Ye Sang controlled the Cui Gu Heavenly Bird to descend, landing in a clearing.

  "No matter what you see later, don’t be surprised. I’ll explain everything when I come back," Nan Gong Huan said hurriedly before disappearing in a flash.

  Since she had given them a heads-up, the Ye siblings weren’t too shocked, though they were curious about where Nan Gong Huan had gone.

  "How did Ah Huan just vanish into thin air?" Ye Wan Jun looked around, unable to tell which direction she had gone.

  "She said she’d be back soon, so let’s just wait," Ye Sang said. The two of them sat on the grass, waiting and consolidating their cultivation.

  Inside the Di Ming Ring, the cold grew increasingly intense, but it was still within Nan Gong Huan’s tolerance.

  Ice spikes had already begun to spread on either side of the bell tower’s entrance. If she didn’t act soon, the path would be completely blocked by the ice.

  "Quick, girl, go in and take his divine power for yourself!" Elder Ling waved his fist, more excited than anyone.

  Nan Gong Huan didn’t delay. While the entrance was still wide enough, she swiftly flew inside.

  But as soon as she stepped through the door, a thin layer of ice crept up her feet, firmly anchoring her to the ground. The cold seeped into her soles, shooting up to the top of her head, making her shiver again.

  Fortunately, her spiritual energy was sufficient, quickly warming her body.

  Seeing an ice spike about to pierce her arm, Nan Gong Huan threw a punch. The force of her spiritual energy shattered the ice beneath her feet. She pushed off and continued running forward.

  Though it was only fifty meters away, Nan Gong Huan struggled greatly, breaking the ice several times and dodging numerous ice spikes before finally reaching him.

  Her long eyelashes were now frosted, and her breath came out in cold puffs. The closer she got to Dong Yan Cuo, the harder it became for her spiritual energy to resist the cold. Her limbs were starting to stiffen.

  Dong Yan Cuo lay flat on the platform, untouched by the frost. His eyes were closed, his brows slightly furrowed, as if he too was troubled by this chaotic power.

  Nan Gong Huan raised her hand and placed it above his dantian, activating her spiritual platform to absorb the energy.

  But no matter how hard she tried, the spiritual energy in Dong Yan Cuo’s dantian remained still, as if it too had been frozen.

  "Elder Ling, I can’t absorb it!" Nan Gong Huan turned to look outside the door, which was now blocked by multiple ice spikes, leaving only a small gap to see through.

  At the same time, she gasped, her lungs nearly freezing. The ice had climbed up to her calves, completely freezing her legs. Behind her, ice spikes continued to grow, now only inches away from her head!

  Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

  "Silly disciple, kiss him on the lips!" Elder Ling’s voice shouted through the gap. As soon as he finished speaking, the gap disappeared, and the massive ice spikes completely sealed the door, blocking all sound from outside.

  Kiss... Nan Gong Huan’s heart trembled, her body shaking from the cold.

  The air was so quiet that only her heartbeat could be heard.

  Thump—thump—

  The ice spikes pressed closer. Nan Gong Huan shifted slightly, but the freezing spikes grazed her waist, tearing her clothes and pressing against her skin, numbing her almost instantly.

  A look of determination flashed in her eyes. Forget it, just kiss him! Who knows who’s taking advantage of whom!

  With her mind made up, Nan Gong Huan cupped Dong Yan Cuo’s face, taking a deep look at his cold, distant, yet strikingly handsome features. He exuded a divine aura, as if even looking at him was a form of blasphemy.

  A sudden warmth bloomed in her chest. Nan Gong Huan leaned down and pressed her lips to his. The cool touch of his lips made her body tremble slightly.

  Parting his lips, Nan Gong Huan smoothly drew in the excess divine power from his body.

  She closed her eyes, carefully guiding the divine power into her body and converting it into spiritual energy.

  At this moment, everything fell silent.

  The ice spikes inside the hall stopped growing, their sharp tips reflecting the cold light but now less menacing. The image of the two kissing was reflected on the smooth surfaces of the ice spikes, the icy colors shimmering, as if entwined in deep affection.

  Thump—thump—

  Their heartbeats synchronized, pulling each other closer, inseparable no matter what.

  The air gradually warmed. Nan Gong Huan flexed her stiff fingers, her fingertips brushing against his cheek, generating a faint warmth.

  Warm breath brushed against his face. Dong Yan Cuo’s eyelashes fluttered, and he slowly opened his eyes to see the stunning face of Nan Gong Huan up close.

  Huan Huan... Dong Yan Cuo’s consciousness was still hazy. It took him a while to fully regain awareness, his eyes gradually clearing. But he didn’t move, only eagerly tracing Nan Gong Huan’s face in his mind, feeling the warmth of her lips. A shy heat rose in his eyes.

  This was Huan Huan’s taste... sweet, soft, fragrant, something he had never experienced before, now his favorite flavor!

  What was Huan Huan doing? Was she also tasting him?

  Huan Huan’s eyelashes were so long, like feathers.

  The black lotus on Huan Huan’s face was gone. Had she eaten it?

  Huan Huan’s hands were so warm. He wanted them to stay on his face forever.

  Huan Huan...

  A thousand thoughts about her raced through Dong Yan Cuo’s mind. Unconsciously, his Adam’s apple bobbed, his breathing grew quicker, and his hands nervously fidgeted, fingers slightly curling.

  This position felt a bit uncomfortable. Should he ask Huan Huan to change it?

  What’s that? Nan Gong Huan sensed something and opened her eyes, meeting Dong Yan Cuo’s gaze. Both of them saw nervousness in each other’s eyes.

  I’ve been caught! They both thought simultaneously.

  Nan Gong Huan scolded herself internally: Nan Gong Huan, can’t you be a bit more composed? So what if you’ve been single for over twenty years? It’s just forcefully kissing a handsome guy, no big deal!

  After the initial tension, Dong Yan Cuo looked more like a child who had done something wrong, afraid that Nan Gong Huan would dislike him. He froze, not daring to move, looking at her with pitiful eyes.

  "Close your eyes, there’s still a bit left," Nan Gong Huan suppressed the urge to flee in embarrassment. There was still a small amount of chaotic divine power left in his body, and once she absorbed it, she could reach the edge of the third spiritual life!

  Dong Yan Cuo obediently closed his eyes, but this only made the sensation on his lips more pronounced. Unconsciously, his heart trembled, and a thought crossed his mind—he wanted more of this taste.

  Just as his tongue moved slightly, attempting to explore further, Nan Gong Huan pulled away, and the warmth on his face disappeared.

  He opened his eyes and sat up, a hint of disappointment flashing in his eyes, though they still burned with warmth.

  Nan Gong Huan, however, happily raised her hand, feeling the surge of power. She was only missing one magical herb for the third spiritual life promotion potion. She’d look for it in the wild later.

  "Huan Huan..." Dong Yan Cuo was still considering whether to request that his future snack rewards be replaced with this kind of reward, but Nan Gong Huan suddenly winced, interrupting his thoughts.

  She clutched her waist in pain. The skin there had been frostbitten and was now an abnormal shade of red. Her legs were also numb from the cold.