Under the twilight, Cai Xiaonuo maneuvered a flight formation through the layers of clouds.
“Senior, what do you think is wrong with Sister Qing lately? She’s been coming to see me more frequently and has become much closer to me!”
Li Ze suddenly remembered that a few days ago, Qing Ruanning had shown her inner wear to Cai Xiaonuo and asked if it looked good.
Cai Xiaonuo had even praised it, saying it was beautiful.
Holy crap, Qing Ruanning couldn’t actually be “falling” for Cai Xiaonuo, could she?
Li Ze stammered, “Uh… she probably likes you!”
“That makes sense. Sister Qing is a very nice person, and I like her a lot!”
From that one sentence, Li Ze knew that Cai Xiaonuo didn’t understand the type of love Qing Ruanning had for her.
Li Ze was terrified of what bold moves Qing Ruanning might make next time.
Passing through a layer of clouds, a small Peach Blossom Villa appeared before their eyes.
Cai Xiaonuo narrowed her eyes.
“Is there someone under the peach tree ahead?”
?
Who would it be at this hour?
Standing under the peach tree was a woman dressed in a short pink skirt.
The hem reached only to mid-thigh, revealing long, fair legs.
She had black hair draped over her shoulders with blue ribbons tied at her temples—it was indeed Qing Ruanning.
She held a small bundle in her hand, an expectant smile on her face.
“Xiaonuo!”
Qing Ruanning waved cheerfully.
“I’ve been waiting for you for a long time!”
Cai Xiaonuo lowered the flight formation and asked in confusion: “Sister Qing, why are you dressed like this today?”
Qing Ruanning spun around, her skirt fluttering.
“Does it look good? I’ve been researching outfits lately, especially inner wear. I wanted to share it with you, and also… can I stay at your place for the night? My room is being renovated.”
“Of course you can!”
Li Ze was completely bewildered.
Huh?
What was going on?
“You actually believe her?”
Cai Xiaonuo happily took Qing Ruanning’s hand and led her into the house.
“Oh, Senior, Sister Qing is such a good person, and she has nowhere to stay while her room is being fixed. Staying here for one night is no big deal.”
Since the body belonged to Cai Xiaonuo, Li Ze didn’t feel right saying anything more, so he sat in meditation within the sea of consciousness to rest.
Suddenly, Qing Ruanning leaned in close, pressing her hands gently against Cai Xiaonuo’s shoulders and pushing her down onto the soft bed.
Cai Xiaonuo’s eyes widened in surprise, her body stiffening slightly.
“Don’t be nervous.”
Qing Ruanning’s voice was soft, her face close to Cai Xiaonuo’s ear.
“I just want you to see how beautiful this inner wear is.”
Qing Ruanning sat up and carefully took a pale pink silk garment from the bundle.
The fabric was as light and thin as mist.
With her back to Cai Xiaonuo, she slowly untied her clothes, revealing smooth shoulders and a slender waist.
Under the candlelight, her skin glowed with a soft luster.
Then, she put on the pale pink inner wear.
“Xiaonuo, help me see if the ties in the back are done correctly?”
Qing Ruanning turned her head, her eyes shimmering with expectation.
Cai Xiaonuo sat up and clumsily helped Qing Ruanning adjust the ties.
Her fingers accidentally brushed against the other woman’s skin, causing them both to tremble slightly.
Qing Ruanning turned around.
The inner wear outlined her perfect curves, and the lace patterns on her chest were faintly visible.
“How is it? Does it look good?”
Qing Ruanning spun in front of Cai Xiaonuo, her skirt dancing.
“It’s so beautiful!”
Cai Xiaonuo said with a blush.
“Sister Qing looks good in everything.”
Qing Ruanning chuckled and gave her a light kiss on the lips.
“What a sweet mouth!”
She then pulled Cai Xiaonuo back onto the bed with her.
“Xiaonuo, do you remember that time in the stone cave? If it wasn’t for you, I might have…”
Qing Ruanning pulled Cai Xiaonuo into her arms, resting her chin gently on top of the girl’s head.
“When you saved me that day, I felt particularly safe.”
“Just like how I’m holding you now, my heart feels so warm!”
Surrounded by Qing Ruanning’s warm embrace and smelling the faint scent of flowers on her, Cai Xiaonuo gradually relaxed.
Qing Ruanning gently patted her back, as if soothing a child.
“Xiaonuo, do you know?”
Qing Ruanning’s voice was tender.
“From the first time I saw you practicing your sword in the back mountain, I liked you. It’s not the kind of like between sisters; it’s the kind of like where I want to protect you and accompany you forever.”
Cai Xiaonuo looked up, her eyes full of confusion.
“Sister Qing, I… I don’t quite understand.”
Qing Ruanning smiled and didn’t explain, only pulling her tighter.
“It’s okay, you don’t have to understand. Just let me hold you like this.”
As the night grew deep, Qing Ruanning’s breathing became steady as she fell into a deep sleep, but her arms remained tightly wrapped around Cai Xiaonuo.
At the first light of dawn, Qing Ruanning quietly got up.
Looking at the sleeping Cai Xiaonuo, she gently pressed a kiss onto her forehead.
“How wonderful it would be if you were a man! Then I could stay by your side forever.”
Then, she dressed and left without a sound.
When Cai Xiaonuo opened her eyes, she found that Qing Ruanning was no longer by her side, leaving behind only a strand of dark hair and a faint floral scent on the pillow.
Just as Cai Xiaonuo was about to get out of bed, she heard a knock at the door.
“Xiaonuo, it’s me!”
A crisp female voice came from outside.
“Sister Yuling!”
Cai Xiaonuo opened the door in surprise.
“I haven’t seen you since I joined the sect. Where have you been all this time?”
Zhao Yuling smiled.
“Did you miss your Senior Sister? I was away on a sect mission.”
“I came to see you as soon as I returned. How have you been in the sect? Has anyone bullied you?”
The two sat down inside.
Zhao Yuling looked Cai Xiaonuo over carefully.
“Your complexion looks good, and your cultivation has improved quite a bit. It seems you’ve been working very hard these past two months.”
“Mm-hm!”
Cai Xiaonuo nodded happily.
“Xiaonuo, I came to give you a heads-up. This year, the Mountain Wilderness Secret Realm, located at the border of the Azure Sword Sect and our Yin-Yang Sect, is opening early.”
“Mountain Wilderness Secret Realm?”
Cai Xiaonuo asked in confusion.
Zhao Yuling explained, “That is an ancient ruin that opens once every ten years. Only Spirit Realm disciples from the Yin-Yang Sect and the Azure Sword Sect are allowed to enter. There are many precious techniques and treasures inside.”
More importantly, Zhao Yuling’s expression turned serious.
“The Sect Grand Competition will be changed because of this. It will now be a mission to enter the secret realm to search for techniques and treasures.”
Cai Xiaonuo asked, “Sister Yuling, when does the secret realm open?”
“In seven days.”
Zhao Yuling replied, “The sect will select disciples at the fifth stage of the Spirit Realm or higher to enter. With your current cultivation, you can already be selected. However…”
She paused.
“The secret realm is full of dangers. Not only are there ferocious demonic beasts, but also disciples from the Azure Sword Sect. They have never been on good terms with our Yin-Yang Sect.”
“And then?”
Cai Xiaonuo pressed.
Zhao Yuling hesitated for a moment.
“This time, the genius of the Azure Sword Sect, Li Quan, will also participate. This person is currently at the Great Circle of the Spirit Realm.”
“You need to be especially careful of him.”
“Alright, I have high hopes for you. I only hope you return safely from the secret realm!”
“I need to go back and submit my mission now.”
After saying that, Zhao Yuling turned and left.
Li Ze felt a headache coming on.
Damn it, the secret realm combined with someone at the Great Circle of the Spirit Realm—isn’t this just giving the protagonist a double buff?
If things go south, and the protagonist accidentally picks up some divine artifact in the secret realm, how am I supposed to play this?
Following this pattern, all the benefits are leaning toward the protagonist’s side.
“Senior, the Son of Heaven’s Fate is participating too!”
Li Ze pondered for a moment.
“Hmph, then let him stay in that secret realm forever!”
“The Son of Heaven’s Fate is protected by the Heavenly Dao. How can we possibly kill him?”
Cai Xiaonuo had seen with her own eyes how Li Quan’s body could be pierced through, yet he could revive in another person’s body.
To her, the Son of Heaven’s Fate seemed immortal.
“Protected by the Heavenly Dao? Then we shall simply use the rules to kill the Son of Heaven’s Fate.”