Immortal Supreme: Sovereign of the Grand Dao-Chapter 287: We Can Continue Later, Cora’s Frustration

The silence between Arthur and Cora stretched for a moment longer in the quiet hall.

His arms were still wrapped around her body. Her head rested comfortably against his chest.

She could hear his heartbeat clearly through his robes. The steady rhythm echoed in her ears like a calming drum. Each beat was strong and even.

Cora’s own heart suddenly began racing without warning.

The realization of their current position hit her all at once. Her cheeks warmed immediately.

Pink color spread across her face rapidly like blooming flowers. She could feel the heat rising steadily to her ears. Her entire face felt like it was burning.

Her mind started racing with thoughts she couldn’t control at all. ’What is this feeling? Why am I reacting like this?’

The questions swirled in her consciousness. She’d lived for over a thousand years. She’d faced countless battles and dangerous situations throughout her long life.

She’d fought enemies that could destroy cities. She’d survived wars that spanned decades.

But this simple contact with a man made her feel completely different. It made her feel vulnerable in a way combat never had.

This was the first time she’d ever been held like this by a man. The thought struck her suddenly.

The realization made her heart pound even harder against her ribs. She felt shy suddenly.

Embarrassed beyond measure. Her usual composure was crumbling like sand. All the confidence and strength she normally possessed seemed to evaporate in an instant.

Without her conscious control, something stirred deep within her body. Her special physique activated passively in response to her emotional state.

The Divine Body responded automatically to her feelings as power over the six desires was triggered.

A subtle influence began radiating outward from her core.

The energy was gentle but persistent. It spread through the air around them like invisible waves.

Arthur felt the change immediately. His senses were too sharp to miss it. A faint pressure touched the edge of his consciousness.

It tried to affect his mind in subtle ways. But his soul power was far too strong for such influence.

The pressure couldn’t penetrate his defenses at all. He didn’t even register it as a real threat.

It was like a gentle breeze pushing against a mountain. Completely ineffective.

Cora’s breathing became slightly uneven as she stood there. Her chest rose and fell irregularly.

Her thoughts continued spiraling in circles. ’His embrace is so warm. His presence feels so safe. Why do I feel this way? I shouldn’t be affected like this.’

Her face grew even redder with each passing second. The pink had deepened to almost crimson now.

Arthur noticed her change in demeanor clearly. He could feel her heart racing frantically against his chest.

The rapid beating was impossible to miss. Her body had tensed up in a different way than before.

Not from pain or sadness like earlier, but from something else entirely. Something more complicated.

He gently pulled back slightly to create some space between them.

One hand moved up slowly to her chin. His fingers were gentle and careful as he lifted her face to look at him directly.

Their eyes met without obstruction.

Cora’s pink eyes were wide and startled. Embarrassment and confusion swirled in their depths clearly.

She couldn’t look away even though every instinct told her to. Her gaze was locked onto his face.

Arthur smiled softly at her reaction. His expression was gentle and understanding.

There was no amusement in it. "We can have more time to explore things like this later if you’d like," he said calmly.

His voice was warm and reassuring like a comforting blanket. "For now, let’s take some rest. Tomorrow we shall meet with Lady Ayara."

Before Cora could process his words fully or form any kind of response, Arthur released her completely.

His arms unwrapped from around her body. He stepped back smoothly in one fluid motion.

Then he turned on his heel and walked toward the exit of the inner world.

His movements were casual and unhurried as if nothing significant had happened.

*Swoosh!*

He left the inner world.

Cora stood frozen in place like a statue. Her mind was completely blank for a long moment.

Then everything crashed down on her at once. What he said. How he left so easily. The fact that she couldn’t respond at all. The realization of her own reaction.

Her face turned even redder than before if that was possible.

Frustration and embarrassment mixed together into a confusing storm of emotions.

She stomped her foot hard against the ground.

"Tch!" The sound escaped her lips involuntarily.

"I’ll get back at you, Master!" she called out loudly to the empty space where he’d been standing moments ago.

But Arthur was already gone. He’d vanished from the inner world entirely. Only silence answered her declaration.

Cora stood there alone for several more seconds.

Her breathing was still uneven. Her face was still burning hot.

Slowly, she brought her hands up to cover her cheeks.

They felt like they were on fire beneath her palms.

’What just happened?’ she thought to herself. ’Why did I react that way? I’m supposed to be composed and mature.’

But no answers came to her confused questions.

...

Arthur emerged from the Serene Palace Painting back into his private chambers. The transition was seamless as always.

The night was still deep outside his windows. Darkness covered the capital city. He stood alone in the quiet room for a moment.

His expression was thoughtful. Then he moved with clear purpose toward another location entirely.

He closed his eyes and focused his consciousness inward. His awareness shifted to a different space.

He entered the inner world of the Nine Heavens Palace. This was his original artifact from his true past life.

Not from his incarnation as the Mortal Emperor, but from before that. From when he reigned as the Immortal Supreme.

The space opened around him gradually. Ancient architecture stretched in all directions as far as the eye could see.