“Dingdong, triggered Master’s mission: serve Master until Master is satisfied. Mission success rewards 1 million Humiliation Value. Mission failure will result in punishment by the “Darkened Master” in the Illusion Realm.”
As soon as the System Notification faded, Su Nian felt her cheeks burn as if they were smoking.
‘One million Humiliation Value! If I complete this, I’ll be one giant step closer to my goal of 100 million Humiliation Value.’
‘As for the punishment for failure…’
Su Nian bit her lower lip and thought, ‘It’s a humiliating thing to be bullied by the Darkened Master in the Illusion Realm. If it were before, I definitely wouldn’t have accepted it no matter what.’
‘But… right now, why do I feel like it’s not a big deal even if I fail this mission? The “Darkened Master” in the Illusion Realm…’
‘What am I thinking!’
Su Nian shook her head violently, her golden hair tracing an arc in the moonlight.
‘Stop thinking about these things. Better to focus on completing the mission and earning the full 100 million Humiliation Value first. Once I become a god, I can do whatever I want.’
‘As for that… ahem, tool. Even if I don’t kill that Horned Demon Bastard, I can keep him as…’
Su Nian desperately tried to convince herself.
‘That’s right. He’s just a tool. It’s absolutely not because I can’t bear to part with him.’
She secretly stole a glance at Chu Tian.
Chu Tian was watching her.
Moonlight fell on his handsome profile, and his deep black eyes held a tenderness that made her heart race.
After a moment.
Moonlight spilled over the hot spring deep in the mountain valley.
Mist swirled, refracting dreamlike halos in the silver glow.
Around the hot spring were smooth rocks.
Nine unknown plants bloomed with light blue flowers, emitting a delicate fragrance.
Su Nian knelt at the edge of the hot spring.
Her golden hair clung damply to her fragrant shoulders, her long legs pressed together beneath her short skirt.
She bit her lower lip, her sky-blue eyes filled with shyness.
Chu Tian sat by the hot spring pool, his legs submerged in the water.
His black hair was wet against his forehead, his gaze fixed on the girl, his eyes clearly expectant.
“Begin.”
His low voice carried an undeniable command.
Su Nian’s fingers tightened on her skirt, her small face red as if ready to drip.
She took a deep breath and slowly approached.
Moonlight spilled over her, making her silhouette especially graceful.
‘What should I do?’
Just these five words made her cheeks burn as if they could fry an egg.
In the past, she mostly endured passively, forced to submit.
‘But now… I have to be proactive…’
Su Nian’s fingertips tightened on the hem of her clothes, her palms slightly sweating.
“What’s wrong?” Chu Tian’s voice came with a hint of playfulness, “Can’t do it?”
“Who… who said I can’t!” Su Nian’s pride was instantly provoked.
She lifted her head, a stubborn determination flashing in her sky-blue eyes.
‘It’s just being a bit proactive. What’s so hard about it!’
She took a deep breath and slowly leaned toward Chu Tian.
Under the moonlight, the girl’s silhouette was slender and graceful.
The bell on her collar let out a crisp “dingling.”
She pursed her lips and reached out, her slender fingers gently resting on the front of his clothes.
Her fingertips touched his warm chest.
The heat transmitted through the thin fabric made her fingers tremble slightly.
Unbidden, images of those times when he “bullied” her surfaced in her mind, moments that made her ashamed yet unable to resist.
‘Forget it, it’s already like this anyway.’
The next moment.
The girl in her thin gauze dress slowly sank into the hot spring, kneeling in the water.
She brushed her disheveled golden hair behind her ear, revealing her delicate face.
Her eyes, filled with watery emotion, looked at the man before her.
“L-like this?” Her voice was as soft as a mosquito’s buzz, her cheeks deeply flushed.
Her fingertips gently traced the water’s surface, creating ripples.
Moonlight spilled over her, outlining a soft silhouette.
She pressed her lips together, her expression full of shyness.
“Dingdong, Humiliation Value increased by 100,000.”
“Dingdong, Annoyance Value increased by 100,000.”
“Dingdong, Annoyance Value increased by 80,000.”
“Dingdong, Humiliation Value increased by 80,000.”
The System Notifications kept sounding, but Su Nian had no time to pay attention.
The hot spring water rippled, moonlight shattering into countless silver scales.
The roar of the distant waterfall intertwined with her suppressed breaths, forming a strange nocturnal symphony.
The air was filled with a faint floral fragrance, mixed with the sweetness of the mist.
“Master, are you satisfied?” Su Nian asked softly.
‘As long as he says he’s satisfied, I can complete the mission.’
‘Hehe. Judging by today’s situation, being proactive doesn’t seem like a big deal.’
Chu Tian nodded, looking very satisfied with her performance.
He reached out and draped clothes over Su Nian.
“Let’s stop here for tonight.” His voice was so gentle she could hardly believe it.
Su Nian curled up in his arms, feeling the warmth of his chest and listening to his strong heartbeat.
That sense of security made her unable to resist snuggling closer.
“Master is so kind,” she murmured softly, her tone full of attachment.
Chu Tian looked down at the girl in his arms, the smile at the corners of his mouth growing gentler.
His little wildcat seems more and more unable to leave him.
“Dingdong, Serve Master mission successful. Reward: 1 million Humiliation Value.”
The mountain valley was especially quiet late at night.
Chu Tian carried Su Nian into a dry cave.
With a wave of his hand, a Magic Flame flickered in the center of the cave, its orange-red light dispelling the darkness.
Su Nian nestled in his arms, wrapped in a large cloak, only her flushed little face visible.
She was so tired she didn’t even want to move a finger, her eyelids heavy.
But her stomach let out an untimely “gurgle”.
“Hungry?” Chu Tian chuckled.
“Mm…” Su Nian buried her face in his chest, her voice muffled, “A little.”
Chu Tian took out some Magic Beast meat from his Storage Ring and roasted it over the Magic Flame.
Soon, the aroma filled the cave.
“Open up.” He tore off a piece of golden-roasted meat and brought it to her lips.
Su Nian obediently opened her mouth and let him feed her.
The warm meat juices spread in her mouth, the spices perfectly balanced.
“Is it good?” Chu Tian asked.
“Mm, very good.” Su Nian nodded, her sky-blue eyes sparkling in the firelight.
The flames danced, light and shadow swaying.
The two sat quietly, Chu Tian feeding her mouthful by mouthful, Su Nian obediently accepting.
At this moment, they were like two people snuggling together in the wilderness, spending a warm night.
Su Nian watched the dancing flames, a strange feeling welling up in her heart.
This feeling was very warm, very reassuring.
She secretly glanced at the man beside her, thought he was very handsome, and her heart once again began to race uncontrollably.
“Ding! Host Affection +1, current Affection: 71.”
“Ding! Host Mental Resilience -1, current state: Corrupted 29%.”
The System Notifications sounded, but Su Nian was not alarmed.
She only burrowed deeper into Chu Tian’s arms and closed her eyes.
‘Forget it.’
‘Let it be.’
‘At least… right now I’m happy.’
“Sleepy?” Chu Tian looked down at her.
“Mm.” Su Nian nodded, her voice soft, “Master, hold me while I sleep.”
Chu Tian smiled and held her tighter.
“Sleep.” He gently kissed her forehead and said, “I’ll watch over you.”
A faint smile curved Su Nian’s lips.
She found a comfortable spot in his arms and slowly fell asleep.