Javier Sinclair shifted his position.

His left hand wrapped around her waist, while his other arm circled her shoulders.

He said in a deadpan voice, "If I don’t hold on tight, what if you drop me? I don’t exactly trust your Sword Control skills."

Celeste Grant punched him on the shoulder.

"You’re just looking for an excuse to get your hands on me. If you weren’t the father of my child, I’d kick you right off this sword. You and your constant need to act all cool."

Javier Sinclair: "..."

Looking at the woman in his arms, a smile touched Javier Sinclair’s eyes.

He held her close, lowered his head slightly, and leaned in toward her ear.

"I *am* the father of your son. No take-backs."

Celeste Grant blushed.

"Don’t get so close. A man will only slow down my Sword Control."

Javier Sinclair chuckled softly.

He stroked her hair.

Held securely in his arms, Celeste Grant found their direction and pointed straight ahead.

"Time to go back."

With a WHOOSH, the sword shot forward.

Her Sword Flight was incredibly smooth now; she could fly high or low as she pleased.

The scenery along the way was beautiful, but they were so high up. Anyone with a fear of heights would never be able to learn Sword Flight if they came to the Cultivation World.

This time, the two of them didn’t rush back. Instead, they enjoyed the scenery, stopping periodically and even using a phone to take photos for memories.

’This finally feels like we’re actually dating,’ she thought.

At the edge of a river, Celeste Grant sat on a rock, her feet dangling in the water.

Not far away, Javier Sinclair was taking photos of her with his phone.

She didn’t forget to call out, "Get a good one! Pay attention to the angle—make my legs look long!"

His voice drifted over.

"You’re so demanding. Don’t worry... I’ve mastered the technique."

When she walked to the riverbank and took the phone to look through the pictures, she was satisfied. "Not bad, this one’s beautiful... Ooh, this one’s good too."

Javier Sinclair glanced at her. "See? I told you it would be fine."

Celeste Grant said, "Come on, let’s take one together."

As she spoke, she sidled up to him, linked her arm through his, and held up the phone to take a picture of them. "This angle isn’t very good."

Javier Sinclair glanced at the screen. "Ever consider that it might be because you’re short?"

Celeste Grant: "Watch it, or I’ll rough you up."

He reached out and took the phone, then wrapped one arm around her and found a better angle.

"There, that’s better."

Just as they were talking, someone approached in the distance, slowly riding a turtle-like Spirit Beast. The ground trembled with its every step.

Celeste didn’t pay much attention to the rider, but her gaze was fixed on the turtle mount.

’That’s a huge turtle...’

Just then, the rider spotted them.

Celeste felt a gust of wind, and in the next instant, the newcomer was standing right in front of Javier Sinclair.

The newcomer struck a delicate, coy pose. "This... beautiful one, do you have a Taoist Companion? I’ve taken a fancy to you. Are you willing to join with me as my Taoist Companion?"

Celeste’s jaw nearly hit the floor.

’Who the hell is this?!’

’They’ve got more guts than I do.’

She stared at the person and said, "My good man, correct me if I’m wrong, but you’re a man, right? And you’ve had a good look? My guy here is beautiful, but he *is* a guy. Are you sure? Has the Cultivation World become so progressive? Two men can...?"

That was the wrong thing to say. Hearing this, the person’s face contorted with rage.

"Who are you? What nonsense are you spouting? Look closely, I’m a woman! Who are you calling a man?" she said, stomping her foot. "I’m a lady... a delicate little fairy, in fact." As she spoke, she cast a shy glance at Javier Sinclair.

Celeste stared at him... oh, *her*. ’No Adam’s apple, so she really is a woman. It’s just that her features are a bit... rushed.’

’That physique, those pecs... they’re so ripped.’ *Hiss...* ’The body of a burly man and the heart of a delicate maiden. That’s a lethal combination.’

’This is a young lady? She’s a muscle Barbie.’

"Alright, my mistake. But sorry, he’s already the father of my son. You should look for someone else."

The woman hesitated for a moment before her face firmed with decision.

"First come, first served. I understand."

She continued, "It’s fine, I don’t mind! Don’t worry, I won’t break you up. I can just join you. I can be the junior partner. Once I join, we can all live happily together as one big family."

Celeste Grant: "..."

’Wow, sis, you’re so progressive!’

’But even if you’re willing, you have to see if the other party is,’ she thought.

She turned her head to Javier Sinclair and gestured toward the woman.

"Your admirer. You deal with her."

Celeste couldn’t hold back a laugh.

The line about "joining them" had just cracked her up.

Javier Sinclair: "I don’t know her."

His face was cold as he took a step back, not bothering to waste another word.

"Scram within three breaths, or die."

’Where did this lunatic come from?’

He raised a hand, and Demonic Qi instantly swirled around him.

A flash of crimson crossed his eyes.

An immense pressure radiated from him. The Spirit Beast that had brought the woman immediately retracted into its shell, trembling, not daring to move an inch.

It wasn’t just the Spirit Beast. The woman who had just declared her interest in Javier Sinclair turned deathly pale, her expression miserable. Her legs gave out, and she dropped stiffly to her knees.

She stammered through trembling lips.

"I think... I don’t actually like men."

"My apologies for the disturbance."

She wanted to run.

But she found her legs wouldn’t move.

’I’m dead, I’m so dead.’

"Your Excellency, spare me!"

"Begone."

Javier Sinclair raised his hand and swatted.

He sent the masculine woman, along with her turtle, flying.

"AHHHHHHH..."

A shooting star streaked across the horizon.

Celeste Grant shaded her eyes with her hand, gazing toward the horizon as she murmured.

"May fortune favor her."

’Although I have no idea where he sent her...’

’...being alive is better than being dead.’

"So, where did you send her?"

"To the far horizons. With her level of Cultivation, it’ll only take her a year or so to get back."

Celeste Grant chuckled softly.

"Daring to covet the beauty of The Exalted One... you’re lucky you didn’t send her off to the mines."

Javier Sinclair glanced at her. "As long as no one covets you, it’s fine."

’If anyone dared to covet his woman, it wouldn’t be as simple as sending them to the horizon.’

’They would earn a permanent place in the Ten Thousand Souls Banner. And that went for women, too.’

Celeste Grant rolled her eyes at him.

"She just looks like a man; how could she possibly covet me? Still, darling, I never thought you’d attract an admirer on a trip like this. When I get back, I’ll have to tell Nerida and give her a good laugh. It’s not every day you get a suitor. If Nerida finds out, she’ll be so pleased for you."

He reached out and tilted her chin up.

"An admirer? Aren’t you it?"

’He had been alone for hundreds of years, and she was the only flower that had ever bloomed for him—the only one he had ever wanted.’

Meeting his gentle gaze, Celeste Grant pressed her cheek against his fingers.

"Darling~ so you’re finally admitting you’re hopelessly in love with me."

She said, winking at him.

Javier Sinclair replied flatly.

"Is your eye twitching?"

As he spoke, he grabbed her hand, pulled her close, then bent down and hoisted her over his shoulder.

"We’re going home."

"*You’re* the one with the twitchy eye!"

"Put me down!"

He held her tight and leaped into the air, flying away from the riverbank.

「Meanwhile.」