Turning past the screen wall, Rulan pushed open an embroidered door in front of her, and Aurelian Dragon, still half-asleep, and Phoenix Vane stepped into the room filled with the scent of herbs.
The exotic fragrance filled Aurelian Dragon's nostrils, instantly invigorating him. But upon seeing the contents of the room, he was once again astonished.
The door had already closed behind him. In the room, a small, exquisite incense burner on a table emitted a wisp of light smoke. It was burning a kind of spice that Aurelian Dragon did not know, but he knew it must be an extremely precious spice, because its elegant and profound aroma was incomparable to the precious sandalwood on the market.
The reason for Aurelian Dragon's astonishment was a woman reclining on a low, soft couch in front of him. She was a woman with exquisitely beautiful features, her beauty beyond words. Even though Aurelian Dragon had seen many stunning beauties, and Phoenix Vane, who was now beside him, was considered the most beautiful woman in the world, this woman still stirred an immense feeling of tenderness and affection in him.
The woman was slender and petite, with snow-white skin that seemed almost translucent. Her jet-black hair cascaded down her narrow, fragrant shoulders like flowing clouds, and a thin brocade quilt covered her lower body. Against the backdrop of her black hair, her face appeared even paler, devoid of any color, a beauty that was heartbreaking.
The woman's bright, autumn-water-like eyes glanced at Phoenix Vane before looking directly at Aurelian Dragon. Her boldness and audacity surprised even the man known for his daring and lecherous nature. Her bright eyes didn't possess the piercing sharpness of Phoenix Vane's, but they held a power that was difficult to resist.
A slight smile slowly spread across Aurelian Dragon's beautifully shaped, diamond-shaped mouth, and she noticed that her lips were also almost pale.
"Is he the man you've been thinking about all this time? He doesn't seem as outstanding as I imagined. I never thought you'd brave the 'Seven Deadly Yin-Suppressing Formation' for him. Was it worth it?"
Phoenix Vane smiled and said softly, "Yes, Lunaria Dawn. In my opinion, he is the best in the world, and that's enough."
Lunaria Dawn stared speechlessly at Aurelian Dragon, a strange light gradually appearing in her eyes. Suddenly, she said, "Thanks to him, my sister and I can see each other again. But these past years, your skills have improved a lot; you were able to break that restriction with ease."
Phoenix Vane said, "Yes, when I heard them say you wouldn't live past this month, I was really shocked, which is why I decided to remove the protective barrier that was protecting you."
Lunaria Dawn let out a soft sigh, a dazed look appearing on her pale face. She slowly said, "It's been four whole years. That thing gave me four more years of life, but it also caused me four whole years of suffering."
Phoenix Vane sighed and said, "Yes, it's already very difficult to stay in such a place, and to have to endure the torment of the Yin Demon devouring your heart is unimaginable for you."
Lunaria Dawn chuckled to herself and said, "Because I have to survive, what other choice do I have?"
The man beside them was completely baffled by their conversation and could only watch.
Lunaria Dawn seemed to read his mind and said to Aurelian Dragon, "Phoenix will tell you later, and you'll understand. Now let me see your injuries."
Phoenix Vane gently nudged Aurelian Dragon, gesturing for it to move closer to Lunaria Dawn.
Lunaria Dawn extended a slender, snow-white hand, her almost translucent fingers touching Aurelian Dragon's pulse. Judging from her movements, she was a woman without martial arts skills. Aurelian Dragon couldn't help but be secretly amazed; why did Phoenix Vane have so much confidence in her?
The icy jade-like fingers exuded a chill, further confirming Aurelian Dragon's suspicion that the sickly beauty before her was indeed nearing the end of her life. No one else seemed to possess such an aura; it was the feeling of being close to death. But why did this woman seem so unconcerned about her own demise? And if what Phoenix Vane said was true, she should be able to heal herself.
After a moment, Lunaria Dawn's eyes suddenly lit up, and she said to Phoenix Vane, "You were absolutely right, such a thing really does happen, it's amazing!"
Phoenix Vane smiled and said, "Yes, it's hard to believe such a thing unless you see it with your own eyes."
Lunaria Dawn seemed somewhat agitated. After taking a deep breath, she said, "Phoenix, give me that box of silver needles."
Taking the silver needles from Phoenix Vane's hands, the man, who had experienced similar experiences, was startled and said with a pained expression, "Another injection?"
Phoenix Vane couldn't help but smile and said, "She won't be like Sister Long, don't worry."
Lunaria Dawn seemed not to have heard their conversation at all. She took out silver needles from the box and quickly inserted seven needles into the Aurelian Dragon's body. Then, she took a deep breath and said, "Phoenix, help me insert these two needles in his back."
Lunaria Dawn held a silver needle in each hand, carefully examining Aurelian Dragon's condition. She said somewhat nervously, "This is the first time I've personally treated a patient. How can I rest now?"
What was said in jest was taken seriously by Aurelian Dragon, who was even more shocked. He realized he was this sickly beauty's first test subject—that was a terrible mistake. He glanced at Phoenix Vane beside him, his eyes seeming to say, "Phoenix, Phoenix, you've really put me in a difficult position!"
Phoenix Vane nodded and smiled, but gave him an encouraging look.
The quiet atmosphere in the room changed completely in no time. Lunaria Dawn suddenly let out a thunderous scream, staring at the man in front of her with an extremely disbelieving look. Her blank stare made the unsettled man wonder if he had done something wrong.
Ru Lan, who was outside the room, and Lynette Quill and Obsidia Shade, who had overheard everything, rushed into the room. They all looked at the distraught, beautiful woman with varying expressions. Phoenix Vane and Ru Lan were greatly surprised, for they had never seen this all-knowing and insightful woman so astonished before. Lynette Quill and Obsidia Shade, on the other hand, were both frightened and apprehensive.
Once she had calmed down, Lunaria Dawn looked at the crowd in front of her, smiled sheepishly, and quickly composed herself, saying, "It's nothing, it's nothing, please don't panic."
The impatient Lynette Quill asked, "Is his condition very bad?"
Lunaria Dawn shook her head, took a deep breath to calm her turbulent emotions, and said, "No, he's doing very well. It won't be difficult for him to recover his inner strength."
Upon hearing this, everyone except Rulan breathed a sigh of relief. The man who had been quite frightened also felt a huge weight lifted from his throat.
After Rulan left the room, Lunaria Dawn invited everyone to sit down. Looking at the curious crowd, she suddenly lifted the thin brocade quilt covering her lower body, and everyone was shocked to see it.
Lunaria Dawn wore only an undergarment, and her trousers, made of fine silk, reached just above her knees, leaving her legs completely bare. But her calves and feet, as they were now visible to the crowd, were so thin they were practically skin and bones, their sickly paleness almost unbearable to behold.
The man, who had always appreciated beautiful women, couldn't help but sigh inwardly. He thought that Lunaria Dawn's upper body and face were absolutely stunning, but her feet shouldn't be there at all. According to him, her feet couldn't even be considered human feet.
Seeing everyone's reactions, Lunaria Dawn smiled sadly and said, "Aren't you all very surprised?"
Kind-hearted Lynette Quill quickly reassured her, "No, these are just superficial signs, don't worry about them too much!"
Lunaria Dawn shook her head and laughed, "Don't even mention you guys, I hate myself for looking like this!"
Phoenix Vane sighed, "Lunaria Dawn, I remember it wasn't like this before. Could it be because of that illness?"
Lunaria Dawn covered herself with the thin blanket again and replied, "That's right, which is why I said my time was up. In another half month, my whole body will shrink to the size of my calves, and I will die from dehydration."
Although Aurelian Dragon didn't understand why Lunaria Dawn didn't talk about her internal injuries but instead brought up her story, seeing this scene still made him feel heartbroken. Such a beautiful woman was about to suffer such a terrible fate; it was too cruel of her destiny!
He couldn't help but ask, "Isn't there any way to save them?"
Phoenix Vane glanced at him and said, "Aurelian, you may not know this, but Lunaria Dawn is the sole heir to the most famous trading company on the continent, 'Yu Ming Ge.' Her wealth is so immense that it's no exaggeration to say she's richer than a country. She can get any kind of medicinal herb. Moreover, she is exceptionally intelligent, and her talent is unparalleled on the continent. Even my master praised her highly. However, she has no cure for her illness. For many years, she has been confined to this specially made 'Yu Zhen Bai House,' unable to step outside."
Aurelian Dragon was terrified. "Jade Pavilion" was a leading merchant house on the continent, specializing in jade and jewelry for generations. They had branches in major cities across the continent, and business dealings with dignitaries from various countries. They possessed extensive connections in different nations and were one of the few truly prestigious families on the continent. Moreover, Phoenix Vane had said that Lunaria Dawn's talent was even praised by her master—that was incredible!
Lunaria Dawn quickly replied modestly, "Phoenix, you flatter me too much! I don't deserve it!"
Phoenix Vane laughed and said, "Don't say that. I've always believed that if it weren't for this congenital disability, you would have done even better than me!"
Lunaria Dawn smiled and then said to everyone, "Don't listen to Phoenix; she's a master of flattery." Of course, no one believed her. Everyone present knew very well what kind of person Phoenix Vane was, and her words carried weight.
But Lunaria Dawn stopped discussing the matter with them. She turned to Aurelian Dragon and asked, "Who taught you your 'Essence Absorption Technique'?"
A look of realization flashed across Phoenix Vane's eyes as he looked at Aurelian Dragon's face and said, "No wonder I felt something was familiar with you. So this is the kind of kung fu you practice!"
Lynette Quill and Obsidia Shade didn't know what this "Marrow-Sucking Technique" they were talking about was, but they figured it couldn't be anything good, since the name sounded weird.
But the person involved looked completely bewildered, glanced at Lunaria Dawn, then at Phoenix Vane, and chuckled, saying, "I've never heard of any such great art, let alone practiced it."
A flicker of doubt crossed Lunaria Dawn's eyes. "You don't know the name of the martial art you practice?" she asked in surprise. She paused, then added with a sudden realization, "Perhaps that's the name. They call it 'Moon God's Absorption,' is that the name?"
Completely bewildered, Aurelian Dragon shook his head and asked, "What exactly is it? Phoenix knows about the kung fu I practice." He then turned to Phoenix Vane and asked, "What exactly is that 'Great Art'?"
Phoenix Vane blushed slightly, nodded to Lunaria Dawn, then shook her head. After Lunaria Dawn's eyes showed understanding, she said to Aurelian Dragon, "We're not talking about the kind of kung fu you're thinking of. Of course I know your current kung fu was developed through actual combat, but did the person who taught you the basic sword techniques tell you the name of this kung fu?"
Aurelian Dragon nodded vigorously and said, "Of course! The old man said it was called 'Heavenly Profound Sword Technique,' but that thing was too simple. He didn't explain it to me in detail and just told me to practice it on my own. So I practiced it wherever I felt like and figured out my own skills by fighting with others."
"Heavenly Profound Sword Technique?"
After exchanging a glance, Phoenix Vane and Lunaria Dawn said frankly, "The 'Essence Absorption and Marrow Searching Technique' I mentioned is the kind of mental technique you use when you have sex with women. Do you obtain the true yin energy of women from it and use it to merge with your own true energy to enhance your overall energy?"
Upon hearing this, all the women present blushed. Even Phoenix Vane, who was prepared, felt a little embarrassed. After all, it was inappropriate to say such a thing, even though he had also benefited greatly from it in his own bed.
Aurelian Dragon didn't feel much. He thought that since this beautiful and refined woman in front of him was so open and generous, why should he, as a grown man, be reserved?
He looked into Lunaria Dawn's clear eyes and said, "You're right, but there's one thing. The old man who taught me this technique didn't tell me its name. He just said it was a skill that would be very beneficial to me, and randomly named it 'Nameless Divine Skill.' After practicing it, it really did bring me great benefits, hehe..."
As Aurelian Dragon spoke, she not only laughed but also glanced left and right, making the women blush with embarrassment.
Lunaria Dawn observed all of this, a smile involuntarily creeping onto her beautiful lips. The man before her wasn't exceptionally handsome, but he was quite pleasing to the eye, and it seemed being with him would be very interesting. Thinking this, her heart inexplicably skipped a few beats.
Phoenix Vane, still blushing, changed the subject, saying, "It seems that Aurelian's master changed the name of this kung fu. He must be the same person from back then, right?"
Lunaria Dawn composed herself and nodded, "That's right, only he knows the skills of both palaces!" Then she said to Aurelian Dragon, "Actually, what you practice is the 'Essence Absorption and Marrow Searching Technique,' but it has been modified. Otherwise, the women you have sex with would be drained dry, instead of both of you benefiting as you do now."
Just as everyone was about to listen carefully, Lunaria Dawn's face flushed, and she gasped for breath a few times before urgently saying to Aurelian Dragon, "There's not much time left, so I'll just give you a brief overview."
"Resolving the entangled true energy within you is the same as saving my life. Because you are a man with the 'Nine Flames Divine Meridian,' these strange things are happening, but in doing so, I am saved as well. As long as you reverse the 'Essence Absorption and Marrow Searching Technique,' and guide the true energy within you into my body to refine the 'Heavenly Yin True Sunflower' within me, after eighty-one cycles, you can then reclaim this true energy for your use, and I can also get rid of the illness that has tormented me for twenty years."
Seeing that Aurelian Dragon still seemed to only half understand, Lunaria Dawn shook her head and had no choice but to explain it to him in more detail. Everyone then suddenly understood why, when Obsidia Shade cast his "Dark Apocalypse," the Dark Lord that should have appeared did not possess him, and why the final, earth-shattering lightning struck Aurelian Dragon and was completely absorbed by him.
I never imagined that the legendary "Nine Flame Divine Vein," said to be inherited from the Creator God, would actually appear on this man before me. Ever since the human race appeared on this land, the "Nine Flame Divine Vein" has been constantly circulated, yet no one has ever seen it. It is said that the person who possesses the "Nine Flame Divine Vein" is the earth's sovereign appointed by the Creator God, and he will bring lasting peace to this continent.
The person who taught Aurelian Dragon the "Moon God's Absorption," also known as the "Essence Absorption and Marrow Searching Technique," was a legendary figure on the continent. A man of exceptional talent, he was born into the "Temple of the Wind God," but in middle age, he betrayed it and joined the "Temple of the Moon God," the temple's sworn enemy. His real name is unknown; because he possessed the skills of both temples, he was known as the "True Lord of Wind and Moon." In his old age, he left the "Temple of the Moon God" and traveled the continent. Normally, someone who betrayed his temple would be relentlessly hunted down by both temples, but perhaps because his martial arts were so terrifying, both the people of the "Temple of the Wind God" and the "Temple of the Moon" seemed to have forgotten about it.
According to Lunaria Dawn's speculation, he may have also discovered the "Nine Flames Divine Meridian" possessed by Aurelian Dragon, which is why he passed on the sword techniques of the "Hall of the Wind God" and the mental cultivation methods of the "Hall of the Moon God" to him at the same time. However, it is unknown what his true intentions were, as he actually changed the appearance of these two skills so that others could not see the essence at a glance.
A flush appeared on Lunaria Dawn's fair face, likely from excitement. She looked at Aurelian Dragon and said confidently, "Believe me, you will become the number one person in the world!"
The women listened with admiration in their eyes, their expectations and evaluation of the man before them rising even higher. Aurelian Dragon, however, was completely bewildered, his mouth agape, unable to close it for a long time. The thought of being the world's number one filled him with a mixture of inexplicable excitement, fear, and doubt.
After a long pause, he finally blurted out, "How could such a nobody deserve such a title?"
Lunaria Dawn smiled slightly, glanced at Phoenix Vane to the side, and suddenly said, "You don't mind if I take up this little guy's spot for a bit, do you?"
Phoenix Vane, Lynette Quill, and Obsidia Shade exchanged glances and said generously, "If you can handle it, we welcome you to join us!" The man on the side was overjoyed; he'd gotten such a beautiful woman along with his treatment, and although the woman seemed a little disappointed, his luck was truly remarkable.
※ ※ ※
Prince Elnario stared coldly at the messenger before him. His piercing gaze made the strong man break out in a cold sweat, his heart pounding.
"I've wasted my time raising you bunch of good-for-nothings!" The usually elegant voice turned sharp, and the implication sent chills down the spine of the man who had mustered the courage to come.
"Your Highness, we are still satisfied!" An old man in black sitting in the darkness spoke in his usual deep voice. "At least your subordinates' ability to find out their whereabouts in such a short time is commendable."
"Oh, sir, you mean…" Prince Elnario looked at the old man in black's smooth, rosy face, which was said to be maintained with the blood essence of newborn male infants. This made him feel disgusted, but he had no choice but to endure it in order to achieve his goal.
"We will first fulfill Your Highness's wish to show our sincerity." A cold glint flashed in the old man's eyes, like a bolt of lightning piercing the night sky. "Your Highness, please have your subordinates continue to investigate along this line of thought. Once you have a complete grasp of the situation, you will be able to analyze their actions."
Prince Elnario's eyes lit up, and he said with delight, "Sir, you are truly a quick thinker. I will send more men to conduct a thorough search of their last hideout. I refuse to believe that anyone in the capital can escape my notice."
"This is also why we've joined forces with His Highness. I know that no matter what happens in the capital now, it won't escape His Highness's notice. Tell me the location of the target; I want to go there myself!"
"With Mr. [Name] personally in charge, I'm sure everything will go very smoothly!"
"Your Highness flatters me!" Although the old man in black laughed, his expression remained unchanged, as if to indicate that he did not want to laugh.