Villains Aren't Stepping Stones!

Later that night.

Falling Blossom Villa.

The warm, gentle mist hovered over the natural hot springs hidden away in the secluded, bamboo-lined courtyard at the back of their villa.

The soft glow of spiritual lanterns cast long, flickering shadows across the smooth river stones surrounding the pool, while the pleasant aroma of crushed lavender and medicinal herbs filled the crisp night air.

Haoran entered the hotsprings, completely naked and relaxed on the water, sighing in relaxation.

The others have already finished soaking and left to rest or celebrate after the successfull trial, with Xu Xiansu and Shen Tao being the only ones to meet up and plan for their next steps now that they have acquired a pass to own their cities.

He leaned his head back against the smooth, worn rock at the edge of the bath, letting the hot, mineral-rich water wash away the lingering fatigue of the day’s events.

He closed his eyes, his golden hair damp and pushed back, his chiseled chest and the striking black-and-gold eastern dragon tattoo glistening under the moonlight.

Truthfully, he found the trial earlier rather interesting, especially the chaotic brawl at the summit of the pyramid.

In a world governed by intricate qi manipulation, flying swords, and destructive martial arts, there was a rare, undeniable satisfaction in being stripped down to pure physical strength.

There’s just nothing more exciting than exchanging fists in the most primal way of fighting—a raw test of reflexes, grit, and physical endurance where every strike resonated directly against flesh and bone.

But, at moment, just as he was about to relax...

*Swoosh—!*

A bright red rope appeared out of nowhere and flew towards him, cutting through the thick layer of rising steam like a striking serpent!

Haoran instinctively reacted quickly and stood up, his golden eyes flashing with sharp amusement as he rose smoothly from the water, smiling.

The crimson rope bounded him, wrapping itself tightly around his chest and arms in an intricate, flowing pattern.

However, despite its snug fit, the tension of the rope was carefully calibrated—his movements weren’t restricted in the slightest, allowing him to breathe and shift comfortably.

”For someone who doesn’t like the inheritance of that emperor, you seem to enjoy playing with his ropes,” said Haoran, his lips curving into a dry, handsome smirk as he looked toward the shadowy walkway.

From the entrance of the bath, Shen Xinye slowly walked out, a bathrobe covering her from chest to her thighs, as she smiled at him.

Her short, golden hair fell softly, still damp from her own wash, and her golden eyes sparkled with a newly forged confidence under the moonlight.

Having successfully inherited the binding techniques and the ancient crown of the Shameless Binding Emperor, her control over her ropes had grown infinitely more precise, and her overall demeanor held a bold, alluring sharp edge that wasn’t there before.

”Well,” Shen Xinye spoke, her voice smooth, melodious, and laced with playful mischief as she held the end of the glowing red cord in her slender fingers, ”the Shameless Binding Emperor taught me that a true master of restraint never lets her guard down—nor does she let her target wander off without a leash.”

She gave the rope a light, gentle tug, pulling herself a step closer to the edge of the steaming pool.

Although her words sounded so bold, only she knew how much courage it took for her to say those.

”Is that so?” Haoran chuckled, making no effort to break out of the glowing binding, despite possessing the raw physical strength to snap it like a dried twig.

He just shifted slightly, his bare, toned and muscular torso fully exposed to her gaze. ”And here I thought you were just looking for an excuse to practice your new techniques on your master. Should I be concerned that a Crown, someone who is supposed to be my attendant, is planning to keep me hostage in my own hot spring?”

Shen Xinye’s lips twitched, a subtle flush creeping up the back of her neck, though she forced her chin up, maintaining a proud posture.

Ever since digesting the imperial inheritance, she had resolved to stand more confidently by his side—not merely as a quiet follower, but as someone who could banter with him on equal footing.

Yet, seeing him stand there completely unashamed of his nakedness, made her heart hammer wildly against her ribs.

She hid her lingering embarrassment behind a sly, teasing grin.

”Hostage? Never, Young Master,” she replied smoothly, her fingers lightly twirling the radiant qi thread. ”Consider it a safety measure. After all, you proved today that even without a single drop of qi, you can beat two immortal heirs into the dirt with your bare hands. If I don’t keep a leash on you, who knows what kind of trouble you’ll wander into next?”

”Trouble?” Haoran raised an eyebrow, stepping slightly forward through the water, the ripples lapping gently against his waist as the red rope slid effortlessly over his shoulders. ”I recall being quite well-behaved today. It was everyone else who insisted on getting in my way.”

”You completely shredded a Spirit Avatar of a Spirit Ascension realm expert, tamed a giant sandworm, and stripped your top off to brawl on live projection in front of millions of spectators,” Shen Xinye pointed out, her silver eyes glinting with fond exasperation as she took another step closer, her bare feet stepping onto the warm, damp stones near the water’s edge. ”I’d say my restraint rope is entirely justified.”

”Perhaps,” Haoran murmured, his gaze locking onto hers with a calm, intoxicating intensity that made her breath catch in her throat. ”But if you’re going to bind someone with the Emperor’s grand technique, you should know that holding the leash means you’re drawn into the water with them.”

Shen Xinye blinked, her composed facade faltering for a second as she caught the subtle, dangerous glint in his eyes. ”Wait, Young Master, I just put on a fresh robe—”

Before she could finish her sentence, Haoran gave his shoulder a sharp, powerful flick!

The kinetic force traveled up the crimson rope, reversing the tension in an instant.

With a light gasp, Shen Xinye was pulled off balance, her feet slipping on the smooth stones as she flew forward into the warm water with a loud *SPLASH!*

She emerged a second later, her white bathrobe completely soaked through and clinging to her slender figure, her hair dripping with warm spring water.

Haoran stood directly in front of her, the dissolved red rope vanishing into ambient light, a low, smooth laugh vibrating in his chest as he looked down at her.

”Much better. Now we’re both in the bath.”

Shen Xinye wiped the water from her face, her cheeks now burning with a deep, vibrant crimson that she could no longer hide.

Yet, looking up at his handsome, laughing face, her initial embarrassment melted into a soft, breathtaking smile.

”You really are hopeless, Young Master,” she whispered playfully, splashing a small wave of warm water directly onto his chest.

The steam rose around them in thick, fragrant clouds, wrapping the two of them in a warm, private world shielded from the rest of the villa.

Shen Xinye wiped the stray droplets of water from her eyes, her soaked bathrobe clinging tightly to the soft curves of her body.

She looked up at Shen Haoran, who stood before her in the water with that same calm, devastatingly handsome smirk playing on his lips.

”You know, Young Master,” Shen Xinye began, trying her absolute best to maintain her newly gained composure despite her dripping hair and completely ruined robe, ”the Shameless Binding Emperor’s secret scriptures specifically noted that pulling a grand practitioner of restraint into a pool is considered extremely poor form.”

”Is that so?” Haoran chuckled smoothly, stepping a half-inch closer through the chest-deep water as the warm ripples lapped gently against their waists as he looked down at her. ”I don’t recall reading any such rule. Besides, if a practitioner lets herself get pulled in so easily, perhaps she needs a few more private lessons from her target.”

Shen Xinye’s silver eyes flickered with playful defiance, though her heart was pounding so loudly against her ribs she was certain he could hear it over the sound of the falling water.

”Is that a challenge? Because I assure you, young master, my control over bindings and ropes is far more advanced than you think.”

”Show me, then,” Haoran murmured softly, his tone shifting from light banter to a low, magnetic depth that made a sudden shiver run down her spine.

Shen Xinye opened her mouth to shoot back another clever remark, but the words caught in her throat as Haoran didn’t wait for her reply.

Instead, he reached out with his right hand, his warm, strong fingers gently cupping the side of her soft, wet cheek, his thumb brushed lightly over her cheekbone, wiping away a stray bead of spring water.

The playful air between them evaporated instantly, replaced by an intense, suffocating heat that had nothing to do with the hot springs.

Shen Xinye froze, her breath hitching in her chest as she looked directly into his deep, dark eyes.

The moonlight reflected off his wet shoulders, illuminating the intricate black-and-gold dragon tattoo that stretched from his muscular arm to his neck.

Under his gaze, every bit of her playful arrogance melted away, leaving her feeling utterly exposed and helpless in the best possible way.

Slowly, deliberately, Shen Haoran leaned down.

Shen Xinye’s eyes fluttered shut as his lips softly brushed against hers.

The initial touch was gentle, a tender exploration that made her entire body tremble.

Her hands instinctively reached out, her fingers pressing against his bare, muscular chest for support as she leaned into his warmth.

As the kiss deepened, Haoran pulled back just a fraction, his lips hovering mere millimeters from hers as he noted with a faint, fond smile,

”For someone who talks so boldly about being an expert in bindings and ropes... you seem surprisingly inexperienced, Xinye.”

Shen Xinye opened her eyes, her cheeks flushing a brilliant, adorable crimson that extended all the way to her delicate ears.

She let out a small, breathless gasp, her hands tightening slightly against his chest.

”I... I am,” she confessed softly, her voice barely above a whisper, laced with a mix of shy embarrassment and honesty. ”Despite... despite having been married and divorced in my past, I never allowed him to touch me. I have never even kissed a man before tonight. You are the first... and the only one.”

Haoran’s gaze softened with a profound, quiet warmth upon hearing her words. He looked into her silver eyes, seeing the sincerity and devotion shining within them, free of any pretense or lingering ghosts of her past.

”Is that so?” Haoran whispered gently, his hand moving from her cheek to slide behind her neck, his fingers tangling into her soft, wet hair. ”Then allow me to teach you properly.”

He leaned down again, bringing his mouth back to hers with a deeper, far more passionate intensity.

This time, there was no hesitation. Shen Xinye let out a soft, sweet hum against his lips as she parted them willingly, yielding completely to his lead.

Haoran’s tongue parted her lips smoothly, tasting her sweet warmth as he deepened the kiss, intertwining his tongue with hers in a slow, intoxicating rhythm that sent waves of electricity shooting through her entire soul.

Shen Xinye whimpered softly, her mind spinning into a hazy, dreamlike bliss.

She wrapped her arms around his broad neck, pulling herself as close to his warm, muscular frame as physically possible, completely surrendering herself to the sensation of his lips, his taste, and his absolute presence.

While their tongues danced together in a deep, passionate rhythm, Haoran’s free hand slid down her back, finding the soaked knot of her bathrobe.

With a subtle, effortless flick of his fingers, he undid the damp fabric sash.

The belt loosened, drifting away into the floating warm water of the spring as Haoran slowly parted the wet collar of her robe, his large, warm palm tracing a trail of fire over her bare shoulder, pushing the heavy, soaked fabric down her arms until it slid completely off her body, floating harmlessly on the surface of the pool.

Shen Xinye shivered as the cool night air briefly brushed against her bare upper body before Haoran pulled her flush against his chest.

The feel of her soft, smooth skin resting directly against his firm, dragon-tattooed torso made both of them catch their breath.

Under the glowing moonlight and amidst the rising steam of the secluded hot spring, they continued to melt into each other’s embrace, leaving the chaotic trials of the academy and the troubles of the world far behind.