Tiandou City. Lucien's residence.
Tianshui Academy allowed him to attend classes as an exchange student, yes. But letting him live inside their pristine female dorms?
Absolutely impossible.
And to be honest, Lucien preferred it that way.
If he lived on-campus, it would be far too difficult for the little cats and Rongrong to visit him freely. Now things were perfect—whenever they missed him, they could simply sneak over and stay the night.
He stretched out lazily in bed, drinking as usual, when a sparkle lit his eyes. "Oh? Such a good thing happening tonight?"
The next moment, his figure flickered, disappearing from the room entirely.
Just one street away…
Shui Bing'er walked quietly through the night, her footsteps careful as she approached Lucien's residence.
That day, she had discovered where he lived. Her curiosity had gnawed away at her until she couldn't resist. She had to know the truth—how did Lucien cultivate at night?
During the day, all anyone saw was him drinking. But strength like his didn't come from nothing. She was sure he must train in secret under cover of the night.
She knew it was wrong, a breach of a soul master's discipline. But curiosity was a devil's chain. She just wanted a peek.
Glancing at the surrounding houses, then at the one before her, Shui Bing'er pressed forward—until a strong force gripped her from behind.
The next thing she knew, she stumbled into the room itself.
"Ha—voyeur! Finally caught you."
Lucien stood by the doorway, grinning wide, teeth gleaming white under the lamplight.
"Bing'er, tell me—were you the one who stole my drying clothes yesterday?" His finger hooked under her chin playfully.
"I did not!" Shui Bing'er protested, her blue eyes glistening.
She'd barely tried to sneak in when, instead of catching him training, she was caught herself—and now accused like some petty thief. Couldn't she be any unluckier?
Besides, would she ever steal Lucien's filthy clothes of all things? The very idea was insulting!
"Careful, Bing'er," Lucien teased, tilting her chin higher. "I can call someone in here if you resist."
Shui Bing'er nearly fainted. Wasn't she the one supposed to yell for help right now?
But deep down, she knew she was in the wrong. Her concealment skill was top-tier—yet he'd sensed her instantly. What kind of monster was he?
Why was I so stupid, sneaking in just to peek at him cultivating? Curiosity really does kill the cat…
Lucien's eyes narrowed with amusement. "Ah, I get it! Yue'er must've told you I invited your sisters to drink tomorrow. Couldn't wait, so here you are tonight?"
"No!" Bing'er snapped.
"Then you're here to sleep with me?" Lucien smirked shamelessly. "Sneaking into a man's home in the dead of night… that's the only other possibility."
"No!" Bing'er's cheeks burned, brow furrowed tightly. She was pinned helplessly against the wall, realizing just how much he'd grown stronger in half a year. She couldn't even muster resistance anymore.
Finally, she blurted the truth, voice shrinking with guilt: "I… I wanted to see how you cultivate…"
Her heart sank. In admitting it, she had confessed her mistake. She was a voyeur, after all.
"…So you were peeping," Lucien grinned. "And here you were denying it."
"I've already said everything—now let me go!" Bing'er pleaded anxiously.
"Nope." Lucien shook his head firmly. "You finally came to my door. No way I'll just let you leave."
She glanced around nervously. If anyone saw her here, in his room, how could she ever explain?
"I admit I was wrong," she whispered quickly. "But I didn't see a thing. Can't we… talk tomorrow?"
"Why wait until tomorrow? You should stay since you came." Lucien picked up two large jars from his soul tool, his grin widening. "My cultivation method is drinking. If you're that curious, then come drink with me."
"…I won't." She shook her head frantically. Even if it was true—especially if it was true—she couldn't risk it. If she got drunk here with him, who knew what might happen?
Lucien just plopped onto the sofa, tilting back the jar for a heavy swig. The room fell silent, except for the steady glug of wine down his throat.
"Mm? So quiet?" Lucien turned—and found Bing'er standing stiffly, her blue eyes fixed on the sword at his back.
"Bing'er, what's wrong?" he asked.
Her lips parted slowly. "That sword… what happened to it?"
She had sensed it—that cold, piercing aura. It wasn't merely sharp. It resonated faintly with her Ice Phoenix.
Last time she'd seen him, at the Heaven Dou Cup, Lucien's martial soul had been completely different. How had it changed so drastically in just half a year?
Lucien glanced back at the black sword. "Ah, this? I ate a very frosty herb once. The sword… well, it changed."
He still didn't know fully what happened that day in Dugu Bo's garden. The blade had erupted like a beast, consuming the rare ice herb whole. Since then, traces of freezing mist clung to it, sharpening its edge even further.
And though he hadn't tested its limits yet, he knew—the power now thrumming inside it was more terrifying than ever before.
"…Can I look at it?" Bing'er asked quietly.
"You can look, but don't touch," Lucien warned. "This thing has a temper. It obeys me when I hold it with spirit power. But otherwise… it's violent."
Bing'er nodded quickly. The aura alone was enough to make her cautious.
Even without holding it, she could feel how the chill intertwined with her spirit power threads, making them circulate faster. Her breath caught, face flushing from the sudden surge.
"I…" she hesitated, biting her lip.
But then she shook her head. "I'm leaving."
She shot him a fiery glare. "And don't tell anyone what happened tonight!"
Lucien scratched his cheek, bemused. "Girls are strange… Forget it. Whatever. Cheers."
Taking another long drink, he leaned back, while Shui Bing'er quickly slipped into the shadows of the night, her heart pounding.
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