The sun began to set on the horizon as Li Tian stood at the estate's entrance, the weight of the recent battle still fresh in his mind. The encounter with the shadow beast wasn't just a random event. Something was coming, and it was much bigger than he anticipated. His instincts screamed danger, but there was a sense of thrill that came with it.
As he made his way into the estate, a figure caught his attention. Xu Fang, his alluring stepmother, was standing in the courtyard, her eyes narrowing as she saw him approach. Her beauty never failed to catch Li Tian off guard. But there was something different today—an aura of suspicion lingered in the air.
"Li Tian," Xu Fang called out, her voice smooth and seductive, though there was a hint of curiosity in her tone. "I couldn't help but notice that you've been getting into a lot of... trouble recently."
Li Tian stopped and smirked. "What can I say? Trouble seems to find me."
She stepped closer, her movements graceful as always. "Perhaps, but that doesn't mean you need to seek it out."
Li Tian chuckled. "Wouldn't be any fun otherwise."
Xu Fang's eyes scanned him, as if trying to read what lay beneath the surface. "You've grown stronger, haven't you? Even the other elders have noticed. Li Feng, your father... they're starting to see it too. But strength comes with enemies."
Li Tian's expression softened for a moment. He knew the warning was well-meant, but there was also an underlying tone of interest. Xu Fang was sharp; she could sense the shift in power dynamics within the family and was likely trying to position herself accordingly.
Before he could respond, the system suddenly chimed in.
[System Message: New Quest Available.]
[Objective: Investigate the source of the shadowy presence near the estate.]
[Reward: Shadow Walk Technique.]
[Bonus Objective: Eliminate the hidden threat.]
[Bonus Reward: ???]
Li Tian's eyes narrowed as he read the system's message. The shadow presence near the estate? It couldn't be a coincidence that he'd just fought that beast. There was something more sinister lurking in the area.
Xu Fang noticed his brief moment of distraction. "Lost in thought, Tian? Or is the weight of power finally settling on your shoulders?"
He smiled at her. "Just thinking about what comes next."
Later that night, Li Tian sat cross-legged in his private chamber, his mind racing. The quest from the system lingered on his thoughts. The beast he had fought earlier might have only been the beginning, and now the system wanted him to find the source.
But what truly gnawed at him was the question of why the system seemed so invested in this particular issue. Usually, it gave him tasks based on his desires, whether it be gaining power or fulfilling his more carnal desires. Yet this time, it was different. This was about survival.
"Shadow Walk Technique..." Li Tian murmured to himself, intrigued by the potential reward.
A soft knock interrupted his thoughts. The door slid open gently, and to his surprise, Liu Mei stepped in, her figure silhouetted by the moonlight streaming through the open windows. She moved with a quiet grace, her soft footsteps barely making a sound.
"Liu Mei?" Li Tian raised an eyebrow.
"I hope I'm not disturbing you, Tian," she said softly, her voice carrying a mix of curiosity and playfulness.
"Not at all," Li Tian replied, motioning for her to come in. He hadn't expected her to visit him again so soon, but he wasn't about to complain. Her presence was always a welcome distraction from the darker thoughts that plagued him.
She sat beside him, her eyes flicking to his, clearly seeing the exhaustion from the day's events. "I heard about your little adventure in the forest. You've been attracting quite a bit of attention lately."
Li Tian shrugged, but his smirk returned. "What can I say? Trouble finds me."
Liu Mei's eyes sparkled with mischief as she leaned closer. "I think you like the attention."
Li Tian chuckled, but before he could respond, she added, "You've been busy... but I have to ask. Have you been busy with... other women, as well?"
Her teasing tone was clear, but there was a hint of genuine curiosity behind her words. She looked at him with playful suspicion, but beneath that, he could sense a flicker of insecurity.
Li Tian leaned back, his expression softening. "If I said yes, would that bother you?"
Liu Mei bit her lip, her eyes dropping for a moment. "It's not that... I just—"
Before she could finish her thought, Li Tian gently lifted her chin, making her look at him. "Liu Mei, I won't lie to you. Yes, there have been others. But that doesn't change the fact that I want you by my side."
Her eyes widened slightly, and for a moment, she was speechless. Li Tian continued, his voice low and sincere. "I've always admired you, and I'm not the kind of man to take what I care about lightly. I want you, Liu Mei. And I'll make sure you're happy, no matter who else is in my life."
Liu Mei's cheeks flushed a light pink, her breath catching for a moment. She was quiet for a few heartbeats, her gaze searching his for any sign of deception. But she found none. Instead, she saw the sincerity in his eyes, the promise that he would be true to her despite his other pursuits.
Her lips parted as she spoke softly, "I... I don't know what to say."
Li Tian leaned in, his lips brushing against hers gently. "Then don't say anything."
The kiss deepened as Liu Mei's hands slid up his chest, her body pressing against his. The world around them seemed to fade as they were consumed by each other. Li Tian's arms wrapped around her, pulling her closer as the kiss intensified, their breaths mingling in the cool night air.
Moments later, they broke apart, their foreheads resting together as they caught their breath. Liu Mei's eyes fluttered open, her voice barely above a whisper. "I've always... cared about you, Tian."
"And I about you," he replied, his voice low and filled with desire.
They shared a lingering gaze, the unspoken feelings between them finally surfacing. Then, in a fluid motion, Li Tian pulled her into his arms once more, his lips meeting hers in a passionate kiss that spoke of promises and desires yet to be fulfilled.
The night grew deeper, and though no words were exchanged, the connection between them was clear. As they held each other close, the unspoken understanding of what came next settled between them. The intimacy of the moment hung heavy in the air, and it was clear to anyone watching that their relationship had just reached a new level of closeness.