Invincibility starts when I see the BOSS health bar.

Chapter 1003 Late Night Visit
"No..." Fang Yu was interrupted by Ding Hui before he could finish speaking.

"My husband's heart seems to be beating faster."

Her voice was low, with a lazy huskiness, and her breath brushed against Fang Yu's ear almost imperceptibly.

Raising her eyes, Ding Hui's eyes, which usually sparkled with cunning or playfulness, appeared exceptionally clear and focused in the dim light, as if she were looking straight into Fang Yu's heart.

The distance between the two instantly shrank to an extremely ambiguous level.

Fang Yu could even see her long eyelashes trembling slightly and feel the warm breath she exhaled.

The surrounding air seemed to heat up as well, and the previous heaviness was replaced by a subtle, taut tension.

Fang Yu's body stiffened for a moment, but he did not push her away.

However, this enchanting atmosphere did not last long.

"Dong dong dong."

The knocking sounded abruptly, clear and restrained, like a bucket of cold water suddenly poured on the newly rising ambiguous flame, making a "sizzling" sound.

Fang Yu snapped back to his senses almost instantly, instinctively taking a half-step back to distance himself from Ding Hui from their overly intimate relationship.

He turned to look at the door, his eyes sharp as a hawk's.

"Who?"

His voice regained its usual composure, with a hint of scrutiny that was barely perceptible.

There was a moment of silence outside the door, as if the person who came in was caught off guard by the overly rapid response from inside.

Then, a slightly familiar, yet hesitant and flustered female voice rang out: "It's...it's me, Linghu Xiang."

Fang Yu frowned slightly, quickly stepped forward, and reached out to open the door.

Standing outside the door was indeed Linghu Xiang.

She seemed to have arrived in a hurry; her hair was slightly disheveled by the wind, and her cheeks were flushed from walking quickly.

But at this moment, what's most striking is her expression.

Those usually cool and composed eyes were now filled with astonishment and panic, his gaze quickly sweeping over Fang Yu and Ding Hui, who was still standing close to him.

Especially when Ding Hui's body, which was almost pressed against Fang Yu's arm, paused for a moment, then quickly drooped down as if burned, staring at the tips of her shoes, her voice also lowered: "I... I think I came at the wrong time."

Her tone was clearly embarrassed, as if she had accidentally stumbled upon a secret she shouldn't have seen, and she exuded an awkwardness that left her completely at a loss.

Just then, Ding Hui poked half her head out from behind Fang Yu.

Instead of feeling embarrassed at being caught, she raised a half-smile on her face, her eyes darting between Linghu Xiang and Fang Yu with a hint of amusement, as if she were enjoying Linghu Xiang's current predicament.

She even deliberately leaned closer to Fang Yu, her posture so intimate it was almost provocative.

Fang Yu naturally sensed Ding Hui's subtle movements and also saw Linghu Xiang's face, which was almost buried in her chest.

He felt somewhat helpless; Ding Hui's ability to act at any time was sometimes a real headache for him.

But he knew better than anyone that this was not the time to dwell on this delicate atmosphere.

He took a deep breath, suppressing the slight turmoil in his heart, and said to Linghu Xiang in a calm and firm tone, "No, you've come at just the right time."

This was said to Linghu Xiang, seemingly to defuse her embarrassment and imply that there was something important to discuss.

It was as if I was telling myself to completely sever those fleeting, romantic thoughts and refocus on the situation at hand.

He smoothly steered the conversation towards the main topic, his gaze sweeping over the empty corridor behind Linghu Xiang, and asked, "Where's Song Zhenrong? Wasn't he with you?"

Mentioning Song Zhenrong seemed to help Linghu Xiang recover slightly from the awkwardness she had just experienced.

She raised her head, trying to regain her usual calmness in her voice: "He... he was with his sister. I saw that the siblings had reunited and had so much to talk about, so I didn't disturb them."

Upon hearing this, Fang Yu nodded, feeling somewhat relieved.

Song Zhenrong and his sister Song Xi have been separated for a long time and have gone through many hardships. Now that they have finally reunited, they do need time to open up to each other and heal their wounds.

His only concern was Song Xi's condition.

In an effort to save her, Ding Hui used extreme measures, which resulted in her body now resembling that of a different little girl.

Although their lives were not in danger, things had changed after all.

However, in any case, the core promise of saving Song Xi's life has finally been fulfilled.

Fulfilling this promise is of great significance to both him and Song Zhenrong.

Fang Yu simply hummed in agreement, temporarily putting the topic aside.

He refocused his gaze on Linghu Xiang, a hint of doubt in his eyes: "Captain Linghu, is there something important that you've come to see me so late?"

He noticed that Linghu Xiang seemed to be tightly clutching something in her hand.

As if reminded of her purpose, Linghu Xiang quickly raised the object she had been holding in her hand.

It was a small jade box. The lid was slightly ajar, and immediately, a rich and strange fragrance wafted out, accompanied by a faint golden light that calmed the mind.

Inside the jade box lay a petal, its color like pure gold, yet as translucent as jade, its veins clearly visible, as if life were flowing within it. It was the [Exquisite Golden Petal Flower] that he had given to Linghu Xiang.

"Diao Deyi," Linghu Xiang's tone became serious, "I would like to ask Doctor Ding for help in refining and absorbing this substance."

Her gaze shifted to Ding Hui, her eyes filled with earnestness and trust: "I know that Doctor Ding has prior experience in helping Diao Deyi, so she is quite adept at this. This [Supreme Golden Petal Flower] is made of special materials, and ordinary doctors may find it difficult to refine medicine for me. Therefore... I earnestly request Doctor Ding's assistance."

Her words were very sincere, clearly indicating that she had given it considerable thought before coming.

"Oh? Let me do it?"

Ding Hui blinked and stepped out completely from behind Fang Yu.

The ambiguous smile on her face deepened, carrying a hint of playfulness and an obvious mockery. Her gaze swept back and forth between Linghu Xiang and the [Exquisite Golden Petal Flower], as if she were evaluating an interesting toy.

"Miss Linghu trusts me quite a bit. Aren't you afraid I... might do something underhanded?" She deliberately dragged out the last syllable, her tone ambiguous.

Linghu Xiang was not swayed by her teasing. Instead, she nodded more seriously, her gaze firm: "I believe in Doctor Ding's medical skills and character."

Seeing that Ding Hui was about to start "acting" again, Fang Yu was afraid that she would say something that would embarrass Linghu Xiang, so he quickly interrupted her: "Ding Hui, important matters are important, don't tease Captain Linghu."

His tone carried an undeniable air of reassurance.

Upon hearing this, Ding Hui immediately turned to Fang Yu, feigning a wronged expression. Her red lips were slightly pouted, and her eyes were full of sorrow: "Oh dear, my husband is already feeling sorry for me? Starting to speak up for Captain Linghu? Do you think that we've been married for so long that we've lost our novelty and are no longer attractive to each other?"

As she spoke, she reached out and naturally touched the back of Fang Yu's hand, her fingertips lightly tracing its surface—a gesture so intimate it bordered on provocative. Linghu Xiang immediately felt a surge of urgency and wanted to do something, but quickly regained her composure and restrained herself.

Her eyes were almost uncontrollably fixed on Ding Hui's hand that was messing with Fang Yu's hand. Her lips were slightly pursed, and her eyes were complicated and unreadable. There was embarrassment, surprise, and perhaps even a hint of... bitterness and loss that she herself did not realize? She quickly looked away, but the tense lines of her profile showed that she was not truly calm.

Fang Yu felt the warm, smooth touch on the back of his hand, and Ding Hui's undisguised "performance," which made him feel even more helpless.

He didn't immediately shake off Ding Hui's hand.

To some extent, he had become accustomed to her sudden displays of intimacy, knowing full well that the more intense his reaction, the more excited she would become.

He merely frowned slightly, then gently gripped Ding Hui's wrist with his other hand. The grip was light, but it carried a sense of restraint. His tone softened, but remained firm: "What nonsense are you talking about? Stop teasing her."

Ding Hui paused when Fang Yu grabbed her wrist.

She looked up and met Fang Yu's deep, calm eyes, where the helplessness and reminder were clearly visible.

A subtle, triumphant smile curved her lips, finally concealing her pitiful expression, but the cunning in her eyes hadn't completely faded.

She gently withdrew her hand, as if everything that had just happened was just a casual joke.

"Alright, alright, since my husband has spoken, how could I dare disobey?"

She turned to Linghu Xiang, her playful expression mostly gone. Although she still had a lazy smile, she finally looked a bit more serious: "Captain Linghu, please come inside with me."

Upon hearing this, Linghu Xiang breathed a sigh of relief as if she had been granted a pardon, and quickly nodded: "Thank you for your trouble, Doctor Ding."

She glanced at Fang Yu again subconsciously, her eyes quickly passing over him with a complex emotion that was hard to describe, before following Ding Hui into the inner room.

Just as the two women were about to step into the inner room, Ding Hui's clear voice suddenly rang in Fang Yu's mind.

“My lord,” Ding Hui’s voice lost its previous playfulness and languor, becoming serious and calm, “After I have refined the Golden Petal Flower for Miss Linghu, I will go to Master Ouyang to inquire in detail about the movements and intelligence of the Heavenly Mystery Pavilion. This matter is of great importance, involving one of the eight major factions of the imperial court, and its depths are unfathomable. Before I have definite information, my lord, please do not act alone, and do not easily believe any information from unfamiliar sources.”

She paused slightly, a barely perceptible hint of concern in her voice: "It involves the eight major branches of the imperial court, fraught with danger. Caution is paramount. Wait for my news before taking any action."

Listening to Ding Hui's words, Fang Yu watched as the door to the inner room closed gently and nodded slightly.

Ding Hui's words undoubtedly touched upon his deepest anxieties.

The existence of the Heavenly Mystery Pavilion is beyond their current reach.

Ding Hui was clearly aware of this as well. On the surface, she was playful and seemingly indifferent to everything, but in reality, she was meticulous and thoughtful.

This reliability and sense of responsibility shown at a critical moment stirred a complex warmth in Fang Yu's heart.

She always does the most serious things in the most unconventional way, giving him the most timely support.

Silence returned to the room, with only the increasingly noisy wind outside the window remaining.

Fang Yu left the room and returned to his own room. After lighting a candle, he went to the window.

Looking at the pitch-black night outside, Fang Yu frowned.

Since entering the capital, a series of events have come crashing down on her. She sought refuge with Master Ouyang, then cooperated with the Juemen sect before breaking off their alliance, and finally connected with the eldest prince behind Lulu.

Thinking about these things, waves of fatigue washed over me, not only physically but also mentally.

He decided to temporarily quit the game, return to reality to rest, and clear his mind.

After all, the real challenge may have only just begun.

He walked to the bedside, preparing to log off.

However, at this moment——

"Dong dong dong."

The knocking broke the brief silence once more.

Who could it be so late?
Fang Yu was puzzled.

Ding Hui and Linghu Xiang were refining the Golden Petal Flower in the inner room, Song Zhenrong was with his sister, and the others... he quickly filtered through the possible candidates.

"Who?" His voice carried a hint of barely perceptible coldness.

A soft female voice came from outside the door: "It's me, Zhuge Shi."

Zhuge's poem?
Why would she come looking for me at this time?
Fang Yu suppressed his doubts, walked to the door, and slowly opened it.

Zhuge Shi, who was standing outside the door, had changed his clothes.

No longer wearing the plain clothes she had worn before, but instead wearing a light and simple thin shirt, the soft material fluttering slightly in the night breeze, outlining her slender figure.

Her long hair was casually draped over her shoulders, and her face seemed to be without makeup, making her look completely different from her daytime appearance, adding a touch of fragility and... allure?
Visiting in such attire late at night, one has to ponder the intention behind it.

What kind of late-night temptation?
"You..." Fang Yu stood at the door, looking her up and down, his tone clearly questioning, "What brings you here so late at night?"

He leaned slightly to the side, cleverly blocking most of the doorway, clearly not intending to let her in.

Zhuge Shi met Fang Yu's scrutinizing gaze, but instead of backing down, she smiled sweetly.

In the dim light, that smile seemed somewhat mysterious and elusive.

She didn't answer Fang Yu's question directly, but instead tilted her head slightly, her gaze seemingly casually sweeping over the empty room behind Fang Yu before refocusing on his face, her voice as soft as a whisper:

“Young Master Diao,” she said, her tone carrying a familiar warmth that drew them closer, “are you familiar with… the organization I belong to?”

This question is quite abrupt and seems to have nothing to do with the current tense situation.

Fang Yu was filled with doubts, completely baffled as to why Zhuge Shi would bring up this topic at this time and place.

His expression of doubt was undisguised; his gaze was piercing as he stared intently at Zhuge Shi, trying to find any clue on her face.

Under Fang Yu's gaze, which was full of doubt and scrutiny, Zhuge Shi's smile became even more profound.

Instead of backing down because of Fang Yu's wariness, she took a small step forward, closing the distance between them and bringing a faint, elegant fragrance that was different from Ding Hui's herbal scent.

"It seems Young Master Diao has some doubts." She chuckled lightly, her eyes revealing a penetrating insight into people's hearts. "Then... let me put it another way."

As she said this, she suddenly took another half step forward, almost touching Fang Yu's body.

Fang Yu's body tensed slightly involuntarily, but Zhuge Shi did not go any further. She simply tilted her head slightly, looked directly into Fang Yu's eyes, lowered her voice, and asked slowly in a seductive, devilish whisper:

"Young Master Diao, do you want... more [Supreme Golden Petal Flowers], and... a cultivation technique that perfectly complements them and can unleash their full power?"

(End of this chapter)