Chapter 67: A Tide of Warmth Surges

Suddenly, a bright light appeared behind her, almost engulfing her entire being. She could barely see Xie Changzhou’s face.

She sensed an inexplicable force binding her, causing her back to tingle and her body to tremble. She looked at Xie Changzhou, her lips trembling.

Xie Changzhou suddenly looked at her, his clear eyes freezing for a moment before turning crimson. His indifferent expression shattered.

He stumbled towards her, reaching out to grab her. “Ningning, Ningning…”

Unknowingly, Sui Ning was already crying, her voice choking and almost inaudible.

“Xie Changzhou…”

“Ningning, Ningning…”

He was blocked by an inexplicable force and couldn’t move. His eyes were red and full of tears, and he was constantly shaking his head at her.

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“Lkdtdkdt, Lkdtdkdt!”

Dkl Ubydtgbsw jlrv yvvynjkdt vbl kdhkpkczl cyaakla kd qasdv sq bkx, dlhla yp rydknjle yp bl oyp dso. Tkp blyav oyp yp kq vktbvzu piwllgle, yzxspv elprykakdt.

Fwkdkdt pxkzle psqvzu, vlyap qyzzkdt zkjl casjld rlyazp.

Fbl nbsjle swv, “Dkl Ubydtgbsw, R byhl vs ts.”

“Ls… Lkdtdkdt, esd’v ts…”

“Zsw byhl vs cl y tsse rlapsd kd vbl qwvwal. Jlnsxl y talyv kxxsavyz yqvla ypnldekdt.”

“Lkdtdkdt…”

“I like you.”

She closed her eyes and allowed the powerful suction to pull her towards the back. Her sparkling tears flowed down her cheeks.

“Ningning!!”

The scene before him overlapped with his inner demons. It was like a knife repeatedly stabbing his heart and lungs. His mind went blank, and he felt cold all over his body.

He suddenly remembered what Sui Ning had said before, when she was drunk and clinging to him, asking, “Can you not become bad?”

She had actively searched for spirit herbs for him and was so concerned for him from the moment they met. She was unique, unlike any other woman he had seen.

Everything in front of him, Sui Ning said she was leaving, at the moment he had just ascended.

So Sui Ning came for him.

His eyes turned crimson, and he suddenly laughed with a hoarse, deep voice tinged with a bit of pathological paranoia.

His spiritual power suddenly dissipated, and a faint glow filled the sky.

A mechanical voice suddenly sounded: “[Task progress malfunction detected, recalculating.]”

[Current progress, 98%]

[97%]

…

Sui Ning was startled, suddenly opened her eyes, and looked at Xie Changzhou in front of her in disbelief.

The task’s progress continued to decline.

[0%, target acquisition error, resetting task.]

Sui Ning’s throat seemed to be choked by something, her eyelashes trembled lightly, and she looked panicked and confused at Xie Changzhou in front of her.

He raised a step and walked slowly towards her; his clothes were stained with blood, and wounds all over his body were bleeding out.

He lifted the corners of his mouth in a cruel smile, and behind him, flames were rising high. His cold, white face was covered in blood, and his eyes were turning crimson. His previous gentle and refined temperament was completely gone, replaced by a ruthless and eerie demeanor.

He looked at her with a gaze that was clearly gentle and doting, but it made her scalp tingle and her spine shiver.

He took steps towards her, and the barrier that was blocking him disappeared. Finally, he arrived beside her.

His slender and cool hand touched her face, and a smile appeared on the corner of his lips. His voice was hoarse and hot.

“Ningning, where are you going?”

His warm, spiritual energy rushed into her body, and Ningning’s vision became blurred. At the moment when her consciousness left her body, the scent of cold pine and sandalwood hit her nose, and a low and hoarse voice sounded in her ear.

“Ningning, come home with me.”

Xie Changzhou lightly kissed her forehead, slowly moving downward until his lips covered her cold lips.

He murmured something softly, but Ningning could no longer hear him.

Her consciousness completely disappeared.

***

“Host…”

A blurry voice came.

“Ningning…wake up, you…”

Ningning frowned. Who was calling her?

“Ningning, wake up quickly!”

A sharp and piercing mechanical sound rang out, and this time she clearly heard the voice.

She suddenly opened her eyes and saw a plain ceiling. A soft, thin blanket covered her body, and the familiar scent of cold pine filled her nostrils. There was a fragrant aroma burning in the room.

This is…Xie Changzhou’s room?

“System?”

The system had no time to chat with her and panicked, “[Host, something big has happened!]”

Sui Ning just woke up, feeling a bit confused in her mind. She rubbed her forehead with her fingers and asked, “What happened?”

The mechanical voice of the system was particularly sharp: “[The target of the mission has gone wrong!]”

Sui Ning’s hand suddenly stopped. Her confused mind finally remembered what had happened before she fainted.

“[The character Xie Changzhou is not a villain; the system made a mistake; he is the male lead!]”

For a moment, she didn’t know how to react. Even though she had doubted Xie Changzhou’s identity countless times, when the system confirmed her suspicion, she felt calm.

But the system was more anxious than her. “[Suining, what’s your reaction? The target of your mission is wrong!]”

She put her hand weakly on her eyes, closed them, and absent-mindedly replied, “Hmm, your department has caused me a lot of trouble.”

The system, which had been full of momentum just a moment ago, was now tongue-tied, not knowing what to say.

Sui Ning sighed and helplessly asked, “[What is the current arrangement of your system department? Do you want me to turn around and go after Shen Jie? You know that’s impossible.]”

Putting aside the fact that she didn’t want to, she didn’t like Shen Jie and didn’t want to betray Xie Changzhou to go to someone else.

Most importantly, would Xie Changzhou let her go?

After he disappeared and came back, not only had he resolved his cold poison and advanced his cultivation, but he also seemed like a different person, making her feel familiar yet unfamiliar.

The system nervously said, “[The system department did not ask you to pursue Shen Jie but to focus on Xie Changzhou.]”

Sui Ning was stunned and found it difficult to understand. ‘What are you saying? What happened to Xie Changzhou?’

The system said, “[After testing by the system department, it has been determined that in the current world, Xie Changzhou has a hidden danger that needs to be addressed.]”

System: [After system inspection, the threat posed by Xie Changzhou to the world far surpasses that of Shen Jie. If this continues, the cultivation world is at risk of being destroyed by him.]
 
[Therefore, host, you need to correct the error and ensure that Xie Changzhou’s corruption value is stable.]
 
Sui Ning felt as though her brain had been hit hard. She lightly trembled her hand, which was resting on her eyes, and her voice was shaking almost uncontrollably. 
 
“Xie Changzhou has become corrupt?”
 
[Yes, his corruption value is very high. He had already ascended to the upper realm after the thunder tribulation but had dispersed his cultivation to maintain his cultivation at the mid-stage of crossing the tribulation.]
 
Sui Ning’s eyes turned slightly red, and her voice choked up: “Is it because of me?”
 
She then asked, “Is it because of me that he became corrupt?”
 
The system was speechless and said hesitantly: [Host, you don’t need to worry too much. This is a mistake on our system’s part…]
 
Sui Ning turned to the side, covering her face, and her thin shoulders trembled slightly. Tears silently flowed down her fingers.
 
[Host…]
 
She couldn’t help but sob softly, burying her mouth in the pillow, where the fragrance of Xie Changzhou’s lightly scented pine lingered. Her crying gradually overflowed, whimpering like a small cat.
 
Xie Changzhou was clearly such a righteous and upright person; he was clear-minded, independent, powerful, and kind. He was clearly so good. Even if he didn’t become the White Jade Sword Saint, he should have been someone who roamed the world with his sword, doing good deeds.
 
His path was ruined by her.
 
But that wasn’t her original intention.
 
She just wanted him to be Xie Changzhou, the free and unrestrained person who held onto the grand path.
 
The system hesitated, not knowing what to say, and awkwardly tried to comfort her: [Host, it’s not your fault; it has nothing to do with you…]

As he was speaking, the door suddenly creaked open, making a “squeak” sound. Sui Ning quickly covered her mouth to suppress the sobbing.

Footsteps halted and then slowly approached her. She covered herself with the blanket, smelling the cold, fresh pine scent. Her eyes suddenly became sour.

The person stopped by the bed, silent for a moment, and then Sui Ning felt the bedding sink beside her.

A sigh came, and the blankets on her body were pulled slightly.

Sui Ning held onto the blankets tightly.

“Suining, let go, and let me see you,” he said softly.

Hearing his voice, Sui Ning felt like crying again. She tried hard not to cry, but tears kept falling.

Xie Changzhou curled his fingertips around the blanket, looking a bit helpless. His Adam’s apple rolled in his throat, unsure of what to do.

He apologized softly to her, “Sui Ning, I’m sorry; it’s my fault.”

Sui Ning still buried her head in silence, occasionally letting out a slight sob, then suppressing it.

He fell silent for a moment, then spoke again: “Sui Ning, I shouldn’t have locked you up. It was my fault. After we get married, I’ll unlock it for you, okay?”

Sui Ning was taken aback, wondering what he meant by “locked up” and “get married”?

She loosened her grip on the blanket slightly, and Xie Changzhou easily pulled it away.

Tears hung on Sui Ning’s long eyelashes, and her petite nose was red. She was wrapped in the blanket on a hot day, and her face was rosy, with fine sweat dampening her messy hair and sticking to her forehead and cheeks.

He picked her up and let her sit on his lap, gently patting her back like he was holding a child and wiping away the tears on her face.

Sui Ning was still stunned and had not fully recovered from what he said earlier.

Xie Changzhou lowered his head and lightly kissed her rosy cheeks, whispering, “Sui Ning, it’s my fault. After we get married, I’ll unlock it for you, okay?”

Sui Ning is getting more and more confused.
 
Wait, what is he saying?
 
What to untie?
 
She suddenly became aware of an unusual sensation and looked down at her feet with a blank expression.
 
A finely crafted silver circular object hung on her slender and fair ankle. The material was exquisite, and it did not feel cold against her skin but instead felt warm and gentle, like a delicate accessory.
 
A small bell hung from it, emitting a crisp and pleasant sound as she moved.
 
Sui Ning: “…”
 
System: […It’s over, host. Xie Changzhou has turned black.]
 
Xie Changzhou’s warm and cool hand covered Sui Ning’s ankle, and his fingertips lightly stroked the silver bell, his gaze darkening slightly.
 
His voice was low and hoarse: “It looks very pretty.”
 
Sui Ning’s ankle that he touched suddenly broke out in goosebumps, feeling incredible.
 
“Xie Changzhou, what is this?”
 
He turned his gaze towards her and lightly kissed her lips, his lips hoarse against hers as he said, “It was originally meant for a child.”
 
Sui Ning turned her head to avoid his kiss, her face full of shock and a hint of broken sound: “What child, what child?”
 
She was still a young lady who had not yet married; how could she have a child with Xie Changzhou?
 
Xie Changzhou chuckled lightly, looking at the silver bell on her ankle, making Sui Ning unable to help but curl up her white and tender foot under his direct gaze.
 
He gently held it in his hand, not applying too much force but making it difficult for Sui Ning to escape.
 
“I had it made before we went to Cangwu Mountain, as a congratulatory gift for the child’s full moon. I just gave it to Ningning first.”
 
He lightly pecked her lips and hoarsely said, “When the child is born, I’ll make another one. I thought if it were a daughter, it would be the best, and I could make one for her every year. My Ningning will have one too.”
 
“I’ll relieve Ningning’s discomfort from the past few days. After we sign the marriage contract, I’ll take care of Ningning.”

Sui Ning could hardly speak, the shackles around her waist tightened, and she was hugged tightly against him. The sensation on her lips suddenly intensified. 

He kissed her, his lips lingering on hers, gradually deepening. 

Sui Ning’s hand weakly rested on his shoulder, feeling that the person in front of her seemed to be getting more and more dishonest. She was pressed onto the bed, with the soft mattress beneath her and Xie Changzhou’s body pressed tightly against hers. 

She was dizzy from the kiss, her mind blank. She noticed her belt loosening around her waist and his hand exploring inside her loose shirt, rubbing her waist. 

Suddenly, Sui Ning’s mind cleared, and she quickly pressed down on his hand and turned her head away from his hot and passionate kiss. 

Not only was she shocked, but even the system was completely stunned, shaking with mechanical sounds.

[Host… How did Xie Changzhou become like this… Can this world still be okay?] 

Sui Ning’s heart was trembling. Facing Xie Changzhou, she finally sensed his change. 

Except for when he was unconscious, he had always been gentle and courteous to her. It was impossible for him to be so forceful and overstepping with her. 

He even put that thing on her ankle. 

Xie Changzhou had really changed. 

“Xie Changzhou… I’m scared; don’t do this…” 

Her voice trembled, her eyes were red, her fair face was flushed, and her lips were moist. 

Xie Changzhou’s eyes became darker, and he whispered to her, “Ningning, don’t be afraid.” 

He got off her and pulled Sui Ning into his arms, rubbing her hair. “Ningning, marry me.” 

Sui Ning’s jade-white hands clenched tightly, and her soft voice was hesitant, “Xie Changzhou…” 

He didn’t give her a chance to refuse and whispered in her ear, “The wedding invitation has already been sent out. The wedding date is set for the 10th of next month. If you don’t want to live at the Limitless Sword Sect after we get married, we can move to Gusu Town to live.”

Sui Ning was stunned, and her heart suddenly surged with waves of emotions.

He sent a wedding invitation without her consent and set the wedding date without consulting her.

Although he was the sword master of the Limitless Sword Sect, he wanted to move out of the sect with her and live in Gusu City. 

Didn’t he care about the Limitless Sword Sect?

She spoke hesitantly, her voice tense: “Xie Changzhou…”

Xie Changzhou kissed her gently and whispered in her ear, “Ningning, marry me. I won’t let you regret it. I will treat you well.”

“I will treat Ningning well. You can do whatever you want, and I will use my life to protect you. No one in the world can hurt you again.”

“To me, Ningning is more important than the whole world.”

Sui Ning’s fingertips trembled, and her hand on his chest was held by him. He kissed her again.

He held the back of her head and pulled her into his arms. His kisses went from awkward to skilled, and he slowly deepened the kiss on her lips.

She heard him whisper softly.

“Ningning, marry me.”

Suining frowned, and her rational mind told her she should refuse. But before she could speak, he kissed her again, and she could only endure his scorching and hot kiss.

“Ningning, will you marry me?”

“No,” she replied.

“Ningning…”

“No.”

With her delicate legs weakly kicking at him, the clear sound of silver bells rang out and echoed in the quiet room. Whenever she tried to speak, Xie Changzhou would stop her from saying anything by kissing her passionately. The hot kisses made Sui Ning’s heart tremble, and the scent of his cold pine and lavender became more noticeable, filling her nostrils and making her cheeks burn.

In the end, Sui Ning was too weak to resist any longer and could only breathe softly, her black eyes bright and slightly red, with a wet sheen on her cherry lips, and her entire face full of coquettishness that she couldn’t hide.

Xie Changzhou’s eyes darkened, and he grabbed her waist tightly, leaning towards her.

Sui Ning quickly turned her head away and said softly, “Okay, okay, we’ll get married.”

Xie Changzhou’s movement suddenly stopped, and his azure eyes gazed deeply at her.

Sui Ning leaned against his chest, her clothes disheveled, her face flushed, and her eyes soft and watery. “I promise you, no more kissing; I can’t breathe.”

Her soft gaze and pitiful expression melted Xie Changzhou’s heart when he looked at her.

There was a hint of dark red in his eyes, and his gaze gradually traced down her eyebrows and eyes.

“Okay.”

Xie Changzhou’s voice was hot and hoarse, and his Adam’s apple rolled dryly.

Just as Sui Ning let out a sigh of relief, a burst of cold pine and lavender hit her nose, followed by a soft and moist sensation on her neck.

She froze.

Xie Changzhou lightly kissed her tender neck and muttered,” You have not said, no kissing other places.”