Huang Xue felt it would be rude to continue staring, so she shifted her focus to her own practice.
Her master had told her to aim for a breakthrough into the Foundation Establishment Realm within three months. Given her exceptional talent and the Low Earthly grade manual she was cultivating, she felt confident that achieving it was entirely within reach.
Her master had explained that a Low Earthly grade manual was the best available within the White Crow Sect, it could allow her to awaken 54 meridians of the 108 meridians. However, in the future, she would have the opportunity to obtain better manuals.
As long as they were of the wood attribute, she should switch to them without hesitation.
Huang Xue focused intently, and soon, the qi from the surrounding air and water began flowing into her skin, transforming into wood-attribute qi before settling in her dantian.
Her qi absorption was so efficient that the water around her began to lose its initial brilliance, gradually turning dull. However, this was quickly replaced by fresh, vibrant water, replenishing the supply.
The qi formation embedded within the room and the waterfall ensured a constant flow of spiritual energy. As long as her absorption remained within certain limits, she would have an endless supply of qi for her cultivation.
Meanwhile, the qi close to Feng Fan showed no signs of changing. He was still trying to sense qi according to the manual, only focusing on his breathing.
Time passed slowly, and Feng Fan continued to focus. Finally, he began to sense something different. Though his eyes remained closed, it felt as if he could see more clearly than ever before.
A faint, translucent energy seemed to permeate the air, entering his body through his nose and leaving through his mouth.
The energy didn't remain inside; it simply flowed in and out, like a river passing through him. It touched every part of his being but left no trace as if it were a fleeting guest passing through his body without ever taking root.
If anyone else attempted to sense qi using this method, even with immortal-level talent, they would fail unless they could enter the elusive 'Return to Emptiness' state. This was precisely why this Qi Cultivation technique was dismissed as useless—even for the initial step of sensing qi.
Feng Fan's concentration wavered. 'I can feel it! I can finally sense qi!'
Excitement surged through him, but as soon as his joy broke his focus, the sensation of qi faded away. However, he didn't let it discourage him. If he had felt it once, he could do it again!
'This technique isn't flawed at all! This is an Immortal-grade technique!' Feng Fan thought, his heart racing with excitement. He knew he had stumbled upon something invaluable. But even so, there was still one major hurdle—he didn't know how to accumulate spiritual qi inside his body.
Huang Xue had warned him that the meridians in this technique were messed up, and that thought filled him with hesitation. 'I don't want to cripple myself before I even get started,' he mused. 'That would be the saddest thing ever.'
After opening his eyes, Feng Fan once again saw Huang Xue before him. The thoughts that had briefly left his mind returned, stronger this time. While she was cultivating, an ethereal aura seemed to radiate around her, making her seem even more enchanting.
Summoning his will, Feng Fan forced himself to focus, trying to keep himself from assaulting her.
Just as he was about to rise from his seated position, Huang Xue opened her eyes and noticed him.
"Are you leaving already?" she asked, a touch of panic in her voice. She didn't want him to go, not when she had the chance to make a friend.
Without thinking, she reached out to grab his wrist, but in the process, Feng Fan lost his balance and stumbled, falling forward and landing on top of her.
"A-Ah!" Huang Xue moaned. Feng Fan's hand accidentally found its way to her chest.
Feng Fan heard a moan from Huang Xue and saw her blushing face. His left hand was resting and gripping hard on her left breast. His hand couldn't even hold it completely.
"So big," he said by mistake.
His pole once again got ready for battle, and because he was too close to Huang Xue, she felt something getting harder below his clothes, pressing hard against her thigh.
Huang Xue blushed as a tomato. She may be socially awkward, but she understands the matters between men and women.
"I'm sorry! I didn't mean to—" Feng Fan stammered, but the awkwardness only seemed to intensify.
Feng Fan quickly pulled his hand back and sat down beside her at the edge of the lake, his face still flushed with embarrassment.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean for this to happen," she said softly, her voice tinged with guilt. "I'm so clumsy."
Seeing the distress in her eyes, Feng Fan gently placed a hand on her shoulder to comfort her. "It's alright, Huang Xue. You were just trying to be kind. Thanks to you, I was able to sense the qi today. Let's forget about the rest, okay? We're friends now."
Her expression brightened at the word friends, and she smiled through the tears that had gathered in her eyes. "F-Friends?" she whispered, her heart swelling with happiness.
At that moment, she hugged him tightly, her huge breasts pressing against his chest.
Feng Fan blushed but didn't want to ruin the mode, so he hugged her back and caressed her head. 'This feels comfortable,' she thought.
After her initial rush of joy subsided, she realized she had acted impulsively and quickly pulled away, feeling embarrassed.
"S-Sorry," she stammered. "You're only the second friend I've ever had... I struggle with making friends, so I got a bit too excited."
Now that she considered Feng Fan a friend, she felt more at ease, and willing to open up to him.
Feng Fan gave a sheepish smile, scratching the back of his neck. "It's fine, though I can't say I didn't enjoy it."
Huang Xue knew what he was talking about, and looked below. Because his clothes were wet, she could see his pole figure through the clothes.
'D-Did I make it look like that?' she thought, her cheeks flushing even deeper. 'I don't dislike this sensation…'
Feng Fan recognized that Huang Xue's thoughts were heading into dangerous territory, so he decided to go before things got weird.
"I should be going now. We can talk later when we have more time," Feng Fan said, rising from the lake.
As soon as he stepped out, a gust of warm wind blew through, drying his clothes instantly.
'This cultivation world never ceases to amaze me!' he thought, marveling at the experience.
Huang Xue followed him for a moment before flashing a warm smile and saying, "See you later, Feng Fan."
Feng Fan couldn't help but be mesmerized by her smile, losing himself for a brief second.
'Song Shu did say that friends should hug and kiss when parting, right?' Huang Xue thought to herself, a faint blush creeping onto her cheeks.
Feng Fan overheard her thoughts and was taken aback. 'What the hell is this Song Shu teaching her?'
Without hesitation, Huang Xue stepped closer, wrapped her arms around him, and gently placed a light kiss on his right cheek.
Feng Fan's pole who was almost going to sleep came back to life with everything it had, pressing once again hard against Huang Xue's thigh.
Huang Xue felt it and couldn't help but think. 'Why does he get so easily excited with me? Does he… like me?' She shook her head. 'I'm not ready yet!'
'What in the world? How did it turn into me liking her?!' Feng Fan thought, utterly baffled by the direction her thoughts had taken.
Feng Fan felt overwhelmed by the constant teasing. 'This girl keeps pushing my limits, then pulling back... I can't handle it. I'm still a man!'
Feng Fan decided to tease her back. Just as she tried to pull away, he wrapped his arms around her, a playful smile on his face. His face inched closer to hers.
Huang Xue could feel the warmth of his breath, her heart racing. 'N-No, I'm not ready for this…' she thought, a mixture of excitement and nervousness flooding her mind.
"Are you feeling alright, Huang Xue?" Feng Fan asked, noticing the flush on her face. "You're a bit red—could it be a fever?" He gently leaned in, pressing his forehead against hers as if to gauge her temperature.
Huang Xue's face grew even warmer, her heart pounding in her chest.
"Hmm, it does seem a bit hot. Maybe a kiss will help you feel better." He then leaned back, his lips brushing the side of her cheek, lingering just briefly near the corner of her mouth.
Huang Xue froze, her mind racing as she tried to process the unexpected gesture.
Huang Xue stood frozen, her mind spinning. 'T-That was my first kiss! D-Does a half kiss count?' She felt her heart race, her thoughts a whirlwind of confusion.
Before she could gather her thoughts or say anything, Feng Fan turned and walked out the door.
'Was that the kind of kiss Song Shu meant when she said friends should do it?' Huang Xue wondered, her thoughts swirling with uncertainty. 'I didn't dislike it…'