A fresh, new day.
The first light of dawn bathed the Spirit Harmony Peak, and Yang Wei was already immersed in the cultivation of the sixth stage of the Vital Qi Practice.
Shirtless, he sat cross-legged on a bamboo mat in the center of his room, as always, resembling a meditating monk.
With absolute focus, he breathed deeply into his lower abdomen, expanding through the middle chest, and finally the upper chest.
A balanced exhale followed, promoting the flow of Qi.
Hours passed...
Finally, a burst of spiritual Qi erupted from Yang Wei.
"It is done."
He had successfully advanced to the seventh stage.
Observing his transformed body, Yang Wei touched his chest and face with satisfaction. "Wow, it's amazing that I broke through even quicker this time, especially for such a challenging stage," he remarked to himself.
Executing the intricate breath cycle of the Three Harmonies Breath demanded an abundance of spiritual energy. Yang Wei understood the importance of overfeeding on spiritual food to ensure surplus vital Qi, facilitating a smooth transition between the Three Harmonies Breath.
In the end, it was all thanks to Huo Zhenwei's "hospitality".
Smiling proudly, Yang Wei rubbed his chin and looked upwards, eyes closed in self-satisfaction. "Why?" he mused aloud. "Why am I, Yang Wei, so exceptional? A genius in every field," he added with a self-assured chuckle.
Yang Wei's hands clapped together, creating a resounding slap in the air. "Alright, I'll take one more overachieving step to break through the seventh stage today," he declared.
Knocking at his gate interrupted his concentration, but he brushed it off.
Another round of knocks followed, and he sighed. "Who dares disturb me at such a crucial time? I, Yang Wei, don't have the time to play," he muttered.
Adjusting his loose pants and the cloth belt on his waist, Yang Wei casually threw on a thin black robe over his shirtless body, leaving it unlaced.
He approached the wooden gate, sliding it open with annoyance. "Huo Zhenwei, now's not the best time," he grumbled, expecting the Young Master's friend.
To his surprise, Mu Lin stood there, holding out a wooden lunch basket.
"Junior Brother, I thought I'd bring you some food... I'm sure you must be hungry after working so hard, right?"
On her face, was the sweetest look one could imagine.
Her charm proved utterly irresistible. With closed eyes, a tempting smile playing on her thin, red lips, and a subtle blush enhancing the spotless, jade-like skin of her face, it almost became impossible to decline.
It's a good thing I chose to remain to observe the departure of the other disciple. I should've anticipated it. The means to influence the heart of this filthy, common dog is through food, much like any unintelligible animal incapable of comprehending the regality that is my person. I'll ensure he has his fill of this meal, and then, I'll get my revenge on this neanderthal!
Yang Wei looked at her with half-closed eyes, seemingly unimpressed or perhaps expecting more.
Mu Lin smiled even wider, opening her eyes seductively and giving him a scandalous vixen stare.
"So, what do you think?" she asked.
Truly, there was no man who could say no to Mu Lin, she was a top tier jade beauty.
However, without hesitation, Yang Wei shut the gate on her face. "Not today," he said.
Indeed, the gate was slammed shut in front of Mu Lin's face.
She was left to stare at the logs that made up the barrier.
"That bastard... Dog... Filth... Pig... Common trash... He... He would dare..."
Both surprise and anger twisted like a storm in her eyes, and she gripped the basket's sides so tightly that it seemed a mere squeeze could shatter it.
Has he forgotten who I am? I'm Mu Lin, the one they compose sonnets about, and he dares resist my charm? Is he blind or, dare I say, immune to the pull of my jade-like beauty? Maybe he's from another dimension where people don't appreciate the goddess-level magnificence that is Mu Lin. This is unprecedented! I've had men line up for miles to catch a glimpse of my radiant aura, and here we have Mister 'Common Dog' acting like he's too great for a taste of divine affection. Unbelievable!
This was the first time any man had dared to shut the door on her, a treatment far from the royal reception she usually received.
Men usually bowed at her feet, so the rejection was as confusing as finding a phoenix in a chicken coop.
In the matriarchal system they lived by, where women held significant power, Mu Lin's advances were not uncommon.
A man turning down her offer felt like an affront, challenging the norm she was accustomed to.
Gritting her teeth, Mu Lin clenched the basket with one hand, while the other formed a fist.
Her impressive cultivation base could easily crush large boulders that were over ten times her size.
As such, the gate was no more than a trivial obstacle.
Just as she prepared to unleash her strength on the wooden gate, Mu Lin hesitated, taking deep breaths to calm herself.
With determination, she decided not to let this "common dog" get under her skin, realizing that allowing him to anger her meant giving him control over her emotions.
After a few calming breaths, she lowered her fist, regaining her charming composure.
With a regal flip of her hair, Mu Lin exhaled an indignant huff. "I have only one other option..."
Swallowing her pride, Mu Lin dropped the lunch basket she had prepared for Yang Wei and began banging on the wooden gate with both fists.
Each hit was calculated, not loud enough to attract the attention of nearby disciples, but sufficient for Yang Wei to hear.
She shouted, "Junior Brother~! Please, open up. I just want you to have something to eat~! You've been working so hard, haven't you~? You deserve a treat~"
As the gate cracked with each forceful blow, Yang Wei continued walking away, seemingly unfazed by her plea. Glancing back momentarily, he noticed the damage and panicked.
"Woman, let me cultivate in peace!" he exclaimed.
He rushing back to slide the gate open.
Annoyance was heavily written on his face.
Mu Lin smiled as she looked at him, but the moment she realized she was smiling, her face twitched several times. She quickly composed herself, suppressing the involuntary expression, and coughed discreetly, clearing her throat with an air of pride to hide the momentary lapse. Faint signs of blushing appeared on her cheeks, adding a subtle warmth to her otherwise forced demeanor.
She then remarked, "Ah, yes, you finally opened the gate after wasting enough time for a Beast King to be born." Folding her hands and pushing her ripe, plump breasts up, she closed her eyes, asserting, "You really should treat a regal woman like myself with more respect tha—"
Yang Wei cut her off, stating bluntly, "Get to the point."
Mu Lin twitched in shock at his interruption, her attempt at controlling the conversation momentarily shattered.
Mu Lin sighed and replied, "Okay, fine."
She tilted her head, offering a gentle smile, and cutely lifted the lunch basket toward Yang Wei. With a sweet demeanor, she told him, "I prepared this for you, my sweet junior brother, and I was hoping you'd be glad to enjoy some of what your senior sister made you..."
Yang Wei, inspecting the basket, scrutinized Mu Lin from head to toe as if sizing her up.
He then questioned her, "You made food... for me?"
Despite hearing her clearly, Yang Wei couldn't believe it.
He asked not because he didn't hear her or he was uncertain.
Instead, he was skeptical of the idea that Mu Lin, the spoiled Chief's daughter, had prepared a meal for him.
He walked a bit closer, leaning on the gate, and lifted a questioning eyebrow.
"Are you sure you didn't poison this...?"
On hearing this question, Mu Lin's eyes darted from side to side, as if searching for something in the corner. She chuckled nervously, assuring him, "What? No, what sort of Senior would even dare poison their junior." Gently placing her hand on his cheek, she slowly and seductively caressed his cheek with her fingers. Adding, "Especially one they like so much."
Her stare became sharp and seductive as her subtle smile transformed into a more sexually arousing expression.
She looked up at him with her attractive, big, brown eyes.
Approaching him even closer, she slowly and sweetly traced her fingers down his cheeks, reaching his muscular, stone-hard chest.
Leaning against his robust frame, Mu Lin could sense every muscle fiber pressing against her body; almost as though they romanced her soft feminine body. Her knees weakened, and her body strangely relished the enticing touch of something so irresistibly sexy and strong.
It stirred unfamiliar yet pleasant sensations within her.
Yang Wei's shirt, open like a gateway to temptation, revealed a chiseled chest and abdomen—a sexy sight for any woman, and one that effortlessly blended rugged masculinity with an unmistakable undertone of sensuality.
Mu Lin's thoughts had turned rotten.
Now, the idea of this "common dog" touching her earlier, felt so good.
Wow, he's so fit and... It makes me feel so... Wow~~
Mu Lin drew circles on his chest with the tip of her finger, relishing the contact with his bare skin. She commented, "Oh, I didn't know my junior brother was so muscular, it feels so good to touch..." But then, she noticed her slip up, "I mean, to know," she corrected herself.
Yang Wei sighed. "Come in," he said.