Everything happened too fast, too suddenly, and was resolved too quickly.
That Yun Lian didn’t really have a strong sense of the whole process.
For her, the only truly real feeling was probably just the terrifying pressure the Qiankun Sect’s flying boat had unleashed when it arrived at their gate.
Oh, and besides that…
There was also the fact that he had returned.
Yun Lian was very anxious and very restless.
She didn’t know what she was anxious or restless about.
Maybe it was because her cultivation progress was slow, and she was eager to comprehend more sword intent!
Maybe it was because the three-year deadline was approaching, and her heart urgently craved to become stronger! …Or maybe it was just because…
Of him, plain and simple?
Yun Lian told herself firmly it was because of the first two reasons.
As for him, he was merely a tool to make her stronger!
That’s right, Senior Brother Yuyang was just a tool to make her stronger!
If that was truly the case.
Then why, when she found out from her sister, through the communication jade token, that Yuyang had caused such a sensation at the Alchemy Conference, did she feel so… stirred, so incredulous, and even… happy?
And why, at this very moment, had she come to his courtyard early in the morning with her sword, even bothering to style her hair in a way she usually found too troublesome, but which her sister said was cute?
Ling Xi didn’t know the answer.
And before she could think about it further, Chen Yuyang emerged in response to her knock.
The morning mist hadn’t yet dispersed in the courtyard; the air was moist and fresh.
Chen Yuyang walked out slowly, his expression calm.
Perhaps due to the events of last night, he showed no surprise at seeing Yun Lian’s arrival.
His gaze was steady as he looked at Yun Lian in the courtyard.
And Yun Lian looked back at the young man.
Feeling his tranquility, feeling that extraordinary composure and detachment that seemed to belong to someone beyond his years…
Her heart couldn’t help but stir slightly.
“Junior Sister, good morning.”
Chen Yuyang gave a slight nod in greeting.
“How has your cultivation been during the time I was away?”
Yun Lian immediately stepped forward, a confident smile appearing on her face.
Her voice was light as she said, “I came to show Senior Brother.”
Chen Yuyang nodded slightly and stepped aside, gesturing for her to proceed.
Yun Lian took a deep breath, flicked her wrist, and a long sword slid out of its scabbard.
The deep blue blade reflected a rather cold gleam in the morning light.
The girl’s gaze sharpened, then she cupped her fist towards Chen Yuyang.
“Senior Brother, watch closely. My sword dance!”
As her words fell, Yun Lian lightly tapped the ground with her toes, and her form began to flow into motion.
This sword dance was best at showcasing Yun Lian’s innate seductive charm, while also best improving her harmony with the sword itself.
The deep blue sword in the girl’s hand moved like a living thing, tracing magnificent arcs.
The sword’s momentum was smooth and unhurried, like drifting clouds and flowing water.
The girl’s waist twisted gracefully, her skirt fluttering with her movements.
And in those fully extended postures, her lithe and graceful figure was accentuated to the fullest.
Yet within this gracefulness and allure, a sharpness was hidden.
Suddenly, the sword wind shifted abruptly.
The originally rounded arcs became keen and sharp.
Beams of sword light flashed, initially like a babbling brook, now like a surging torrent.
Fifteen minutes later, Chen Yuyang looked at Yun Lian, who had stopped her sword and was standing in the courtyard, breathing lightly.
Her gaze had become noticeably sharper than before.
A glint of approval appeared in his eyes as he gently clapped.
“Beautifully danced.”
He paused, then spoke, “However, your sword’s momentum has plenty of sharpness but lacks seduction. The killing intent is too exposed, the edge too obvious to conceal.”
“Simply put, your ‘intent’ is too external, not sufficiently internalized.”
“Facing a strong enemy, they would be able to guess your next move based on this.”
“What you should do is use your innate seductive charm to hide this intent, be it killing intent, hostile intent, battle intent, or any other intent.”
Finishing his critique, Chen Yuyang paused, then added, “But achieving this level is already quite good.”
Yun Lian listened to the young man’s critique and secretly nodded in understanding.
But, on second thought, she couldn’t help but blush slightly.
She stole a suspicious glance at Chen Yuyang.
Surely those movements in the dance just now—the hip sways, the leg lifts—were already extremely bold, even somewhat… indecent.
Yet Senior Brother still felt it wasn’t seductive enough?
Or perhaps, having seen so many others flirt and act coquettishly around him, he simply didn’t find it special?
Muttering inwardly, Yun Lian maintained an attentive expression on her face.
She stepped forward and asked with concern, “Then, Senior Brother, how should I correct it?”
Chen Yuyang pointed to the open space in the middle of the courtyard.
“Stand there and hold the pose: sword raised and pointing upward, standing on your left foot, right leg lifted back, waist lowered.”
Yun Lian complied, assuming the posture.
Chen Yuyang approached and began guiding her with his hands.
His fingers gently pressed down on the girl’s shoulder, then he said,
“Here, Your shoulder is too tense. Relax it.”
Then, his hand moved to the girl’s waist side, applying slight pressure to curve her waist into a softer, more graceful arch.
“Your waist needs to sink lower, push your hips out a bit more. Yes, like that. You need to have a kind of… ethereal quality.”
As he adjusted the details of the girl’s posture, Chen Yuyang’s hands would occasionally touch her body.
Those gentle, unhesitating touches caused Yun Lian’s body to tremble slightly.
While she showed no resistance, she was inwardly overwhelmed with shyness.
Couldn’t Senior Brother just explain?
Did he have to use his hands?
Or was Senior Brother taking the opportunity to cop a feel?
But strangely enough, being touched and maneuvered by the young man like this, Yun Lian felt no resistance in her heart whatsoever.
Instead… instead, she felt somewhat enjoying being controlled by him, even beginning to secretly anticipate whether he would… take this chance to put her in even more compromising poses.
Chen Yuyang was completely unaware of the girl’s inner turmoil.
At that moment, he was focused and simply giving instruction.
Through her clothes, he couldn’t see the key points of her muscle tension or relaxation, but with a slight touch, he could understand everything clearly, and thus point out the relevant issues.
“See, even though your sword is pointing to the ground, the tip is too straight. It lacks that seductive quality of wanting to be taken yet holding back. Your wrist needs to be softer, let the sword tip droop slightly, with a hint of languid curve. Imagine you’re not wielding a sword, but a silk ribbon.”
“Your gaze, too. Don’t be so sharp. It should be misty, with that kind of ‘willing yet hesitant’ expression. That’s most effective for captivating a person’s heart…”
Just as Chen Yuyang continued his instruction, Yun Lian caught a glimpse from the corner of her eye: Ling Xi was standing at the door of Chen Yuyang’s room.
The girl’s eyes were fixed on them without blinking.
And upon seeing Chen Yuyang’s hand on her body, maneuvering her, the expression on Ling Xi’s face became one of frustration, even jealousy.
Sensing this, Yun Lian felt a surge of inexplicable pride in her heart.
But, on the other hand…
Senior Brother really is a huge lecher!
Last night, he must have been dual cultivating with Ling Xi!
Hmph, what’s so good about Ling Xi anyway?
Her appearance might be considered cute, but her figure is so flat.
Where does she have my curves?
Could it be that Senior Brother prefers underdeveloped little girls like that?
Yun Lian thought to herself, distracted.
Her movements, already not entirely standard, became even sloppier.
Chen Yuyang sensed the girl’s distraction.
His brow furrowed slightly, and then he noticed Ling Xi at the door.
However, he only glanced at Ling Xi before turning back to continue instructing Yun Lian.
Things had almost reached that point last night, but ultimately, nothing had happened.
After calming down later, Chen Yuyang was also surprised, surprised that he had been so bewitched by the little girl.
If his junior sister hadn’t passed out, he might have completely taken her then.
Would that have been right?
Chen Yuyang couldn’t say.
It was just that taking that step without having defined their relationship felt a bit too fast…
As for the matter of being with both his junior sister and his master at the same time, that wasn’t a psychological burden for Chen Yuyang.
He sought openness and clarity.
So as long as he was certain of his feelings, he wouldn’t be unfaithful or give up.
But precisely because of this, he was extremely cautious when it came to matters of emotion, even conservative, one might say.
“Junior Sister, good morning.”
Chen Yuyang paused and greeted Ling Xi.
Ling Xi didn’t speak, nor could she bring herself to meet Chen Yuyang’s eyes.
Last night’s events were still vivid in her mind, filling her with shame and anger.
She even felt she had no face to look at her senior brother.
Acting that way last night was simply too humiliating.
Even if she had fainted from being… it would have been understandable.
But no, she had… from just a kiss on the neck…
Seeing the girl avoid his eyes, her expression full of shame and reluctance to bring up the previous night, Chen Yuyang also chose not to mention it.
He thought for a moment, cleared his throat softly, then turned back and said seriously to Yun Lian, “Alright, let’s continue.”
Yun Lian’s thoughts were pulled back by Chen Yuyang’s reminder.
Feeling Chen Yuyang’s hands once again touching her body, the girl couldn’t help but mutter inwardly.
‘How nice, you lecherous Senior Brother!’
‘Senior Sister Ling Xi is right here, watching, and you’re still taking advantage of me right in front of her. You’re not even bothering to pretend anymore?’
But then…
‘Why is Senior Sister Ling Xi’s face so red? She can’t even look at Senior Brother. Could it be because things were too intense last night, making her too shy to even think about it?’
However…
Noticing that Ling Xi’s eyes held even more frustration after Senior Brother continued instructing her, Yun Lian began to feel… excited.
‘It must feel awful, having your man taken from you, Senior Sister~’
‘Hehe~’
‘This is only the beginning~’
‘One day, your favorite Senior Brother will completely fall for me, while you can only stand by helplessly watching it all happen~’
Just thinking about it…
Yun Lian felt herself growing more and more excited, and more and more anticipatory.
Anticipating that day, that moment.
Anticipating seeing what wonderful expressions would appear on Ling Xi’s face, Gu Qiushui’s face, and even Master’s face, when that time came.
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