After removing her inner armor, Yun Yun's bare upper body was completely revealed before Chen Mo. Her fair, jade-like shoulders, collarbone, and snow-white skin were exposed to him without the slightest barrier.
Chen Mo's blood surged instantly, his breathing became rapid, and it took him several deep breaths to calm himself down.
This is just too damn tempting.
Before a man she'd only met once, Yun Yun had exposed herself without any cover. Her snowy skin gradually turned a faint pink, and her delicate body trembled slightly.
"Keep your hands and eyes in check." Her voice was cold, but it carried a note of restrained shame as she issued a warning, instinctively trying to maintain some dignity.
Chen Mo nodded and gently helped her lie down flat again.
At this moment, Yun Yun's cheeks flushed a beautiful crimson. Her usually calm eyes met Chen Mo's for a brief instant before she quickly averted her gaze, closing her eyes in embarrassment.
She felt like all her privacy had vanished in an instant.
What made it worse was that the boy had even murmured something about "a small mole."
Her face burned red as she snapped, flustered, "Hurry up!"
"Okay, I'll clean your wound first."
Chen Mo took out some bandages from his storage ring, then uncorked a jade bottle containing a healing elixir. He poured some of the liquid onto the bandage, dampening it before gently wiping away the blood around her injury.
As he cleaned the wound, Yun Yun's lashes trembled softly. Her pearly teeth bit down on her lower lip, her expression one of silent humiliation as complex emotions churned within her.
Opening her eyes slightly, she glanced at the boy carefully tending to her injury. His deep, clear eyes were focused and sincere. A flicker of gratitude appeared in her gaze.
Even if he saw my body... he did it to save me.
Thinking this, much of the embarrassment in her heart gradually faded.
Once the wound was cleaned, Chen Mo evenly sprinkled medicinal powder on it. Then, applying a layer of healing lotion, he used his fingers to gently massage the area to aid absorption.
Yun Yun's face turned beet red.
She knew he was doing it to prevent scarring, but still... it was hard not to feel embarrassed.
After everything was done, Chen Mo helped her sit up slightly and carefully wrapped the bandages around her wound. Then, slipping his hands under her armpits, he gently lifted her and wrapped the bandage securely around her back before tying a knot.
Next, Chen Mo took out an alchemist's robe from his storage ring and draped it over her body.
"The wound is treated. Wear this robe for now. As for the seal inside your body, you'll have to break that on your own."
With that, Chen Mo stepped away and sat to the side.
Since I've chosen to replicate this plotline, I might as well follow through properly.
"Thank you."
Yun Yun sat up, her face still flushed. She pulled the robe tightly around herself and gave Chen Mo a faint smile, though it looked somewhat forced.
Chen Mo nodded silently.
The atmosphere turned quiet for a while. Then Chen Mo feigned ignorance and asked, "How did things end up like this for you?"
Yun Yun hesitated briefly, but still explained her situation. It wasn't some great secret, and there was nothing to hide.
Chen Mo responded with a short hum of acknowledgment.
Yun Yun gave him a quiet, thoughtful look. There was something about his temperament that drew her in. Realizing she had been staring too long, she quickly lowered her head in slight embarrassment.
Suddenly, she noticed the fur beneath her—dark golden and lined with savage energy. Her eyes widened as she exclaimed, "This... is the Dark Gold Demonic Tiger King's hide?! Did you kill it?"
Just recently, the Alchemist Association had revealed Chen Mo's identity: a nineteen-year-old third-tier alchemist, a truly astonishing talent.
Moreover, Yun Yun suspected that Chen Mo might be the same person who had infiltrated the Snake-People's royal palace—the mysterious human Gu He mentioned.
After all, the appearance matched.
Handsome, refined, dressed in white like snow.
"No, I didn't kill it." Chen Mo shook his head.
"Is that so?"
Though he answered so decisively, a trace of doubt still flickered through Yun Yun's eyes. Still, they weren't close enough for her to press further. They didn't know each other's depths, and probing too much would be inappropriate.
She cupped her fists and said formally, "Chen Mo, you saved my life. Once I've recovered, I will repay you generously."
"Worry about that after you've healed," Chen Mo said with a smile.
"By the way, what are you doing this deep in the Magical Beast Mountain Range?"
"I came for the Purple Crystal Winged Lion King's magic core." Since she'd find out eventually, Chen Mo saw no reason to hide it.
"…"
Yun Yun's pupils contracted sharply as she stared at him in stunned silence. She wanted to ask where he got the confidence, but in the end, she simply said, "Then I'll help you when the time comes."
And thus…
The two began their ambiguous life together in the cave.
A lone man and a lone woman sharing a cave, coupled with the earlier intimate medical care and Chen Mo's attentive care over the following days—naturally, the relationship between them began to warm.
They grew noticeably closer.
Yun Yun, during their time together, came to discover that Chen Mo was not only extremely talented—being a third-tier alchemist and five-star Dou Ling at just nineteen—but also handsome and especially considerate.
Most importantly, his insight and vision earned her respect.
He casually remarked that the Jia Ma Empire was just a remote corner of the Dou Qi Continent, and that the Central Plains were where the true world lay.
His understanding of Dou Techniques, especially in swordplay, even made Yun Yun feel inferior.
Eventually, she proposed to take Chen Mo as her disciple—she admired him that much.
However, Chen Mo refused, instead choosing to address Yun Yun as his "foster sister."
Yun Yun happily accepted.
As dusk fell—
By the creek.
Chen Mo caught two plump fish and took out a pill from earlier: the Lust-Inducing Pill. Crushing it into powder, he stored it in a jade bottle.
Then, carrying the two fish, he returned to the cave.
Inside, Yun Yun was lying on the tiger hide, resting her chin on her hand. Upon seeing Chen Mo return, she sat up and greeted him, "You're back."
"Yeah."
Chen Mo nodded, set down the fish, arranged the firewood, and lit a fire. As he worked, he casually asked, "Feeling any better?"
Yun Yun stood, a fragrant breeze following her, and walked to his side with a smile. "The external injuries are no longer a problem. As for the internal seal, I should be able to break it by tomorrow."
"That's great."
Chen Mo set up the fish over the fire and took out some spices. As he reached for the specially prepared jade bottle from the creek—
He hesitated.
Noticing his pause, Yun Yun asked casually, "What's wrong?"
"Oh, nothing." Chen Mo slipped the special jade bottle back into his storage ring.
****
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