The room was quiet.
Not empty.
Just… still.
Soft light filtered through the curtains, resting across the sheets in uneven lines. The air carried a faint warmth—not from temperature, but from something that had not fully settled yet.
Lin Huang lay back slightly, one arm resting behind his head, completely relaxed.
Beside him—
Gu Yuena didn't move.
Not because she was tired.
Because she didn't want to.
Her hand rested lightly against his chest, fingers tracing faint marks that had not fully faded yet.
Silence lingered between them—
Comfortable.
Then—
Lin Huang glanced slightly to the side.
A faint smile appeared.
Lin Huang: "You're still as possessive as ten days ago… my Dragon Queen."
Gu Yuena's eyes shifted toward him.
Not surprised.
Not denying it.
Gu Yuena: "And you're still not doing anything to stop me."
A small pause.
Lin Huang let out a quiet breath, amused.
Then—
He moved slightly.
Just enough for the light to catch across his shoulder—
And the marks became visible.
Faint scratches.
Clear.
Deliberate.
Along with a few darker traces—
Unmistakable.
He glanced down at them briefly.
Then back at her.
Lin Huang: "I only let you dominate me in this kind of situation as a privilege."
A pause.
His tone didn't change.
But the corner of his lips lifted slightly.
Lin Huang: "Only because I can relax more with you."
Another pause.
Then—
Lin Huang: "After all… not even a Goddess can actually dominate me in that sense."
A beat.
He tilted his head slightly.
Lin Huang: "At most, you can show a bit of possessiveness."
His gaze lowered again—
Briefly—
Toward the marks.
Lin Huang: "…Like this."
Silence.
Absolute silence.
Gu Yuena didn't move.
Didn't blink.
For a moment—
Nothing changed.
Then—
Her eyes narrowed slightly.
Not anger.
Something sharper.
Gu Yuena: "…You're very confident."
Her voice was calm.
Too calm.
Lin Huang didn't react.
Which made it worse.
She shifted slightly—
closer—
Her gaze locking onto his.
Gu Yuena: "I'll dominate you."
A pause.
Her tone dropped—
just slightly.
Gu Yuena: "Even if I have to use the power of a Dragon King… I will."
That—
Was not a joke.
Not entirely.
Lin Huang nodded.
Immediately.
Calm.
Simple.
Lin Huang: "Of course."
A pause.
Then again—
Lin Huang: "I believe you."
Too smooth.
Too fast.
Gu Yuena's eyes narrowed further.
Something felt…
off.
She stared at him.
Carefully.
Searching.
Reading.
Trying to catch even the slightest inconsistency.
A hint of mockery.
A trace of disbelief.
Anything.
But—
There was nothing.
His expression remained calm.
Natural.
Unshaken.
Her eyes slowly closed.
A small frown forming.
Gu Yuena: "…You're mocking me."
Lin Huang didn't hesitate.
Lin Huang: "I'm not."
A pause.
Then, inside his mind—
*As if you haven't already tried that before…*
His expression didn't change.
Not even slightly.
Gu Yuena opened her eyes again.
Still staring at him.
Still unconvinced.
But unable to find proof.
A faint huff escaped her.
She turned her head slightly—
Resting it against his shoulder again.
Gu Yuena: "…I'll prove it."
Lin Huang glanced at her.
A small smile returning.
Lin Huang: "I'm looking forward to it."
Another pause.
This time—
She didn't respond.
But her grip tightened just slightly.
Outside—
The world continued to change.
Unaware.
Unprepared.
But inside that room—
For just a moment—
Nothing else mattered.
The quiet didn't last.
It never did.
By the time Lin Huang stepped out of the inner residence, the world had already caught up to him.
Not through chaos.
Through movement.
The air itself felt… more responsive.
As if everything had started reacting faster.
Inside the main hall—
It was already full.
Not crowded.
But occupied.
Every seat taken.
Every presence grounded.
This wasn't a meeting that had been called.
It was one that had formed naturally.
At the front—
Gu Yuena stood quietly.
Calm.
Unquestioned.
Around the hall—
Wu Feng.
Ning Tian.
Ma Xiaotao.
Zhang Lexuan.
Su Mei.
Ju Zi.
Wei Na.
Bi Ji.
Zi Ji.
Ling Luochen.
Han Ruoruo.
Wu Ming.
Ye Guyi.
Bingdi.
Xuedi.
Tang Ya.
Jiang Nannan.
Long Xiaoyi.
All present.
All watching.
Lin Huang stepped in.
And immediately—
The atmosphere shifted.
Subtly.
But undeniably.
They've all changed.
Not just in strength…
In awareness.
A brief silence settled—
Then broke.
Xiao Hongchen: "Ten days."
A pause.
Xiao Hongchen: "And everything already feels different."
Huo Yuhao: "We confirmed it."
His tone was steady.
Huo Yuhao: "No soul rings appeared."
A faint shift passed through the room.
Ji Juechen: "Anywhere."
KeKe: "Not even once?"
Huo Yuhao: "Not once."
Silence.
Not confusion.
Recognition.
Ning Tian: "Then it's not isolated."
Wu Feng: "It's happening everywhere."
Ma Xiaotao: "So the old system finally broke."
Lin Huang stepped forward slightly.
Lin Huang: "No."
A pause.
Lin Huang: "It just stopped being necessary."
Let them think through it.
They'll reach the conclusion themselves.
Zhang Lexuan: "Then the Pagoda becomes the only option."
Lin Huang: "Yes."
No hesitation.
No resistance.
Ju Zi: "That fast…"
Lin Huang: "It was already replacing it."
A small pause.
Lin Huang: "Now there's nothing left to replace."
The transition is complete.
They just realized it.
Across the room—
Wei Na watched him closely.
Her gaze wasn't emotional.
It was analytical.
He's not reacting.
He expected this.
Her fingers tightened slightly.
No…
He planned it.
She didn't speak.
But she understood.
Ji Juechen: "Then what about the beasts?"
This time—
Gu Yuena answered.
Gu Yuena: "They will awaken faster."
Her voice remained calm.
Absolute.
Gu Yuena: "The stronger the bloodline—"
A pause.
Gu Yuena: "The earlier the intelligence."
That shifted the room.
Tang Ya: "…That's dangerous."
Jiang Nannan: "Or inevitable."
Wu Ming: "Both."
Lin Huang stepped slightly forward.
Lin Huang: "At first, it creates instability."
A pause.
Lin Huang: "Then it stabilizes."
Ling Luochen: "Why?"
Lin Huang glanced at her.
Lin Huang: "Because there's another option."
Silence.
No one said it.
But everyone understood.
Contracts.
Good.
They're already thinking ahead.
A small shift broke the tension.
Soft.
Light.
Lin Yuxin walked into the hall.
She didn't care about the discussion.
Didn't understand it.
But she understood something else.
She walked straight to Lin Huang.
Stopped.
Looked up.
Then—
She leaned in slightly.
Sniffed.
Silence.
Several people froze.
Yuxin frowned.
Lin Yuxin: "…You smell different."
A pause.
Her small hands grabbed his sleeve.
Lin Yuxin: "…I don't like it."
Silence.
Then—
reactions.
Wu Feng: "…That's direct."
Ma Xiaotao: "Very."
Bingdi: "…She's not wrong."
Xuedi: "She rarely is."
Gu Yuena didn't react.
Not outwardly.
Lin Huang sighed softly.
Lin Huang: "That's unfair."
There's no winning this one.
Yuxin hugged him tighter.
Not letting go.
As if claiming him back.
Zi Ji glanced at the scene—
Then looked away.
A faint smirk appearing.
Zi Ji: "…You really don't get a break."
Lin Huang didn't respond.
Because this—
Wasn't a problem.
It was just…
Life.
The room settled again.
But this time—
There was no distance between them.
No uncertainty.
Only awareness.
The world had changed.
And they—
Were already adapting.
The discussion didn't end.
It shifted.
From the world—
To them.
Silence lingered after the reports.
Not heavy.
But expectant.
They all understood the situation now.
The system had changed.
The path forward was different.
But that wasn't what held the room.
It was something else.
Their eyes—
Returned to him.
Lin Huang stood at the center, calm as always.
And beside him—
Gu Yuena.
That alone—
Was enough.
Bingdi: "You've been busy."
No accusation.
No denial.
Just a statement.
Wu Feng: "Very busy."
A faint pause.
Ma Xiaotao: "Extremely, if we're being honest."
A few smiles appeared.
Subtle.
But real.
Lin Huang didn't respond immediately.
Here it comes.
Across the room—
Several gazes aligned.
Not aggressive.
Not confrontational.
But clear.
They all knew.
Gu Yuena didn't move.
Didn't defend.
Didn't explain.
She simply stood there.
Unshaken.
Gu Yuena: "And?"
Silence.
Then—
Ma Xiaotao: "She's asking if anyone has a problem with it."
A pause.
Then—
Ning Tian: "No."
No hesitation.
Wu Feng: "Not a problem."
Ling Luochen: "As long as it remains balanced."
Han Ruoruo: "That's the important part."
Tang Ya: "We're not unreasonable."
Jiang Nannan: "Just… aware."
Wu Ming: "Very aware."
A faint ripple of amusement passed through the room.
Lin Huang exhaled softly.
Good.
They're handling it better than expected.
He stepped forward slightly.
Lin Huang: "I'll make time."
That changed everything.
Immediately—
Bingdi: "Define 'time.'"
Ma Xiaotao: "Be specific."
Wu Feng: "Very specific."
Lin Huang didn't hesitate.
Lin Huang: "One by one."
A pause.
Lin Huang: "No interruptions."
Silence.
Then—
reactions.
Ning Tian: "…Good."
Wu Feng: "We'll remember that."
Tang Ya: "You don't get to forget."
Jiang Nannan: "We'll make sure of it."
Bingdi: "…You better."
Xuedi didn't speak.
But she didn't look away either.
That alone—
Was agreement.
Gu Yuena watched all of it.
Quietly.
And for the first time—
She didn't assert dominance.
She allowed it.
…He's balancing it.
Her gaze shifted slightly toward Lin Huang.
Good.
At the edge of the room—
Wei Na observed everything.
Carefully.
Her expression didn't change.
But her thoughts did.
They accepted it quickly.
Not because they're weak…
Because they trust him.
Her eyes moved slightly—
toward Lin Huang.
And because he delivers.
She exhaled softly.
Then—
spoke.
Wei Na: "The method works."
The room quieted slightly.
Wei Na: "Better than expected."
Lin Huang looked at her.
No surprise.
Lin Huang: "You adapted quickly."
Wei Na: "I had the right structure."
A pause.
Then—
she added:
Wei Na: "And the right partner."
Silence.
Immediate.
Several gazes shifted.
Bingdi blinked.
Wu Feng raised an eyebrow.
Ma Xiaotao smirked.
Ma Xiaotao: "That was direct."
Wu Feng: "Very direct."
Wei Na didn't react.
Didn't deny it.
Didn't soften it.
No need.
Lin Huang didn't respond immediately.
She's not emotional about it.
Just honest.
He nodded slightly.
Lin Huang: "It suits you."
That—
Was enough.
Across the room—
Bingdi crossed her arms again.
Bingdi: "…So that's how it is."
Her tone wasn't sharp.
Just… acknowledging.
Xuedi glanced at her briefly.
Xuedi: "You're not surprised."
Bingdi: "…No."
A small pause.
Bingdi: "…Just confirming."
Lin Huang looked at her.
A faint smile appeared.
Lin Huang: "You'll catch up."
A beat.
Bingdi: "…Don't rush me."
Lin Huang: "I won't."
Another pause.
Then—
softly—
Lin Huang: "…Unless you ask."
Silence.
Then—
Bingdi: "…I didn't."
But she didn't look away.
That—
Was enough.
The room settled again.
Not tense.
Aligned.
They understood the world.
They understood the path.
And now—
They understood each other a little more.
The change wasn't just outside.
It was here.
Between them.
And it was only just beginning.
The room didn't disperse.
It settled.
The earlier tension—about the world, the system, the future—had already passed.
Now—
The focus shifted inward.
Toward them.
Lin Huang stood at the center, his gaze moving across the room slowly.
Not assessing strength.
Not measuring power.
Understanding progress.
Ten days.
That's enough to see real change.
His gaze stopped.
Xuedi.
She hadn't moved.
She rarely did.
But the difference—
Was undeniable.
Her aura wasn't stronger.
It was deeper.
More complete.
Not expanding outward—
But compressing inward.
Perfectly stable.
Lin Huang stepped slightly closer.
Lin Huang: "You're close."
Xuedi opened her eyes.
Calm.
Clear.
Xuedi: "Nine hundred thousand."
Silence.
That number—
Was not small.
It meant she had crossed a threshold most would never reach.
And she did it—
In ten days.
No one reacted loudly.
But the weight of it settled in the room.
Wu Ming: "…That fast."
Han Ruoruo: "That's not normal."
Xuedi: "It is now."
Her tone didn't change.
Because for her—
This was simply the correct result.
She accepted the system immediately.
That's why her growth is clean.
Lin Huang nodded slightly.
Lin Huang: "Your foundation held."
Xuedi: "Of course."
No hesitation.
No doubt.
That was why she succeeded.
A shift came from the side.
Bingdi stepped forward slightly.
Her aura flared—
Not wildly.
But sharply.
Colder.
More aggressive.
Not as stable as Xuedi.
But—
Explosive.
Bingdi: "I'm not behind."
Lin Huang glanced at her.
You never were.
Lin Huang: "You're faster."
A pause.
Lin Huang: "Just less stable."
Silence.
Bingdi froze for half a second.
Bingdi: "…That's intentional."
Xuedi: "It isn't."
Bingdi: "…Don't start."
A faint ripple of amusement passed through the room.
Ma Xiaotao leaned slightly forward.
Ma Xiaotao: "So one is stable and the other is explosive."
Wu Feng: "Sounds about right."
Ning Tian: "As long as both work."
Lin Huang shifted his attention back to Bingdi.
Lin Huang: "Your limit?"
Bingdi exhaled softly.
Bingdi: "…Not fixed yet."
A pause.
Bingdi: "But I'll break it."
Her gaze didn't waver.
Not from him.
Not from anyone.
She already chose the path.
She just won't say it directly.
Lin Huang gave a small nod.
Lin Huang: "Good."
That was enough.
Across the room—
Another presence drew attention.
Bi Ji.
She hadn't spoken yet.
But her presence—
Was different.
Not like Xuedi.
Not like Bingdi.
Something… restrained.
Lin Huang's gaze settled on her.
Lin Huang: "You're at the edge."
Bi Ji nodded slowly.
Bi Ji: "Nine hundred ninety-nine thousand…"
A pause.
Bi Ji: "…Nine hundred ninety-nine."
Silence.
That number—
Was heavier than Xuedi's.
Because it meant—
She was stuck.
Right before the limit.
Tang Ya: "…That's one step away."
Jiang Nannan: "Then why not break through?"
Bi Ji didn't answer immediately.
Her gaze shifted—
To Lin Huang.
Then—
To Gu Yuena.
Bi Ji: "Because I don't want to do it imperfectly."
That—
Changed the tone.
No impatience.
No rush.
Precision.
Bi Ji: "If I cross…"
A pause.
Bi Ji: "…I want it to be complete."
Lin Huang nodded slightly.
Good.
She understands the difference.
Lin Huang: "You'll need alignment."
Bi Ji: "I know."
Bi Ji: "Divine energy."
Bi Ji: "Transformation of source."
Bi Ji: "Stability beyond what Zi Ji used."
A faint pause.
Bi Ji: "…And both of you."
Her gaze didn't waver.
Between—
Lin Huang.
And—
Gu Yuena.
Silence followed.
Not uncomfortable.
Expected.
Gu Yuena didn't hesitate.
Gu Yuena: "You'll have it."
Lin Huang followed.
Lin Huang: "When you're ready."
Bi Ji exhaled softly.
That was all she needed.
Across the room—
Wei Na watched everything.
Carefully.
So this is the next stage.
Not just growth…
Transformation.
Her fingers tightened slightly.
Then I can't fall behind.
Lin Huang glanced at her briefly.
She already adapted.
Now she's aiming higher.
Good.
The room settled again.
Not quiet.
Focused.
Three paths stood clearly now.
Xuedi — stability.
Bingdi — acceleration.
Bi Ji — perfection.
And beyond them—
The next step.
Divinity.
And every single one of them—
Was already moving toward it.
The room didn't lose its focus.
It deepened.
What had been discussion—
Was now direction.
No one questioned the path anymore.
They were already on it.
Lin Huang didn't speak immediately.
He observed.
Not power—
But alignment.
They're no longer reacting to change.
They're adapting to it.
His gaze shifted.
Wei Na.
She stood still.
Not tense.
Not hesitant.
Thinking.
Her aura was different.
Subtle—
But unmistakable.
It didn't behave like normal spiritual power.
It flowed.
More efficiently.
More precisely.
Closer to—
Structure.
Lin Huang stepped toward her.
Lin Huang: "Show me."
Wei Na didn't ask what he meant.
She raised her hand.
A faint fluctuation appeared—
Not strong—
But controlled.
It didn't expand.
It circulated.
Through her meridians.
Through her mind.
Perfectly guided.
A few people leaned forward slightly.
Ning Tian: "…That's different."
Ling Luochen: "It's not leaking."
Han Ruoruo: "It's… contained."
Lin Huang nodded slightly.
Lin Huang: "Because it's structured."
Wei Na lowered her hand.
Wei Na: "It responds faster."
A pause.
Wei Na: "And consumes less."
That—
Was the key.
She understood the system faster than expected.
Lin Huang: "Your second martial spirit."
Wei Na nodded.
Wei Na: "It connects everything."
A brief silence.
Then—
Wei Na: "It's not similar to yours."
Lin Huang tilted his head slightly.
Lin Huang: "No."
A pause.
Lin Huang: "It's compatible."
That word—
Changed everything.
Several gazes shifted.
Bingdi narrowed her eyes slightly.
Bingdi: "…So that's why."
Ma Xiaotao: "That explains the speed."
Wu Feng: "And the control."
Wei Na didn't react.
But inside—
Compatible…
So that's what this is.
Her fingers tightened slightly.
Not discomfort.
Understanding.
Lin Huang stepped back.
Lin Huang: "You already used it."
A pause.
Wei Na met his gaze.
She didn't deny it.
Wei Na: "Yes."
Silence.
Immediate.
Several reactions.
Ma Xiaotao: "That was fast."
Wu Feng: "Very fast."
Ning Tian: "…Expected."
Wei Na remained calm.
Wei Na: "It was efficient."
That was her answer.
Not emotional.
Accurate.
She's not embarrassed.
She doesn't need to be.
Lin Huang nodded once.
Lin Huang: "Good."
That was enough.
Across the room—
A shift.
Zi Ji leaned slightly against the wall.
Watching.
Her aura remained—
Unchanged.
Not growing.
Because it didn't need to.
Zi Ji: "…So they're catching up."
Her tone carried faint amusement.
Bingdi: "Not yet."
Zi Ji: "Not yet."
A pause.
Then—
she smirked slightly.
Zi Ji: "But they will."
No denial.
Because she knew.
She had already crossed.
Now—
They were following.
Lin Huang glanced at her briefly.
She's already stabilized completely.
Now the difference will be in how they reach her level.
Across the room—
Xuedi remained still.
But her presence—
Deepened.
Not visibly.
But undeniably.
She's the closest.
Bingdi crossed her arms again.
Bingdi: "…Don't get ahead of yourself."
Zi Ji: "I'm not."
A small pause.
Zi Ji: "…You are."
Silence.
Then—
a faint reaction.
Bingdi didn't respond.
Because this time—
She couldn't.
The room settled again.
Not in silence.
In understanding.
They were no longer preparing.
They were already changing.
And each of them—
Was walking a different path.
But all of those paths—
Led to the same place.
Divinity.
The room didn't return to noise.
It didn't need to.
Everything that mattered had already been said.
The world had changed.
The path had been confirmed.
Now—
Only one question remained.
What came next?
Lin Huang stepped slightly forward.
Not to lead.
But to anchor.
They're ready.
Now they just need direction.
His gaze moved across the room—
Slowly.
Deliberately.
Every single one of them—
Had changed.
Not equally.
But undeniably.
Lin Huang: "From this point on…"
A pause.
Lin Huang: "You stop thinking in terms of soul power."
Silence.
That alone—
Was enough to shift perspective.
Wu Feng: "…Then what do we use instead?"
Lin Huang didn't hesitate.
Lin Huang: "Structure."
A few frowned slightly.
Ling Luochen: "That's not a type of energy."
Lin Huang: "It is now."
A pause.
They're still translating it the old way.
That'll change.
Lin Huang: "Energy isn't the problem."
He raised his hand slightly—
A faint fluctuation appeared.
Not large.
Not overwhelming.
Perfectly controlled.
Lin Huang: "How you use it is."
He lowered his hand.
Lin Huang: "Refine it."
Lin Huang: "Circulate it."
Lin Huang: "Stabilize it."
A small pause.
Lin Huang: "Then evolve it."
That—
Was the difference.
Across the room—
Wei Na nodded slightly.
She understood immediately.
Wei Na: "Source first."
Lin Huang glanced at her.
Lin Huang: "Yes."
Wei Na: "Then structure."
Lin Huang: "Then output."
A brief silence.
Then—
others began connecting it.
Ning Tian: "…That's why the consumption dropped."
Han Ruoruo: "And why control improved."
Wu Ming: "And why the growth accelerated."
Lin Huang nodded.
Lin Huang: "Exactly."
They're catching on fast.
At the side—
Bi Ji spoke.
Bi Ji: "Then my step…"
A pause.
Bi Ji: "…requires full transformation."
Lin Huang didn't deny it.
Lin Huang: "Yes."
Her gaze didn't waver.
Bi Ji: "Then I'll prepare."
No hesitation.
No doubt.
Across the room—
Zi Ji smirked slightly.
Zi Ji: "Try not to take too long."
Bi Ji: "I won't rush it."
Zi Ji: "Good."
A small pause.
Zi Ji: "…You'd fail if you did."
Silence.
Then—
Bi Ji smiled slightly.
Bi Ji: "I know."
That—
Was trust.
At the side—
Bingdi exhaled softly.
Bingdi: "…So we all just follow this path now?"
Lin Huang looked at her.
Lin Huang: "No."
A pause.
Lin Huang: "You walk your own."
That—
Changed the meaning completely.
Bingdi: "…And yours?"
A faint smile appeared.
Lin Huang: "I already am."
And I'm ahead of all of you.
But not for long.
Xuedi spoke quietly.
Xuedi: "Then we close the gap."
Lin Huang nodded once.
Lin Huang: "Exactly."
Across the room—
Wang Dong'er watched him again.
Silent.
Focused.
He's not leading them.
He's… setting direction.
Her fingers tightened slightly.
And they're following willingly.
She looked away—
But only slightly.
At the center—
Lin Huang took a slow breath.
Everything had aligned.
The system—
The people—
The direction—
Now—
It would move forward.
Not as a reaction.
As intention.
And none of them—
Would fall behind.
The room didn't fall into silence.
It shifted into something else.
Not tension.
Expectation.
Lin Huang stood at the center, his gaze moving slowly across everyone present.
Not measuring strength.
Not comparing growth.
Understanding position.
Different stages.
Different speeds.
Same direction.
His gaze stopped—
Xuedi.
She didn't move.
She didn't need to.
Her presence—
Was already enough.
Deep.
Stable.
Refined.
Not expanding outward—
But compressing inward.
Lin Huang: "You crossed nine hundred."
Xuedi opened her eyes.
Calm.
Xuedi: "Nine hundred and seven."
A quiet ripple moved through the room.
Wu Feng: "…That fast."
Ning Tian: "And still stable…"
Ling Luochen: "No fluctuation at all."
Lin Huang nodded slightly.
Lin Huang: "Because she didn't rush the foundation."
Xuedi didn't deny it.
Xuedi: "There was no reason to."
That—
Was the difference.
His gaze shifted.
Bingdi.
Her aura responded immediately.
Sharper.
Colder.
But not as stable.
Lin Huang: "Six hundred fifty."
Bingdi clicked her tongue.
Bingdi: "…Close enough."
A pause.
Bingdi: "…I could push further."
Lin Huang: "You could."
Silence.
Then—
Lin Huang: "And destabilize everything."
That landed.
Bingdi narrowed her eyes.
But didn't argue.
…Annoying.
He's right again.
She looked away slightly.
Bingdi: "…Then I won't."
That alone—
Was growth.
At the side—
Wei Na remained still.
But unlike before—
She wasn't observing.
She was already inside the process.
Her aura flowed differently.
Not outward.
Circulating.
Clean.
Precise.
Lin Huang stepped toward her.
No hesitation.
Lin Huang: "You stabilized it."
Wei Na nodded.
Wei Na: "It held."
A pause.
Wei Na: "Better than expected."
Her tone remained neutral.
But her eyes—
Sharper.
She already crossed the first threshold.
Lin Huang studied her for a moment longer.
No instability.
No hesitation.
Good.
Then—
He moved.
Suddenly.
Before anyone reacted—
He stepped closer—
And lifted her.
Effortlessly.
Wei Na blinked—
Just once.
Not resisting.
Just… surprised.
A brief silence hit the room.
Then—
Wu Feng: "…That was fast."
Ma Xiaotao: "Very fast."
Ning Tian: "…Direct."
Lin Huang didn't stop.
He turned slightly—
Already walking.
Lin Huang: "Let's reinforce your cultivation."
A pause.
Then—
his tone shifted slightly.
Lighter.
Lin Huang: "This fox is going to tame a princess today."
Silence.
Then—
reactions.
Ma Xiaotao: "Oh?"
Wu Feng: "That's bold."
Bingdi: "…You say that in front of everyone?"
Wei Na didn't react outwardly—
But her fingers tightened slightly against his shoulder.
He doesn't hesitate at all…
At the front—
Gu Yuena watched.
Calm.
But her eyes—
Narrowed slightly.
Lin Huang stopped.
Just before leaving.
Then—
He turned his head slightly.
And looked back.
At all of them.
Lin Huang: "You complained about exclusivity."
A pause.
Lin Huang: "Then come."
Silence.
Complete.
Then—
everything shifted.
Wu Feng: "…You're serious."
Ma Xiaotao: "You're inviting all of us?"
Lin Huang: "One by one."
A small pause.
Lin Huang: "Or together."
That—
Hit harder.
Ning Tian: "…You're not even hiding it anymore."
Lin Huang: "There's no reason to."
Across the room—
Bingdi stared at him.
Longer this time.
Then—
"…Tch."
Bingdi: "Fine."
She stepped forward.
Not hesitating.
Xuedi followed.
Calm.
Expected.
Xuedi: "It's efficient."
Ma Xiaotao: "Now that's a reason I can accept."
Wu Feng: "Same."
One by one—
They moved.
Not rushed.
But not holding back either.
Wei Na watched all of it—
Still in his arms.
…So this is how he does it.
Not forcing.
Allowing.
And pulling everyone forward—
At the same time.
Her gaze shifted slightly toward him.
No hesitation.
No restraint.
Just direction.
At the front—
Gu Yuena remained still for a moment longer.
Watching.
Then—
She stepped forward.
Without a word.
Taking her place.
Not stopping him.
Not competing.
Simply—
Joining.
…You really don't hold back.
Lin Huang glanced at her briefly.
A faint smile forming.
You didn't want me to.
Then—
Without another word—
He continued walking.
Toward the inner residence.
Not alone.
Not followed.
Accompanied.
Behind him—
The room emptied.
Not because it was over.
Because something else—
Was about to begin.
And none of them—
Intended to be left behind.