Liu Xijun sipped the jasmine tea slowly, carefully observing Ye Chang's every movement.
She had only taken two small sips.
Would that be enough for the Locking Emotion Crystal to take effect?
Soon, it became clear that his worry was unnecessary.
After her second sip, Ye Chang suddenly paused.
For some reason, the tea tasted sweeter and more fragrant than before. She lifted the cup and sniffed it again, but nothing seemed unusual.
She did not suspect Liu Xijun at all.
After all, she was a master of poison. How could a rookie possibly deceive her?
As she continued drinking, faint red threads began to appear around her body.
They floated in the air like living silk.
Then—
They swayed gently toward Liu Xijun.
One by one, they wrapped around him.
[Master! It worked!]
The Little Succubus' excited voice rang in his mind.
[What are those red threads?] Liu Xijun asked inwardly.
[They are her emotional threads! From now on, all of her emotions are bound to you, Master! Even the emotions she once gave to someone else have been severed and redirected to you!]
Liu Xijun's heart trembled.
The red threads gradually tightened, finally coiling around the little finger of his right hand.
At the same time—
A surge of dark magic energy flowed into his body.
[Master! You've obtained her Shadow Element! I've gained it too! We are progressing together!]
Liu Xijun closed his eyes briefly.
Within his spiritual world, a new cluster of dark stardust had formed.
Dark Shadow Element.
However, it was only basic-level stardust. None of the stars had been cultivated yet.
Still—
This was terrifying growth.
"What is your name?" Ye Chang's languid voice suddenly sounded near his ear.
He opened his eyes and met her calm gaze.
"Liu Xijun."
"Liu Xijun," she repeated softly.
After a brief pause, she said, "Your strength is still insufficient. You cannot handle important tasks for me yet, but that does not mean you are useless."
She crossed her legs elegantly.
"You will enroll at Tianlan Magic High School. We have people there. Study seriously. Do not worry about resources. When the time comes, I will arrange tasks for you."
Liu Xijun nodded.
This arrangement was perfect.
Tianlan Magic High School meant proximity to the Earth Holy Spring.
Although someone was already targeting it, this gave him an opportunity.
"May I leave now?" he asked.
Ye Chang pulled a thick stack of cash from her handbag and tossed it onto the table.
"Resign from your supermarket job. Use this money for now. The organization will support your cultivation later."
Liu Xijun glanced at the stack.
At least forty to fifty thousand.
He took it without hesitation.
"Thank you, Lady Salan."
Selling his life to a Red-Clothed Cardinal meant he deserved compensation.
Ye Chang observed his expression.
For some reason, a faint smile curved her lips.
"Leave your phone number. I will inform you about enrollment. I trust you understand what loyalty means."
"Of course."
In the Black Vatican, failure and betrayal led only to becoming a Black Beast.
He had no intention of ending up like that.
"Go home," she said.
"Yes, Lady Salan."
He left.
After Liu Xijun returned to his rented apartment, Ye Chang quietly followed from a distance.
She watched him unlock his door and enter safely.
Only then did she leave.
As she walked away, her eyes softened slightly.
She was Salan.
A Red-Clothed Cardinal.
A mastermind of countless disasters.
But she was also a woman.
And Liu Xijun—
She wanted him.
The next day, at Tianlan Magic High School—
"Xu Qingning, Xu Qinglin, are those people from that day really dead?" a student asked.
Xu Qingning swallowed nervously.
"We were going to teach that Walmart employee a lesson. Then the Giant-Eyed Blood Rat suddenly rushed out. We ran, but Wang Xiong and the others fell… we couldn't save them."
"So that handsome guy died too?"
"Yes," Xu Qinglin said quietly. "It's a pity. He was very good-looking."
Some of the girls exchanged curious glances.
Then the topic faded.
Meanwhile, inside Liu Xijun's apartment—
"Master~~~"
The Little Succubus suddenly appeared and pounced onto him, pressing him against the sofa.
She wore a short dress made of very little fabric. Her smooth thighs and soft waist pressed against him as she hugged him tightly.
"Hehe, am I amazing? That powerful woman was taken down just like that!"
"Was she really taken down?" Liu Xijun asked calmly while holding her shoulders to keep her from sticking too close.
With the Succubus Physique, he could resist her charm.
"Of course~" she said happily, trying to press her face against his again.
After failing several times, she pouted.
"Master, don't be so resistant toward me~"
"You're too clingy," Liu Xijun said, patting her back gently. "Get up first."
She sat up immediately.
"Then give me a name! Don't keep calling me Little Succubus!"
"You don't have one?"
"My mother is called the Great Demon, and I was called Little Demon. She said Master should name me after summoning me!"
Liu Xijun thought for a moment.
Looking at her enchanting appearance, a strange feeling stirred in his chest.
"Liu Xirao," he said, touching her head gently. "Your name is Liu Xirao."
Her crimson eyes lit up instantly.
Before he could react—
Smack.
She kissed his cheek quickly and ran a few steps away, giggling.
"Master smells so good~"
Liu Xijun sighed.
With her around, peace would be difficult.
Ding.
His phone vibrated.
Unknown number.
[Report tomorrow.]
He replied: [Understood.]
He saved the contact name as Ye Chang.
The next morning—
Inside Tianlan Magic High School.
The homeroom teacher stood at the podium.
"Students, today we have a transfer student joining our class."
"Everyone, welcome Liu Xijun."
The classroom door opened slowly.
Liu Xijun stepped inside.
Calm.
Handsome.
Composed.
And officially—
The story had entered its next stage.