After everyone left, Xia Zihan turned her face away, her fingertips unconsciously tugging at the hem of her dress, twisting the fabric into deep wrinkles.

The space fell into a deathly silence, with only her deliberately heavy breathing freely venting her pent-up grievances.

Qin Luo looked at her tense profile, sighed helplessly, and forced himself to move closer to her despite his weakness. He reached out to put his arm around her waist, but she turned away to avoid him.

Xia Zihan bit her lower lip and remained silent, her eyes filled with mist that reflected the chaotic void in the distance, making her look just like a cat whose tail had been stepped on.

"What, are you still angry about what I just said?"

“They were the ones who interfered with us first. I let it go because I listened to you and didn’t make a big deal out of it, but they still took advantage of me.”

At this point, she finally couldn't hold back any longer; her voice was muffled and nasal.

"You're so kind, you immediately side with them. Men who've changed their hearts are always fickle..."

Qin Luo smiled weakly and walked gently behind her. This time, Xia Zihan did not dodge again. She twisted her body for a moment, pretending that she could not break free, and then leaned her delicate body completely into that familiar embrace.

Seeing this, Qin Luo raised his hand and wiped away the tears that were about to fall from the corners of her eyes:

"How come I didn't know that when you get jealous, it's more powerful than a soul-shattering tribulation?"

"Look, we'll all be living together from now on, we can't be at each other's throats every day. Just think of it as me, don't hold it against them, okay?"

Upon hearing this, Xia Zihan turned around abruptly and looked up, her eyes reddening.

"Fine, you really have changed your mind. I made such a big compromise for you, and instead of comforting me, you criticize me. I'm not jealous at all. Go find your other women, hmph!"

The voice carried a hint of despair, and the primordial sea surged behind him, but suddenly subsided when it touched Qin Luo's pale face.

Seeing her angry and aggrieved expression, Qin Luo couldn't help but chuckle to himself. On a whim, he reached out and gently pinched her reddened nose.

"Still saying you're not jealous? Your little lips are pouting so much you could hang an oil bottle on them."

Xia Zihan angrily slapped his hand away, about to lash out, when she saw Qin Luo suddenly cough, which terrified her. She instinctively reached out to support him, but when her fingertips touched his burning hot clothes, she met his eyes full of laughter.

She then realized she'd been tricked, abruptly pulled her hand away, and turned her flushed cheeks away, scolding him playfully:

"You, you're just trying to scare me! I'm never going to take care of you again! Even if you're in so much pain, I won't even look at you!"

Despite her harsh words, she involuntarily snuggled into his arms, her small fists raining down on his chest. Though she seemed angry, her blows were weaker than a falling flower petal.

Qin Luo took the opportunity to grasp her fair wrist, pressing her soft palm against his rapidly heaving heart, and chuckled hoarsely:

“It’s my fault that my Han’er has suffered such a great injustice. I should have cherished and protected you, but instead you have to bear so much injustice.”

The sound of "Han'er" was like a refreshing spring wine, making Xia Zihan's heart burn. She looked up at Qin Luo and saw the tender affection in his eyes. It was clearly a word of surrender, but he made it sound so captivating.

She bit her lower lip and lightly punched his chest, seemingly annoyed and embarrassed, and said:

"You just use these sweet words to coax people... How can I be so weak, always falling for your tricks?"

After saying that, she suddenly lowered her gaze, her fingertips unconsciously caressing his chest, and said coquettishly:

"Then, how do you plan to make it up to me?"

The beauty in his arms spoke of making amends, but her fingertips unconsciously drew circles on his heart. Her warm breath, carrying a faint fragrance, sprayed on his neck, drawing ever closer.

She hadn't forgotten what Murong Liyue had said not long ago; it was probably because of that body that she had managed to take advantage of the situation. This also made Xia Zihan realize that if she had ignored Qin Luo's words and insisted on giving it to him, would so many unexpected things have happened?

As soon as she stopped thinking, Xia Zihan looked up, her eyes glistening with tears. With a twist of her slender waist, she almost clung to Qin Luo.

Looking at the beautiful woman so close to him, Qin Luo's Adam's apple bobbed, and his weakness couldn't overcome the excitement he felt at that moment.

At this moment, Xia Zihan's black hair cascaded down her shoulders like an ink waterfall, and the corners of her eyes were tinged with an intoxicating crimson. Her usually cold and aloof phoenix eyes were now covered with a layer of watery light, like crushed stars soaking in spring water, with a captivating tenderness flowing between the ripples.

Her lips glistened with moisture, rising and falling gently with her breath, her expression a mixture of reproach and resentment, adding to her allure.

She tilted her head, her cherry lips almost brushing against Qin Luo's chin, her warm breath spraying onto his sensitive neck. Her slender waist twisted slightly again, her slightly less delicate body pressing tightly against him. The burning heat transmitted through the fabric made Qin Luo's throat a little dry and hoarse. Her fair skin shimmered with a faint purple light with each movement, like a sunset glow falling to earth.

Judging from this situation, Qin Luo naturally expected something, but at this moment they were still in the midst of the academy competition, not to mention that Murong Liyue and the others were still outside. He couldn't just act rashly and ignore everything.

A low, hoarse sigh escaped Qin Luo's throat, his trembling hands frozen on her waist, not daring to move down. Forcing back his last shred of clarity, he turned his head away from her burning red lips and rasped:

"Zihan, we're still on this shattered continent. Anything else can wait until things are over..."

Unfortunately, before he could finish speaking, Xia Zihan forcefully interrupted him. A tingling sensation shot up his spine and to the top of his head, almost making him lose his breath. His hand, which had been hovering in mid-air, covered Qian's slender waist.

"Hmph~ You always use these excuses to brush me off."

After a while, the two separated slightly. Xia Zihan was panting heavily, her eyes glistening with tears. Her jade-like hand tightened its grip on the sash around his neck. She tilted her head back, her red lips brushing against his jawline, and whispered sweetly in his ear.

"If I had known this would happen, I shouldn't have listened to you in the first place. If I had given myself to you then, none of this sordid stuff would have happened. It's all your fault for insisting on following those rules..."

As she spoke, Xia Zihan suddenly buried her face in his chest, her voice muffled. Thinking of Murong Liyue and Yi Ting, she lightly pinched Qin Luo's waist.

Qin Luo looked down at the woman in his arms, his eyes filled with longing as he pulled her closer, his warm breath brushing against her ear:

"It's my fault." The voice was low and seductive. "Once this inter-academy competition is over, I will make up for everything I owe you..."

"No, I can't wait that long!"

Xia Zihan's voice rang out softly, carrying an undeniable firmness.

The next moment, Qin Luo's eyes were suddenly covered by her palm, his vision plunged into a gentle darkness. Her fingertips were slightly cool, yet carried an irresistible force, making it impossible for him to break free.

"Zihan?"

Qin Luo only felt a surge of spiritual energy coursing through his body, and couldn't help but call out softly, but only heard her light breathing, which was very close to him.