Neuvillette listened to the sound of running water from within the bathroom.
His heart was in complete disarray.
This was aimed at him. Finished—today, even his first kiss wouldn't be safe. No… more than just a kiss might be in danger!
This so-called couples hotel was designed to heighten the "intimacy" between lovers.
The bathroom door was made of frosted glass, which meant that although it was somewhat obscured, the figure inside could still be seen with unsettling clarity.
A graceful silhouette, indistinct yet tantalizing, could be made out as she bathed within.
To say there was a barrier of glass was meaningless—in truth, there was almost no difference.
Neuvillette's brows furrowed as he weighed possible escape routes.
Meanwhile, inside the bathroom—
Zhang Lexuan's delicate cheeks were tinged with pink. Standing before the mirror, she gently wiped down her proud curves, taking a moment to admire, then nodded in satisfaction.
She knew her charm well.
No one had ever pursued her during all her years in the Inner Court, because she had made it clear long ago—she had been betrothed to Dai Yueheng since childhood.
Otherwise, the number of suitors for her would be enough to encircle Shrek City several times over.
Her heart, however, had already been given to Dai Yueheng ten years ago.
This time, Aunt Lin was the one who persuaded her to make the first move.
Though her cold and aloof nature made such boldness difficult, she had still forced herself to act…
Ten minutes later.
The bathroom door opened.
Neuvillette's lips twitched. His long, slender fingers tapped rapidly on his staff, betraying his unsettled state.
His eyes stayed firmly shut, presenting the appearance of a man unmoved by temptation.
"What, are you that afraid of me?"
Her gentle voice floated to his ear.
The next instant, warmth pressed against his side. Soft arms slid around his neck.
The delicate scent of her recent bath, mingling with the moist softness of her skin, ignited a heat within Neuvillette.
He felt, in that moment, like the Tang Monk from Journey to the West, beset by the Queen of the Women's Kingdom—pitiful, helpless, utterly harassed.
He struggled against the urge to clasp his hands and recite "Amitabha."
With a sigh, he said quietly:
"Senior sister… I'm still just a child."
"You're not a child anymore. I've watched you grow."
Her gentle voice whispered in his ear.
"Hah."
Neuvillette opened his eyes at last, resigned, and looked at the woman beside him.
She was dressed in a black, low-cut gown that revealed her graceful shoulders and the smooth line of her collarbone, her fair skin luminous as snow. The fabric draped loosely from her shoulders, accentuating her allure. High heels lengthened the curve of her legs, while her sleek hair and carefully applied makeup lent her a poised, mature elegance.
Compared to the cold, unadorned, plain-dressed senior sister he knew, she seemed like a completely different woman.
Neuvillette's eyes flicked downwards, inadvertently catching on her legs.
The heels hugged her slender calves, highlighting flawless lines of snow-white skin.
His throat tightened.
A sudden dryness filled his mouth.
He was barely holding on.
He never imagined his senior sister could be like this.
"Well? My appearance tonight… isn't bad, right?" Zhang Lexuan's voice held a touch of shyness—so different from her earlier boldness.
This was her true self. Everything before had been Aunt Lin's coaxing and pressure.
Neuvillette exhaled softly.
"Senior sister, I—"
But before he could finish, his words were cut off.
Her beautiful face suddenly filled his vision. Reflexively, he tried to pull away, but the arms around his neck held him tightly.
Her pale cheeks glowed red, yet she refused to let go, pressing closer, demanding more.
"Mm—"
Seeing this, Neuvillette gave up resisting.
His arms rose, circling her slender waist, pulling her into his embrace.
The roles of pursuer and pursued had reversed.
Relief flickered in Zhang Lexuan's eyes.
She had only repeated the "advice" Aunt Lin had whispered in her ear, but beyond this, she truly had no experience.
Now that Neuvillette was taking the lead… everything would be easier.
Neuvillette held the fragrant, delicate woman in his arms. Fresh from her bath, soft and warm, she melted into him like water.
His inner fire rose with every breath.
Drawing her closer, the two figures slowly pressed against one another—
"Ah!!!"
A sudden cry pierced the air.
Then came the roar of a soul beast.
From below, the sound of shattering glass and violent tremors spread upward, followed by screams, collapsing stone, and sheer chaos.
The two froze.
Neuvillette sighed and gently released Zhang Lexuan.
He rose, and in the next instant, his form vanished from the room.
Something had erupted in Shrek City—and as Holy Son, he could not ignore it.
Zhang Lexuan lay on the bed in stunned silence, unable to recover her senses.
Below.
Cries and wails filled the air.
A white ape nearly five meters tall rampaged through the streets, its fur bristling, its eyes glowing red. It struck out in all directions without mercy.
Every leap and slam left deep cracks in the stone streets.
Blood and screams followed in its wake.
Several Inner Court students had already tried to hold it back, but in the crowded streets, with civilians everywhere, their efforts were scattered. Worse still, the beast's strength was that of a ten-thousand-year soul beast. Few could stand against it.
Wherever it moved, devastation followed. Several Inner Court students, sacrificing themselves to protect bystanders, had already fallen grievously wounded.
"Damn it—how could there be a Snow Ape here of all places? And a ten-thousand-year one at that!"
"Call the teachers!"
"The Academy's already been alerted, but they need time to get here!"
"Then stall it! Hold until the Inner Court elders or the Law Enforcers arrive!"
These Inner Court students were mostly newly advanced Soul Sects or lower-ranked Soul Kings.
The truly powerful students were away—serving in enforcement squads, carrying out missions beyond the academy, or training in Sea God Island.
Who could have predicted such a beast would appear inside the supposedly secure Shrek Academy?
The Snow Ape roared, sweeping its gaze over the panicked crowd, its eyes full of scorn.
"Damn it… this thing should have been caged in the Great Arena, under Elder Gong's control. How did it escape here…?"
One of the older Inner Court students spat blood, glaring at the beast.
His martial spirit was Sand. Summoning the full force of his fifth spirit ring—a black ten-thousand-year ring—he unleashed Sand's Bind, conjuring massive hands of earth and grit to seize the ape.
But with a few furious punches, the beast shattered them easily.
Fear crept into his heart. This wasn't an ordinary ten-thousand-year soul beast—it was like something overdosed with power, abnormally frenzied.
Still, he refused to retreat.
He was the strongest here. If he fell back, the ape would rampage unchecked.
"To think I, Bai Nian, would ever face a day like this."
Looking around at the younger students rallying to his side, Bai Nian gave a bitter smile.
(End of Chapter)