Chapter 180 – 180

Chapter 180 - 180

When Jing Wuyan was out of sight and completely vanished, Nanyan promptly wiped away her tears. She had been crying for quite a while, and it was exhausting.

With the "dog man" gone, there was no need for her to continue the act. The look of distress and sorrow on her face vanished entirely.

Nanyan swiftly turned over and climbed off the bed, picking up the pillow from the floor and patting it clean. Then, she turned back around and flopped onto the bed like a salted fish.

However, today, this "dog man" had shown some backbone and had a stubborn mouth. She needed to think about how to torment him next.

Perhaps due to the intensity of their recent argument, Jin Wuyan was genuinely angered. For over ten days, not a single word was exchanged between them whenever they met; even accidental encounters were met with mutual disregard.

Nanyan had assumed herself to be heartless, confronting him with furious glares whenever they chanced upon each other, expecting no apology from him.

Yet, she never imagined that the man was even more ruthless, colder, and more unreasonable. He was so indifferent that he didn't even bother to spare her a glance, his face devoid of any expression, his eyes showing not a hint of emotional fluctuation - as if they had never known each other.

Jin Wuyan was indeed a man of great self-restraint. He restrained himself from interfering in the brat's affairs and focused all his energy on cultivation to enhance his powers. However, despite his calmness and rational attempts to convince himself otherwise, her face still involuntarily surfaced in his mind.

Perhaps it was because he had once possessed her affection, or maybe because he had never been rejected so bluntly before, which fueled his growing resentment and unwillingness to accept defeat.

When had he ever been treated with such disdain?

He was determined to give her the cold shoulder for a while. He knew that the spoiled brat had been indulged by her senior martial brother to the point of arrogance and recklessness, ignorant of boundaries.

At the slightest hint of dissatisfaction, she would take out her frustrations on those close to her. Wasn't that no different from the undisciplined children in the cultivation world who never grew up?

If her temperament remained unchanged, there would be many more arguments in their future. He did care for her, but that didn't mean he would blindly indulge her without limits. He was not like her senior martial brother; some things were acceptable, while others were not. He wouldn't let the brat's tears and tantrums sway his principles.

Indulging her every whim and soothing her every mood swing would only inflate her ego further. If he were always by her side, it might be tolerable, but what if he wasn't there?

In the world of cultivation, danger lurked unseen; by then, that pesky girl wouldn't even know how she met her end!

Therefore, this time, he wouldn't apologize until she mended her ways – ha!

Meanwhile, on the other side, Nan Yan had likely been provoked by Jing Wuyan's indifferent and cold demeanor.

For several days, she locked herself in her room, refusing to see anyone, putting on a pitiful act as if she was wronged and heartbroken.

Her performance might have been too convincing, for it didn't attract the "dog" man, but instead drew the long-absent Senior Brother, whom she had accidentally injured during their last quarrel. Since then, they hadn't crossed paths.

Wind Silence Snow gazed at his junior apprentice sister, who had locked herself in her room, refusing to eat, drink, or even step out for cultivation. Eventually, he couldn't resist the yearning in his heart and came to find her.

The moment he pushed the door open, a pillow flew at him. "Leave! Who asked you to come? Didn't you say you'd never look for me, even in death? Mirror Unyuan, get out! I'll never forgive you for the rest of my life!"

Reaching out, Wind Silence Snow caught the pillow. Pausing at the door, he knew that his junior apprentice sister had mistaken him for someone else.

Yet, hearing the familiarity and concern in her voice, a slight ache still pierced his heart, a bittersweet sensation as if something was tugging at it, causing a subtle pain.

In the end, it was a feeling of numbness.

He was aware that during his own period of emotional turmoil, another man had gradually claimed her heart.

Yanyan outwardly expressed resentment towards this person, but deep down, she couldn't help but anticipate his presence, which is why she mistook him for someone else the moment he appeared.

He wasn't sure what emotions he was feeling now. Was it bitterness from jealousy that made him feel discontent, or was it regret over his past mistakes?

Perhaps it was a mix of both, but in the instant he saw her, all those feelings transformed into longing.

"Yanyan..."

The moment he uttered her name, he realized how raspy and dry his voice had become.

Lost in a hazy reverie, Feng Jixue recalled those days. When he had finally recognized the true nature of his feelings, each day seemed to be a torment of regret and agony. The events felt distant, yet every time they crossed his mind, they were as vivid as if they had happened just yesterday.

In this period, he had been in a daze, uncertain how to reconcile his emotions. The little junior sister who once relied on him and admired him had grown increasingly distant and resistant. He didn't even dare to come and see her anymore.

Afraid of hearing more resentment from her, he was evading, believing that if he distanced himself, if he didn't dwell on it, their relationship could remain as it once was.

In that very moment, as he heard her voice utter another's name, he knew he had truly missed his chance, and there was no room for regret.

Upon hearing the voice, Nanyan realized she had mistaken the person once again. She promptly sat up straight on the bed. Seeing her senior brother's pallid complexion, she bit her lip, feeling somewhat uneasy, as if she wanted to apologize to him.

However, memories of the previous incident flashed across her eyes, revealing a hint of unease and fear.

Her senior brother, of course, didn't miss the fleeting emotions in her eyes. His grip tightened subtly. He thought he could remain indifferent, but upon seeing that look in her eyes, he still felt an overwhelming sense of suffocation in his chest.

Feng Jixue pressed her lips together, pausing at the door for a moment before proceeding with a composed expression.

Nanyan instinctively took a step back, distancing herself from the bedside. Then, she softly called out, "Senior Brother..."

Once so intimately close, they now stood further apart than strangers; she was afraid of him.

Without lifting her eyelids, Feng Jixue placed the pillow down and softly acknowledged him. There was no noticeable change in his expression, but his body involuntarily paused.

Sitting beside her, Feng Jixue didn't make any excessive moves. His voice remained unaltered, yet it sounded a shade deeper, "Why haven't you been practicing your swordsmanship lately?"

Nan Yan seemed surprised by this topic. She had anticipated something more provocative from him. Yet, upon hearing his question, her hands instinctively clenched, and her head bowed down, just like when she was caught skipping class and fighting by her senior as a child, filled with an inexplicable sense of guilt.

After a long while, her voice trembled as it echoed softly.

"I haven't had much rest these past few days, always feeling exhausted. That's why I haven't been practicing, not that I was intentionally slacking off..."

In reality, she was deliberately procrastinating.

Her voice dwindled as she spoke, stealing glances at him to see if he had changed his expression or was getting angry.

Feng Jixue didn't really catch what she was saying; he was merely captivated by her earnest demeanor. It instantly reminded him of the past, when his little junior sister would assume this very same look after making mistakes or doing something wrong.

The eldest senior brother's voice softened significantly,

"I didn't think you were avoiding me, but even if you were, you shouldn't slack off in your cultivation. Diligence in practice must not be neglected, and moreover..."

Nan Yan had initially expected him to assume the role of an elder brother and reprimand her. To her surprise, his tone softened as he continued, "Are the wounds on your body better now?"

"Huh? Wounds?" The change in subject was rather abrupt.

What wounds? Oh, she recalled — they were the bites on her neck from that impulsive moment.

"Mm... I must have applied quite some force that day. In the heat of the moment, I unintentionally bit you. It was my fault. I know you didn't like it, so I won't do such things to you again in the future."

Nan Yan seemed to relax upon hearing this. She lifted her gaze to meet her senior brother's restored expression and, instinctively, touched the spot on her neck. She pursed her lips, shook her head, then said, "It's all good now."

Feng Jixue softly hummed in response, his voice slightly hoarse. "Come here and let me take a look. That bite was quite severe."

Nan Yan felt uneasy at his words. She lifted her eyes to meet his gaze. He appeared too calm now, as if nothing had ever transpired between them.

This man seemed oblivious to her rejection, treating her with the affection of an older brother, which made her feel uncomfortable yet unable to refuse.

Nan Yan bit her lip, rubbed her neck, and shook her head, declining his offer. "Really, it's fine. Senior Brother, there's no need to worry."

As soon as her words faded, she saw her senior brother on the other side remain composed as usual. He looked at her, sizing her up before saying, "Don't worry. I said I wouldn't force you, and I won't. I'm your senior brother; don't you trust me?"

Nan Yan still refused and deliberately kept silent.

Feng Jixue pressed his lips together, trying hard to calm the emotions in his chest. Suddenly, he said, "When you were little and got bitten by a snow wolf on your bottom, it was me who applied medicine for you. So, why can't I even take a look at the wound on your neck now?"

Upon hearing this, Nan Yan's face flushed red instantly.

A hint of amusement appeared in the eyes of her senior brother, and he couldn't resist mentioning more of her embarrassing past. "And when you fell into the beast garden as a child and got pecked by a crane on your head..."

Before she could finish her sentence, Nan Yan couldn't hold back any longer. She instinctively rushed forward to cover the person's lips, clearly annoyed. "I didn't. You're lying, that wasn't me!"

The eldest disciple reached out to grasp the hand covering his lips, gently pulling her closer to sit properly. "Mm, it wasn't you. I must have been mistaken. Perhaps it was one of our disobedient junior sisters."

As he spoke, he reached out. Nan Yan tried to dodge twice but failed, so she eventually gave in to his touch.

Looking at the faint pink marks still visible on the neck, Feng Jixue could see that they were almost healed. He traced the collar of his robe with his fingers; the bites he had left weren't just there. As his gaze followed the trail downward, his eyes darkened with intensity.

In Feng Jixue's eyes, longing and reluctance intertwined. Afraid of frightening her, he ultimately suppressed the urge to gently kiss those marks, pushing aside the complex emotions stirring within him.

A cool fingertip gently traced the skin, and in a low, hoarse voice, he asked, "Did it hurt when I bit you?"

Nanyan nodded, feeling aggrieved. "I'm not made of stone, of course it hurt. Plus, you were so fierce with me that day."

"I'll let you bite me back, then. How about that?"

Nanyan lifted her head, looking at him in surprise.

As Feng Jixue spoke, he pushed down his collar slightly, his tone gentle and soothing. "It was my fault. Let Senior Apprentice Brother return the favor, and you won't be angry anymore, okay?"

Nan Yan pursed her lips and, looking at the offered neck, suddenly pushed the person away with a huff. "I don't want to. I'm not a puppy. I won't do such embarrassing things."

Feng Jixue's actions halted, and he froze for a moment. Then, a hint of gentleness flickered in his eyes. His little junior sister had always been tough on the outside but soft on the inside. Even after what he had done to her that day, she hadn't truly held it against him.

It was his fault. Just the thought of no longer being able to touch or embrace her made an endless tide of regret surge from the depths of his heart.

But now, he had no idea how to make amends.

Yanyan had long given up on him. The moment he deceived her, she had already let him go.

Currently, he was incapable of compelling her against her will; her tears tore at his heart like a thousand knives. All he could do now was let go, unable even to utter a superfluous word.

He could only earnestly fulfill his role as her older brother.

For only then would she not resist or harbor resentment against him. Only then could he occasionally reach out to touch her, hold her close, just as they used to.

Feng Jixue finished examining the wound and then carefully helped her readjust her collar, all the while maintaining the utmost professionalism without overstepping any boundaries. Nan Yan touched her now-chilly neck and asked him in a muffled voice, "Is it done? My neck feels cold and uncomfortable, and your hands are icy too."

"Nearly there, just a moment more."

"Then hurry up, why are you dawdling while adjusting your clothes?"

"Yanyan, there's no need to rush. I've applied some scar-reducing medicine on you; it will heal faster."

...

Amidst their playful bickering, they didn't notice the addition of a black figure in the courtyard.

Jing Wuyan had indeed been restraining himself from seeking her out lately. But for some reason, after hearing Lin Qingshuang casually mention during the day that his junior sister hadn't left the courtyard for several days, supposedly neither eating, drinking, nor practicing, he couldn't help but wonder what was really going on with her.

Initially, he intended to restrain himself from getting involved.

Perhaps it was another one of that pesky girl's tricks; she had always been skilled in deception.

Yet, the more he tried not to think of her, the more she occupied his mind, eventually becoming an uncontrollable obsession that filled him with growing distress and anxiety.

So he decided that he would only take a quick look, and once he confirmed that the odious girl was unharmed, he would depart immediately.

But what did he witness now?

She lingered in the courtyard, reluctant to emerge, not due to any other reason, but because her beloved was by her side within the house.

Mirrorscape's gaze gradually turned cold as he listened to the indistinct voices emanating from within the room. As he drew closer, he indeed witnessed the intimate scene unfolding between the two individuals inside.

Yan Yan's garment was slightly disheveled, her cheeks faintly flushed. Beside her sat her close senior brother, his hand still resting on her neck, their posture intimate indeed.

Gazing at the scene, Mirror Yan's eyes gradually sharpened and cooled, his expressionless facade belying the uncontrollable flame that raged within him.

Ah, indeed, a woman as fickle as the clouds and as changeable as water!

It had only been half a month since they parted ways, and she had already thrown herself back into her senior's arms.

What did this woman truly think of him?

Was he merely a pastime for her sadness and sorrow?

How dare she? How dared she toy with him like this?

She had used him as a tool, pretending affection all along!

With a fierce grip, Jin Wuyan clenched his fingers, barely able to contain the surge of anger and resentment within him. He raised his hand and struck a palm directly at Feng Jixue, who was standing behind him.

Feng Jixue, caught off guard and busy protecting the person in his arms, took the blow square on his shoulder. Though not severely injured, he still spat out a mouthful of blood from the impact.

As he turned to retaliate, he found that Jin Wuyan was completely ignoring him.

With one hand, Jin Wuyan grabbed Nan Yan's collar, pulling her roughly in front of him. Enraged, Jin Wuyan had lost all sense of reason. His face became even more menacing, and his eyes icy cold, "Do you lack men so much? Was I not enough for you?"

Nan Yan stumbled under his pull, almost hitting her head against his chest. Uncontrollable tears welled up in her eyes.

"What... did you say?"

Nan Yan was evidently still confused about the situation. She slapped the back of his hand forcefully. "You hurt me, you scoundrel!"

Looking at his cold expression, anger was evident in her eyes. "What on earth are you doing, going crazy again?"

Jing Wuyan sneered. Yes, he was indeed going mad, and it was all because of this woman.

His gaze turned even colder, and his thin lips parted. "Scoundrel? Yes, that's right. You are indeed a scoundrel! Tell me, who gave you the audacity to play with me like this?"

"Have I ever mentioned that men aren't toys to be trifled with? Did you take my words as mere whispers in the wind?"

"You're quite the master at mingling with your senior, aren't you? You've treated me as nothing but a tool from the beginning, haven't you?"

Nan Yan seemed angered by his indifferent tone. Her eyes reddened swiftly as she bit her lip, retaliating with a resentful glare. "It's none of your business. Didn't you say you wanted to sever all ties with me? How does it concern you who else I spend time with?"

Nan Yan was deliberately provoking him, hoping to lead him into a misunderstanding.

Upon hearing this, Jing Wuyan's aura grew even colder. He looked down at her, the corners of his mouth lifting into a chilly curve. His gaze suddenly turned icy and mocking.

"And how does that concern me?"

"In that case, does your esteemed senior brother know what kind of person you are when you're in my bed? Do you truly believe I won't kill you after playing with me like this?"

As soon as he finished speaking, Nan Yan's face turned ashen.

She bit her lip, and tears uncontrollably fell, landing on Jin Wu Yan's finger.

Eventually, she couldn't bear it any longer and slapped him across the face, her voice hoarse, "Stop talking!"

Qin Wuyan's eyes darkened, and his head was turned by her forceful blow, leaving his fair cheeks slightly flushed.

He turned to look at her pitiful pretense and sneered, flinging her onto the bed behind him. "Shut up? If you could do it, why be afraid of others talking? Su Nanyan, I really was blind to have shown mercy for a promiscuous and shameless woman like you."

"You..."

Before Nanyan could finish her retort, Qin Wuyan seized her cheek again. His gaze suddenly turned fierce and icy. "Let me make this clear to you now. It wasn't you who played with me; it's me who's done with you. Go pair up with your beloved senior brother. From this moment on, I won't spare you a single thought!"

With that, Qin Wuyan didn't spare her another glance as he turned and strode towards the door.

Now, there was no turning back. He despised how he repeatedly hesitated and ached for this woman. He had even contemplated completely controlling Lin Qingxuan, ensuring that no one could ever harm her. But what was the outcome? His repeated compromises only led to the woman's incessant recklessness. She toyed with him from beginning to end, yet he blindly deluded himself into believing he could possess her. Utterly ridiculous!

Perhaps the impact was too great; Nanyan's formerly rosy lips instantly turned ashen.

Her eyes reddened slightly as she abruptly stood up, intending to confront the other party. However, her hasty action caused her vision to darken, and a piercing dizziness struck her head.

In that instant, it felt as if all her strength had been drained away. She bit her lip, forcing herself to stay upright, and shook her head vigorously, but still couldn't hold on. Uncontrollably, she began to plummet towards the ground.

Feng Jixue had been attentively observing her condition but was also startled by this unforeseen turn of events.

Reacting almost without thought, his body instinctively reached out to catch her, firmly pulling her into his arms.

"Yan Yan!"

Feng Jixue called her name repeatedly, but the person in his arms had already slipped into unconsciousness.

This was something that had never happened before.

For a moment, Feng Jixue felt a pang of anxiety, especially when he noticed her unusually pale lips and her lifeless, weak appearance.

The Eldest Senior Brother promptly reached out to gently caress her forehead, a gentle ray of pure light instantly flowing into Nanyan's body. Spirit energy circulated around her limbs, but the person in his arms remained unresponsive.

Something was amiss, and Feng Jixue truly grew anxious now. It was impossible for there to be no reaction at all, unless there was a more severe issue?

He hastily seized the hand hanging by her side, feeling her pulse lightly.

His expression froze the moment he did so.

He turned to look at the sleeping face in his embrace with disbelief. Gazing at her slightly closed eyes and her seemingly unconscious state, he probed her pulse twice more, confirming that he hadn't made a mistake.

Windfall Snow's expression gradually shifted, turning somber and wretched. His complexion paled slightly. Although he was filled with jealousy and anger, his emotions eventually calmed down. The eldest senior brother pressed his lips together and tightened his embrace around Nan Yan's hand instantly.

No matter the depths of his hatred or resentment, they cannot alter the reality of the present!

Yan Yan... She's carrying a pregnancy of over a month.

Considering the timeline, it must have been the night she and Jing Wuyan practiced dual cultivation... The night he drove her away in anger, when everything changed, and his little junior sister became someone else's.

The senior disciple held the person in his arms even more tightly, his gaze settling slowly on her slender waist and abdomen. He studied her for a long while before finally lifting her horizontally and carrying her straight back to his courtyard. Thereafter, he went to the herb garden to summon a medicinal cultivation elder.

Feng Jixue was proficient in conventional pulse diagnosis but not in the art of preserving a pregnancy. After a cursory examination, he could vaguely sense that Yan Yan's current condition wasn't optimal.

Perhaps it was due to the abnormality of the fetus within her womb that led to her present state.

As these thoughts swirled in his mind, he couldn't help but resent Jing Wuyan once more. He despised that scoundrel who had occupied Yan Yan's body yet treated her so poorly. How could such a person deserve to be the father of the child in her womb?

His beloved junior sister, whom he had guarded for so many years and cherished as a priceless treasure, had been subjected to such disrespect and mistreatment. There was no way he would ever hand Yan Yan back to him.

This child... had truly come at an inconvenient time.

Elder Medicine Cultivator was the most peculiar old man in the sect, with an interest in nothing but spiritual plants and herbs. Since Feng Jixue had invited him, there was little chance he would divulge the matter.

After all, with his cultivation, he could sense that something was amiss with the fetus. If it truly carried foreign blood, it was possible that others within the sect might harbor covetous intentions.

Once Elder Medicine Cultivator left, Feng Jixue gazed at his unconscious junior sister on the bed throughout the night. Contemplating the elder's words, for the first time, he felt an urge to kill someone – he should have done so long ago.

Feng Jixue clenched his fists tightly. If he killed him, that person would have no opportunity to approach or harass Yan Yan, nor would he have caused the current situation, putting Yan Yan in such peril.

As long as he eliminated Jin Wuyan, from that day forward, he would protect his junior sister and this child. They would be a blissful family of three...

Yanyan is his, and so is the child.

The dawn was breaking outside, casting a veil of white mist around the floating mountain. Cranes danced in the sky at the horizon, their wings outstretched, as a pale azure glow began to tinge the heavens, as if it had been rinsed clean.

When Nanyan regained consciousness, she found herself seemingly in Elder Brother Shi's chambers. As she opened her eyes, the first thing she saw was the calming herb sachet hanging from the gauze canopy.

Bunches of luminous white tassels entwined with pearls danced in the morning breeze, a decoration she had personally added to liven up Senior Brother's once-too-staid quarters.

As she turned her gaze around, a tall and slender figure stood by the opposite window, his back to her as he gazed outside at something unknown. Dressed in a snowy white robe that contrasted with his flowing black hair, he seemed like an ethereal being stepping out of a painting, devoid of any earthly aura.

Nan Yan rubbed her aching temples, instinctively calling out to the man standing by the window, "Eldest Senior Brother..."

Her voice was raspy, slightly hoarse.

Wind Silence Snow, hearing the sound from behind, finally regained his composure. He turned to look at his youngest junior sister who had just woken up on the couch. Seeing that her face was still somewhat pale, he immediately walked over and helped her sit up.

"Wake up, are you thirsty?"

Turning around, Wind Silence Snow poured another cup of spirit tea with gentle movements, then offered it to her. Nan Yan reached out to take it; the tea was still warm. After drinking it, she indeed felt a soothing warmth in her stomach. She licked her moistened lips, then turned to give her senior brother an uneasy expression.

It had been a long time since they had been this close, not since the canceled bonding ceremony. They hadn't conversed in such tranquility since then, and especially not after she impulsively hurt her senior brother.

Now, having fainted, it was only Big Senior Brother who was willing to tend to her without tiring. This made Nanyan clench her fists, a hint of dejection creeping onto her face.

Feng Jixue was still preoccupied with what Elder Medicine had told him last night, failing to notice Nanyan's downturned mood. He pondered over his young junior sister, so immature in her daily antics, still very much a child herself. How could she possibly care for the little life growing within her?

Nanyan, of course, sensed something amiss in his demeanor, but pretended not to notice. She remained silent with her head down, lost in her thoughts.

However, her melancholy didn't last long as she heard Big Senior Brother speak beside her, asking her,

"Feeling better? Are there any other aches or pains? If your stomach hurts, let me know. I'll fetch Elder Medicine to examine you."

His anxious and cautious demeanor made it seem as if she were suffering from a severe illness. Nan Yan blinked her eyes and couldn't help but smile. She lifted her gaze to look at him and then shook her head. "I'm not uncomfortable, just a bit tired."

After saying that, she pretended to be puzzled and asked, "Oh, right, Senior Brother, I was in perfect health. Why did I faint? Was there something wrong?"

Feng Jixue's grip on the cup tightened gradually, his fingers turning slightly pale from the pressure. He almost crushed the jade cup in his hand. When Feng Jixue finally managed to calm his emotions, he turned to look at Nan Yan. Seeing her confused and innocent expression, he let out a soft breath. Then, lowering his eyes, he said, "Yanyan... you've been pregnant for over a month."

South Yan was instantly stunned.

Her eyes widened, causing the outline of her lovely, rounded eyes to slightly broaden as well.

She blinked and glanced up at her senior brother standing before her, making sure he wasn't joking. Then, she immediately pulled back the covers and looked down at her flat stomach.

Subconsciously, she reached out to touch it, confirming that there was no difference from usual. Only then did she look up at her senior brother with a mixture of confusion and bewilderment.

"Senior Brother, you said... I'm pregnant?"

Pregnancy, of course, was a ruse; it wasn't easy for cultivators to conceive, especially for high-level male cultivators like Jing Wuyan.

She had invested heavily this time, procuring a counterfeit pregnancy pill from the system's space specifically to deceive that despicable man. The pill could simulate a pregnancy so convincing that even an Immortal Soul Star Lord couldn't distinguish its authenticity. Moreover, it could create a false lineage based on some innate characteristic of their bloodline.

It was during their dual cultivation session that night that Feng Jixue discovered that the man was not entirely human; he possessed half-foreign blood, possibly a dragon hybrid, as the system suggested, due to the overwhelming strength of that lineage. Thus, the customized fake pregnancy pill was tailored to his unique heritage.

Seeing her little junior sister in a daze ever since learning this news, Feng Jixue's heart ached even more. She was only in her twenties, still a child herself, yet she was now carrying another man's child.

His gaze involuntarily fell on his junior sister's abdomen, where it should have been his, his offspring. But now... thinking about the fetus growing inside her.

The elder brother furrowed his brows once more, taking a deep breath before slowly setting the teacup aside on a nearby table. His wide sleeves swept past the bed like cascading snowflakes.

He turned his head, gazing at his younger sister-in-law as she leaned against the edge of the bed, tenderly caressing her belly. Her eyes were filled with joy and curiosity as she moved with utmost care.

Suddenly, he found it difficult to continue with what he was about to say.

"Yanyan..."

Feng Jixue softly called out her name, suppressing his voice.

Nanyan turned her head in response, a delighted smile involuntarily gracing her face. Then, she instinctively clasped her senior brother's hand and placed it against her belly. "Senior Brother, can you feel it?

"I feel like there's something moving inside. No wonder I've been feeling so sleepy and exhausted lately, becoming more lazy by the day. I don't want to go out anymore, and even when I eat, I'm never satisfied. So, it turns out I have a little one growing inside me. Do you think it's a boy or a girl? It doesn't matter, I'll love them either way..."

She chattered on incessantly, holding onto her senior brother's hand tightly as if to share her joy with him.

Her laughter crinkled her eyes into a delightful curve, her happiness so genuine and infectious that it was impossible to resist.

The eldest senior brother couldn't help but chuckle at the sight of their entwined hands. His palm rested gently on her slender, soft waist, softly caressing it. "This little one is still so tiny, its limbs not even formed yet. How could it possibly move?"

"Of course, I just have that feeling," Nan Yan shot him a reproachful glance, as if blaming him for his poor choice of words. Her little cub was so clever; naturally, he could do anything.

The eldest disciple shook his head, amused but not wishing to engage in a petty dispute with a young lady. However, seeing her joy and considering what he had to say next, Feng Jixue's heart sank slightly.

He reached out and gently held onto his junior sister's warm fingers, his smile fading, and his tone gradually calming, reverting to his usual mature and composed demeanor. His voice lowered as he spoke,

"Yanyan, calm down for a moment, okay? There's something else I haven't told you. The child in your womb is... unusual."

Upon hearing this, the delight on Nan Yan's face froze instantly.

Her gaze met his, perhaps startled, her complexion paled slightly, and her fingers instinctively clasped tightly onto her senior brother's palm.

"What's wrong? What's happening to it?"

"Is it sick, or is there something wrong with it inside me? How can I make it better?"

Gently, her senior brother wrapped an arm around her shoulders, soothing her with the broad span of his hand along her back. "No, it's not what you think. The fetus is unusual because it doesn't possess solely human bloodline; half of its heritage is from the dragon race, inherited from the child's father."

Feng Jixue's brows remained tightly knitted, especially when he saw her so worried and concerned. An indescribable feeling stirred within him, and after a moment, he managed to suppress the twinge of jealousy and complexity deep into his heart.

Speaking softly, "You know that your recent irritability and impulsiveness, your inability to control your temper, and your heightened sensitivity, are all due to this little one growing inside you."

"Yan Yan, do you know? If the fetus's bloodline is too strong and your cultivation is too low, it won't be able to draw enough spiritual energy from external sources for its growth. It will then resort to absorbing your life force as a substitute."

"That's why you fainted yesterday, all of a sudden. Yan Yan, with your current cultivation, you won't be able to sustain it. Not only that, but you'll also be in danger."

Upon hearing this explanation, Nan Yan pressed her lips together, her face turning even paler. A thin veil of tears shimmered in her eyes as she looked at the person beside her with concern.

She held onto her senior brother's hand tightly, refusing to let go. "Then what should I do? How can I nurture it? Is it too late for me to start cultivating diligently now? I promise I won't be playful anymore. I'll work hard on my cultivation, Senior Brother, please help me, okay?"

He lowered his gaze to meet her moist, hopeful eyes and shook his head, softly explaining, "No, Yan Yan, your spirit root value isn't high, and your cultivation speed is too slow. It won't keep up with the fetus's growth rate; it'll be too late."

South Yan's expression immediately fell, and she sat helplessly on the bed, gazing sorrowfully at her belly as tears silently rolled down her cheeks.

Seeing her distress, Feng Ji Xue's brows knitted together again. After a moment of silence, he continued, "Yan Yan, Elder Medicine Adept proposed two solutions. One is to remove the fetus while it's still small and not yet firmly established in the womb, using medicinal power. This would ensure your safety, but the fetus would... "

His words were cut short as he noticed the sudden surge of emotion in front of him.

She gripped her senior brother's hand tightly, her nails digging into his skin, her eyes reddened as she looked at him.

"No, no, I don't want to remove it! Nobody is allowed to harm it. It's my child, and I won't let anyone take it away. Please don't hurt it, Senior Brother," she pleaded, her voice filled with desperation.

Recalling something, she seized his palm anxiously and looked up at him. "There must be another way, right? What's the second option, Senior Brother? Please tell me quickly."

Feng Jixue paused for a moment before gently entwining his fingers with Nanyan's. "Another possibility is to have someone seal the fetus within you, restricting its growth. This way, the impact on you would be minimal. However, if the sealing lasts too long, the fetus will lose its vitality. So..."

As he finished speaking, Nanyan's face turned deathly pale, almost translucent. Both methods seemed like dead ends, and this realization finally unleashed her tears. Helplessly leaning against her Senior Brother's chest, she wept bitterly.

"I don't want that, Senior Brother. I don't want to seal it."

"It's still so tiny, just entering my body. I can sense it, and I want it to live. This is my child, mine alone. No one can harm it."

"I beg of you, Senior Brother, please don't treat me like this, don't hurt it, will you?"

Feng Jixue felt a stifling ache in her chest, a bitter and sour pain that seemed entangled with countless threads, tugging at her heart relentlessly, making it impossible to ignore.

If the fetus were not removed, it would gradually drain the mother's life force until Yanyan eventually withered from depleted spiritual energy.

Yet, seeing her cry so bitterly, curled up in a ball, looking pitiful and wronged, he couldn't help but feel a pang of compassion.

None of this would have unfolded if not for his own doing. It was his foolishness that drove his junior sister away, and now it's time for him to atone.

Gazing at his weeping junior sister in his arms, he cradled her back and pressed her head against his chest. "Please don't cry anymore, alright?"

"I'll find a way to help you. The world of cultivation is replete with rare treasures; I'm certain I can locate an artifact to prolong your life. Our child will be safe too."

Feeling Feng Jixue's breaths stabilize, he gradually modulated his voice to sound soothing and composed.

"R-Really?"

South Yan lifted her gaze abruptly, her eyes filled with disbelief. Her eyelashes trembled, still adorned with a few shimmering, translucent tears.

A wave of bitterness surged in Feng Jixue's heart, yet it was intertwined with a gentle warmth. He extended his finger to wipe away those tears, softly caressing her cheek. "I promise, it's true."

"Senior Brother never lies to you."

The only exception was the day they forged their bond, but the consequences of that deception were beyond what he could bear.

He truly regretted not being clear with her back then. Now, he found himself entangled in a quagmire, unable to free himself or escape. All he could do was watch her, desperately clinging on.