Systemless Villain

"Aren't you going to help me?" Alexia inquired with a smile.

Long Tian didn't respond verbally, but he approached her and gently said, "Give me your hand."

Without hesitation, Alexia extended her hand, which Long Tian promptly grasped, guiding her to place it on the serpent's head.

"Now close your eyes and focus. I'll assist you through the process," Long Tian instructed.

Following his guidance, Alexia shut her eyes and concentrated.

Initially, there was nothing but silence. Then, a comforting warmth enveloped her, sending pleasant shivers down her spine.

Peeking through half-closed eyelids, she noticed Long Tian's arms encircling her, emitting a subtle aura.

"You were supposed to keep your eyes closed, Mrs. Alexia," Long Tian gently reminded her.

Without a word, Alexia complied, shutting her eyes once more and immersing herself in concentration. The warmth, coupled with the tranquil ambiance, enabled her to focus entirely, sensing an unfamiliar energy coursing through her as if she were linked to the giant serpent's remains.

A faint white glow emanated from the serpent's carcass, flowing into Alexia's body. She remained steadfast in her absorption.

Moments later, three golden rings resembling stars materialized above the serpent's body, entering her being.

Subsequently, three star-shaped marks appeared on her forehead, albeit fleetingly, before vanishing.

Alexia's eyes opened in astonishment; it was an unprecedented sensation, yet strangely comforting.

Long Tian released his arms from Alexia's shoulders, a smile gracing his lips. "Looks like you succeeded. What ability did you acquire?" he inquired.

"I think I got a pretty useful one," Alexia replied, her satisfaction evident in her smile. "I can claim immunity to all poisons."

"What?" Long Tian's surprise was palpable.

"Just kidding," Alexia chuckled, her laughter muffled by her hand.

Hearing this, Long Tian sighed, shaking his head.

"It seems like this place has changed you quite a bit, huh?" Long Tian remarked, cracking his knuckles, his eyes flickering with a red light.

"What are you going to do?" Alexia smiled, teasingly asking.

Long Tian grinned mischievously before swiftly pushing Alexia until she toppled over. Her initial surprise morphed into laughter as Long Tian began tickling her stomach.

His fingers danced across Alexia's abdomen, eliciting uncontrollable squirms and giggles from her. The sensation was both ticklish and exhilarating, sending waves of laughter through her body.

"Ha ha ha, stop it, Long Tian!" Alexia pleaded amid laughter, her voice bubbling with amusement.

But Long Tian persisted, his fingers relentless in their quest to find every ticklish spot on Alexia's body.

"You asked for it, Mrs. Alexia! I won't stop until you behave," Long Tian declared with a grin, continuing his tickle assault.

Their laughter echoed through the forest, creating a joyful symphony amidst the serene surroundings.

Unable to contain herself any longer, Alexia's cheeks flushed with delight.

Long Tian finally relented, allowing Alexia to catch her breath as she lay on the forest floor, still chuckling softly.

"That was... unexpected," Alexia gasped between giggles, her eyes sparkling with mirth.

Long Tian grinned down at her, his eyes crinkling with amusement. "I warned you I'd get you back for leaving me hanging earlier," he said playfully.

Alexia sat up, still giggling, and lightly punched Long Tian's arm. "Fair enough, you got me," she admitted with a grin.

Long Tian grinned mischievously down at her, extending his hand to help her up.

Taking his hand, Alexia allowed Long Tian to pull her to her feet, relishing the warmth of his touch.

"Now, shall we continue our journey?" Long Tian asked with a playful smile, his eyes twinkling with amusement.

Fully recovered from her laughter, Alexia nodded eagerly. "Let's go, but no more tickling or I'll be mad," she warned, trying to sound stern but failing as a giggle escaped her lips.

Instead of agreeing, Long Tian only grinned wider. "Well, I'd love to see that angry expression on your face," he teased, mischief dancing in his eyes.

"You..." Alexia began, but her words trailed off as she shook her head in exasperation. "You've changed a lot, haven't you? Where's the respect you had for me before?" she asked, a hint of annoyance in her voice.

Long Tian's grin softened into a smile. "I don't know. I just feel better than before," he replied cryptically.

Resigned to Long Tian's playful antics, Alexia shook her head, conceding defeat.

"Alright, let's get out of here," she said, gesturing towards the path ahead.

Long Tian nodded in agreement, and together they resumed their journey towards the temple. Despite the kilometers of path ahead, each step brought them closer to their destination.

-----

After more than 5 minutes had elapsed, Long Tian and Alexia found themselves perched atop a sturdy tree, side by side, their eyes fixated on the unfolding battle ahead.

In the distance loomed a grand temple adorned with the likenesses of three revered creatures: the Dragon, the Phoenix, and the Qilin.

Confirming their arrival at the designated destination, Alexia's radiant face beamed with excitement as she beheld the intense skirmish below.

"Should we join the fray? I'm itching to get in there!" she exclaimed eagerly, stealing a glance at Long Tian for validation.

In stark contrast, Long Tian's countenance adopted a more solemn demeanor as he replied, "I believe we should observe a while longer. I sense something peculiar about those two entities."

Understanding Long Tian's cautious approach, Alexia nodded in agreement, acknowledging his astute vigilance in assessing the situation before making a move.

Long Tian's unwavering gaze was fixed on two humanoid creatures standing at a height of 2.5 meters, with muscular bodies and pale white skin. What stood out the most were their heads—devoid of eyes, nose, or mouth, only ears and two horns atop their heads.

The two creatures fought alongside Zhou Yan and his two companions, Fen Yuwen and Leng Jiao, who appeared to be their allies.

Together, the five of them squared off against seven formidable cultivators, three of whom already lay defeated.

Observing the battle unfold, it became evident that Zhou Yan and his allies held the upper hand against their adversaries, with the mysterious duo likely boasting the greatest prowess.

"So, what's our plan, Long Tian? Have you analyzed their fight?" Alexia suddenly inquired. 𝑓𝓻ℯ𝑒𝑤𝘦𝑏𝑛ℴ𝓋ℯ𝑙.𝘤𝓸𝓂

"Well, I'm certain that Zhou Yan, the young man with the purple energy, will emerge victorious, while the seven cultivators will face defeat. It's largely due to the substantial contribution of those peculiar white creatures; they possess formidable strength," he explained.

As Alexia nodded in comprehension, Long Tian elaborated further, "As for Zhou Yan's two companions, they may not be as formidable individually, but they play significant roles in the battle, aided by the protection of those two white creatures. However, the real challenge lies with Zhou Yan himself; his ability appears to involve gravitational manipulation."

Again, Alexia nodded, her fingers absently tracing her chin as she observed the intense skirmish unfolding below. Indeed, the prowess of the two white creatures was astonishing, showcasing immense physical strength.

"So, do you have a solution for dealing with them?" she inquired, turning her gaze back to Long Tian.

In response, Long Tian's grin widened, "Certainly, for now, we simply need to await the defeat of those seven cultivators," he replied confidently.

With a nod of agreement, Alexia's trust in Long Tian had solidified to the point where she could place her complete confidence in him.