The mountain path on the return journey seemed even more secluded than before.
The night wind blew through the bamboo forest, carrying a rustling sound.
Ning Xian walked half a step ahead, her arm clutching the bulging cloth bag with unusual force.
Silence persisted for a stretch of the road before she spoke softly:
"About today... I'm sorry."
She paused, seemingly choosing her words carefully, "I was the one who dragged you into this. Fei Wu is a narrow-minded and vengeful man. In the future, I'm afraid..."
She didn't finish, but her meaning was clear.
Tonight seemed like Fang Xuan showing off his power, but in reality, it was because of her that he had completely offended Fei Wu and the Fei family behind him.
Because at the very beginning, it was certainly due to the matter with Shen Qingqing.
"What are you saying, Senior Sister? There's no such thing as dragging me into anything. They were the ones who didn't know their place and came looking for a fight. Besides..."
Fang Xuan quickened his pace to walk side-by-side with Ning Xian.
"Senior Sister’s business is my business."
Ning Xian's footsteps faltered slightly.
The youth's clear features were exceptionally distinct under the moonlight, his eyes clean and devoid of any hypocritical calculation, containing only pure protection.
The small amount of guilt Ning Xian felt for using him grew a bit heavier at this moment.
She had originally thought he might have other motives or be deep and unpredictable, but looking at his honest gaze now, she felt her own suspicions were petty.
Ning Xian didn't say anything more, only hugging the heavy bag in her arms a little tighter.
These... were effectively "earned" by him for her.
....
By the time they returned to the secluded valley courtyard, the night was deep.
Fang Xuan pushed open the bamboo gate and took a deep breath of the familiar, crisp air, a smile unconsciously forming on his face.
He was beginning to like this place more and more.
It was quiet, peaceful, free from so much intrigue and killing, and... cough, his senior sister was quite a sight to behold.
His gaze swept over the small herb garden in the corner of the yard.
The new little medicinal seedlings had all sprouted.
"Growing well," Fang Xuan muttered, feeling a strange sense of accomplishment.
Living simply like this, planting herbs, practicing the sword, sharing meals, and occasionally teasing... his senior sister, seemed quite nice.
Living a stable, comfortable life for the rest of his days...
What should we name the kid?
This thought suddenly popped into Fang Xuan's head.
His footsteps stopped abruptly, and he nearly tripped over the threshold.
...?
Wait, what was he thinking?
He shook his head vigorously, trying to throw the thought out of his mind.
Ning Xuan? That sounds pretty good.
【Detected Subject Fang Xuan's desire for bloodline continuation with Master Ning Xian, involving deep mental submission and belonging. Action judgment: Prototype of Ultimate Loyalty Fantasy. Training value +1! Reward advance: spirit bun x2! Please strive to turn fantasy into reality!】
Fang Xuan: "..."
He felt his face heating up. Fortunately, the night was dark enough and Ning Xian was ahead, so she couldn't see. She couldn't see.
No, the point was that the system had made another wild judgment.
And it even added 1 point and rewarded him with two spirit buns.
What kind of dangerous thoughts was this system encouraging?
....
Fang Xuan forced himself to pull his attention back to reality.
He still had a whole spirit bun from the system rewards that he hadn't eaten, which he could use to stabilize the Void Core Realm he had just broken through to.
He had originally thought that since he had revealed his Void Core strength tonight, Ning Xian would at least ask a few questions.
After all, given his apparent age and the time since he joined the sect, this speed was too startling.
He had been hiding it before, fearing it would make Ning Xian overly cautious.
Anyone would suspect hidden motives from someone with such terrifying talent and a mysterious background who deliberately approached them.
He had even prepared a story, like a family secret technique that stimulated potential but had side effects.
But Ning Xian... from the time they left the restaurant until now, she hadn't mentioned a single word.
Did she not notice? Impossible.
Her perception of aura wouldn't be weaker than his.
Did she not care? Maybe.
Or perhaps... she had already made some guesses but chose not to ask for the time being, such as due to the debt of saving her life, and was waiting to see how things developed.
Fang Xuan couldn't figure it out.
But since Ning Xian didn't ask, he was naturally happy to relax.
"It’s not raining today..." Fang Xuan looked at the clear night sky, his mind starting to wander again.
The roof didn't seem to be fixed yet? Although he had checked it yesterday and that tiny bit of damage didn't matter at all, but...
He had to find a way to play dumb and continue staying over.
"Senior Sister,"
Fang Xuan quickened his pace, catching up to Ning Xian who had already reached the door of her room.
"That... the roof, I haven't had time to fix it today. The weather looks good tonight, but in case it rains heavily in the middle of the night like before..."
"Mhm." Ning Xian gave a soft response, lowered her eyes, and pushed the door open, "Stay here with me tonight."
He followed Ning Xian into the room.
The furnishings were still simple, but the air was filled with the faint, cold fragrance unique to Ning Xian, making him feel much more comfortable than returning to his own cold bamboo hut.
"Senior Sister, I'll sleep on the floor today."
Fang Xuan spoke up proactively, pointing to a corner of the room, "I think that spot is fine."
Ning Xian glanced at him and shook her head: "No need."
Then she said nothing more, turning to the partitioned room at the back to wash up.
Fang Xuan took the opportunity to quickly return to his own room for a moment.
It was the perfect time to take out the spirit bun rewarded by the system and eat it.
Sitting on the bare bedframe of his room—his quilt was still drying outside—Fang Xuan took out the spirit bun and finished it in a few bites.
Pure and gentle spiritual energy flooded his limbs and bones once again, flowing into his dantian and making that illusory core seed become more stable, while the spiritual pressure it emitted grew a bit more profound.
He let out a long breath of turbid air, feeling in top condition.
Composing himself, he returned to Ning Xian's room. She had already finished washing up and had changed into a set of plain white nightclothes.
Her long hair was let down, and she sat by the bed, gently drying the ends with a cloth.
Under the dim candlelight, her lowered eyes appeared exceptionally gentle, lacking her daytime coldness and gaining a touch of domestic softness.
Fang Xuan looked away and went to wash up briefly himself.
By the time he returned, Ning Xian was already lying down, facing inward and wrapped in her quilt, showing only the top of her black hair and a section of her fair neck.
The room was dark, with only a bit of moonlight filtering through the window.
Fang Xuan kept his eyes open, staring at the ceiling beams in the darkness.
System! Does this not count as training? Where's the progress bar?
【Detected Subject Fang Xuan and Master Ning Xian in the same sleeping space, linear distance less than ten feet. Action judgment: Primary Co-sleeping, Training value +0.3. Please cherish the opportunity, keep quiet, do not disturb the Master’s sleep, and strive to obtain the Master’s intimate training as soon as possible...】
Fang Xuan was stunned.
...Intimate training?
What is that? Huh?
Is it like being a submissive?
But I'm a guy...
Cough... well...
If it’s Senior Sister... then being... underneath... would be fine too...
Rate on N.U.
