Noah arrived at the restaurant just as the evening lamps were being lit, their soft glow spilling across polished wood and perfumed air. He was led to a private room, where Elen Whitlock awaited, dressed elegantly in a pale silk gown that shimmered faintly under the lantern light.
Their table was set with delicate dishes, but neither of them seemed to care much for the food. Noah spoke with an ease that surprised even himself—his words flowing smooth as honey, laced with wit and charm. Elen's laughter rang out, bright and genuine, her hand occasionally brushing the edge of her lips as though embarrassed at her own delight.
In that laughter, Noah saw a glimpse of her true self, far beyond the title of second wife of Tom Brant.
Yet Noah's sharp eyes noticed something else—the air felt different tonight. That heavy sense of being watched was absent. Leaning closer, his voice lowered, he asked softly,
"Your shadow… the protector who follows you. I don't feel his presence tonight."
Elen's smile curved knowingly. "I dismissed them." She tilted her head, strands of hair slipping free. "But don't be fooled, Noah. He is surely nearby, unseen, watching. Always."
Noah nodded in understanding, though a spark of daring lit his gaze. They continued talking, sharing words that grew steadily more intimate, until an opportunity presented itself—a pause in her laughter, a silence heavy with unspoken meaning.
In that instant, Noah moved. He leaned forward and captured her lips with his own.
Elen froze for a heartbeat, startled—but she did not push him away. Instead, her lips trembled, then softened, yielding to him as the kiss deepened. Passion flared in that stolen moment, her breath mingling with his, until finally they pulled apart, both slightly breathless.
Noah's hand, bold and restless, drifted toward the swell of her chest. But Elen caught his wrist, her cheeks flushed like fire.
"We cannot," she whispered firmly, though her eyes betrayed her hesitation. "There are too many eyes here… it would cause a scandal."
Elen's hand lingered on his chest, torn between refusal and temptation. But Noah only smiled, his tone low and assured.
"No problem. If you fear being watched… then let me take you somewhere no one else can follow."
Before she could ask what he meant, the air behind him shimmered—rippling like water. A black-gold oval tore open in the very fabric of space, humming with otherworldly power.
Elen froze. Her pupils shrank.
"This… this is impossible…" Her voice quivered as she stumbled back a step. "In the lower realm, only ancient arrays or divine relics can force open space. Even kings among cultivators can't do this alone… And you—" her eyes darted to him, disbelief burning in her gaze, "you're only at the Awakening stage!"
Noah extended his hand, calm and unshaken. "Stage doesn't matter here. Come with me."
Her lips trembled, her heart thundering in her chest. Part of her screamed to refuse—this was dangerous, unfathomable. And yet, the allure of the unknown… the charm in his smile… the way her soul itself seemed to lean toward him—
Elen swallowed hard, then placed her hand in his.
Together, they stepped into the portal.
The world around them shifted. Elen gasped aloud as her eyes fell upon a vast, endless expanse of starlight. Mist shimmered faintly across the ground like silver veils, and the heavens above stretched into infinity—an eternal sky glittering with constellations.
"This… where are we?" Elen whispered, her voice small in the face of the cosmos.
Noah's gaze swept the sky, then returned to her. "A place only I can open. Aetherveil."
Her breath caught again. Awe and fear warred in her eyes. "You… you tore open a path to another realm without an array. Even ascended cultivators can't…"
He chuckled softly, placing a finger under her chin, tilting her face toward him. "Don't try to compare me with others."
he waved his hand, and before them, a bed of silken sheets and carved wood took shape out of nothingness. The sound of her breath caught again, this time sharper.
"You… made this appear," she said, voice trembling. "Even array masters can't…" Her gaze darted back to him, her pupils quivering. "Noah, how…?"
He smiled instead, faintly mysterious. "It's a secret."
Elen's lips parted as though to protest, but her words were swallowed when Noah pulled her close again. His mouth claimed hers with a fierce, hungry kiss, drawing her breath away until they both nearly drowned in the heat of it.
Her hands clutched at his shoulders, her body yielding as he pressed her backward. Noah's palms roamed boldly, cupping the swell of her breasts, tracing the curve of her hips, gripping her ass as though she belonged entirely to him.
Elen trembled beneath his touch, her face burning, but this time—she did not resist.
Breaking the intense kiss, Noah looked into Elen's eyes, admiration shining through. "You know, very few cultivators attempt dual cultivation," he said, running his fingers through her hair. "But I've always found it to be an intriguing practice. And since you're in the middle stage of Pulse Opening Realm..." He trailed off meaningfully.
Elen blushed, feeling both flattered and nervous. She had heard of dual cultivation but had never considered trying it herself. But seeing how passionate Noah was about it, and knowing that it could potentially benefit him, she decided to trust him. "All right," she whispered, her heart racing.
Noah smiled and reached up to cup her breasts, caressing them gently before taking one of her nipples into his mouth. He suckled hard, eliciting a moan from Elen. With his free hand, he began to play with the other nipple, rolling it between his fingers and thumb.
As he sucked and teased her breast, Noah opened up a small wound on Elen's chest, revealing the pulsing veins beneath her skin. Her blood flowed freely, mixing with his saliva as he continued to feast on her breast. The sensation was unlike anything Elen had ever experienced before.
She arched her back, moaning loudly as pleasure coursed through her. Her hips began to move against Noah's, seeking friction and release. He hummed approvingly, his hands sliding down her body to cup her bottom, pulling her closer still.
Elen closed her eyes, lost in the sensation of Noah's lips on her skin and the feel of their bodies intertwined.