Fu Hua's foot slipped, and she nearly smashed the man's head with an Inch Force: Skull Cracker.
She knew this guy never refused anyone and had improper thoughts about all the women around him, having even succeeded with most of them.
But she never expected him to have designs on her too!
Beside her, Li Sushang's eyes lit up, her mind wandering off somewhere at those words.
Fu Hua, feeling a chill run down her spine, had no time to discipline her unworthy grand-disciple. With a cold expression, she replied, "It's not your fault. It was a sacrifice made to defeat the Herrscher. You don't need to worry about it."
This 55,000-year-old iron tree of a woman was already accustomed to a life of solitude. At most, she would raise a few cute Celestials after everything was over.
To find a partner for herself, only to be toyed with wantonly like Raiden Mei and Kiana... the very thought of it made Fu Hua's mind explode!
For some reason, Fu Hua suddenly recalled what she had seen and heard before.
So lewd, so breathtaking, it was simply... She couldn't even find the words to describe it.
Her legs felt a little weak just from the memory.
The Inner World Protagonist was terrifying!
And now this guy even wanted her to become a part of his harem!
Too lewd!
The black-haired young man seemed to have anticipated this outcome and had his words prepared: "But Class President, you were affected by my abilities multiple times during the battle. I feel that if it's not treated properly, you might be left with some unacceptable side effects."
"..."
Hearing this, Fu Hua hesitated, her expression of refusal losing some of its conviction.
Only the one suffering knows the pain.
She felt that after returning to her body, her battle-hardened physique seemed to have flipped some indescribable switch. The accumulation of fifty-five thousand years was released all at once, and she couldn't stop it even if she wanted to.
But she only wanted to go back to how things were, not to be pushed even further.
"No, thank you. I can handle this myself."
She even intended to refuse the treatment he had prepared, fearing that she would blink and find herself in the same bed as Raiden Mei.
Beside her, the Shenzhou swordswoman wanted to speak but held her tongue, mindful of her position.
She had only one purpose for following these people here: to prove her innocence!
Everything else could be put aside for now.
As for how to handle this matter... Li Sushang hadn't found a way yet.
If there were no other options and no way out, she would have no choice but to find a random place, slit her own throat, and prove her innocence that way.
Lost in her sorrow, the distracted Li Sushang suddenly heard her name mentioned.
"You don't need to worry about my problems. Why don't you consider how you're going to face her? Sushang is my grand-disciple, I can make decisions on her behalf."
"!!!"
Alarm bells rang!
The Shenzhou swordswoman, full of sorrow, instantly radiated killing intent, wishing she could strike her Ancestral Master with another Taixuan Sword God.
What do you mean, you can make decisions for me!?
You Old Fogey, you want to decide my marriage!?
She, Li Sushang, was not some sheltered lady who never stepped outside. She didn't need a shameless Old-timer like you to make decisions for her!
Despite her thoughts, Li Sushang didn't act out.
After all, this disrespectful old thing Fu Hua had built a bridge for communication, so she wouldn't have to bottle up all her frustrations.
"Ancestral Master Celestial, I can handle my own affairs. You should just go and rest, old lady."
Taking a step forward, the petite yet buxom Li Sushang stood in front of the young Brian, making Fu Hua feel that this unworthy grand-disciple was somewhat useful after all.
At least she could serve as a shield against the Inner World Protagonist.
If he had reacted a moment slower, her sensitive senses, smelling the strong masculine scent on him, would have undoubtedly given rise to countless shameless and fantastical thoughts.
Sighing in relief, Fu Hua managed to support herself to a safe distance.
And her unworthy grand-disciple's exchange with the Inner World Protagonist had only just begun.
Li Sushang: "Regarding what happened before... how do you plan to give me an explanation?"
It went without saying what she was referring to.
Because of Otto's request and Durandal's guidance, she had lost even more than Fu Hua.
Too embarrassed to face everything as openly as Durandal, she had been taken advantage of by this guy like a koala bear.
Even now, Li Sushang could feel a fiery sensation moving on the inside of her clothes.
So humiliating!
The woman in front of him was about the same height as Bronya, but her figure was on a whole other level compared to the Russian loli.
Even the well-traveled young Brian had to admit that Li Sushang's figure might even surpass that of an adult Bronya.
Child's Words, Great Insult!
One look, then two more!
Li Sushang clutched her chest and took two steps back, her expression a mix of shame and anger as she cursed, "Lecher!"
But for the sake of more important matters, she couldn't just storm off.
"I want an explanation."
"An explanation?"
Young Brian looked towards her Ancestral Master Celestial, and when he received no response, he understood everything.
"If you're willing to offer yourself in marriage, I wouldn't mind..."
"Go to hell!"
A flash of sword light swept out, making the others present quickly enter spectator mode.
It wasn't often that one could see the Inner World Protagonist get his comeuppance. They had to pull up a stool and enjoy the show.
When watching a show, there are bound to be busybodies.
Kiana nudged Bronya's shoulder: "I bet one hamburger that this woman won't last a month!"
The silver-haired girl's face showed disdain: "How you underestimate him. If she can last more than a week, I'll consider her a chaste and heroic woman."
Anyone who's been with the Inner World Protagonist knows, he's simply not human.
He's like a walking pheromone; no woman, human or ghost, that he sets his eyes on can escape his clutches.
Including the white-haired fluffball next to her and the Herrscher inside her body.
The snow-haired girl's eyes darted around, deciding to change the target.
This big-chested woman looked like an innocent girl who knew nothing of the world. It wouldn't be surprising if she ended up in the same bed with him tonight.
"Bronya, how about we bet on Class President? I'll put up ten hamburgers!"
Fu Hua's senses sharpened, her fists tightening as she shot a murderous glare at Kiana.
This white-haired fluffball never learns. Spare the rod and she'll tear the house down.
It's time for a skull-cracking!
Bronya noticed Fu Hua's gaze but, like the white-haired fluffball beside her, showed no fear: "This time, I bet a month!"
"Three months!"
Fu Hua: "..."
...
"Hah—!"
The girl's ample bosom heaved up and down with her panting, creating alluring curves.
The Inner World Protagonist was completely unscathed from the Shenzhou swordswoman's pursuit, and even had the leisure to appear behind her and comment on her figure.
"Miss Sushang, I think this is the only solution that benefits everyone. You can't possibly be thinking of killing me, right?"
"If I could kill you, I absolutely wouldn't mind!"
the girl said hatefully.
This lecher not only molested her but also opened the door to a new world for her.
And now he wanted her to offer herself in marriage. Not killing him would be an insult to her years of training!
But...
"You can't do it."
A single, lighthearted sentence made Li Sushang find this guy exceptionally infuriating.
"You...!"
The exasperated girl, overcome with anger, pointed at his nose and cursed, "I would rather die! I would rather jump into the sea! Than ever marry a guy like you!"
The flag appeared, making the betting Bronya's eyes light up, feeling that her chances of winning were even higher.
"As everyone knows, flags are meant to be broken."
She glanced to the side. "Just like you."
The snow-haired girl, who was stuffing her face, froze and pointed at her own nose, "When did I ever set a flag for myself? Don't slander me!"
"If you say so."
Bronya put on the expression of a smart person who wouldn't argue with a fool.
Kiana said nothing, just silently stuffed hamburgers into her mouth to store energy for tonight's intense and exciting activities.
*You Russian loli dare to look down on me? Sooner or later, I'll use the Spirit Injection Rod to spank your little butt until it's swollen!*
Returning to the center of the stage, Li Sushang, having made her grand declaration, suddenly realized she was being watched by others, and her heart was instantly filled with shame!
"You lecher! It's you or me for the rest of our lives!"
Leaving those words behind, the extremely embarrassed girl stormed off.
Even for a woman of the martial world, the thought of the shameful things she had experienced left her with no face to stay here any longer.
If everyone here hadn't been a victim just like her, Li Sushang might have even had the heart to kill herself.
Stumbling away, the Shenzhou swordswoman fled in a random direction.
Fu Hua, who had been silent all this time, finally spoke up, watching Li Sushang's departing figure. "You should go after her. If she develops a mental block over this, her years of training could very well be wasted."
She created *Taixuan Sword Qi*, so she was naturally the foremost authority.
The practice of *Taixuan Sword Qi*, which focused on one's state of mind rather than Honkai energy, was most vulnerable to situations like Li Sushang's. If she was allowed to continue like this, her cultivation level would likely drop, and she might never be able to return to the Shenyun realm.
Brian: "I understand. Class President, you all can continue to rest here."
With that, he followed in Li Sushang's footsteps.
...
Stumbling along, the panicked Li Sushang left the Salt Lake Base and found herself in an unknown place.
It was quiet all around her, with only the chirping of insects and croaking of frogs, and the bright moonlight.
Only when there was no path forward did the resentful Li Sushang finally slash backward with all her might.
"Get lost!"
"Feeling better?"
The black-haired young man calmly walked out of the darkness and approached the girl.
"..."
Her expression was cold, her eyes filled with a murderous glare.
But Li Sushang couldn't deny that she did feel much better.
Her state of mind, honed through countless trials to reach the Shenyun realm, was as fragile as glass before this man, nearly shattering just like her Ancestral Master's.
"What are you following me for!?"
the girl snapped, her guard rising.
If someone with low emotional intelligence were standing here, the answer would surely be that Fu Hua had sent him.
But Brian was an old hand with women and would certainly not do something so foolish.
"You looked a little strange, so I was worried about you and followed."
Li Sushang: "..."
Since her parents and master died, this was the first time she had received concern from an outsider.
But!
"I don't need your concern!"
The gentle exterior was just this man's disguise. The lecher who lusted after every woman was his true face.
Li Sushang believed that he had definitely followed her because he was after her body, not for such a high-sounding reason!
The black-haired young man smiled gently and approached amidst Li Sushang's wary expression.
"Whether you believe me is your business. Whether I do it is my business."
Li Sushang: "..."
"Has anyone ever told you that you're very domineering?"
Her tone was still a bit angry, but Brian noticed that the Valkyrie's mood was no longer as agitated as before.
Without a doubt, the crisis of Li Sushang's mental state being broken had been averted.
"No, they all praise me for being great, or they're completely speechless."
Li Sushang: "..."
Her fists clenched, and she wished she could punch him in the face a couple of times to give him a taste of his own medicine.
But thinking of the shameful experience from before, Li Sushang felt it was better to endure.
Every contact with this guy was like dancing on the edge of her chastity.
Although she had encountered many shameful things because of a single act of repaying a kindness, she still didn't want to continue her Li family's bloodline so soon.
"Lecher!"
After cursing hatefully, Li Sushang turned away and said nothing more.
The words 'get lost' were practically written on her face.
But the experienced Brian knew that if he left now, Li Sushang would truly hold a grudge against him.
Everything that had happened before was due to various irresistible factors that led to such a situation.
Li Sushang had known about Brian's profile before Otto's plan began, so it was impossible to say she was completely unprepared.
After all, even if she was a Stigma awakener and a powerful swordswoman at the Shenyun realm, she was still overshadowed by the combination of a Herrscher and the Inner World Protagonist.
And on the battlefield, there is only life and death; the winner takes all, and the loser is the villain.
She couldn't possibly expect her opponent to just offer their neck to be slain while she was trying to kill them.
Brian, who was well aware of the girl's thoughts, silently closed the distance between them.
"..."
Li Sushang pursed her lips but ultimately chose not to move away.
She had already been through *that*, so shrinking back just because he got a little closer was not in her character as a swordswoman.
"Sushang, let's have a proper talk."
"Don't call me by my name."
"Got it, Sushang."
Li Sushang: "..."
If she weren't wary of this guy's despicable abilities, she would definitely beat him to death.
Calming the anger in her heart, the swordswoman changed the subject: "What do you want to talk to me about?"
"I'm warning you, it's impossible for me to offer myself in marriage to you. You haven't saved my life or anything."
Young Brian caught the key point: "So you're saying that as long as I save your life, I can ask you to marry me?"
"..."
Realizing her slip of the tongue, the Shenzhou swordswoman opened her mouth, then stared at the man's face and made a judgment.
Finally, she revealed a slightly cold smile: "You think you can save my life?"
"If you can do that, I suppose I could consider it."
She was not the same person she was before, and she had never faced an enemy as powerful as Celestial.
This guy in front of her was difficult to deal with because of his special abilities and the fact that he possessed two Herrscher Cores.
As for other Herrschers...
She could suppress them with a single hand!
The Shenzhou swordswoman from five hundred years ago was full of confidence.
And this could be considered a way for her to find a way down for both of them.
The black-haired young man lifted a strand of the girl's beautiful brown hair with his hand, earning a glare from the swordswoman.
"Saving your life is of course possible, but I have a small request."
"For the next year, you can't leave our group. You have to give me a chance, right?"
"I will absolutely not give you a chance!"
"So it seems you agree."
...