She did not resist his ministrations.
Instead, she gazed at him softly, receiving his care and tenderness like sunlight soaking into thawing earth.
A smile crept slowly to the corner of her lips. An inexplicable warmth flooded her heart—and with it, a faint, guilty thrill.
I'm digging at my junior sister's foundation…
The thought sent a shiver of both shame and exhilaration through her.
Xiao Jietian caught that unconscious smile. Internally, he awarded himself a mental checkmark.
He tucked away the handkerchief. His arm remained around her. She did not pull away.
"Try compressing this technique into one or two ice spheres," he said, his tone shifting back to instruction. "Or perhaps chain them—one after another, back to back."
As he spoke, he noted the sensation of holding her. Her ice-element constitution made her body cool to the touch, even through layers of fabric. Beneath that coolness, there was firmness—taut muscle, evidence of rigorous training.
Ya Fei is also ice-element, his mind wandered traitorously. But she's soft as silk, boneless. It suits her enchanting demeanor.
One was aloof, untouched by worldly dust. The other was seductive, radiating charm with every glance.
What would it be like to have them together?
He suppressed the thought. Barely.
I'd probably be awake all night. Non-stop.
He produced several pills and held them before her.
Selecting one, he brought it slowly to her lips. Han Yue hesitated for a fraction of a second—then trust overcame doubt. Her pale lips parted.
The pill dissolved on her tongue, cool energy spreading through her meridians. Fatigue receded. Strength returned. Colour bloomed on her cheeks.
One by one, he fed her the remaining pills.
The last one.
Her lips brushed his retreating fingers.
A jolt—like lightning, like current—passed through them both.
Their eyes met.
Time stopped.
Xiao Jietian's expression flickered. He withdrew his hand perhaps too quickly. His fingers still carried a faint, lingering moisture.
He cleared his throat.
Han Yue's eyes, first startled, then flustered, then—
Shy.
Her heart hammered against her ribs. Her blood rushed, heating her from within. She felt as though she might actually combust.
She wrenched herself from his embrace, steadied herself with sheer force of will, and activated her movement technique. Her flushed face turned toward the Inner Academy.
And she fled.
For Han Yue, who had never been this close to any man, the experience was overwhelming. Her mind was a storm. Her composure had shattered.
Her only thought: Escape. Before he sees me like this. Before he sees how unlike myself I've become.
Xiao Jietian watched her retreating figure.
He smiled.
He did not pursue.
Too much is as bad as too little.
Besides, the Inner Academy was safe. Her Dou Qi had recovered to seventy or eighty percent.
He surveyed the forest floor—littered with ice shards, scarred by their sparring. Then he glanced at his own palm.
The corner of his mouth curved upward.
Slowly, he turned and walked back toward the academy.
Han Yue burst into her boudoir and dove headfirst into her quilt.
She curled into herself, cocooned in fabric, as though it could shield her from the memories replaying endlessly in her mind.
His face. His smile. His gentleness.
That kiss.
Her entire body flushed scarlet. She was a boiled shrimp, a steaming kettle, a complete mess.
She buried her face deeper into the pillow.
Is he laughing at me right now?
Xiao Jietian returned to the attic and went directly to Xun'er's room.
He no longer slept in his own quarters. These days, it was either Xun'er's room or Eternal Heaven Palace.
Xun'er sat cross-legged on the bed, cultivating. The moment she sensed his aura, her eyes opened.
He approached, pinched her smooth cheek.
She melted into his arms.
"Tian Ge," she murmured against his chest, "you're finally back."
He wrapped his arms around her, one hand shifting to support her—
But before he could respond, Xun'er leaned closer.
And sniffed.
Her expression didn't change. Her voice didn't waver. But he saw it—the flicker of recognition in her eyes.
She knew.
He settled her onto a chair, poured her a cup of warm water, and began massaging her shoulders. He didn't hide anything. Briefly, candidly, he told her everything.
Xun'er listened without reaction.
She had long known what kind of man her Tian Ge was. If there hadn't been incidents, that would have been the real surprise. She had also investigated Han Yue—thoroughly, discreetly. Found nothing objectionable.
She had already… acquiesced.
Xiao Jietian exhaled quietly.
Thank goodness I started cultivating her young.
If I hadn't spent years laying the foundation… I'd have been bombed out of the fish pond long ago.
Perhaps sensing his relief, Xun'er seized his arm.
And bit down.
Hard.
Xiao Jietian gritted his teeth. He did not make a sound.
Four bites. Five.
Then she released him.
And smiled.
"As punishment," she said sweetly, "all those things I promised you before… cancelled."
Xiao Jietian's soul left his body.
Shared bath. Gone.
Stand-up comedy. Gone.
Dynamic light waves. GONE.
He had finally, finally convinced her to agree to tonight—
"Don't stop." Xun'er tilted her head. "Keep massaging."
For the sake of future happiness. For domestic harmony.
Master Xiao continued his labours, miserably.
Morning.
Sunlight spilled generously across heaven and earth, dispelling the night's chill. Warmth seeped into every corner.
Xiao Jietian led the Pan Gate members to their high platform.
Han Yue and Moon Spirit were already there.
The moment she saw him, a blush flickered across her face—there and gone in an instant. She smiled and nodded.
He nodded back.
The Moon Spirit members exchanged glances.
Oh?
Ohhhh.
There's definitely a story here.
Han Yue had fled back to her room last night like a startled rabbit. They had all noticed. They had all speculated.
Now, watching these two exchange nods like nothing had happened, their gossip senses were screaming.
Xun'er, who had been holding Xiao Jietian's arm, pinched him discreetly.
If something happened, it's definitely this bad man's fault.
Pinching him is always the right choice.
She released his arm and glided gracefully to Han Yue's side.
Han Yue startled. Her mind raced. Xun'er knows. Xiao Jietian must have told her everything.
She hastily erected a Dou Qi barrier.
"Xun'er," she whispered urgently, "last night—it was all an accident. I swear, I will never come between you two. It's all my fault. I—"