A Red Dragon attendant led Qin Xuange through a winding corridor.
Outside lay a meticulously tended courtyard. Along a path paved with red crystal grew Flame Orchids that bloomed only in scorching environments. Their petals resembled flickering tongues of flame, emitting a crisp and slightly spicy fragrance that tempered the dry heat constantly permeating the air.
“Saintess Qin, please stay here.”
The attendant stopped in front of a wooden door carved with simplified dragon marks and respectfully pushed it open.
The light inside was soft. A low table and two putuans were set by the window, and through the lattice, a small, carefully maintained bamboo garden was visible. The bamboo stalks were a dark, starlit red, while the leaves were a vibrant, dripping emerald, creating a strange yet harmonious blend of colors.
The room was elegantly decorated and the environment was pleasant. In one corner, a small Spirit Gathering Array hummed, with Lingli flowing slowly like a thin mist. Its concentration was several times higher than the outside world; cultivating here would truly yield twice the result with half the effort.
“What place is this?” Qin Xuange stepped into the room and turned to look at the Red Dragon lady standing with her hands lowered. Her brow furrowed slightly. “Where is Jiang Huai?”
The Red Dragon attendant bowed slightly and replied in a gentle tone, “To answer the Saintess, this is the guest quarters, specifically designed for entertaining distinguished guests.”
“Please take a short rest here. Saint Son Jiang is currently with the Clan Leader.”
“Once the Clan Leader is finished speaking with him, she will naturally arrange for the two of you to leave together.”
“If you need anything during this time, just ring the bell by the door, and I will be there immediately.”
With that, she bowed again, stepped back, and gently closed the door.
Qin Xuange walked around the room for a moment, then opened the door to look outside. The courtyard was silent, with only a warm breeze brushing against her cheeks.
‘It seems this isn’t house arrest.’ The Chihong Clan Leader apparently did not treat their sudden infiltration as an act of hostility—at least toward her, she maintained the proper etiquette due to a Black Dragon Saintess.
‘I just don’t know how things are on Jiang Huai’s side or what is happening.’
The image of Chi Hong’s flickering smile—majestic yet hiding a seductive charm—and Chi Huang’s eager expression flashed through Qin Xuange’s mind. She felt a faint, inexplicable unease.
‘I suppose he should be receiving the same hospitality.’
Helpless, Qin Xuange had no choice but to sit on a putuan and begin her cultivation, continuing her efforts to break through to the Deity Transformation Realm.
***
“Mmph, mmph, mmph!”
Muffled groans echoed clearly in the silent room.
On the other side, within the private Forbidden Land of the Chihong Clan Leader, Jiang Huai’s mouth was sealed with Lingli, rendering him unable to speak.
He was tied to a chair, his hands hoisted high by a Red Chain and his legs bound to the chair legs in a spread position. He was forced into an open posture, completely powerless to resist.
Jiang Huai’s eyes widened as he stared at the two women standing before him at their leisure. His scalp tingled, especially when he saw the dark red whip in Chi Hong’s hand, crafted from some unknown tanned leather.
‘I really didn’t have any malicious intent when I sneaked into the Red Dragon Clan. Why are they actually interrogating me like a criminal?’
Unfortunately, he could not speak. He struggled incessantly, his fear mounting as he watched the long, soft whip in Chi Hong’s grasp.
Chi Hong stood less than three steps away from him. Her exquisite red high heels clicked against the floor, creating a crisp and rhythmic *tap, tap*.
A gentle yet dangerous smile played on her face. Her Dragon Eyes shimmered as if she were admiring an interesting toy.
“Young Lord Jiang,” she finally spoke, her voice soft and alluring.
“This is my private meditation room. Usually, I am the only one who enters here to reflect and cultivate.” As she spoke, she took elegant little steps, slowly circling the bound Jiang Huai. The soft whip swayed gently with her movements.
“You are the second person to ever step foot in here.” She stopped at Jiang Huai’s side and leaned down slightly. She used the soft tip of the whip to brush against his cheek with agonizing slowness.
“How does it feel?”
A meaningful smile spread across her charming face, her eyes brimming with flirtatious intent.
The tip of the whip slid down the line of Jiang Huai’s neck, grazing his Adam’s apple as it bobbed from tension. It moved to his open collar, lightly tapping the skin of his chest. She even playfully applied a bit of pressure, giving it a small poke.
Chi Huang carefully looked around the small room. Even she had never been to this place; it was likely the Honored Master’s true place of secluded cultivation.
Seeing her Honored Master actually rubbing the soft whip against Jiang Huai’s chest, she couldn’t help but speak up. “Honored Master…”
‘Is she really going to hit him? That wouldn’t be good. If he gets hurt, what if he never comes back?’
Chi Hong turned her head and gave her a light glare, causing Chi Huang to shut her mouth instantly.
Immediately after, Chi Hong took a graceful half-step back and then, surprisingly, lifted a leg to sit directly sideways on Jiang Huai’s bound thighs.
The hem of her red dress spread out, concealing the suggestive outlines, but the heavy sensation of her curvaceous hips pressing against his legs—and the slight friction as she adjusted her posture—made Jiang Huai’s entire body stiffen.
The Small World began to involuntarily supply his needs in advance.
“Tell me, what were you planning when you sneaked into our Red Dragon Clan?”
“Were you up to no good?” she asked with a smile, turning her head. Her slender hand suddenly flicked out.
The long whip sliced through the air in a sharp, crimson arc. Where the tip passed, a trail of scorching sparks ignited. A powerful surge of fire-attribute Lingli instantly filled the room, making the temperature soar.
Jiang Huai’s pupils shrank. Startled by the heatwave and the crack of the whip so close to him, he struggled even more violently. The chains clattered loudly, and he continued to make muffled noises.
‘I didn’t expect this soft whip to have an attribute bonus. Won’t my skin be roasted and torn if those flames touch me?’
He had no doubt that a single strike from this whip would push even a cultivator at the Nascent Soul Stage into the red zone.
“Why aren’t you speaking?” Chi Hong blinked, feigning confusion, but a growing interest and an indescribable dark surge flickered in the depths of her eyes.
Watching Jiang Huai struggle beneath her—those eyes that were usually so gentle now wide with tension and embarrassment—a mix of possessiveness, playfulness, and a deeper restlessness churned in her heart.
If she hadn’t maintained her rational boundaries, she would have almost been unable to suppress a violent and primitive urge. She wanted to see him more flustered; she wanted to use this whip to truly tame something.
Jiang Huai let out a desperate moan. ‘My mouth is blocked, what do you want me to say?’
“Alright, I’m done teasing you.” Perhaps having enjoyed his predicament enough, Chi Hong suddenly chuckled and tapped her slender finger against Jiang Huai’s lips. The red band of light dissipated instantly.
“Cough, cough, cough!” Jiang Huai gasped for air and hurriedly said:
“I… I really came here because I have an important favor to ask!”
Chi Hong remained straddled across his lap in a lazy posture. She toyed with the dangerous whip, her long fingers carelessly stroking its length. Hearing his words, she gave him a side-long glance, her tone turning a bit cooler.
“Of course I know you have something.”
“If you didn’t need something, I’m afraid Young Lord Jiang would be far too busy with his many wives to ever think of our Red Dragon Clan, or of us, master and disciple.”
Hearing this, the corner of Jiang Huai’s mouth twitched. “It’s not quite like that.”
“Aren’t you… going to put that whip away?”
Chi Hong burst into laughter, her eyes brimming with charm as she leaned in closer.
“What are you so afraid of? Would I really hit you?”
Her tone suddenly softened, carrying a hint of playful reproach.
“You saved my life. I have yet to repay that kindness. If I truly hurt you and word got out, wouldn’t I, the Chihong Clan Leader, be seen as an ungrateful, tyrannical monster? Would I have any dignity left?”
Behind her, her red-scaled Dragon Tail slinked out unnoticed. With a cool, scaly touch, it flexibly wrapped around Jiang Huai’s ankle, rubbing it gently.
She leaned forward until her full chest almost touched Jiang Huai’s. Her voice dropped even lower, laced with seduction.
“However, if you like this kind of play, Young Lord Jiang, then I wouldn’t mind bearing that infamy.”
She arched her back slightly, her hips grinding lightly against his legs. Her tone was full of anticipation.
“Coincidentally, I have a private collection of several different kinds of whips… instructional whips, soft whips, nine-section whips… there are many varieties. If you are interested, Young Lord Jiang, you are more than welcome to—sample them?”
“No! No need!” Jiang Huai’s hair stood on end. He shook his head like a rattle.
“I have no such intention! Please be reasonable, Clan Leader Chi Hong! Please put the whip down first!”
He finally understood. Beneath this Clan Leader’s charming and gentle exterior lay a bottomless pit of twisted humor.
Seeing that the threat of torture had seemingly passed, Jiang Huai breathed a sigh of relief. Only then did he notice that Qin Xuange was not there. His heart tightened, and he asked urgently:
“By the way, where is Qin Xuange? You didn’t do anything to her, did you? She only followed me and knows nothing. Please show mercy, Clan Leader, and just send her back.”
Upon hearing this, the smile on Chi Hong’s face faltered slightly. She didn’t answer immediately but instead gave a teasing glance to Chi Huang, who had been looking a bit sulky.
Sure enough, hearing Jiang Huai care so deeply for Qin Xuange made Chi Huang’s face collapse instantly.
Her pretty face darkened. She stepped forward and snatched the dark red whip right out of Chi Hong’s hand. Gripping it tight, she sneered at Jiang Huai.
“Her? She’s tied up too! I’m going to go whip her right now!”
The more Chi Huang spoke, the more her anger grew, fueled by a surge of jealousy.
“You’ve taught my Honored Master, so I won’t settle scores with you! But that Qin Xuange is an outsider. Sneaking into our territory so suspiciously—how can she learn her lesson without suffering a bit?”
She brandished the whip and said viciously:
“Just wait until I scar her face! I’ll use fire Lingli so it can never be healed!”
However, it was all bark and no bite. She was just venting; she didn’t actually plan to punish Qin Xuange.
She was straightforward and proud. If she truly wanted to deal with Qin Xuange, she would surpass and defeat her fairly on the path of cultivation. She looked down on such underhanded methods from the bottom of her heart.
“Stop! This has nothing to do with her!”
“If you dare touch her, don’t blame me for being unkind!” Jiang Huai suddenly rattled the Red Chains on his wrists. His face went cold as he stared intensely at Chi Huang.
The aura he erupted with in that moment actually made Chi Huang freeze.
Her heart felt a strange, bitter pang. She bit her lip and suddenly threw the whip back to Chi Hong. She turned her head away, her voice dropping as she spoke petulantly, “Who actually wants to bully her? Can’t I just be joking?”
“I, Chi Huang, act with honor and integrity. I would never do something so beneath me!”
She kicked the floor and muttered:
“She’s fine! I picked out the guest room myself. It’s much more comfortable than this place!”
“Whatever you have to say, say it quickly.”