Qi Xinzhu smiled sweetly at Lu Luo, then waved her hand. The Healer's light shone brightly, its dispelling power beginning to clean the stains from her body.

The ability of a Healer was indeed very useful! It could heal wounds, dispel fear, stabilize the mind, and sweep away filth—truly a divine skill for home, travel, killing, and looting.

It didn't take long for the stains on Qi Xinzhu's body to be completely cleansed. After cleaning herself, Qi Xinzhu even washed Lu Luo as well—a rather significant gesture!

The refreshed Qi Xinzhu turned in a circle before Lu Luo, seriously showing off her dress. Although her makeup was smudged by tears, the smears couldn't hide her dazzling eyes. The bride's red veil perfectly accentuated her figure, and the headdress with beaded hairpins added a touch of classical beauty.

Seeing Lu Luo mesmerized, Qi Xinzhu began to dance in the quiet corridor. She couldn't dance, but she knew that at this moment, Lu Luo wanted to see her dance. When a man looks at a woman, what bad thoughts could he possibly have!

"Do I look beautiful in this wedding dress?" Qi Xinzhu asked, her eyes holding a hint of hope and playfulness. This was the second time Lu Luo had truly taken a good look at her.

"Beautiful," Lu Luo replied.

Qi Xinzhu swayed her skirt. "You don't seem to react much. Are you sure it's really beautiful?"

"Yes, really. Very beautiful!"

Even though her wedding gown was a bit creased and damaged, Lu Luo didn't care about such details at that moment. His words weren't insincere; the Qi Xinzhu he knew before never wore makeup. This woman had fulfilled all his expectations. The thrill of their reunion had also confirmed something for Lu Luo: he indeed should have a woman of his own.

Lu Luo opened his arms again, and this time, Qi Xinzhu didn't refuse. They embraced tightly.

Qi Xinzhu rubbed her face carefully against Lu Luo's neck, making a sound that only the two of them could hear.

"Lu Luo!"

"Hmm?"

"I really like you. I really, really, really like you!"

*[Stop, stop! You're killing me with this! I'm voluntarily entering sleep mode.]*

At this moment, Qi Xinzhu didn't mention the Holy Light or Li Ming, nor did she speak of the Believers of Light's pursuits or duties; she simply expressed her feelings for him. She liked Lu Luo, truly liked him—a deep and profound affection. Qi Xinzhu was a relatively simple and straightforward person, and she believed such feelings should be expressed in the simplest, most direct way. She was ready to express her liking and love for Lu Luo. So, she confessed!

"Qi Xinzhu..." Lu Luo seemed slightly taken aback, but he quickly recovered. He wasn't quite sure when their relationship had reached this point, but none of that mattered anymore.

It was indeed more common in the Wasteland Alliance for women to confess to men, yet Lu Luo still felt somewhat uncomfortable with Qi Xinzhu confessing to him. It had been over a year since his transmigration; however, his memories from his past life still made him feel that confessions and courtship should be initiated by men.

Qi Xinzhu was beautiful, virtuous, gentle, caring, and submissive—an epitome of perfection in many people's hearts. Even Lu Luo himself felt that for such a woman to confess to him was... not right, or at least, it shouldn't be this way!

So Lu Luo also responded with action. He took out the brass ring Kuding had given him. This ring was special, one of the first things Kuding had given him, and it was the only token he had received from the Twilight Ceremony: a woman's wedding ring!

He knelt on one knee, raised the ring, and extended it toward Qi Xinzhu. This gesture was very rare in the Wasteland Alliance, as women usually proposed. Even the brides in Nightmare Castle—Tong Yan, Tong Meng, and Tong Yuan—had always been the ones to take the initiative.

Qi Xinzhu had also prepared to propose but never expected Lu Luo to beat her to it. Having received a proper Wasteland education, she had always believed proposing was a woman's role.

Looking at Lu Luo kneeling, Qi Xinzhu was so moved she covered her mouth. In the empty corridor, only Lu Luo's calm and firm voice resonated.

"Qi Xinzhu, marry me!" Lu Luo proclaimed.

At his words, Qi Xinzhu finally couldn't hold back any longer and burst into tears again. But this time, they were tears of happiness and excitement, not sadness!

She nodded repeatedly, forgetting the Church's responsibilities, even her own identity. At this moment, she didn't want to consider such worldly matters. Pursuing Li Ming, believing in the Holy Light, or whatever else—all that could wait. Right now, she just wanted to say yes to Lu Luo.

"I will!" she cried.

Though the empty corridor offered no one to celebrate or cheer for them, Lu Luo still smiled. He had known many women in his previous life, but even when he was about to become the son-in-law of a mafia boss, he had never proposed.

As Lu Luo used to say, why give up the entire forest for a single tree? But now things were different. His tree... It was *this* big! This tree held countless secrets waiting for him to discover; other 'small groves' didn't matter in the slightest.

Lu Luo slipped the ring onto Qi Xinzhu's ring finger and slowly stood up. The usually gentle and serene Qi Xinzhu was now as passionate as fire.

She threw herself at Lu Luo, hugging him tightly. Lifting her head, she moved her luscious lips, her meaning self-evident. Lu Luo embraced her and kissed her deeply, their lips parting only after a long, lingering moment.

This time, Lu Luo was finally honest with his heart, uttering a love confession he had always been reluctant to admit.

"Qi Xinzhu, I like you so much too! From the moment you walked into my heart, no one could compare to you."

Hearing Lu Luo's affirmative answer, Qi Xinzhu let out a suppressed giggle.

But her giggles were short-lived as Lu Luo scooped her up in his arms. He had been here before and was quite familiar with the surroundings.

Qi Xinzhu seemed to know what was about to happen. Showing no refusal, she just buried her head in Lu Luo's chest and pointed. "Let's go over there. That's my room!" After speaking, she hugged Lu Luo again and fell silent.

Lu Luo felt a flame ignite in his heart as he carried Qi Xinzhu quietly towards the bedroom she had occupied for over a month. After closing the door, he laid her gently on the bed.

Seeing the beauty within arm's reach, Lu Luo found himself hesitating. His reactions became sluggish, even a bit clumsy.

Qi Xinzhu saw Lu Luo's hesitation. She smiled sweetly, reached out, took his large hand, and placed it on her own body. "Lu Luo, this is the voice of my heart."

Lu Luo's mind went blank; this was too overwhelming. He couldn't feel any voice from her heart. Lu Luo's breath became heavy. Although he was an experienced lover, he was somehow nervous at this moment.

"Qi Xinzhu!"

"Love me well!"

Just like their unsuccessful attempts before, Qi Xinzhu once again took the initiative. As their clothes were shed, her usual restraint vanished, leaving only passion and exuberance.

「...」

Lu Luo's physique was astounding, and Qi Xinzhu's constitution was also formidable. Coupled with her Healer abilities, there wasn't the slightest problem. Several hours passed before they finally finished.

Qi Xinzhu, her eyes sultry as silk, rubbed her nose back and forth against Lu Luo's arm. Then, she stopped and pressed her face against his neck, sucking hard.

Qi Xinzhu had wanted to leave a hickey, a mark to declare her sovereignty; from this day forward, this man would be hers. However, Lu Luo wore a rather strange expression as he received a notification: *[You have been attacked. Your Armor trait has made you immune to this attack.]* Ugh! This is rather awkward! he thought.

"Why can't I leave a mark?" Qi Xinzhu asked, puzzled.

"Don't worry about such details!" Lu Luo replied.

After their second round, Qi Xinzhu pushed him away. "Lu Luo, we're still not out of danger, are we? This is the Nightmare Castle!"

"Uh, I'm aware of that." Lu Luo scratched his head and sneakily glanced at the time. Damn it! It's almost 4 p.m.! I've really let myself go!

But when he turned to look at Qi Xinzhu, a certain thought arose. The Monarch foregoes the morning court; my beloved consort, let us rest! If I could continue to indulge like this, it wouldn't be too bad at all—I certainly wouldn't object.

Qi Xinzhu felt Lu Luo's gaze. At this moment, her earlier passion and boldness faded, replaced by a touch of shyness. She wanted to pull a pillow to shield herself but realized the one beneath her was soaked through. Clutching the damp pillow, not knowing where to put it, her face turned an even deeper shade of red.

"Stop looking and get up!" she urged, flustered.

"Alright!" Lu Luo agreed.

Lu Luo didn't prolong their intimacy and quickly began to get ready. Qi Xinzhu was right: their situation hadn't cleared up. They were still in the Nightmare Castle, far from safety. Their current surroundings certainly didn't permit them to continue their affectionate moments.

They quickly gathered their gear. Lu Luo took Qi Xinzhu's hand. "My wife," he whispered.

"My husband," she replied softly. Sharing a smile, they left the room filled with so many fresh memories.

But soon, Lu Luo sneaked back in, retrieved the newly bloodstained bedsheets, and stashed them in his ring. "AHEM! Let's go!"

Returning to the corridor, Qi Xinzhu's face was somewhat red. She knew what Lu Luo had gone back for but didn't stop him. If he wanted a memento, let him have it, she thought. Why would she stop him?

Standing in the corridor, Lu Luo surveyed the surroundings. After confirming their location, he decided on their next course of action. This was indeed the same circular corridor he had visited before, but unlike last time, it wasn't crowded with guards. It was quiet and deserted, vastly different from his previous visit.

"Lu Luo, what do we do now?" Qi Xinzhu asked.

"Follow me," he replied, taking her hand and walking straight ahead.

「...」

Atop the East Ring's Wall of Watchers, Bai Yuetong stood with her arms crossed, gazing at the shattered Fourth Ring with a distant look in her eyes. Nearby, Zhou Kai held a rocket launcher, its barrel still hot from a recent firing. He, too, stared at the ruins of the Fourth Ring, momentarily speechless.

"The Fourth Ring really took a beating this time!" Zhou Kai exclaimed. "The Fourth Wall is broken too, and that castle... that must be the Nightmare Demon's Red and White Castle, right?"

Indeed, visible to everyone, the Nightmare Demon's Red and White Castle now sat upon the ruins of the Fourth Wall, with endless Exotic Species circling around it. Nobody knew how the Red and White Castle had appeared; it was like something from a dream. After the mist from the battle between Ludie and the Nightmare Demon had dissipated, it simply stood there, atop the high Fourth Wall. What incredible power could achieve this?

Everyone was waiting for the outcome of the battle between Ludie and the Nightmare Demon. They didn't know the combatants' exact whereabouts but had seen them both fall into the castle. Everyone, that is, except for Bai Yuetong. The scene she had witnessed was somewhat different from what others saw; the battle between Ludie and the Nightmare Demon was not so simple.

However, she kept this to herself, knowing no one would believe her even if she spoke.

"Xiaobai," Zhou Kai suddenly asked, his voice tinged with regret for the Fourth Ring's current state, "have the Church and the Parliament really given up on it?" Having grown up in the Fourth Ring, he genuinely wished for its recovery.

"They most likely have," Bai Yuetong replied.

"Will the Fourth Ring be ruined then?" Zhou Kai pressed.

Bai Yuetong glanced at the Hunters battling Exotic Species on the Fourth Ring's frontline and shook her head. "In the past, the Fourth Ring would certainly have been doomed. But now, things are different."

"Why?" Zhou Kai asked.

"Because the Fourth Ring now has a new spiritual leader, a new Watcher. After this disaster, the Fourth Ring will undoubtedly be reborn."

A peculiar brilliance flickered in Bai Yuetong's eyes, surprising Zhou Kai. This seriousness was so different from her usual demeanor!

"You say that as if you know what's going to happen next," he remarked.

Bai Yuetong didn't want to explain what she had seen to Zhou Kai; perhaps only Lu Luo could understand such things. "The next wave is almost here. Get ready," she said, jumping into her Mecha. Its cannons were almost out of ammunition. From now on, she would have to rely on melee weapons. Not being skilled in Martial Arts, Bai Yuetong could only resort to crude chopping!

Layers of black dots gradually approached the Third Wall, growing larger with proximity. Only when they were close enough could their true forms be discerned: an array of differently shaped Exotic Species.

The endless circular high wall was already lined with soldiers, members of the Constitution Guard Corps, and Church personnel—everyone armed and ready. The Wall Guardians manned their shock cannons, machine guns, and numerous missile systems.

When the Black Tide occurred, no one was exempt. This was no longer a battle between factions; it was a war between humankind and Exotic Species—the Black Tide War.

Exotic Species dove from the sky, swooping down on the Third Wall. The commander of the Constitution Guard Corps drew his sword. "For the Alliance!" he roared.

Without any rehearsal, everyone atop the high wall echoed in unison, "For the Alliance!"

Flames lit up the sky as a new round of brutal combat at the wall erupted once more.

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