Outside the carriage.
The earth dragon simply moved forward, needing no concern for anything else.
The road was wide and spacious, allowing it to run comfortably.
Aina sat in front of Xia Lun and suddenly said, "Xia Lun, I want that."
Xia Lun was puzzled. "What?"
Aina's eyes turned seductive as she licked her lips. "You know… the thing we often do. Let me savor your taste."
Xia Lun finally understood. "Oh, that."
He offered his wrist to Aina’s mouth.
Aina’s tongue gently traced Xia Lun’s fair wrist before she parted her lips, her sharp fangs carefully sinking in.
She held Xia Lun’s arm, drinking his blood.
Xia Lun felt no pain—instead, a tingling numbness spread from his wrist, melting into pleasure… Her saliva had a numbing effect, one of Aina’s vampiric abilities.
"Does it hurt, Xia Lun?" Aina asked knowingly.
"It feels wonderful," Xia Lun replied, stroking her head.
Aina nodded slightly, focusing on her "meal."
Truthfully, Aina no longer needed blood to restore her strength—it was merely a treat for her now.
Xia Lun didn’t mind being bitten. Though it wasn’t the most convenient moment, during their intimate moments in bed, Aina would often cling to his neck or shoulders afterward.
He never felt like prey, only finding her adorable as she drank from him.
After a while, Aina released his wrist, wiping her lips contentedly. "Thank you for the meal, Xia Lun."
A green glow flickered at her fingertips, and the tiny puncture wounds on Xia Lun’s wrist healed instantly, leaving no trace.
"Was it good?" Xia Lun asked.
"Delicious… like rich, sweet wine," Aina murmured dreamily.
Xia Lun leaned down, his tongue parting her lips.
Aina let out a soft moan, melting into his embrace.
He tasted only the faint metallic tang of blood—vampires and humans perceived flavors differently.
"You two… could you at least be mindful in public?" Liyana had just stepped out of the carriage for fresh air when she saw Xia Lun and Aina locked in a kiss. "It’s embarrassing for others to see."
Xia Lun pulled away, leaving Aina flushed and breathless, her lips slightly parted.
"I’d sense if anyone approached," Xia Lun coughed awkwardly.
Liyana gave them a strange look.
So now this shameless couple had no qualms about kissing passionately in front of her.
Did that mean they no longer kept their distance? Liyana wasn’t sure if she should be pleased.
"What’s going on?" Mo Lini peeked out.
Aina adjusted her posture, sitting primly in Xia Lun’s lap without further movement.
Liyana felt slightly relieved—at least they restrained themselves around the child.
"But… we’re still far from the city. Another night camping, it seems." Liyana sighed, checking the map to estimate their location.
Mo Lini didn’t mind sleeping outdoors. They had tents and bedding, and danger was unlikely.
She was more curious about something else.
"Liyana, what’s for dinner tonight?" Mo Lini asked.
Back at the academy, she used to cook for herself.
Before Professor Enlaisi pointed it out… she’d thought her cooking was decent.
But after tasting Liyana’s meals… Mo Lini felt guilty for subjecting the professor to her food for so long.
"Let’s see… There’s a large lake nearby. How about grilled fish? There’s also a clearing by the shore—we can camp there. Aina, could you set up a humidity-adjusting barrier? The lakeside gets damp, and waking up soaked is miserable."
Liyana glanced at Xia Lun.
"Sounds good. We’ll follow Liyana’s plan," Xia Lun said.
With her current experience, Liyana could easily lead any adventuring party.
Xia Lun was happy to let her take charge.
"Grilled fish…" Mo Lini swallowed, latching onto the key detail.
They soon reached the lake.
Through the trees, the shimmering waters unfolded like a mirror unveiled by a maiden at dawn.
The lake was calm and clear, reflecting the white clouds above and the lush greenery along its banks, blending the scenery seamlessly.
A breeze stirred ripples across the surface, like the swaying hem of a maiden’s white dress.
Mo Lini thought she saw a pure maiden frolicking at the lake’s center…
Wait—she rubbed her eyes—there really was someone on the water.
No, it wasn’t her imagination. Everyone saw it.
"Xia Lun! Look, a lake maiden!" Liyana pointed excitedly.
The maiden’s form was translucent, her dress merging with the water. Only her slender upper body was visible, her chest half-bare, while her lower half remained unseen.
Lake maidens were rare monsters, luring men into the depths to drown and nourish the lakebed’s silt.
Well… not just men. Liyana had fallen for it once.
But if one resisted their allure, they were harmless—they never attacked humans on land. Some bored adventurers even whistled at them, only to get splashed in retaliation.
"Liyana…" Xia Lun began.
"Enough! I know! I won’t be stupid again!" Liyana cut him off, her face burning. "That was back when I was new to adventuring! And I have a partner now!"
Xia Lun chuckled. He’d only brought it up to tease her.
Besides, Liyana was strong now—she could hold her breath for ages. Drowning wasn’t a real risk.
"No drinking tonight," Aina added.
Last time, Liyana had been tipsy when the lake maiden ensnared her.
Liyana groaned in humiliation. "Ugh! Just kill me! Stop bringing it up!"
grated, and just when he finally managed to get into an elite academy, he discovered that he actually had a system, and the way to earn rewards was extremely ridiculous. So for the sake of rewards, he had no choice but to start acting ridiculous as well. Su Cheng: "It's nothing but system quests after all." But later, what confused Su Cheng was that while he was already quite ridiculous, he never expected those serious characters to gradually become ridiculous too. And the way they looked at him became increasingly strange... (This synopsis doesn't do it justice, please read the full story)
ine. During your journey, you save an abandoned baby girl and become her elder brother】 【You rely on each other, becoming each other's support】 【At the end of the simulation, you shield the now-grown girl with your life, sacrificing yourself to block numerous demonic cultivators. You die, and the light in the girl's eyes fades】 …… 【Second Simulation: You are transported to a world where steam and magic coexist】 【You immerse yourself in the study of magic, obsessed with its research. One day, while out, you encounter a half-blooded demon girl wandering the streets. You take her in as your student】 【You teach the demoness what it means to be human, show her the beauty of the world, and nurture her into a miracle that surpasses even the gods】 【At the end of the simulation, you die of old age in front of the nearly immortal demoness due to your mortal lifespan】 …… One simulation after another, one encounter after another. Xu Xi suddenly felt something was off: "Wait, you said you're coming to the real world to find me?"
with countless casualties. As a top-tier gamer, Liu Xuan volunteered to join the fight, intending to dominate with his skills, but instead he obtained the hidden class: [Pacifist]. Unable to attack. Unable to use active skills. Fortunately, with each level gained, he acquired a new passive skill. And so, armed with a body full of passives, Liu Xuan slaughtered his way through the battlefield of ten thousand races! [You attacked Liu Xuan] [You gained the debuffs: 'Poison', 'Fear', 'Burning', 'Bleeding', 'Freeze', 'Silence', etc.] [Your attack speed has been reduced by 99%] [Your armor and magic resistance have been reduced by 99%] Warriors of the Ten Thousand Races: How the hell am I supposed to fight this?!
for mindless slaughter, this isn't for you.] My name is Ye Shu, and I'm a transmigrator. It seems I'm supposed to be the protagonist, but that feels pretty unlikely. This world has been invaded by a system. The antagonists on the other side have suddenly become pure, flawless saints. The female leads have been force-fed the so-called "original plot," making them think they've been reborn. Now, everyone thinks I'm scum. Including the old lady in my ring. And here I am, in the Monster Beast Mountain Range, braising pork. To put my situation in perspective— It's as if, the moment Xiao Yan stepped into the Monster Beast Mountain Range, the Soul Emperor already knew he would become the Flame Emperor, and Yao Lao had been turned to the enemy's side. I have nothing right now. Oh wait, that's not true. I do have a white-haired loli child-bride who's the Heavenly Dao, and her only skill is acting cute. So, tell me guys... what are my chances of making it to the end?
