After all, if this wasn't explained clearly now, he'd be "chasing his wife to the crematorium" later.
Beside them, Yao Lao and Ling Ying watched the scene with entirely different expressions.
Yao Lao chuckled gleefully at the young couple's "mutual affection" and "flirtatious banter," his face full of mischievous amusement.
Ling Ying, however, wore a bitter look.
It was clear now—the young mistress had truly fallen.
If the clan leader found out…
Remembering Gu Yuan's fury, Ling Ying shuddered.
Sigh…
Hopefully, the items they brought back would help the young mistress convince the clan leader to approve this marriage.
Otherwise… this old man's life was as good as over.
———
World of Spiritual Revival.
Shangjing City.
Qixing · Yaoguang Military Base.
In the deepest room of the facility, several figures stood in place, their gazes fixed on an empty spot as if bidding someone farewell.
A flash of light—and Gu Ruoli returned with her armed team to the base they had departed from.
Seeing the group before her and their unchanged postures, Gu Ruoli and her team immediately understood.
It seemed the chat group had paused time in their home world.
In the past, they would never have dared to imagine such a power—controlling time itself. But now…
Their team included someone with a time-based Martial Spirit.
Such things no longer surprised them.
Gu Ruoli looked at the crowd before her, suddenly feeling as though she had returned home. A stunning smile bloomed on her face. "We're back."
At the front of the group, an elderly figure paused, then smiled warmly. "You've worked hard. Welcome home, children."
———
The same scene unfolded across other worlds.
The Honkai World. The Kamen Rider World. The Outcast World. The Super God World. The "None of My Business" World. The Fallen Angel World. The Dragon Maid World…
Time, once frozen by the chat group, resumed its flow the moment its members returned.
…
———
Douluo World.
Early morning, the day after Wu Tong's return.
Treehouse deep within Sunset Canyon.
As the sun slowly rose, its first rays slipped through the gaps in the curtains, gently painting the floor with light—a symbol of new hope and vitality for the day ahead.
Yet those same rays also illuminated the disarray within Wu Tong's room.
Scattered women's clothing. Discarded intimate garments. Black stockings torn violently apart…
Every detail spoke volumes about the "battle" that had raged the night before.
"Mmm…"
The sunlight hit Wu Tong's eyes, making him frown and mutter in displeasure. But there was nothing he could do. After a while, unable to sleep under the direct glare, he finally opened his eyes.
The familiar ceiling greeted him.
He stared blankly for a moment, then, fully awake, he manipulated the curtains to seal the gap and block the intrusive light.
After lying still for a while longer, he finally turned his attention to the bed.
The sight nearly stole his breath.
White—a landscape of snow-like skin, rolling peaks and valleys, and the jade-like figures of three women, their faces still bearing traces of tearful exhaustion.
It was a scene worthy of the classical description:
"Pearled tassels swirl like swaying stars, floral vines tremble as dragons serpentine."
The three women lay haphazardly across the bed, the crimson "plum blossoms" beneath them a stark reminder of the night's passion.
A smile tugged at Wu Tong's lips as memories of the "card game" flooded back.
After two lifetimes and fifty years of solitude, he had finally shed his innocence.
About damn time!
After a moment of reflection, he carefully lifted the delicate arms draped over him and slipped out of bed.
He left the bedroom quietly, leaving behind the mess and the three still-sleeping figures.
What he didn't know was that the moment he left, all three women opened their eyes.
Realizing the others were also awake, they exchanged glances, their faces flushing crimson.
Though they had "played cards" together last night, the daylight made the situation unbearably embarrassing.
———
While the three beauties struggled with their shyness, Wu Tong headed to the bathroom.
After washing off the night's stickiness and changing into a dark blue robe (no longer Vibranium—now that no one in Douluo or the God Realm could threaten him, comfort took priority over armor), he stepped out.
"Good morning, Young Master."
The greeting came from his head maid, Nangong Yun.
"Morning, Xiao Yun," he replied, then noticed the lingering redness at her ears.
Ah. So the maids knew about last night.
It wasn't surprising. Since moving to the academy, his maid team had lived in the same treehouse. With the… volume of last night's activities, it'd be stranger if they hadn't noticed.
Seeing the usually composed Nangong Yun flustered sparked a mischievous urge in him.
"Yun'er… you know about last night, don't you?"
Nangong Yun stiffened. Though phrased as a question, his tone left no room for denial.
"Th-that… I…" She stammered, unable to form a coherent response.
Wu Tong laughed. "Alright, I'll stop teasing you. You're too easy to fluster."
Relieved yet inexplicably disappointed, Nangong Yun sighed inwardly.
If I'd just admitted it… could I have…?
No. Best to let things unfold naturally.
As she turned to leave—
...
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(End of Chapter)