Help! The Villainess Trapped in the Beast World's Drama!

Chapter 476: Chapter 459: Can We Never Go Back to the Way We Were?

Shen Tang always felt that there were many secrets about Shen Li that she had not yet understood. She wanted to continue observing, but unfortunately, the Spiritual Illusion Realm was gradually collapsing.

Her spiritual power could no longer hold on, and she had to retreat for now.

Bang!

Bang bang—

The Fire Pool surged with towering waves, forcing many Beastmen back.

The Fire Fox and Shen Tang were at the very center of the lava eruption but were unharmed. A semi-transparent protective barrier surrounded them, keeping both sides safe inside. No outsider could approach, not even Qiu Yang, who could only stare anxiously at the volcano’s mouth, silently praying in his heart: Your Majesty, please be safe!

The black aura around the Fire Fox slowly dissipated, and it seemed to suddenly lose strength, collapsing to the ground.

Its massive form gradually shrank, transforming into a human figure.

A perfectly sculpted, long, slender body, most alarmingly—without clothes!

Shen Tang inadvertently glanced at it and quickly looked away, her cheeks tinged with a light blush: Do not gaze at what is inappropriate!

Although they had been intimate several times, coming across such a brazen scene still made Shen Tang feel a bit embarrassed, especially since this sly fox was outwardly flirtatious but pure inside, unlike Xiao Jin who was so wild. Even when doing such things before, he would cover her eyes, never allowing her to see...

Besides, they were no longer in a marital relationship, which indeed felt a bit intrusive.

With the task completed, Shen Tang turned around, intending to leave, when a gentle and weak voice came from behind, ”Xiao Tang’er...”

Shen Tang’s body stiffened slightly. The Forgetfulness Water could dispel her past feelings for him, but they had gone through many things together afterward. The life-saving grace was especially touching, making it difficult for her to regard Shen Li as a stranger unrelated to her.

She turned to look at him.

Deliberately ignoring everything else, she focused on the man’s pale, handsome face. Those narrow fox-like eyes seemed captivating, staring straight at her, filled with a gentle hue.

She was momentarily lost in thought, lightly pressing her lips, ”... Does Your Majesty have anything to say to me?”

Listening to her distant greeting, a hint of dimness flashed in Shen Li’s eyes. His Adam’s apple moved slightly, and he said in a low voice, ”Thank you for saving me.”

Shen Li knew everything that happened in the Spiritual Illusion Realm. If she hadn’t deliberately come here, he might have gone mad and died here.

Shen Tang smiled comfortingly, ”No need to thank me, Your Majesty has done me a life-saving favor, and besides, with the two countries on good terms, the Monarch is in trouble, of course I must come to help.”

”Xiao Tang’er, I...”

Shen Tang interrupted his unfinished words, ”Your Majesty doesn’t need to thank me excessively, it’s what I should do. Once your health improves, I can leave without worries.”

She smiled at him, but it was merely a friendly concern.

Shen Li’s heart felt more bitter, and his eyes faintly moistened.

Shen Tang took two steps before a coughing sound came from behind, as if even coughing up blood.

Shen Tang’s expression changed, thinking that Shen Li still had some injuries, quickly turning back, wanting to use her Healing Ability to help him heal.

Unexpectedly, Shen Li grabbed her wrist, staring at her intensely, almost obsessively questioning, ”You still care about me, right?”

”What’s gotten into you? Let me go!” Shen Tang tried to pull her hand back, but he held on tightly, leaving her unable to move.

”Xiao Tang’er, are you really in such a hurry to leave? You don’t want to see me at all?” Shen Li’s voice carried a hint of sadness.

In front of everyone, with many Beastmen still watching at the volcano mouth, it was even more embarrassing for them to pull and tug like this... Perhaps the lava fire pool was too hot, Shen Tang’s face also turned red, and she said angrily, ”What exactly do you want? I don’t understand!”

Shen Li still stared at her directly, sketching her face with his gaze, a mix of longing and yearning, ”That night, didn’t you ask me if I would marry Wu Qing.”

”...”

”Last time, I couldn’t give you an accurate answer, but this time, I can tell you, no.”

”...” Shen Tang had long known about the storm in the Yiyuan Empire, but that was an internal family matter between the Royal Family and the Wu Family, which had nothing to do with an outsider like her.

”So, what do you mean?”

Shen Li’s voice grew hoarser, ”I won’t marry you, but I also won’t marry anyone else.”

He feared she wouldn’t understand, or feared she would play dumb, asking the question buried in his heart, ”Xiao Tang’er, are you still willing to be with me?”

The tips of her fingers retracted ever so slightly in his broad and slender palm, her face showing no change, even colder, ”You still want me to be your lover?”

Shen Li held her hand to his face, softly saying, ”I mean, it’s me who’ll be your lover.”

The esteemed Emperor of the Yiyuan Empire would be her secret lover.

Shen Tang was momentarily stunned, then laughed, ”It sounds quite satisfying... But I don’t need it.”

Shen Li hurriedly explained, ”Xiao Tang’er, I mean no insult to you, but I cannot marry you.”

Shen Tang recalled the Priest’s prophecy, understanding why Shen Li’s affinity had never improved in the past, and all previous doubts were explained.

She sighed deeply, ”I know.”

Then laughed, ”But it doesn’t matter anymore.”

She understood him.

Their relationship had long ended.

Talking about it now was too late.

Shen Li’s throat was dry, unable to speak.

A long silence, the two were speechless at each other.

Perhaps due to physical pain, or deeper suffering, a tear rolled down the corner of Shen Li’s eye, his voice hoarse as he asked, ”We’ll never return to what we once were, will we?”

”You should rest well.” Shen Tang released his hand, ”Once everything is over, let’s talk then.”

Her palm gathered pure and gentle spiritual power, slowly pushing Shen Li into the Fire Pool until he sank into the magma, completely disappearing.

”Oh my God, did you see that? That female is truly amazing. She actually managed to save His Majesty!”

”So many experts in the Empire couldn’t save the crazed His Majesty, but an outsider female who wasn’t even considered managed to do it. We really had eyes but did not see Mount Tai.”

Someone almost wanted to slap their own face, ”Yeah, I even thought she was here to make trouble earlier and almost tried to stop her. Didn’t expect her to be so powerful!”

When Shen Tang returned to the volcano mouth, she received stares full of shock, respect, and curiosity from the Beastmen. She merely gave a slight smile and was about to leave.

”Master, please wait!” Qiu Yang hurriedly approached, ”How is His Majesty? Is his condition really stable now?”

Shen Tang nodded, ”Don’t worry, I have performed a deep spiritual soothing for him, and the current mental disturbance has been successfully suppressed. There shouldn’t be any more incidents, just a normal retreat will suffice.”

Suddenly, Shen Tang thought of Qiu Yang, who had been with Shen Li since he was young and was his most trusted subordinate, possibly knowing many secrets.

Shen Tang’s eyes narrowed, and she said seriously, ”Considering I’ve done you this great favor, may I ask you a question?”

Qiu Yang immediately responded, ”Master, please ask!”