What seemed like a wonderfully aromatic affair turned out to be a bit too much for Shi Chun, who, somewhat unaware of the joys at hand, was actually frightened by the event.

When the woman suddenly made such a move, Shi Chun instinctively tried to dodge, but he confirmed something: the woman's cultivation was definitely higher than his. Unable to avoid her and powerless to resist, he tried to push her away. His arms felt like trying to shake a mountain, but it was more like he ended up supporting her waist.

In any case, he was forcibly kissed.

The woman's lips ground and paused, searched and stopped, uncertain whether she was looking for a particular sensation or scavenging for something to eat.

Shi Chun widened his eyes at close range to observe the twisting face in front of him, clueless about the woman's intent. He didn't believe her actions were related to romance; it definitely wasn't that sort of thing between men and women. He couldn't tell if she was casting some evil magic on him or doing something even more terrifying.

He was panicked to his core, wanted to exclaim but didn't dare to open his mouth, afraid some horror might crawl inside. So, he kept his lips tightly sealed, enduring the clumsy encounters with her lips, teeth, and tongue, occasionally finding it painful.

With his right eye, he could see clearly that this woman was no ordinary person—she was some kind of monster, and he dared not respond with his mouth open.

However, the sensation of her lips and the closeness of her body felt very much alive, and her skin seemed to carry an unusually fresh scent.

What was this situation? A group of people in the air all widened their eyes, some using magic to squeeze their eyeballs, some focusing their magic like glass, repeatedly fine-tuning their vision, desperate to see what the pair embraced on the mountaintop were doing—unable to resist making sure, in case they had seen wrong.

The result proved they were not mistaken. Gu Lianni, Yuan Yao, and others exchanged glances, even Pang Hou, who was holding the name list to check, was a bit dumbfounded.

Unable to hold back, Pang Hou asked, "What's he doing?"

After speaking, he couldn't help but look around—the so many people watching, making such a public display was simply too indecent.

Watching it was quite nauseating. Gu Lianni's lips twisted again and again, and after a good while, seeing that the two who were kissing showed no sign of parting, she couldn't help but curse, "Is this his so-called healing skill? Why do I feel like he's taking advantage of someone without a brain, seeing her beauty and seizing the opportunity to take liberties?"

"It seems like the woman's initiative," Yuan Yao said, playing the devil's advocate.

Gu Lianni, with a crooked smile, retorted, "She initiated, but doesn't he know how to refuse? Even a woman without a brain wouldn't just take the initiative for no reason. Who knows what Shi Chun said to her to make her take the lead like this?"

The logic was sound; this was probably the case. Yuan Yao nodded slightly and sighed, "He is indeed from the Land of Exile, which is known for being liberal. Under the gaze of this many, he really doesn't care at all, not even thinking about retreating."

Gu Lianni huffed, "So many people are watching. If this gets back to Zhener's sect, let's see how Shi Chun explains it. Hmph, the so-called top contestant of the Sky Rain Meteor Conference, nothing but an unscrupulous scoundrel!"

The comment was spot-on, and the tone caught the attention of Pang Hou and Yuan Yao, who both turned to look at her, their focus shifting from the kissing couple to her face as if observing something.

Wu Jinliang, who was controlling a Wind Scale on his own, was also stupefied but soon couldn't help but laugh. Oh, Chun Tian, it seems you asked us to step aside just to make it convenient for your smooching.

He too pursed his lips in disgust, feeling indignant at the sight of Shi Chun kissing any beauty he encountered.

Of course, Wu Jinliang knew Shi Chun well and knew that Shi Chun would never do such a thing in public just for the sake of female beauty.

He wasn't surprised by it; the Chun Tian he knew had always been shameless in these matters, unprincipled in achieving his goals. Take Miao Yilan, for instance—not that he particularly liked her, yet he shamelessly declared his love for her, pretending to be deeply infatuated.

Every time he saw it, he felt like turning away and throwing up.

And that Demon Path's Xiang Laner. If Chun Tian had even the slightest affection for her, Wu Jinliang would've bet his own head as a soccer ball. Yet Chun Tian could make such a deep declaration of love, making those in the know cringe with disgust.

Now, openly smooching with this woman was just another act from the same playbook. Who knows what benefits Chun Tian had discovered in her to be so utterly shameless.

He couldn't help but lick his lips, his eyes twinkling, suspecting there must be a unique benefit at play here; otherwise, why would he openly smooch for so long? This was far beyond Chun Tian's usual threshold.

Of course, Wu Jinliang also knew that in these matters, Shi Chun fundamentally had no boundaries—only a question of whether there was a need.

Besides, he was quite envious of Shi Chun at the moment, because that Zhener was beautiful.

The rest of the Mingshan Sect, sharing a Wind Scale, Chu Jingtang suddenly let out a sigh, "In such a dangerous place, to still be in the mood for this, the Master truly is unrestrained!"

Tong Mingshan nodded, "Even the Land of Eternal Night cannot obscure the Master's brilliance."

Zhu Xiangxin then asked those around, "Who is that woman? Isn't the Master fond of Xiang Laner?"

Lao Changtai chuckled, "An extra fondness for one more isn't impossible. Whoever she is, as long as the Master is happy."

The men exchanged grins, seeing that the Master still had such leisure, their fear of the Forbidden Land subsided considerably, their taut nerves relaxed, turning cheerful.

Sects members observing from a distance, after trying to get a rough look, were somewhat baffled, not understanding what was going on.

Wu Shanshan from Forget Love Valley snorted coldly, "Shameless!"

A group of women with contempt on their faces had just been discussing whether to go and make contact with Shi Chun. Now it was obviously inappropriate to interrupt.

Of course, they also hesitated whether to make contact at all. Shi Chun's group was currently entangled, and their joining would not help but could potentially implicate them. They had to weigh their options and remained indecisive, only able to wait for an opportunity.

Some sect members also tried to get closer, eager to identify which sect's Disciple was kissing Shi Chun publicly.

Pang Hou also shook his head after putting away the roster, "I can't find any name related to Zhener on the list."

Gu Lianni frowned, "There are not many women in Artifact Refining, so few that you can count them on one hand. How could we not find her?"

Yuan Yao suggested, "Perhaps the name 'Zhener' is just a nickname, not her real name."

Gu Lianni directly dismissed this topic, her gaze returning to the two people hugging on the hilltop, "Do we have to keep watching them kiss until when?"

Little did they know, Shi Chun was also in agony, his face flushed red with the struggle to breathe. He wanted to pull out the 'Ice Goat' to get some air, but he couldn't move.

His resistance and struggles earlier had been suppressed by the other's spellbinding, rendering him immobile. The half-breath he had been holding onto this whole time was at its end, and he was truly about to suffocate.

"Mmmhm, mmmhm..." Shi Chun tried to signal with sounds through his nose, but the other continued to chew on him like gnawing on a pig's trotter, honing their skills on him.

The air here was toxic, which saddened him—he never imagined he would die like this one day, kissed to death by a woman.

There's a term called 'the death throes,' and under his incessant "mmhm" protests, Zhener in mid-kiss sensed something was amiss and finally let him go.

Shi Chun immediately took out the Ice Goat and held it up to his nose, gasping for breath with big, heaving gulps.

Seeing the Ice Goat in his hands, Zhener seemed to remember something, and, lost in thought, said, "You can't stay here for long."

Just as Shi Chun caught his breath and was about to speak, Zhener's soft body pressed against him again. This time she didn't kiss him, she just hugged him, looking up at him and saying, "Women shouldn't be touched lightly by men. Only lovers kiss each other. We are now lovers; I am your woman, and you are my man."

"Ah?" It took a moment for Shi Chun's usually quick witted brain to process this.

With a calm gaze filled with a different kind of expectation, Zhener continued to question him, "You're definitely going to take me away, aren't you?"

Shi Chun was struck speechless.

Putting together their previous conversations, he gradually understood what had just happened with that nearly lethal kiss.

He was somewhat baffled—where did this woman get her ideas about confirming a lovers' relationship?

The wind blew, Zhener's long hair fluttered, and the hem of her dress tumbled, revealing legs that in the night seemed eerily white. The only constant was the expectancy in her eyes, fixed intently on Shi Chun's and not letting go.

There was a clarity in her eyes that left Shi Chun momentarily unsure of how to respond.

Zhener suddenly asked, "What's your name?"

Shi Chun finally replied, "Shi Chun, 'Shi' as in master, 'Chun' as in spring."

"Your name is beautiful. I know about spring; it's a wonderful season, and the flowers are beautiful," said Zhener with a longing smile, before asking again, "Shi Chun, you'll definitely help me leave, won't you?"

Shi Chun inwardly lamented, knowing he didn't have such ability. If she really was a creature bound by the local curses, stepping over the boundary could mean her death.

He was now beginning to understand Situ Gu's dilemma—it may not have been that he lied to Zhener.

If Situ Gu had intended to deceive, Zhener would have seen not only him but also other disciples from Refining Heaven Sect at the reactivation of the Divine Fire Covenant in the future.

Situ Gu, who had absorbed so much Divine Fire to become the number one Artifact Refiner, must have been aided by this woman.

Situ Gu knew of her existence and that she could help find Divine Fire, yet the disciples of Refining Heaven Sect refrained from disturbing her—indicating that Situ Gu probably had not disclosed her existence to the sect.

Based on his understanding of these Artifact Refiners, it was highly unlikely they would pass up such a shortcut.

Was he protecting this woman from being disturbed, or did he fear others finding this shortcut would jeopardize his position as the top Artifact Refiner?

In the sects, no matter how prominent younger members arise, there is an order of seniority, especially for someone of Situ Gu's standing.

Moreover, Situ Gu became the number one Artifact Refiner later on—he didn't know he would reach that status in his earlier years.

Was Situ Gu protecting the woman?

Oh, when they met, this woman had not yet transformed.

In other words, Situ Gu might be protecting this 'monster.'

Maybe Situ Gu hadn't forgotten his promise, but he hadn't found a way to fulfill it. Otherwise, given his status in the Artifact Refining World, it wouldn't be too difficult for him to come in if he really wanted to.

Of course, these were all his speculations; there might be other reasons.

Shi Chun raised his hands, glanced at the people surrounding them 'with bated breath,' hesitated for a moment, and then responded. He gently wrapped his arms around her soft waist, offering his kindness, and, avoiding her question, he countered, "Was it Situ Gu who gave you your name?"

Zhener shook her head slightly, "It was 'Su' who named me. The woman with whom I'm most familiar, and whom I modeled my human form after, is her. I long to be human. She told me 'er' means person, so 'Zhener' means becoming a real person."

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