"Heh heh, don't worry, I didn't see anything. I only saw a red line on your neck. As for those round, smooth things under your clothes, I didn't see them at all."

Hearing him say this, Grace Thompson became even more ashamed and angry, and couldn't help but start crying again, her tears falling like pear blossoms in the rain, looking pitiful and delicate.

Ryan Cooper held her tightly with one arm, while his other hand quickly took the jade pendant from her. The pendant was a lifelike carving of a stunningly beautiful woman, crystal clear, radiating a gentle and holy glow. Ryan Cooper was simply stunned—this was no ordinary sculpture; wasn't this a miniature, living version of Grace Thompson? Only now, Grace Thompson looked pitiful and delicate, like a little girl, while the jade carving wore a gentle smile, exuding a sacred aura that made one feel inferior in her presence.

"You bastard, did you hear me? Give me back the jade pendant."

Ryan Cooper snapped out of his daze, surprised that such a small pendant could captivate him so much that he hadn't even heard Grace Thompson's words. He hurriedly stuffed the pendant into his pants pocket.

"Uh, why should I give it back to you? Didn't we agree to use it as evidence?"

"No, that's something my father carved for me with his own hands ten years ago. How could I give it to you? I haven't seen my father in so long—I miss him so much." As she spoke, she couldn't help but show the expression of a cute little girl.

"Your father is amazing, being able to know what you'd look like when you grew up, ten years ago. But that jade carving seems to have a bit more grace than you. Ouch, what are you doing? Why are you biting me again?"

"None of your business, let me go."

"Baby, you look absolutely adorable like this—so much more approachable than your usual aloof, untouchable self."

"You..."

"Alright, that's enough. I'm keeping this pendant."

"No."

"No or not, I'm keeping it for sure."

"You're... you're too overbearing."

"Swear that you won't ask for the pendant back."

"You shameless, filthy, despicable, stupid pig-head, big jerk, I hate you." Grace Thompson had no choice but to swear.

"Alright, you're free now." Ryan Cooper let go of her.

"Ah... you jerk, pig-head." Seeing her snow-white dress stained with blood from Ryan Cooper's pants, Grace Thompson couldn't help but cry out again.

"Haha..." Seeing the bloodstains on her dress, Ryan Cooper couldn't help but laugh mischievously.

Seeing his ambiguous expression, Grace Thompson became even more ashamed and angry. If she could beat him, she would have killed him with her sword long ago.

"You might not have the chance to hate me in the future. Please let me save my brothers first. If I survive, you can settle the score with me then. When people are on the verge of death, they often do crazy things—some make no sense, some are suppressed desires from the heart. I offended you just now; I don't ask for your forgiveness. I was very happy just now. My character may be a bit bad—I'm sorry." At this moment, Ryan Cooper truly felt miserable, because he thought of Sophia Carter again.

First love is unforgettable, because it is full of passion in its innocence, hides childlike purity in its carefree days, and reveals true sincerity in its affection.

First love is unforgettable, because the vows once made still echo in your ears, the smiles and voices of the past still appear before your eyes, and the mutual understanding of those days has yet to fade.

Chapter Twelve: Even Demons Have Feelings

Ryan Cooper slowly walked toward his brothers. He first came to Samuel Carter's side, and looking at his "little brother-in-law," whose face was pale and body covered in blood, his eyes grew misty. It was he who had shielded him from all the blades, saving his life with his own. After helping him sit up, Ryan Cooper placed both palms on his back, sending a steady stream of vital energy into him. After a while, a faint heartbeat could be heard from his body. Ryan Cooper let out a long breath, laid him flat on the ground, wiped the sweat from his forehead, and then walked over to Henry Carter and Andrew Carter. Using the same method, he snatched the faint lives of the two from the hands of death.

The method he used was information obtained from the Essence Stone—defying the heavens to snatch life, an act that went completely against the natural order.

At this moment, Grace Thompson's mood had calmed down. What had just happened felt like a fleeting dream. An ordinary young man had suddenly sacrificed himself to become a demon, his martial arts advancing by leaps and bounds to the king level, slaughtering all who had offended him like a demon god. What she found even harder to imagine was that this hateful boy had actually held her in his arms and teased her, and even snatched her personal jade pendant. Thinking of this, Grace Thompson couldn't help but blush and her heart race, both angry and embarrassed. Her master was right—her martial arts were still far from perfection. Her father had long ago imbued the pendant with the essence of his highest martial arts state, but she was still far from reaching that level. Every time she thought of the pendant, she thought of that despicable, shameless, filthy brat.

Suddenly, she thought of a rather unusual question. Hadn't that brat sacrificed himself to become a demon? After becoming a demon, he should have been filled with murderous bloodlust, but his behavior just now didn't seem like that at all. Then why were his eyes glowing blood-red? And he said he was about to die—why was that?

"Ryan Cooper, stop for a moment. What's the point of what you're doing? I have something to ask you."