The giant python suffered multiple blows. Despite being a higher level than Li Taixing and his pets, it was no match for the relentless attacks from the army of summoned beasts. In a swift and calculated move, Li Taixing and his pets cut the massive python into pieces.
After making quick work of the creature, Li Taixing didn't hesitate. He recalled all his pets, and the Tai Chi Formation and Eternal Lotus Fire returned to their respective places, requiring no further command. With the battle won, Li Taixing moved swiftly, collecting the giant python's inner elixir, knowing that lingering would bring unwanted attention.
Sure enough, Fang Hanyue wasn't far behind. She soon arrived at the site of the battle, her eyes narrowing as she surveyed the mutilated corpse of the giant python. Her brow furrowed slightly.
"What happened here? A fight between beasts?" she muttered under her breath. "Could that kid have been eaten? There's no way there's even a trace of him left..."
The chaotic scene led Fang Hanyue to believe a large-scale fight had occurred between powerful beasts. But as she continued examining the scene, she found no signs of any other creatures. Her confusion deepened.
"This is odd," she remarked, glancing around the area. "But that brat is clever. He probably didn't die here. I'll need to keep searching."
Without wasting more time, Fang Hanyue set off again in pursuit of Li Taixing.
Meanwhile, Li Taixing, who had teleported a considerable distance away, was busy hunting more beasts. His determination led him to gather a significant number of Nascent Soul realm inner elixirs, and he felt a sense of accomplishment as his pets helped him take down even more fearsome creatures.
"Great! I've gathered enough inner elixirs of different elements. My pets will benefit from these," he thought with satisfaction.
But his victory was short-lived. Just as he was preparing to move on, an all-too-familiar figure appeared in front of him once again.
Li Taixing's expression darkened as he saw Fang Hanyue standing there, a look of amusement on her face.
"I swear, you are persistent!" Li Taixing said, frustrated.
Fang Hanyue raised an eyebrow, her curiosity piqued. "Never mind me, I'm more interested in how you've managed to survive here. A Golden Core cultivator like you shouldn't have lasted this long."
"This has nothing to do with you," Li Taixing replied sharply.
"Oh, but it does," Fang Hanyue countered with a smirk. "I was worried you'd been devoured by the ferocious beasts. But now that I know you're still alive, it's time for you to come back with me."
Li Taixing scoffed. "I'm not going anywhere with you!"
He knew Fang Hanyue wouldn't give up easily, and her ability to track him down despite his best efforts was driving him to his limit.
"Listen, if you keep bothering me, I won't hold back," Li Taixing warned, his frustration growing. He knew he needed to find a way to deal with her once and for all. If he didn't, he'd never get rid of her.
Fang Hanyue laughed at his threat. "Oh? And where does this confidence come from, little boy? You think you can be rude to me? Go ahead. I'd love to see you try."
She wasn't taking him seriously at all, finding his attempt at intimidation amusing.
Li Taixing clenched his fists. "I didn't want to do this, but you've left me no choice."
He hadn't wanted to use the Supreme Love Art, but if he didn't, he'd never escape Fang Hanyue's pursuit. His training was far from over, and leaving the Forest of Ferocious Beasts now would be a waste of time.
"Do what you must," Fang Hanyue teased, mockingly waving her hand as if daring him to try something.
With a smirk, Li Taixing activated the Supreme Love Art. An invisible force emanated from him, enveloping Fang Hanyue in its grasp.
For a moment, Fang Hanyue froze, her body locking up as if paralyzed. Her eyes went dull, and she looked as though she had lost all awareness of her surroundings.
"What's… happening to me?" she whispered, her voice laced with confusion.
After a few moments, Fang Hanyue snapped out of it. However, something inside her had shifted. Her heart raced, her breathing became unsteady, and a strange warmth spread through her body. When she looked at Li Taixing, the once-hostile gaze she held for him softened. Her heart fluttered, and she found herself inexplicably drawn to him.
'What is this feeling? Why do I feel like this around him?' she thought, struggling to make sense of the sudden rush of emotions.
For the first time, Li Taixing saw Fang Hanyue's usually confident and composed face flush with redness. Her chest rose and fell as her breath quickened, and her eyes shimmered with a mixture of desire and confusion.
Before Li Taixing could understand the full extent of what had just happened, the system's voice echoed in his mind.
[Ding! The host has successfully used the Supreme Love Art on Fang Hanyue. The target has developed strong feelings for you.]
Li Taixing barely registered the message before he found himself tackled by a blur of icy blue.
"Ah!" Li Taixing gasped, shocked as Fang Hanyue pinned him to the ground and, without hesitation, pressed her lips against his in a forceful kiss.
Li Taixing's eyes widened in disbelief. 'What the hell?! This is the second time I've been forcibly kissed! First my master, now her?'
Before he could process what was happening, Fang Hanyue hoisted him up and, without a word, whisked him away to a more secluded area. The moment they landed in a hidden spot, the air was thick with an overwhelming tension.
Several hours later...
Li Taixing lay on the ground, staring at the white silk scarf lying beside him. It was stained with blood. His mind spun as he tried to process everything that had just occurred.
"Ah…" he whispered in disbelief.
Beside him, Fang Hanyue stirred. She had just woken up, and as the memories of what had transpired flooded back into her mind, her face turned a deep shade of red. Anger and shame battled for dominance within her.
She wanted to kill him—to end his life for what had just happened. But when her eyes met his, her heart betrayed her, racing once again. She couldn't understand why, but her emotions were in turmoil.
With a mixture of sorrow, resentment, and embarrassment, Fang Hanyue quickly dressed and shot a furious glare at Li Taixing before flying off, leaving him behind in utter confusion.
Li Taixing rubbed his head, still trying to make sense of the situation.
"System… what just happened? Did she just leave?"
[Yes, host. Thanks to the Supreme Love Art, Fang Hanyue has developed strong feelings for you. From this moment on, she is considered your woman.]
Li Taixing groaned. "My woman? But… I wasn't ready for this!"
[Host, this was your decision to activate the technique.]
"Ugh… I didn't expect it to go this far," Li Taixing muttered, feeling a headache coming on. It was true Fang Hanyue had been relentless in her pursuit, but he never intended for things to spiral out of control like this.
"But seriously… this Supreme Love Art is way too powerful. How was I able to overpower someone in the Tribulation Realm?"
As the effect of the technique wore off, Li Taixing felt a strange sense of satisfaction and complication. He couldn't help but feel that things were only going to get more difficult from here on out.
The Supreme Love Art had exhausted its use for now, but Li Taixing couldn't shake the feeling of endless aftertaste and the burdens that came with it.