Nan Fenghua, nestled in Zhang Luan's arms, stared blankly at the man. From the moment he picked her up, she had been in a daze.

She never imagined her first touch from a man would be like this. His large, scorching hands gripped her shoulders tightly, as if burning her heart. Nan Fenghua felt her body melting—a sensation she had never felt before.

Zhang Luan wielded Stellar Flame to attack the black-robed men. They weren't weak—each nearly level 20—but under Stellar Flame's power, these cultists seemed as helpless as children. Only their leader, drawing a scythe, showed a hint of resistance.

Watching Zhang Luan like this, Nan Fenghua's heart fluttered with excitement.

"So handsome, so strong, so warm~ I wish I could stay in his arms forever~"

Her eyes filled with admiration. Every move Zhang Luan made radiated charm, and his image grew taller in her mind.

Zhang Luan had no clue about her inner monologue. He only knew the "big villain" in his arms was trembling like a frightened rabbit, pitifully.

"No one can hurt you while I'm here."

Those words pierced her heart like a domineering arrow, leaving Zhang Luan's mark forever. At that moment, it was as if a string inside her snapped with a click.

After eliminating the last black-robed man, Zhang Luan realized Nan Fenghua had fainted at some point.

"Damn, was she hit? That shouldn't have happened."

Puzzled, he reached out to check her body. But the moment his hand touched her neck, Nan Fenghua's eyes snapped open.

Zhang Luan froze, his hand suspended awkwardly. He didn't know whether to pull back or not. In the end, without thinking, he pinched her cheek.

It was soft and surprisingly cute.

So he pinched it again.

"U-um, can you let me go now?"

Zhang Luan "suddenly realized" and released her, though he felt a bit reluctant. Despite Nan Fenghua's small frame, she already exuded a hint of enchantress charm.

"Thank you... um, I'm Nan Fenghua..."

Away from his embrace, the sense of dependence faded. She looked at the fallen mature woman, biting her lip to hold back tears.

Zhang Luan said nothing. He had seen the arrow shot earlier. If he had wanted to, the woman wouldn't have died. But he simply hadn't cared, nor did he have any obligation.

If he hadn't recognized Nan Fenghua's identity, she would have met the same fate. Though he didn't think she'd die here.

After a while, Nan Fenghua managed to stop crying and said:

"Thank you... um, you saved me. I should repay you. Um, what's your name..."

"Zhang Luan. My name is Zhang Luan. How do you plan to repay me? Judging by your looks, you don't have anything valuable on you."

Zhang Luan sized up her body. His slightly scorching gaze made her feel uncomfortable.

"I... I'm the Holy Maiden of Acamana City. If I can return, I can give you anything I have..."

"Including yourself?"

He grinned at her like a wolf eyeing a lamb.

"I... no, that's not possible... The Holy Maiden can't be touched by men..."

Trembling, she tried to step back but bumped into the stone wall.

Seeing her pitiful state, Zhang Luan chuckled with satisfaction. It was fulfilling to see the cold, proud beauty from his past life bullied into this state.

He walked to her, reached out, and pinched her rosy cheek.

"I heard the Sacred Temple has been lacking a Holy Son for a while."

Before she could react, Zhang Luan grabbed her arm and placed the Spicy Pot in her arms.

"Hold this pot for me."

Nan Fenghua held the Spicy Pot blankly, her mind still foggy, as he led her out of the cave. Outside, heavy rain poured down. The armored warriors lay on the ground, long silent.

Seeing her sad expression, Zhang Luan clicked his tongue. He manipulated Stellar Flame to toss the bodies into the cave. Then, he conjured a fireball and hurled it in. Roaring flames filled the cave, melting the stone walls. Gradually, the entrance sealed, forming a makeshift tomb.

"Dust to dust, ashes to ashes. Having a place to rest in peace after death isn't bad in this world."

Nan Fenghua nodded somberly. After all, these people had died for her.

Zhang Luan didn't wait for her to grieve. He grabbed the Spicy Pot and plopped it onto her head. Under her dumbfounded gaze, he said:

"Use this as an umbrella for now. Anyway, this rain shouldn't last long."

If people knew a legendary artifact was being used as a rain shield, they might die of anger. Even if it was just a pot, it was a legend coveted by countless people!

Walking through the eerie forest, the sound of running feet echoed around them. Zhang Luan knew without looking—it was definitely the Mighty Roar Cathedral's men.

As the mortal enemy of Akamana Temple, they had mobilized such a force to capture the Holy Maiden. If she escaped, the losses would be immeasurable.

Their capture efforts were like a net cast over heaven and earth, but Zhang Luan wasn't one to be trifled with. With his experience, he easily evaded them. If he wanted, he could have taken Nan Fenghua out of this hellhole long ago.

With his strength, those cultists were no threat. The strongest among them, tasked with capturing her, was only a level 25 Mighty Thunder elite. Zhang Luan could kill him more easily than that goblin champion.

But he didn't do that yet. The time wasn't right.

Though their search seemed massive, they couldn't find a single clue about him. Instead, they were confused by traps he casually set.

He protected Nan Fenghua tightly. After all, if she got hurt, it would be bad. If she could awaken her past-life strength, she wouldn't need his protection—these guys would have been tortured to death long ago.

Thinking this, Zhang Luan reached out and pinched her tender cheek, making her shiver. Her status panel appeared before his eyes.

Name: Nan Fenghua

Level: 5

Series: Magic

Race: Human

Luck: A

Occupation: Holy Maiden

Talents:

[Akamana's Blessing] After receiving fatal damage, Akamana's divine power descends, granting all magic an additional 500% bonus. Duration determined by Intelligence.

[Alter Ego?] Activated upon extreme emotional shock. Personality switches to [Cold and Proud]. In this persona, all positive effects of blessings are reversed to negative.

Skills:

[Akamana Blessing Art]: A total of 77 blessing spells, adaptable to various situations.

Items:

[Life-Death Reversal Coin] ×1: Revives upon death.