Chapter 72: Driven by Necessity, Grievance and Action

After hearing Lin Xinyi’s answer, a trace of displeasure became more evident on Murong Xue’s face.

Lin Xinyi, of course, knew what Murong Xue was referring to, but she couldn’t show it.

After all, if she exposed that she knew about Murong Xue’s… hobby, the one who would suffer in the end would be herself.

Lin Xinyi’s mind was in utter turmoil, yet she simultaneously put on an air of ignorance.

Seeing this, Murong Xue didn’t say much more.

She just gently lifted the hands encased in the white silk gloves.

“I am quite fond of these gloves, but there’s no need to take them back.”

As Murong Xue held those hands in her own, her usual gaze shifted, becoming different.

Lin Xinyi could clearly see the other woman was becoming entranced.

But to prevent her own secret from being exposed, no matter what Murong Xue did next, she couldn’t show any abnormality.

“The Sect Master likes these gl-gloves so much, yet won’t take them back? Isn’t that just letting me have the advantage~”

“Not at all. I simply wish to see my magic treasure every day. That alone is enough to satisfy me…”

Murong Xue extended a finger, gently intertwining it with Lin Xinyi’s index finger, their thumbs joining together.

Her thumb continuously rubbed against the slender, perfect finger bones.

The usually cool and composed Murong Xue, within moments, even her breathing became slightly heavier.

Lin Xinyi watched all of this but dared not show the slightest dissatisfaction.

She could only obediently relax her strength, allowing the other to play with her hands.

“What beautiful hands… gloves…”

“Sect Master…”

It seemed simply holding and playing with them in her hands wasn’t enough to satisfy Murong Xue now.

Lin Xinyi saw the subtle movement of Murong Xue’s tongue against the corner of her lips and instantly understood what the other was thinking.

But she couldn’t just go along with it.

If she pointed it out or suggested it outright, wouldn’t that expose that she knew about the other’s peculiar taste?

Lin Xinyi gritted her teeth.

Though she was utterly unwilling in her heart, the most important thing now was to please the person before her.

“The Sect Master used thousand-year cold silk to weave this spiritual treasure. It feels incredibly cool on the hand. Last time, I accidentally licked it and felt a hint of sweetness~”

“Elder Lin, you must be joking. How could a woven, lifeless object have any sweetness?”

“What if I don’t admit it’s a joke? If the Sect Master doesn’t try it, how would you know I’m joking~”

Lin Xinyi used a teasing tone, but in reality, she could notice Murong Xue’s breathing pattern had already become disordered.

With just a slight probe, the other was completely captivated.

Lin Xinyi covered her mouth with a light laugh.

Such a half-joking tone truly seemed like a casual remark, but Murong Xue had indeed taken it to heart.

The hand holding Lin Xinyi’s left hand even unconsciously lifted it a little higher.

“Since Elder Lin has said this much, it would be remiss of me not to try…”

Murong Xue could no longer restrain herself.

Her teeth gently bit down on the fingertip.

A tingling, numbing sensation mixed with slight pain traveled from the fingertip throughout Lin Xinyi’s entire body.

Immediately following was the gentle touch of Murong Xue’s tongue tip.

Feeling that cool contact, Lin Xinyi’s body involuntarily took a step back.

But where else was there to retreat within this barrier?

Lin Xinyi tightly bit her lip, unable to comprehend why someone’s hobby would involve such a place.

She even reflected on what she was doing, wondering how much longer she had to endure this torment.

“Elder Lin really knows how to lie. There’s clearly only the scent of flowers…”

Murong Xue carefully suppressed the restlessness in her heart.

Although she desperately wanted to fully savor these exquisite fingers, her identity as the Sect Master constantly suppressed her true nature.

‘So close, I almost exposed myself…’

Though satisfied at the moment, alarm bells also rang incessantly in Murong Xue’s heart.

Her excessive behavior just now could easily reveal her special preference.

But when she looked up, she saw Lin Xinyi’s indifferent expression.

Though somewhat satisfied internally, Murong Xue felt that peculiar impulse becoming increasingly difficult to suppress.

She even wanted to tear apart the silk gloves she had woven on Lin Xinyi’s hands.

Then, through the torn gaps in the gloves, slip her own fingers inside, tightly wrapped by the woven silk, pressing against the other’s palm, letting her fingers fit snugly between the other’s.

But all of this remained merely a thought in Murong Xue’s mind.

She understood she couldn’t do it; it would utterly destroy the image she had maintained for so long.

Murong Xue took a deep, faint breath, forcefully suppressing this impulse.

‘My mental state is disturbed again…’

A special storm had already erupted in Murong Xue’s heart, but on the surface, she remained calm and composed, gently biting the fingertip.

In the end, she only gave it one last, light touch with her tongue tip, like a dragonfly skimming water, before releasing Lin Xinyi.

“Elder Lin, that joke really went too far…”

Lin Xinyi looked at Murong Xue before her.

The other’s emotions rapidly shifted from intoxication, to reluctance, to unwillingness to part.

To any uninformed observer, Murong Xue would surely appear deeply attached to that glove-shaped spiritual treasure.

Lin Xinyi knew everything, yet could only pretend to know nothing.

She was even a little curious about how deeply Murong Xue had suppressed this peculiar hobby.

If this level was enough to satisfy her, what harm was there in playing along?

‘Forget it. As long as it makes this woman happy, I’ll just muddle through for now.’

Lin Xinyi gritted her teeth and glanced at Bai Pingqian, who was still standing motionless on the 50th step.

The other girl even looked bored enough to yawn.

The sect selection was almost over, yet Bai Yuqian showed no intention of moving an inch.

Lin Xinyi knew this couldn’t be delayed any longer.

If it dragged on, all her efforts would be for nothing.

Facing Murong Xue’s questioning gaze, Lin Xinyi cleared her throat, ready with her prepared words, intending to use this opportunity to get the other to let her go.

“Sect Master, what are you saying? Didn’t you only know after trying it~”

“That is also true…”

As she spoke, Lin Xinyi subtly withdrew her hands.

Yet, the moist sensation and slight ache on her fingertips still lingered.

Though Murong Xue verbally answered Lin Xinyi’s question, a trace of reluctance flickered in her eyes, clearly indicating she hadn’t had her fill.

“In any case, since the Sect Master doesn’t wish to take back this spiritual treasure, I’ll keep it. But regarding the matter from before, the Sect Master will agree, right~”

Lin Xinyi thought to herself, ‘I’ve given so much; she should be satisfied by now.’

However, upon hearing this, Murong Xue’s eyes momentarily widened in surprise before she lifted her gaze, reverting to her usual cool demeanor.

“Elder Lin must be joking. Both parties in a transaction must show sincerity. The condition I want, Elder, you haven’t given yet.”

“Eh? What? But you just already…!”

“Already?”

A hint of chill surfaced on Murong Xue’s face.

Seeing this expression, Lin Xinyi swallowed her words, freezing in place.

‘Damn it! Murong Xue has no idea I know about her fetish. So, her taking advantage just now can’t be counted as part of the transaction terms!’

Lin Xinyi was dumbfounded.

She never expected all her endurance to turn into a joke in the end.

She glanced at the Ascension Stairs; the top contender was clearly about to collapse.

Once that person fell, this so-called sect selection would immediately end.

Lin Xinyi gritted her pearly white teeth.

Clearly, she could no longer dwell on being taken advantage of for free.

She could only anxiously ask what the other actually wanted.

“Sect Master, no need to say more. I’ll agree to anything, alright?!”

“Anything…”

Hearing this, Murong Xue showed clear surprise.

Lin Xinyi quickly realized her mistake and tried to amend her statement.

After all, if the other asked for something impossible, it would all be in vain.

She should just agree to do her best to fulfill Murong Xue’s request.

“As long as it’s something I can do!”

“That is a tempting condition…”

“Of course! Sect Master, I’ve shown such sincerity. What reason do you have not to agree?!”

“Is that so? Then, are you willing to swear by your Dao Heart~”

A slight smile finally appeared at the corner of Murong Xue’s mouth.

Lin Xinyi saw the other’s eyes subtly glance towards her own lowered hands.

A wave of disdain rose in her heart, thinking, ‘Since I’ve figured out her hobby, I’m not afraid of any excessive demands.’

‘She’ll probably just find excuses to touch my hands. What harm is there in agreeing?’

Once this thought crossed her mind, most of Lin Xinyi’s worries dissipated.

She slowly closed her eyes and began swearing by her Dao Heart.

Seeing this, Murong Xue nodded in satisfaction and similarly made a vow using her own cultivation.

“I will act as if what just happened never occurred. So, don’t forget your promise.”

After leaving these words, Murong Xue slowly turned around.

Simultaneously, the thin barrier surrounding them shattered with a sound, and the noise from the surroundings grew loud again.

“Thank you, Sect Master…”

Lin Xinyi bowed slightly with her hands clasped.

But when she lifted her head, Murong Xue’s figure was already nowhere to be seen.

Only after the other left did Lin Xinyi finally relax, letting out a long sigh.

‘That troublesome woman is finally gone…’

Lin Xinyi wiped non-existent cold sweat from her forehead.

At the same time, the elder from the Supervision Hall, seated not far away, stood up in a panic, clutching a communication jade slip.

“Trouble! Demonic Cult spies have infiltrated the sect! They’ve even injured two outer sect disciples!!”

“Old Zhao, is this true?”

“When have spies dared to be so brazen, actually harming people within the sect?!”

“We must report this to the Sect Master immediately!”

“Such a minor matter shouldn’t trouble the Sect Master~”

…

Lin Xinyi listened to the chaotic discussion coming from that direction.

Standing by the railing, she slowly pulled off her gloves, flexing her slightly numb fingers.

‘Well, isn’t this news perfectly timed~’

Seeing that things were still within her control, Lin Xinyi glanced sideways at Bai Yuqian, who was sitting on the steps, chin propped on her hand, waiting.

A faint, sinister smile curled at the corner of Lin Xinyi’s lips.

‘Anyway, Murong Xue already knows. Bai Pingqian, this time, you, the Demonic Cult spy, won’t be able to escape~’.