Chapter 72: A Love Smelted from Immortal Grass
In this world of romantics, a line like that was nothing short of a bombshell.
"We'll see about that," Ling Yuan murmured, slightly stunned by his almost-confession. Her eyes darted away as she hastily put down her chopsticks, turning her head to avoid his gaze and nervously toying with her ear-length hair.
Her form-fitting black fur coat shimmered even in the dim light, and her smooth skin was fair with a hint of red, making her extremely alluring. What was most captivating was her naturally charming posture and languid expression. She possessed a mature charm that the younger Nong Yu lacked, a different kind of magnetism than even Jing Ni's.
Qin Xuan meticulously scrutinized her, secretly grading her. Among the women he had seen, purely in terms of beauty and physique, Jing Ni was the most outstanding at 9.7 points. Bibi Dong, before having her child, was a close 9.5, with the potential to surpass Jing Ni later. Nong Yu, the former top courtesan, also scored a 9.5, while the woman in the black veil scored a 9.
Liu Erlong was a rare beauty but not on their level, scoring around 8 points. Ling Yuan fell between Liu Erlong and the veiled woman at 8.5, but her mature charm was a significant bonus, easily elevating her to a 9 or higher in overall appeal.
Ling Yuan seemed to enjoy his gaze. As he unabashedly studied her, the charm she naturally exuded was enough to make one's heart race. However, when she saw Jing Ni holding a child beside him and the apprehensive-looking Nong Yu, her enjoyment quickly turned into resentment.
Good heavens! she thought. It's one thing to have a beautiful maid, but to openly flirt with me in front of his wife and child? Is his wife really that patient?
After dinner, Qin Xuan gave a few instructions to Jing Ni, who then took the blushing Nong Yu and A Yan to rest in the tent.
The tent had four beds. Qin Xuan had already arranged them: Ling Yuan on the far right, followed by Jing Ni, A Yan, and Nong Yu on the far left. Ling Yuan was unaware of this. Even if she knew, she wouldn't have thought much of it. Though she worried he might bully her again, she never imagined he would try something so brazen in front of his wife and child.
With the others gone to rest, Ling Yuan glanced at Qin Xuan by the campfire and asked hesitantly, "Is there only one tent?"
"It's fine. I'll be on watch tonight, so you don't have to worry about it being too crowded. You should get some rest. You're the main force for hunting Spirit Beasts tomorrow. We can't have you losing focus."
"Alright then. I'll come relieve you in the second half of the night." Ling Yuan couldn't find a reason to refuse and sighed inwardly. Never mind. If he's on watch, he can't do anything. Besides, his wife and child are right here. He wouldn't dare.
"No need. Jing Ni will take the second shift. I'm going to patrol first. You get some sleep," Qin Xuan said, not giving her a chance to argue as he stood up and walked out of the camp.
Helpless, Ling Yuan complied. But when she saw the bed reserved for her inside the tent, she suddenly felt like crying. That guy... he can't possibly be serious...
After leaving the camp, Qin Xuan created four clones to search for the Qianjun Ant Emperors and the Dark-Devilgod Tiger. He patrolled once more, and only after confirming Ling Yuan had entered the tent did he return to the campfire.
Before long, the even breathing of Jing Ni, A Yan, and Nong Yu filled the tent. Only Ling Yuan was wide awake. Though she enjoyed verbally teasing talented young men, she was still a woman who had never experienced true intimacy. She, who was usually keen on destruction, was often the most timid when it came to a real fight. If it were any other man, she could just use her eighth Spirit Ability to make his blood boil and be done with it. But this was Qin Xuan—a young man whose Spirit, talent, and appearance all deeply captivated her.
"What on earth am I even expecting?" she sighed softly.
Amidst her musings, time flew by. In the blink of an eye, it was the latter half of the night. Jing Ni got up and walked out to switch shifts with Qin Xuan. Soon after, he slipped into the tent and into Jing Ni's original sleeping bag.
Ling Yuan didn't dare to breathe. She lay on her side with her back to him, the distance allowing her heart to calm down slightly.
However, a long time passed, and the imagined night raid never occurred. There was only the even breathing of Qin Xuan, A Yan, and Nong Yu. Ling Yuan's restless heart gradually settled. The quiet darkness began to evoke memories, and she recalled what he'd said after forcefully kissing her: "Little Ling Yuan, if you ever come to your senses, come find me. I'm not a good person, but I'm absolutely responsible for my own women."
"Little Ling Yuan"... he's clearly a philandering scoundrel. He probably didn't expect me not to dodge last time. He wouldn't dare act so recklessly again...
Just as she thought he was all talk, a lazy voice sounded by her ear. "Not asleep yet?"
As he spoke, she felt something hard touch her back. Could it be...
Startled, Ling Yuan quickly turned around. "No... Qin Xuan, you can't..." Her voice trailed off. The hard object she imagined was not what she thought. What met her eyes was a square jade box.
Qin Xuan smiled and handed it to her. "Open it."
With a flushed face, Ling Yuan nodded and slowly opened the box. A burst of red light erupted from within, momentarily blinding her. When she opened her eyes again, her breathing quickened.
"This... This is..." she whispered, excitedly sitting up. As an Elder of Spirit Hall, she was familiar with the catalog of Immortal Herbs. The item in the box was none other than the one she and every other fire-attribute Titled Douluo dreamed of: the Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower.
"The Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower," Qin Xuan said as the red light receded. "A gift I brought specifically for you." He closed the box and very naturally took her hand, placing it in her palm.