Under the moonlit night, bamboo shadows swayed.
In the dimly lit room, a man and a woman stood facing each other. If one were to only look at the fervent passion in the girl's eyes, those unaware of the truth would surely envy him.
"Then, I thank you, Que'er."
Xu Yuan took the jade vial, examining the jade liquid within without showing any emotion.
Through the body of the vial, he could faintly sense the warm breath of the liquid inside.
Fresh spiritual medicine?
Did she mean that this medicine was just brought from the Medicine Peak of the Heavenly Dao Sect? Or that it was just made?
Something wasn't right, definitely not right.
There was something off about it, at least ninety percent off.
Xu Yuan asked with some suspicion, "Why does it feel like it's warm?"
Lin Qingque's cold face flickered with panic, her eyes evasive. She said somewhat guiltily, "It's because I was afraid the cold might upset your stomach, so I heated it up a bit."
"... "
Afraid that a Foundation Establishment cultivator like him would get a stomach ache from something cold?
That sounds more like a story for ghosts.
Xu Yuan's mouth couldn't help but twitch.
His instincts told him that this was probably not something good.
But Lin Qingque was not likely to harm him, especially under the current circumstances, which were to her advantage. Of course, that's another story if there were any bewitching medicine added that could knock out a cultivator.
"Alright, alright, elder brother, drink it quickly so your injuries can heal faster."
Lin Qingque urged, her eyes blinking eagerly, as if anticipating something.
Xu Yuan didn't struggle internally for too long. After all, in the past in the game, none of the suspicious liquids brought by Lin Qingque had caused any trouble.
This indicated that, perhaps, it was safe.
Wait a second?
Unidentified liquid...?
Xu Yuan pulled out the jade stopper, watching the thick liquid slowly slide out. He brought his nose closer to sniff.
In his previous life, Xu Yuan had always lived in the city. He had always dreamed of going to the seaside to experience the salty sea breeze.
Unfortunately, he had never managed to go before his transition.
Little did he expect, his wish would be fulfilled today.
Albeit in an unexpectedly different way.
Next time someone asks him what the sea smells like,
he can finally say with pride, "I know now."
Xu Yuan shook the jade vial, watching the ripples inside spread.
So fresh, is this what you mean by fresh?
Seeing him sniff the spiritual liquid, Lin Qingque, who had regained her composure, suddenly blushed again, her eyes misting over, her legs unconsciously pressed together, her breathing becoming more rapid.
This won't do!
Suddenly, she recalled the plan she had when she came and quickly shook her head to cast aside those thoughts.
"Elder brother,"
Lin Qingque's voice was like that of a wild cat in the mountains in the deep of early spring, enticing and lingering, making one itch to quiet her mouth.
"Hmm?"
Xu Yuan looked at her, puzzled.
"Actually, there's something else I came to ask you tonight,"
Lin Qingque took a deep breath, clarity returning to her eyes somewhat.
"What is it?"
Due to the choices Xu Yuan made in the morning, which differed from those of the past, although this wouldn't alter the overall direction of the plot, it would definitely result in changes to some minor details.
For example, the matter Lin Qingque was about to talk about wouldn't be the same as the endless affectionate declarations in the game anymore.
"Senior Brother..."
Deep within Lin Qingque's eyes, a misty spiritual light slowly gathered.
It was a precursor to her about to use her Heart Voice power.
Compared to before, her usage had now become both more silent and quicker.
Xu Yuan's heart shook; he had never anticipated that, in just one night, Lin Qingque had made such rapid progress in her use of the Heart Voice ability.
Given a few more days, she might become...
Damn!
Surprised by Lin Qingque's swift progress, Xu Yuan suddenly realized something ominous: although he had known beforehand that she was coming and had prepared for it, plans could not keep up with changes. Her terrifying progression and the fresh spiritual liquid had disrupted his thoughts, leaving him momentarily unable to enter the state needed to camouflage his Heart Voice and deceive her.
If she read his Heart Voice now, the consequences would be unimaginable!
Once she knew his true colors, Lin Qingque would definitely not trust him anymore, and he would only have the option of collaborating with Tian Liuli.
But that path was also nothing more than keeping company with a tiger and only delaying death a bit.
'Since it's like this, I have no choice but to do this.'
A fierce look flashed through Xu Yuan's eyes.
Only by causing fluctuations in her Heart Realm and preventing her from utilizing her Heart Voice powers again would he have the chance to organize his thoughts.
Zi liu zi liu zi liu zi liu zi liu zi liu zi liu—
He stuck out his tongue and swiftly licked the spiritual liquid inside the Jade Vial, mimicking how a flamingo disturbs the calm waters.
The expression on Lin Qingque's small face suddenly froze; the spiritual light in her eyes, like a small boat in a stormy tsunami, capsized instantly, sinking to the ocean floor without a struggle, shattering completely.
The blush that should have fallen gradually crept up from her collarbone, quickly reddening her snow-white, delicate cheeks, outshining peaches and plums.
"Senior Brother, what..., what are you doing?"
Her voice and body trembled slightly.
"It's too hot."
Xu Yuan said indifferently, as if he was completely unaware of how provocative his actions appeared to the young girl.
Zi liu zi liu…
Zi liu zi liu…
Accompanied by the rhythmic sound of drinking, Lin Qingque's breathing gradually became labored, her face dripping with fragrant sweat and turning flush.
She bit her bright red lips, held her heated face, and those moist, autumn-water-like eyes appeared as if they could drop tears at any moment, even seemingly reflecting hearts faintly.
This way, it felt as if Senior Brother was... teasing little beans.
"Senior Brother..."
Lin Qingque whimpered and took a step forward, throwing herself at him without reservation.
The breeze seemed to embrace the young girl.
But internally, Xu Yuan couldn't help but sigh.
"Que'er."
He lowered his head to look at the snow-white neck below the young girl's coiled hair, his face showing an eagerness so intense that even he himself was astounded, unable to distinguish between real and fake.
The young girl looked up at him, her pupils reflecting the desolate night, twinkling brightly as if fireflies danced within them.
She slowly tiptoed.
The next moment, a sword chant resounded by their ears.
Outside the window, a white rainbow dispelled the night curtain, illuminating the moonlight.
Xu Yuan's brows imperceptibly lifted, mixed with joy and worry.
Just in time, the arrival spelled trouble.