Necromancers are frantically stationing troops in the apocalypse.

Chapter 1048, Phase Two Unlocked

As you cross the street, the streetlights are bright, and residents are gathered in twos and threes, chatting and enjoying the cool air.

The bards stood under the streetlights, like natural stages, some reciting poems aloud, others performing popular island plays in groups, with bursts of cheers erupting from the surrounding crowd from time to time.

There are also various vendors carrying loads on shoulder poles, selling all kinds of local snacks. Although they are not as abundant as those in the modern world, they still have a strong local flavor.

As the crowd grew larger, Lilith paused, trying to pull her tightly clasped hand back, but Wu Heng held it firmly.

"Too many people! It'll have a bad influence," Lilith said softly.

“It’s all disguised, what’s there to be afraid of?” Wu Heng smiled, instead pulling her even closer and leading her out of the street and into the crowd.

Lilith had no choice but to pull her hat brim down even further and follow quickly, her earlobes turning bright red.

"Sir, please buy a flower for my sister!" A little girl carrying a flower basket suddenly appeared in front of the two of them, her eyes sparkling.

Wu Heng looked at the flowers in the basket and pointed to the most vibrant red rose. "I want this one."

"Fifteen copper coins, sir!" The little girl deftly took out the flower.

Wu Heng touched his spatial ring but couldn't find any change, so he simply took out a silver coin. "I'll just buy a silver coin."

The little girl's eyes widened in surprise, and she immediately grabbed a large bouquet of flowers and handed it over, saying, "Thank you, sir! I wish you and my sister happiness and joy!"

Lilith was caught off guard and was given a bouquet of flowers. She lowered her head to smell them, and the corners of her mouth unconsciously turned up.

Then, he coughed lightly and put the item into his spatial ring.

The flower-selling girl left, and the two continued on their way.

Lilith gradually relaxed and took his arm; the two looked like a sweet couple on vacation.

When the dazzling lights of the entertainment complex came into view, the surrounding pedestrians appeared noticeably more elegantly dressed.

As Lilith lined up to enter, the greeter politely pointed to the dried fruit bag she had bought on the way and asked, "Would you like us to keep this bag for you?"

Wu Heng picked up the last candied fruit and gently wiped her lips with his fingertips. "We can't bring it inside, so eat it!"

"You really are..." Lilith glared at him reproachfully, then ate the food, threw the paper bag into the trash can, and the two walked hand in hand into the hall.

The game area on the first floor was bustling with noise, the electronic sounds of the game machines mingling with the laughter of the people.

The two squeezed into a machine and started playing.

They played until late at night before going up to the observation deck on the top floor of the entertainment complex.

The lights of the entire Treasure Island were spread out before my eyes, like a sky full of stars fallen to earth.

A cool, slightly salty breeze swept by, causing Lilith's long dress to sway in the wind.

“Lilith!” Wu Heng called softly, “You look adorable tonight.”

Lilith, who was gazing absently at the night view, visibly stiffened. "You mean masks? So you like this type?"

Wu Heng turned to the side, staring intently at her. "I'm talking about you. You're especially adorable."

Lilith looked somewhat bewildered, her ears turning bright red. She opened her mouth, but before she could utter a sound, Wu Heng had already lowered his head and kissed her.

Umm~!

Lilith instinctively pushed against his chest, but her fingertips gradually lost their strength, and finally her arms limply rested on his shoulders.

The sea breeze tangled their hair together.

The observation deck gradually filled up with people, mostly couples.

A short while later, the two separated, and Lilith's eyes widened. "Did you bite me?"

As she spoke, her gaze swept around, and she realized that quite a few couples had gathered on the rooftop at some point. Each couple maintained a perfect distance, whispering sweet nothings or embracing passionately.

The temperature on the rooftop felt much higher than outside.

"Let's go! This place is too strange!" Lilith grabbed Wu Heng's hand and tried to leave.

Wu Heng grasped her burning fingertips and said softly, "I've booked a room on the fifth floor. Let's rest for a while before going back?"

Lilith stopped abruptly. "You...you're tired?"

"Let's go!" Wu Heng led her downstairs.

Swipe your card to open the door.

The door closed gently behind me, making a barely audible click.

Before Lilith could even stand properly, she was gently slammed against the door.

Wu Heng casually tore off the 'Faceless Mask' and put it into his spatial ring. He ran his fingers through her long hair and lowered his head to kiss her again.

This time, in a private space, Lilith's response was noticeably more enthusiastic.

She awkwardly tiptoed, wrapped her arms around his neck, and her eyelashes trembled slightly.

As the two separated slightly to catch their breath, "Wait!"

Lilith also removed her mask, a silver mask with dense patterns, which rippled like water as she took it off.

As the disguise spell was lifted, her long brown hair cascaded down like a waterfall, revealing her stunningly beautiful face once more.

Wu Heng reached out and gently stroked her cheek, his thumb caressing the blush on her skin. "You're so beautiful."

Before he could finish speaking, a kiss landed on her slightly parted lips.

Wu Heng fumbled for the ties on her back, but couldn't untie them after several attempts. Lilith nudged him, saying, "You're incredibly clumsy."

With a quick pull, the ribbon came undone.

The long dress cascaded down like flower petals, revealing her fair and jade-like skin.

Wu Heng admired the body before him, from the delicate collarbone to the slender waistline, every inch of it seemed to be the most perfect masterpiece of the Creator.

Lilith looked up at him, at those eyes that were so infatuated with her.

She felt shy, yet secretly pleased.

He really is just a little boy, so infatuated with me.

Wu Heng gently picked her up and carried her to the bed.

The bedside lamp cast a dim yellow light. Lilith, looking shy and timid, pursed her lips, completely unlike her usual aloof and unapproachable self.

Wu Heng gazed at the female leader who commanded the respect of the entire world. At this moment, her eyes were as clear as water, and her snow-white skin was flushed with a peach-like blush.

This stark contrast stirred an indescribable sense of conquest within him, like taming a proud snow leopard.

After admiring it for a while, I saw that Lilith was about to get angry.

He gently lifted her delicate chin with his fingers, then leaned down and kissed her softly.

Lilith let out a soft sigh.

Then, Wu Heng grabbed her hands and raised them above her head, letting them fall down her neck like plum blossoms.

Lilith's body trembled slightly, and she suddenly arched her back...

"Enough! Enough!" Lilith's voice was filled with panic.

Wu Heng's hot breath brushed against her ear, "I love you~!"

In the dim light, the shadows of the two people were reflected on the wall.

Lilith's long neck arched gracefully, like a dying swan leaning back, while Wu Heng's broad back cast a powerful silhouette on the wall.

……

early morning.

Inside the large bathtub, Wu Heng leaned against the tub wall, holding Lilith in his arms.

The girl's ivory-like skin had a faint pinkish hue, and her damp hair clung to his neck, gently swaying with her breath and causing a slight tickle.

"What time is it?" Lilith groggily looked up, her flushed cheeks still carrying the lingering passion of spring.

"It's still early." Wu Heng tightened his arms around her waist, pulling the girl, who was trying to get up, back into his embrace.

"You…" Lilith glared at him, embarrassed and annoyed, "Haven't you caused enough trouble?"

Although it was a reproachful tone, it was different from the Lilith of the past; it was very soft and gentle. Wu Heng smiled, "Even if you act cute, I won't let you get up."

"Who's being coquettish!" Lilith opened her mouth, revealing two vampire fangs. "If you keep talking nonsense, I'll bite you."

Wu Heng complained, "It's all because I miss you. How long has it been since we last saw each other?"

Lilith paused, retracted her fangs, gently nibbled his earlobe, and murmured, "Little boy."

Both are heroes, and both have inexhaustible stamina, so they are a worthy opponent.

Actually, thinking about it, the two of them have known each other for quite a while.

From initially only wanting to curry favor with Lilith and have her help restrain the 'Secret Order', to later forming an alliance.

He was also the first hero Wu Heng encountered.

Later, Lilith temporarily resided on Treasure Island, and their relationship quickly warmed up. It wasn't until Wu Heng went to the vampire territory to rescue Lilith that he finally managed to win over this cold and aloof leader.

Then, the water rippled gently, and the skin that was touching it quickly warmed up.

Ding dong~!

The sound of a text message broke the ambiguous silence.

Wu Heng raised his hand and beckoned, and the cell phone that was placed not far away flew through the air.

I unlocked the screen; it was a message from Minnie.
The screen lit up, displaying a message from Minnie: "Master, is the Bone Forging of Fiendish Qi proceeding as usual today?"

The fact that the ghosts are all at home proves that Wu Heng also stayed on Treasure Island.

Therefore, I came here specifically to confirm the cultivation arrangements.

Wu Heng hesitated for a moment, his left hand still resting on Lilith's slender waist, while his right thumb rapidly tapped the screen. "Get ready, I'll be right back."

"Yes, Master (ω)." Minnie replied instantly, adding a cute emoticon at the end of her message.

He didn't even know how to type those symbols.

Just as he locked the screen, Lilith's warm breath brushed against his ear. "Who is it?! Sending messages so early?"

“Minnie asked me about going back to training,” Wu Heng said honestly, giving her a light pinch on the waist.

Lilith sat up and tossed her long hair back. "The island lord's schedule is really packed."

"What! You're jealous of this too?" Wu Heng said with a smile.

Lilith said irritably, "Why would I be jealous? I can't care about you. Just make sure my schedule is in order."

"Well, you're so good!"

"Humph!"

The two came out of the bathroom and changed into new clothes.

Wu Heng put his arm around her waist and used the [Teleportation] spell to send Lilith back to her residence, and then returned to the island lord's mansion.

……

Island owner's mansion.

Flames shot skyward from the furnace, the energy released from the combustion churning around them like a raging tidal wave.

Wu Heng sat cross-legged in the middle, his skin covered with runes of 'fierce aura forging bones' drawn by the Empress. These ancient and unintelligible symbols flickered with his breath.

Today's practice was completely different from usual.

Perhaps it was because I was in a good mood last night, or perhaps the energy I had accumulated over the past few days had finally reached a critical point.

The malevolent aura that had been swirling around suddenly contracted, transforming into dozens of crimson and black energy torrents that joyfully surged into the body along the rune veins.

"Holy crap! That's incredible..."

Wu Heng, who was circulating his internal energy, suddenly opened his eyes.

He could clearly feel the subtle popping sounds emanating from his limbs and bones, as every bone greedily absorbed the surging energy.

The 'Mysterious Bird Burning Pattern' reappeared on the skin's surface and began to merge with the runes of the Bone Forging of Evil Qi.

Those ancient runes seemed to be infused with new life, wandering and reorganizing on the surface, gradually outlining entirely new patterns.

Wu Heng let out a low groan, and suddenly black and red flames burst forth from every pore of his body.

Once the new rune pattern is complete, a system notification will appear.

[Unlocked Trait: Mystic Incineration Pattern.]

Wu Heng let out a heavy sigh, a sense of joy rising in his heart.

……

The violent suction abruptly stopped, and the surging heat dissipated like the receding tide, leaving only wisps of smoke drifting in the air.

Wu Heng shook off the dust and strode out, his body still surrounded by lingering red light.

"Owner!"

"Wu Heng, how is it?"

The women waiting at the living room door immediately surrounded him. Minnie held a towel and stood on tiptoe to wipe the dust off his forehead, while Sanella asked questions from the side.

"Is the second phase complete?" The Empress asked casually from behind.

Everyone saw what just happened, and they all had some guesses in their minds.

Wu Heng smiled and nodded, "I have indeed made a breakthrough, but I haven't felt any specific changes yet."

"The second stage of the protective aura not only increases the skin's resilience but also strengthens the muscles and bones," the Empress continued. "Find someone to try it with you, so you'll have a better understanding of the process."

Philippa darted to the front, "I'll go! I accompanied Wu Heng to the test last time."

"You?" Wu Heng glanced at her and tapped her forehead. "Your level is too low."

"Damn it, are you insulting me?" Philippa put her hands on her hips and was pulled back into the crowd by Robe.

The Queen continued, "Let's wait for the Wood Elf sisters to return for the test; their level will be the most suitable."

Just then, the door was pushed open.

The wood elf sisters also entered, their clothes covered in soot. Their wheat-colored skin gleamed in the sunlight, and their muscles rippled slightly with each breath.

Sanella, who was closest to the two sisters, said, "Don't take a shower yet, accompany Wu Heng to try out the effects of the second stage!"

"You've mastered the second stage?" Eluria's eyes widened.

Sylvia, the younger sister, chimed in, "Wow, the adult's learning speed is amazing! No wonder he's a great detective!"

Wu Heng smiled and said, "Let's go, let's give it a try first."

"it is good!"

After saying that, the group headed to the training room together.

Inside the training field, three figures faced each other in a triangle.

The rest of the people stood at the doorway as spectators.

Clang!
The two sisters drew their swords at the same time; the elder sister held a long sword in both hands, while the younger sister held both a long and a short sword in her left and right hands.

"My lady, we're here!" Eluria said, and the two sisters transformed into two blurry figures, rushing forward and arriving at her side in the blink of an eye.

Eluria thrust her longsword straight forward, like a meteor piercing the moon, the tip pointing directly at her chest.

Woo~!

Bright red patterns appeared all over Wu Heng's body, and his baleful aura condensed into a semi-transparent armor, hindering the thrusting longsword.

Eluria frowned, and in the blink of an eye, she thrust out her second sword. Suddenly, a burst of sword energy erupted three inches from her chest!
The sword energy barely pierced through the murderous aura and struck the skin.

Dang~!

A crisp metallic clang rang out, sparks flew as the blade touched skin, and the metallic hum made everyone's eardrums throb.

"So hard~!" came the exclamation from behind, from the wood elf sister 'Silveen'.

(End of this chapter)