53: Chapter 53 The Temptation of Demonic Energy VS. The Price of Physical Consequences! Erica's Choice!

Duan Gujin took the twin sisters Li Jieju and Li Zhiyi to the major important cities of the Chongguang Kingdom to set up Demon-Slaying Formations.

They traveled swiftly aboard a flying Magic Treasure.

Duan Gujin showed no hesitation as he held the sisters by their waists and shoulders.

Li Jieju shyly shrank into his embrace, while Li Zhiyi forced herself to appear calm, though her heart raced and her face flushed red.

At every core city they reached, Duan Gujin released a powerful aura that awed the entire population.

He announced that he was there to set up Formations to protect the cities against the demon calamity, then had the sisters stand behind him.

He took out the core of the Formation.

When setting up the Vermilion Bird Demon-Burning Formation, he drove a crimson crystal into the leyline.

Instantly, a curtain of flames covered the city, and a phantom of the Vermilion Bird appeared, purifying the Devilish Qi as the commoners cheered.

When setting up the Brahma Pure World Formation, he drove a sarira-like crystal core into the leyline.

A white light curtain unfolded, Buddhist chants hummed low, and golden runes flowed, bringing peace and harmony, which similarly caused the commoners to worship him.

The sisters watched as Duan Gujin effortlessly laid down world-shaking Formations, and hearing the commoners' adoration, they felt both shocked and proud.

The intimacy of last night and this morning seemed insignificant compared to this moment.

Their admiration and dependence on Duan Gujin grew, and their sense of belonging deepened.

Duan Gujin sensed the change in their gazes and was very satisfied.

After leaving the twins at the imperial palace, he immediately activated a World-Breaking Magic Treasure and rushed to Erica's location.

He had previously set up a positioning Formation there, allowing him to arrive instantly regardless of where he was.

His intention was to deliver Cultivation resources to her.

As the spatial fluctuations subsided, Duan Gujin stepped out of the Void Realm, and the scene before him made him freeze instantly—

Erica was taking a bath in the bathroom.

She was soaking in the tub with her back to him, her long black hair clinging wetly to her back.

"Ah—!"

Sensing movement behind her, Erica whipped her head around, saw Duan Gujin, and let out a startled cry.

She immediately submerged her body in the water, leaving only her shoulders and face visible, her eyes filled with shame and anger.

"How did you get in here?!"

Duan Gujin hadn't expected to see this scene either, and his heart rate quickened.

He quickly turned his body to the side, his voice a bit unnatural: "Erica! Sorry! There was a problem with the teleportation! I'm leaving now!"

Though he said this, his feet didn't move, and his eyes couldn't help but glance at Erica's blushing face and wet hair amidst the steam.

"Get out!"

Erica was both ashamed and annoyed, her voice trembling.

Duan Gujin chuckled. Instead of retreating, he spoke in a low voice filled with desire:

"Erica... please... let me look for a little longer... just a little longer... I promise not to offend you..."

His gaze locked onto her, filled with undisguised infatuation.

He unconsciously tightened his grip on the jade box he had intended to give her, which contained Cultivation resources.

The atmosphere in the bathroom became extremely suggestive.

Only Erica's rapid breathing and Duan Gujin's burning gaze clashed silently.

Erica said, "Isn't it just a woman bathing? What is there to see?"

Soaking in the tub, she tried her best to appear calm, but her sneer was forced.

"Heh..."

Duan Gujin laughed deeply, his eyes fixed on her in the water with an air of inevitability.

"Of course it's different! Your beauty is unique."

He shook the jade box in his hand. "I originally came to deliver Cultivation resources."

"Continue your bath! I'll give them to you in a bit."

These words sounded more like he intended to watch right now.

Erica felt uncomfortable under his gaze, her heart beating wildly.

She deliberately raised her chin and said in a provocative tone, "You talk a good game. Do you dare to come over?"

"Why wouldn't I dare?!"

Duan Gujin moved.

He walked toward the tub step by step.

Erica immediately sank into the water, exposing only her head and shoulders.

She glared at him, very angry.

Duan Gujin crouched by the edge of the tub, very close to her.

He looked at her, his gaze resting on the wet hair by her neck.

He reached out and twirled that strand of hair.

"You...!" Erica's body shuddered. She wanted to curse but couldn't make a sound.

With the wall of the tub behind her, she had no way to retreat.

Duan Gujin stared into her eyes: "Regardless, you will be my Dao Companion from now on."

His fingers slid down the hair and touched her shoulder.

Erica took a sharp breath, her entire body freezing.

She wanted to push his hand away, but her arm wouldn't move.

Duan Gujin felt the texture of her skin and her slight trembling, his lips curling into a triumphant smile.

He leaned down, his hot breath brushing against her ear.

"So, right now, I'm just enjoying the benefits in advance."

The fingers twirling her hair applied slight pressure, bringing her face a bit closer to his.

Only the sound of their rapid breathing and the tense atmosphere remained in the bathroom.

Duan Gujin stared at her intently, as if looking at a treasure he had already secured, his gaze burning.

The jade box in his other hand was gripped tightly, long forgotten.

Soaking in the hot water, Erica's body was tense.

Duan Gujin was very close, his aura aggressive.

He twirled her hair, making half of her body go numb.

Her heart hammered like a drum; she knew she was completely at a disadvantage, having been seen naked and now being toyed with.

A reckless impulse surged within her.

She suddenly looked up, staring directly into Duan Gujin's desire-filled eyes: "Am I beautiful?"

Duan Gujin grinned. "Beautiful indeed!"

His gaze swept over her shoulders, neck, and her partially visible body in the water, locking onto her provocative yet panicked eyes.

"More than just beautiful, you are simply soul-stirring! I like it very much! I love it!"

Having said that, he released her hair.

The hand that had been clutching the jade box moved.

With a flick of his wrist, he opened the lid.

Buzz!

An extremely pure and powerful energy instantly filled the air.

Inside the box was not a gemstone, but a mass of constantly shifting, deep purple-black vortex that looked like a nebula!

At the core of the vortex, a trace of dark gold flowed, emitting an ancient, domineering, and majestic Hunyuan Demon Essence!

"Hunyuan Demon Essence!"

Erica cried out in shock, her shame and nervousness completely replaced by immense shock.

She knew all too well what this was!

This was a supreme treasure of the Demon Realm, the Origin crystal of Chaos Devilish Qi!

To a member of the Demon Race like her, it was a supreme divine object!

Duan Gujin enjoyed her shock and desire, smugly handing the jade box forward.

"It is indeed Hunyuan Demon Essence! Refine it, and your Foundation will be incredibly stable, and your cultivation will advance by leaps and bounds! Bottlenecks? They will be powerless!"

Erica's heart raced, her gaze completely captivated by the vortex.

The temptation was too great. She subconsciously wanted to reach out and touch it.

But Duan Gujin's next words were like ice water dousing her excitement.

He didn't withdraw the jade box; instead, he leaned even closer, his hot breath fanning her face.

His voice was low, carrying a playful yet unquestionable force:

"I had intended to leave immediately after delivering this 'small gift'..."

"But now, it seems I've changed my mind."

He tilted his head slightly, revealing a predatory smile:

"Erica, for such a heavy gift, I should receive some benefits, shouldn't I?"

He emphasized the word 'benefits' heavily, a naked implication.

The light of the Hunyuan Demon Essence remained alluring, but in Erica's eyes, it had now become a sweet trap, a bargaining chip to be exchanged for her most precious thing at this moment.

The air in the bathroom froze.

Duan Gujin stared at her, waiting for her response.

"What benefits do you want?" Erica actually calmed down.

She knew very well that what she could give him now was her body.

It was the only thing of value she had.

"Take it! Hold it steady!" Duan Gujin said seriously.

Erica did as she was told.

She had already prepared to pay the price with her body.

However, to her surprise, Duan Gujin simply kissed her.

After the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, Duan Gujin finally left.

"Cultivate well! I'm going!"

After saying that, his body flashed and he disappeared.

In the tub, only a stunned Erica remained.