The Plan

As the morning sun rose above the Red Feng Sect, golden light spilled across the courtyard, illuminating the fine spirit jade tiles with a warm, gentle glow.

Inside his private residence, Luo Yang stood before a polished bronze mirror, adjusting the collar of his fresh robes. Today, he wore a robe of black and deep crimson, embroidered with faint dragon scales along the sleeves—elegant, yet low-key. The fabric shimmered faintly, woven with protective threads only available to the elite.

Behind him, a flicker of darkness shifted.

From the corner of the room, a shadow detached itself from the wall and silently took form. A faint, humanoid silhouette cloaked in black mist knelt behind Luo Yang. Its voice was low, yet it echoed strangely—like whispering through layers of fog.

"Reporting: Last night, Sect Master Jiu You entered a sealed training chamber beneath the inner palace. An hour later, she consumed the Fire Essence Pill you gave her. She has cultivated through the night and has only recently emerged."

Luo Yang's fingers paused over the sash at his waist.

"…So she's taken it." His lips curled into a satisfied smile. "That makes things easier."

Just the memory of her flawless skin and seductive form flickered in his mind—and the thought of her body flushed with Fire Essence made his blood stir again. But now wasn't the time to act on desire. No… this was a time for planning.

The shadow bowed once more and vanished—gone as if it had never existed.

At that exact moment, a soft knock echoed at the door.

Luo Yang turned, now fully composed. "Enter."

The door opened, and Jiu You stepped in gracefully.

She wore a bold deep crimson dress that clung to her mature figure in all the right places, accentuating the curve of her hips and the swell of her breasts.

The neckline dipped just enough to reveal a tantalizing hint of her cleavage, and a slit ran high up her thigh, exposing smooth, pale skin with each step. The soft scent of jasmine wafted through the air as she approached, her gaze flicking between them.

Lucian's eyes darkened with raw, unbridled lust the moment she came into view. His gaze roamed her body, in every detail — the soft curve of her hips, the subtle bounce of her breasts as she moved, the way her dress hugged her every contour.

"Young Master Luo," she greeted, lowering her head slightly. "I hope your rest was… satisfactory."

Luo Yang raised an eyebrow, then gave a slow smile. "Your Red Feng Sect has certainly taken good care of all my needs."

His tone was casual, but the emphasis on the word needs made Jiu You's heart skip. A faint blush colored her cheeks, but she didn't respond directly.

She simply smiled and said, "We only did our duty."

This was more than duty as she specially wear this bold dress to show highlights of her seductive beauty. Clearly she was offended as she think about how can her charm did not work on young boy. Did her beauty is not enough or this young man has seen more beauty than her.

Luo Yang sat on the edge of a jade-inlaid bench and gestured lazily. "Still, I think I should offer something in return. It wouldn't be proper to enjoy such hospitality without reciprocating."

Of course, he had no intention of repaying favors. He was simply setting the next part of his plan in motion. And from the way her eyes subtly gleamed, he could tell Jiu You wasn't averse to receiving something more.

She remained poised, but Luo Yang saw the flicker of expectation in her gaze—perhaps something like another Fire Essence Pill.

He leaned back with an easy grace. "From the scroll your sect found… I uncovered a lead. A hidden location within Dragon Burial Mountain. It might contain something valuable. If you're interested, I wouldn't mind you accompanying me."

For a moment, Jiu You looked genuinely surprised.

"…Me?" she asked, her voice soft.

But her heart was already racing. A personal invitation? To explore a treasure site with someone like him?

Still, she didn't want to appear too eager.

"If Young Master wishes," she replied smoothly. "I would be honored to accompany you."

But deep inside, she was delighted. A secret mission with Luo Yang meant opportunity. Maybe even more than that. And she'd already guessed he had at least one hidden guardian with him. With that kind of protection, they could even step deep into the dangerous areas of the mountain.

Luo Yang gave a lazy nod. "We'll leave soon. Prepare a flying chariot. I prefer to travel in style."

"As you command," she said with a slight bow, then turned and walked away.

Luo Yang's eyes followed her as she left—her figure swaying slightly with each step. He smirked to himself, a quiet gleam of amusement flashing in his eyes.

[System]: "Evil dragon, scheming fox. What a pair you two make."

Luo Yang chuckled internally.

"You're just jealous I thought of all this before you could suggest it."

[System]: "Fair. But I still approve. Once she's completely immersed in preparing for her breakthrough, she won't suspect anything—even if her cultivation essence flows into your body. You'll gain the fire essence, the pill's benefits, and the dual cultivation bonus all in one move."

As the door closed and he was alone again, Luo Yang's eyes narrowed.

Soon, he would step into the mountain.

And soon… the dragon bone would be his.

But first, he would enjoy the journey—with his chosen flame dancing beside him.