The Tree Cave was shrouded in dimness, with only the central array disk casting a single beam of light like a spotlight. This made the surrounding areas seem even darker by contrast, but it did nothing to hinder Yan Zhen’s vision. He could see everything with perfect clarity.
Yu Shizun stood bare on the water’s surface, her graceful jade body fully exposed. Her dark hair draped loosely, veiling her powdery back and shapely rear. With arms outstretched like tender lotus roots, she directed gentle streams of water to rinse herself clean. Droplets trailed down her flawless skin, coursing along her long, ivory-white legs before merging back into the lake.
A completely nude, soaking-wet silhouette from behind… What kind of ultimate temptation was this?!
Yan Zhen stared, entranced, but the Yu Shizun flushed with a mix of shyness and irritation.
“You—turn around right now!”
As she spoke, a wall of water rose up behind her, shielding her from Yan Zhen’s burning gaze.
Yan Zhen hastily averted his eyes at her command, only to accidentally spot a neatly folded dress stacked by the central array disk. It was obviously the Yu Shizun’s.
What caught his attention most, however, were the items on top: a bellyband and a pair of intimate pants, a matching set adorned with faint blue water-cloud patterns.
Yan Zhen blinked, his mind flooding with all sorts of wild thoughts. Then his divine sense stirred with a sudden sense of danger. Snapping to attention, he saw a water arrow hurtling straight toward him at blinding speed.
Startled, Yan Zhen dodged just in time and watched the arrow plunge into the lake outside, erupting in a massive splash.
—Had the Yu Shizun gotten angry?
“Wait, Yu Shizun! I—I’ve already turned around!”
Yan Zhen lied through his teeth, thinking she wouldn’t dare turn back to check. But she just let out a soft sigh and said:
“Then how did you dodge it?”
“Er…” Yan Zhen faltered for a moment before coming up with an excuse. “Instinct.”
“…”
A moment of silence passed before the Yu Shizun spoke again.
“Go outside first. You can come back once I’ve changed.”
“Got it,” Yan Zhen replied immediately.
With that, he fell quiet.
Yu Shizun cautiously twisted her head for a glance and confirmed that Yan Zhen was no longer at the cave mouth. Her heart eased a little, though a faint, hidden trace of disappointment flickered through her.
She shook her head to clear her thoughts, circulated her mystic power to evaporate the moisture from her skin, then flicked her finger to shatter the water wall. Clutching her ample bosom, she stepped onto the array disk with her delicate jade feet, ready to dress.
She reached out to retrieve her intimate pants—only to discover, to her astonishment, that they were gone. The matching bellyband had vanished right along with them.
Yu Shizun realized instantly what had happened. Her cheeks flushed a thin crimson as her beautiful eyes shot a glare laced with anger toward the cave entrance, her brows knitting tightly.
Before she could voice her scolding, however, the culprit outside called out impatiently.
“All done changing, Yu Shizun? I’m heading in.”
Her heart skipped a beat in panic. She hurriedly pulled a fresh bellyband and intimate pants from her storage ring—but to her surprise, these were not her usual ones. The pants were a tiny triangular scrap of fabric, and the bellyband consisted of two connected hemispherical cups.
These were a special tribute from the Yu Family, an exclusive product from the Golden Jade Chamber of Commerce. Rumor had it that Yan Zhen himself had invented them!
She hadn’t wanted them at first, but upon hearing they were connected to him, she’d inexplicably accepted and stowed them away in her ring, never worn. Now, ironically, they were blocking her access to her other undergarments.
Bewildered by the unfamiliar design, the Yu Shizun had no idea how to even put them on. She shoved them back into her ring, opting instead to slip directly into her dress and drape her shawl over it.
The empty sensation underneath felt strange and exposed, but at least she wouldn’t flash anyone.
Composing her expression, she called out in her usual calm tone.
“Alright, you can come in now.”
Only after the words left her mouth did she realize her blunder.
That scoundrel had stolen her underthings—why on earth had she let him in? She should have chased him off and complained to Lady Chen Xi about his lack of decorum.
Regret washed over her, but it was too late to take it back. Yan Zhen had already darted inside, zipping to stand before her in an instant. He put on an innocently obedient expression.
“Yu Shizun, it’s been over a month. You’ve gotten even more beautiful.”
What a sweet talker.
On any other day, it might have made her a little happy. But after he’d stolen her most personal garments, he was little better than a lecherous rogue—utterly deplorable. No amount of feigned innocence would let him off easily.
Yu Shizun still wore her veil, as always—even during her bath—leaving only her sharp, beautiful eyes visible as they fixed on Yan Zhen.
“Why did you barge in like that?”
Yan Zhen grinned.
“I wanted to give the Yu Shizun a surprise… Unfortunately, my timing was off, and I ended up startling you instead.”
The placating tone in his voice softened her resolve for a moment. But she quickly recalled his brazen theft, her demeanor turning indifferent once more.
“I’m not so easily startled. Just be more careful next time.”
As she spoke, the Yu Shizun noticed that Yan Zhen’s gaze wasn’t entirely proper. It wasn’t level with her eyes but lingered on her chest instead. Heat rose to her cheeks. She wanted to cover herself but knew that would only draw more attention, so she forced herself to stay composed.
“What do you want? If it’s nothing important, leave. I’m about to go into seclusion.”
Yan Zhen gave a faint smile.
“I’ve brought back a little specialty from the Eighth Continent as a gift for the Yu Shizun.”
With that, he produced a palm-sized box of fiery red jade from his storage ring. A phoenix pattern adorned its lid.
Even through the box, the Yu Shizun could sense a surge of pure energy fluctuations. Curiosity piqued, she asked, “What’s this?”
Yan Zhen smiled. “You’ll know once you open it.”
Succumbing to her curiosity, the Yu Shizun lifted the lid. A cluster of phoenix flames sprang to life within, cradling a single, crystalline fruit—plump and utterly flawless.
Her beautiful eyes widened in shock, her composure slipping as she exclaimed, “Could this be… a Nirvana Fruit?”
The Nirvana Fruit, a ninth-order holy medicine exclusive to the Phoenix God Clan, was the pinnacle of medicinal treasures. Consuming it before reaching Half-Saint could skyrocket one’s cultivation, refine every realm anew, and transform the body entirely. With good fortune, it might even awaken a special talent—like Long Ying’s space talent.
Though the Yu Shizun’s skill in technique refining was only passable, she was well-versed in various medicines. Tempted as she was, she pushed the box back.
“This is far too precious. I can’t accept it.”
Yan Zhen chuckled.
“I plucked ten Nirvana Fruits from the Phoenix God Clan. I gave one each to the Dragon God Clan and Snake God Clan, leaving me with eight. This one’s for you… After taking it, Yu Shizun, you’ll advance to Half-Saint in no time—better prepared for the battles ahead.”
When Yan Zhen pushed the fruit back toward her, the Yu Shizun hesitated briefly before accepting it. Still puzzled, she asked, “How on earth did the Phoenix God Clan part with ten of them for you?”
At that, Yan Zhen broke into a smug grin.
“That brings me to the tale of how I outsmarted the Demon Phoenix King. Have a seat, and I’ll tell you all about it.”
As he spoke, he casually wrapped an arm around her slender waist in an intimate gesture, motioning for her to sit with him—as if he were the master of this place.
Yu Shizun glanced down at the hand on her waist. Normally, she might not have minded. But without her bellyband, everything felt oddly sensitive, and her heart inexplicably quickened.
