"You... what do you mean?"
Liu Erlong looked at Tang Yin, who was standing so close to her. Her fair face flushed with anger at his words.
Tang Yin grinned mischievously. "Oh, it's nothing."
"I just mean that if you don't want others to find out about our... relationship—how I was very angry with you and how you later begged me to love you—then meet me outside tonight, in the early hours. Alone."
"Remember, you must come alone."
"Otherwise, perhaps by tomorrow, Yu Xiaogang and Flender will learn exactly what happened between us last time."
"You don't know how... addicted... you were when you begged me. Looking at you now, you're like a completely different person."
"It makes me feel like the real you only comes out in bed."
"So, don't forget to meet me tonight. Otherwise... haha." Tang Yin laughed, his voice dripping with wicked charm.
"You..." Liu Erlong's eyes widened in disbelief as she stared at Tang Yin, anger and shock flooding her expression.
He was actually threatening her.
He was using what had happened between them to blackmail her.
Did he really think Liu Erlong could be threatened by anyone?
Tang Yin, unfazed by her furious glare, simply turned and walked out of the tent.
Tonight, Tang Yin wanted Liu Erlong to meet him in the wilderness, not just to talk but to have an in-depth conversation about some things related to her.
And, if there was time, he wouldn't mind... indulging in something more intimate in the wild.
As she watched Tang Yin leave, Liu Erlong's chest heaved violently with her ragged breaths, her anger making her large frame tremble.
"Tang Yin, you... bastard!"
She cursed under her breath, clenching her fists tightly.
If Flender, Yu Xiaogang, and the others weren't in the Sunset Forest, or if the rest of the group weren't just outside the tent, she would have marched up to Tang Yin and punched him, showing him that Liu Erlong was not someone to be trifled with.
But in the end, she held herself back.
She couldn't let anyone know what had happened between her and Tang Yin, let alone the shameful moments when she had begged him.
Even now, she could vividly remember how she had cried out in that moment, begging Tang Yin to be rough with her. The memory of that intense pleasure still lingered, tempting her.
And she knew that if it happened again, she might lose control and beg him all over again.
But things were different now.
Now, she was calm and rational.
Taking a deep breath, Liu Erlong steadied herself. After a moment, she let out a cold snort.
"Hmph."
"Let's see what you're planning. If you think you can take liberties with me, I'll make sure you regret it."
She had resolved herself.
As a powerful Soul Saint, Tang Yin couldn't do anything to her if she didn't allow it.
There was nothing to fear.
She would meet him tonight and see what he was up to.
Outside the tent...
Although it was the first time everyone worked as a group in the Sunset Forest, their interactions were surprisingly harmonious.
Ning Rongrong, Xiao Wu, Zhu Zhuqing, and Ah Yin sat together, chatting as they ate their late meal.
When Tang Yin came out of the tent, Ah Yin glanced thoughtfully at the tent, curious about what her adopted son and Liu Erlong had discussed inside.
Zhu Zhuqing noticed Tang Yin's arrival and wanted to greet him and invite him to join them for dinner. However, her reserved and aloof nature made her hesitate, and in the end, she remained silent.
Dai Mubai's eyes followed Tang Yin, a trace of hostility flickering in them.
Dugu Yan also glanced at Tang Yin, a strange light flashing in her eyes.
Yu Tianheng, standing next to her, noticed the subtle change in her expression and frowned, clearly displeased.
Tang Yin ignored the attention he was receiving and went directly to sit beside his adoptive mother, Ah Yin, sharing the meal with her and the others.
Since they needed to continue searching for soul beasts the next day, everyone quickly finished their meal and retreated to their tents to rest.
When Ah Yin returned to her tent, she leaned in close to Tang Yin while no one else was paying attention and whispered, "It's just Erlong and me in the tent tonight. If you're sleepy, feel free to come in and rest with us. After all, Erlong is already close to you... even if she finds out, it won't be a problem."
Ah Yin stopped herself from saying anything further, gave a faint smile, and turned back into the tent.
Tang Yin felt a spark of intrigue at her words.
The idea of slipping into the tent to sleep next to his adoptive mother and possibly enticing Liu Erlong into a more intimate situation crossed his mind. The thought of a wild encounter with both women tempted him.
But... it didn't feel entirely appropriate.
Tang Yin shook his head, dismissing the thought, and instead sat by the campfire to focus on cultivation.
The wilderness was far less predictable than the academy. Soul beasts could attack at any moment, making keeping watch especially important. However, Tang Yin's strong mental power allowed him to detect even the slightest disturbances, and with Ah Yin and the others nearby, there wasn't much reason to remain overly tense.
Inside the tent shared by Flender, Yu Xiaogang, Zhao Wuji, and Qin Ming, the men lay down to rest after chatting for a while.
However, Yu Xiaogang found himself unable to sleep as his thoughts were consumed by Liu Erlong.
He glanced at the sleeping forms of Flender and Zhao Wuji. Not wanting to disturb them, he stayed in his spot for now, intending to slip out for a walk once they were sound asleep.
Meanwhile, Ning Rongrong, Xiao Wu, Zhu Zhuqing, Dugu Yan, and Ye Lingling had returned to their tent. The girls talked about boys, Zhu Zhuqing's upcoming soul ring hunt, and other casual topics before eventually settling in to rest.
Similarly, Tang San and the other boys retreated to their tents for the night.
Time passed quietly, and soon it was midnight.
A bright moon hung in the sky, its silvery light blanketing the forest, illuminating the flowers and trees with a soft, ethereal glow.
At that moment, a delicate arm extended from the tent shared by Liu Erlong and Ah Yin, parting the curtain as a figure stepped out.
It was Liu Erlong.
Before leaving, she glanced back at Ah Yin to ensure she was asleep. Satisfied, she stepped out confidently.
By the campfire, Tang Yin, who had been meditating with his eyes closed, opened them as soon as he sensed movement.
When he saw Liu Erlong emerge from the tent, a sly smile played across his lips.
He stood up and, meeting her gaze, spoke softly: "Let's go. We can talk in the woods ahead. It's not convenient to chat here."
Without waiting for a response, Tang Yin turned and began walking toward a small grove not far from their camp.
Liu Erlong watched him go, her heart a mix of frustration and anger. She wanted to march up to him and punch him for his audacity, but ultimately she restrained herself.
Let's see what tricks he's planning this time, she thought, her lips pressed into a thin line.
She followed Tang Yin into the secluded grove.
The bushes and grass in the grove were lush, and the surrounding trees provided ample cover. It was an ideal place—quiet and hidden—for a private conversation or... something far more intimate.
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