"Miss… Miss Kiyara!" he exclaimed in a hushed voice.
What is she doing in my bed… and only in her undergarments? He felt a small wave of panic.
He did not move his body or push her away, afraid of waking her.
Oh, my formation god, she smells so nice… Bellion could not help but take a slow, deep breath.
Wait, this is not the time. I need to identify whose spiritual sense triggered my formation alert. Did Mental Lord Vincent somehow sneak into the city?
Bellion carefully retrieved a spherical metal ball from his storage pouch. It was a remote control for the grand formation.
On the outside, it looked like an ordinary metal sphere, but inside it was packed with hundreds of delicate array films and miniature components arranged in intricate layers.
He sent a thread of spiritual sense and a trickle of Qi into the metal. The device connected him directly to the grand formation, granting him full control over its functions.
With this link, he could access the formation's surveillance eyes, allowing him to observe everything happening within the city and in its immediate vicinity.
Weird. There is no one suspicious inside. Then where did that spiritual sense come from? It couldn't be from outside, could it? How far can that person's spiritual sense reach?
To be sure, Bellion switched the view to survey the area outside the formation's perimeter.
Hmm… there are more and more of them camping outside to spy on us now. Prince Charles's men, Prince Ozan's men, Supreme Alchemist Mujin's men… they are all here. I wonder if the other factions from the opposite side of the tree will come soon.
Eh? Are people camping on this side too?
Bellion was suddenly surprised to see a few familiar faces.
It's him. He's still wearing that same red jacket. That day, right after meeting him, I acquired the Myriad Formation Manual. I didn't know they had come to the Mystic Realm too.
Bellion remembered that the man he met back then had only been at the early-stage Foundation Building Realm, the same as him. Nothing remarkable at the time.
That meant he had also reached the Core Formation Realm in just ten years, exactly like himself.
He also recalled the woman with the birthmark around her left eye and the woman in the gardening outfit. They had been with him that day.
Back then, he had not asked for their names, so he never learned who they were.
To have made it all the way here, they must have achieved something extraordinary, especially since they were originally from the modest Mountain Dew Sect. It seemed they had experienced a meteoric rise just like he had. Could it be they had also received supreme treasures, just as he did? Perhaps his old sect had given out other treasures as well? Bellion wondered.
He had always believed his own supreme treasure had been bestowed upon him by some mystical means left behind by the Mystical Array Sect. Now he began to assume that this man must have also received something from the sect when he passed through that day.
If that was the case, then they were both fellow supreme treasure inheritors, chosen by the same sect. I will go and meet him!
Bellion stowed the formation controller and prepared to rise, but then he remembered that Kiyara was still clinging to him. Her head rested on his chest, her leg and arm draped possessively over his body.
Uhh… what should I do now? She is sleeping so defenselessly in my bed… did she drink too much or something?
If she woke up like this, she might think he had done something to her.
Thankfully, both his hands were free. Bellion carefully grasped her shoulders and slowly lifted her upper body, intending to slide out from underneath her. But something unexpected happened.
By lifting her like this, her ample breasts shifted, and her cleavage suddenly became fully exposed to his view.
The beautiful sight stimulated a part of his brain that had never been active before.
Instantly, a certain part of his body awoke from slumber, eagerly volunteering to raise a tent.
However, it was promptly blocked by Kiyara's leg, which was still draped over his lower half.
Startled and panicked by the sudden rush of sensation, Bellion pushed her away harder than he intended.
Plop.
Kiyara was thrown from the bed and landed unceremoniously on the floor.
"Ouch… my head… why am I on the floor?" She woke up from the fall.
Bellion panicked all over again.
"Miss Kiyara, are you alright? I didn't mean to hurt you." Bellion hurried to her side to help her up.
"Eh? Mister Bellion, why are you here?" she asked, looking up at him blearily.
Then her gaze drifted downward, and she noticed a distinct bulge.
Her eyes lowered a little further, and she saw herself dressed only in her undergarments.
The memory returned instantly, how she had taken advantage of his unconscious state to sleep beside him. She could easily guess what must have happened.
It is over. I am exposed. Mister Bellion must think I am a weird, horny girl now. I did act like one, but still… no… no…
"Nooooo!" She rolled away and scrambled to hide under the bed in total embarrassment.
Bellion was left completely dumbfounded. What just happened? What is this 'nooo' supposed to mean? Does she hate me now?
He could not figure it out. Clueless about how to handle the situation, he decided the best course of action was to run away.
"Miss Kiyara. I have something urgent to do right now. You can stay down there until you calm down." Bellion spoke quickly, then hurried out of the room.
Kiyara blinked from beneath the bed.
Right. Why am I down here under the bed? Oh, Lord, I'm so embarrassed. How do I face Mister Bellion after this? Kiyara, this isn't how you attract a man! What are you doing!
She scolded herself inwardly while crawling out from under the bed.
Suddenly, an image flashed through her mind.
Wait. That… tent. Did that happen because of me? Her eyes brightened.
That only happened when a man was stimulated, right? Could it be Mister Bellion was stimulated… by me? By this Kiyara? Did that mean she actually had a chance?
Right. I might be out of his league in the long run. Someone as incredible as Mister Bellion is bound to become a figure I can only admire from afar someday.
But that someday isn't now!
If I don't seize my opportunity right now, I will regret it forever!
Kiyara, you must use whatever little charm and appeal you have, whatever it takes!
She stood before a large mirror and began trying out poses she thought Bellion might find alluring. She arched her back slightly, letting her thick braid fall over one shoulder while glancing coyly over the same shoulder. She tried leaning forward just enough to hint at her cleavage, one hand resting lightly on her hip.
"Oh right, Miss Kiyara, if you need to…" Bellion suddenly opened the door and froze, utterly stunned by the unexpectedly suggestive pose Kiyara was holding.
"…"
"…"
Bellion closed the door quietly and walked away, his movements stiff and awkward.
Say something! Kiyara screamed inwardly.
She slumped to the floor, her long braid coiling beside her like a defeated snake.
It's over. I'm such an idiot. I should have done this in my own house. Kiyara, you foolish girl. What man would ever be attracted to a weird girl acting like this?
---
"Mister Bellion, long time no see!" Leyvi called out as Bellion approached them.
"You still remember my name, but I am ashamed to admit I still don't know yours," Bellion replied, rubbing the back of his head sheepishly.
Leyvi chuckled inwardly. I see your name every time I summon the talent bead menu. How could I forget?
"Mister Bellion, no need to feel bad about it. You introduced yourself back then, but I didn't. It wasn't your fault. My name is Leyvi Leyan. Nice to meet you again," he introduced himself warmly.
Dastan raised an eyebrow. So this country bumpkin knows how to be polite. But he is rude to me all the time. Hmph.
"Leyvi Leyan? Are you Leyvi Leyan from Bara City?" Bellion asked, his voice tinged with surprise.
"Oh? You have heard of me before, Mister Bellion?" Leyvi asked, curious how his name had reached Bellion's ears.
"How could I not know your name? You are the latest recipient of the Deed of Sovereignty, the ruler of a region. And your wife, Anda Leyan, is the renowned Princess of Alchemy Formulas," Bellion explained.
You are also the potential candidate to be the future Protector, he added inwardly. Your meteoric rise is even greater than mine. My guess must be correct. They probably received supreme treasures at my former sect location too. I am sure of it now. That means they are my comrades!
"Hahaha! I'm not that great. My wife is the one taking care of everything. I only play around," Leyvi said with a modest wave.
"It's still the truth. Mister Leyvi, why don't we talk inside? It's not safe out here," Bellion invited, his tone sincere.
Eh? Just like that? I haven't even asked yet. So we don't need to threaten him? Leyvi and Anda exchanged a glance, both equally dumbfounded by the unexpectedly smooth invitation.