I, the lazy prince, am the darling of the ladies of destiny.

Zhu Yue's phoenix eyes were fixed on the elixir of immortality, and her breathing quickened involuntarily.

She understood Lü Xuan's meaning perfectly—if she wanted the medicine, she had to pay a price.

The price Lü Xuan wanted was not simply submission to the Lü family, but... submission to him personally.

Was it humiliating? Strangely, she didn't feel a strong sense of humiliation.

Instead, an indescribable emotion, a mixture of tension, anticipation, and even a hint of excitement, quietly began to grow.

She despised men who were obsequious and only knew how to flatter, but the young master of the Lü family before her was powerful, domineering, and made no attempt to hide his desires or his condescending attitude...

This gesture stirred a deep emotion within her!

"Don't worry, I won't force you."

Lu Xuan slowly closed the jade box lid, and the alluring aura of life disappeared. "But my Lu family doesn't have the habit of getting something for nothing."

Zhu Yue remained silent, gently biting her thin lips, making the vibrant color of her lips even redder.

A moment later, she slowly raised her hand and began to unbutton the magnificent fiery red feather robe she was wearing.

The movements were slow and hesitant.

To hand yourself over to a man you've known for less than a day, a man you could even accuse of coercion... that feeling is undoubtedly strange and absurd.

But reality forced her to bow her head, and what was even more absurd was that she didn't feel much disgust; instead, she felt a kind of...heart-pounding excitement.

She is a proud phoenix, never easily bowing her head.

Unless, they encounter a more arrogant and powerful true dragon.

The feathered robe was removed, revealing a thin, gauze lining embroidered with flame patterns.

In the dim light of the carriage, Zhu Yue's figure appeared even more breathtaking, with exquisite curves and snow-white skin.

Her voice lowered slightly, trembling almost imperceptibly with shyness: "Young Master Lü... you mustn't lie to me."

"Of course." Lu Xuan looked at her, his gaze frank yet burning.

Lu Xuan thought to himself: Sleeping with her isn't the ultimate goal. The key is to make her submit both physically and mentally, and eliminate any disloyalty.

However, getting the body first is never a bad thing...

Just as Lü Xuan's thoughts were wandering, considering how to "win over the heart" next, he suddenly felt something gently touch his calf.

looked down-

Zhu Yue's fair, delicate feet were tentatively and gently rubbing against his calf.

The movements were very light, tentative, and carried an indescribable ambiguity.

Lu Xuan's heart skipped a beat.

Under normal circumstances, he might have been able to resist this temptation thanks to the "reason" of a time traveler.

But unexpectedly...

Seeing that he did not react immediately, Zhu Yue raised her eyes slightly. Her originally proud and aloof phoenix eyes were now shimmering with a hint of water, carrying a touch of provocation and a touch of... longing.

The movement of her feet became more obvious.

The atmosphere inside the carriage instantly became enchanting and subtle.

Lu Xuan looked at the future empress before him, who had shed her feathered robes and was now only wearing a light gauze lining. She was lightly rubbing her toes against him, and her eyes were alluring.

He took a deep breath.

Damn, being a villain... doesn't seem like it's all bad?

At least the benefits are pretty good.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

Chu Kuangge, carrying the ancient and heavy strange sword box on his back, stood beneath the majestic city gate of the Fire Kingdom's capital.

Just now, he sneezed for no apparent reason.

"Strange..." He rubbed his nose, his brow furrowing slightly. "Why does it feel like... I've lost something very important?"

The feeling came abruptly, as if a corner of my heart had been gently gouged out, yet it was also elusive and elusive.

"Is it just my imagination?" he muttered to himself, shaking his head as he tried to dispel the inexplicable sense of melancholy.

Just then, his gaze inadvertently swept across the horizon.

In a split second, unnoticed by anyone, his deep black eyes suddenly turned a brilliant gold.

Through these "True Spirit Eyes," he saw a magnificent carriage, pulled by four fiery cloud steeds and engraved with a secret royal emblem, slowly making its way from the clouds into the depths of the capital. It was the royal carriage of the Fire Kingdom.

"The royal carriage of the Fire Kingdom?" Chu Kuangge's heart skipped a beat.

Upon his return, he had not yet formally contacted the Huo Kingdom's royal family, only knowing that the Huo Kingdom's ruler was seriously ill and that Princess Zhu Yue had gone out to seek medicine.

Just then, a raindrop fell without warning and landed on his cheek.

Chu Kuangge reached out and wiped his fingertips, his fingertips catching the drop of rain.

"Is it raining?" He looked up at the sky; there were no clouds, and the sun was still shining. The raindrops came suddenly.

Even stranger, the rainwater smelled... kind of weird.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

Fire Kingdom Royal Palace, Bedchamber

The Fire Kingdom's ruler lay on a luxurious bed that reeked of medicine, his face gaunt and his breath weak.

Surrounding him were a group of the Fire Kingdom's top alchemists and imperial physicians, all with furrowed brows and solemn expressions.

The king's illness is a terrible consequence of the failed attempt to forcibly pass on the ancient "Vermilion Bird" bloodline several years ago.

Not only did his cultivation level plummet from the peak of the Foundation Establishment stage to the Great Perfection of the Divine Transformation stage, but his body was also like a never-extinguishing furnace, frantically burning away his own spiritual energy every year.

If there are not enough spiritual items to replenish it, it will turn to burning his life force.

For the past six months, the Fire Kingdom has been trying its best to suppress the news and cover up the truth about the king's deteriorating condition.

Because a "super dynasty" without a Dao Foundation Realm expert to oversee it is no different from a fat lamb in the dog-eat-dog world of the Northern Central Region.

In particular, the Water Kingdom, which has a long-standing feud with the Fire Kingdom over "water and fire," will seize the opportunity to annex the Fire Kingdom's territory once it learns of this situation.

"Your Majesty, the Imperial Princess is going to the Lü family to seek the elixir of immortality. At the speed of the Zhu Yun carriage, the round trip will take three days."

"It's been four days now... and he still hasn't returned, nor has any news come back," an elderly minister with white hair said worriedly.

Upon hearing this, the Fire Kingdom's king, lying on the bed, looked even more anxious, his ashen face growing paler. He couldn't help but cough, his coughs carrying a burning sensation, as if his internal organs were on fire.

"The Lü family's attitude is unpredictable," another minister whispered. "The elixir of immortality is extremely precious. Although the Lü family is wealthy, they may not be willing to give it up easily. Her Highness's journey may encounter some difficulties."

Just as everyone was anxiously discussing, a clear, slightly languid male voice drifted leisurely from the palace entrance:

"Is the King of the Fire Kingdom not yet terminally ill? Would he be so kind as to get out of bed and meet this guest from afar?"

"Insolence! Who is it?!" Upon hearing the voice, a hot-tempered military general's face flushed with anger. He turned to look at the palace gate and shouted sternly.

At the palace gate, a young man dressed in black brocade robes with an outstanding demeanor slowly walked in; it was none other than Lü Xuan.

Beside Lü Xuan was a woman dressed in a fiery red palace gown.

She was stunningly beautiful and possessed a noble and graceful demeanor, yet her brows subtly revealed a hint of languor and contentment after being thoroughly "nourished."

Within that inherent nobility, there was a subtle, indescribable charm and allure.

It was none other than the Fire Kingdom's princess, Zhu Yue.