CHAPTER 110: SHADOWS OF DESIRE

The sun dipped low, painting the Li Estate in golden hues. The courtyard where Su Yin had collapsed in exhaustion still carried the faint echo of battle. She had been taken back to her quarters to recover, leaving Li Tian standing alone under the fading sky, his figure both relaxed and commanding.

He knew he wasn’t truly alone.

From the veranda, Xu Fang descended gracefully, her silken robes whispering against the floor. Her beauty was timeless, her every step deliberate. She stopped a short distance away, her gaze lingering on him with a mix of curiosity and something unspoken.

"You’ve taken on a disciple." Her voice was calm, measured, but her eyes betrayed interest.

Li Tian smirked faintly, turning his head toward her. "You sound surprised. Or perhaps... jealous?"

Xu Fang raised an elegant brow. "Jealous of a girl half my age? Don’t be ridiculous." Yet the slight tremor in her tone betrayed the truth. "I only wonder if you’re pouring too much energy into others when you should focus on yourself."

He stepped closer, his presence pressing down like a storm. "I don’t waste time. Everything I do is for myself. Even teaching her serves me."

For a moment, Xu Fang faltered, her breath catching. His eyes, sharp and daring, made her heart skip before she quickly masked her expression with a soft smile. "You’re dangerous, Li Tian. More dangerous than anyone realizes."

From the shadows behind a pillar, Li Xue peeked out, her lips pursed into a pout. She had been watching from the moment Xu Fang approached, her chest tightening with an odd mixture of annoyance and yearning.

When Xu Fang finally excused herself, Li Xue darted forward, her steps light but hurried. She clung to his arm without hesitation, her warmth pressing against him. "Brother, you’re spending too much time with others lately. You should save some for me."

Li Tian glanced at her, amused by her boldness. "You sound like a spoiled child."

Her cheeks flushed, but she didn’t let go. "Then spoil me. Isn’t that what brothers are for?"

The way she said it carried layers of meaning, her eyes glimmering with mischief and something deeper. She leaned closer, her voice a whisper meant only for him. "I saw the way you looked at her. At Xu Fang too. But you’re mine, aren’t you?"

Li Tian chuckled low, brushing his fingers along her cheek. "Possessive, aren’t you?"

She pressed her forehead against his chest, breathing in his scent. "Only with you."

[System Notification: Hidden Desire Detected. Quest Generated – Web of Bonds. Fulfill the unspoken longings of those closest to you. Reward: Advanced Seduction Technique – Heartbinding Whisper.]

Li Tian’s smile deepened. The system never failed to align with his instincts.

As the night settled in, the courtyard grew quiet again, but the threads of tension only grew tighter. Xu Fang’s guarded curiosity, Li Xue’s possessive affection, and Su Yin’s determination—all of it revolved around him.

And Li Tian, standing at the center, couldn’t help but enjoy the chaos he created.