Chapter 57: Succubus.

“Hey, you two lovebirds, done with your cuddling? Time to come out for some air!” Ye Zhuxian’s voice pierced through the chamber with uncanny precision.

Xie Qiyang, clinging to Li Tianxing like an octopus, jolted in surprise, her grip loosening.

Perfect chance!

Li Tianxing seized the moment, breaking free and darting away, practically skidding to a stop with his back against the cold stone wall, eyeing her warily.

“Tch, coward!”
Xie Qiyang rolled her eyes, crossing her arms, lips pouting.

She’d braced herself to be “ravaged” by him, but the tables had turned—she’d become the succubus, draining him dry after who-knows-how-many rounds.

Her body felt warm, infused with something new, distinct from her cool Lunar force yet oddly familiar, like it was bound to her by blood…

Gasp.
Had she siphoned his Solar power?

As she pondered this unexpected “harvest,” Li Tianxing’s weak voice cut in:
“W-Wife, get ready, let’s go.”

She looked up—whoa!
Gone was the dashing, peerless beauty.
Now he was just a rugged, passably handsome guy in faded coarse clothes, the kind who’d vanish in a crowd.

“Me? Get ready for what? To dress down like you?”

Xie Qiyang blinked innocently, and with a thought, her delicate, heart-melting beauty returned.

Though she was technically a “young wife” now.

Li Tianxing’s eyes twitched, and he shuffled back half a step, his gaze wary as if guarding against a thief.

Inwardly, he ranted: Where’s the carefree, untouchable beauty from my past life? Why’s she so… aggressive and dangerous now? And it’s my fault she’s like this!

Xie Qiyang, seeing his cowardly look, fumed.
The new Solar power in her was ravenous, urging her to pounce and siphon more.

She’d planned a “feint east, strike west” tactic to get close, but his guard was up, giving her no opening.

“Fine, you win!”
She muttered, picturing a disguise.

Soon, her dazzling silver hair turned into understated black, her stunning face softened to merely pretty.
But her figure… still curvaceous, even more pronounced, exuding mature allure.

“Done! Let’s go!”
She slipped on shoes, grabbed his hand, and dragged him toward the door.

“Wait!”
Li Tianxing stopped, frowning, racking his brain.
“I feel like… we forgot something? Someone?”

Xie Qiyang tilted her head, feigning confusion:
“Huh? No way. You’re imagining things!”

He scratched his head.
“…Maybe? Hurry up then, don’t keep Grandma waiting.”

Hand in hand, they pushed open the chamber door, all sweet and lovey-dovey.

Left behind, forgotten in the dark room, Li Tianze’s muffled cries echoed:
“Hey! I’m still here!!!”

—

Stepping out, they were greeted by Ye Zhuxian’s teasing laugh:

“Well, well, congratulations! Little Ningshuang, hiding your depths! Look at that glow—quite the harvest, huh?”

Her sharp old eyes scanned Li Tianxing, clicking her tongue:
“And Tianxing… tsk, tsk, you’re weaker than when you went in. Youngsters, learn some restraint!”

Xie Qiyang’s face flushed shrimp-red.
She caught Ye Zhuxian’s implications—despite her newfound boldness, such blunt teasing from an elder made her squirm.

“Grandma.”
Li Tianxing, thick-skinned, gripped his wife’s warm hand, bowing respectfully to gloss over the moment.

Ye Zhuxian grinned, circling Xie Qiyang, her eyes gleaming like she was appraising a treasure, tutting before patting Li Tianxing’s shoulder gravely:

“Tianxing, listen to Grandma. Train harder, or one day your wife will leave you in the dust and keep you as her personal… oh, I mean, her ‘star pet’ or something.”

“Uh…”
Xie Qiyang’s big eyes blinked, a twinge of guilt surfacing.
Star pet? Why does that sound… kind of hot?
No, no! She shook off the dangerous thought.

“Grandma!”
Xie Qiyang stomped, forcing a “pure” expression, then boldly slung an arm around Li Tianxing’s sturdy shoulders, declaring grandly:

“What’re you talking about? Am I that kind of person? As if I’m some… desperate fiend. Right, Husband?”
She shook him for emphasis.

The scene was striking: a curvaceous, mature beauty casually draping herself over a rugged man like a buddy, her chest puffed out for “righteous” effect, amplifying her assets.
The visual was… explosive.

Ye Zhuxian’s smile deepened, watching the lively pair with amusement.

“You don’t think that way now, little miss, but if your cultivation outstrips Tianxing’s one day, who knows… I did the same back in my time.”

Wow, projecting much?
Xie Qiyang thought silently.

“Alright, enough. I’ve got things to do. You two wait a few days—we need those others to scout the path first.”

“Oh, right,” Ye Zhuxian added, as if remembering something.
“Don’t get too wild, keep the noise down.”

“Especially you, Ningshuang. Cultivation soaring after dual cultivation is great, but focus on stabilizing it. Even if you can’t resist, stick to… gentle releases. Don’t drain Tianxing dry again.”

Both their faces burned, ready to protest, but looking up, Ye Zhuxian was gone.

“Heard that? Stabilize your cultivation.”

“What’s your level now?”

“What’s it to you?”

“I bet you can’t beat me now. Gotta keep you in check. Hey, don’t run—I’m kidding!”

Under the setting sun, their playful chase was vibrant, a stark contrast to the village’s somber air.