Chapter 80: Night

Chen Yuyang genuinely felt at times that he simply couldn’t understand what went on in these women’s minds.

Sometimes, he couldn’t even grasp their logic.

Just like right now.

Even he hadn’t expected his words to be interpreted this way.

“I… that’s not what I meant, Junior Sister… Of course I have feelings for you.”

Seeing the girl’s teary eyes, Chen Yuyang sighed and could only offer comfort.

“Really? Then… what kind of feelings?”

Ling Xi lifted her eyes, full of hope.

“Of course it’s… the feelings of siblings. I treat you like my own little sister.”

These words hurt Ling Xi no less than before.

Treating her like a sister… So, in Senior Brother’s eyes, she had no charm at all?

Ling Xi was not content with such an answer.

Biting her lip, she pressed on, “Senior Brother, do you have a little sister?”

“Uh… no.”

“Then how do you know these are feelings for a sister, and not… something else. Like… like…”

“Like what?”

Chen Yuyang was left a bit dumbfounded.

“Of course it’s…” Waving her hand in shy frustration, her cheeks reddening, Ling Xi still couldn’t bring herself to say the words.

Ling Xi’s voice trembled a bit as she bit her lip repeatedly before finally asking again, “Anyway… Senior Brother, do you think I’m beautiful?”

Chen Yuyang carefully sized up the young girl.

Ling Xi was sixteen or seventeen, her petite face delicate and lovely, carrying the unique innocence of youth.

Her clothing was already thin, and now, pressed close, her graceful curves were almost entirely visible.

There was no doubt—her figure was beginning to take shape.

Such a girl was definitely a budding beauty.

After a moment’s silence, Chen Yuyang answered honestly, “You are very beautiful. Give yourself a few more years, once you fully grow, you’ll definitely become a peerless beauty.”

Upon hearing such high praise, Ling Xi’s eyes lit up with excitement, and her voice was full of hope, “Then… Senior Brother, when you look at me, don’t you feel even a little… just a little… something?”

“What kind of something?”

“Oh, you know! That… that kind…”

Ling Xi grew anxious, pounding the bedding and gesturing for a long while, but still couldn’t get the words out.

In the end, she mumbled, “Just… just the kind of thoughts a man has for a woman!”

There was no need to explain—Chen Yuyang understood what she meant, and his expression turned serious.

“Ling Xi, I have always treated you like my own sister. Do you think I would have improper thoughts about my own little sister?”

Ling Xi bit her lip.

Stupid Senior Brother, I’ve already said so much, and he… he still…

“Hmph! Since Senior Brother doesn’t have any thoughts about me, why do you even talk about the differences between men and women?”

“If you really have no feelings for me, then letting your good little sister sleep in your bed shouldn’t be a problem, right!”

With that, Ling Xi dove headfirst onto the bed, displeased as she squeezed Chen Yuyang to the inside.

Now, he finally understood what it meant to be stuck between a rock and a hard place.

If he admitted to having feelings for her, Ling Xi would surely seize upon it and take things further.

But if he said he had no feelings, she wouldn’t let him off either—just like now, forcing her way onto his bed.

And if he wanted to stick to his own words, he couldn’t really refute her reasoning at all.

Seeing the young man speechless, the girl curled her lips with a smug hum.

Hmph, just try to compete with me.

Maybe in a fight I can’t match you.

But in these matters, Senior Brother, you’re far from my equal.

Helpless, Chen Yuyang could only shrink to the edge of the bed, putting some distance between himself and Ling Xi.

“Alright… you can lie there.”

“But don’t disturb my rest, understood? In two days, it’s the Pill Gathering.”

“I know, I know, geez~ Senior Brother, are you afraid I’ll do something to you?”

Chen Yuyang didn’t answer, afraid that the more he said, the worse things would get.

He closed his eyes, acting as if he were about to sleep.

Seeing this, Ling Xi fell silent as well, closing her eyes.

But…

Even with her eyes shut, Ling Xi could feel the anticipation in her heart.

Yet, she couldn’t say what she was expecting.

She only felt her body grow hot, itchy, and empty… She didn’t know how long she’d lain on her side, facing Chen Yuyang.

Quietly, the girl opened her eyes.

For the first time, she studied the boy’s calm, peaceful face from such a close distance.

So handsome…

She used to think Senior Brother couldn’t see her charms.

But before this, had she truly noticed his?

His handsome features had become so familiar that she almost thought all men in the world must look like this…

Her heart pounded faster and faster.

Her lips and mouth felt dry.

The heat in her body only grew stronger as she gazed at him.

Memories surfaced in her mind, one after another.

Between her and Senior Brother, there had never been any grand or turbulent waves.

But ever since she entered the sect, he had always been by her side.

Whenever she had a problem, aside from Senior Sister Qiushui, it was he who took the most care of her.

And in terms of thoughtfulness and the extent of his help, even Senior Sister Qiushui couldn’t compare…

Suddenly, Ling Xi felt a bit afraid.

Afraid for this night to end.

Afraid there would never be another chance like this.

Afraid Senior Brother would be taken away by Little Junior Sister… or by some other woman…

Especially because Ling Xi knew.

That day would come, sooner or later.

Senior Brother was the softhearted sort.

If someone acted sweet and won his favor, as long as it didn’t go against his principles, even some excessive requests he would agree to…

So maybe she could, too…

Biting her lip, a bold idea began to take root in her mind.

But…

Now wasn’t the time…

Senior Brother probably really just saw her as a little sister right now…

She needed to find a way to change his perception of her—to make him stop seeing her as a little sister.

But as a woman!

A real woman!

The night grew ever deeper.

Though she was reluctant, time could not be stopped.

The girl who wished to savor this moment, unwilling to fall asleep, finally, without realizing it, let her eyelids fall, her head resting against the boy’s chest.

Chen Yuyang did not push away the sleeping girl who unconsciously leaned closer.

He simply felt the lingering warmth from her body… For a long time, Chen Yuyang let out a quiet sigh.

What should he do?

When it came to his Junior Sister…

He didn’t know, he couldn’t understand.

Matters of men and women were the thing he was least familiar with, after hundreds of lifetimes of tempering.

Bailian Mountain Range, Main Peak.

Here was also where the Dan Sect’s Grand Hall was located.

The night was deep, yet inside the hall, the lights blazed brightly.

At this moment, dozens of people were gathered in the hall.

Though not many, these were the core elders of the Dan Sect’s Twelve Gates.

At present, each face bore a heavy, puzzled expression.

None knew why they had been summoned so late at night.

At the very front of the hall, seated on the high seat, was an old man, hair and beard completely white, his face sunken.

“Sect Master, why have you summoned us all here at this hour?”

The Qishimen Elder, Qi Tian, was first to break the silence.

“Yes, Sect Master. Such a grand gathering—does the sect have something major planned?”

Ling Po Zhu, the Lingzimen elder and the only female elder present, dressed in purple with a beautiful face, also spoke up, her brows furrowed in concern.

All eyes focused on the high seat, where Dan Sect Sect Master Zhu Tian sat.

Zhu Tian slowly opened his slightly clouded eyes, sweeping his gaze over those below before he began to speak, his voice raspy: “There are two main reasons for this gathering tonight.”

He paused, glancing at everyone before continuing, “First, the chief of the Hehuan Sect, Ling Xuan, came today to report that in Luo Wu Province, an entire village of over three hundred souls was massacred, suspected to be a ritual sacrifice by demonic cultivators.”

“And with this,” Zhu Tian’s voice grew more severe, “in the past month, there have already been thirty villages that have suffered such tragedies!”

“Those demonic cultivators have been acting more and more brazen lately, their methods cruel, slaughtering innocents.”

Zhu Tian spoke sternly, “They might even be planning something during the Pill Gathering.”

At these words, the elders began discussing among themselves.

“If that’s the case, should we postpone the Pill Gathering?” an elder asked tentatively.

“Hmph, absolutely not!”

Ling Po Zhu immediately retorted, “Right now, all cultivators in the region have their eyes on our Dan Sect. If we postpone the Pill Gathering because of demonic cultivators, wouldn’t that make people think we’re afraid?”

Her words won many supporters.

“But, if we proceed without knowing the demonic sect’s intentions, and something goes wrong, wouldn’t that be even more disgraceful?”

Qi Tian frowned, stepping forward as he spoke, “And at that point, loss of face is minor—if countless alchemists were to die here, it would be a disaster for the entire Northern Region’s cultivation world.”

“Therefore, I believe we should first uncover the demonic sect’s plans. If it means delaying the Pill Gathering by a month or two, so be it.”

These words were also met with support.

For a time, the elders below split into two camps, each arguing their own view.

Some felt it should proceed as planned.

Others insisted the enemy’s goal must be clarified to prevent unforeseen chaos.

As he listened to the arguments below, Zhu Tian did not immediately respond.

It wasn’t until the debate reached a standstill that all eyes returned to him.

Zhu Tian finally spoke slowly: “The sect assembly in three days is not only about the Dan Sect’s legacy for the next hundred years, but also determines the outcome of the great war in three years for our Northern Region’s cultivation world. One or two months is enough to refine several batches of combat support pills. Therefore, the Pill Gathering must not be postponed.”

“But all of you must remain on high alert. We cannot allow any mistakes! Double the number of guards as planned!”

“Also, I will discuss this with the other major sects. I believe, when the bigger picture is at stake, they will be willing to help defend.”

With the Sect Master’s words, all discussion immediately ceased.