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With no food left, Liu Erlong's consumption of spirit power increased drastically.

Her cultivation speed during meditation could no longer keep up with the rate of depletion, and more days passed—though neither of them could count exactly how many. In the eternal darkness, with no sustenance or light, the concept of time ceased to hold meaning.

Liu Erlong's spirit power was nearly exhausted. The biting cold began to seep into her body, freezing her stiff, dulling her thoughts. She knew she couldn't hold on much longer.

Glancing at Meng Bei beside her, she couldn't see him in the darkness but could sense his breathing. A child with only level-40 spirit power was still gritting his teeth and enduring. She had brought him into this dire situation, yet he bore no resentment. This realization stirred something in Liu Erlong's heart, loosening chains of pride she had carried for years.

*Survival was paramount.*

After a moment of hesitation, Liu Erlong broke the silence.

"Xiao Bei, are you cold?"

Meng Bei, startled, shook his head.

"No, Aunt Erlong, I'm not cold."

Liu Erlong closed her eyes, moved by what she thought was a well-intentioned lie.

Such a good child. Even now, he doesn't want me to worry. I'm a Spirit Sage on the verge of collapse—how could he, with only a level-40 spirit power, withstand the cold of this abyss? Even with a snow-adapted spirit, it's impossible.

With that thought, Liu Erlong reached out and gently tugged at Meng Bei's sleeve.

"Xiao Bei, come closer. If we stay together, it'll be warmer."

Meng Bei hesitated briefly before scooting closer. The distance between them was already small, so with a slight movement, their shoulders touched.

At that moment, Liu Erlong felt a distinct warmth radiating from where their bodies made contact. In this icy abyss, that warmth was precious beyond words.

Instinctively, she leaned in for more warmth. Her arms, legs, and torso all sought proximity, pressing against Meng Bei. The warmth flowing from him felt like a lifeline. Unconsciously, her hand moved toward his chest to seek more.

Before she could fully give in, Meng Bei gently grabbed her hand. Liu Erlong snapped back to reality.

"Xiao Bei, I... I'm sorry. I'm just too cold," she stammered, mortified.

Liu Erlong had never felt such shame. A dignified Spirit Sage, reduced to this—reaching for the warmth of a junior.

"It's alright, Aunt Erlong," Meng Bei said softly, his voice calm and reassuring. Holding her hand, he interlocked their fingers and continued, "There's no need to feel ashamed. In times like these, survival is all that matters. My spirit allows me to resist the cold, so if you need warmth, please don't hesitate."

As he spoke, Meng Bei placed her hand firmly on his chest. Warmth spread instantly through her frozen fingers.

"By the heavens!" Liu Erlong gasped, astonished. Meng Bei's chest radiated heat like a furnace despite the freezing cold around them.

The intense warmth tempted her. She longed to bury herself entirely in his warmth, to escape the icy abyss that gnawed relentlessly at her body. Yet, even as this urge consumed her, she resisted.

I can't betray Xiao Gang, she thought, biting her lip. And as his elder, how could I do something so shameless?

Even though her instincts screamed for relief, Liu Erlong clung to her principles, suppressing the impulse to cling closer to Meng Bei. She gritted her teeth, determined to endure.

---

Night fell in the abyss, and a thin layer of frost coated Liu Erlong. Her clothes had frozen solid, stiff like armor. Despite this, she stayed put, resisting the primal urge to seek warmth.

Meng Bei admired her resolve. He marveled at how she defied even the basic human instinct to seek warmth in the face of mortal peril. Her sheer willpower was truly commendable.

But the stronger her will, the more Meng Bei wanted her. He thought it wasteful for such a remarkable woman to languish by Yu Xiaogang's side and perish on this mortal plane. He resolved to take her with him to the divine realm someday, granting her eternal life and happiness.

Still, Liu Erlong stubbornly resisted. Her spirit power had long been drained, and she now relied entirely on the robust physique of a Spirit Sage to sustain herself. Day after day, she hovered on the brink of giving in—occasionally leaning toward Meng Bei's warmth, only to snap out of it at the last moment and retreat.

Meng Bei observed silently, knowing full well that if he forcibly pulled her into his embrace now, she likely wouldn't resist. But that wasn't his goal. He wanted her to willingly yield, to shatter the pride and dignity she clung to.

He was patient. Like taming a falcon, he endured the process, biding his time.

---

Days turned into nights.

Finally, Liu Erlong reached her limit. The relentless cold nearly froze her unconscious. Her breaths were faint, and her body sluggishly leaned toward Meng Bei.

She teetered between wakefulness and slumber, aware yet unable to stop herself. Slowly, she closed her eyes and let her body sink into Meng Bei's chest. The warmth enveloped her like a soothing balm.

This wasn't enough.

Driven by instinct, Liu Erlong clawed at the clothing that separated her from the heat. In her haze, she tore the fabric apart, craving unbridled access to the warmth radiating from Meng Bei.

---

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