A Sudden Kiss

“What are you doing! Let me go! The battle isn't over yet!”

Xia Duo’s voice trembled with a mixture of anger and pain. She looked up and glared at Po Kong, her eyes flashing with unyielding defiance. However, Po Kong’s gaze remained exceptionally firm; he knew that in her current state, she was in no condition to continue fighting.

“Little Shadow, calm down!” Po Kong’s voice was low and powerful. He gripped Xia Duo’s wrist tightly, showing no intention of letting go. He then called out to Moen, who was not far away. “Little Crescent, come over here and check her!”

“I said I’m fine! I’m going to go kill—”

Faced with Po Kong’s obstruction, Xia Duo’s face was still filled with resentment.

Even though she was in poor condition, as a member of the Ranger Force, she could not tolerate seeing her home being violated right before her eyes.

But before she could finish her sentence, Po Kong pulled her into his embrace.

Faced with this sudden hug, a flash of panic crossed Xia Duo’s pretty face. She tried to break free from this caring and protective embrace, but every struggle felt utterly powerless.

“Po Kong, you bastard! Let go of me right now! Or else I’ll—Mmm!!!”

Just as she was about to utter a threat, she was completely interrupted by a sudden kiss. This kiss was both forceful and carried an irresistible tenderness, causing Xia Duo to instantly lose all ability to speak.

In that moment, Xia Duo’s mind went blank. Her entire body tensed up as if she had been hit by an electric shock, and she fell into a brief state of daze.

What was this!? Po Kong... him?

Under this domineering kiss, her originally chaotic mind was left with nothing but a blur. Even the sound of her heartbeat and breathing became as loud and piercing as thunder.

This unprecedented sensation left her both surprised and bewildered. She didn't know how to respond and could only let Po Kong take control of this sudden intimate contact.

After a brief lapse in focus, the haze in Xia Duo’s eyes finally cleared. Although her heart was still pounding wildly in her chest, her consciousness had finally calmed down.

She suddenly opened her mouth and bit down in an almost vengeful manner, leaving a deep mark on the corner of Po Kong’s lips.

She didn't slowly release her teeth until a hint of metallic sweetness seeped into her taste buds, serving as a silent protest against Po Kong’s interference.

Po Kong did not dodge. He simply endured the sudden pain quietly until Xia Duo stopped on her own.

After a long while, he finally loosened his embrace, giving Xia Duo some space to breathe.

Only then did Xia Duo realize that two lines of hot tears had quietly escaped her eyes, silently tracing paths down her cheeks and dripping onto her collar.

She raised her hand to gently wipe away the tears, her heart a whirlwind of emotions. She didn't know if she was crying because of her anger over her home being invaded, the pain of her own powerlessness, or because Po Kong’s sudden action had touched the softest part of her heart.

Regardless, at this moment, she finally realized her own impulsiveness and loss of control. She also felt the burning passion within Po Kong’s heart.

However, amidst this complex intertwining of emotions, Xia Duo suddenly realized that the intimate posture between her and Po Kong felt far too abrupt given the current scene.

This caused her to feel an unprecedented sense of embarrassment, and two red clouds quietly climbed onto her cheeks.

“Ahem... I say, have you two hugged enough? Moen is still waiting to treat Xia Duo’s wound,” Starlight’s voice rang out behind her at just the right time, carrying a hint of teasing and playfulness.

Xia Duo was startled by the sudden voice. Like a child caught doing something wrong, she hurriedly released her hands which were still wrapped around Po Kong’s waist and involuntarily took half a step back.

“Ah, s-sorry, I...”

She lowered her head, her gaze flickering. She didn't dare look directly at Starlight or her sister, much less at Po Kong’s current expression. An indescribable awkwardness filled the air.

“Alright, stop bullying my sister. If you keep this up, she’s really going to get angry!” Moen suppressed a smile and stepped forward to comfort her, but her words only made Xia Duo’s face turn even redder, making her wish she could sink into the ground.

Compared to her sister’s current distress and unease, Moen demonstrated her composure and professionalism as a healer.

She expertly tore open the blood-soaked clothing on Xia Duo’s shoulder and began to meticulously examine the wound.

As the final layer of inner clothing was peeled away, the true condition of Xia Duo’s shoulder was exposed. The damage caused by these monsters was far more complex and dangerous than they had imagined.

A faint, indescribable layer of death energy was currently drifting over Xia Duo’s shoulder, as if her life force were quietly slipping away.

Even more unsettling was that the flesh at the wound had actually taken on an unusual blackish-grey color. This eerie hue looked as if it had been eroded by a potent toxin.

Although this death energy didn't seem to cause direct damage, it had already seeped into Xia Duo’s body unnoticed. It was the primary culprit behind her physical weakness.

If even a powerhouse of Xia Duo’s strength could be affected by this power, it would be even more dangerous for ordinary elves.

Moen’s brow furrowed. As a healer, she knew the severity of these symptoms. If this energy were left alone and allowed to flow to the heart, Xia Duo would be in grave danger.

Fortunately, she had discovered it in time. Her Power of Nature could still effectively disperse the death energy on the wound, but the flesh around it would be more difficult to handle.

“Sister, hold on. This might hurt a bit!”

With that, Moen produced a small dagger from her storage space. This was the first time Starlight had seen her take out a melee-style weapon.

A flash of determination crossed Moen’s eyes as she pressed the blade—thin as a cicada’s wing—against the wound on Xia Duo’s shoulder and began to cut.

Each of her cuts was incredibly precise, as if she had simulated the process countless times in her mind. Every stroke was meant to completely remove the polluted flesh while minimizing any additional harm to Xia Duo.

As the dagger rose and fell, fresh, uncontaminated flesh finally began to show within Xia Duo’s wound.

Although the process was quite painful, Xia Duo knew she had to endure it to recover as quickly as possible. She gritted her teeth and gripped Po Kong’s arm tightly, refusing to let out even a single groan.

After removing the last piece of black skin eroded by the death energy, Moen did not hesitate. She quickly pressed her other hand gently onto Xia Duo’s shoulder.

A pure and powerful surge of the Power of Nature flowed from her palm, pouring into Xia Duo’s wound like a steady stream of warm spring water.

Under the nourishment of the Power of Nature, Xia Duo’s wound began to heal at a staggering speed. The originally gruesome injury gradually smoothed over, and the polluted flesh regained its vitality, returning to its original color and elasticity.

In just half a minute, her shoulder had returned to its normal state, leaving only a faint scar. Aside from her slightly pale complexion, she was otherwise fine.

Upon seeing his beloved completely recovered, Po Kong, who had been standing guard nearby, finally let out a sigh of relief.

“That should do it. We’ve already wasted quite a bit of time. I wonder how things are over at the Council Chambers now.” Moen nodded slightly as she finished the treatment, casting a worried gaze into the distance.

“It should be fine. After all, there are several Saint Rank experts among the Elders. But... why has the city become like this and no one has come out to support us? Could it be that they haven't received the news yet?”

Xia Duo analyzed rationally as she gently moved her slightly stiff shoulder, the doubts in her heart gradually surfacing.

Having regained her composure, she began to look around and immediately noticed several points of suspicion that could not be ignored.

The monsters that the four of them had fought so hard to repel just happened to appear on the path the civilians were using to evacuate.

Even more suspicious was the Ranger squad assigned to that area. It was unusually thin, with only a few members, as if it had been deliberately weakened.

Combined with the high-tier combatants who had yet to show their faces, a wave of intense unease rose in Xia Duo’s heart.

Everything pointed toward a deeper conspiracy and upheaval hidden behind the scenes.

After hearing Xia Duo’s analysis, the other three also frowned. They had expected an external invasion, but this seemed far more complex.

“Sister, I’ve decided to head into the city. The appearance of these monsters is too contrary to common sense. If we don’t find the source, the losses will only keep mounting,” Xia Duo said solemnly to Moen after a moment of contemplation.

“That’s fine. We don’t all need to be there just to deliver a message anyway. But this time, don’t let rage cloud your judgment. Po Kong, as her guardian, please look after my sister, okay?”

Moen nodded and turned her gaze toward Po Kong.

Po Kong was currently worrying about what to say to ease the subtle awkwardness from earlier. Upon hearing Moen’s request, he immediately agreed without hesitation.

“Little Crescent, don’t you worry! I noticed during the battle just now that my War God Battle Qi seems to have a special suppressive effect on these monsters. With me there, I can definitely ensure your sister’s safety!”

Regarding his confident promise, Xia Duo only glanced at him sideways and rolled her eyes. She didn’t voice any objection, but Starlight thought he saw the corner of her mouth curl into a faint, almost imperceptible smile.

After their brief discussion, Po Kong and Xia Duo wasted no more time. They quickly left the group and rushed toward the ongoing battle.

Starlight remained standing there, staring blankly at their retreating figures until Moen lightly tapped his shoulder, snapping him back to reality.

“What are you thinking about, Starlight? We need to hurry and leave too.” Moen’s voice carried a hint of curiosity, interrupting his thoughts.

“Uh... well... I was just thinking, if I were the one who lost my mind...” Caught off guard, a rare look of fluster appeared on Starlight’s face as he stammered.

“Hmm?”

“No... it’s nothing! Let’s go!”

Casting aside the distracting thoughts, Starlight hurried after her. Their figures soon vanished at the end of the messy street.

...

Like the Tree King Palace, the Council Chambers was not located in the densely populated urban area. Instead, it sat at the center of a tranquil lake on the edge of the city, like a brilliant pearl set upon shimmering green waves.

Normally, the path to the center of the lake was unobstructed. However, whenever a major meeting was held, the entire island would be surrounded by a massive circular barrier.

Its range extended for several kilometers, forming an impassable chasm across the surface of the lake. It completely isolated the island from the outside world, ensuring every measure of security was maintained.

What Starlight and Moen saw before them was that very barrier in its fully activated state. A giant blue hemispherical light shield sat inverted over the lake, emitting a soft glow that blocked out all noise and intrusion.

The barrier was so strong that it not only blocked aura and vibrations but even the smallest sound could not penetrate it, making the island a truly independent world.

According to past custom, a well-trained Divine Concealment Squad should have been standing by near the path to the lake, responsible for relaying outside information and ensuring the safety of the Council of Elders.

Yet Starlight and Moen searched the entrance for a long time without spotting a single guard. This abnormal silence and emptiness filled them both with an ominous foreboding.

“The Divine Concealment Squad... are they like that mysterious team we encountered at the edge of the Star-Song Forest? I think they were called ‘Leaf-Cutter’? Maybe they’re just good at hiding, or maybe they need a specific signal or method to reveal themselves?”

Starlight scanned the surroundings again, his tone carrying a hint of uncertainty.

However, Moen’s response was like a bucket of cold water, instantly extinguishing his optimism.

As a priest of the Tree King Palace, Moen might not have known every detail of the Council Chambers, but she was certainly well-informed. She shook her head firmly, rejecting Starlight’s speculation.

“Something is definitely wrong here. I’ve come here many times for official business, and I’ve never seen it like this. We have to find a way in quickly! Starlight, didn’t you crack a barrier when we were under the sea? Try it now!”

While Starlight was still observing, Moen had already stepped quickly to the blue barrier. She tapped it lightly with her finger, and after confirming it was indeed impenetrable, she frowned and called out to him urgently.

Hearing this, Starlight hesitated no longer and quickly approached the barrier.

According to common knowledge on the continent, there were only two ways to break a barrier.

The first was the crudest method: using brute force to blast it open. The second required using specific elemental power to resonate with the barrier itself, tricking its defenses to tear an opening.

For the first method, a magic barrier of this magnitude—hovering over the Council Chambers—would likely not even show a crack even if Starlight bombarded it for a day and a night.

As for the second method, because people with affinity for more than two elements were extremely rare, and someone with a Radiant Elemental Body like Starlight was unique on the entire continent.

Furthermore, finding the precise frequency to resonate with a barrier required not only immense focus and patience from the caster but also a vast amount of time for fine adjustments and experimentation.

Thus, while theoretically possible, this method had mostly remained a topic of theoretical discussion and written records. Those who could actually put it into practice and successfully crack a barrier were few and far between.

Although Starlight had been able to directly penetrate smaller barriers before, he wasn't entirely confident about this behemoth before him.

However, after sensing it carefully, he did find some good news.

For some reason, this massive barrier wrapping the Lake-Center Island did not use the Power of Nature as its foundation. Instead, it employed traditional basic elements. Though many types were involved, it wasn't an insurmountable problem for him.

With this premise, cracking it became possible for Starlight, though he wasn't sure if they had enough time.

After exchanging a silent look with Moen, Starlight immediately began the work of dismantling the barrier.

As the minutes ticked by, Starlight’s furrowed brow gradually relaxed, and a look of confidence returned to his face.

It turned out that while this barrier was ancient—having stood firm for thousands of years—its design and elemental fusion efficiency were far inferior to modern, newly developed magic formations.

It was this discovery that allowed Starlight’s progress to proceed exceptionally smoothly.

If he were facing the top-tier barrier at the Central Spiritual Arts Academy—one that had been painstakingly refined and improved by generations of Archmages—even three of him working together might not easily find a weakness.

But the barrier before him, despite its massive defensive capability, left exploitable flaws due to the limitations of ancient technology.

Using his absolute control and understanding of elemental power as a Radiant Elemental Body, Starlight skillfully resonated with the elemental fluctuations inside the barrier, gradually dismantling its defensive mechanisms.

With each attempt and adjustment, the glow of the section of the barrier before him weakened slightly.

“The frequency of the light element in this part... needs to be a bit higher... while adjusting the proportion of the water element... Done!”

After countless attempts, Starlight’s hand, resting against the barrier, seemed to unlock an invisible shackle, easily passing through the layer of impenetrable blue light curtain.