The long river wanes; the morning stars subside.
The night breeze carried a slight chill.
Accompanied by a piercing coolness, Qiu Yinger led Wen Zhixing into the Soul Devouring Tower.
Inside the tower, revelry abounded, with silhouettes swaying endlessly beneath the red canopies.
These brothers have had a hard time, Wen Zhixing silently mourned.
Then, the two passed room after room until they arrived in front of a bedroom.
The door was ajar.
Wen Zhixing simply looked up and felt a surge of emotion in his heart.
Under the dim light, there was a languid stirring, and shadows danced behind the curtains. At that graceful figure, Wen Zhixing couldn't help but feel a wave of heat—an instinctive reaction.
"Master, your disciple Qiu Yinger requests an audience."
Standing at the door, Qiu Yinger spoke with a solemn and reverent expression.
"Come in."
A response came from inside, a soft and tender voice that enticed the heartstrings.
"Yes."
Qiu Yinger stepped inside.
Wen Zhixing hesitated slightly, then followed suit, entering after her.
Inside the room, aromas intertwined.
Behind the draped red muslin, Si Nanyan lazily rose from the bed.
Beneath her crescent brows, those eyes were as clear and cold as water.
Yun Xinyue stood by, casting a curious look.
Meanwhile, Wen Zhixing kept his gaze low, fearing he might see something he shouldn't. Yet even so, he could feel their gazes fixed upon him.
The thick scent of rouge assailed his nose, adding an uncontrollable restlessness to his heart.
Wen Zhixing marveled to himself, This demoness is truly formidable. I haven't even looked up, and just the scent is enough to affect me. It's truly terrifying.
[Fortune Fragment detected, would you like to consume one month of life-span to randomly acquire it?]
[Fortune Fragment detected, would you like to consume one month of life-span to randomly acquire it?]
[...]
The prompt kept popping up multiple times.
Whether it was Si Nanyan or Yun Xinyue, both of them had quite a few Fortune Fragments on them.
Start the draw!
With a thought, Wen Zhixing made his choice without any hesitation. On the way here, he had not drawn any Fortune Fragments from Qiu Yinger because he wanted to see if Si Nanyan had better ones.
[Commence the random acquisition of Fortune Fragments.]
The next moment, a Grey Fragment of light began to revolve and leap above Si Nanyan's head, plunging into Wen Zhixing's mind.
[Grey Fortune Fragment +1.]
[Gray Fortune Fragment (1/1) collected. No assembly required. You may obtain one of the following fortunes:]
[1. Acquisition of the cultivation skill: Tai Chi health-preserving skill.]
[2. Gain 1 Fortune Point.]
[3. Gain a fortune belonging to Si Nanyan.]
Regrettably, it's a Grey Fragment... but wait, there's a cultivation skill...
Wen Zhixing's expression shifted slightly, then he directly chose to acquire the [Tai Chi health-preserving skill].
[You have acquired the cultivation skill: Tai Chi health-preserving skill!]
[Tai Chi health-preserving skill: Grey Quality, cultivating this skill can regulate one's qi, nurture vitality, slow aging, and extend lifespan.]
[Consume ten Fortune Points to upgrade to White Quality.]
Tai Chi health-preserving skill... This wouldn't happen to be the same thing those old men practiced in the parks in my previous life, would it? Wen Zhixing's mind was stirred.
"Master, your disciple has brought Wen."
Before he could contemplate further, Yinger's voice reached his ears.
Wen Zhixing immediately came back to his senses and followed Qiu Yinger, bowing respectfully to the person before them.
"Wen Zhixing pays his respects to the Palace Master."
Si Nanyan gently lifted the hem of her gown and glanced at the two. Her gaze clear and cold, she announced, "You may dispense with the formalities."
"Thank you, Master," said Qiu Yinger. "Thank you, Palace Master," Wen Zhixing added. They rose together, though Wen Zhixing kept his gaze lowered.
"Wen Zhixing, look up."
Si Nanyan's voice rang out once more.
Wen Zhixing hesitated for a moment but still slowly raised his head.
Si Nanyan was sizing him up, her eyes deep as the ocean.
As their gazes met, they collided.
Wen Zhixing looked straight ahead, ignoring the suddenly revealed provocative scenery before him as if he hadn't seen it.
After a thorough examination, even Si Nanyan's calm spirit couldn't help but skip a beat. The speed at which Wen Zhixing had recovered was astonishingly fast.
Previously, Wen Zhixing had been drained completely by her, left utterly dry. But now, in just over ten days, he had actually recovered? How could she not be shocked?
Moreover, Wen Zhixing hadn't even begun his cultivation. If he officially became a cultivator and entered the Shedding Mortal Realm, how fast would his recovery speed be then?
Si Nanyan's tongue flicked out, licking her crimson lips. "Wen really does have a good physique."
Yun Xinyue, at the side, also brightened up and couldn't resist expressing her admiration. She still remembered the day Wen Zhixing was dragged out, looking almost like a dried corpse. His current state was clearly no different from an ordinary person's.
Master was right, Wen Zhixing truly has exceptional talent. If I could also perform essence absorption on Wen Zhixing, how much would that replenish me... Her heart couldn't help but throb.
[They look at you with eyes filled with desire, good lad!]
Wen Zhixing shuddered inwardly. No! Don't call me a good lad; I fear I'll become a dead lad at this rate!
"Thank you for the compliment, Senior Sister."
Wen Zhixing steadied his mind and turned his head to glance at Yun Xinyue, but quickly averted his gaze when he saw her revealing attire.
Luckily, Yun Xinyue didn't mind and instead smiled faintly, her lips slightly curled.
Qiu Yinger frowned slightly and couldn't suppress a soft snort. She knew Yun Xinyue too well. Seeing that Yun Xinyue even coveted her Master's interest naturally made Qiu Yinger a bit upset.
"Master, could I go and cultivate with Wen in the future?" Yun Xinyue asked, not hiding her intentions.
"Granted." Si Nanyan glanced at her indifferently, not refusing.
She had always intended to turn Wen Zhixing into a sustainable, top-grade furnace. When she had had enough of him, she would naturally allow her disciples to use him. She was a person of great "love," after all.
"Thank you, Master!" Yun Xinyue was overjoyed and even pulled Qiu Yinger along, saying, "Yinger, let's do it together when the time comes."
Qiu Yinger was startled and involuntarily turned her head to look at Si Nanyan. "Master, I..." How could I not covet such a furnace? However, without a word from Master, I dare not entertain other thoughts.
"Granted," Si Nanyan said with a faint smile, her usually cold face revealing a rare indulgence.
"Thank you, Master!"
Qiu Yinger was equally pleased, exchanging smiles with Yun Xinyue.
In just a few short sentences, the three of them had decided on the rights to use Wen Zhixing.
As for Wen Zhixing himself, he felt as if he were merely a piece of merchandise at that moment. The others could do as they pleased with him, giving him to whomever they wanted.
How tragic... How could this be anything but frustrating?
Just then, Si Nanyan waved her slender white hand slightly, her gaze becoming more intense as she said, "Yinger, Xinyue, the night is late. Your Master needs to rest now."
Qiu Yinger and Yun Xinyue were taken aback but then understood what their Master intended to do. Both were clever, and they promptly excused themselves.
Before leaving, Yun Xinyue boldly approached Wen Zhixing and gently ran her slender white hand over the back of his. While doing so, she slipped something into his palm.
"In the future, Junior Brother, if you ever need anything, come find your Senior Sister with this token," she said, her voice filled with tempting softness.
Wen Zhixing felt as though electricity had coursed through him, stirring up an unusual feeling.
As long as I live, there will come a day when I make you all understand what it means to wish for death but be unable to attain it! Wen Zhixing swore to himself, fiercely drawing a breath. I will not let all that I have suffered end like this!
With the departure of Qiu Yinger and Yun Xinyue, only Si Nanyan and Wen Zhixing were left inside the room.
Si Nanyan lay lazily on the soft couch, propping her head with one hand, looking down from on high, uninhibited.
At this moment, Wen Zhixing felt somewhat uneasy. He could sense the gaze upon him, predatory and full of a certain desire, as if it wished to devour him whole.
"Aren't you coming over to attend to me in bed yet?"