Chapter 1255: Unraveling the Heart

Xu Jingming rose from the sofa and was about to step forward.

Ye Lan suddenly spoke out, as if possessed: "Xu Xuedi... do you think I'm dirty?"

"Dirty? Where did you get that idea, Senior Sister?"

This sudden question made Xu Jingming halt mid-step and turn around with a puzzled expression.

"I mean... the well-known trait of succubi..."

A complex emotion flickered in Ye Lan's purple eyes as her long fingers unconsciously twisted together.

Her voice grew softer, nearly inaudible.

As the famed Bingshan beauty of the Noah Sanctuary, she had never shown such vulnerability before anyone.

Xu Jingming first froze, then chuckled upon realizing what she meant:

"Why would that matter?"

Just look at how you felt just now—you didn't use that method, or you wouldn't have suffered so much.

And even if you had, it wouldn't be a big deal."

Ye Lan lifted her gaze slightly, surprise flashing in her eyes.

"In a world where strength rules, this isn't something immoral."

Xu Jingming spoke lightly, smiling:

"The man chosen by you would probably be overjoyed—what about others' gossip?"

He curled his lips into a defiant smile: "Why care? Do I need to worry about what a bunch of strangers think?"

These words struck like lightning, cleaving through the gloom in Ye Lan's heart.

She stared, stunned, at this junior who was much younger than her.

Suddenly, the heartache that had plagued her for so long seemed absurd.

"Though I'm much older than you..."

Ye Lan sighed softly, her long purple hair glowing gently in the light, "yet in character, I'm far less clear-minded than you."

"Everyone has different personalities, Senior Sister—no need to dwell on it. As long as you've figured it out, that's enough."

Xu Jingming shook his head with a smile.

Ye Lan probably knew this truth already, yet still worried.

Today, caught off guard by me, she finally found the courage to take this step.

"I've figured it out."

Ye Lan gave a slight nod, the icy beauty's aura returning once more:

"I plan to activate my succubus bloodline in the upcoming Cross-Rank Challenge, targeting the Star Level Three of the Lingshu Sanctuary."

A minor use of bloodline power can at best defeat a Star Level Two of the Lingshu Sanctuary.

Full activation might let me clash with Star Level Three, but the succubus transformation that follows will be impossible to hide.

This was what she had been agonizing over.

Now, after what Xu Jingming said, she finally understood.

Let them talk—what matters is the credit points she'd actually earn.

"Good luck, Senior Sister—I'll come watch," Xu Jingming nodded with a smile.

He also wanted to see how demonic bloodline manifested at the Star Level.

"It shouldn't be a problem, but..."

Ye Lan paused, a faint blush rising on her Bai Xi face: "I might need your help afterward."

"Absorbing demonic energy?" Xu Jingming immediately understood.

"Yes."

Ye Lan nodded lightly, her purple eyes holding a hint of anticipation:

"After each bloodline awakening, I need time to stabilize.

If you're there, this side effect won't be an issue."

"No problem, happy to help," Xu Jingming agreed readily.

Absorbing demonic energy was beneficial—he naturally wouldn't refuse.

"Thank you."

Seeing this, Ye Lan exhaled in relief: "I owe you a favor. If you ever need anything, just call me."

"Then I'll have to think carefully about how to use it."

A Star Level Two's favor was genuinely valuable to Xu Jingming at his current stage.

"But right now, we'd better hurry to Jiguang Xuan—they'll be waiting."

Saying this, Xu Jingming walked out first.

Watching his tall, upright back, for some reason,

Ye Lan felt an unfamiliar sense of peace settle in her heart.

"Is it because Xu Jingming helped me resolve the succubus side effect?"

Shaking her head, she didn't dwell on it, and strode after him with her long, rounded legs.

Jiguang Xuan sat atop the most bustling commercial district of the Lingshu Sanctuary.

Through its panoramic floor-to-ceiling windows, one could overlook the entire city's lights.

When Xu Jingming and Ye Lan arrived, the Noah Sanctuary group was already assembled.

"You finally made it!"

Lu Yunji was the first to greet them, her fiery red hair swaying with her movement.

She had specially changed into a fitted long dress, showcasing her stunning figure to perfection.

"Xu junior, you're the star today—everyone's waiting for you."

Yuli glided over from beside the champagne tower, her sultry eyes sweeping over Xu Jingming.

She wore a pink gown, with a pale, suggestive cleavage barely visible; the curve of her waist and hips as she moved was mesmerizing.

Yuli_image

"My fault—I'll punish myself with three glasses later."

Xu Jingming smiled and took the glass offered by the waiter.

"Only if it's a cup like mine."

Raymond leaned in.

His five-meter-tall frame stood out sharply among the crowd, and his wine glass was larger than a basketball.

Xu Jingming paused, his eyelid twitching:

"Fine, fine, fine—you're waiting for me here, right?"

"Since the star has arrived, let's all raise our glasses!"

"To celebrate Xu Jingming's victory over Apollo, avenging our Noah Holy Land with great pride!"

Captain Sol raised his glass first; Xu Jingming smiled and said, "Cheers."

Crystal glasses clinked with a crisp sound, and everyone drained their drinks.

The atmosphere quickly grew lively—even the usually cold Ye Lan became noticeably more cheerful.

Notably, Xu Jingming had invited Teacher Niki to join.

But she declined, saying that if she attended, everyone else would feel restrained.

Indeed, with an Immortal God present, no one could truly relax.

Thus, the grand banquet ended at nine p. m., and everyone returned to rest.

"Deep Blue."

In the villa's training room, Xu Jingming sat cross-legged on the alloy floor, silently murmuring the words.

Instantly, a pale blue virtual interface appeared in his mind.

【Name】: Xu Jingming

【Level】: Starlight Seventh Stage (+)

【Ability】: Doushen Shenlei (T7+)

【Physique】: 2.45 billion Qi (+)

【Spirit】: 2.47 billion He (+)

【Skills】: Thunder Extreme Flash Shadow (T7, Beginner+), Thunder Punishment Art (T7, Beginner+)......

【Body Cultivation】: Purple Thunder Scripture Body (T7, Seventh Layer+)

【Spirit Cultivation】: Star Core Meditation Method (T7, Seventh Layer+)

【Domains】: Thunder Domain (Seventeenth Layer+), Destruction Domain (Tenth Layer+)

【Manifestation】: Thunder Abyss Devouring Sun Form (Peak+)

【Bloodline】: Thunder Prison Demon (Zi Yan Demon Scripture T0, First Layer)

【Source Points】: 316,000

"Tomorrow's opponent is the strongest Starlight-stage cultivator from Lingshu Holy Land—it's time to allocate points."

With a thought, Xu Jingming slammed down the system panel's point-allocation option!