"E–enough… let me rest for a moment… mmph!"
Feeling Nolan's hands lightly lifting her hips, the Great Dendro Archon hurried to press his hands down and push them away—but her body had already gone soft and powerless, offering no strength at all.
As their bodies came together again, she frowned, lowered her head onto his chest, and bit him in irritation before saying weakly:
"You bastard… I already said… let me rest…"
Right now her entire body was limp—especially her legs. After cultivating for so long, even a bit of pressure was building inside her; if she continued, she was afraid she wouldn't be able to control herself.
Thinking of that, the Great Dendro Archon glared at Nolan in embarrassed annoyance.
"Stopping halfway through cultivation isn't that easy," Nolan said, tugging her dress back down to cover her snowy-white hips and the legs still straddling him.
Her pure white hair trailed across the floor; if one looked closely, the tips were trembling ever so slightly.
"Y–you… mm…" Rukkhadevata squeezed her brows shut, enduring with all her might, already too tired to keep speaking to him.
Nolan looked down and smiled faintly at her expression. His hands stroked her through the thin fabric of her dress as he leaned in to gently bite the tip of her long, pointed ear.
He could tell her stamina was truly at its limit—but his certainly wasn't. He needed someone else to switch in and continue the partnered cultivation.
Extending his senses into the Wonderland space, he found Guizhong leaving her mechanism-research workshop. Her pale feet touched the floor as she seemed ready to head downstairs.
Having lived under the same roof for so long, Guizhong's affection toward him was already just shy of max level. Perfect timing—he could call her over, continue the close-contact cultivation, and obtain her affection skill as well.
With that thought, Nolan used the WayMark to contact her mentally, asking her to come to the library because he had something to discuss.
Guizhong, who had just stepped down a stair, paused, brushed aside the two long strands of gray-cyan hair at her cheeks, and retraced her steps toward the library with her white legs moving lightly.
What could Nolan possibly need her for?
A few seconds later, she reached the library door and peeked inside. Not seeing him anywhere, she called out curiously:
"Nolan? Where are you? Didn't you say you needed me for something?"
Hearing the sudden voice, the Great Dendro Archon—already holding back with all her strength—was startled. Her legs suddenly went slack. She opened her eyes wide, her cheeks instantly flushing red.
"This is all your fault!"
She grabbed Nolan's cheeks and tugged them left and right in aggrieved embarrassment.
Nolan could only show a helpless expression. How is this my fault? She clearly got scared by Guizhong…
Meanwhile, Guizhong followed the sounds to behind a bookshelf—only to see Nolan sitting on the floor, with the Great Dendro Archon sitting atop him.
One look at her dazed, breathless expression and Guizhong instantly understood. Blushing furiously, she stammered:
"Y–you two… doing that kind of thing… in a place like this? Have you no shame?!"
She had seen Nolan hugging and clinging to girls plenty of times before, but she always slipped away quietly. This was the first time she had run into it… up close.
She thought he was calling her over for something important—only to find he dragged her here to watch them cling together? What a perverted guy!
Flustered and angry, Guizhong turned to leave.
"Wait."
Nolan stretched out and caught her by the ankle. The hexagonal anklet she wore pressed into his palm, so he gently slid it upward before holding her pale foot again.
"Y–you—! Don't touch me, you pervert!" Guizhong tried to pull her leg back, but couldn't break free.
Nolan helped the exhausted Rukkhadevata move aside to sit nearby, then stood and pulled Guizhong into his arms, pressing his lips directly against hers as he said in her mind:
"Rukkhadevata is a little worn out. Come train with me for a bit."
The moment he kissed her, Guizhong felt her head fill with heat. Her thoughts scattered into the clouds, her vision swirling like spiraling incense smoke.
"Not saying anything counts as agreement," Nolan chuckled, his hand sliding under her skirt.
The soft resistance of her safety shorts pressed against his palm.
Feeling that unfamiliar touch, Guizhong finally snapped back, glaring at him in shame and fury, pushing at his shoulders as she shouted in her mind:
"How dare you! You took advantage of me when I wasn't paying attention!"
Of course, she had expected that after her soul-body recovered, she would eventually end up like the other girls—becoming this guy's lover and cultivating with him day after day.
She did like him—his strength, his personality. Becoming his partner wasn't something she objected to.
But she hadn't expected it to happen this suddenly! She wasn't mentally prepared at all!
"Since we've already kissed, let's keep kissing a bit longer." Nolan wasn't stopped at all by her complaints.
His right hand slipped beneath her shorts entirely, pulling them down to her snowy thighs. As they slid, the fabric rolled into a soft band that looked like cloth restraining her legs.
"Y–you… ugh…" Seeing Nolan like this, Guizhong already guessed—cultivation interrupted midway, and he still hadn't cooled off.
After watching him stick to girls every day, she understood these situations very well.
Stopping him now was impossible. With no choice, she'd just give this guy what he wanted. Guizhong bit his lip hard enough for him to wince and pull away, then blushing fiercely, she warned:
"Gentle. If you hurt me… I'll bite you back. Hmph!"
"I understand." Nolan smiled, letting her snowy-white back rest against the bookshelf before lifting her legs to wrap around his waist.
[Guizhong Has Developed Good Feelings Towards You, Obtained 460 Affection Points. Current Affection Level: Lv.10 (MAX).]
As time passed, the sun dipped toward evening. By a little past five, Guizhong—who had cultivated with him—was just like the Great Dendro Archon, completely drained of strength and lying weakly against his chest.
At the same time, Nolan saw a new notification pop up on his character panel—Guizhong's affection had finally reached max level.
Speaking of which, among the soul-bodies he rescued, only Havria and Kitsune Saiguu had yet to cultivate closely with him.
Havria had fully recovered these past few days; Kitsune Saiguu arrived later, so her progress was a little behind. Still, with so many buffs stacked on her, her recovery would be much faster.
Just after holding two girls in his arms, Nolan's mind was already wandering with certain unfinished, mischievous thoughts…
Then another notification appeared on the character panel:
[With sincere devotion and persistent effort, you have forged an inseparable connection with a destiny that once had no intersection with your own. Henceforth, the girl's life-star shall shine together with yours. Ability Acquired—Return to Stardust.]
It was the max-affection reward from Guizhong. Nolan tapped it open for more details:
[Return to Stardust: All things eventually return to stardust. The user wields the divine ability Return to Stardust—anything bathed in its light is annihilated entirely and reduced to nothingness.
Against targets within "the combined level of the two of you," the user gains an additional damage bonus equal to "the combined level percentage." Against higher-level targets, excess potency decays proportionally.]
"Huh… an attack-type skill?"
Nolan was a little surprised.
Most affection skills he obtained were supportive or functional. Something this purely destructive—just imagining it from experience told him the power would be terrifying.
Anything hit by Return to Stardust would be erased into nothingness. It felt somewhat similar to the power of the Aeon of Nihility.
The Nihility Aeon was one of the known Aeons of the universe—but was so low-profile that they seemed uninterested in all existence.
Records about the Aeon only existed because some beings had walked the Path of Nihility.
As for the Aeon's true form, there were zero accounts. No one knew where They resided.
Scholars researching the Path of Nihility generally believed this Aeon possessed enough power to reduce the entire universe to "nothing" with ease.
However, due to the very nature of the Path, They felt everything was meaningless—and thus would never do such a thing.
Even if They wanted to, They probably couldn't. After all, the Paths impose overwhelming restrictions on Aeons.
Nolan now wielded a similar ability, but he certainly couldn't reduce the universe to nothing.
Not unless he grew to a level comparable to the Nihility Aeon.
With his character panel, as long as he had enough time, it might be possible… though it would be unimaginably long.
After skimming over the new affection skill, Nolan saw the time and decided to take the two exhausted girls to wash up.
That evening, after dinner, he brought the Great Dendro Archon, Xianyun, and the other scholars—and any of the girls who wanted to come—using the "Void Star-Sea" as a transfer point, teleporting straight to where a "Sword God" instance remained stationed at the Mechanical Empire's logistics base.
He introduced the place to everyone, then let them research the base and brainstorm how to make use of it.
Their research ended up taking several days.
Although it was the Mechanical Empire's logistics base, just a few days wasn't enough to uncover anything major.
Meanwhile, they already neared the Luofu Xianzhou.
When Nolan teleported back, he heard knocking on his door.
He recalled his "Sword God" projection stationed here, then went to open the door—only to see Lady Tingyun, ears tall and foxlike, standing there.
"Benefactor, I hope you rested well. We've arrived at the Luofu Xianzhou. Once we dock, we'll be able to disembark."
Tingyun said with a charming smile.
"Good morning, Miss Tingyun. I've been quite looking forward to seeing the Luofu Xianzhou. Please lead the way—let's go take a look."
Nolan nodded.
"Mm."
Tingyun walked ahead, her silky fox tail swaying gently, her snowy legs occasionally visible behind it.
Before long, the two reached the command chamber, where the operators seemed to be waiting for something.
Suddenly, a synthesized female voice sounded throughout the cabin:
"Identity verified. Welcome back to the Luofu. Please proceed to the Jade Gate as instructed."
Hearing the announcement, the operators began carrying out procedures. Nolan looked at the enormous wooden vessel displayed on the holographic screen, unable to hide his awe.
"This is the only place where you can see the Luofu's full appearance. Once we get closer, you won't be able to anymore—after all, it's planet-sized."
Tingyun said from beside him.
"This is indeed the first time I've seen something so magnificent. Forgive my astonishment."
Nolan smiled, recovering his composure.
It truly was like standing on the moon and seeing Earth with your own eyes—planetary-scale constructs were breathtaking.
"Hehe~ If Benefactor is interested, please stay on the Luofu for a few days. Allow me to personally take you around—consider it my gratitude for escorting us home safely."
Tingyun blinked, her red eyeshadow shimmering, looking at him with undisguised anticipation.
"Mm. I'd like to see the Luofu Xianzhou as well."
There was no reason to refuse a girl's invitation—especially since he genuinely wanted to explore the Xianzhou.
"After returning, I'll have quite a long holiday. It's perfect—I can properly host Benefactor during that time." Tingyun said with delight.
She was truly grateful for Nolan saving her and the rest of the trade caravan, and for escorting them back.
[Tingyun Has Developed Good Feelings Towards You, Obtained 420 Affection. Current Affection Level: Lv.7 (20/700).]
Seeing the notification, Nolan saw that the affection gain was indeed higher than usual.
It must be the titled bonuses—the "Prince of Fontaine" effect and spiritual affix effects—with no nation-restriction reducing the affection rate.
So quickly, Tingyun had already reached affection level seven.
From experience, she must now be quite enamored with him.
Thanks to the affection-level system, he could be certain it wasn't just his imagination.
Even before the affection increased, Tingyun gazed at him without restraint.
Now she did so even more boldly—seemingly the fox-folk weren't shy about showing their emotions.
Unlike Guizhong or the others… clearly godly beings, yet shy like maidens.
Nolan felt that his relationship with Tingyun might progress far faster than expected.
After all—she liked him, and he liked her.
A mutual pursuit—a true "two-way run."
Oblivious to Nolan's wandering thoughts, Tingyun smiled and reminded him:
"Benefactor, look—just ahead is the Jade Gate. All vessels and strange starships entering or leaving the Luofu pass through Jade Gates like this. The Xianzhou has many such gates."
Nolan looked up. The scenery around them shifted from the dark void of space to blue skies and drifting clouds. A massive gateway appeared before them.
Countless star-faring vessels were flying in and out.
(End of Chapter)
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