With those words, Yuan Shu waved her hand again. I'll be going first.
Ji Qingyan watched her back, opening his mouth to say something more, but feeling it inappropriate, he held it back.
He actually wanted to ask if Yuan Shu would be willing to marry him.
But he felt it was too abrupt.
Within the sect, many martial brothers had engaged in dual cultivation, and many among them were unwilling to marry.
Never mind. He heard she was also from Yaoyun Peak, probably a newly arrived junior disciple.
There would be chances to meet again in the future.
It wouldn't be too late to bring it up once they got to know each other better!
Around the corner of the bamboo forest, Ji Yun, dressed in a long purple gown, played with two ink-black jade balls in his hand.
Seeing this, the corner of his mouth lifted in a sneer.
No wonder he rejected the pursuit of the Xuanhuo Sect's First Elder's daughter. So... he already has someone in his heart?
He recognized her; this woman was the one he had seen earlier at the entrance of the bamboo forest.
Who knows, the two might have already shared a romantic encounter in the bamboo forest!
Good, very good!
Ji Yun grinned, a wicked aura appearing on his originally handsome face. He gave a cold snort and turned to leave.
...
A crisp wind blew head-on from the side of the bamboo forest, faintly carrying a light scent of pear blossoms.
Ji Qingyan watched Yuan Shu leave. He ran his tongue over his lips, seemingly thinking of something, and his Adam's apple bobbed uncontrollably.
Deacon Ji, the Peak Master is waiting for you in Yaoyun Hall. He says he has matters to discuss with you.
A junior disciple stepped forward and reported respectfully.
Only then did Ji Qingyan withdraw his distant gaze. Understood.
Arriving at Yaoyun Hall, Yao Qianci was already sitting by the table waiting.
Beside him was a tray holding a Cosmos Bag and a bolt of top-grade cloud brocade celestial silkworm fabric.
Peak Master.
Ji Qingyan cupped his hands in greeting.
Mhm. I called you over to entrust you with a task. Yao Qianci stood up from his seat and walked forward.
The new guest elder of Yaoyun Peak will be arriving in the next couple of days. These are the standard benefits for a guest elder. Make sure you get them settled in properly.
Something has happened over at the Xuanhuo Sect. I need to set off for the Xuanhuo Sect right now, so I'll be leaving the alchemy room in your hands for the time being.
Yao Qianci's voice was gentle, but Ji Qingyan could hear the solemnity in it.
He knew about Yaoyun Peak getting a new guest elder; he heard it was a former core disciple of Qingyun Peak.
When the news had spread, he had been momentarily stunned, finding it somewhat unbelievable.
However, seeing how much the Peak Master cared about this new guest elder, Ji Qingyan put away his wandering thoughts and replied earnestly.
Yes.
...
As the sky darkened, Yuan Shu followed the junior disciple's directions and finally found the guest elder's courtyard on Yaoyun Peak.
No wonder they said a guest elder was on par with a Vice Peak Master; this courtyard was truly massive!
Yuan Shu stood at the entrance and looked up. The main courtyard's building had three floors with black tiles and white walls. A bluestone path wound its way through the courtyard to the main building.
On the left was a lush and flourishing pear blossom tree. There was a formation on the tree that kept it blooming all year round.
Stepping into the courtyard, one could smell the faint scent of pear blossoms.
On the other side was a large pond, visibly no less than ten meters in length and width.
There were fish swimming in the pond and water lilies, arranged very elegantly.
Beside the main house were slightly lower buildings, which were the guest rooms and the servants' quarters.
The courtyard was kept very clean; looking like this, it truly felt like a home!
Yuan Shu was very satisfied with what she saw and took a few steps forward.
Hearing the noise, someone walked out from the main house.
Miss Yuan!
Seeing Yuan Shu, Yun Sheng's eyes lit up, a look of pleasant surprise appearing on his face. He quickly walked over to greet her, his cherry-pink eyes seeming to glow.
Yuan Shu had the illusion of seeing her own obedient puppy. She couldn't help but curl her lips, leaning close to him and sniffing.
There's a scent of ink. Were you practicing calligraphy?
Yun Sheng showed an embarrassed expression. I was copying prescriptions.
Copying prescriptions? Yuan Shu was a bit surprised. Why are you doing that?
Yun Sheng paused for a moment before replying slowly, Miss Yuan is now a guest elder of Yaoyun Peak. I heard that being a guest elder is very tiring.
Every month, there are fixed ancient remnant prescriptions to restore, a certain number of pills to refine, and the organization of some prescriptions.
I haven't done these things before, but I thought I could help Miss Yuan with them in the future.
So, I took the initiative to find a senior brother on Yaoyun Peak to learn how to identify prescription grades and how to copy them.
Yuan Shu turned to look at him for a moment, a flash of appreciation in her eyes. It had to be said, this Yun Sheng was indeed very thoughtful.
Placing her fingers on Yun Sheng's wrist, Yuan Shu concentrated her senses. A moment later, she let go of his hand and smiled, As long as you haven't been slacking off on your cultivation, it's fine.
I won't slack off. I only copy prescriptions when I'm resting. Afraid that Yuan Shu would misunderstand, Yun Sheng hurriedly explained.
Seeing his anxious look, Yuan Shu smiled. It's not like I don't trust you, don't worry.
I've been tired all day and want to take a bath, Yun Sheng.
Yuan Shu stretched lazily, looking over at him with a smile and a drawn-out tone.
As if thinking of something, Yun Sheng's cheeks grew slightly hot, his breathing quickening a bit. I'll go prepare it right away.
After sitting in the courtyard for a while, Yun Sheng had finished heating the bathwater.
Ever since Yuan Shu broke through to Foundation Establishment, the previous body-tempering medicinal herbs were no longer effective, so a medicinal bath wasn't prepared.
Yuan Shu walked into the adjacent washroom. Everywhere she looked, things and furniture were arranged according to her habits.
While heating the water, Yun Sheng had also taken the opportunity to stew Yuan Shu's favorite spirit chicken in the courtyard. The aroma of chicken soup could already be faintly smelled.
Miss Yuan, let me help you undress.
Yun Sheng washed his hands clean and stepped forward to help Yuan Shu undress.
Even though he had seen it countless times before, when his gaze fell on that snow-white skin, he still couldn't look away.
But seeing Yuan Shu's languid demeanor, his Adam's apple rolled, and he suppressed his throbbing desires.
After helping Yuan Shu take off her clothes, Yun Sheng bent down, picked her up in his arms, and walked toward the bathtub.
Carefully placing her into the bathtub, Yun Sheng then turned back, stripped off all his own clothes, and followed her into the water.
Reaching out, the pads of his fingers gently pressed onto the acupoints on her lower back, beginning to massage.
That perfectly balanced pressure, combined with the fine threads of spiritual energy he had recently improved upon, brought a wave of comfort.
After two rounds of massage, Yuan Shu was resting with her eyes closed when a warm sensation suddenly came from her shoulder. Her brows twitched.
Seeing that she didn't refuse, Yun Sheng grew bolder.
His kisses slowly moved up from her shoulder, landing on her cheek and the rim of her ear, before he gently bit her earlobe.
Hiss.
Yuan Shu inhaled sharply, completely relaxing. She leaned back languidly, supported by Yun Sheng's hand on her back, and with a slight turn, she captured his lips in a kiss.
Ever since their last spiritual dual cultivation, Yun Sheng found it impossible to forget.
He felt that Miss Yuan must have cast a hex on him, a hex called "it has to be her."
Otherwise, why would he only have such joyful impulses toward her?
He really, really wanted to be with her forever!
Yun Sheng reached out to support the back of Yuan Shu's neck, his movements bold yet gentle, inviting her to dance together.
Yuan Shu had originally been lazily enjoying it, but gradually her own fire was stoked, and she began to respond.
As the deep kiss ended, Yun Sheng kissed down her cheek, swept past her neck, and landed on her collarbone.
...
