The next morning, as he stirred from his slumber, he became acutely aware of a soft, warm presence against his head and an intoxicating sweet scent that filled his nostrils.
Two delicate arms were wrapped around him, holding him tightly. His hands, resting on her supple body, found one cupping her waist while the other lightly pressed against the soft, inviting curve of her ass.
He couldn't resist the temptation to gently squeeze, feeling the supple flesh yield to his touch.
His face was nestled between her breasts, the soft mounds enveloping him in a cocoon of warmth and desire. He inhaled deeply, drawing in her scent, a heady mix of vanilla and something uniquely her.
A gasp and a sweet, breathy moan escaped her lips, accompanied by a gentle caress of his hair and a soft breath against his ear.
He looked up, his eyes meeting hers, and found her awake, though feigning sleep. Her cheeks were flushed a delicate pink, and her breath came in soft, irregular gasps.
He paused, savoring the moment, before pressing his nose lightly against her neck. He trailed soft, lingering kisses from her neck to her ear, capturing her earlobe between his teeth for a moment before whispering, "Morning, big sis."
Her eyebrow twitched at the sound of his voice, her breath hitching as she felt his hot breath against her ear.
A shiver ran through her.
Her eyes slowly opened, glassy and bright. She looked at him—half dazed, half startled—before her blush deepened, painting her cheeks like cherry blossoms in bloom.
> "T-Tianyi…" she murmured, barely audible, her voice soft as a sigh.
He pulled back, watching her flustered expression, and chuckled softly.
> "I shouldn't enjoy teasing her this much… but she's too cute when embarrassed."
After a few heartbeats of silence, she sat up abruptly, face burning, and clumsily fumbled with the edge of her robe.
> "I-I'm going to wash up!" she stammered before rushing out of the room like a startled rabbit.
He watched her retreating figure with an amused smile.
> "Same old Mingxia…"
Stretching lazily, he finally rose and washed up. When they met again for breakfast, the awkwardness still clung to the air like mist. She kept her eyes down, her cheeks still pink, and pouted every time he smiled at her.
They ate together under the morning sun in the outer courtyard, seated on a wooden bench beneath a blooming magnolia tree. Petals drifted lazily in the breeze, some landing on the stone path beside the gently rippling pond that shimmered like glass in the golden light.
Before them lay a modest breakfast served in polished wooden bowls and lacquered trays. Steam curled upward from a mound of freshly cooked rice—each grain plump, soft, and fragrant with just a hint of jasmine. Beside it sat a hearty chicken stew, slow-cooked with slices of tender meat that practically fell apart with a touch of the chopsticks. The broth was rich and comforting, infused with the warmth of ginger, garlic, and the faint sweetness of goji berries.
There were side dishes too: stir-fried greens glistening with sesame oil, pickled radish with a tart snap that balanced the meal, and a small dish of spicy chili bean paste that added a fiery kick when stirred into the stew.
Xu Mingxia nibbled daintily, still flustered, occasionally stealing glances at her brother while pretending to focus on her food. Xu Tianyi, on the other hand, ate with ease, occasionally offering her the choicest cuts of chicken or topping her rice with extra sauce.
The food itself was simple by the world's standards—humble peasant fare—but to them, in that quiet moment filled with warmth, shared smiles, and the scent of magnolia in the air, it tasted better than any feast in a noble's hall.
Perhaps it was because they were together.
Their conversation was quiet but comfortable, filled with small jokes and shared memories.
For a moment, the world didn't feel cruel.
For a moment… it felt like a new beginning.
---
After the meal, they returned to their rooms, the warmth of the morning lingering between them like an unspoken promise.
Xu Tianyi sat cross-legged on the floor, drawing a deep breath.
With a thought, the system interface shimmered into existence, ethereal and glowing.
---
> [4th Grade Spiritual Root ×1]
Would you like to share?
[Sword Heart ×10]
Would you like to share?
--
He stared at the screen in silence.
This power—the chance to grow, to stand tall, to protect—was no longer a fantasy. It was real. And it started here.
He closed his eyes, steadying his breath, and pressed his finger toward the first prompt.
> Confirm — Share.
A pulse of light enveloped him.
His cultivation journey had begun.