He looked at her with an indiscernible expression in his eyes. "As far as I know, there is no meeting he is required to attend right now."
Su Cheng hesitated for a moment.
Last time Zane helped her deal with the curse, the excuse she used was the residual power of the Grand Inquisitor. What should she say this time?
Right, maybe she could lie and say it was the influence of that monster?
Several thoughts spun through Su Cheng's mind. She also thought of those high-end clubs in the imperial capital, but diving straight into a red-light district right after arriving would look a bit strange.
After all, those well-informed big shots probably already knew about her identity as the God's Favored.
If it weren't for that, she could have just boldly acted like a lust-crazed fool, which would have been fine.
Doing such a thing now might invite wild speculations from others, and it would be even more troublesome if the curse mark was discovered in those places.
Su Cheng couldn't help but feel a headache coming on, caught in a dilemma for the moment.
"...However."
The blonde young man in front of her suddenly pressed her shoulders.
"The purification is not over yet."
Su Cheng had just thought of trying to find Zane, but was suddenly held down by him again.
Warm fingertips traced down the back of her neck, then mapped the contours of her spine.
She paused, suddenly glad she had worn dark clothes this time. Even though the fabric wasn't thick, it could still hide the pattern on her back.
Su Cheng turned her head in confusion. "...I thought it was already done?"
Ian didn't answer immediately. His fingertips moved down her spine, and with every vertebra he passed, it felt as if a new wave of heat was injected into her body.
That feeling of pleasure and relaxation returned.
Su Cheng felt her consciousness beginning to float, like a clump of snow drifting in hot spring water, melting away in the gentle, warm currents.
The burning sensation on her back was also covered by waves of heat, rising and spreading through her spine, rushing toward all her limbs and bones.
Her tense muscles and bones relaxed, and faint golden veins surfaced on her arms.
Like blooming vines, or perhaps a glowing river.
The power of light rippled and swelled within them, forming visible trajectories as it continuously flickered and flowed, washing away the dark sludge.
She was so euphoric she almost fell asleep.
For a moment, she simply wanted to immerse herself in this world forever—
Su Cheng closed her eyes groggily, the pain from the curse brand growing weaker and weaker.
...This is pretty good too.
She thought to herself: she wouldn't die anyway, and as long as that thing didn't hurt anymore, she didn't need to find anyone to fix it.
Without realizing it, Su Cheng had turned around and slowly leaned forward.
Her forehead rested against a broad, firm chest.
Hidden beneath the crisp uniform, the man's muscles were even more solid than they appeared, and even through the fabric, she could feel the strength contained within that body.
A certain warm, dry scent enveloped her.
It made her think of the blazing golden residual heat of an autumn wheat field, and the crisp, evaporating mist of newly melted snow in winter.
There was also something more ancient—the cooled incense ash on a bronze altar, or the sandalwood of a temple steeped in millions of years of sunlight, seemingly seeping into her bones the moment they touched.
Su Cheng wasn't sure what kind of spice this was, but it smelled incredibly soothing.
She couldn't help but sniffle.
In her daze, the man above her seemed to chuckle.
Her previously rising body temperature also vaguely showed a trend of dropping.
Su Cheng coughed lightly. "...Is it over now?"
Ian glanced at her. "Almost."
That's great.
Su Cheng thought to herself, this meant it could last a little longer.
Camus had mentioned before that the power of light was different, because humans had a very high affinity for the light attribute.
Perhaps—
If they continued this kind of purification, the flaring curse could be suppressed again?
However, the condition of the mark didn't show any more distinct changes.
It maintained a state that felt like it was about to flare up, yet also like it had been soothed and was fading.
Su Cheng couldn't help but feel a bit anxious. Seeing that the purification seemed to be ending, she gritted her teeth and grabbed his wrist.
She gripped the gold-trimmed sleeve, sweat seeping into her palms.
"What's wrong?" Ian looked down at her. "Don't want to continue?"
Su Cheng was stunned.
She didn't pull any harder.
After his hand lifted, it slowly moved down again. The heat patrolled over the fabric and drilled into her skin.
Then it slowly covered her lower abdomen, the palm sliding along the tight texture of her muscles, almost covering her slender waist.
Golden radiance wrapped around his long, beautiful fingers. The warm current spread across the surface of her body, then burrowed into her bloodstream, baking her internal organs and bones.
Su Cheng couldn't help but moan comfortably, and then couldn't resist arching her waist to press against him.
Ian paused, suddenly gripping her waist. "What's wrong with you?"
His other hand squeezed her shoulder as he looked down at the young woman's dilated pupils and the sweat beading on her forehead.
"As far as I know, this level of purification wouldn't trigger your current reaction. Have you been influenced by some other power?"
"...Yes," Su Cheng gritted her teeth. "I once encountered a... cough, that's my private business, but it was an unprovoked disaster. Anyway, that person's power has some sort of aphrodisiac effect."
She continued to shift the blame onto the Grand Inquisitor. "Even though it was alleviated, it still seems to affect me from time to time."
The blonde young man looked at her thoughtfully. "How can it be alleviated?"
Su Cheng gave him a deadpan look. "What do you think."
"I can think of many scenarios," he raised an eyebrow slightly. "Depending on what you want."
"...I usually choose the easiest one to achieve based on the current situation."
Su Cheng said expressionlessly, "Of course, the premise is that you know how. If you don't, then it won't be very easy—"
Before she could finish her sentence, her layered skirt was lifted by the wind.
The bunched silk folded like flowing water, resting against the man's strong and vigorous wrists.
Su Cheng widened her eyes in shock.
Su Cheng: "?"
Isn't he a bit too action-oriented?
"I can't say I've had a lot of experience—"
The blonde young man said mildly, "Or any experience at all."
Su Cheng: "............"
Just say you don't know how.
He paused for a moment. "But I think I still know what to do."
Soft skin was covered by heat, the warm breath of the light power rippled out, and the golden radiance slowly bloomed, illuminating the winding pale blue veins.
The secluded garden where the two of them stood seemed to be lit up by this light as well.
The warm glow wandered among the leaf shadows, scattered over the edges of the petals, slid across the drooping vines, and swayed among the moist soil.
Hanging dewdrops clung to the drooping stamens.
The golden light of the light power shone on the courtyard like the scorching summer sun, inch by inch burning the trembling leaves and flowers. The parted petals were illuminated until they were transparent, their veins clearly visible, curling up and stretching out with the light. The vines seemed to entwine even tighter, and the leaves rustled in the wind.
Su Cheng tilted her head back and saw the birds resting on the eaves. They fluttered their wings and landed by the pool, only to be startled again by a distant sound.
A feather fell into the center of the lake. Every touch was incredibly gentle, rippling outward in circles amidst the sound of water.
Then it slipped into the pierced whirlpool on the lake's surface. The seeping mist dampened the feather, and crystal-clear droplets squeezed out from the down.
"...Like this?"
Ian looked down at her, watching as the young girl was purified by his magic, gradually revealing an expression of pure enjoyment within the power of light.
"Yes, keep relaxing."
He spoke calmly, his words carrying a strange, soothing power that made it impossible not to unwind.
Su Cheng tilted her head back slightly, her back pressed against a stone pillar in the corridor, her shoulder blades pushing into the climbing vines.
The smooth thorns on them pressed into her flesh.
Because there were no sharp points, they didn't pierce the skin, but it was hard to avoid the sensation of being opened up.
It gently probed into the moist flesh, and with every bit it sank deeper, it elicited fine shudders.
Su Cheng gripped the vines at her side.
Green vines wrapped around the stone pillar, the blooming roses dusted with morning dew.
She fell to the side, slightly off-balance. Rose petals were crushed by her shoulder, the receptacles squeezed and constricted, the fine filaments trembling as they gently stretched out, and the seeping morning dew dampened her bare arms.
She looked up and saw the sun blazing in the sky.
A sweet fragrance floated through the courtyard's corridor, the rich scent filling the garden and scattering with the wind. In the quiet corners of the temple, flowers continued to bloom silently.
The blond young man lowered his eyes slightly, the dappled light filtering through his deep pupils.
His expression looked calm yet focused. The cold reserve he usually carried was somewhat diminished now; he was simply staring at her earnestly.
As if he didn't want to miss a single subtle reaction on her face.
Su Cheng met his gaze.
That overly handsome face bathed in the sunlight, looking increasingly ethereal and even sacred—
She even gained a certain spiritual tranquility from it.
Of course, only spiritual.
The purification process continued.
She was still enveloped by the power of light. That pure, steadfast energy was like a stream warmed by the sun, gurgling into the deep valleys of her blood vessels, washing away the stagnant mud corrupted by the evil god.
It wasn't a surging, turbulent magic, but a gentle, majestic, and all-pervasive power, like nourishing light and dew.
The tingling sensation rising within her body was thus amplified and deepened.
Her fingers gripping the rose vines tightened, and crushed petals slipped through her fingers, fluttering loosely into the air.
Su Cheng looked down, and through the skin of her arms, she could almost see thousands of golden streams of light.
They surged tirelessly through her veins, countless tiny points of light shining brightly, like clusters of ignited fire.
Then they flickered and flowed with the bending and stretching of her fingers.
The light flames flickered in a certain rhythm, sometimes as gentle as the flutter of butterfly wings, sometimes applying a bit more force, pressing against the flesh and blood within her bones, coaxing it into full bloom.
Su Cheng felt her own magic being awakened as well.
Wind spirits laughed in her ears, countless fine streams of smoky-blue air rolled in the sky, with the figures of fire spirits and lightning spirits darting among them.
It was like some kind of resonance.
She felt like a plant receiving rain after a long drought, greedily absorbing this nourishment.
The pleasure of the light's purification intertwined with the fullness of her magic, forming an unprecedented, intoxicating experience.
Her senses were infinitely magnified.
She could clearly feel every flicker of the light.
The contours of her joints, the stretching of her flesh, everything became increasingly distinct.
The warm current of light flowed through her body, converging into a vast ocean. Every surge whipped up giant waves, lifting her high before slowly letting her fall.
Shining golden threads spread outward from her chest. Through her open collar, a cluster of light could be seen gathering at her heart, like the lush crown of a plant.
The power of light was like countless swimming fish, playing and darting deep within her bloodline, igniting cluster after cluster of bright flames.
As an elemental mage, she could feel her magic happily responding, intertwining and dancing with the power he injected, forming an even tighter, deeper connection.
Perhaps it was the so-called innate human affinity for the light attribute.
During the purification process of the holy art, she only felt her vitality becoming more abundant. Endless power surged from the soles of her feet to the top of her head, as if she could shatter the entire sky with a single punch.
It was as if she were climbing the peak of a mountain; her vision grew wider, the air grew thinner, yet there was no suffocation at all.
An ultimate, indescribable sense of satisfaction swept through her entire body, washing over every inch of skin, every cell, right down to the depths of her soul.
Su Cheng: ...
This was too absurd.
No wonder the Church had so many believers! No wonder the God of Light had so many loyal followers!
Anyone who experienced this once would absolutely want a second time!
This feeling was too miraculous. It wasn't just simple physical relaxation, but a nourishment from the inside out. All the accumulated exhaustion and depletion from the past while completely vanished into thin air.
She was so happy she was almost going to faint.
Although thinking about it carefully, this wasn't the first time someone had cast a holy art on her.
But last time, when she sent the Grand Inquisitor flying with a hammer, Zane had only healed her immediately, saving her from the various injuries caused by overdrawing her power, leaving her energetic enough to do other things.
Perhaps it was because if he hadn't done that, there would have been worse consequences, or perhaps it was because what he did was heal flesh and bone, rather than purify the pollution of dark magic—
The two were still different.
So she felt ridiculously good right now, and even wanted to do it again.
The golden glow of the light magic gradually dimmed.
The afterglow was absorbed by her flesh, slowly receding like the tide.
Magic still fermented within her body, bringing waves of subtle tremors.
She let out a breath and leaned softly against the pillar. Sweat slid down the side of her face until the coolness of the stone gradually brought back her reason.
"Sorry—"
Su Cheng wiped away the drops of water hanging from her eyelashes. "I dirtied your sleeve."
The blond young man still wore his calm expression. "It's fine."
The hem of her skirt slid past his sleeve and fell back down, covering the girl's smooth, slender white legs.
He raised his hand to summon a small water ball, calmly washing away the slight dust that had stained him.
Then he helped her adjust her skirt.
Su Cheng watched him in silence.
The man leaned in closer, almost half-kneeling, carefully smoothing out the wrinkles in the silk and pulling tight the loosened ties.
His slender fingers wove through the expensive fabric, applying slight force as he pulled the knots, the elegant lines of his knuckles protruding.
Then he stood up straight and buttoned a few buttons for her.
Both of them immediately returned to their fully dressed, proper appearances.
Even if someone came into the garden, they would only think they were having a normal conversation, at most assuming one of them was a bit hot and had sweated a little.
"So, did I help you?" Ian asked calmly. "Or do we need to go a step further?"
Su Cheng carefully felt it out, discovering that the heat of the brand had completely vanished, and it didn't flare up again after a while.
"I think it's fine now?"
She said, somewhat surprised.
This guy actually only needed to use his hands?
Is this the miraculous power of the light attribute?
A few thoughts spun through Su Cheng's mind, while she continuously sensed the curse's status, confirming that it had truly settled down.
"Anyway, thank you," she said sincerely. "If there's anything I can help with, please let me know."
Ian looked at her quietly for a few seconds. "Perhaps there really will be, just not at this very moment."
Su Cheng nodded. "Then let's put it on a tab for now. If that day comes, I will try my best to do it."
She would never make absolute promises, but this was also her sincere thought.
However, thinking about what had just happened, she couldn't help but feel a bit annoyed, cursing this damn curse a hundred times in her heart.
After a brief silence.
Ian suddenly asked, "...Are you unhappy?"
Su Cheng froze for a moment, then realized she might not have managed her expression well. "Yeah, maybe a little. I thought—"
"?"
Su Cheng hesitated for a few seconds.
"Sigh," she said, throwing caution to the wind. "When you said you liked my answer, if that was the truth, I thought maybe we could try getting to know each other and see how it goes."
This was the first stranger she had met in this world whom she actively wanted to approach.
The purpose of approaching someone, naturally, was to get to know them.
As for what would happen after getting to know each other, that would depend on whether they could hold a good conversation.
If they didn't click, they would naturally drop it. If they could generally find common ground, they would consider further contact.
Perhaps they could hang out, spend time together, and then develop into lovers during that period.
The premise was having compatible temperaments, similar values, shared perspectives on things, and so on.
She would never force herself to be with someone she couldn't talk to just because the other person was good-looking.
Especially in this world.
"But now," Su Cheng sighed, "we skipped directly to this step. It seems we omitted a lot of processes in the middle, such as dating."
"I understand," Ian nodded in realization. "In your plan, before we progress to this step, we should have done some other things?"
"Yeah," Su Cheng crossed her arms. "But don't say it as if we were bound to reach this step. After all, we might have parted ways before then."
Besides, she only had a vague idea and didn't necessarily have to put it into action. She was still very busy.
Ian let out a soft laugh. "Indeed."
Although he agreed with her, in a sense, Su Cheng seemed even more displeased.
She couldn't help but cross her arms tighter. "...So you think so too?"
"I don't know," Ian answered, looking very honest. "I have had people express their feelings to me in various ways. Some were very pure, some were complexly mixed with certain desires, and some were very fierce and extreme. But no matter which kind, I found that I always had differences with those people on certain matters."
Su Cheng couldn't help but cast a sidelong glance at him.
It was perfectly normal for someone good-looking and capable to have a bunch of suitors.
She herself had many similar experiences, and she probably wasn't even as beautiful as he was.
But it sounded like—
He seemed to have met quite a few strange people too.
On second thought, he actually said he didn't have any experience. Was he too picky, or did he simply not have that kind of thought?
Differences?
Considering the environment of the Holy Church, he certainly didn't lack all kinds of outstanding people around him. Let alone their looks and strength, there must be many knowledgeable and learned individuals.
Had he never met someone he could talk to?
Su Cheng didn't feel she was bad, but she also didn't feel she could be better than all those people.
Although when it came to feelings, it often wasn't about who was stronger or weaker.
But to say he fell in love with her at first sight didn't seem quite right either.
Su Cheng: "...So is it really just because of the so-called differences that you think we won't end up like that? Haven't we also engaged in verbal sparring? At the end of the day, I'm just a mundane person."
Ian was noncommittal. "At least for now, we have a good start, and who isn't?"
Su Cheng raised an eyebrow. "I thought your type, well, you don't look like the type to have this kind of self-awareness."
"Oh? What do I look like?"
"...Feeling that you are not mundane and very clear-headed? Maybe even despising other mundane people?"
"Is that so," he smiled. "I've actually never thought that way. I know very clearly that I have many flaws, and I am also very mundane, otherwise I wouldn't be like this right now."
Su Cheng was left speechless.
"Alright," she thought for a moment. "Since we are both mundane people, then I think perhaps we should single out that matter and not give it any more meaning. After all, you are helping out, so essentially it's the same as teaching me spiritual power exercises, right?"
The blonde young man pondered for a moment. "Makes sense. So should we start over from dating?"
Su Cheng: "?"
