The Beautiful Female Master had never kissed him so suddenly before, without any warning, as if she were venting her emotions.
The intimacy between them had always been the proper and orderly practice of dual cultivation.
This kiss was utterly different from before. Though not passionate, it was filled with deep affection.
Yan Zhen parted his lips, responding to her.
When the kiss ended, both master and disciple were flushed and breathing lightly as they gazed at each other.
“Master, will you marry me?”
Master Chen Xi smiled faintly.
“This Master has told you that everything belonging to this Master is yours, Zhen’er. As long as you want it, this Master will do everything in her power to fulfill your wish, including becoming your wife.”
Yan Zhen furrowed his brows, clearly dissatisfied with that response.
“Is Master simply doting on me, nothing more?”
“Silly boy.” Chen Xi stroked her Precious Disciple’s head, her voice shy as she said, “This Master has always loved you—not just as a master loves her disciple, but… but also as a woman loves a man.”
“Really?”
“Of course it’s true. When has this Master ever deceived you?”
“Mm.” Yan Zhen scratched his cheek and gazed at the Beautiful Female Master’s stunning, ethereal beauty. A fire ignited in his heart. “Master, I want another kiss~”
Chen Xi smiled indulgently and leaned in, offering her ruby lips.
…
In the Fire Refining Starry Sky, massive stars burned silently, illuminating a corner of the darkness.
Between the celestial bodies stretched a vast plaza, ringed by towering pillars like mountains. At its center stood an ancient altar.
At that moment, a stone bed had risen from the altar’s surface, surrounded by pink silk curtains that veiled the scene within.
Yan Zhen lay on the bed, his head pillowed on the Beautiful Female Master’s jade-like thigh. His bright, watery eyes watched unblinkingly as she removed her silver hairpin, allowing her silky, smooth white hair to cascade freely down her back in a disheveled wave. She continued by untying her sash, slowly sliding the solemn black robe with its wide sleeves down to her elbows, baring her creamy shoulders and graceful collarbones.
Chen Xi noticed her Precious Disciple’s gaze and felt her face heat up. She chided him softly.
“Zhen’er, don’t look at this Master like that.”
Even as she spoke, she didn’t cover his eyes as she usually would. Instead, she endured her shyness and let him watch.
Yan Zhen stared for a long while before closing his eyes, putting on an obedient expression.
Chen Xi adored this mischievous side of her Precious Disciple. She extended one flawless arm, white as frost and snow, from her wide black sleeve to gently cradle his head. At this angle, he could comfortably latch on with no effort at all. Her other hand slipped downward gracefully, grasping him tenderly to soothe the restlessness in his body.
The cherry-pink treasure entered his mouth, its sweetness and richness flooding Yan Zhen’s taste buds. He hummed in satisfaction, his little hands growing restless as they reached to tease the other mound.
A faint blush colored Chen Xi’s cheeks. She watched her Precious Disciple’s fair, innocent face intently, her beautiful eyes brimming with indulgence. As he occasionally grew naughty, soft moans escaped her lips, stirring the heart.
Yan Zhen felt as though he had entered a land of utter tenderness. Everything around him was soft, fragrant, and sweet, drawing him in so deeply he could never escape.
“Master…”
“It’s all right. This Master can take it.”
“Wu…”
“There, there, Zhen’er. Be good~”
…
After emerging from the Fire Refining Starry Sky, Yan Zhen still felt light as a feather, as if he might float away into the sky at any moment.
Hehehe, the Beautiful Female Master agreed to marry him! Awesome!
He had always harbored deep feelings for her, but to avoid derailing the plot, he’d hidden them away. Now, he’d finally confessed boldly. As long as he completed the plot’s role, he could marry the Beautiful Female Master and reach the peak of life!
—Wait, no, can’t think about that anymore. Wouldn’t want System-chan peeking into my thoughts and slapping me with a yellow card warning.
Yan Zhen hurriedly imagined himself as a salted fish lounging on a beach under the sun.
【……】
【Ding! System Warm Reminder: Please properly role-play as the protagonist and follow the plot, or the consequences will be dire.】
—I know, I get it. Even for their sakes, I’ll act it out properly and keep this world from collapsing.
【Excellent that the host has this resolve.】
—No matter what, the Beautiful Female Master is an important person to me. That won’t change… Anyway, enough of that. The next key plot is the clash between the East and West Academy Districts, right? By my count, there are still plenty of days left. Let me move freely until then.
【Goodbye, host. Mua~】
—The mua is unnecessary!
After shooing away the not-so-bright System-chan, Yan Zhen felt a huge weight lift. For now, he wouldn’t wake up to warning screens plastered in his face.
He looked around and realized he was still near Rain Heaven Pavilion. He quickly pulled out his messaging talisman and sent a message to Mentor Yu Xuan, saying he’d returned to the dormitory and she could find him there if needed.
A reply from Mentor Yu Xuan came almost immediately.
【Yan Liang True Summer Night, Rain-After Xuan Grass Worry: Master Chen Xi isn’t angry, is she?】
【Fire Yan’s Yan, Pure Zhen’s Zhen: She’s fine, no need to worry. Master agreed.】
【Yan Liang True Summer Night, Rain-After Xuan Grass Worry: Really? That’s great!】
【Fire Yan’s Yan, Pure Zhen’s Zhen: Now all that’s left is the issue with Mentor Yu Xuan’s family. We’ll see in a couple days.】
【Yan Liang True Summer Night, Rain-After Xuan Grass Worry: Mm! My little man turned out surprisingly reliable~】
Chatting flirty sweet nothings, Yan Zhen made his way back to the New Student Dormitory in the East Academy District.
He pulled out his room card to unlock Room 2, but the door to Room 1 next door swung open first. Huangfu Wenqing stepped out and, spotting him, immediately dragged him inside.
Yan Zhen had no choice but to close his own door and follow Huangfu Wenqing into her room.
“You were gone all night, not back until noon the next day.” Huangfu Wenqing stared at him, clearly displeased. “Were you doing that with them again?”
Yan Zhen waved his hands frantically.
“No, the four of them were all advancing in their cultivation.”
“Advancing… so it was with Mentor Yu Xuan?” Huangfu Wenqing’s lips drooped. “She seems to really like licking you~”
Yan Zhen broke into a sweat, unsure how to respond. He changed the subject.
“Wenqing, have you been holed up in your room the whole time?”
Huangfu Wenqing nodded.
“Yeah. As soon as I step out, some stranger tries to hit on me. It’s annoying. Better to stay inside and cultivate.”
“That won’t do. Classes haven’t officially started yet. You should go out, explore, get familiar with the place.”
“Will you come with me?”
“Sure.”
“R-Really?”
“Yeah. Let’s go right now. We’ll grab lunch at the dining hall first, then wander around elsewhere.”
Seeing Huangfu Wenqing’s expression finally brighten, Yan Zhen relaxed. He took her small hand, and together they left the dormitory for the dining hall.
After eating, they strolled until nightfall before returning to their rooms to meditate and cultivate.
Once meditation was done, Yan Zhen took a quick bath, then lay on his bed and checked his messaging talisman. He saw that all four women had messaged in the group, announcing they’d successfully advanced.
Yan Zhen sent a “Congrats, congrats!” and chatted with them a bit longer before putting away the talisman, turning off the light, and going to sleep.
In the dead of night, with all sounds stilled, Yan Zhen once again dreamed of that lavender-filled dream…
