Chapter 125: A Beast in Human Clothing (Part II)

"Hanrod, you really are a beast in human clothing!"

Wang Luo cast a speechless glance at Hanrod, who was currently displaying a myriad of moods behind him. His tense body went limp in Hanrod's arms. Looking up at the face that countless young maidens secretly pined for, he offered a faint smile and teased him with a mocking remark.

"I am only a beast in human clothing when I am with you."

The exchange, reminiscent of lovers' banter, made Wang Luo’s heart skip a beat. His languid body tightened inexplicably, and a trace of confusion flickered in his eyes. Was it that he did not want to leave this lap of luxury, or was he truly unable to?

The question from the depths of his soul echoed repeatedly in his heart. The desire that had just been ignited was extinguished as if doused by a basin of cold water, leaving only wisps of black smoke to testify to how fiercely it had once burned.

"What's wrong?"

Noticing the subtle change in the person in his arms, Hanrod stopped his movements. Suppressing the wicked fire that was burning ever more intensely, he gently kissed the sweet-smelling neck of the person in his arms and asked with confusion.

"Nothing!"

He shook his head, trying not to overthink. Wang Luo twisted his body, using the hardness and heat behind him to ignite his own passion, forcing himself to immerse in this intimacy, just as he had once been unable to face his own quirks or hear others insult his parents.

Of course, that was still forbidden now, but this prohibition was no longer the same as the one from before; the gap between the two was vast.

"Speak!"

Hanrod turned him around to face him, staring intently into those bright, dark eyes. A sudden, ominous premonition seized Hanrod—a feeling that he might lose the owner of these eyes at any moment. His calm heart began to ripple, and his tone couldn't help but harden.

"Hmph, get lost! My business is none of your concern!"

Glancing at the slightly angry Hanrod, Wang Luo felt a surge of frustration. With a sharp strike of his palm, he pushed Hanrod away, staring at him coldly with an expressionless face, unmoved by the look of disbelief on the other's face.

*Splash...*

The forgotten sphere of water, having lost control, burst instantly, drenching the person below who had made no attempt to dodge.

*Drip, drip...*

Water droplets fell continuously from his hair, the sound echoing in the silent, red-hued geothermal room. Watching the stubborn figure not far away, Hanrod ultimately couldn't help but speak first.

"Why didn't you dodge?"

"From now on, we don't need to see each other again!"

After a brief pause, Wang Luo took a deep look at the person who had kept him company for a month and spoke unhurriedly. His words caused the other’s expression to change drastically, revealing a look of utter disbelief.

"Are you serious?!"

Looking at the person he longed for day and night, and hearing those bone-chilling words, Hanrod swallowed hard and asked.

"Serious!"

Without the slightest hesitation, Wang Luo gave his answer. He turned, threw on a piece of clothing, and walked toward the exit. In that moment, Wang Luo was strangely surprised to find that his heart felt no ripple at all.

"No regrets?!"

"No regrets!"

Three words, one question, one answer—one agitated, one calm—ended a relationship that perhaps shouldn't have even been called a romance to begin with.

"Why? Why did you drag me into your room a month ago? Why were you shouting that you loved me back then? Why?"

Hearing the accusation from behind, Wang Luo paused as he reached for the door. His calm heart felt a faint ripple, but he continued to open the door, and a cold sentence drifted back into the geothermal room.

"You weren't the only one I dragged in a month ago!"

Through the gradually closing door crack, Hanrod watched that resolute figure leave without a trace of nostalgia. The words he had just heard echoed in his mind, each syllable like a sharp blade piercing deep into his heart.

"Chelsea, heh... so that's how it is. No wonder you only allowed me to come over every two days. No wonder it always felt somewhat unreal. No wonder, heh, no wonder..."

"I am not a beast in human clothing, Wang Luo; you are the true beast in human clothing!"

Sitting dejectedly in the puddle of water on the floor, Hanrod laughed bitterly, muttering to himself...

***********************************

In the level-six alchemy room, an exquisite cauldron stood, with wisps of bright red geothermal fire permeating beneath it. It emitted strands of scorching energy that flowed into the cauldron, transforming into clusters of pure energy flames that flickered with a crimson glow.

"Soul-Condensing Flower, three stalks!"

"Three-Seven Leaf, nine leaves!"

"Dew-Holding Grass, three stalks!"

Not far from the cauldron, the youth in green, who had been resting and gathering his strength, suddenly opened his eyes. A sharp light flashed through them. A large, crimson hand made of fiery energy appeared out of thin air, lifting the hot lid. Fifteen streaks of light shot into the cauldron, and the lid was clamped shut once more.

*Boom!*

Without giving the herbs a chance to react, the scorching energy flames, like a hungry, impatient wolf, pounced fiercely upon the fifteen little sheep, instantly wrapping them entirely within its body, kneading them recklessly, regardless of whether they were willing or not.

Outside the cauldron, through the transparent glaze, the youth in green watched the herbs within. His hands moved continuously, controlling the temperature of the energy flames inside through the magic circle beneath him, gradually melting the herbs.

Under the searing heat of the energy flames, the stalks of herbs began to shrink and melt. Strands of black-gray ash were purged from within the herbs, leaving only the essence behind.

*Merge!*

The hand seals of the youth in green changed abruptly, and he let out a low shout in his heart. The herbs in the cauldron began to melt instantly, and strands of crystalline liquid appeared, gathering into clusters. Gradually, three clusters of crystal-clear liquid emerged, tightly enveloped by the energy flames.

*Combine!*

After the geothermal fire refined a few more wisps of ash from the three crystal-clear liquid clusters, the youth in green changed his hand seals again, shouting silently. The energy flames propelled the three clusters of liquid to slowly move toward each other.

Watching the liquid clusters draw closer with intense focus, the youth's hand seals changed slowly. The three clusters finally made contact, their energies colliding, causing the enveloping flames to flicker violently.

"Hmph, merge for me!"

Seeing the three tiny liquid clusters acting so defiantly, the youth, whose mood did not seem to meet the requirements for alchemy, let out a cold snort followed by a sharp shout. His formidable mental energy surged forth with his changing hand seals, fiercely compressing the three liquid clusters.

*Sizzle!*

A blinding flash of fire flickered and vanished. The three clusters of liquid, forced together, collided violently. Their energies resisted one another, and they were on the verge of exploding. Should that happen, this batch of pills would be completely ruined...