The clothes hung on the bamboo pole, all dried and fluttering gently in the afternoon sun.
Although Fang Xuan could have instantly dried them with spiritual energy, he preferred to let them sun-dry, as they were more comfortable to wear that way.
It was like how he had long achieved fasting, yet he still wanted to eat.
He didn't need sleep to replenish his energy, but he loved lying in bed dreaming and enjoyed lingering there.
For him, the more he detached himself from these mundane matters, the more unstable his Dao heart became.
Eating, sleeping, and basking in the sun — that was the true path of humanity.
........
It was midday, the sun just right.
Ning Xian turned and went to the kitchen to prepare a meal.
Fang Xuan ambled to the woodshed, where a dark, squishy mass was huddled.
It was the black tai sui he had taken in earlier.
Fang Xuan squatted down and poked its cool, springy surface. "You've been out so long, but you're growing so slowly."
The black tai sui's entire 'body' trembled violently, trying desperately to shrink itself even smaller.
Though it currently lacked much sentience, its survival instinct told it that this human before him was terrifying, and... he often came to cut off its flesh!
"Don't be scared, don't be scared. I understand the principle of sustainable development." Fang Xuan patted it, as if comforting a pig nearing the new year.
"I'll just take half. This is... hmm, the one-half K Great Dao."
He joined his fingers like a knife and skillfully cut off a large piece of its flesh.
This creature looked strange, but when prepared properly, whether stewed or stir-fried, it was exceptionally delicious.
Moreover, it had a continuous nourishing effect on the physique, more gentle and lasting than many specialized body-refining pills.
"Thanks, Little Black." Fang Xuan carried the meat towards the kitchen.
The black tai sui continued to shiver in the corner: "......"
'I don't have a name! And I don't want to be thanked!'
.......
In the afternoon, they prepared to go down the mountain to the town.
Ning Xian carefully checked the spirit stones they needed to bring, and after confirming everything was in order, she walked over to Fang Xuan.
She raised her hand, gently helping him readjust his green hair tie that bound his hair, and tucked a few unruly strands behind his ear.
The two were still very close, so close that Fang Xuan could distinctly smell her familiar cool, faint fragrance.
And her focused expression, her slightly trembling eyelashes, her lightly pursed lips...
He felt the heat in his body, stirred by the pill, begin to rise again.
His Adam's apple bobbed.
He still couldn't resist.
As Ning Xian finished adjusting his hair tie, he gently lowered his head and pressed a light kiss to the corner of her lips.
Ning Xian stiffened slightly.
She clenched her fists, trying to hold back... but she didn't.
Fang Xuan only felt a blur of light and shadow before his eyes, an irresistible force gripped his shoulders, pushing him backward until his back hit the wall.
Immediately after, Ning Xian's face rapidly magnified before his eyes.
Her lips met his, soft and cool, carrying her unique refreshing scent, forcefully intruding.
And it wasn't just a brief taste...
......
Bamboo leaves rustled, and a gentle breeze swept through the small courtyard.
【Detected Master Ning Xian performing an intimate act with strong possessive intent on training target Fang Xuan.】
【Behavior Judgment: Master's deep control over the training target!】
【Training Value +50! Current Total Training Value】
【Additional Reward: As this behavior greatly satisfied the Master's latent possessive desire, rewarded with 10 complete spirit buns! 1 dish of complete pickled vegetables.】
The system's notifications frantically flooded Fang Xuan's mind, but he had no time to heed them.
He didn't know how long passed, perhaps only dozens of breaths, yet it felt like a century...
Only then did Ning Xian gently push him away, stumbling back a step, her breathing ragged, her chest rising and falling slightly.
Her normally fair face was now flushed, the crimson spreading down her neck and even beneath her collar.
Her usually clear eyes were misty with moisture, and the corners were red...
She looked at Fang Xuan, parted her lips, seemingly wanting to say something, but not a single word came out.
Finally, she could only distractedly avert her gaze, her whole body like someone forcing herself to calm down after being startled, rigidly turning her back to Fang Xuan.
She... how could she have lost control again!
Last time in the secret realm, it was forced by circumstances, but this time... this time, because of a light kiss, she had... acted like this again!
Fang Xuan was also a little stunned by the kiss.
Moreover, the side effects of the pill combined with the current stimulation made him feel as if his blood was boiling.
He took a few deep breaths to calm his agitation. "Senior Sister... we should go to..."
"No!" Ning Xian almost snatched the words from him, her voice still trembling slightly. "You're still young, we... we can't do that!"
Fang Xuan: "......???"
He paused for a moment before finishing his sentence: "We should... we should go to town, right?"
The air... suddenly became quiet.
Ning Xian stood with her back to him, her body stiff.
Then, even the skin behind her fair ears quickly flushed a deeper crimson.
She... what did she just blurt out...
Fang Xuan looked at her embarrassed back, which even her hair strands conveyed, and almost burst out laughing, but he rubbed his nose and held back.
He was certain that Senior Sister was currently cringing so hard her toes must be curling.
After a long while, Ning Xian finally seemed to have mustered enough courage and slowly turned around.
The blush on her face hadn't completely faded, but she had managed to put on her usual cool expression, though her gaze was still somewhat evasive, not daring to meet Fang Xuan's eyes.
Clearing her throat, she gathered her breath, and forced herself to speak in a voice that was as steady as possible, yet still subtly trembling: "Don't... don't talk back to your senior sister."
......
After their little moment, the two tidied themselves up and went down the mountain again.
In town, the streets of Qingshi Town were as lively as ever.
But Ning Xian remained in a state of extreme unnaturalness.
As she walked, her gaze was fixed straight ahead, as if performing some serious sect mission.
Yet, her peripheral vision kept uncontrollably glancing at Fang Xuan beside her.
She wanted to hold his hand.
Like before, or... even tighter.
Her fingers furtively extended a little, then quickly recoiled as if burned, curling back into her sleeve.
After several repetitions, she seemed somewhat annoyed by her own hesitation.
She hardened her heart, abruptly turned her face, and commanded stiffly at Fang Xuan: "Give me your hand."
"Huh?" Fang Xuan was looking at a sugar figurine stall nearby.
"The road... has many people, I'm afraid... afraid of getting lost." Ning Xian's gaze drifted to the other end of the street, her voice growing softer and softer, yet she still put on a brave front of righteousness.
Fang Xuan naturally extended his hand obediently.
Senior Sister is fierce, I dare not resist, hahaha...
.......
Ning Xian quickly glanced, then swiftly slipped her hand into his palm, holding it tightly.
After this action, she seemed to have completed a arduous task, letting out a slight sigh of relief, but the heat in her face rose again.
.......
For the rest of their journey, Ning Xian led Fang Xuan, walking slowly through the bustling streets.
Ning Xian purchased supplies needed for winter: bags of spirit rice, large packs of salt and various seasonings.
Long-lasting dried vegetables, and chilies that Fang Xuan liked, as well as some ordinary quality tea leaves.
She bought very carefully, occasionally exchanging a few words with familiar stall owners, but most of the time she was silent, just holding Fang Xuan's hand tightly.
Fang Xuan, meanwhile, enjoyed her quiet companionship, occasionally receiving snacks from Ning Xian.
A freshly baked sesame cake, a string of candied hawthorns, or a warm bag of roasted chestnuts.
Ning Xian watched him eat, and her usually cool gaze would unconsciously soften...
After completing their purchases, all the items were stored in their storage pouches.
However, Ning Xian did not head straight back but turned into Fuchun Restaurant in the town center.
They wouldn't be able to stay in this area of Qingyun Sect for much longer.
Shen Chen would not give up, and Lu Qingsong's grief over losing his son, coupled with his undispelled suspicions, meant this place was already a hotbed of trouble.
She needed to prepare to go to the Central Plains.
Although the Central Plains had a complex web of forces, the spiritual energy and opportunities there were much greater.
Perhaps... once there, it would be easier for her to clarify Fang Xuan's true situation and better... protect him.
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