The woman in the white cloak seemed very familiar with the surroundings. After darting into the alley, she ran about five or six meters before turning around, opening the window of a nearby house, and pulling Zhang Wen inside. She hurriedly ran for a while, opening two more doors, zigzagging back and forth like walking through a maze. Eventually, she led Zhang Wen into a quiet, empty room and finally stopped.
“Alright, now can I finally see your face?” Zhang Wen gently pulled his hand free, curiously observing her back.
This woman must be someone he knew—could it be her?
Zhang Wen watched as the woman elegantly removed her white hood, then turned to face him calmly.
Her long, cascading hair flowed out with the hood, revealing bright, seductive eyes that gazed at him as if longing to speak. Her luscious red lips shimmered like cherries, radiating an irresistible allure. Her full, shapely chest rose and fell rapidly, betraying her inner excitement.
She wore a snow-white starfleet uniform that tightly accentuated her ample bosom and perfect upper body proportions. Her waist remained slender, exuding a mysterious charm. Below, her black mini skirt revealed legs that were far more elongated than average, elegantly and seductively extending from her thighs. Her smooth, silk-clad legs were slightly bent inward, hinting at the alluring shadows between them.
The ivory-like glow of her flawless skin was enough to make any man’s breath catch!
Linoah!
Zhang Wen had suspected many names, but never imagined it would be Linoah—his long-lost companion. Ever since they parted ways on the planet Cazares, they hadn’t met again. This unexpected reunion left him momentarily stunned.
The shock caused a brief chaos in his mind, disrupting his usually calm thoughts. Instinctively, his right hand reached out and gently grasped her pale, icy fingers.
“How did you end up here?”
As soon as the words left his mouth, it was as if they had triggered an emotional signal. Linoah flung herself into his arms like a bird in flight, wrapping her arms tightly around him from beneath his armpits, hugging him so hard it felt like she feared he might vanish.
Zhang Wen realized that after this long separation, their feelings hadn’t faded at all—in fact, they had grown even more intense, more urgent.
Was it just longing—or was it the effect of his Springwater Manual enhancing his allure to women? Zhang Wen had no time to ponder. From her fingertips to her entire body, Linoah rapidly warmed, burning like fire.
Her lips cautiously approached his, and on tiptoes, the sexy beauty tilted her graceful, ivory neck upward and lightly brushed her lips against his.
“Kiss me… I missed you… Zhang Wen!”
As Linoah whispered passionately, their lips met once more in a wild, unrestrained kiss, as if trying to pour all their longing into each other’s hearts.
They communicated their yearning through the language of their bodies, a far more genuine and moving expression than any spoken words.
Her naturally curly hair, like a waterfall, veiled their faces. Beneath that fragrant curtain of hair, their lips and tongues clashed feverishly, passionately rubbing, sucking, entwining together, producing lewd sounds as saliva mingled. It was as if they couldn’t wait to swallow each other whole.
Finally, Linoah was the first to weaken, nearly suffocating from the intensity of the kiss. With flushed cheeks and a pounding heart, she reluctantly pushed Zhang Wen’s face away. Under his dark, amused gaze, she buried her blushing face into his chest, her heart racing so hard it felt like it would leap from her chest.
She clung tightly to him, panting heavily, her right hand unconsciously caressing his chest, tracing small circles with her fingers.
“What’s wrong? You’re not usually this flustered,” Zhang Wen held the seductive beauty in his arms, inhaling the fragrance of her hair, feeling her hot body pressed tightly against his. Especially the pair of legs he had always longed for, rubbing unconsciously against his thighs, stirring his lower body with unbearable desire—it was maddening.
Once again, his Springwater Manual activated its special characteristic, surging intensely. It was a clear response to the beauty’s temptation—his body wanted to devour her.
Yet Zhang Wen remained lucid, using sheer willpower to suppress his rising desires. He gently patted Linoah’s back, reminding her to calm down.
The sexy beauty in his arms trembled slightly, then regained her composure. With a slightly embarrassed smile, she pulled away from his chest, tidied her slightly disheveled hair, and playfully winked at him with her right eye.
“Seeing you always makes me lose control… you know that, right?”
That coquettish little-girl expression was even more provocative. Zhang Wen inwardly sighed, recognizing the same seductive charm of the hidden beauty he once knew at the academy.
They both calmed themselves slightly, their eyes meeting, reflecting mutual concern.
Linoah spoke first. “I wasn’t planning to come find you so soon, but because of a sudden major event, I had no choice but to act.”
“What happened exactly?” Zhang Wen asked curiously. He knew Linoah was a fiercely independent woman—part of the reason she had left last time was because she had important matters to attend to. Although she had developed feelings for him, she still chose to leave, believing she had more important things to do.
But what had brought her back to him this time?
“It’s about the Seer’s new prophecy,” Linoah said. She listened carefully to the sounds outside. Though there was noise, it wasn’t approaching, indicating her earlier evasive maneuvers had misled the Hawks and others. For now, this place was still safe.
Slightly relieved, she lightly walked to the door, listened again, and discreetly extended her mind energy to scan the surroundings before withdrawing. Turning back, she fixed Zhang Wen with a steady gaze, her red lips curling into a half-smile.
Her silky hair flowed behind her as her slender fingers brushed it aside, revealing a glimpse of her smooth, white neck. Her full chest, viewed from the side, appeared even more alluring and upright. Below, her waist narrowed sharply, highlighting her perfectly rounded hips.
Her long, sexy legs, clad in sheer stockings, stood elegantly like blooming white lotuses. Standing naturally, she exuded an air of intelligent charm, smiling sweetly at Zhang Wen.
“Zhang Wen, this time it’s about a big secret of yours—you’ve kept it from me so well.”
“What are you talking about? What secret do I have?” Zhang Wen’s heart stirred slightly. Looking at the woman who had just been so intimately close, he sensed her playful attempt to uncover his hidden truths. If there was any secret he couldn’t reveal, besides the Springwater Manual, it was his true origin—an absolute secret he could never let slip.
Perhaps due to his cautious nature, he always believed revealing his origin from another world would bring unforeseen trouble.
Yet Linoah’s tone was so suggestive—was she hinting at something or just teasing?
Zhang Wen didn’t dwell long on his confusion. Linoah clearly had no intention of letting him guess.
She sighed softly, her hands behind her back, leaning slightly against the door, her eyes clouded with a misty sadness.
“Half a month ago, I received a message from the Society… it was about the Seer’s new prophecy.” Her voice was low and calm, but the content was shocking. The Seer of the Society was universally acknowledged as the most powerful among all Mind Users. Every prophecy from the Seer was enough to shake the entire Empire. The Society’s ability to survive and grow, despite the Empire’s scrutiny, was largely due to the Seer’s power.
Linoah should have severed ties with the Society after the last incident, but as a high-ranking member known as a “Soul Dancer,” she might still have sources and influence within. Zhang Wen didn’t dwell on that—he was too focused on the prophecy Linoah was relaying, because it might be about him.
Last time during the academy trial, including Linoah and Flame Demon Agate, their presence was all for the Seer’s prophecy, aimed at the explosion of an imperial laboratory. To put it bluntly—it was all about him.
Because he had arrived in this world through a mysterious portal triggered by that very explosion.
Instantly, Zhang Wen’s full attention was on Linoah’s words.
“The black flower opens the door to the world; the mysterious traveler opens black eyes; the sword cuts through sin, revealing a new chapter; the writer of legends will not fade into obscurity, and the throne of kings shall open for him.”
After reciting the prophecy, Linoah fixed Zhang Wen with a half-smiling, knowing gaze.
“The Seer’s words are clear enough. You’re the ‘mysterious traveler’—do I really need to explain further?” She smiled slightly, subtly pushing out her ample chest. Her white uniform wasn’t tightly buttoned, and with her movement, a hint of smooth, milky skin peeked through the collar.
It was likely an unconscious gesture, but it carried an intoxicating, seductive charm.
Zhang Wen shook his head with a bitter smile. “It’s just a vague poem. Surely you don’t think it’s enough to connect it to me?”
They both knew what the prophecy meant—it pointed directly to the ancient lab explosion that had drawn the attention of the Empire’s highest circles.
The Society had been secretly moving for that event all along. It was precisely because of this that the Empire’s sensitive threshold had been triggered, leading to the previous clash between the Hawks and the Society. Of course, the outcome was the Society becoming a cooperative partner of the Empire.
Linoah clearly didn’t believe Zhang Wen’s dismissal. She licked her lips like a cat, making them glisten with a seductive sheen. Her lips curled mischievously, her expressive eyes narrowing slightly, long lashes fluttering as she stared at him.
“Open black eyes; the sword cuts through sin, revealing a new chapter… and the name ‘Zhang Wen’ is in there too.” Seeing Zhang Wen about to explain, Linoah stepped closer, her hands resting on his chest, her gaze unwavering and unusually determined.
“Mysterious sword techniques, an unfathomable background, and all those ways you’re different—possessing incredible power yet staying hidden and low-key. What does all that suggest?” Her slender index finger rose to gently press against his lips, carrying a faint, alluring fragrance.
“Don’t explain anything to me—I don’t want to know your secrets. The real issue isn’t what I think of you, but that the Empire has already accepted the Seer’s prophecy. The upper echelons of the Empire have their eyes fixed on you. Do you understand what that means…?”
Zhang Wen saw a rare seriousness in Linoah’s eyes. As a “Soul Dancer” of the Society, she had countless disguises and was almost never shaken by any crisis. Even in the most dangerous situations, she could always handle them skillfully. This was the first time since Zhang Wen had known her that she had shown such a look—making him feel a rare sense of pressure.
Her delicate, pale ear twitched slightly. She had faintly heard the noise outside drawing closer. Her expression turned anxious, and she spoke faster.
“It’s not just the prophecy. My intelligence says the Empire recovered a video fragment from the ancient lab explosion site. It’s already been restored in the Empire’s Information Research XIII Lab. In addition, the Hawks have also found some clues—these all point to you!”
If Linoah’s earlier words about the prophecy had only slightly unsettled Zhang Wen, the mention of the Hawks struck him like lightning, making every nerve in his body tense.
Many things might go unnoticed if unexamined, but once he started thinking, they began to connect, forming a real answer.
Why had Misaya, the commander-in-chief of the Northern Hawks, always looked at him differently? Why was she so interested in his sword techniques? Why did the Hawks practically guard him twenty-four hours a day, even assigning escorts and time limits when he disembarked from starships? Why, when there were assassination attempts, did the Hawks’ first response not chase the assassin but instead focus on protecting him?
And… and the incident with Omega during the Southern Dominion finals—behind all those events, there was always the shadow of the Hawks! No… it was the shadow of the Empire itself!
There was only one truth—he was their target.
As a person from another world, Zhang Wen knew his immense value to the Empire. He was the key to that world, the only successful test subject in the parallel space experiments, and if captured, his worth would be beyond estimation. That was likely why the Empire had schemed meticulously, even going so far as to have the head of the Eagle Guards, Misyah, lure him into the capital by deception.
Perhaps it was during that earlier confrontation involving psychic abilities that Misyah had first taken notice of him. It was unimaginable what would happen if the Empire mastered the method to open another dimension. Positively speaking, Zhang Wen might finally have a chance to return to his own world. But from another perspective, the Empire’s military might, its terrifying fleet spanning countless star systems, would dominate his original world without question.
In Zhang Wen’s homeland, humanity had barely reached the Moon, Earth’s satellite, and its farthest spacecraft had only reached Mars within the solar system. That world would be utterly defenseless against the Empire—a pristine, untouched virgin land.
Furthermore, as the Empire’s sole successful spatial experiment and the unique “key,” once in the hands of the Empire’s researchers, Zhang Wen’s fate as a test subject would likely mirror the tragic endings of those before him. That was precisely why he had always kept a low profile.
These chaotic thoughts flashed through Zhang Wen’s mind in an instant. In the next moment, his focus returned to Linoah, who was watching him with deep concern. This woman, usually calm and rational, now had her entire attention fixed on him. Her eyes held a look that only a woman gives to her beloved—she had truly fallen for him, irresistibly and instinctively drawn to him, like a moth to a flame.
“You fool,” he thought, touched by her presence. She could have easily stayed out of this, but upon learning it involved him, she had rushed here without hesitation. She had faced the Empire, the Black Viscount, and those terrifying enemies and unknown dangers without fear.
This wasn’t the kind of action the old Linoah would have taken—it was irrational, yet she had done it anyway, without hesitation.
Zhang Wen didn’t speak. Instead, he opened his arms and pulled her tightly into his embrace.
The misunderstandings at their first meeting, the entanglements in the Trial Forest—truthfully, their time together hadn’t been long. Yet some things didn’t require time to develop. Love could be born in an instant, in a single glance, imprinting deeply upon a person’s soul.
That’s why there are so many foolish women and men in the world—because emotions can’t always be measured by reason or logic. That’s why there are so many unforgettable, heart-wrenching feelings.
Zhang Wen held Linoah tightly against his body, as if trying to merge her into his very being.
“Alright, stop, the danger isn’t over yet!” Linoah struggled slightly but ultimately melted into his passionate embrace. Just then, both heard an explosion from outside, followed by intense battle sounds. The energy surges and shockwaves shattered the windows of the room.
Zhang Wen and Linoah simultaneously pulled each other down to avoid the flying glass.
“What’s happening out there?” Zhang Wen whispered, his voice low. Their posture of embracing while crouching had drawn her completely into his arms, an intimate position indeed.
“Hmph, I thought you were smart enough to figure it out,” Linoah replied with a hint of smugness, casting him a glance filled with charm. Her expression was so seductive that Zhang Wen couldn’t help but admire her natural allure. The fact that she was now curled up so intimately in his arms was almost unbelievable.
“The people outside looking for you—the Black Viscount, the Eagle Guards, and the Syndicate—must have run into each other and started fighting,” she said with a sly smile, her long lashes fluttering like butterfly wings. “While they’re in chaos, that’s our chance… Hey, don’t look at me like that. I wouldn’t have come back if it weren’t for the danger.”
Her white teeth gently bit her moist red lips, an image so enticing it was almost unbearable. If it was scolding, it was more like teasing him to his limits.
Under her sultry gaze, Zhang Wen shrugged innocently, “I wasn’t looking.”
“Really?” she said with a half-smile, her hand sliding down to gently grasp his obvious reaction, making him blush with embarrassment.
Well, with such a beauty in his arms and the Spring Water Technique eagerly anticipating a feast, it would have been unnatural not to react.
They were still like they had been back at the academy—exchanging verbal jabs, but in reality, it was more like playful flirtation. Yet men and women, no matter the time or place, always found such games endlessly enjoyable.
In fact, this was a deliberate way for Zhang Wen and Linoah to ease their nerves.
Both knew the danger they faced was immense. The enemies drawn to them were like a flood of monsters impossible to resist. On one side was just the two of them; on the other, the Empire and powerful organizations—completely mismatched in strength.
Whether it was the Empire behind the Eagle Guards, the massive Syndicate, or the terrorist Black Viscount, any one of them was more than Zhang Wen and Linoah could handle. Against such forces, they were less than ants.
Their only hope was to seize the opportunity during the chaos, slipping through the cracks to escape the net.
In the room, the faint sound of their breathing could be heard—partly due to the closeness between man and woman, partly due to the tension in the air. Of course they were nervous.
The scent of sweat and Linoah’s natural fragrance lingered in the cramped space. Then came the second explosion, closer this time. The shockwave of battle energy radiated outward in ripples, and distant shouts could be heard.
This time, the explosion was nearer, the destructive force stronger. The wooden door was nearly shattered, leaving a gaping hole. Even the wall facing the street cracked into a spiderweb pattern, as if it might collapse at any moment.
Zhang Wen held Linoah tightly as flying splinters of wood shot past them like blades. Some whistled by their hair, others struck his body directly.
At this moment, both remained utterly still, suppressing every trace of breath, heartbeat, and even thought.
With the Empire, the Syndicate, and others intervening so strongly, numerous cultivators had gathered nearby. Zhang Wen and Linoah both knew the strength of the Empire, the Syndicate, and the Black Viscount’s subordinates. They couldn’t be sure there weren’t experts among them capable of tracking them down based on the faintest clues.
This was the most dangerous moment. Zhang Wen and Linoah had reduced their power to the limit, almost disguising themselves as ordinary people. They could hear the fierce battle outside drawing closer, their hearts pounding in their throats.
They could only hope the Eagle Guards, the Black Viscount, and the Syndicate would change direction in their fight. Otherwise, within seconds, the battle would reach their hiding spot—a result Zhang Wen and Linoah could not afford to face.
Everything now was a gamble—
a bet on fate and luck!
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