Chapter 53
Si Lan heard this with an incredulous look at Haowei. He needed daily spiritual communion… to stabilize his cultivation?
How could there be such a requirement?
Haowei met Si Lan’s gaze calmly, showing no signs of weakness.
Si Lan hesitated, “How long does this usually take?”
“Previously, due to your poor physical condition, it required three days of adjustment, but now once a day is sufficient.” Haowei lied smoothly, his face calm and composed.
Si Lan furrowed his delicate brows and after a moment murmured, “Hmm,” inwardly not opposed to spiritual communion with Haowei, but feeling that things were progressing too quickly.
Suddenly remembering something, he added, “You must not force me to transform into my true form again.”
When they both transformed, the White Dragon was two to three times larger than Yujia, causing him considerable discomfort. Moreover, the dragon scales were cool and moist, faintly emitting a fishy smell. When wrapped around him, it made him feel uneasy all over.
Haowei’s eyes flickered with a hint of amusement, and he softly acknowledged Si Lan’s request.
As familiarity breeds comfort, this time Si Lan entered Haowei’s consciousness without needing guidance, willingly soaking in the rising mist in the clear pool.
The water made him feel extremely comfortable, every pore on his body opening up.
With closed eyes, he quietly savored the misty vapor, when suddenly a pair of arms gently embraced him from behind, and in the next moment, a hot breath spread from his neck, quickly enveloping his entire body.
…
After the spiritual communion ended, Si Lan fell into a deep sleep. Haowei, however, couldn’t sleep, quietly watching Si Lan through the night.
Si Lan’s face was slightly flushed, his expression peaceful, his head resting on Haowei’s arm, the gentle breath against his skin slowly dissolving into tingling sensations.
Unable to resist, he pulled Si Lan into his embrace, reminiscent of how he held the naive boy in the cave.
In truth, the current Si Lan was also easily deceived, not much different from that naive boy.
Thinking of this, Haowei’s lips curved slightly, a smile filled with profound meaning.
The next day, Si Lan woke from his sleep, this time feeling refreshed and full of vitality, as if he had swallowed some powerful elixir.
Unexpectedly, the result of their dual cultivation was quite unexpected.
He couldn’t help but mutter to himself, turning to look beside him, only to find that Haowei had already disappeared.
At that moment, a distant sobbing sound suddenly reached his ears, mixed with the weeping of men and women. Si Lan immediately got out of bed, hurriedly threw on a green robe, and rushed outside, following the sound to the main hall.
“I won’t leave today without an explanation!”
“Neither will I! We are all innocent!”
“How could they treat us like this?”
Unknown individuals were arguing incessantly in the hall, one after another.
Si Lan didn’t hesitate and walked straight in, and as soon as his figure appeared, the complaints from the crowd abruptly stopped. They turned to look at him, dumbfounded.
Against the sunlight, Si Lan walked a few steps into the study to see the situation clearly. Haowei, who had disappeared earlier, was now here, sitting on a chair with a gloomy expression. When he saw Si Lan appear, he slightly raised his head, his eyes carrying a hint of coldness and resentment.
“…,” Si Lan paused in his steps.
Beside Haowei stood Qu Ze and the guardians.
Si Lan glanced at Haowei and then at the unfamiliar men and women in the hall. “What’s going on?”
Song Cheng lowered his head. “Your Majesty, they are candidates for the harem. After suspending the selection of concubines, they… they are unwilling and caused a disturbance here at Mount Zhuyun.”
Si Lan clicked his tongue but remained composed, glanced briefly at Haowei, then looked towards the demons.
They were dressed provocatively, their attire revealing, their postures seductive and graceful. Upon meeting Si Lan’s gaze, they continuously changed their poses, fluttering their eyelashes at him.
Leading them was Mo Demon Ruyin. Since Si Lan appeared, Ruyin had been subtly using charm techniques, filling the air with a faint hallucinogenic fragrance.
“Your Majesty…” Ruyin, though appearing male, spoke with a soft and delicate voice softer and sweeter than that of a woman’s, “Your Majesty, I have admired you for so many years. I don’t understand what I have done wrong to make Your Majesty reject me.”
Seeing the beauty in tears, Si Lan felt somewhat uneasy. He reached out as if to comfort her, but caught a glimpse of Haowei’s gaze and hastily withdrew his hand.
“It’s not that I don’t want everyone. It’s a misunderstanding about the selection of concubines. I currently have no intention of marrying.” Si Lan explained.
Upon hearing this, the demons immediately burst into tears, each one looking pitiful and resentful.
Ruyin didn’t expect his illusion to fail and couldn’t help but stomp his foot in grievance, his bare shoulders revealing, “Your Majesty, how can you go back on your word? If this spreads, others will think I have done something wrong and been rejected by you!”
“Yes, Your Majesty, your misunderstanding has ruined our reputation!”
“Sob, Your Majesty, are you really so heartless?”
…
Listening to these half-complaints and half-pleas, Si Lan felt a headache coming on, but he vaguely understood the reason for their disturbance.
Their claims of not wanting to leave him weren’t necessarily genuine.
After a moment of silence, he said, “Indeed, I mishandled this matter. I intend to give each of you a Jade Dan fruit to aid in your cultivation.” A Jade Dan fruit could boost cultivation by ten years, greatly benefiting these male and female demons in their practice.
Sure enough, upon hearing this, the demons stopped crying, and in the midst of them, Ruyin’s eyes flickered as he smiled seductively, lifting two fingers slowly as if bargaining, “Two, Your Majesty. Only two Dan fruits can soothe the pain in my heart.”
Others nodded in agreement, “Yes, Your Majesty, I also want two.”
Si Lan didn’t refuse, “Alright, two each then. Go back for now, and I will personally send the fruits to your homes later.”
The demons instantly brightened up, hurriedly thanked Si Lan, and left with laughter and chatter, their previous sorrow and resentment nowhere to be seen.
Watching them leave, Qu Ze looked worried, “Your Majesty, there aren’t that many Jade Dan fruits at Mount Zhuyun.”
“Oh, about that…” Si Lan chuckled and turned around, his gaze sweeping past Qu Ze as he looked at Song Cheng and Song Ye, “Not enough? Then the three of you will go pick fruits at the Cangsen Cliff. Be careful, though; it’s infested with poisonous bees and snakes.”
With their cultivation levels, they wouldn’t be killed by bees and snakes, but being bitten would still be quite painful.
Song Ye’s face immediately showed a painful expression upon hearing this, knowing that Your Majesty wouldn’t let them off so easily. No wonder Your Majesty agreed so readily just now; it turned out to be to let them pick wild fruits.
Cangsen Cliff was infested with fierce poisonous bees and snakes, not only lurking below the cliff but also infecting the flowers, plants, and trees on the mountain. It was rare for someone who had gone to pick Jade Dan fruits to return unscathed.
Qu Ze and Song Ye’s faces stiffened for a moment, but they quickly regained their composure and bowed, “Yes.”
Song Ye opened his mouth as if to say something, but Song Cheng dragged him away.
In the grand hall, only Si Lan and Haowei remained after a blink of an eye.
For a moment, the atmosphere froze, an unspoken awkwardness spreading between them. Si Lan, displaying his talent for playing dumb, chuckled, “Oh dear, you caught me in an embarrassing moment.”
Haowei said nothing.
“Were they asking you to handle this?”
“Yes.” Haowei responded. Earlier, Si Lan had been sleeping soundly, and Haowei couldn’t bring himself to wake him, so he got up to check. When he arrived at the main hall, he discovered that it was the concubine candidates chosen by Si Lan causing a commotion.
“How… how could I trouble you with that?” Si Lan smiled awkwardly.
He remembered the scene he saw when he pushed open the door: a stern-faced Haowei confronting a group of extravagantly dressed, tearful male and female demons. It looked very much like a main wife disciplining the concubines.
But, of course, he didn’t dare say this to Haowei.
Haowei suddenly smiled, a hint of menace in his smile, “It was no trouble. I was about to send them flying, but then you arrived.”
“…,” Si Lan.
Haowei stood up and walked over to Si Lan, reaching out to touch his forehead. Si Lan stood still, hearing Haowei’s voice above him.
“Are you feeling better now?”
“Yes, much better.” Si Lan thought for a moment and then asked, “And you?”
He knew Haowei had transferred a lot of cultivation energy to him and was worried that Haowei might be affected.
“I’m fine.”
Seeing the concern in Si Lan’s eyes, Haowei’s mood lightened a bit. This Demon Lord still had a bit of a conscience, showing concern for him.
A gentle breeze blew through the window, causing Si Lan’s robe to flutter and revealing his bare, clean feet. Only then did Haowei notice that Si Lan was not wearing any shoes.
He frowned, said nothing, and directly scooped Si Lan up into his arms. Startled, Si Lan let out a soft sound, almost like a bedroom whisper.
Haowei’s expression froze for a moment, then he carried Si Lan back without a word, “Why aren’t you wearing shoes? Acting so recklessly.” The weather was getting colder, and it was easy to catch a chill.
“I forgot.” Si Lan, now in a bridal carry, felt awkward and didn’t know where to place his arms. Hesitating for a moment, he settled them on his chest.
Looking at Haowei’s profile, he whispered, “You should put me down, or someone might see.” After all, he was a grown man, with hands and feet, being carried like this was strange.
“Is there anyone else on Mount Zhuyun?” Haowei raised an eyebrow and glanced towards the corner.
In the corner, Xiao Xieli was about to walk over but suddenly felt a wave of pressure hit him, making him shiver and stand still, not daring to move.
At the same time, a threat echoed in his mind.
“Stay away, or I’ll carve you into a piglet.”
“…,” Xiao Xieli.
Haowei carried Si Lan back to the room and placed him on the bed, lifting his foot.
Si Lan felt inexplicably shy, his snow-white toes curling as if trying to hide. The veins on his feet were clearly visible, like vines spreading through his flesh.
Haowei picked up a shoe, bending down, his gaze focused and serious, but his tone slightly disdainful, “Take better care of your paws.”
Hearing this, Si Lan indignantly lifted his foot, “They’re not paws!”
He wasn’t careful with his strength and accidentally kicked Haowei’s chin.
Haowei instinctively grabbed his foot, the rough warmth of his fingers touching Si Lan’s arch, making him involuntarily let out a soft sound and trying to retract his leg, but Haowei held on tight.
Si Lan frowned and looked up at Haowei, only to find Haowei’s dark eyes fixed on his foot. The area where his foot was held became even whiter, while the surrounding skin turned a faint pink, and the small toes in Haowei’s palm looked delicate and cute.
He tried to pull back his right foot, but Haowei took the shoe and gently put it on his right foot, then picked up his left foot, his fingers seemingly unintentionally brushing against Si Lan’s arch, causing him to tremble and nearly fall. He managed to steady himself with his hands.
Si Lan suspected Haowei was doing it on purpose, but seeing Haowei’s impassive face, he couldn’t help but think he was overthinking it.
This seemingly serious Divine Emperor Haowei wouldn’t be flirting with his feet… would he?
Si Lan was overthinking it.
After Haowei helped him put on his shoes, he stood up. His white luxurious attire was so bright it was almost blinding, though there was an unusual bulge in the middle of his robe.
Before Si Lan could take a closer look, Haowei quickly turned around and began to straighten his robe.
“…” Si Lan.
Even though he couldn’t see clearly, he realized that it wasn’t just his imagination.
This seemingly righteous Divine Emperor Haowei turned out to be a hypocrite. Just looking at his feet could…
Yet earlier, Haowei had deliberately mocked him, saying his feet looked like claws.
Ha! Hypocrite.
Si Lan’s lips curled up into a smirk. Whether it was playful or smug was unclear. He arched his foot to nudge Haowei’s calf. Haowei’s body stiffened, and his breath hitched for a moment.
Although it was just a moment, Si Lan noticed it accurately. So he intentionally slid his foot upward, rubbing against Haowei’s leg.
“My shoes feel uncomfortable. Can you check what’s wrong?”
Haowei didn’t react at first. Just as Si Lan thought he wouldn’t do anything, Haowei turned around and grabbed Si Lan’s ankle. His slender, jade-like fingers clasped around Si Lan’s ankle like a shackle.
Adjusting Si Lan’s shoes, he asked, “Is this better?”
“It still feels a bit awkward,” Si Lan said, moving his foot, his toes brushing against Haowei’s wrist.
This pretentious little white dragon showed no sign of faltering, but his ears were exceptionally red.
Tsk tsk.
Suddenly amused, Si Lan rubbed Haowei’s elbow with his toes, seeing Haowei’s ears turn even redder. Si Lan’s gaze moved down to Haowei’s lower abdomen, trying to see something. But Haowei turned sideways again, standing up and adjusting his robe as if trying to hide something.
“If the shoes don’t fit, just change to another pair,” Haowei said, his back to Si Lan, his voice stiff.
Si Lan stopped teasing him, softly murmured an “okay,” and lowered his head to straighten his own robe, his eyes still filled with mirth.
Haowei’s voice remained stiff. “If you have recovered enough, we should head to Linglong Mountain to find that fox demon.”
“Alright.”
That fox demon was the only one in the world who had been with Yu Wuxia and survived.
T/N: Hey there! There is plenty more where that came from, so stay tuned! And stay healthy! Straighten your posture, so some stretches and drink some water before continuing hehe~
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Also, check out the other series we have on HoH!
If you like cats, check out Revenge of the Garfield
If you like dragons, check out I’m Pregnant with the Hope of the Entire Planet and The Dragon and the ‘Princess’
How about some mystery or showbiz? Check out Morbid Addiction & Perfection
What about the perfect, most non-toxic male lead ever? Laws of Love
How about MC nursing ML back to health? Forced into the Deep
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