"Oh, yes! You are doing an excellent job," Xia Tian exclaimed with delight.

"Woah, it feels like ants crawling," he shivered, his skin prickling in discomfort.

Silence hung in the air, an eerie void that seemed to amplify their thoughts.

"But your tongue is too small, just stop already," Xia Tian muttered, his frustration evident.

Xu Qing's expression shifted, her face contorted in disbelief and horror, as she bore witness to something she should never have seen.

'Just why?' she wondered, her mind reeling at the unimaginable cruelty unfolding before her.

Her heart pounded relentlessly as she watched one of the most heinous crimes being committed right in front of her eyes.

Xia Tian, unsatisfied with the innocent girl's limited ability to please him, abruptly released her.

His predatory gaze scanned her small frame, finding her unworthy of further torture.

Xia Rouyan, oblivious to the assault she had endured, continued to giggle innocently while observing Xia Tian adjust his disheveled clothing.

Seizing the opportunity, Xia Tian instructed the girl to open her mouth, gripping her tiny tongue with his hands and inspecting it intently.

"Aaa..." the girl uttered, unaware of the sinister implications of her actions.

Finally, Xia Tian sighed, his expression mirroring that of an ancient sage. "This mouth is indeed too small," he declared, disappointment mingling with a sense of twisted wisdom.

Xia Ruoyan received yet another treat, leaving Xu Qing abandoned and sacrificed like a mere toy.

Xia Tian seemed unfazed by the collateral damage, contemplating whether to accelerate the girl's growth or wait for a more satisfactory moment to consume her.

Irene's suspicions were confirmed; the old fox's disinterest paralleled his lack of appetite for something so insignificant.

The dark episode of molestation would forever remain a haunting mystery.

With Xu Qing as the sole witness, the truth of the evil act perpetrated here would remain veiled.

As for Xia Rouyan, her tender age shielded her from comprehending the nature of the long, repulsive act she had unwittingly enjoyed.

By the time she matured, the memory of this disturbing event would fade into oblivion, just one among millions of atrocities forgotten by history, swallowed by the depths of time.

__________

The setting sun painted the sky in breathtaking hues, casting a golden glow that bathed the sprawling landscape.

Shen Huang, Feng Xiao, and Zhao Xin embarked on their journey along the edge of the majestic mountain, their figures silhouetted against the ethereal backdrop.

With each step they took, tiny dust clouds danced in the air, a testament to their presence in this untouched realm.

The dense forest whispered secrets as the leaves rustled and whispered, creating a soft symphony that accompanied their every move.

Shen Huang's eyes burned with a potent blend of desire and determination, drawing him closer to Long Meihui, who exuded an aura of enigmatic grace and poised composure.

She knew that her actions were but a clever ploy, a meticulously spun web designed to delay the predetermined engagement between her and Shen Huang.

The initial plan had been to forge an unbreakable bond between the Long Family and the Xia Family, a union that would have rippled through the realms, altering the course of history.

The Xia Family, one of the three formidable Ancient families, held formidable power and wielded significant influence in the mid-level realms.

The engagement was meant to solidify their alliance, a marriage of convenience with far-reaching consequences.

However, fate had other ideas. Chaos erupted within the Xia Family itself, ignited by suspicions of an assassination attempt on Xia Liang's beloved concubine, a treacherous scheme that ultimately implicated a member of the Shen Family.

The revelation sent shockwaves reverberating through the realms, reshaping the intricate tapestry of alliances and rivalries that had once been immutable.

As the Xia Family's strength faltered under the weight of internal strife, a void emerged, a void that other families eagerly sought to fill.

Even the Zhang Family, once among the triumvirate of ancient rulers in the mid-level realms, was crumbling, leaving behind an unprecedented opportunity for the Shen Family to ascend to prominence.

Yet, hidden beneath the surface, the cunning old patriarch of the Long Family saw this tumultuous period as the perfect opening to seize an advantage.

With a discreet hand, he distanced himself from the faltering Xia Family, extending an ostensibly amicable gesture toward the Shen Family of the mystic peak realm.

The Long Family's covert maneuvering shrouded their true intentions in an aura of mystery and intrigue, causing whispers to swirl and suspicions to grow.

What game did the old patriarch play in this intricate dance of power?

Only time would reveal the depths of his cunning and the true nature of his ambitions.

As Shen Huang mustered the courage to declare his affection for Long Meihui, his loyal servants and secret lovers, Feng Xiao and Zhao Xin, exchanged subtle glances, silently reaffirming their commitment to him.

They believed that by helping Shen Huang win Long Meihui's heart, they would also find solace and acceptance in a world that frowned upon their forbidden love.

With a captivating smile, Shen Huang embarked on his heartfelt confession, expressing, "Long Meihui, every time I gaze upon your radiant presence, the world around me fades into insignificance. You are the guiding light that illuminates my heart even in the darkest of nights."

Long Meihui met his words with mischievous eyes, an air of playful defiance emanating from her. "Ah, Shen Huang, your charm knows no bounds. But do you truly believe that sweet words alone can sway me?"

Stepping forward, Feng Xiao's voice quivered with genuine emotion as she pleaded, "My lady, please understand the depth of Shen Huang's love for you. His heart beats solely for your existence."

A teasing glimmer danced in Long Meihui's eyes as she responded, "Oh, I have no doubts about his affection. However, there is a matter of utmost importance that lingers in the shadows, a condition that must be addressed before our engagement."

Shen Huang's composure wavered, his frustration simmering beneath the surface.

As the fourth son of the patriarch of the Shen family's main branch, he knew that the engagement with someone of Long Meihui's stature should typically be arranged with a son of higher status, such as the first or second son.

However, the cunning Long patriarch saw Shen Huang as a love-struck fool, easily controlled and manipulated.

Shen Huang had hoped that his love for Long Meihui would overcome any obstacles, but she remained resolute in her stance.

With a mixture of eagerness and desperation, he implored, "Long Meihui, what condition must we fulfill? Tell me, and I shall move mountains and shake the heavens to meet it."

Long Meihui's smile widened, revealing her cunning nature. "Dear Shen Huang, patience is key. Our engagement shall not be fulfilled until my martial brother, Long Tian, returns from the immortal world."

Shen Huang's heart sank at the mention of Long Tian, a renowned cultivator who had embarked on a transcendent journey beyond mortal realms.

His return was uncertain, meaning their union would be indefinitely delayed.

The weight of time bore heavily upon Shen Huang, frustrating his desires and shattering his dreams.

In a voice tinged with concern, Feng Xiao pleaded, "Long Meihui, is there no alternative? Can we not find a compromise that allows our hearts to entwine without the suffocating constraints of time?"

Long Meihui's gaze softened, her thoughts momentarily drifting. "Feng Xiao, Zhao Xin, I am grateful for your unwavering support for Shen Huang. But my heart remains bound by a promise I made to my martial brother. I cannot forsake that commitment lightly."

A suffocating silence enveloped the group, the air heavy with a mingling of longing and resignation. 

The forest whispered its ancient secrets to the wind, as if the very essence of nature held its breath, silently observing the intricate dance of desire and strategy unfolding amidst the breathtaking landscape.

The rustling leaves seemed to echo the clandestine whispers of the heart.

Shen Huang inhaled deeply, his voice infused with a potent blend of determination and yearning.

"Long Meihui, I understand your loyalty, but this waiting feels like an eternity. The sands of time slip through our fingers, and I fear that our love will be lost in its wake."

Zhao Xin immediately stepped forward before Shen Huang says something stupid and destroys this opportunity, she felt Long Meihui wasn't as simple as she appeared.

Zhao Xin's eyes ablaze with unwavering determination. "Then, my lady, we shall stand by your side through this prolonged wait. Love knows no bounds, and our devotion to Shen Huang remains steadfast."

Long Meihui's gaze shifted from Shen Huang to her loyal companions, her eyes gleaming with a complex mix of appreciation and mischief. "Thank you, Feng Xiao, Zhao Xin."

As they continued their leisurely stroll along the mountain's edge, the sky transformed into a vivid tapestry of resplendent hues.

The fading light embraced the world in a breathtaking symphony of pinks and oranges, mirroring the delicate balance between hope and uncertainty that enveloped them.

Nature itself seemed to lend its vibrant palette to their intertwined destinies.

Yet, even as Long Meihui walked side by side with her companions, a profound revulsion stirred within her whenever she glanced at Shen Huang.