Time flowed steadily onward. But it didn’t matter. Ning Chen had long since mastered the trick to clearing the stage unscathed. Couldn’t even hold onto the windowsill? Then kneel on the spot and decide. The battle never ceased! Ning Chen continuously deployed his forces into the assault on the molten hell. Liu Ru Yan, no matter how many objections she harbored, could only endure—after all, even the scraps were worth scavenging. Time began to accelerate once more. Ning Chen’s eyes gleamed. This time, he didn’t immediately withdraw from Chu Ning’s molten hell. Yet the system remained silent—no damage alerts. Just as he’d guessed! Replicating the same divine ability granted him fire immunity, even if he couldn’t wield it outright. The heat remained intense, but now it felt like soaking in a hot spring—pure comfort. The enemy’s territory had become his own domain! Ning Chen’s focus sharpened, his martial techniques now seamless and impenetrable. Before, even with her innate advantage, Chu Ning had been forced into retreat—how could she hope to stand now? Long yearning breeds endless memory; Short yearning knows no bounds. A night of longing holds more passion Than the span of heaven and earth. The cosmos a grain, roaming the world, The moon a hook, elusive and rare. Millions of soldiers roared their battle cries—General Ning Chen, undefeated! ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ꜰʀᴏᴍ Novᴇl_Fire(.)net A full cycle of the Thirteen Deadly Spears—the duel concluded. As the final charge swept in, Chu Ning collapsed utterly. She couldn’t even kneel anymore, crumpling to the ground in defeat. Ning Chen rose slowly, his vigor undiminished. He cast a sidelong glance at Liu Ru Yan, who swayed unsteadily. “Hand over the treasure.” His voice remained calm, as if the battle had been mere conversation. Such was Ning Chen’s nature. Always the commanding presence, always in control. “Mmm…” Liu Ru Yan hesitated, but a swift swat to her plump rear silenced her protests. Prostrating herself, she offered up her beloved spherical jade seal. Ning Chen took it without a word, immediately sealing Chu Ning’s retreat. His soldiers advanced—never retreated! Leaving the fallen woman where she lay, he bent down, grabbed Liu Ru Yan’s arm, and dragged her back to the bed like a lifeless doll. Perfect timing—Nan Gong Ling had just finished meditating. Time for the second act: Master-Disciple Bonds. Chu Ning had overindulged, gorged to the brim. Even in her dazed state, the effects of the nectar—amplified by her now-fully-operational divine ability—began to manifest. Like holy water poured onto a ceaseless flame mountain, the fire within her gradually subsided. Energy surged through her body, concentrating in her organs. Innate divine abilities often stemmed from mutations of the internal organs. Nether Furnace Devourer’s flames burned from within, rooted in the five viscera: Heart-fire, liver-fire, spleen-fire, lung-fire, kidney-fire. Normally, these five flames balanced each other, remaining harmless unless activated. But emotional or physical agitation could disrupt the equilibrium, triggering uncontrolled outbursts—like before. Now, the nectar’s energy tempered her organs, stabilizing them and accelerating the divine ability’s full awakening. Ning Chen fell silent at the system’s announcement. His gaze drifted to the golden-skinned beauty sprawled on the floor. Fully awakened—but not perfectly awakened. Good news: the original side effect was resolved. Bad news: the new side effect was far worse. Had she just become his irreplaceable plaything? Then again, he accepted it easily. Every woman he’d ever enlightened had become addicted to the Soul-Devouring Spear and nectar. In essence, weren’t they all playthings already? Even those ordinary disciples who’d only had one taste—they hadn’t quit; they simply lacked access. Driven to desperation, they’d have no recourse. As he pondered, a sudden change occurred. A fiery red formation materialized across Chu Ning’s back. Ning Chen narrowed his eyes.