The Villain Marked the Protagonist's Fiancée (Through the Book) - Chapter 2

The woman was tormented by the burning thirst within her and the swelling of her glands. Her legs buckled beneath her, and her body lurched backward uncontrollably.

Yun Xiao reached out to catch her, the overwhelming jasmine scent instantly obliterating the last vestiges of clarity in her eyes. Unnoticed, her tail slipped silently beneath the woman’s clothing.

The woman glared at Yun Xiao, her eyes burning with shame and fury, but her body refused to obey her will, instinctively clinging to Yun Xiao.

Yun Xiao’s mind was now consumed by the urge to mark her. She frantically tore away the obstructing clothes, her hands fumbling toward the woman’s glands. Baring her sharp little fangs, she pierced the woman’s glands and injected her pheromones into them.

The glands at her waist continued to throb, the burning thirst within her remained unquenched. Perplexed, she wondered what had gone wrong. Was this simply not enough?

The woman fared no better, pressing herself against Yun Xiao, her misty eyes shimmering with a watery sheen.

Gazing into those glistening eyes, Yun Xiao’s heart burned hotter. She lowered her head and gently sucked on the woman’s delicate earlobe, her clumsy hands gripping the woman’s waist with clumsy fervor.

The tingling, burning sensation sent shivers through the woman’s body, and she let out soft, fragmented moans.

Night had fallen, and the moonlight, like liquid silver, gently cascaded across the shimmering surface of the water, creating a dreamlike, ethereal scene.

At the edge of the pool, two figures could be faintly discerned, their silhouettes blurred and intimate in the moonlit night. Their intertwined fingers stirred ripples across the water’s surface, and upon closer inspection, one could detect subtle currents of electricity flowing through the water.

As the sun rose and set, and dawn broke anew, the pool returned to its tranquil state.

Yun Xiao lowered her gaze to the limp figure cradled in her arms, feeling a pang of guilt. She seemed to have been rather rough with the woman.

Looking around, she spotted a Cave Abode to her left.

Carefully carrying the woman ashore, Yun Xiao formed a Magic Seal, instantly drying both of them. Her gaze flickered to the woman’s erect n1pples, and the embers of her desire, which had begun to fade, rekindled faintly.

Stop. Don’t push your luck.

Yun Xiao forced her eyes away with difficulty and carried the woman into the Cave Abode. She noted that the Side Chamber contained all the expected furnishings, including a stone bed draped with white fur, upon which lay a Dharma Robe imbued with the woman’s scent and a Prayer Cushion.

It seemed the woman had made this place her temporary sanctuary.

Yun Xiao moved the prayer cushion aside and gently laid the woman on the bed. She retrieved a soft fur blanket from her Inner Space and covered the woman before retreating from the Cave Abode.

When she returned, she carried a wooden pillow, which she placed a foot away from the woman. The moment the woman rested her head on it, she felt a sense of belonging to this world.

Yun Xiao turned to gaze at the woman’s profile. Whether the woman needed it or not, she had to demonstrate her sense of responsibility.

Remembering that the Heavenly Evolution Sect disciples were searching for her, Yun Xiao’s eyes darkened. It seemed she had to refine the Azure Dragon Essence Bl00d as soon as possible, following the original owner’s plan. Only by doing so could she quickly surpass the Male Lead’s cultivation level.

This drop of essence bl00d had been given to the original owner by her mother before leading the Male Lead away. Along with it, her mother had also entrusted her with the Mind Nourishing Ganoderma, a celestial herb she had guarded all her life, as well as several High-Grade Spirit Herbs.

Legend claimed that the Mind Nourishing Ganoderma could revive the dead and restore flesh to bone. Possessing it was akin to gaining an extra life.

Yun Xiao had reason to suspect that the Male Lead’s extravagant search for her wasn’t just about eliminating loose ends; he might also be after the Flood Dragon’s treasures.

She vaguely recalled that the Male Lead had an old grandfather figure accompanying him. It was precisely because of this cheat-like advantage that he could recognize rare treasures with discerning eyes and seize opportunities for great gains.

Unfortunately, she hadn’t read the book, only knew its general plot. Otherwise, she would have snatched the Male Lead’s opportunities twice over to exact her revenge.

Hmm, what’s that scent?

Yun Xiao twitched her nose, detecting a rich jasmine fragrance mingled with cloying sweetness.

Her peach-blossom eyes widened. The woman before her was also a demon, and like Yun Xiao, she was in her Heat Period.

As Yun Xiao’s divine and demonic energies intertwined, the woman writhed and murmured, “Hot… so hot…”

Yun Xiao remained still, her gaze fixed on the woman. Perhaps due to their recent intimacy, much of the woman’s usual coldness and aloofness had faded, revealing a gentle, serene beauty. Yun Xiao swallowed repeatedly, her throat dry.

The woman’s feverish heat burned away her remaining restraint.

Oblivious to Yun Xiao’s struggle, the woman carelessly rolled into her arms, her soft body brushing against Yun Xiao’s with unconscious provocation.

Unable to resist such temptation, Yun Xiao leaned down and kissed those vibrant, succulent lips.

Their breaths mingled, their racing heartbeats gradually harmonizing into a shared rhythm.

Sometime later, a soft rain began to fall outside the cave, droplets trickling along the veins of leaves, leaving glistening trails in their wake.

Fragmented, soft moans mingled with the sound of rain. A gust of wind swept through, sending a crystal-clear raindrop splashing onto Yun Xiao’s body. The droplet rolled down her graceful form before finally dripping onto the bed.

The sudden downpour persisted for seven days before finally ceasing.

After sleeping for a full day and night, Yun Xiao slowly stirred from her slumber.

Gazing up at the stone ceiling, she remained in a daze for several breaths before recalling the absurdity of the past few days.

Turning her head to observe the woman’s peaceful sleeping face, she could no longer lie still. She rose from the stone bed and stepped down.

Before leaving the Cave Abode, she cast two Dust Cleansing Spells. Approaching the Cold Pool, she spotted fish swimming within and immediately conceived a plan.

In less than the time it takes to brew half a cup of tea, she had caught five Spirit Fish.

Retrieving a sword from her Inner Space, she clumsily cleaned the fish and laid them on a stone slab. After gathering some nearby seasonings, she crushed them and rubbed them into the fish.

Once the marinating was complete, she placed the fish on a makeshift grill and began to slow-roast them.

The mouthwatering aroma of the fish easily whetted Yun Xiao’s appetite. She quickly picked up a piece from the fish’s belly with her chopsticks and popped it into her mouth.

Crispy on the outside, tender and succulent within, the fish tasted far better than any she had ever eaten in the modern world.

After devouring the first fish in a few bites, she immediately put the remaining four on the grill.

Seeing the fish were cooked through, she extinguished the fire, wrapped one in leaves, and carried it into the Cave Abode.

In the Side Chamber, she met a pair of wary eyes, their gaze sharp with murderous intent.

She held out the roasted fish. “I grilled this. Want a bite?”

The woman remained silent, her intense stare making Yun Xiao’s scalp tingle.

Just as Yun Xiao braced for another attack, the woman shifted her gaze, her voice hoarse. “Get out.”

Before retreating, Yun Xiao placed the roasted fish on the table. She glanced sideways, wanting to say something, but the woman’s cold, rigid profile made her swallow the words back down.

Returning to the grilling spot, Yun Xiao grabbed another roasted fish and took a large bite. Her cheeks puffed out with each chew. She asked me if I wanted any before we started. What’s with this now?

A scumbag woman who forgets you the moment her pants are back on.

Yun Xiao huffed angrily and devoured another roasted fish. She washed her hands and face by the pond, then turned to gaze at the Cave Abode.

After spending several absurd days with a stranger, even if it was due to a fever, it was natural to feel some lingering emotions upon regaining clarity.

If not for the woman, Yun Xiao would likely still be suffering in the throes of lust, never experiencing this newfound ease and comfort.

With these thoughts, the last trace of resentment in her heart dissipated, and she returned to the Cave Abode.

Afraid of angering the woman, she stopped outside the Side Chamber and cautiously peeked inside.

To her surprise, the woman caught her red-handed. Yun Xiao stammered, “People need to eat! It’s been days since I last ate. I… I already ate. This fish isn’t poisonous at all—it’s actually delicious!”

Only then did she belatedly remember that this was the Cultivation World. Human Cultivators who reached the Golden Core stage could completely abstain from food.

The woman’s cultivation level was the same as hers—early Transformation stage, equivalent to the early Nascent Soul stage for Human Cultivators—meaning she no longer needed to eat.

Mentally cursing herself, Yun Xiao quickly added, “Then I’ll take the fish away.” As she spoke, she stepped toward the table and reached for the leaf-wrapped roasted fish. But before her hand could touch it, the woman’s clear, cold voice rang out:

“What kind of demon are you?”

Yun Xiao froze. What? When did I get exposed?

The memory of her tail probing the woman’s depths from a few days ago flashed before her eyes, and a flicker of self-reproach crossed her peach-blossom eyes.

Lust has clouded my judgment.

Realizing the consequences, she withdrew her hand without looking at the woman and replied with forced casualness, “A Thunderbolt Snake.”

Yun Xiao wanted to come up with another lie, but the tails of demons varied greatly. The only creatures with tails similar to a Flood Dragon’s were snakes and dragons. Since dragons didn’t exist in the Heavenly Cloud Realm, only snakes remained as an option.

The woman took in Yun Xiao’s expression, choosing not to expose the lie. Instead, she asked, “What did you inject into my abdomen?”

Yun Xiao answered truthfully, “Pheromone.”

Noticing the woman’s confusion, she explained, “Without a Pheromone Suppression Pill, only a Qianyuan’s pheromone injected into your glands can calm your restlessness. This is what I meant earlier by a temporary mark.”

Some word seemed to enrage the woman. She suddenly closed the distance, her aura turning hostile as she demanded, “How do you know these things? And what is a Pheromone Suppression Pill?”

Having never heard these terms before, she suspected this demon, who was concealing her true identity, was making up lies to deceive her.

Yun Xiao retreated cautiously until her back pressed against the wall. Though she sensed no immediate murderous intent from the woman, the spell formation in her right hand remained poised to strike.

The woman’s sudden change in demeanor only confirmed Yun Xiao’s suspicions: this world lacked the ABO setting.

In that case, she and the woman were exceptions to the rules of this world.

Enough, Yun Xiao thought. The most important thing now is how to answer her.

Yun Xiao’s mind raced frantically. After a few breaths, she devised a plan, carefully observing the woman’s expression as she spoke. “Ever since I reached the Demon Core Stage, I’ve noticed an extra organ in my body. To unravel this mystery, I consulted ancient texts of the Demon Clan and sought guidance from several seniors. Finally, I found the answer in the manual of an Ascended Great Power.”

Seeing no change in the woman’s expression, she continued, “The manual described three types of people in the Heavenly Cloud Realm: Qianyuan, Neutral, and Kunze. Qianyuan and Kunze each possess distinct pheromones, while Neutrals have no scent.

Kunze experience annual Heat Periods. During these times, their bodies become weak and anxious as their pheromones intensify. They can take Pheromone Suppression Pills or temporarily bond with a Qianyuan to alleviate the symptoms.”

At that moment, Yun Xiao was immensely grateful for having studied historical evolution in her modern life. Without that knowledge, she would never have been able to explain things so convincingly.

The woman remained skeptical. She had never heard of such things, yet the Demon Cultivator’s earlier description of her physical anomalies had proven largely accurate.

After forming her Nascent Soul, the seal within her body had loosened, revealing that she was not human.

She knew that adult Demons experienced Heat Periods, which was why she had traveled thousands of miles to this place every year during that time.

The previous times had been grueling but bearable. This time, however, was particularly unbearable. The area in her abdomen felt searing and swollen, a condition that worsened after the Demon Cultivator silently breached her Defensive Formation and she fell into the Cold Pool.

Suppressing her thoughts, she said calmly, “Continue.”

Yun Xiao released the Magic Seal with a graceful flick of her right hand and said leisurely, “When a Qianyuan senses a Kunze’s pheromones, they will passively enter the Wildfire Period. During this time, Qianyuan experience intense destructive urges, their aggressive pheromones raging uncontrollably within them. At this point, they must either take a Pheromone Suppression Pill or mark the Kunze.”

The woman seized on the key point, her gaze fixed on Yun Xiao. “Where can I find the Pheromone Suppression Pill? Who knows how to make it?”

Yun Xiao’s eyes showed genuine confusion as she shook her head.

The woman refused to believe her and took two more steps closer, now only a fist’s width away from Yun Xiao. “Hand over the Manual.”

Since the Manual detailed the characteristics of Qianyuan, Kunze, and Neutral individuals, it likely also contained information about the Pheromone Suppression Pill.

Unless, of course, the so-called Manual was a fabrication by the Demon Cultivator before her.

Sensing the woman’s sudden shift in demeanor, Yun Xiao felt like crying. Where was she supposed to conjure up a Manual from?

Stealing a glance at the woman, she said nervously, “The Manual turned to dust after I finished reading it.”

Seeing a sword materialize in the woman’s hand, she quickly added, “Give me some time. Maybe I’ll remember something.”

From the Demon Cultivator’s expression, she was certain that the “Manual” was a complete fabrication.

Though furious, the woman didn’t lose her composure.

If the Demon Cultivator could indeed concoct the Pheromone Suppression Pill, that would be ideal. But even if she couldn’t, the Demon Cultivator would still serve as her remedy for future heat cycles.

She sheathed her sword and warned, “If you dare deceive me, I’ll take your life.”

With that, she left the side chamber, taking the leaf-wrapped roasted fish with her.

Finding a high spot to sit, she gazed down at the lush greenery below, the azure Cold Pool, and occasionally took a bite of the roasted fish in her hand, feeling a strange sense of contentment.

Meanwhile, Yun Xiao sat cross-legged on a rock at the entrance of the Cave Abode, racking her brains in deep thought. Only as the sun began to set did she manage to piece together the ingredients for the Pheromone Suppression Pill.

Just as she was about to go find the woman, the woman returned. Afraid to keep her in suspense, Yun Xiao shared, “I’ve remembered the medicinal ingredients, but I don’t know the exact quantities for each one.” Realizing her mistake, she quickly corrected herself, “The Manual didn’t specify the quantities.”