Chapter 44: Rose Flames and Unsealed Desires

The curse was slowly being released. Its suffocating grip loosened with each passing moment, the oppressive aura fading into the night like a lingering specter. Light stood near the center of the ritual ground, his heart still racing from the events that had transpired. The eerie energy that had enveloped them was dissipating, but the unease in the air lingered.

"Mrs. Tangyue, are you alright?" Light asked softly, approaching her with caution. She was weakly leaning against a rock, her body trembling from the aftereffects of the curse. Her once confident and composed demeanor now seemed vulnerable, fragile even.

At this moment, Tangyue's clothes were slightly disheveled, revealing glimpses of her skin that stirred something primal within Light. With two of her hands covering her chest, it was difficult for him to discern whether she was trying to protect her jade-like body from his gaze or inviting him to tear her clothes away. The subtlety of her actions left him conflicted, torn between his desires and his honor.

"Don't… don't come over here…" Tangyue's voice trembled, a mixture of fear and desire evident in her tone. She resisted the primal urges coursing through her, forces that made her want to leap into Light's arms. Despite her efforts, she could barely make herself sit down, her body betraying her thoughts.

Light clenched his fists, trying to focus. *Not good! In this kind of situation, any normal man would definitely take advantage of things!* he thought to himself, his mind racing with thoughts of what he *should* do versus what he *wanted* to do.

"I have to hurriedly refine this flame and leave this place with Mrs. Tangyue," he resolved. "If more Magicians appear, things will get even more complicated."

He steeled himself, trying to ignore the turmoil within him, and turned toward the magnificent Rose Flame. It hovered before him, pulsing with an ethereal glow, its warmth beckoning him. He quickly placed his hand on the flame, feeling its burning energy immediately transmit from his palm throughout his body. At first, it was almost unbearable, the heat searing into his flesh, but soon, it became something else entirely. The flames seemed to recognize him, to welcome him. The Rose Flame, which had brimmed with dangerous spirit moments ago, now felt as docile as a child in his hands.

The flame didn't wish to cause him pain; instead, it was offering itself to him.

The Rose Flames began to merge with his body, and Light felt the transformation deep within his Spiritual World. The biggest change occurred in his Fire Elemental Nebula, a mysterious and powerful entity that governed his control over fire magic. The once Scarlet Red Nebula was tainted with impurities, but as the Rose Flames fused into it, those impurities were burned away.

The Nebula spiraled and bloomed, forming a grand, fiery rose that filled the cosmos of his Spiritual World. It was breathtaking, a sight to behold, and a testament to the power he had just absorbed.

After the assimilation, the Rose Flame's pillar vanished. Light stood there, his body brimming with newfound energy. He could feel the power surging through him, an overwhelming sensation of strength and control over his fire magic.

Beside the rocks, Tangyue's breathing began to stabilize. Slowly, her eyes fluttered open, the blurry haze of the curse finally lifting. She looked around, disoriented, but her gaze soon fell on Light. Relief washed over her, but there was also something else—something unspoken between them.

Bringing Light with her this time had proven to be a wise decision. If Chao He had succeeded in his plans, the consequences would have been dire. The curse he had unsealed would have cost her far more than she was willing to pay. In her moment of weakness, she had even considered burning herself alive just to stop the inevitable.

Magical tools were bound to their owner's soul, and when that owner perished, so too did the magic within the items they wielded. Light, ever practical, took Chao He's Water Barrier Ring from his lifeless body, knowing it would serve him well in future battles.

As they sat in the rear seat of the car on their way back, Light closed his eyes, savoring the strange sensation that the Rose Flames left in his body. His entire being felt warm, alive, and he could sense a faint aroma at the tip of his nose. It was a fragrance he recognized—Tangyue's scent, like roses blooming under a full moon. It was intoxicating.

He glanced down at her, noticing her small, delicate hands gripping tightly onto the cushion. It was as if she were trying to hold herself together, but Light could see through her façade. Her pupils were filled with something else, a desire she was trying desperately to suppress.

"Ms. Tangyue, are you really alright?" Light asked, genuinely concerned.

Before he could say more, everything froze.

Tangyue, in one swift motion, leaned toward him and kissed him. Her soft, warm lips pressed against his, and the sensation sent shockwaves through Light's body. He had always been in control, always careful, but this was different. The kiss shattered his defenses, scattering all his thoughts.

Her lips tasted like roses, her breath intoxicating. Light felt the electrifying sensation coursing through his veins, his entire body reacting to her touch. Her limbs wrapped around him like the tentacles of an octopus, holding him tightly as if she would never let him go.

Tangyue, her self-control lost, straddled his lap, her lips hungrily finding his. She kissed him again and again, her body rubbing against his, her warmth spreading through him like wildfire. Light could barely think. He was being consumed by her, and he wasn't sure he wanted to stop.

Light grabbed Tangyue by the waist, his hands gripping her tightly as he felt his own desires begin to surface. She kissed him on his lips, his neck, her actions becoming more fevered. His blood pumped faster, his heart raced, and before he knew it, he had pushed her onto the seat, his hands exploring her body, his lips trailing down her neck.

The driver, noticing the commotion behind him, glanced in the rearview mirror, only to quickly avert his eyes. He drew the curtain, muttering something about the shamelessness of young people these days. He could hear Tangyue's soft moans, and Light's quiet groans, and found it increasingly difficult to concentrate on driving.

Somehow, amidst the chaos of their passion, they finally reached the city. Tangyue, her face flushed with shame and embarrassment, quickly exited the car and ran off, leaving Light behind, still dazed and trying to regain his composure.

As he stood in the unfamiliar part of the city, Light's phone buzzed with a message. He looked down at the screen, seeing the words that made him smirk.

"If you dare to tell anyone about this, I will castrate you!"

Light chuckled softly and texted back, "I don't think you can."

A moment later, another message came through, "A judge of the Magic Courts is allowed two chances to kill. Do you want me to use one of them on you?"

Her threat was clear, but it only made Light smile wider. He could feel her frustration through the phone.

"You aren't strong enough," he replied confidently.

Back in her apartment in West Hangzhou, Tangyue stared at her phone, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment. She wanted to be angry, to act like she didn't care, but she couldn't help but giggle at his response. Light was unpredictable, and that's what made him so infuriating.

Later that evening, Light took a stroll around the city, trying to clear his mind. But as he walked, the memory of what had just happened lingered, the scent of roses still fresh in his mind.

After a few hours, he caught a bus heading back to Bo City. His mind wandered as the scenery passed by, thinking of his sisters, Athena and Su Xuanhua, who were away training for the World College Tournament. His other sister, Su Hongxiu, was busy at Pearl Institute, while Ye XinXia had left high school early due to the destruction in Bo City.

Ye XinXia was home, cultivating and preparing for her Magic High Exam. She would attempt to join a college the following year, and Light knew she had been working hard toward that goal.

Back home, Light's house had remained untouched by the chaos that had befallen Bo City. The Sacred Psychic Tree had protected it from any magical beasts. He was grateful for that protection, knowing his family was safe.

His five students, who had once looked up to him for guidance, were now training under Zhan Kong in the army. Light had instructed them to continue their training for one more year before applying to any magic universities. Each had their own path, with plans to attend different schools—Ancient Capital Institute, Jimei University, Lanyang Institute, Demon Capital Institute, and Pearl Institute.

One of their group had already been accepted into the prestigious Parthenon Temple College.

For the next three months, Light focused on his own training, meditating and refining his abilities until the day came for his term to begin at the Aorus Sacred Institute.

The day finally came. He bid farewell to his parents and Ye XinXia, then set out on the long journey to the renowned institute.

The moment Light arrived, he was struck by the sheer beauty of the place. The area in fronkt of the Aorus Sacred Institute was undeveloped, a contrast to the modern world outside. There were no roads leading to the institute.