Ye Lingyun slowly started to wake up, his consciousness was coming back to him a bit at a time. He was regaining his sense of awareness.
He tried to move his fingers and attempted to push his body up, but his arms and his legs felt really weak like all the strength was gone from his body. He couldn't move at all. Only then did he realize that warm arms were completely wrapped around him, holding him in a tight embrace.
Feng Yueyaos neck was where his head was resting and and her chin was on top of his head. She was holding him firmly against her chest and her arms locked around him. He could feel her body heat through their clothes, and she smelled sweet, like a faint fragrance.
Ye Lingyun stopped moving and let himself relax. He felt calm now. The warmth was very nice and it helped him to feel better.
Feng Yueyaos eyebrows moved a little before she slowly opened her eyes. She looked at him and gave him a playful smile that suggested she knew something he didn't.
Feeling nervous under her eyes, so Ye Lingyun started to say something. "Mast....onee-san*... why did you save me?"
(*old sister)
Feng Yueyao tapped her chin with her finger as if thinking hard, looking quite adorable. "Hmm... I don't know, maybe it's because I think you're handsome!"
Ye Lingyun was completely at a loss for words.
She went on to say, "By the way, I want to remind you that yesterday I took you as my disciple in front of everyone. Did you forget? From now on, you have to call me Master."
"No!" Ye Lingyun suddenly found the strength to break free from her embrace and scooted away. "But... I didn't agree to that..."
He didn't want to become her disciple again. This was because of what had happened at Northern Desolation Cliff in his previous life or due to some other hidden thoughts. Whatever the reason, he was determined not to repeat the past.
Feng Yueyao didn't get angry. Seeing his back, she simply sat up, wrapped her arms around his neck, and slowly leaned toward his ear.
Ye Lingyun felt something wet against his ear for a moment, followed by a soft, gentle breath on that same spot.
"Is it because you hate me?" she asked, her voice sounding hurt, as if she were being bullied.
Hate her?
To be honest, he didn't hate her at all. Actually, he had loved her since the first time they met, though he didn't know when or why. Every time he tried to tell her about his feelings in the past, she would just laugh, rub his hair, and call him a little kid. "Nah, what does a kid like you know about love?" she would say whenever he was serious.
But he knew she felt something for him, too. The way she looked at him showed a passion much like his own and a tenderness she hadn't even recognized. She was simply holding back, unwilling to accept a love that crossed the line between master and disciple.
"I... I don't hate you," Ye Lingyun whispered, his voice quiet. He was so caught up in the moment that he didn't even notice his ears had turned red.
[Don't fall for it, Host! Hold the line!] the System shouted in his head.
"Alright, I won't force you. Just tell me when you've made up your mind, okay?" Her voice was gentle and soothing. Hearing her words, Ye Lingyun nodded quietly.
Feng Yueyao saw how well he was behaving and gave him a soft kiss on the cheek.
In his previous life, she loved teasing him like this, but this time, he felt a bit frustrated. He didn't know where this frustration came from, maybe it was the shadow of the past, or maybe... he was afraid of drowning in her tenderness all over again.
"By the way, you don't have a good weapon yet, right? Here, take this! Go to the Treasure Pavilion and pick any weapon you like!"
As she spoke, Feng Yueyao handed him a crimson-gold medallion. On the front, the character 'Yue' (Moon) was elegantly carved.
"Even if you haven't decided whether to become my disciple yet, consider this just a gift for our first meeting. and...you are not allowed to refuse."
Ye Lingyun froze. According to the timeline of this life, they shouldn't have even met today. In fact, this was supposed to be their very first encounter in this lifetime. Yet, Feng Yueyao had not only saved him and offered to take him as a disciple, but she was now handing him a medallion that symbolized her status as a Princess.
He couldn't understand why she was being so kind to him. As for her earlier comment about him being "handsome"—he knew his master well enough to know that was impossible!
[System! What is going on? In my past life, we only crossed paths because I saved her in a Secret Realm! Why have so many things gone off track in this life?!]
[I am not entirely sure, Host! However, it seems someone has altered key events in this timeline, creating a "Butterfly Effect" that has triggered a series of chain reactions!]
The Butterfly Effect?
A daring idea came into Ye Lingyun's mind.
Is it possible... that I wasn't the only one who was reborn?!
"I have some matters to resolve, so you'll have to go to the Treasure Pavilion by yourself!"
Before Ye Lingyun could even react, a spatial rift tore open in front of her. Feng Yueyao stepped inside and vanished instantly.