General Huo Gui glanced silently at the disheveled state behind Zhao Xue, paused for a moment, and then silently stepped aside.
He could vaguely guess the Jade Emperor's intentions. Since Zhu Xu already had someone in her heart, he shouldn't interfere further. After all, Zhu Xu had been very cooperative from the start, and he should show some consideration.
Zhao Xue did not linger, taking Zhu Xu back to the peach grove.
This was the place Zhao Xue was most familiar with, as if by settling Zhu Xu here, he could protect her.
"So sleepy, Zhao Xue. I didn't sleep well last night." On the way back to the peach grove, Zhu Xu dazedly opened her eyes.
Zhao Xue was in a hurry to bring Zhu Xu to the peach grove and therefore said nothing.
"Zhao Xue, why aren't you asking why?" Zhu Xu, being held by Zhao Xue, couldn't pull on his sleeve, so she raised her hand to tug at his collar.
Perhaps because Zhu Xu was groggy and didn't know her own strength, a small part of Zhao Xue's collar was pulled open.
Zhao Xue followed Zhu Xu's words and asked, "Why?"
"Because..."
After Zhao Xue asked, Zhu Xu was silent for a long time. Zhao Xue lowered his gaze and saw Zhu Xu staring intently at that small patch of his skin, her eyes fixed on it.
Zhao Xue's lips curved upwards, and his footsteps quickened.
Zhu Xu seemed truly captivated by Zhao Xue. Before they even reached the peach grove, she couldn't help but place her hand on that small patch of skin to caress it.
Then, as if it weren't enough, she rubbed her cheek against it.
After rubbing, Zhu Xu didn't forget to exclaim, "It's so smooth!"
Zhao Xue's throat bobbed. Without stopping Zhu Xu's actions, he directly used his earth-shrinking technique to bring Zhu Xu to his room.
Upon reaching the bedside, Zhao Xue hastily placed Zhu Xu on the bed.
Perhaps Zhu Xu suddenly felt drowsy again, as she lay on the bed motionless, as if asleep.
Zhao Xue sighed and knelt by the bed, quietly watching Zhu Xu.
"Zhao Xue." A slightly familiar voice drifted in from outside the room.
Zhao Xue's originally gentle expression turned cold. He tenderly tucked Zhu Xu in, then turned to go out.
"What are you doing here?" Zhao Xue closed the door and then set up a soundproofing barrier around the entire room.
"Naturally, I'm here to inquire about your progress."
The visitor was Ling Xue of the Fox Clan. She was now wearing a long, trailing dress, her back straight, her expression vastly different from the gentle demeanor she had shown towards Zhu Xu.
Zhao Xue pursed his lips, his phoenix eyes sharp with determination.
"Zhao Xue, don't look at me like that. We're all in the same boat." Ling Xue met his gaze for a moment, then quickly shifted her eyes away.
"You should leave." Zhao Xue stepped forward, raising his sword and holding it to Ling Xue's neck.
Ling Xue held her breath, then slowly relaxed.
"You really haven't changed."
As Ling Xue spoke, Zhao Xue pressed the sword closer to Zhu Xu's throat, and instantly, faint wisps of blood began to drift from Ling Xue.
Ling Xue faltered slightly, a hint of tension in her brow. She hadn't expected Zhao Xue to actually draw blood. A few moments later, she took a step back.
"Zhao Xue, if I don't return by the hour of Xu (7-9 PM), I promise to spread rumors about your identity, entangled with demonic energy, throughout the Nine Heavens."
Ling Xue raised an eyebrow, her expression full of confidence.
"Do you think you can remain in the Nine Heavens if the Jade Emperor and all the immortals discover that you have awakened demonic powers?"
Seeing Zhao Xue's lack of reaction, Ling Xue continued, "And what will the Imperial Daughter you cherish so much think of you then?"
As Ling Xue finished speaking, the surrounding peach trees began to sway violently in the wind. Ling Xue stumbled unexpectedly, but reacted in time to avoid falling.
Ling Xue looked up and saw Zhao Xue surrounded by swirling demonic energy, his expression dark and menacing. She smiled triumphantly.
"You'd better hide your demonic energy well, because if anyone catches even a glimpse of it, your Imperial Daughter will be the first to become a blade to eliminate you."
"Get out."
"Remember, your mission has a deadline."
Just as Zhao Xue was about to manipulate countless peach branches to stab at Ling Xue, she left him with a parting sentence and promptly teleported out of the peach grove.
After Ling Xue left, demonic energy swirled around Zhao Xue's scarlet eyes. His breathing quickened, and the demonic energy surged with his emotions.
After an unknown amount of time, Zhao Xue finally calmed down and hurried back into the room.
The moment Zhao Xue's gaze fell upon Zhu Xu, his phoenix eyes never left her.
"Xu Xu," Zhao Xue murmured her name, then unhesitatingly threw himself onto Zhu Xu, embracing her with all his might.
"Zhao Xue?" Zhu Xu was woken by Zhao Xue and instinctively pushed him away, who was clinging to her nape.
Zhao Xue stopped and looked deeply at Zhu Xu, trying his best to suppress his turbulent emotions. "Why did you push me away?"
"I... I..." Zhu Xu didn't know how to explain. After two "I's," she fell silent.
Without a response, Zhao Xue became even more uneasy.
"Xu Xu, do you hate me?" Zhao Xue took Zhu Xu's hand and placed it on his cheek. His phoenix eyes, now red-rimmed, were filled with tears.
This was what Zhu Xu could see; what she couldn't see was the mad obsession Zhao Xue was barely concealing.
"No, I don't hate you. How could I hate you?" Zhu Xu's heart shattered at the sight of Zhao Xue's eyes. She immediately leaned in and hugged him, stroking his back.
"I... I just woke up, and I didn't react in time." Zhu Xu finally found a reasonable explanation for her earlier action and told Zhao Xue seriously.
"Kiss me." Zhao Xue held Zhu Xu's waist with one hand and lifted her chin with the other, insisting she look at him.
Zhu Xu's face flushed instantly. Finally, overcoming her shyness, she leaned in and kissed Zhao Xue's lips.
Zhao Xue didn't let Zhu Xu pull away. His hand moved from her waist to the nape of her neck, then easily parted her lips and kissed her deeply.
Zhao Xue watched Zhu Xu's reaction intently, as if any resistance from her would reveal his barely concealed possessiveness.
For Zhao Xue, this kiss was devoid of lust.
"Zhao Xue, I like you so much." After the kiss, Zhu Xu, her breath unsteady, buried her head against Zhao Xue's chest.
Clearly, for Zhu Xu, it was the opposite.