Chapter 64: The Kiss

Chapter 63: The Kiss

PING!

[SUBCLASS REWARD: ALCHEMY MANOR EXPANSION]

• Mustbloom Spirit Field (Common Grade)

- Radius: 20-Meter Sphere

- Effect: Creates a dedicated zone of high-density spiritual soil enriched with primordial nature Qi. Purifies the ground and accelerates the growth of planted Spirit Herbs.

• Ember Flame Cauldron (Common Grade)

- Feature: A dedicated refinement cauldron equipped with a pure, controllable Ember Flame. Thermal intensity can be adjusted or extinguished instantly via the Host’s Qi.

• Verdant Heart Seed (Grade: Unknown)

- Type: Primordial Restoration Specimen

- Effect: When planted, grows into a Verdant Restoration Herb—a legendary ingredient renowned for its supreme healing, meridian reconstruction, and body detoxification properties. Adapts to its environment to continuously absorb ambient Qi.

Seana reviewed the glowing prompts floating before her mind, her consciousness turning inward toward her Soul Manor.

Inside her inner world, the vast field of blooming red lotus flowers suddenly parted in a perfect, twenty-meter circle. In the center of the opening, rich, glowing emerald soil emerged, emitting a soothing green light.

The primordial nature energy naturally blended with the ambient Crimson Blood Qi filling the sky, harmonizing without a single trace of conflict.

To the left of the newly formed spirit field, a magnificent crimson cauldron materialized. It stood nearly as tall as the bronze cauldron in the trial chamber, resting atop a steady, roaring pillar of pure crimson fire that hummed in response to her thoughts.

Hovering in the air before her was a strange, pear-shaped seed, sporting a tiny stem with two vibrant green leaves—the Verdant Heart Seed.

Even as a mental projection, Seana could feel the profound, restorative aura radiating from the tiny seed.

With a simple thought, Seana guided the seed into the center of the emerald soil.

The moment it touched the earth—

VRMMMM!

The green seed sprouted instantly! Thick, vibrant emerald vines erupted from the soil, rapidly spreading across the ground and intertwining with the red lotus field. The ambient Spiritual Qi within her entire Soul Manor spiked exponentially, flooding her inner world with pure life energy.

Floating above the field was the plain red database book, its pages shimmering with refined medicinal knowledge.

Seana’s heart swelled with joy.

Opening her physical eyes, she returned her focus to the trial chamber. The white-robed old man was staring at her with an intense, unreadable expression.

"I hope... I am not mistaken in you," he murmured softly.

Before Seana could ask what he meant, the old man’s body dissolved into a cloud of white smoke, vanishing completely!

Seana instantly stood up, her [Blood Moon Sword] snapping into her grip as the liquid Qi bindings around it vanished.

VRMMMMMM!

The massive bronze cauldron, the stone table, the wall shelves, and every remaining herb dissolved into particles of light. Behind her, the heavy stone wall rumbled, sliding open once more to reveal the path back into the central hall.

Seana didn’t hesitate. She blurred through the opening, stepping back into the Tomb cave .

The moment she crossed the threshold, her gaze landed on Lothe standing near the corner of the hall, holding a set of pristine Jade Slips.

"Lothe!" Seana called out, her heart lifting as she hurried toward him.

Lothe whipped his head around. The moment his dark eyes locked onto her, the tense crease on his forehead vanished, replaced by visible relief.

Seana came to a halt inches away from him, her chest heaving slightly.

Lothe looked at her face, a warm, fond smile almost breaking across his lips. He reminded himself to take things slow, to give her space

Then his eyes dropped to her robes.

A dark, fresh bloodstain ruined the pristine white lapel of her crimson silk dress—a remnant of the cauldron explosion.

Lothe’s smile vanished. His dark eyes turned instantly cold, his aura sharpening like an unsheathed blade. "Are you hurt?" he demanded, examining her from head to toe.

Noticeable warmth bloomed in Seana’s chest at his sudden, fierce concern. "It’s just a minor injury from the trial"

"What really-"

Before Lothe could finish his sentence, Seana stepped forward and wrapped her arms tightly around his waist, burying her face into his chest.

"..."

Lothe froze, completely speechless.

His heart slammed against his ribs like a runaway engine. Slowly, a soft, helpless smile touched his lips. He wrapped his arms firmly around her back, pulling her flush against him.

"Thank goodness you’re okay" Seana murmured against his chest

"Nothing is going to happen to me... love," Lothe murmured softly against her hair.

Thump!

Seana lightly nudged her fist against his ribs. "Ouch!" Lothe chuckled softly.

"Did I give you permission to call me ’love’?" Seana muttered, her face burning hot against his chest.

Lothe tightened his grip around her slender waist, holding her close as if marking his territory.

"Well, you’d better get used to it, because that’s what I’m calling you from now on."

He paused, his voice softening into a deep, steady cadence.

"I don’t care who you were before this world ended," Lothe began quietly. "I don’t care about your family, your status, or your past."

He gently lifted her chin, cupping her warm cheeks with both hands so she was forced to look into his dark eyes.

"All I know is that ever since you walked into that library... I haven’t been able to stop thinking about you. I’ve never felt like this for anyone before, Seana."

His dark eyes burned with absolute, unyielding sincerity.

"I love you, Seana Salaze."

Seana’s breath hitched. Her dark eyes widened, glistening with unshed tears as her heart pounded in her chest.

"I know it might take time, and I can wait—"

"Me too," Seana interrupted softly.

Lothe blinked. "Huh? What did you say?"

A bright crimson flush spread across Seana’s face, extending to the tips of her ears. She shook her head, suddenly overwhelmed by embarrassment. "Nothing! I’m not repeating it!"

"Come on," Lothe’s lips curved into a wicked, handsome smirk. "Say it again."

Seana hid her face, whispering softly, "I said... I love—"

Before she could finish, Lothe leaned forward and captured her lips in a sudden kiss.

Seana’s mind went completely blank.

Lothe cradled her face like a priceless treasure, deepening the kiss with a fiery, uninhibited passion he had kept suppressed for weeks.

Though startled for a fraction of a second, Seana didn’t push him away. She closed her eyes, wrapping her arms around his neck, and kissed him back. It was her very first kiss—clumsy and hesitant at first—but guided by pure emotion, she naturally melted into his embrace.

The world around them vanished. There were no mutated beasts, no apocalyptic ruins, no deadly trials—only the warmth of each other’s breath and the quiet beat of their merging hearts.

They were so completely lost in their own world that neither noticed the shadow beneath the suspended black coffin stretching unnaturally across the stone floor.

The dark shadow twisted, rising from the ground to condense into the physical form of a pale young man clad in flowing black robes.

His eyes were pitch-black, devoid of any warmth, as he stared coldly at the embracing couple.

"Trespassing into my master’s sacred sanctuary..." the young man’s voice echoed through the chamber like scraping iron. "...tell me, how should you two be executed?"​