Guinaifen knelt on the ground, clutching her head in utter confusion.
She had killed someone.
Regret, self-blame, bewilderment, and panic assaulted her mind in relentless waves.
Judging by this courtyard, Solon most likely had powerful connections—just like in the dreams.
His family would never let her go. At best, she'd be imprisoned in the Shackling Prison for life. At worst, her family would suffer the consequences.
All because of her moment of recklessness!
As for hiding the evidence? Guinaifen didn't even consider it.
The Xianzhou's technology was far too advanced. The Divination Commission's Grand Calculation Array could predict the future through big data—tracking down a murderer would be child's play.
Attempting to cover it up would only worsen her punishment.
'What do I do!? What should I do!?'
Kneeling on the ground, Guinaifen frantically tugged at her hair and struck her own head in despair.
In her anguish, she failed to notice the faint golden glow emanating from Solon's "corpse" beside her...
Just as Guinaifen agonized over whether to turn herself in or end her own life—
A bloodied hand suddenly seized her ankle.
The moment she saw it, a chill shot up her spine. Trembling, she followed the arm with her gaze—only to meet the cold, blood-streaked stare of Solon.
Her eyes rolled back, and she fainted on the spot.
"..."
Solon was speechless as Guinaifen collapsed without a sound.
So fierce when she was stabbing me with that pole, but now she's scared?
Still, everything had gone according to plan.
By exploiting the weakness he'd observed in her during the dreams, he successfully provoked her into attacking him.
Her enraged, unrestrained assault had allowed his "Golden Body" to evolve once more.
Now, weaker Pathstriders could no longer harm him.
He had finally gained a basic means of self-preservation.
Of course, this was far from enough in Solon's eyes.
In the events to come, planet-destroying powerhouses would emerge in droves, and Emanators capable of annihilating star systems would become commonplace.
At its current level, his "Golden Body" was still too fragile against Emanators—utterly defenseless even against planet-busters.
He needed to grow stronger.
But before that... Solon turned his predatory gaze toward the unconscious Guinaifen.
He who hesitates is either impotent or gay.
"Hey! Wake up!"
Guinaifen groggily heard someone calling her, followed by light pats on her cheek.
Her eyes snapped open—only to find Solon looming over her.
As the haze of sleep faded, memories of what happened came rushing back. Her pupils dilated in terror.
"Y-You... weren't you dead!?"
Solon arched a brow and lied effortlessly.
"Didn't you know? The Xianzhou natives are cursed by the Abundance—our vitality is absurd. You could chop off our heads, and we'd just reattach them."
Truthfully, before obtaining the "Indestructible Golden Body," Solon had the physical resilience of an ordinary Earthling.
But now, after multiple evolutions, his "Golden Body" far surpassed that of a typical Xianzhou native.
"How would I know! I've never killed anyone before!" Guinaifen shrieked, on the verge of a breakdown.
Solon smirked.
"Oh~ So I'm your first attempted murder victim on the Xianzhou, huh?"
"I—That's not—"
Guinaifen stumbled over her words.
Solon's gaze sharpened.
"You're aware of the charge for attempted murder, aren't you? My survival was luck—it doesn't absolve your crime. In your case, three to five years in prison would be a light sentence."
He leaned in, voice dripping with menace.
"And given my wealth, I could make life very difficult for your siblings."
"Stay away from my family!"
The moment her weakness was targeted, Guinaifen's composure shattered.
"You tried to kill me first. Why should I listen to you?" Solon sneered, unmoved.
"I—"
The air grew thick with tension.
Strangely, this was when Guinaifen regained her calm. She rapidly replayed their conversation, analyzing Solon's intentions.
Soon, she realized—Solon hadn't immediately called the Sky-Faring Commission or the Cloud Knights. His goal wasn't to imprison her... but something else.
She took a deep breath.
"What do you want?"
Solon's expression warmed with approval.
"I like smart women. As for what I want... you already know, don't you~?"
His teasing smirk, combined with memories of his behavior in the dreams, made Guinaifen's pale cheeks flush crimson.
"T-This is too sudden... I-I'm not prepared..."
"Prepared? For what? You were plenty 'prepared' in the dreams. Or are you shy now?" Solon scoffed, caging her between his arms as he loomed over her, his domineering posture exerting invisible pressure.
His vulgar words were deliberate—every humiliation, every degradation was calculated to break her down.
Even his earlier admission of manipulating the dreams was groundwork for this moment.
If Guinaifen accepted that she'd already been controlled and ravaged by him in dreams...
Then submitting to him in reality would feel like just another step.
Much like cross-dressing—there's no "just once." Only zero or infinity.
Corrupting someone hinges on that first step. Once the line is crossed, the rest becomes effortless.
The leap from 0 to 1 is monumental. From 1 to infinity? Merely accumulation.
Guinaifen's face twisted in internal conflict—proof that Solon's psychological warfare was working.
Now, he stoked the flames further.
"Everything in the dream was the life you wanted. Your brothers and sisters could land safer, easier, higher-paying jobs."
"Your younger siblings could receive elite educations. Your whole family could live in luxury."
"All you have to do... is serve me like you did in the dreams~"
His whisper was a serpent's tongue, slithering into her ears.
Guinaifen's resistance visibly wavered.
Finally, after a long silence, she surrendered in a voice barely above a whisper:
"...I accept."
"Louder. I couldn't hear you."
Solon was testing her obedience.
Gritting her teeth, Guinaifen repeated:
"I said... I'll be your lover!"
"Good. Then we'll begin immediately."
Solon smiled in satisfaction.
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