Xiao Yan's eyes snapped open at the sound. There stood Xun'er, her eyes tightly shut—though a sliver of a gap remained between her fingers.
"Brother Xiao Yan! You… you pervert!" she stammered, her voice quivering. The sight before her—Xiao Yan, victorious and entirely unclothed—sent her heart into a frantic rhythm.
Forcing down her fluster, she snatched the bath towel from a nearby rack.
Xiao Yan complied, stepping out of the tub and raising his arms obligingly. She moved before him like a dutiful wife, diligently drying the water from his hair and powerful physique. He savored her care, the triumph of his breakthrough swelling within him.
"Congratulations on advancing to Dou Huang, Brother Xiao Yan," she murmured as she worked, her happiness for him genuine and profound, even surpassing what she might feel for her own progress.
"You'll catch up in no time," he said softly, gently pinching her cheek.
A flicker of surprise passed through Xun'er's eyes. Does he know about my bloodline?
"Don't overthink it," he whispered, as if reading her thoughts. "You will always be my Xun'er."
She met his deep gaze, nodded firmly, and the tenderness in her eyes deepened.
As the towel moved lower, Xun'er's face suddenly flushed a brilliant, staggering crimson. She gave him a light slap, shot him a look that was equal parts reproach and allure, then threw the towel over his head and fled the room in a flustered whirlwind.
In her haste, she left the door wide open.
At that very moment, a figure in silvery robes ascended the stairs to the second floor. She was about to call out to Xun'er, who she saw rushing past with a beet-red face toward the third floor.
"Xu—"
But Xun'er was already gone. Puzzled, the newcomer shook her head and continued to the second floor, muttering to herself, "The last room on the left…"
Finding the door ajar, she frowned slightly but confirmed it was the correct room. She raised her hand to knock.
Just then, Xiao Yan walked out of the bathing chamber, drying his hair with a towel.
The two locked eyes.
The air froze.
He was still in his natural state, his form a sculpted blend of strength and grace, the sunlight etching the lines of his abdomen.
Widened silver eyes. It was her first time witnessing such a… scene. Her mind blanked.
Reality came crashing back. Senior Han Yue's eyes flooded with a storm of shyness and outrage.
"You—! Perver—"
Before the shout could fully form, Xiao Yan moved like lightning. He pulled her inside in one smooth motion, his hand covering her mouth. With a wave of his other hand, the door slammed shut with a definitive bang.
"Mmph! Mmmph!" The muffled protests were lost against his palm.
"Senior, this is a misunderstanding," Xiao Yan said, leaning close to her ear, his voice low and urgent. "I will release you, but you must not scream. Agreed?"
The warm breath against her ear, combined with the vivid memory of what she had just seen—and what she was currently pressed against—made Han Yue's entire body stiffen. After a frantic moment, she managed a sharp nod.
Cautiously, Xiao Yan removed his hand but remained poised to react.
Han Yue felt the lingering dampness from his palm on her lips. A fresh wave of scalding embarrassment washed over her. "Xiao… Junior Xiao Yan! Put some clothes on first!" she commanded, squeezing her eyes shut, her voice trembling. Her body was tensed to bolt.
Noting the blush that had spread down her neck, Xiao Yan finally glanced at his own state. He calmly wiped his hand dry with the towel, then retrieved a set of black robes from a nearby rack and dressed with efficient movements.
Back in her room on the third floor, Xun'er leaned against her door, catching her breath.
Did I hear someone call me just now? she wondered, but dismissed it as her imagination.
She had no idea of the unintended trap she'd left behind.
"You can look now, Senior Han Yue."
Han Yue peeked, confirmed he was properly attired, and slowly turned around. Her gaze, trying to be casual, swept over him, and her heart gave another traitorous lurch. She fought to maintain her composure, but the heat in her cheeks was a betraying flame.
"Please, have a seat," Xiao Yan gestured calmly to a chair, his demeanor now one of flawless composure. He poured a cup of tea and placed it before her. "To what do I owe this visit, Senior?"
Han Yue watched his effortless poise and felt a flicker of internal admiration. He recovers quickly.
"Junior Xiao Yan," she began, taking a sip of tea to steady herself, a hint of teasing in her tone. "Are you always so… unrestrained?" Her eyes couldn't help but dart toward him again.
Xiao Yan's hand paused mid-air for a fraction of a second. A sliver of genuine awkwardness flashed in his eyes—a crack in the facade that Han Yue caught, bringing a faint, victorious curve to her lips.
"Certainly not, Senior. A genuine accident. I never intended for such a situation. My deepest apologies."
Han Yue recalled Xun'er's flustered escape, the potent, earthy scent of the Body Tempering Fluid in the air, and Xiao Yan's newly stabilized, formidable aura. As a clever woman, she pieced together the likely sequence: a breakthrough, an interrupted absorption, Xun'er's rushed entry… and a similar scandal.
The last of her anger and shyness dissipated, replaced by understanding and a sliver of amusement.
"I believe you, Junior. We are cultivators; such matters are trivial. Besides," she added, the slightest hint of a smirk touching her lips, "I believe you were the one at a disadvantage."
Though her words were open-minded, a faint, uncharacteristic nervousness lingered in her eyes. After all, it was a first.
"I came today to formally thank you for your generous gift last time," Han Yue stated, her demeanor shifting to one of graceful seriousness. With a wave of her sleeve, several rare medicinal herbs appeared on the table. Then, from within her robes, she retrieved an exquisite, faintly glowing jade pendant.
"I am not wealthy, but I remembered you seek herbs for alchemy. These are some rarer specimens from the Moon Spirit faction's stores."
"And this," she said, placing the jade pendant gently on the table. "It is something I… chanced upon earlier. It has mind-calming and spirit-nourishing properties. Within the Blazing Sky Qi Refining Tower, it can mitigate fire poison and extend one's cultivation time."
Her expression turned solemn. "Please do not refuse or mock these humble offerings. I would be ashamed otherwise."
Seeing her sincere resolve, Xiao Yan nodded gently and stored the herbs. "My herb reserves were indeed running low. I accept these gratefully." In truth, his stores were vast, but he would not insult her heartfelt gesture.
Finally, his gaze fell upon the jade pendant resting on the wooden table. He reached out and picked it up. The jade was cool and smooth, carrying a gentle, refreshing spiritual resonance.
"This pendant… is truly exquisite. Thank you, Senior Han Yue." His fingers closed around it, acknowledging not just the gift, but the unspoken understanding and bridge that had formed between them in this most awkward of moments.