Chapter 411 - 402: How About... Taking It Off?

Xiao Jin’s figure flickered, and his agile leopard form instantly appeared.

His thick, long tail wrapped around Shen Tang’s waist affectionately, rubbing against her eagerly, "Tangtang, come on up, we need to get going!"

Just as Shen Tang was about to climb onto his back, she suddenly remembered something and turned to wave at Lu Xiao, "Ah Xiao, you might as well come aboard too. Xiao Jin is the fastest; he can get us back quickly."

"What?" Xiao Jin bristled, unhappily saying, "You still want other males riding on my back? No way, my back is only yours to ride, a male’s back should carry their mate! Doesn’t this guy have wings? Let him fly back himself."

Many males have proud self-esteem, only tolerating their mate sitting on their backs. Of course, most of the time, it’s just talk; in the battlefield, those rules are thrown out the window while carrying supplies.

Xiao Jin purely wanted to take the opportunity to ask for some alone time with her.

Shen Tang saw through his little scheme, intentionally putting on a stern face, "Alright then, you go back first, Lu Xiao and I will follow behind."

"No, no, no!" Xiao Jin panicked instantly, his tail wagging pleasurably, "I was only joking! Come on up, I’ll take both of you back!"

Kidding, as if he’d let the chance for alone time slip away.

Just as Shen Tang was about to step forward, she heard Lu Xiao gently cough, "Female Master, Xiao Jin worked hard bringing you here, surely he’s tired by now. Let me carry you back instead."

Xiao Jin’s tail shot up, feeling like this eagle was looking down on him, defending himself, "Tired? I’m not tired at all? Don’t even mention carrying two of you, I could carry ten more with no issue!"

Shen Tang turned back to meet Lu Xiao’s meaningful gaze, immediately understanding.

She mischievously winked, turning to Xiao Jin, "Well... how about you go ahead and report back first? We left in a hurry today, and no one at home knows what’s going on. Better not worry them."

Xiao Jin was inexplicable, "Why don’t you just send a message using the Light Computer?"

He tilted his head, his round black leopard ears shaking in confusion.

Shen Tang stomped her foot in anger, wanting to tug at his unromantic leopard ears, "I told you to go, so go."

No matter how clueless, Xiao Jin could see they were trying to get rid of him, his mouth pursed in anger.

"Hum, fine, you’re biased, make it up to me when you get back!"

Xiao Jin mumbled reluctantly, running off with grievance.

Like a little dog being abandoned; quite pitiful.

Shen Tang felt sorry for him for about three seconds.

"Female Master, hop on." Lu Xiao’s figure flickered, turning into his true form, his wings spreading low to the ground.

Shen Tang snapped back to reality, tapping her toes before deftly leaping onto his back.

After awakening the Roc bloodline, Lu Xiao’s beast form underwent a dramatic transformation.

Already large in stature, he had more than doubled in size, his wingspan like clouds hanging from the sky, each feather shimmering with a golden luster, the tail feathers long and sharp, glistening in the sunlight. His entire being emanating a divine aura, like a mythical creature from legend.

Though his speed had increased several times over, Lu Xiao deliberately slowed his flight’s rhythm.

His broad back was as steady as a moving airborne fortress.

Shen Tang could sleep on him without worry, rolling freely without issue.

Shen Tang admired the beautiful scenery along the way.

Rolling seas of clouds surged beneath them, revealing verdant mountains below.

Azure rivers wove like ribbons through the valleys.

Bird flocks occasionally swooped by, flying past at a distance but daring not come close, flickering like tiny specks of light in the sunlight.

This was their unique romantic moment.

Shen Tang loved being carried by Lu Xiao to soar through the clouds, enjoying the breathtaking river and mountain vistas from this angle rarely seen.

Unnoticed, night fell.

The deep blue night sky revealed a splendid river of stars, a moon seemingly close enough to touch.

Shen Tang lay nestled within Lu Xiao’s warm feathers, playfully reaching out for the moon, her smile content.

"Female Master, it’s getting late, and the evening wind’s chilly. Would you like to find a place to rest tonight?" The man’s deep, sensual voice whispered by her ear.

Shen Tang turned over, hugging his neck, her body snuggling tightly against him, laughing and nodding, "As you say."

Lu Xiao could clearly feel Shen Tang’s soft body pressed against his back, rising and falling with her breath. Her unique fragrance wafted in the wind, brushing lightly against his ears, like feathers teasing his senses.

His body temperature rose uncontrollably, his muscles tensed taut, ready for something.

He swallowed roughly, his voice deepening, "...There’s a mountain stream ahead, do you want to go take a look?"

The hidden brook lay nestled in steep cliffs, surrounded by age-old trees, vines cascading down, a secluded Secret Realm.

Peaceful and quiet, undisturbed.

Shen Tang saw his intentions and blushed, responding softly.

The mountain stream gurgled through cracks in the stone, the shore adorned with smooth rocks polished by the water’s flow. The bed covered with verdant aquatic plants, several silver fish darting among the pebbles, creating rippling waves.

Shen Tang slipped off her shoes and socks, stepping barefoot into the cool stream.

The spring water flowed over her fair ankles, its freshness soothing her entire being.

She gently kicked, water drops splashing onto the nearby man’s pant leg.

Lu Xiao smiled indulgently, bending to roll up her trousers, "If your clothes get wet, you’ll catch a cold."

Lu Xiao still wore that outfit, exposing his robust torso, still glistening with undried water.

As he bent over, Shen Tang caught sight of the taut lines of his shoulders and back, muscles flexing with every move, a beauty that captured her gaze.

Shen Tang unconsciously swallowed, her heart racing with an indescribable heat.

At the moment Lu Xiao straightened up, she unexpectedly wrapped her arms around his sturdy waist, pulling down—and—

"Splash!"

A gigantic splash soared into the air.

The tall man was caught off guard, dragged into the water by her, creating layers of waves.

Both were instantly drenched, like two fell birds.

Shen Tang poked her head out from the water, her black hair sticking wetly against her fair skin. She shook drops off her hair, water scattering under the moonlight like shimmering beads.

"Aiya~" She snuggled against Lu Xiao’s waist, both pressing closely together, her lips curling mischievously, "Our clothes are soaked."

The long lashes glistened with droplets as she feigned innocence, blinking, "Ah Xiao... will you help me?"

Lu Xiao halted his breath.

The female before him was like a charming sea monster, thin garments clinging tightly, tracing alluring curves. Droplets slid along her exquisite collarbone, disappearing into hidden clefts.

His broad palm instinctively clasped her slender waist, fingertips lightly brushing her supple skin.

His heated breath sprayed across her ear, "Wet clothes will give you a chill."

His voice deepened dangerously,

"Why not... take them off?"