The moon hung high over the Heavenly Sword Sect, a silver eye watching the sins of the mortal world. While the lower disciples slept in their wooden shacks, the upper echelons of the Outer Sect enjoyed the luxuries of their station.
Li Ye walked through the bamboo forest that separated the administrative district from the Elders' residences. The air here was sweet, perfumed by night-blooming jasmine and the faint, metallic scent of the Spirit Qi gathering arrays that protected the area.
He stopped before a secluded courtyard surrounded by red lacquered walls. A lantern hung by the gate, casting a warm, inviting glow.
[LOCATION: DEACON SU HONG'S PRIVATE ESTATE] [THREAT LEVEL: LOW (SEDUCTIVE)] [OBJECTIVE: VENT YANG FIRE / ACQUIRE INTEL.]
Li Ye adjusted the black sword on his back. The killing earlier in the day—the brutal dismantling of Liu Mang's lackeys—had left a residue of violent heat in his blood. His skin felt tight. His pulse was a slow, heavy thrum. The System had warned him: Yang Fire buildup caused aggression and instability. It needed a release valve.
He didn't knock. He pushed the gate open.
The courtyard was a stark contrast to the martial austerity of the rest of the sect. It was a garden of pleasures. A small stream gurgled over smooth stones. Silk curtains hung from the veranda of the main house, swaying in the night breeze.
Sitting on the veranda, illuminated by the soft light of moonstones, was Su Hong.
She was waiting for him.
She had shed the formal crimson robes of her office. Now, she wore a single, loose robe of sheer, pomegranate-colored silk. It was translucent enough to hint at the lush curves beneath but opaque enough to leave the details to the imagination. She held a porcelain cup of wine in one hand, her legs crossed, revealing a long expanse of creamy, shapely thigh through the slit of the robe.
"You took your time," Su Hong purred, her voice carrying across the garden like smoke. She took a slow sip of wine, her eyes locking onto his. "I heard you caused quite a stir at the Weapon Pavilion. Breaking wrists? Crippling the Tiger Faction's dogs?"
Li Ye walked up the stone steps, his boots heavy on the wood. He stopped in front of her, looking down. The heat radiating from his body was palpable, a stark contrast to the cool night air.
"I needed a sword," Li Ye said simply. "They were in the way."
Su Hong laughed, a low, throaty sound. She set the cup down and stood up. She was tall for a woman, but in her bare feet, she had to tilt her head back to look him in the eye.
"You are a dangerous man, Li Ye," she murmured, reaching out to trace the line of his jaw with a manicured red fingernail. "Dangerous men usually die young in this sect. Unless..."
"Unless?"
"Unless they have a patron," she whispered. She stepped closer, pressing her body against his.
Li Ye could feel the heat of her Fire Attribute cultivation. She was like a furnace wrapped in silk. Her breasts, heavy and soft, crushed against his chest. Her scent—musk, wine, and exotic orchids—filled his senses.
"I don't need a patron," Li Ye said, his hand moving to grip her waist. His fingers sank into the soft flesh. "I need a partner."
Su Hong's breath hitched as his grip tightened. She could feel the raw, violent power vibrating under his skin. It intoxicated her. In a sect full of boys playing at war, here was a man who had already seen the abyss.
"Show me," she challenged, biting her lower lip. "Show me if you have the stamina to back up your arrogance."
Li Ye didn't waste words. He swept her up into his arms.
"Ah!" Su Hong gasped, wrapping her arms around his neck, her legs instinctively hooking around his waist.
He carried her into the house.
The room was dim, lit only by red candles. A large bed dominated the space, covered in furs and silks. Li Ye tossed her onto the mattress. She bounced slightly, her robe falling open, revealing the entirety of her figure.
She was magnificent. A true mature beauty. Her hips were wide and flared, designed for childbearing and pleasure. Her waist was fleshy but defined. Her breasts were large, spilling out to the sides, topped with dark, large areolas that were already hardening in anticipation. A patch of dark, manicured hair guarded her femininity, glistening with natural moisture.
"Don't rip this one," she warned playfully, pulling the robe off her shoulders completely. "It's imported silk."
Li Ye stood by the bed, stripping off his navy robes. When he revealed his torso, Su Hong's eyes widened.
His body was a map of violence. Scars from his past life—bullet wounds, knife slashes—had been translated by the reincarnation into cultivation scars. His muscles were lean and corded, rippling with the pent-up energy of the Yang Fire.
"You're burning up," she noted, seeing the faint red flush on his skin.
"Help me cool down," Li Ye growled.
He climbed onto the bed, crawling over her. He didn't kiss her immediately. He buried his face in her neck, inhaling her scent, his teeth grazing the sensitive skin over her pulse.
"Mmm..." Su Hong arched her back, her hands running over his scarred shoulders, feeling the heat. "You're an animal."
Li Ye moved down. He kissed her collarbone, then captured her right breast. He didn't suck gently like he had with Lin Xiaoyue. He devoured her. He kneaded the heavy flesh with his hands, his mouth pulling hard on the nipple.
"Yes... harder..." Su Hong moaned, her fingers tangling in his hair. She was a Fire cultivator; she craved intensity. Friction. Heat.
[SYSTEM NOTICE] [YANG FIRE VENTING INITIATED.] [TARGET ATTRIBUTE: FIRE. COMPATIBILITY: HIGH.] [MODE: DUAL CULTIVATION (BALANCED).]
Li Ye felt the pressure in his blood alleviating as he transferred the excess energy into her. But this wasn't just venting; it was an exchange. As he gave her his aggressive Yang Qi, he drew in her warm, nourishing Yin.
He moved his hand down her stomach, between her legs. She was already dripping wet, her juices hot and slippery.
"Take me," she begged, her hips bucking up to meet his hand. "Now."
Li Ye positioned himself between her legs. He looked down at her—hair spread across the pillows, lips swollen, eyes hazy with lust.
He entered her.
"OH!" Su Hong cried out, her nails digging into his back.
He was large. Unreasonably so. The System's body tempering had affected every part of him. He stretched her, filled her completely.
Li Ye began to move. Slow, deep thrusts at first, grounding himself.
"Gods..." Su Hong panted, throwing her head back. "You feel... incredible."
The sensation for Li Ye was electric. Her internal walls were hot, pulsing around him, milking the tension from his body. With every thrust, the red haze of violence in his mind receded, replaced by the white-hot clarity of pleasure.
He picked up the pace. The sound of skin slapping against skin filled the room, mixing with her moans and the creaking of the bed frame.
"Faster," she hissed, wrapping her legs tighter around his waist. "Don't hold back!"
Li Ye unleashed the beast. He pounded into her with a rhythm that was almost punishing. Su Hong met him thrust for thrust, her fingernails raking down his back, drawing blood that healed almost instantly.
"Li Ye! Li Ye!" She screamed his name as she neared the edge.
[SYSTEM ALERT] [CRITICAL MASS REACHED.] [EXCHANGE COMPLETE. VENTING 100%.]
Li Ye grabbed her hips, driving deep one last time, hitting her deepest spot.
Su Hong convulsed, her inner muscles clamping down on him as she climaxed. A wave of Fire Qi rushed from her body into his.
Simultaneously, Li Ye roared, pouring his essence into her.
They collapsed together, tangled in the sheets, slick with sweat.
For a long time, the only sound was their ragged breathing.
Finally, Su Hong stirred. She traced a finger down his chest, a satisfied, lazy smile on her face.
"Well," she whispered. "You certainly passed that assessment."
Li Ye rolled onto his back, staring at the ceiling. He felt balanced. The aggression was gone, replaced by a cold, calculating focus. His cultivation base felt denser, more stable.
"Payment," Li Ye said, his voice raspy.
Su Hong chuckled. She sat up, not bothering to cover her nakedness. She reached for the wine cup on the bedside table and took a sip, then offered it to him.
"Always business with you," she teased. But she reached under the pillow and pulled out a small, leather-bound book and a jade bottle.
She tossed them onto his chest.
"The book contains the roster for the Tiger Faction," she said, her tone shifting to professional. "Weaknesses, fighting styles, recent injuries. Wang Teng has recruited a mercenary from the outside—a 'Guest Disciple' named Iron-Skin Bull. He's a Layer 8 Body Tempering expert."
Li Ye sat up, examining the bottle.
"And this?"
"Fire Spirit Pills," Su Hong said. "High grade. They will help you consolidate your foundation before the tournament. Consider it... a bonus for a job well done."
She leaned in and kissed his cheek. "And because I bet 500 Spirit Stones on you making the Top 10."
Li Ye smirked. He stood up and began to dress.
"Top 10?" He pulled on his trousers. "Aim higher, Su Hong."
He strapped the Blood-Drinker sword to his back.
"I'm taking first place."
Su Hong watched him dress, admiring the view one last time. "Wang Teng is at the peak of Body Tempering Layer 9. He is half a step into Qi Condensation. He has artifacts given to him by the Elders. Be careful, Li Ye. I don't want to lose my favorite... investment."
Li Ye walked to the door. He paused, looking back at the beautiful, naked woman in the bed.
"Wang Teng has artifacts," Li Ye said, his eyes glowing in the dark. "But I have hunger."
He stepped out into the night.
[SYSTEM UPDATE] [YANG FIRE: NEUTRALIZED.] [CULTIVATION: BODY TEMPERING LAYER 5 (PEAK -> BREAKTHROUGH IMMINENT).] [ITEM ACQUIRED: TIGER FACTION INTEL.] [ITEM ACQUIRED: FIRE SPIRIT PILLS (X5).]
Li Ye popped the cork on the jade bottle and dry-swallowed a pill.
Heat exploded in his stomach.
"Three days left," he whispered. "Time to cultivate."