(T/N: This chapter may contain explicit scenes; reader discretion advised)
In the following days, they prepared to depart.
In the bamboo forest, sunlight filtered through the dense leaves.
Fang Xuan stood quietly, cradling his black sword, Yunchang.
With a slight shift of his thoughts, two streams of sword intent manifested out of thin air.
They did not attach to the blade but instead resembled two invisible flood dragons, surging from his body to circle and intertwine before him.
A hundred-foot-tall bluestone in front of him was instantly ground into powder, dispersed by the gentle breeze flowing through the bamboo forest.
"It’s alright," Fang Xuan remarked indifferently as he opened his eyes.
To possess such power without relying on a sword’s physical form meant he had finally grasped the basics.
If he were to channel this sword intent through Yunchang, the power of a single strike would likely force even those in the late-stage Transformation Realm to retreat.
"Are you ready?" Ning Xian’s voice drifted from outside the bamboo forest, cool and clear, yet possessing a trace of tenderness that only Fang Xuan could perceive.
Fang Xuan walked quickly out of the forest.
Ning Xian stood at the gate of the small courtyard, still wearing her white dress. her black hair fell like a waterfall, partially gathered by a single plain hairpin.
She looked less like someone lounging at home and more like a traveler prepared for the road.
However, the faint dark circles under her eyes seemed a bit deeper than they had been two days ago... ahem.
"I’m ready, Senior Sister." Fang Xuan walked to her side and took her right hand.
Ning Xian’s fingers were slightly cool. As they were enveloped by his warm palm, she trembled slightly but did not pull away; instead, she gave a light squeeze in return.
Junior Brother is so well-behaved... he’s taking the initiative to hold my hand...
She thought again... ahem...
Ning Xian, you truly are clouded by affection. It must be... it must be because I haven’t experienced enough of this; it will be better once I get used to it.
Yes, that must be it.
I was almost misled by the path of abstinence; next time, I must remain firm in my dao heart.
....
"Then let’s depart," Ning Xian said, steadying herself and trying to make her voice sound as cool as usual.
Fang Xuan looked at her slightly reddened ears and smiled inwardly, though he tightened his grip on her hand.
....
In the palace of the Tianlan Kingdom.
In front of the Imperial Study.
Chen Fan, dressed in bright yellow casual attire, had already dismissed his attendants and was waiting alone.
His eyes lit up when he saw the handsome youth carrying a black sword and a casual expression.
He immediately stepped forward and cupped his hands in a respectful salute.
"Brother Xuan."
The old eunuch following closely behind Chen Fan stumbled in shock, nearly falling flat on his face.
There was actually someone the Emperor had to call "brother"!
The old eunuch’s mind went blank, and he instinctively followed suit, cupping his hands. "Bruh... Brother Xuan!"
Chen Fan turned back and glared at him, lowering his voice. "Are you out of your mind?"
The old eunuch snapped out of it and fell to his knees with a thud. "Greeting... Greetings, Prince! This servant is old and dim-witted, I have offended our distinguished guest. Please forgive me, Prince!"
In a moment of desperation, he bestowed the title of Prince upon Fang Xuan, thinking it couldn't be far off the mark.
Chen Fan’s expression softened slightly, thinking the old fellow was quite clever. He waved his hand. "Fine, wait over there. Do not enter unless summoned."
"Yes, yes, yes!" The old eunuch retreated as if granted a divine pardon, scurrying away while still muttering to himself.
What was the background of this impossibly handsome young man? The Emperor actually called him brother?
Fang Xuan was quite calm about the scene. Holding his sword, he simply nodded to Chen Fan as a greeting, then naturally stepped half a pace to the side to reveal Ning Xian behind him.
He acted like Senior Sister’s personal assistant; she handled the business, while he... did the rest... ahem.
Ning Xian didn’t show much reaction to Chen Fan’s respect. She went straight to the point, her cool voice echoing before the Imperial Study. "The item."
....
After receiving the mystic spirit stone, there was no rush.
Shaping the body here might cause quite a commotion.
....
The arranged residence was an independent palace courtyard with an elegant environment and exquisite furnishings. The palace maids and eunuchs had been dismissed in advance to ensure absolute peace.
Ning Xian seemed to have no interest in the palace’s opulence. She briefly surveyed the surroundings and, after confirming it was safe, said to Fang Xuan, "Do not... wander off."
"I know, Senior Sister."
Fang Xuan smiled in response, casually tossing his black sword onto the table.
"I’ll stay in the courtyard and won't go anywhere."
Ning Xian gave a soft "mm" and walked to the window, looking out at the palace nightscape, seemingly lost in thought.
Fang Xuan truly couldn't stand sitting still in the room; this was the first time he had taken a serious look at an ancient palace.
Taking advantage of the moment his Senior Sister was deep in thought, he slipped out of the courtyard and wandered through the nearby corridors and gardens.
The palace nightscape was indeed unique, with dim lights and the outlines of pavilions and towers standing out clearly under the moonlight, possessing a refined beauty different from the mountains.
He wandered for about fifteen minutes, and figuring that his Senior Sister would have noticed he was gone, he prepared to head back.
Just as he reached the courtyard gate of their residence, a cool voice rang out. "Junior Brother, it’s getting late."
Fang Xuan turned around to see Ning Xian standing under a flowering tree in the courtyard.
She looked at Fang Xuan, her cool eyes appearing exceptionally bright in the night, and her breathing was slightly more hurried than usual.
"I... I’m coming back now."
Fang Xuan felt a hint of danger and instinctively tried to walk inside.
However, Ning Xian moved quickly and reached out to grab his wrist.
Her palm was surprisingly hot.
"Trying to run again?" Ning Xian’s voice was very low, carrying a slight tremor and heated breath.
"Disobedient, wandering everywhere... you must be... severely punished."
Before Fang Xuan could say anything, Ning Xian had already pulled him quickly into the room and closed the door behind her.
....
Only a single palace lamp was lit inside the room.
Ning Xian pushed him toward the bed, but because her movements were too hurried, she was breathing heavily, her chest rising and falling.
She tried hard to maintain a stern face, attempting to uphold her dignity as a Senior Sister.
But her flushed face and flickering gaze were not very convincing.
Seeing her trying so hard to act tough while punishing him, Fang Xuan felt a surge of desire...
He suddenly moved his hand, easily breaking free from Ning Xian’s grasp, and then quickly caught both of her slender wrists.
He held them together with one hand, crossing them over her head.
"Senior Sister..." Fang Xuan leaned in, his nose almost touching hers, his warm breath brushing against her burning face.
He remembered very well that his Senior Sister’s body was extremely sensitive...
Ning Xian trembled all over at this sudden reversal.
Her wrists were held firmly, and the posture of having her arms raised forced her to arch her back slightly.
She instinctively turned her head away, not daring to look at him.
This movement, however, exposed the graceful curve of her neck and her fluttering pulse even more to Fang Xuan.
Fang Xuan’s gaze swept over her, and his throat moved as he swallowed...
Senior Sister’s figure... he really couldn't take it.
....
He would start by punishing his Senior Sister’s dishonest mouth...
Fang Xuan leaned down and kissed her, blocking any protest she might have made.
"Mmm..."
Ning Xian initially tried to resist—she was the Senior Sister, after all.
But as her breath was stolen and a familiar scent overwhelmed her, her body soon went soft.
Her struggle turned into unconscious compliance, and the strength in her wrists waned, allowing him to hold her as he pleased...
The kiss was long and deep, and only when Ning Xian was almost out of breath did Fang Xuan pull away slightly.
Looking at her eyes, which were now misted over, his gaze darkened.
"Junior Brother... don't..." Ning Xian protested softly during the brief gap.
"Don't what?" Fang Xuan’s other hand had already begun to move restlessly.
As his fingers brushed against her skin, it caused another wave of trembling through her body...
....
In the middle of the night.
Ning Xian’s long hair was damp with sweat, clinging to her flushed face and neck. She was so exhausted she didn't even want to move a finger...
Fang Xuan also felt... well, his back was a bit sore.
Senior Sister was truly too passionate tonight.
....
"Senior Sister, how about we rest for today?"
"No... it won't do."
"Hmm?"
"I’m... about to break through," Ning Xian whispered.
Fang Xuan chuckled, his fingers instinctively tracing circles on her back. "There’s no need to be in such a hurry then..."
Ning Xian suddenly remembered something and her body stiffened. She pushed him gently. "Don't... don't—"
Fang Xuan paused, deliberately lowering his voice as he whispered into her sensitive ear, his warm breath tickling her. "Does Senior Sister... not want to?"
Ning Xian’s ears turned crimson and her entire body felt numb, yet she insisted, "Don't... alright?"
She was currently on the verge of a breakthrough and could not mobilize much spiritual energy. If they continued... there might be unexpected consequences.
"That’s not for Senior Sister to decide," Fang Xuan teased her, his hand moving suggestively.
Ning Xian’s body jerked, her breathing instantly becoming chaotic. She sounded as if she were on the verge of tears. "Then... then don't... don't..."
"Don't what?"
Ning Xian was so embarrassed she buried her face in his chest, her voice shaking uncontrollably. "Don't... —..."
Her body was too sensitive, especially at a moment like this.
If he continued... she truly wouldn't be able to take it, and her body would shake uncontrollably...
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