Meanwhile, at Fen Ziyan's Residence—
"Why?!"
Fen Ziyan slammed her palm against the jade wall, a visible crack spidering across it from the force. She stood breathing heavily, chest rising and falling beneath her silk inner robe, which had slipped slightly off one shoulder. A sheen of sweat clung to her fair skin, glowing faintly under the spiritual lamps that lined the room.
Her residence was among the largest in the outer sect, built atop a spiritual node where the qi was especially dense. The Azure Moon Sect didn't let her use this place for free, but for spirit stones.
These premium dwellings were part of the sect's business, rented at outrageous prices to the wealthy scions of noble clans. For a disciple of her background, the Fen Dynasty didn't hesitate to pay. After all, she was known as a prodigy, a rising phoenix of her generation so they willingly invest in her.
But what good was any of it now?
She had every advantage: the best resources, a perfect environment, flawless guidance and still, she was stuck at the 8th realm of Qi Refinement.
Worse, she had no idea why.
Even the elders her clan contacted gave vague responses, unable to detect the root cause. Some blamed unstable qi. Others said her foundation wasn't solid enough. But she knew it wasn't her. She had done everything right. Trained hard. Used many treasure pills. Followed every instruction to perfection.
And still… nothing.
Her long eye lashes trembled as she tried to steady her breath. Her robes clung slightly to her skin, dampened from her earlier session of failed meditation. Her collar was open just a touch too far, revealing the delicate lines of her collarbone and a glimpse of a deep snowy skin beneath.
She looked beautiful even in her anger , especially in it. Her flushed cheeks, her crimson narrowed eyes, her lower lip caught gently between her teeth in frustration. She looked less like a noble fairy and more like a proud firebird, pacing and seething, ready to lash out at the world.
Around her were scattered pill bottles, several now empty, some shattered, their medicinal scents still lingering faintly in the air.
"Why can't I break through!?"
She had tried everything.
Secret techniques from her clan. Assistance from a sect elder. Spending a fortune on rare pills. But nothing worked.
And worst of all… that infuriating junior, Li Feng, had seen her frustration earlier. She still remembered his smug look.
No matter how many times she tried to ignore it, one sentence echoed in her mind
His lazy voice. And that irritatingly confident smile when he said—
'I might be able to help…'
Fen Ziyan gritted her teeth. "Help? That lowly peasant bastard dares…"
But even as she cursed him aloud, a sliver of doubt took root in her chest.
What if… he really did know something.
That damn man.
She scoffed at the memory of his voice, so casual, so smug. His gaze was full of wicked amusement, and yet he had said it like it was nothing—
And worse she hadn't shut him down immediately.
Her fingers curled tightly around her sleeve.
Why did those words linger in her mind? Why did her heart twist at the idea that he might actually be telling the truth?
"No," she muttered. "Absolutely not. I don't need him."
She spun on her heel, robes trailing behind her, proud chin held high. When she turned sharply, the slit of her robe parting just enough to expose the smooth curve of her thigh before fabric fell back into place. She didn't notice or care about this.
Just as Fen Ziyan was about to return to her meditation cushion, a light knock came at the outer door.
She frowned. "What is it?"
A moment later, her personal servant, a young maid dressed in gray sect garb pushed open the door, bowing low.
"Senior Sister Fen," the girl said cautiously, keeping her gaze lowered. "A letter has arrived from the Fen Dynasty… personally marked by your father."
Fen Ziyan froze.
"…Bring it here."
The maid stepped forward with trembling hands and passed the rolled-up jade scroll, sealed with a crimson phoenix crest, the Fen clan's emblem. Ziyan took it without a word, fingers briefly tightening around the cool surface before dismissing the servant with a flick of her sleeve.
She sat down slowly on a nearby chair, staring at the seal for a long breath before finally breaking it open.
As her eyes skimmed the contents, her expression darkened.
[Fen Ziyan,
It has been half a year since your last cultivation breakthrough yet still no further progress.
Your cousin has already stepped into Foundation Establishment. Even disciples of minor clans have shown better results. Is this what the proud daughter of the Fen Dynasty has to show for herself?
We have spared no expense, countless spirit stones, rare pills, elder guidance, and even arranged for your personal residence within the sect. And yet… nothing.
You were once hailed as the brightest phoenix of your generation. But what we see now is a flame dimming with each wasted day.
Do not shame the blood that flows in your veins.
You were selected to represent our lineage in the upcoming sect tournament. If you fall short in front of the world's eyes, the stain will not be yours alone, it will be ours. The Dynasty does not tolerate mediocrity, even in its own children.
We expect results.
Do not make us regret our decision.
—Emperor of the Fen Dynasty]
The jade scroll trembled in her hand, and for a moment, she felt her breath catch in her throat.
So this was what it came down to. Not concern. Not understanding. Just numbers, results, and appearances.
Her father had always been strict, but this was the first time the tone had shifted so coldly—so… disappointed.
She crushed the scroll slowly in her fist until the jade cracked and shattered into dust, her knuckles white.
So what if she had talent?
What use was any of it if she couldn't break through?
Her heart pounded with heat and humiliation, made worse by the fact that she had no answer for it. No solution. No path forward.
Unless—
That voice, lazy and maddening, echoed in her head again.
'I might be able to help.'
She gritted her teeth, dragging her fingers through her long hair.
"I'm not that desperate," she whispered, as if trying to convince herself.
But the truth is … she is close.
Too close.
And Li Feng's infuriating smirk, smug, teasing, confident—was beginning to take up more space in her thoughts than she wanted to admit while the unseen, elusive karmic thread began to slowly and surely steer her toward the answer ..... itsanswer.
_____
Just as the air in Fen Ziyan's residence filled with tension and prideful fury—
Elsewhere, warmth and soft moans filled a modest room bathed in afternoon light.
Li Feng sat on his bed, his robe halfway undone, his arms wrapped lazily around the slender waist of a certain beauty.
Yue Lan was seated in his lap, facing him. Her icy expression was still present—but softened now, tinted with pink around her cheeks and ears from his relentless hands.
Her hands rested lightly on his shoulders, her robe already half undone, leaving her chest area bare, her golden eyes flicking to the side as if avoiding his gaze, though not pulling away from his embrace.
Li Feng admired the sight in front of him; he believed that being fully naked was great, but leaving some clothing on stimulated the desire to explore even more. He use one of his hand to gently molded her soft jade and then bite into it, while his other hand caressed her soft waist.
"Mhm," Yue Lan closed her eyes while letting out a soft voice.
"Senior Sister, your cultivation has really improved," Li Feng said with a low, playful chuckle. His hands were not idle either, slowly tracing along her waistline, down to her perfect white peach. His rough palm molded around her soft, round peach. He never grew tired of this kind of softness overflowing his hand.
"Especially your... qi circulation. It's incredibly smooth today."
Yue Lan didn't respond verbally, but her legs shifted ever so slightly over his thighs.
"Could it be," he leaned in, brushing his nose along her neck, "that your breakthrough made you even more... sensitive?"
"Shut up," Yue Lan muttered, but she made no move to stop him. Her usually crisp voice was laced with a weak undertone.
Li Feng smirked.
He had many plans for the day, but right now, all that could wait. After all, nothing beat a good 'relaxing session' with the newly advanced Senior Sister.
And perhaps… it was time to test her limits again.