Against Heaven's Will

"I cannot reply to that now," Lin Xinyu called out after a moment of silence. "I didn't even talk to him and I don't know my father's stance." 

Ming already expected such an answer. Before Lin Xinyu learned the whole truth, it wouldn't be hard to rope Xuefeng in and protect him but knowing he had the Elemental Bracelet, the situation turned ultimately complicated. 

"Leave then. I don't want to trouble my Xuefeng before the tournament starts. He already has a lot on his head. When it comes to our pursuers, I will handle it," Ming said calmly before reminding. "Just saying, when we meet again, we will treat you like an enemy." 

"Fair enough," Liu Xinyu replied with a nod as she embraced Mia by the arm. "Mia, we are leaving." 

Click. 

Ming snapped with her fingers and the soundproof barrier disappeared, letting them leave freely. Liu Xinyu gazed once again at the golden barrier surrounding Xuefeng and muttered, "We will meet soo— Huh?" 

She didn't get to finish as a sudden group distracted her. It was a late squad of City Guards who came to investigate the disturbance. 

"Enemies or friends, I can handle those guards for you," Liu Xinyu proposed and flew up with Mia in tow, blocking the City Guards from approaching. 

Ming wouldn't reject free labor so she only shrugged, returning back to Xuefeng and Tianshi. 

Mhmm!

Moans instantly struck her mind as Xuefeng locked on Tianshi's lips while working with his hips repeatedly. This sight alone made Ming regret she couldn't cultivate in the same way. Who wouldn't love to connect pleasant with efficiency?

The barrier was filled with Water Essence that was sucked inside before sinking into Xuefeng's back. He didn't absorb everything but instead passed on half of it to Tianshi. 

"Does it hurt you yet?" Ming questioned as she crouched next to the two, caressing Xuefeng's on the hair. "Your Soul should be filled soon."

She couldn't resist and rubbed on his ear as well, causing his body to shiver in pleasure. 

"Ming…" Xuefeng muttered softly as looked up at her but he didn't stop moving. He embraced Tianshi's thighs and continued while he explained, "It does hurt a bit in the chest but its bearable. Ling said I can absorb a bit more." 

If it was before, Xuefeng's mind would be focused on Tianshi but the effects of the aphrodisiac were already wearing off. 

Ming nodded in understanding and reached out, seizing up his chest with her palm. 

"Your soul is expanding which causes stress to your body. With my blessing, you should be able to expand your soul by five times at the very least which would mean five elements. Your Stage should cover two more elements while your Bloodlines should help secure another two. You are all set to fill your soul with nine different Elemental Qi," Ming informed before glancing at Tianshi. "But it's more tricky for Tianshi." 

Ahh…

Tianshi moaned softly as Ming spoke, her sound filled with pleasure but also mixed with pain. She pressed on her chest, massaging it as if trying to relieve some pain. 

"Don't worry, your body should be fine if we give it time to adjust to the Soul pressure. If we are in a hurry, we will need to find ways to strengthen your body," Ming assured. 

"Thank you," Xuefeng thanked on Tianshi's stead, leaning over to kiss her. He didn't need to ask for it as Ming was already ready to accept him.

"I love you…" Ming muttered as she wrapped her arms around Xuefeng's head, kissing him repeatedly. "I will not let anyone hurt you. Ever."

"Mhmm… I love you too," Xuefeng confessed with a loving gaze, before leaning back to the suffering Tianshi, trying to help her ease the pain. 

Ming didn't disturb anymore, only watching from the side while staring at Xuefeng's muscular back. 

"No one can take you away from me…" 

———

Minute by minute, the absorption of Water Qi lowered until the area calmed down, no longer influenced by Xuefeng's cultivation. Liu Xinyu didn't leave the area even after sending the City Guards away but instead waited with others to see Xuefeng's face for the first time. 

Too bad, her fifteen minutes wait turned out to be a waste of time. 

When the barrier disappeared, she saw an empty space with Xuefeng already gone. She frowned but didn't get mad in the end. Although she was disappointed, it was understandable for him to leave unnoticed to avoid any scheming against him. 

The mystery of the ballsy cultivator would remain unsolved. 

"Don't worry Miss Liu, we will see him tomorrow during the tournament," Mia assured on their way back. "It's best not to get attached to him. We don't know your father's say in this matter yet." 

"Who was saying anything about attaching? I just wanted to see his face to confirm it's him," Liu Xinyu replied with a shrug. "Let's return to the inn and wait for news." 

Liu Xinyu didn't want to choose sides without knowing all details. She was even willing to disagree with her father if that was the better choice for her. 

Bzz, bzz. 

They were about to leave when Liu Xinyu's Communication Crystal buzzed. 

"Xinyu, come to my place. There might be a slight change of plans." 

The message she received from her Uncle made her frown again. How many changes of plans could there be in one day. 

She swiftly grabbed Mia's hand and flew down towards the nearest Teleportation Station. The Capital was so big that it was almost impossible to transport around the city without them. 

With two Teleportation, they reached the center and then the Grand Palace, the main office of the City Lord. When the guards spotted her enter the airspace, they didn't even stop her. She had the Entry Token of the City Lord himself. 

"Miss Liu, City Lord is waiting for you inside the conference room." 

She was quickly found by her Uncle's people and led through the various corridors only to stop in front of the grand meeting room instead of her Uncle's office. That was when she realized something was amiss. 

Although the room kept all the pressure inside, she still felt the disturbance in the air. It wouldn't happen unless a powerful cultivator was walking through the hall while releasing his Spirit Awareness to check the space. 

"Let's go." 

Liu Xinyu kept Mia close to have someone as support and entered, pushing the door open. 

"With your connections, it shouldn't be hard to catch—" 

They entered mid-conversation which got cut off with her arrival. To her surprise, there were fifteen people sitting by the table. All of them displayed the power surpassing her own, reaching the pinnacle of the Celestial Stage. They instantly got on guard with her arrival, staring at her but she didn't mind, walking in boldly. 

"Catch who? Don't mind me, you can continue."