Xia Lun couldn’t quite comprehend what was happening.
The evil god that he and Aina had fought with all their might but failed to defeat… had just been obliterated in an instant by Ankula, who had appeared out of nowhere.
No—was the being before him even Ankula anymore?
Was this the divine descent ability Ankula had mentioned before?
To annihilate an evil god like Death Praise so effortlessly… just what kind of existence now resided within Ankula’s body?
"Um… who are you?" Xia Lun couldn’t help but ask, his voice hesitant. "Thank you for saving us…"
The corners of "Ankula’s" lips curled into an enigmatic smile.
It had been so long since she’d seen Xia Lun like this—so young, so innocent. Such a rare opportunity, and she wasn’t about to let it slip away.
Suddenly, Xia Lun felt his body freeze mid-air, his limbs locked in place as if bound by invisible chains. Even moving a finger was nearly impossible.
"Ankula’s" hand slowly reached out, tilting Xia Lun’s chin upward.
"Miss Ankula… no, wait… what are you doing?" Xia Lun’s voice carried a trace of panic. He couldn’t fathom why this being had restrained him—or why she was acting this way.
"Ankula’s" fingertips traced lightly over Xia Lun’s face, brushing against his delicate, handsome features. She could feel the soft, fine hairs on his skin—every detail so familiar, as if she’d memorized them long ago.
Teased like this, Xia Lun’s expression twisted in discomfort before he finally squeezed his eyes shut, his cheeks flushing with embarrassment.
The Xia Lun of the past was so pure-hearted. Just a little touch like this could make him blush furiously… unlike the Xia Lun she knew now, who had explored every possible intimacy with her. If she tried this with him now, he’d undoubtedly counterattack with overwhelming force.
"Ankula" covered her mouth, stifling a laugh. This was far too amusing.
"What do you think you’re doing?!" Aina’s voice cut through the air like ice, devoid of any gratitude for being saved.
"Ah, I almost forgot you were here."
"Ankula" turned her gaze toward Aina. Staring at her past self felt like looking into a mirror—even after over a thousand years, her appearance hadn’t changed in the slightest.
With undisguised mockery, "Ankula" sneered, "You really are utterly unlovable."
She despised her past self—how her pride and pointless arrogance had kept her cold and distant toward Xia Lun, the person she loved most. How she’d refused to face her true feelings, forcing Xia Lun to worry over her…
Only after losing him had her emotions erupted like a volcano. But by then, Xia Lun was already gone. What good did that do?
Aina’s brows knitted tightly together. "What are you talking about?"
The look in "Ankula’s" eyes infuriated Aina—that condescending pity, as if mocking her for her ignorance.
Aina couldn’t fathom where this inexplicable hostility came from.
Yet, she couldn’t bring herself to attack this being. She knew all too well that this enigmatic presence was infinitely stronger than her… and Aina wasn’t foolish enough to pick a fight over something so trivial, only to be crushed like an insect.
"What a pitiful creature."
"Ankula" shook her head lightly, then flicked a finger. Instantly, Aina froze in place, trapped like a bug in amber.
What was this thing planning? Was she an enemy after all?
Aina struggled briefly but found herself completely immobilized.
"Ankula’s" attention returned to Xia Lun.
"Do… do we know each other?" Xia Lun ventured again, his voice uncertain.
This situation was beyond bizarre—even more confusing than their battle against Death Praise.
"Ankula" simply stared at him in silence.
Xia Lun’s mind blanked for a moment. Before this, he hadn’t harbored any particular feelings toward Ankula, seeing her only as an ordinary female friend. But now… he sensed a strange stirring deep within his heart.
What… what was this?
Then, "Ankula" cupped Xia Lun’s face. A blurred, indistinct figure—like a soul leaving its vessel—emerged from her body. Right before Aina’s eyes, that figure pressed its lips against Xia Lun’s in a bold, unapologetic kiss.
Aina’s pupils contracted sharply, her mind short-circuiting for a brief moment.
Xia Lun was equally stunned.
Though the figure was ethereal and intangible, Xia Lun could still feel the scorching intensity of its emotions.
Wh-what just happened? What is this?
His thoughts spun into chaos before his cheeks burned crimson. "Uh… Ankula… no, wait… who are you really?"
The soul slipped back into Ankula’s body.
"Ankula" shot Aina a taunting glance, met with a mix of shock and fury in her eyes.
With a light chuckle, "Ankula" declared, "I’ll be taking Xia Lun’s first kiss."
Then, her arms wrapped around Xia Lun’s neck as her consciousness departed Ankula’s body. Ankula’s head lolled to the side, her body going limp.
As Ankula’s form slid downward, Xia Lun reacted swiftly, catching her wrist before she could plummet from the sky.
Aina took a deep breath.
For some reason, an unbearable frustration churned inside her, a suffocating pressure with no outlet.
All of this… was because she was too weak.
If only she were stronger, things wouldn’t have turned out this way. She wouldn’t feel so utterly powerless.
The one who had possessed Ankula… was it the World Goddess? Only she could wield such overwhelming power.
Was this a warning? A message that Xia Lun, the Hero, belonged to her, and that Aina, the Demon King, should know her place?
Hah. So this was the relationship between the goddess and her chosen hero. No wonder Xia Lun had been blessed with such innate power, bestowed with divine favor from birth…
How revolting.
Aina’s mind swirled with bitter thoughts.
"Even though I don’t know what just happened… it seems to be over now."
Xia Lun’s voice pulled Aina back to reality.
Xia Lun: "Let’s go back, Aina. You’ve worked hard today."
"It’s nothing," Aina replied, her gaze toward Xia Lun now tinged with complexity.
He truly seemed oblivious to everything.
"I can’t accept this… I never realized how weak I really am," Xia Lun murmured to himself. "Against a truly powerful being, I was completely helpless…"
"Me too."
"I’ll get stronger. I won’t let something like this happen again." Xia Lun clenched his fist with resolve.
This guy… he really is a hero through and through, Aina thought silently.
Xia Lun turned to Aina with earnest determination. "I won’t let you face danger like this again."
"I don’t need your protection. I’ll surpass you," Aina said coolly.
Unnoticed by Xia Lun, the fingers hidden beneath Aina’s robes dug deep into her palms, drawing blood.
Though her expression remained as cold and unreadable as ever, a stifling ache rose in Aina’s chest, threatening to choke her.
This… this is truly unbearable.