Does It Really Have to Be This Way

"I need you two to get closer! The spell only covers a tiny area—if you stand too far apart, I can only send one of you over."

Lucy Luan scooted closer to Sean Shaw. "Is this close enough?"

"Brat, just hug her!"

Sean went rigid. "What?!"

"I said hug her! Hug her! Don’t tell me you don’t know how?"

"Um... Eternal Wishfish, do we really have to do it this way?" Lucy asked.

The fish: "Yep!"

She was about to protest when suddenly her arms tightened.

Sean’s big hands gripped her arms.

A strong, masculine aura enveloped her from behind.

Lucy’s heart skipped a beat.

A flash of red light, several streaks of white—then the pressure on her arms vanished. She realized she was already inside.

She turned around and saw Sean had come too, hidden in the darkness, his face impossible to make out.

"Thanks!" Lucy said. "I still remember the way. Let’s go."

"Mm." Sean answered softly from the shadows, his voice a little gentle.

...

At night, Hundred Blossoms Paradise looked nothing like its daytime beauty.

Everything was pitch black, with the occasional cry from lurking mountain spirits and strange beasts—creepy as hell.

Lucy led Sean, flying toward the white palace they’d visited earlier that day.

Even though it was late, the palace was still brilliantly lit and buzzing with activity.

"Do you know any Invisibility Techniques?" Lucy asked.

"I do," Sean replied. "What about you?"

"I know one too," Lucy said. "But mine’s pretty unreliable—if there’s a God-tier cultivator around, I’m afraid I’ll get busted."

Sean pulled out a blank talisman paper and, using his own blood, drew a rune.

He sent the rune into her body, and Lucy vanished—now only Sean could see her.

"You can make talismans too?" Lucy asked, surprised.

"Most of the dragon clan studies Dragon Talismans," Sean said. "Talismans drawn with dragon blood are different from those made by rune masters, but they’re pretty handy too."

"Oh..."

The two of them swaggered right through the front gate, spotting beautiful fairies dancing on stage.

The musicians beside them played especially enchanting tunes.

Nearby, a loud-voiced immortal was enthusiastically narrating the event.

From what he was saying, it sounded like the finals of the Flower Queen Contest were happening right now—a new Flower Queen would be crowned soon.

Sean frowned, blocking her view of the stage. "Where are we going?"

"I saw people heading to the third floor earlier. Let’s check it out."

The two invisible gods drifted up to the third floor.

No one noticed them.

A ring of seats lined the third floor, packed with people watching the contest, cheering now and then.

Off to the side ran a corridor, with rooms on both sides.

Lucy used a Qilin clan exclusive searching spell and found that every room had someone inside.

She still had no idea which room held Lana He, the Peony Flower Fairy.

"Every room’s occupied," Lucy said. "Should we check each one?"

Sean didn’t have a better idea, so he nodded.

So the two of them turned into streaks of starlight and slipped through the door crack.

Inside, the lighting was dim and shadowy.

Lucy heard a woman’s voice: "Baby! You’re amazing!"

The voice was breathless, sounding both uncomfortable and feverishly excited.

What on earth was going on?

Lucy was baffled, but Sean suddenly spun around, using his tall frame to block her view. At the same time, he clapped his hands over her ears and whisked her out.

He moved in one smooth, fluid motion.

"What happened?" Lucy was totally confused.

Sean looked at her, his Adam’s apple bobbing. "Wait here. I’ll go search."