After the Clan's Annual Test ended, the sun dipped low into the horizon, casting long shadows across the empty stone path that wound through the outer gardens of the Xiao estate.
Xiao Ranyu walked slowly beside Ya Fei, hands behind his back, his demeanor as calm as ever.
Ya Fei, however, was quiet.
Too quiet.
She hadn't said a word since they left the crowd behind.
Her gaze was distant, shoulders slightly trembling. Then, like a dam breaking, her emotions spilled from her.
Her eyes reddened, and soft sobs began to escape her throat.
Ranyu's steps halted.
> "Huh? Ya Fei? Why are you... crying?"
His eyes widened in panic as he turned to her.
She lowered her head, voice trembling as she tried to hold it together.
> "I… Today was the day I was supposed to confess. But after seeing your strength—how could I?"
She bit her lip.
> "You're a 1-star Dou King already… and I—I'm just…"
Her fingers clenched tightly at her side.
> "The gap is too big."
Ranyu froze.
He hadn't expected this.
Silence lingered for a moment.
Then he spoke, his voice lower than usual.
> "...You should've known. I already accepted Xiao Xun'er's confession."
Ya Fei flinched.
> "Then… why did I still want to?" she murmured, voice cracking. "Because… Xun'er already knows."
She looked up at him, tears falling freely now.
> "She told me yesterday to do it. She said she didn't mind. She even encouraged me…"
Ranyu's brows lifted in surprise.
So that's what those whispers and giggles between the girls had been about.
Seeing her weep quietly like that, her usual composed elegance shattered, stirred something deep inside him.
He stepped forward, gently pulling her into his arms.
She stiffened immediately—eyes wide, hands frozen against his chest.
His breath was warm by her ear.
> "If Xun'er doesn't mind… then I don't either."
He leaned back slightly, looking into her tear-stained eyes.
> "...Because I've liked you for a while too."
Ya Fei's entire world paused.
She looked up at him, disbelief etched across her face, lips trembling, heart racing.
> "You… you…"
The words couldn't come out. Her heart was overwhelmed—joy, disbelief, worry—all tangled into a single moment.
But Ranyu already understood.
He glanced at her expression.
Even in his arms, her brows were still knit with concern.
> She's happy… but afraid. She doesn't believe she's worthy.
He frowned.
> So… let me change that.
---
After a few seconds of silent thought, he made a bold decision.
His arms pulled her closer.
Then—
His head lowered, brushing against hers.
And without warning… he kissed her.
Soft, warm, and sudden.
Her lips trembled in shock, her eyes flew wide.
> "Mmm—?!"
She struggled symbolically, her fingers pressing weakly against his chest.
But her resistance melted within seconds.
Her heart pounded as he deepened the kiss—tongue slipping between her lips, brushing hers, igniting her thoughts into white-hot static.
At the same time—
> [System: Confirmed. Transferring Spirit Empress Physique…]
A surge of warm, pulsing energy quietly entered her body.
Ya Fei shuddered—but she was too lost in the kiss to notice the transformation beginning.
Their kiss lasted longer than she expected. She only broke away when she was completely out of breath—her head pulling back, a thin silver thread connecting their tongues before it snapped.
She gasped, cheeks crimson.
> "Y-You… bad guy…"
She hid her face against his chest, still breathing hard, heart about to burst from her ribcage.
Then, suddenly, she paused.
> "...Wait. Something's… different."
A strange warmth flooded her core.
It was subtle, but she felt her mind sharper, her senses clearer—her entire body felt light, energized, alive.
She looked up in alarm, only to see Ranyu smiling faintly.
> "My body's… a little special," he said casually, brushing hair from her face. "I get one chance in life to simulate someone of the opposite sex and… pass on a special body constitution."
Her lips parted slightly.
> "You… gave it to me?"
Ranyu shrugged.
> "I didn't know what body you'd get—it's based on fate and compatibility. But… seems like you got a top-tier one. From today onward... you're one of the top talents on the continent."
Ya Fei stared at him, eyes wide, lips trembling again.
Her emotions swirled in her chest like a hurricane.
> He didn't hesitate.
He didn't pity me.
He chose me.
Then… she laughed.
Softly at first. Then breathlessly.
A new fire lit in her eyes.
She grabbed his collar and pulled him down—this time she was the one initiating the kiss.
Fierce. Hungry. Fiery.
It was the kiss of a woman who knew her worth.
---
> "If I'm a top talent now," she whispered against his lips, "I won't lose to anyone. Not in business. Not in cultivation. And definitely not in love."
---
Their lips parted again, hearts still racing.
Ya Fei leaned softly into his chest, her cheeks rosy, breath warm, eyes glittering with a mix of shock, joy, and something deeper.
Then—
A light chime echoed in the air.
>[ DING!Veil Seduction Scripture] has been successfully transferred.]
Xiao Ranyu raised a hand and gently tapped between her brows.
A crimson-red spiritual seal flickered briefly on her forehead, then faded into her soul.
> "Here," he said with a small smile. "It came with your new physique. A matching technique."
Ya Fei blinked, then gasped.
> "T-This is…"
A scroll of glowing text appeared in her mind, unfolding line by line.
> [Heaven Grade – High Rank]
Veil Seduction Scripture
Cultivates presence, charm, and spiritual suppression...
Her eyes widened as she skimmed through the scripture, breath catching.
> This… This technique… it's insane!
Charm Domain… Lotus Heart… Mirage Threads…
Every line pulsed with noble pressure, ancient elegance, and an aura of supreme control.
> "It's too powerful… Are you sure I should have this?" she whispered.
> "If it came with your body, it's yours by right," Ranyu said gently. "It's meant for you."
But then—she paused.
Her eyes landed on the final ability listed under the scripture.
Her face went red. Deep red.
She read it again just to make sure she wasn't misunderstanding.
> Twin Flame Bloom:
Allows dual-cultivation resonance with a compatible partner. Enhances mutual cultivation speed and spirit synchronization. Can evolve emotional connection into cultivation feedback.
Ya Fei's hand subconsciously reached to cover her mouth.
Her eyes flicked up toward him—
Then immediately away.
> Dual-cultivation resonance?! Emotional synchronization?!
Her mind spun. Her body heated.
> W-We just kissed! And now this—?!
Xiao Ranyu noticed the way her expression froze, then colored like a cherry blossom in spring.
> "Hm? What's wrong?" he asked innocently.
Ya Fei immediately turned away.
> "N-Nothing!"
But in her heart, she had a
lready made up her mind.
---
> He's going for training tomorrow...
> When he comes back…
> If the chance arises…
She placed a hand over her chest.
> I'll be ready.
---
She bit her lower lip to hide a smile—half nervous, half expectant—and walked forward beside him under the soft night sky.