Chapter 165

Chapter 165

The disciples in charge of cleaning outside merely caught sight of Junior Sister's chamber as its door swung open, releasing a mingling aura of spiritual energy and a sweet, enchanting fragrance of fruits.

Before they could ponder over the peculiar scent, they lifted their heads to see the cold, composed face of their Senior Brother emerge.

Speculations ran through their minds; it seemed that this time, Senior Brother had been angered significantly. His jade-like countenance, usually serene with little expression, now displayed a hint of embarrassment. His face was flushed, and his clothing appeared somewhat disheveled.

Instinctively, a few cleaning disciples tried to peer into the room, intending to witness the state Junior Sister was in after her scolding.

Yet, their attempt at defiance was met with Senior Brother's icy glare, a gaze that seemed to carry a deadly intent. Whoever it landed on would likely meet misfortune. The disciples promptly lowered their heads again, not daring to provoke the enraged Senior Brother.

To be honest, barely any of the fellow disciples in the sect have escaped being disciplined by Eldest Senior Brother; they were all, quite literally, brought up under the edge of his sword. While Eldest Senior Brother's demeanor might be cold, he is undeniably diligent in fulfilling his responsibilities towards his junior siblings.

With his superior strength and seniority in age, the eldest disciple behaved more like a genuine and qualified mentor when dealing with them, his junior disciples. His reprimands could be even more imposing than their master's, which deterred anyone from attempting to provoke him lightly.

Yet, this time was different. Junior Sister had suffered such a harsh reprimand from him. Although Eldest Senior Brother treated female disciples with equal strictness, it was evident that his approach was less relentless compared to his treatment of male disciples. Few junior sisters had ever been subjected to such public humiliation. Only Junior Sister had the audacity to confront him in such a manner.

This time, Junior Sister truly suffered an unwarranted calamity.

Isn't it just that Junior Sister spent a few nights with another male cultivator? Why must one be so controlling? She's grown up now; having some chaotic thoughts is only natural.

Sigh, Senior Brother refuses to satisfy her and yet forbids Junior Sister from seeking comfort elsewhere. How arbitrary and willful of him.

But it's clear that Senior Brother is angry and jealous this time.

Just now, within the barrier of spiritual energy, the fluctuations revealed a moment when Junior Sister was heard weeping and pleading for mercy inside. Her voice was so pitiful and aggrieved, yet Senior Brother still resorted to harsh measures.

Truly... too ruthless.

Who on earth would provoke the Senior Brother for no reason?

But as they noticed the red mark on his neck, something didn't seem right. How did the Senior Brother sustain an injury there? Could it be that the Junior Sister really had a fight with him just now?

Would the Junior Sister come out unscathed this time?

Concerned, they raised their heads to peer more closely into the room. Instantly, they sensed an even chillier atmosphere around them, especially in the Senior Brother's icy expression.

Without uttering a single word, he exerted a palpable pressure that foretold an unfavorable outcome.

And then, one could see Eldest Senior Brother shut the door tightly, sealing it securely. At first, he clearly intended to slam it shut with force, but later, for some unknown reason, he eased up on the strength, and finally, he turned and swiftly strode away.

After his departure, Feng Jixue made a beeline for his own courtyard. To outsiders, there was no trace of the turmoil and distress that plagued him; only he himself knew how desperately his steps echoed the desperation of a cowardly escape.

Meanwhile, in the otherwise silent room, a flicker of flowing light revealed a figure clad in a dark robe, emerging from the spatial bracelet on Nan Yan's wrist.

Gazing at Nanyan, who slept soundly on the bed, Yan reflected with a cold yet indifferent look. Ah, seems like she didn't have a good rest last night? Was it not comfortable sleeping with her head on his thigh all through the night?

Seeking a wild paramour for dual cultivation, her audacity is indeed remarkable.

If he were her senior brother, he would strip her skin off to teach her a lesson about reality, and scold her severely, so she wouldn't dare to act lawlessly again just because of her favor with authority.

Jing Wuyan's eyes narrowed slightly, his expression revealing no trace of emotion, as calm as a tranquil deep pool without a ripple. He was not oblivious to what had just transpired outside.

However, what irked him subtly was that this pesky girl still cared the most about her senior brother.

Look at this, only through comparison could one see how insincere and hypocritical she was when facing him. Her smile was so fake, a mere facade, and who knew if she was secretly cursing him in her heart.

At this thought, Jing Wuyan's mood visibly worsened. His eyes narrowed halfway, their black depths piercing, especially as he gazed at the girl sleeping soundly on the couch. The more he looked, the less pleased he felt.

When he was in a foul mood, he couldn't abide others being carefree and joyous around him, so he felt compelled to make trouble for them. Resolutely reaching out, he pinched the soft cheeks with a firm grip, twisting them as one would knead dough, turning the person's face into his plaything.

Observing that the girl beneath remained unconscious, he exerted more force, turning her delicate face crimson. This slight pain penetrated into Nanyan's slumber.

After only a few pinches, he heard a soft "murmur" from the person beneath him, as if impatient yet also carrying a hint of grievance. Feeling the continued fondling on his face, he finally mumbled drowsily, "It hurts."

Seeing that he still persisted, she turned over dazedly and then captured his palm, gently biting it and mumbling incomprehensibly, "Good senior brother, stop teasing me..."

"I was wrong, but I'll dare to do it again next time... Gently, of course."

Upon his fingers, the two small, lustrous teeth were gently clamped, with the tender tip of her tongue inadvertently brushing against his digits.

Her crimson lips were slightly parted, exuding a moist and warm breath, as if she had tasted something delectable, and had indeed taken two firm bites.

Mirroring Yan observed with a cold gaze as she not only mistook him for her esteemed senior brother but also dared to nibble on his finger so brazenly.

Yet, her bite wasn't forceful; it was akin to a small beast gently grinding its teeth. With her two tiny, delicate fangs, she rubbed and nibbled softly.

Mirroring Yan was unsure what had come over him. Sensing the gentle and harmless touch, his finger moved involuntarily, lightly brushing against her lips and the tip of her tongue. The sensation was unfamiliar yet not unpleasant. Her lips were slightly rosy, softer even than the cheeks they adorned.

Gazing intently at the female cultivator with lowered eyes, Jing Wuyan hesitated for a moment before his gaze lingered on her delicate, rosy lips. His fingers gently caressed and played with them, his actions gradually becoming softer and more tender.

Indeed, she seemed obedient and harmless. When awake, her sweet words filled the air, while in slumber, she exuded an extraordinary tranquility and gentleness, making it impossible to feel annoyance towards her.

Inexplicably, he leaned forward, bending down to sniff her softly. He caught a faint, fruity aroma emanating from her supple lips, wafting with each gentle breath she took.

Jing Wuyan's eyes darkened slightly, revealing a rare hint of strangeness in their depths. He was unsure of what he was trying to do.

For that instant, a moment of confusion swept through his mind, accompanied by a new, unfamiliar thought and emotion. This left him somewhat entranced by the cultivator's lips.

It took him a moment to regain his composure. Then, with a sudden chill in his expression, Jin Wuyan swiftly withdrew his finger.

A rare flash of irritation and impatience flickered across his eyes before he huffed coldly and turned to sit on the chair opposite.

Jin Wuyan pressed his thin lips together, his gaze fixated intently on the female cultivator on the bed. He was baffled; how could he have allowed himself to be so affected by this scrawny, young girl?

On the other side, Feng Jixue was now entangled in an even more conflicting and perplexing state of mind. He had no idea if those shameful acts just now had been his true intentions or a result of the love bug's influence.

He felt ashamed, and it was almost unbearable for him to contemplate that he could become such an uncontrolled and uncollected cultivator. In that fleeting instant, he had experienced an unprecedented longing for his junior sister to be closer to him, to engage in more intimate acts, even pushing the boundaries further if necessary.

He felt ashamed of his secretive and peculiar thoughts; as a cultivator, he shouldn't be so deeply entangled in emotions and desires.

At the mere thought of those matters, Feng Jixue's mood became increasingly conflicted.

Her snow-white face flushed with a rosy hue like a cloud of dawn, her skin tinged with a subtle blush, as if she were drunk.

Unconsciously, he lowered his head to glance downward at his waist and abdomen. In that instant, the bothersome images rushed back into his mind like a sudden gush of spring water.

Her palm was so soft and delicate, as white as jade and imbued with a warm, comforting warmth. How could such an obedient young girl in front of him dare to be so audacious?

The usually frosty and ethereally beautiful senior, with his moonlit elegance, also wore a hint of embarrassment on his face.

This wayward child... How dare she?

Who taught her all these absurdities?

The more Feng Jixue thought about it, the more frustrated and helpless he felt. He massaged his aching temples, pushing all the chaos deep into the recesses of his mind. This damn little junior sister had truly disrupted all his self-restraint and patience, leaving him with no means to deal with her.

No, this couldn't continue.

He couldn't afford to be lost in this illusory sensation, no matter how blissful his feelings were towards his junior sister. Those emotions weren't genuine...

They were manipulated by the Love Bug, which had commandeered his affection for her and controlled his reactions.

Feng Jixue clenched his palm tightly, a glimmer of clarity returning to his reddened eyes. He expelled a deep breath; he had to find a way to dispel the Love Bug, no matter what.

He could never truly be with her without the influence of some controlling force, nor could he allow himself to become a mere puppet to a weak insect.

Just as Feng Jixue resolved to search for a solution, a familiar figure entered the courtyard. Lin Qingshuang's gaze involuntarily fell upon her senior brother's cool, jade-like face, noticing the slight furrow in his brow, suggesting he was troubled by something.

His usually straight back now leaned against the chair, his head lowered in thought, his body relaxed and unguarded, so much so that he didn't notice her approach.

On this journey to the mystic realm, she had refrained from competing with his beloved as she had done in her previous life. As a result, her eldest senior brother's resistance towards her had softened significantly.

This eldest senior brother was once the purest of souls, devoted solely to sword practice, indifferent to all external matters. His cold demeanor kept people at bay, deterred them from even aspiring to be on his level. But then he fell for the little junior sister.

Lin Qingshuang truly couldn't comprehend. She was the one who entered the sect with him to cultivate, who ventured down the mountain for training, fought alongside him. Yet why?

Why did he eventually develop feelings for a good-for-nothing junior sister with low cultivation, one who only caused trouble and relied on him? Was it simply because she could cry, pout, and charm others?

Indeed, she was deeply resentful. She couldn't accept being inferior to her junior sister who only knew how to curry favor in times of crisis. But what she resented most was the person standing before her.

In her previous life, during the Sect Tournament, this senior brother she had been infatuated with for decades had ruthlessly stabbed her shoulder to avenge his beloved.

As a result, her mental state became unstable, her cultivation regressed, and she fell prey to inner demons, eventually leading to her death and the extinguishing of her path.

At the very moment she died, her senior brother was engaging in a bonding ceremony with his favored junior sister.

Recalling the scene she witnessed as her soul drifted across the grand hall, Lin Qing Shuang's expression turned icy, and an aura of cold detachment enveloped her.

She stepped forward directly, interrupting Feng Jixue's deep contemplation with a cold and restrained greeting, "Senior Brother Feng."

The unexpected voice startled Feng Jixue out of his reverie. He turned around to see Lin Qingshuang standing beside him. The trace of struggle and frustration in his eyes vanished completely, replaced by a steely resolve as he pushed those vexing emotions and images deep into his heart.

Feng Jixue lifted his gaze, a hint of surprise flickering across his eyes, but it quickly subsided. He looked at her calmly and asked, "Junior Sister Lin, what brings you here?"

As he spoke, he suddenly recalled the words his little junior sister had cried out in the room earlier. He hadn't realized her temper was so volatile, nor had he known that she was so sensitive. Thus, his demeanor towards Lin Qingshuang had become more detached and composed than before.

Seeing Feng Jixue's indifferent demeanor, the initial turmoil and hesitation that had driven Lin Qingshuang to approach him vanished entirely.

She lifted her eyes to meet Feng Jixue, who sat on the stone bench, her senior apprentice brother unchanged as ever – cold and detached, evoking no sense of warmth or concern.

A bitter ache involuntarily welled up within her, piercing her heart like needles. She knew she hadn't truly let go. How could she? After all those years of pining for her senior apprentice brother, if she could have truly set him aside, she wouldn't have ended up trapped by her own inner demons.

When she faced him, her emotions still stirred, but now she had learned to restrain them.

Having tasted death once, she couldn't afford to be as naive as before, nor could she pour all her emotions into him as she once did. Otherwise, the one who would always end up hurt would be herself; he was a man without a heart.

With these thoughts, Lin Qingshuang's eyes grew colder still. She exhaled softly and spoke directly, "Senior Brother Feng, I have come today with no other purpose than to bring a final resolution to the matters between us."

At her words, Feng Jixue's brows knitted slightly.

He didn't quite understand the meaning behind Lin Shimei's statement. His gaze remained puzzled as he looked at her, "Where does this come from, Lin Shimei? Has something happened to you recently?"

Lin Qingshuang let out a soft laugh, but the smile didn't reach the depths of her eyes, giving off a cold impression, "No, I'm fine. I've just seen some truths clearly now. I realize that I didn't fulfill my duties as a caring junior sister before, and I know that my previous overstepping behavior caused you distress. But from now on, it won't be like that anymore."

"Senior Brother Feng, from this day forward, we will only be fellow disciples. All that has passed will fade away like smoke. I won't cling to you incessantly anymore, nor will I meddle in your relationship with your little junior sister. From now on, let's draw a clear line between us."

Her words were even more perplexing, causing Feng Jixue's brow to furrow tighter. With recent troubles weighing on his mind, his patience had worn thin.

His gaze fell on the solemn Lin Junior Sister, and after a moment of silence, he began to explain, "I am unaware of what I have done to offend Junior Sister Lin, nor do I understand the meaning behind your words. Hasn't it always been the case that we are fellow disciples, Senior Brother and Junior Sister? I have never treated you any differently as my Junior Sister. Why, then, are you so displeased with me?"

Lin Qingshuang let out a soft scoff, seemingly annoyed by his indifferent tone. She lifted her eyelids and gazed steadily at him. "If that's the case, then I must have misinterpreted our relationship."

Her voice turned colder as she continued, "Since there is no bond between us, I would be grateful if Senior Brother Feng could return the spirit plants, medicinal pills, talismans, and that Qiankun bracelet that I once gifted you. This way, we can fully sever our ties."

Upon hearing this, Feng Jixue's brows knitted even tighter. Even if he was slow to catch on, he now understood the purpose of Lin Junior Sister's visit – she wanted back the items she had previously given him.

Those items were not particularly rare or hard to find. Could it be that Junior Sister Lin was experiencing financial difficulties, forcing her to set aside her pride and ask for them back?

Feng Jixue's thoughts led him to a sudden question. He turned to look at his fellow disciple, Lin, and noticed that her cultivation seemed to have ascended to a new level.

Logically, since Lin had just returned from the mystic realm, she shouldn't be lacking such items. However, it wasn't impossible that her recent advancement would require spirit herbs and pills for consolidation.

With this in mind, he spontaneously offered, "If Junior Sister Lin is in need of spirit herbs or pills to stabilize your newfound cultivation, I'd be willing to gift you some. After all, we grew up together as fellow disciples; there's no need to make a fuss over such trifles."

As he spoke, he reached for his waist to unfasten his storage pouch. Concerned that she might misinterpret his intentions, he quickly added, "I usually spend more time practicing swordsmanship, so these pills and spirit herbs are of little use to me. If it wouldn't bother you, Junior Sister, feel free to...?"

His words were promptly interrupted by her.

Lin Qingxuan glanced at the storage pouch with a hint of irritation in her eyes. She replied subconsciously, "Senior Brother Feng's kindness is much appreciated, but Junior Sister is not in need of these items. I only seek to reclaim what once belonged to me."

"Also, Senior Brother, there's no need to fabricate more excuses. What I truly wish to reclaim is that Qiankun Bracelet that I once gifted you. As for the other spirit plants and medicinal pills, it's up to Senior Brother to decide how to return them to me."

Having reached this point in the conversation, Feng Jixue now fully understood. It turned out that Junior Sister Lin didn't lack these items; she merely wished to reclaim the gifts she had once given him.

Despite being unaware of the reasoning behind her peculiar train of thought, Feng Jixue didn't engage her in further debate.

With this thought in mind, Feng Jixue paused in his actions. His expression remained unchanged, as calm and indifferent as ever. In truth, whether he kept or returned those items made little difference to him. Initially, he had willingly accepted them to spare both parties any further embarrassment and to prevent disputes from arising.

Since she was so eager to have them back now, he might as well return them. After all, he didn't lack those items.

But when she mentioned that bracelet...

Feng Jixue's thoughts raced in her mind, and her long brows involuntarily knitted together, as if she had recalled something.

Aside from that, everything else was ordinary—spiritual plants and medicinal pills were not hard to come by. There was only one exception: the Qiankun Bracelet that Junior Sister Lin had mentioned, which he had already given to his little junior sister.

It was a green bracelet adorned with silver trinkets. The bracelet wasn't of great significance; it was merely an ordinary storage artifact, not much larger in capacity than a typical storage pouch sold in common marketplaces.

At the time, Junior Sister Lin had given him a parting gift, and in return, he had offered her a few talismans inscribed with his sword aura. Later, when his little junior sister happened to admire the bracelet, he casually passed it on to her.

Now that she hears Junior Sister Lin demanding the bracelet so assertively, Feng Jixue finds herself in a delicate predicament for a moment.

Fortunately, he has always been emotionally reserved and has a calm expression. Even when he is in a difficult situation, it is hard for others to notice anything unusual.

Wind Calm Snow composed herself and directed her gaze at Junior Sister Lin. She took out a medicinal pill and some spirit plants from her storage pouch, then explained, "Junior Sister Lin, it's not that I'm greedy for your belongings and refuse to return them. It's just that the bracelet you mentioned has already been given away. I can't return it to you anymore."

"Apologies, if it doesn't inconvenience Junior Sister, I can offer you a few more recently inscribed Sword Talismans as compensation. Would that suffice?"

In his view, it was merely a storage artifact. It wasn't worth him losing face and forcibly asking his junior sister for it back, for fear of displeasing her and possibly leading to more foolish actions. He didn't particularly want to see her right now... That wretched creature.

Upon hearing this, Lin Qingshuang instinctively pressed her lips together. A hint of anxiety appeared on her face. She knew for sure that he must have given the bracelet to Su Nanyan. In her previous life, after her death, her soul had wandered in a daze and lingered in front of her junior sister's cave for a long time. She had seen her junior sister holding the bracelet, stomping her feet in anger, scolding it for being good-looking but useless. The bracelet was clearly a divine artifact, filled with spirit pools, spirit essences, and all sorts of spiritual herbs. It was by no means an ordinary storage artifact.

That had originally been her possession, but she had unintentionally missed out on it. Now that she had been reborn, how could she possibly stand idly by and watch someone else take away what belonged to her? Especially since it was a divine artifact. This time, there was no way she would let it go.

With this thought, a hint of anxiety flickered in Lin Qingshuang's eyes. Almost without thinking, she blurted out, "No, Senior Brother Feng, I only want that bracelet."

She saw the look of distress on Senior Brother Feng's face and knew that he wouldn't be willing to offend her junior sister for her sake. But if he didn't retrieve it, how could she get that divine artifact back?

For a fleeting moment, she was torn, but then she steeled herself to weave a lie, her eyes reflecting sorrow. "Senior Brother Feng, you may not know this, but that bracelet was an heirloom left to me by my mother before I joined the sect. In a moment of foolishness, I gave it away. Now, upon reflection, I realize how significant it is to me."

Raising her gaze, she looked at him earnestly. "I cannot afford to lose it. Please, Senior Brother, ask that person to return it to me. I am willing to exchange it for spirit stones of equal value. Would that suffice?"

Lin Qingshuang was genuinely worried now. Although she knew her junior sister couldn't use the contents of the bracelet, there was always a chance she might divulge this information to others.

If the entire sect found out, would the elders reclaim that divine artifact?

As she finished speaking, the atmosphere grew tense and heavy.

Wind Silence Snow lifted his gaze to glance at Junior Sister Lin. He wasn't an idiot; this reason sounded rather feeble. However, since she insisted, he had no choice. After all, the bracelet could be considered a gift from her, even though he had compensated with spirit stones at the time. Now that Junior Sister Lin was willing to return the spirit stones just to retrieve the bracelet, he could only agree.

"I'll give it a shot. I've already given the bracelet to my junior sister. She found it aesthetically pleasing and took it as an ordinary accessory. Seeing how much she seemed to enjoy wearing it, I'm unsure if I can ask for it back."

After saying these words, Feng Jixue's expression returned to its original state, still that calm and indifferent look, with no signs of any abnormality to outsiders. However, only he himself could feel the inexplicable irritation in his heart.

Our little Junior Sister might be displeased again with this.

Feng Jixue flexed her fingers, the thought of her persistently charming junior sister causing a inexplicable warmth to spread across her fingertips.

...

On the other side, when Nan Yan woke up, she found Jin Wuyan sitting on her chair right before her eyes.

He leaned back in the chair with his legs crossed, resembling an aristocrat. A rabbit fur cushion, usually hugged by her, supported his back. He looked relaxed and self-satisfied.

Nan Yan rubbed her eyes, still groggy from sleep. She was about to ask, "Why are you out here? Didn't you just promise me that you'd try not to leave the sect?"

But as she lifted her gaze, she noticed the illustrated manual of the Love-Enlightening Sect in his hands. Before she could even put on her shoes, she rushed forward to snatch it back. Her face flushed with a mix of panic and embarrassment as she glared at him through gritted teeth, "Who allowed you to peek into my secret manual? How did you find it? I clearly hid it well."

Mirrored Face's expression remained unchanged as he intercepted the person with one hand. He then scoffed, "Hiding beneath the floor counts as good hiding too. Do you think such petty tricks can stop me?"

"Furthermore, you little brat, how old are you to delve into the licentious ways of the Joyous Union Sect? Don't you know that one shouldn't recklessly dissipate their essence before forming a Golden Core? If I were your senior brother, you'd be soaking in a vat of wine right now."

Nanyan gritted her teeth in frustration and charged forward to confront the person. "Mind your own business! Can't I just look? I'm not really practicing; these are the most popular items sold in the market. Is it wrong for me to secretly buy one to broaden my horizons?"

Mirage sneered. "If you haven't been cultivating, then where did those tricks you displayed yesterday come from?"

Upon hearing this, Nanyan seemed to be momentarily taken aback.

Then, her delicate face flushed even more. She glared at him, her eyes filled with a mix of bashfulness and anger. "You're shameless! You were spying on me and Senior Brother being intimate. How disgraceful!"

She must have been extremely agitated, for her ears had flushed red, as if brushed with a layer of rouge. Despite being mortified to the core, she stubbornly glared at him with those captivating eyes.

Upon hearing this, Mirror Yan turned his head and scoffed softly, dismissing the notion with disdain. "Who would spy on you doing such nonsense? Clearly, it was your unstable spiritual energy within your body that inadvertently infused your thoughts into the bracelet, making it impossible for me not to notice."

With that, he narrowed his eyes, a hint of irritation creeping into his expression as if a piece of rotten wood couldn't be carved. "Stinky girl, you've got quite some skill. You spend all your time delving into these unconventional and crooked paths instead of focusing on the right path. No wonder your realm never improves."

"Scoundrel, you're not my senior brother, so why do you have the right to control me? If I can't advance, that's my own affair. How does it concern you? Also, who gave you permission to go through my belongings?"

With one hand pressing against her, Jin Wuyan's eyes gradually revealed an eerie sneer. "Scoundrel? Excellent, you little wretch. Yesterday, you praised me as the first in your heart, someone better than your senior brother. Yet today, you call me a scoundrel. Clearly, not a single truthful word comes out of your mouth, and you have no sincerity at all."

Nan Yan struggled against his hand that blocked her path, stomping her feet in anger. "How am I not? It's clearly you who broke your promise, spying on my belongings first."

Jin Wuyan nodded, giving a cold snort. "So this is truly your possession, huh? Very well. The Cultivation techniques of the Blissful Union Sect are clearly incompatible with those of your sect. In that case, I'll let your wonderful senior brother take a look. We'll see how he disciplines you."

"Ai, no, don't, it's not—"

Nan Yan's eyes reddened with anxiety. As she reached out to snatch it back, she was firmly held down by him. In her struggle, she accidentally buried her head into his chest.

The impact was so painful that it finally forced tears to brim in her eyes. Filled with anger, she lifted her hand and slapped him on the chest, then clamped down with her teeth, biting firmly. Through sobs, she muttered,

"You dare... I'll bite you to death."

Jing Wuyan looked at her and chuckled. "Oh, you dare to threaten me?"

Nan Yan immediately felt even more wronged. "I just got scolded by Senior Apprentice Brother, and now you're scolding me too. Do you all think I'm an easy target to bully?"

She bit down for a long time but failed to break the skin; instead, her own teeth began to ache.

At first, Jin Wuyan found the girl's whimpering somewhat troublesome. But as she continued to nibble, he couldn't help but recall the scene of her gently biting his finger while asleep earlier.

That soft and delicate sensation...

A strange emotion stirred within him without explanation. Feeling the dampness on his chest, he instinctively glanced down at the spot where her teeth were gently digging into his collarbone. Suddenly, a subtle itchiness spread through his heart. This unfamiliar feeling made him subconsciously pause his actions.

The dark-haired head remained nestled against his chest for a while. Upon realizing that he didn't push her away, she finally opened her mouth and released her grip.

Then, she lifted her head. Her large, dark eyes gazed directly at him. They were so clear that one could even see their reflection in them.

For a moment, the room fell utterly silent.

The spiritual energy between them intertwined and merged, making the air seem to freeze in place.

Nan Yan's eyelashes fluttered slightly.

Her breathing grew soft and slow; she leaned entirely into his embrace. They were so close that Jin Wuyan could almost sense the warm, humid breath from the corner of her lips, carrying a subtle fragrance and moisture.

Jin Wuyan met her gaze. In that instant, an unusual sensation stirred within him.

His gaze involuntarily fell upon her eyes, which held a hint of caution and unease. They seemed conflicted but ultimately moved slowly towards him.

Unsure of her intentions, he didn't stop her.

Then, his attention shifted to her approaching rosy lips. Jin Wu Yan's breathing stilled for a moment, and he unconsciously lowered his head.

Just as their lips were about to meet, a slap descended from above, jolting him back to reality.

The slap didn't strike his face or chest; instead, it landed solidly on the crown of his head, causing a sharp sting. Yet, more than pain, he felt confusion.

Then, he witnessed the pesky girl rise up on her tiptoes, pressing one hand on his shoulder, snatching the secret manual that was originally in his grasp.

In that very instant, she triumphantly shot him a proud smile, "What do you think? I got it, didn't I?"

Afterward, she tucked it away in her bosom as if cherishing it, afraid that he might take it back.

Jing Wuyan stared at her with an expressionless face, his gaze growing increasingly profound. He reached up to rub his sore forehead, and his thin lips suddenly curved into a sinister grin.

Hehe, excellent.

How long had it been since he last tasted the flavor of such anger?

This audacious girl indeed has great courage, to dare toy with him like this now?