Chapter 108

“Please! You mustn’t let Ah Yao know I’m here!”

Dantai Yuruo’s voice trembled with urgency as she transmitted her plea directly into his mind. The desperation in her tone was palpable, if she were discovered now, she’d never live it down.

In response, Ning Chen merely gave a faint “Mm,” before pulling the blanket back over her.

Just then, “Duanmu Yao” (Li Yiya) came bouncing into the room.

Honestly, the reckless energy was uncanny—just like the real deal.

Not bad.

Ning Chen shot her an approving glance.

“Duanmu Yao” scanned the room, her eyes first landing on the torn scraps of fabric on the floor before finally settling on the suspicious bulge under the blanket. A mischievous smirk curled at the corners of her lips, though her voice remained sweet and innocent.

“Huh? Why is there a torn piece of cloth here?”

“And why is it all shredded like this?”

Under the covers, Dantai Yuruo’s face burned with embarrassment. She clutched her arms tightly over her chest.

Damn it, how could I have forgotten to pick that up?!

“Just some random rag,” Ning Chen replied dismissively.

“Duanmu Yao” sniffed the air, feigning confusion. “It smells so nice… kinda milky?”

Dantai Yuruo: “!!!”

She exaggeratedly sniffed louder, inching closer to the bed—before suddenly pouncing onto it.

The abrupt movement nearly made Dantai Yuruo yelp in fright. She immediately lowered her center of gravity, suppressing her aura to avoid detection.

But things took an awkward turn.

Ning Chen, ever the free spirit and perpetually busy, had long abandoned the habit of wearing pants, often going commando. And now, his loosely tied robe had come undone after his earlier movements, leaving him exposed beneath the blanket.

Which meant Dantai Yuruo’s delicate face was now pressed directly against “Second Brother.”

Her eyes widened in shock.

Her gaze instinctively traveled upward—only to find no end in sight.

…Big.

Then, realization hit.

!!!

Horrified, she wanted to flee, but the risk of exposure kept her frozen in place. She had no choice but to stay pressed against him.

Yet the sheer masculine energy radiating from him overwhelmed her senses, sending strange, unfamiliar sensations through her body.

Dantai Yuruo, who had never experienced anything like this before, was utterly flustered, her face burning crimson.

All she could do was pray for this ordeal to end soon.

“Duanmu Yao” continued sniffing until she reached Ning Chen’s hand.

She grabbed it, blinking in exaggerated surprise.

“Huh? Daddy, why is your hand all sticky?”

Ning Chen: “...”

Technically true, but why did it sound so wrong?

Like he’d done something indecent.

Daddy?

Under the blanket, Dantai Yuruo stiffened.

Ah Yao is calling this man… Dad?

In her earlier panic, she hadn’t paid attention, but now she recalled—Ah Yao had even called him Father when she entered!

Dantai Yuruo’s eyes widened in outrage.

How could this be?!

This is blasphemy! An affront to decency!

But no matter how furious she was, she could only remain still, her face still glued to him.

Because explaining this situation would be far worse than calling out her daughter’s impropriety.

“Duanmu Yao” held Ning Chen’s hand, suddenly bringing it to her lips.

Slurp!

Her eyes sparkled.

“Mmm! So sweet!”

Li Yiya wasn’t lying.

As a Blood Demon, she consumed nothing but blood (and now, her master’s essence). But the residual energy on his fingers carried a faint, delicious potency, not as strong as her master’s, but comparable to high-grade spirit beast blood.

Naturally, it was delicious.

Ning Chen, unfazed, pointed first at the blanket’s suspicious bulge, then at “Duanmu Yao’s” flat chest.

Li Yiya instantly understood.

“Duanmu Yao” tilted her head, her voice dripping with childish innocence.

“Daddy, what did you get on your hand earlier? It’s so yummy!”

“Mmm, it’s kinda milky.”

“I feel like I’ve tasted it before…” She deliberately trailed off.

Mainly because Li Yiya was genuinely curious.

She knew human women lactated, but given Duanmu Yao’s age, her mother’s… supply should’ve dried up long ago, right?

Hearing this, Dantai Yuruo’s body locked up, her face paling.

She prayed fervently that her daughter wouldn’t connect the dots.

If she figures it out… how will I ever face her again?!

Thankfully, Ning Chen’s next words eased her panic.

“Why do you keep running to me? Shouldn’t you be spending time with your mother? Didn’t you just reunite after over a decade?”

“Ugh, don’t even mention it.”

“Duanmu Yao” pouted. “Mom’s disappeared somewhere.”

“I got bored, so I came to find you, Daddy!”

“Still calling me that? You’re bold. What if you’re caught? Your mother doesn’t seem like the forgiving type. I’d rather not deal with her barging in and disturbing my peace.”

As he spoke, Ning Chen let “Big Brother” lightly tap against Dantai Yuruo’s face—once, twice.

You hearing this?

Yeah, I’m talking about you.

...Bastard.

He’s definitely doing this on purpose!

Dantai Yuruo seethed silently, but she could only endure the humiliation, her face still pressed firmly where it was.

At the same time, she listened intently for her daughter’s response.

Ah Yao has always been closest to me. She’ll definitely defend her mother!

She was sure of it.

But the next words shattered her confidence.

“So what?”

“Duanmu Yao” replied without hesitation. “Aren’t you my second father?”

“If not for you, Daddy, if not for the Yang energy you gave me—my talent would’ve been permanently stunted. I might not have even reached the Golden Core stage, let alone my current strength!”

“More importantly, you freed me from the royal family’s curse, awakened a physique far beyond the Golden Dragon Body, and broke the chains of my bloodline.”

“Now, I have a real shot at immortality, all thanks to you, Daddy!”

Li Yiya delivered the lines with heartfelt emotion.

After all, her own circumstances weren’t too different—her master had also opened a path to the heavens for her.

But to Dantai Yuruo, these words struck like a hammer of finality.

Her eyes widened in shock.

So… Ah Yao’s power really did come from this?

The senior wasn’t lying?

Remembering the brutal process of awakening the Golden Dragon Body, she instantly understood why her daughter had made this choice.

Of course. Given Ah Yao’s obsession with cultivation, she’d never sit back and watch her potential be sealed away.

And faced with such a choice, anyone would pick the same.

Which means… Ah Yao was the one who initiated this.

Guilt flooded Dantai Yuruo’s heart.

This is my fault. I judged too quickly, too harshly.

I nearly ruined everything.

I stormed in here, blinded by my own assumptions, ready to accuse without proof.

The last remnants of resentment in her heart vanished entirely.

Only one concern remained.

Her gaze refocused on the Monolithic Pillar before her.

She swallowed hard.

With Ah Yao’s petite frame… could she really handle this?

“Enough sweet talk,” Ning Chen cut in. “Why are you really here?”

“Hehe.”

“Duanmu Yao” grinned, her eyes locked onto the blanket’s bulge.

“I wanted Daddy to help me cultivate, of course! Mom’s so strong—I want to surpass her.”

“But you’ve come how many times this week already?”

“I—I just really want to improve!”

She pouted, climbing onto Ning Chen’s chest and whining.

“Daddy, Daddy!”

“Let me have a taste?”

“Just one sip!”

Dantai Yuruo was speechless.

This… is Ah Yao now?

Even with the circumstances, where’s her dignity?!

All the ladylike manners I taught her—gone!

But more than shock, she felt panic.

Her fingers clenched.

This is bad.

Dual cultivation revolved around the very thing currently pressed against her face.

If the blanket came off, it’d all be over.

Did I just dig my own grave?

I should’ve jumped out the window instead!

Regret gnawed at her.

Now, everything depended on the man before her.

Surely he wouldn’t expose me, right?

She tried to reassure herself.

But then—

“Fine. The seat’s free right now. You know what to do—no need for me to teach you again.”

“!!!”

Dantai Yuruo’s face drained of color.

I’m still in here!

How could he—?!

Her mind raced.

Then, in a flash of inspiration—

Genius!!!

She stared at the Soul-Devouring Spear before her, then made up her mind.

She grabbed it.

Chomp!

If an empty seat was the problem…

Then she just had to keep it from being empty.

GENIUS!!!