step by step.

“So that’s how.”

After listening, Han Lie no longer found it strange. Bai Ling twice ordered Su Mei to capture him for trial—clearly deliberate targeting. Anyone not a fool could see: Saintess Bai Ling very much wanted him dead.

“I just don’t quite understand why the Saintess wants to kill you so badly?” Su Mei expressed deep puzzlement.

Han Lie merely smiled without answering the question posed by the curious captain.

“Alright then! If you’re unwilling to say, I won’t press further~”

Su Mei tactfully ceased probing the subject matter altogether while the old man shifted the topic instead, asking, “Captain Su, didn’t you participate in the expedition against the Sun Moon Sect?”

“Senior Sister Su and Senior Brother Tieshou both went; Senior Brother Zhui Ming is out training again; the Law Enforcement Hall can’t have no captain staying within the sect, right?”

“If I hadn’t remained behind, tonight you might have met your end, dear old Servant Disciple~”

Su Mei giggled teasingly, adding, “So how do you plan to repay me, huh?”

Han Lie coughed dryly, tactically feigning ignorance. “Might I inquire what manner of repayment Captain Su desires?”

A mischievous grin spread across her face before she wrapped her arms around him from behind, seductively whispering, “What do you think, dear? Been two months since our last Dual Cultivation session together, hasn’t it?”

“Missed you terribly during our time apart~”

While speaking thusly, her restless hands began wandering provocatively, causing a sudden shudder throughout his frame—clearly indicating a certain level of pent-up desire indeed present within the playful captain, making the recipient rather uncomfortable with the overall situation unfolding presently before them.

The dance of temptation begins anew tonight under moonlit skies, silent in their mountainside retreat, away from prying eyes watching…

“Wait… Captain Su… my body hasn’t fully recovered yet…” Han Lie struggled, trying to refuse.

“No way~ I don’t care~ I want it now!” Su Mei started acting coquettishly.

“Look, I just saved your life. Is this how you treat your savior?”

“If you don’t agree, I’m going to cry!”

Facing Su Mei’s relentless pestering, Han Lie had no choice but to surrender.

“Fine, fine, I agree, okay? But let’s agree beforehand, take it easy, my old bones can’t withstand too much torment.”

“Hehe~ Don’t worry~ I’ll be gentle~” Su Mei laughed like a sly little fox who had successfully stolen a chicken.

However, once they really started, Su Mei completely tossed her promise of “being gentle” to the back of her mind.

A small separation is better than a newlywed period, not to mention a separation of two months? Su Mei was like a hungry wolf that had been starving for a long time, wishing she could swallow Han Lie whole.

Han Lie cried out inwardly, This woman is too crazy! But thinking about how she had just saved him, he could only grit his teeth and endure.

Forget it, treating it as repaying a debt of gratitude.

And so, amidst the charming atmosphere of the room, another fierce battle kicked off.

…

Three days later.

Han Lie walked out of Su Mei’s residence with slightly trembling legs, his face pale, looking like he had been hollowed out.

“Scary… too scary…”

Han Lie murmured with lingering fear. These three days, he had truly experienced what it meant to be “squeezed dry.” If it weren’t for his Pure Yang Sacred Body’s rapid recovery ability, he probably wouldn’t have been able to get out of bed now.

“Next time… I must be cautious…”

Han Lie secretly swore to himself. Although Dual Cultivation was good, one must do it in moderation!

Returning to the small wooden hut at the Violet Heaven Palace, Han Lie immediately sat cross-legged and began to circulate his cultivation method to restore his vitality.

After a few days of adjustment, Han Lie’s condition finally returned to its peak.

“Hoo…” Han Lie let out a long breath, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes.

“Saintess Bai Ling… this debt, I’ve recorded it.”

Although he was temporarily safe, Han Lie knew that Bai Ling wouldn’t give up so easily. Next time, her methods would only be more covert and ruthless.

“I must improve my strength as soon as possible!”

Han Lie felt a strong sense of urgency.

Just as Han Lie was immersing himself in cultivation, a powerful aura suddenly descended upon the Violet Heaven Palace.

Han Lie’s heart skipped a beat, and he immediately stopped cultivating, looking towards the direction of the main hall of the Violet Heaven Palace.

“This aura… could it be…?”

A figure appeared in Han Lie’s mind—Ye Qingxuan!

“Has that female demon returned?”

Han Lie didn’t dare to neglect, quickly tidied up his appearance, and hurried towards the main hall.

Inside the main hall of the Violet Heaven Palace.

Ye Qingxuan sat high on the main seat, her expression cold, her aura majestic.

“Servant Disciple Han Lie, pays respects to the Sect Leader!” Han Lie knelt on one knee and saluted respectfully.

“Get up.” Ye Qingxuan’s voice was indifferent, without any emotional fluctuations.

“Thank you, Sect Leader.” Han Lie stood up, standing respectfully to the side.

Ye Qingxuan’s gaze swept over Han Lie, a hint of surprise flashing in her eyes. “Mid-Foundation Establishment Stage? And… approaching the late stage?”

“It seems you haven’t been idle during the time I was away.”

“Reporting to the Sect Leader, this old servant has been cultivating diligently and dares not slack off,” Han Lie replied humbly.

“Mm.” Ye Qingxuan nodded slightly. “I heard that during my absence, the sect wasn’t peaceful?”

Han Lie’s heart tightened. He knew Ye Qingxuan was referring to the conflict between the Heavenly Void Sect and the Sun Moon Sect, as well as the matter of Mine No. 9.

“Reporting to the Sect Leader, indeed some things happened…” Han Lie briefly recounted the recent events in the sect.

Ye Qingxuan listened quietly, her expression remaining unchanged, making it impossible to guess her thoughts.

“Sun Moon Sect… hmph, jumping clowns.” A trace of disdain flashed in Ye Qingxuan’s eyes. “I will handle this matter personally.”

“As for you…” Ye Qingxuan looked at Han Lie again. “You’ve done well. This is your reward.”

With a wave of her hand, a storage ring flew towards Han Lie.

Han Lie caught the storage ring, swept it with his divine sense, and was instantly overjoyed. Inside were a large number of Spirit Stones and cultivation resources!

“Thank you, Sect Leader, for the reward!” Han Lie quickly thanked her.

“Go down.” Ye Qingxuan waved her hand.

“Yes, this old servant takes his leave.”

Han Lie withdrew from the main hall, feeling relieved.

Since Ye Qingxuan had returned, he was safe. At least in the Violet Heaven Palace, Bai Ling wouldn’t dare to act rashly.

“Next… just wait for a good show.”

Han Lie looked towards the direction of the Saintess’s palace, a cold smile appearing on his lips.

He believed that it wouldn’t be long before the conflict between Ye Qingxuan and Bai Ling would fully erupt. And he, caught in the middle, just needed to protect himself and wait for the opportunity to strike.