The soft morning light filtered through the bamboo blinds, weaving golden threads upon the stone floor. Lin Xuan sat cross-legged on the bed, breathing in rhythm with the world. Beads of sweat traced the ridges of his muscles, gleaming amber under the light. His torn robe from last night's breakthrough hung loosely, exposing his well-defined abs that rose and fell like waves with each breath.
"Phew—"
A breath of turbid air shot out like a white ribbon, piercing three feet into the air. As Lin Xuan opened his eyes, golden patterns flickered within his pupils. He flicked a finger, and a bronze basin by the window buzzed with ripples, reflecting a more handsome version of himself—brows like ink strokes, a flirtatious lift at the corners of his eyes, and lips tinged with a faint golden hue due to the awakening of the Nine Yang Battle Physique.
"First level of Qi Refining…" He picked up a fallen bamboo leaf, which instantly took on golden edges. "This physique can even spiritualize plants?"
Ding—System Notification:
Host's Nine Yang Battle Physique fusion at 5%. Talent unlocked: 'Golden Crow Eyes' (X-ray vision activated).
Lin Xuan's hand twitched, and the bamboo leaf fluttered to the ground. Looking up, a snow-white figure walked along the bamboo path. Under the effect of the Golden Crow Eyes, her white robe appeared as sheer as cicada wings—
A pale yellow ribbon tied at her jade-like neck, a cinnabar mole nestled in the dip of her collarbone. Beneath the fitted waist sash, her curves moved gracefully. A pale moon bra supported twin peaks that trembled with her steps. A red phoenix-shaped birthmark sat three inches below her navel. As the hem fluttered, her slender legs occasionally peeked out. Silver bells on her ankles sang a soft, clear tune with every step.
"Hiss…" Lin Xuan pinched his thigh to stop a nosebleed. The Golden Crow Eyes analyzed:
Name: Su Li – Chief Disciple of the Biluoyige Medical SectMeasurements: 36D-22-34Sensitive Spots: Behind the ears, lower back dimples, soles of feetCurrent Favorability: -5 (Wary)
"With that body, being a healer is such a waste…" He licked his dry lips and purposely tugged his robe wider.
Su Li halted at the stone steps. The morning breeze lifted a corner of her veil, revealing cherry-like lips and a snow-white nose. A blue flower mark between her brows highlighted her porcelain skin. Her lashes sparkled with morning dew, and when she blinked, they seemed like falling starlight. "Undress."
Lin Xuan leaned lazily against the doorframe, half-naked. "You're quite direct for a healer, Miss Su. Do all medical cultivators greet people like this?"
"His Highness Yun ordered me to examine your Nine Yang Physique." Su Li opened her medical box, icy silver needles glowing coldly. "If you refuse, I'll report back saying your meridians are in disarray and you're doomed."
"No, no!" Lin Xuan leapt over. A masculine scent mixed with dragon-saliva incense engulfed her. "I'll undress, alright?" He grabbed her wrist and pressed it to his chest. "But are you sure you want to examine me here?"
The moment her fingers touched his burning skin, Su Li's pupils shrank. His heart thundered beneath her palm, surging Yang energy traveling up her meridian path, setting her ankle bells chiming. She tried to pull away, but his Qi clung like syrup. A mist of pale blue spiritual energy wove between their locked hands, forming a suggestive web in the sunlight.
"Let go!" Su Li raised her knee toward his groin, but he caught it between two fingers. Her foot arched, silk sock slipping off to reveal pearl-like toes curling in tension.
Lin Xuan whispered in her ear with a chuckle: "As the Classic of Questions says: 'Yang cannot grow alone, nor Yin exist in solitude...' With such a pure Ice Spiritual Root, how about we balance our Yin and Yang?"
"Scoundrel!" Su Li summoned an ice spike between her fingers, but it melted into spring water when it touched his chest. His physique activated on its own, and her frigid spiritual energy was swallowed whole, golden light flaring in his eyes.
The world spun—Su Li was pinned onto the bamboo bed. Lin Xuan knelt between her legs, fingers untying the silk sash at her waist. "A healer's compassion, Miss Su—can you really let my Yang energy run rampant?" His warm breath tickled the cinnabar mole on her neck. "I hear Biluoyige has a dual cultivation technique..."
"Outrageous!" Su Li flicked his pressure point, twisting free. With a flurry of motions, seventy-two silver needles sealed his acupoints—except the one at his Qi Sea, which was swallowed by a golden vortex.
A sharp tearing sound echoed through the bamboo house—Lin Xuan's upper robe disintegrated, golden lines etched across his toned waist. The blast of energy knocked Su Li into a table. Bottles clattered, and violet potion spilled over her skirt, soaking it to translucency and revealing a peach-like curve.
"Seems you're even more eager than I am." Lin Xuan wiped blood from his lips, eyes shamelessly raking over her wet skirt. "That Jade Nectar Elixir is a prime Yin supplement... what a waste."
Su Li tapped her chest acupoint, drying her clothes instantly with icy mist. But her veil had fallen, revealing a flushed face as pink as plum blossoms in snow. "Another word and I'll cripple you with the Nine Yin Needle!"
"Dying under a beauty's hand—I'd die happy." Lin Xuan suddenly appeared behind her, brushing her belt. "But would you really do it?" His palm pressed her flat stomach. "You've an old wound in your dantian. It flares up every full moon—only Nine Yang Qi can soothe it."
Su Li trembled. Ten years of hidden pain, revealed in a single sentence. She opened her mouth, but three icy streaks suddenly shot in from the window!
Lin Xuan wrapped an arm around her waist, spinning away just in time. Poisoned needles buried into the beam, grazing her hair. Her body turned cold, a frost pattern spreading from behind her ear—her cold poison was flaring up.
"Center yourself!" Lin Xuan pressed his fingers to her navel acupoint. Nine Yang Qi surged in. Su Li gasped, collapsing into his arms. Her long lashes fluttered like butterfly wings, lips turning from pale to pink. Her breath frosted on his collarbone, forming dewdrops.
Warning! Host's Yang energy depleting rapidly!Recommendation: Engage in deep dual cultivation to replenish energy!
Lin Xuan looked down at the recovering beauty in his arms, thumb brushing her slightly swollen lips. "Miss Su, would this count… as biting the hand that saved you?"
"Let go…" Su Li weakly raised her hand, but her fingers tangled in his loose hair. She suddenly bit her tongue, drew a blood sigil, and slapped it on his chest. "Soul Binding Curse! Touch me again within three days and you'll suffer backlash!"
With that, she staggered toward the door—forgetting the step. Her foot caught on her skirt, and she fell forward. Lin Xuan dashed over, catching her mid-fall—his hand landing on something soft. The Golden Crow Eyes revealed a frosty blue lotus birthmark on her left buttock.
"You!!" Su Li slapped him, but he caught her wrist and pinned her to the wall. His nose brushed her scented neck as he growled hoarsely, "You keep falling into my arms, Miss Su. Hard not to take it as a hint…"
Suddenly, the curse on his chest flared with searing pain, forcing him to release her. Su Li broke free, dashing into the bamboo forest with silver bells chiming faintly behind her.
Ding! Favorability +10 (Current: 5)Reward Obtained: Spiritual Root Tonic ×1, Fragment of 'Yin-Yang Harmonization Manual'
Lin Xuan picked up her fallen hairpin and brought it to his nose with a smile. "Even her scent chills to the bone…"