Next Morning.
Noire woke up to find a pair of soft breasts plastered onto either side of his broad chest. He couldn't help but smile in content recalling the experience of last night, for his first time, he can say he did pretty good.
He ran his palms meticulously onto their skins, although he is a little bias in favor of Yue's tan skin, he wouldn't voice out his thoughts.
"Hmm..."
The girls began to groan lazily almost simultaneously, their humming and facial expressions as they struggled to wake up managed to stir up some rapid beats inside Noire.
'Damn, I was missing on so much in this life.'
Noire thought, then the girls felt their heavy eyelids uplift, only to be greeted by gentle pecks on their lips by Noire.
"Good morning~"
"Morning~"
With a warm smile, their morning began.
After a while of brief chatter, Noire's expression turned serious as he sat up slowly, followed by Yue and then Ning'er. They both used whatever available from the sheets to cover up as they swallowed nervously. They both could guess what the next subject of discussion will entail.
After a brief moment of silence, Noire broke the awkward silence with a sigh before speaking.
"Our relationship is somewhat unique. So, before we proceed I would like to make some rules."
"First, no display of public affection, because the extent of our 'bond' doesn't require any form of such remarks."
"Second, don't call me Master frequently, especially in public. Senior Brother or Sir is fine."
"Third, we are not lovers, nor will ever be. I won't tell you how to manage your feelings, but be responsible."
"Fourth, you will not disclose anything you know or don't know about me, that includes speculations, assumptions, or anything of that line."
"Is everything clear so far?" Noire gave each of them a glance.
Yue was already aware of her value and role in his plans, so she had nothing to complain about. Matter of fact, simply being able to live on was enough for her.
Ning'er, on the other hand, had a hesitant frown on her face. She came from a royal family, although weak on the hierarchy chain, but a royal family nonetheless.
She knew she couldn't win him over something as shallow as the first time, but she didn't expect he'd discard her the day after as if nothing happened.
Noire seemed to notice her deep in contemplation so he allowed her to continue and digest the information.
"I'm aware of the whole public affection and addressing you by Sir or Senior brother, but..." Ning'er took a deep breath.
"I already decided that you'll be the only man in my life the moment I offered my body. I can guarantee that you can trust me with your secrets, but it's too early for you to decide if I can win you over or not."
Ning'er had a serious look of determination on her face, so determined that Noire didn't know if he should wash her dreams with cold water yet or not.
On the outside, he had a warm smile that said 'challenge accepted', yet inwardly, he was sighing and feeling bad for the foolish human.
For him, all these established connections are stepping stones to reach the pinnacle. Sure, he may hold some sentiment, but not to the extent of finding a soul partner amongst these weaklings.
"Suit yourself. Anyway, onto the next topic,"
Noire then retrieved a jade slip from his space ring, Yue thought it's familiar to the one he gave her back in the cave, as in the alien design and engraved scripts.
"From now on, use this cultivation technique," Noire handed the jade slip to the still bewildered Ning'er, she had that expression ever since she saw the slip, then it amplified after hearing it was a cultivation technique.
Ning'er took the cultivation technique in a daze, after she immersed herself into the slip to compare her family's technique with this one, she was inwardly shocked.
She snapped her eyes open to inquire about the technique's origin only to find Noire's index on her firm lip.
"Shhh, the fourth rule." he reminded with a charming smile.
Ning'er didn't ask anymore, she simply gave a nod of gratitude before taking a seat in a lotus position, practicing the cultivation method... Naked.
Yue could tell how eager Ning'er was to improve, so she packed her clothes and left the room together with Noire.
Outside the room, Yue asked.
"Where are you going now?"
"Hmm, although I have gold, the gold is only suitable for geographical locations ruled by non-cultivators and monsters, the consumption of gold resources in cultivation-based places is very high..."
"First I will find an auction and gather some Qi crystals of low, medium, and high grade..."
Noire had a pensive look on his face. Truthfully, he can make a fortune by selling cultivation techniques. This world has three grades for almost everything including techniques. Low, Medium, High.
Ning'er had an exaggerated reaction because she assumed Noire's technique was of high grade, but that's only because this realm is ignorant of higher grades than their own.
Although an auction has privacy policies, all forces will bend under pressure, and Noire wouldn't take a chance.
"Sir Siyu!"
"Hm?"
Noire got pulled out of his thoughts as he noticed Yue tug onto his arm with expectant eyes.
"Let's have a shared bath! You should check my new hobby!"
"H-hobby?" What did she mean? When did bathing become an inspiration for hobbies?
"Yes," for a young adult, Yue had an enigmatic childish glimmer in her eyes.
"Also, I'm choosing orange ducky, you will have to sick with the yellow ones this time."
Before Noire could ask her to elaborate, Yue had already dragged him into the bathroom, he could only follow with a helpless expression.
After half an hour of fun and giggles, the due left the bathroom all clean and fresh. Of course, Yue had a smile that foreshadowed the might of her commandership capabilities.
Noire had a faint smile on his face as he watched Yue rush towards her room. She may be oblivious to her potential, but Noire wasn't.
'She has a strong affinity to water Qi. Hm, interesting.'
- - - -
About ten minutes later, Noire met Yue outside the apartment building, and as expected, the street was busy with people.
Yue had her signature favorite dress, the one bought by her Master, whilst Noire returned to the elegant white robes he obtained from Becca.
Of course, he wouldn't forget the mask.
"So, what do you think about Ning'er and her cultivation?" Yue asked curiously after they blended into the crowd.
"She should reach the peak Ether stage by the time of the exam," Noire responded lightly. "She won't attempt a breakthrough before entering the sect, it's too dangerous."
"I see- Ack!"
CRASH!
"Ow..."
"Ah- I'm sorry! I'm sorry!"
When Yue got back to her senses, she stabilized herself into a crouching position only to find a child about eight years old, he was currently kowtowing while casting wary glances at Noire and continually asking for forgiveness.
Yue noticed the panic in his eyes, she saw her past self overlap with the young boy in front of her...
Noire broke the awkward trance as he helped them both stand-up, then he divided his attention between cleaning Yue and checking the welfare of the youngster.
"What's the hurry? Are you alright?"
Quite the crowd began to gather around to watch the show, some gossips were tossed here and there as some began to recognize the child with dark brown hair and crystal blue eyes. If there's anything odd about the child, one would say the fact he's malnourished.
The child instantly returned to his kowtowing position before asking anxiously.
"Seniors, please... Help me!"