"Doing this is a bit... improper," Leon Zane said, looking troubled.
"What do you mean by that?"
"First, you can't infuse your divine power directly into her body," Leon explained. "You need to let your power surround her, and then, through the transformation of the Dragon's Nexus earth energy, it will convert into spiritual energy she can use."
"Surround her? How exactly?"
"Want me to demonstrate?" Leon asked.
Evan Xiao nodded.
So Leon walked over, stretched out his arms, and hugged Evan Xiao. "Just like this—surrounding."
Evan Xiao shot him a cool look. "You could've just said 'hold her.'"
Leon released him, cleared his throat, and said, "If you could reveal your true form, fully surrounding her would be best. But since you can't show your identity right now, hugging her is the only way."
Evan Xiao nodded without hesitation. "So that's all it takes?"
"There's one more important thing."
"What's the key point?"
"She can't wear any clothes."
Evan Xiao's breath caught. "Why?"
"That way, spiritual energy can flow directly into all her major acupoints. It's the most effective method—otherwise, the effect is much weaker."
Evan pictured the scene, a smile tugging at his lips, and a faint blush coloring his cheeks.
"Your Highness, isn't this a bit... scandalous?" Leon Zane's eyes sparkled with mischief.
Evan Xiao paused, then replied, "It's fine."
"It's fine? Ha! Your Highness, you're getting naughty!" Leon laughed with a wicked grin.
"Is there anything else I should know? If not, I'm leaving." Evan Xiao stood, ready to go.
"Wait!" Leon Zane called out.
Evan Xiao stopped.
"Your Highness..." Leon patted his head, pretending to be forgetful. "I think I might've gotten it wrong!"
"What?" Evan Xiao asked.
"Your divine power needs to be fully transformed by the earth energy before she can use it. So hugging won't work!" Leon explained. "You need to cast your power outside her room, letting it circulate around her chamber. And don't overdo it—half an hour a day is enough, or she'll be overwhelmed."
Evan Xiao looked at him silently.
"She still has to be undressed—that part I didn't get wrong!" Leon added.
"Did you really get it wrong?"
"Heh heh! Okay, I just wanted to see your dark side." Leon grinned slyly. "Turns out, it's really dark! Ha ha ha!"
Evan Xiao gave him a sideways look. "Are you getting a little too comfortable?"
"No way! My life is exhausting!"
"I've already told Tuoba Hong—you're helping him get the Frostbound Casket!"
"Frostbound Casket?" Leon Zane yelped. "If you ask Old Bai, he'll just hand it over! If I have to do it, it's practically impossible!"
"Can I just go ask him for it?"
"Worst case, just marry Yun Shu as a concubine! Once you're God Emperor, you'll need a whole harem anyway. One more or less won't make a difference!"
"Who says I want a harem full of women?"
"Don't tell me you're only going to marry Grace Lawrence?"
"That's right."
"Seriously?!" Leon Zane rolled his eyes dramatically.
"You're going to the palace today to strategize with Tuoba Hong."
"I'm not going!"
Evan Xiao grinned. "Leon Zane, my dark side runs deep."
Leon Zane's face fell. "Damn!"
That night, Evan Xiao visited Minister Zhuo, told him about the Dragon's Nexus, and explained how it could help Grace Lawrence achieve her breakthrough sooner.