“Is it done?” Mu Xuanling’s voice came from behind. She let out a sigh of relief, and he exhaled deeply.

A cool sensation covered the burning pain of the wound. Xie Xuechen closed his eyes and slowly stood up. Mu Xuanling sensed the change in light before her and raised her hand to return the medicine to Xie Xuechen.

As Xie Xuechen was about to reach for the medicine, he paused, suddenly grasping Mu Xuanling’s wrist and pushing up her sleeve, revealing a slender, delicate arm.

Xie Xuechen’s expression immediately darkened—vibrant markings had appeared on her arm, scattered like peach blossoms, emitting a sweet, fragrant aroma that made one’s mouth water involuntarily.

He had been holding her in his arms, and this scent had gradually appeared and intensified, to the point where he hadn’t even noticed it.

Mu Xuanling was the same, her sense of smell having adapted to her scent, so she hadn’t realized how sweet she smelled. But Xie Xuechen’s silence made her aware that something was wrong.

“What’s wrong with my arm?” Mu Xuanling’s heart sank.

Xie Xuechen said gravely, “There are peach blossom markings on your arm, giving off a sweet scent. It’s likely an ominous sign that might attract dangerous creatures. The pill from earlier can neutralize the toxicity of the miasma, but this fragrance might not be caused by the toxin.”

Mu Xuanling was startled and confused, “Then why am I the only one affected, while you’re not?”

“Perhaps it affects males and females differently,” Xie Xuechen said, lowering her sleeve to cover her arm.

“There must be a fierce creature in the forest that hunts using the miasma. The miasma paralyzes the prey’s limbs, then releases a strong fragrance to attract predators…” Mu Xuanling’s heart grew heavy as she thought of various beasts that hunt using scent. “Or maybe we could try covering this strange fragrance with another scent?”

“That’s an idea. I’ve added a barrier to the formation to block scents. The beast might not be able to find us, at least it will buy us some time.” Xie Xuechen glanced outside. The sun had set, and it was pitch black, impossible to see anything. “The creature probably can’t see, which is why it relies on smell to hunt.”

Mu Xuanling reached into her storage bag and pulled out seven or eight medicine bottles. She said, “The red jar contains a deadly poison, don’t smell it. There’s a white jar with a flower carved on it, that’s the Snow Accumulation Ointment. Let’s try if it can cover the strange fragrance.”

Following her instructions, Xie Xuechen found the Snow Accumulation Ointment and, holding Mu Xuanling’s arm gently applied it to the flower petals. The ointment had a crisp, light fragrance that was refreshing. For a moment, it seemed to overpower the sweet scent.

“It seems to be working?” Mu Xuanling’s eyes lit up.

Xie Xuechen wasn’t as optimistic. “Our sense of smell has already adapted to this strange fragrance. The scent of the Snow Accumulation Ointment is new and stimulates our senses more strongly, but it might not truly cover the strange fragrance.”

Mu Xuanling knew Xie Xuechen’s reasoning was sound, and her heart sank. “How many flower petals are on my body?”

Xie Xuechen pulled up her sleeve, looking at the skin as smooth as congealed cream, counting the light pink petals. His eyes darkened slightly as he said, “Seven on the left arm, six on the right.”

These peach blossoms were small, light pink in color, with a sweet scent, quite alluring. Even with his profound cultivation, he found it hard to resist the temptation, only managing to do so due to his strong self-control.

Just on her two arms, there were already thirteen petals. Too many…

Mu Xuanling’s heart trembled, and she covered her face, asking, “Are there any on my face? Will I look ugly?”

“If there were any on your face, I would have noticed earlier,” Xie Xuechen said, the corners of his mouth curving slightly at her concern for her appearance even at this moment.

Hearing that her face was clear of peach blossoms, Mu Xuanling relaxed a bit but soon became worried again. She didn’t know how many were on her body, and she couldn’t ask Xie Xuechen to apply medicine all over her, could she?

“Never mind…” Mu Xuanling sighed and waved her hand. “Let’s not apply the medicine. We don’t know what kind of creature it is anyway. Let it come if it wants to. I’m sure with Sect Leader Xie’s strength, stopping it would be effortless.”

Xie Xuechen thought the same. He closed the jar of Snow Accumulation Ointment and placed it in Mu Xuanling’s palm, chuckling softly, “Don’t worry, these flower petals aren’t poisonous and won’t harm your body. They should fade away in a day or two. Rest well, I’ll keep watch outside. Nothing will happen.”

Mu Xuanling nodded gently, feeling a cloak fall on her shoulders. Xie Xuechen must have taken it out of his storage bag. The cloak carried his unique scent of snow pine.

She wasn’t afraid of the cold, but having the cloak over her gave her an inexplicable sense of security.

Xie Xuechen’s footsteps moved away a bit, and he sat down by the fire, facing the cave entrance, alert to any potential danger. Mu Xuanling leaned against the stone wall, wrapping the cloak around her shoulders. Unable to see anything, she simply closed her eyes.

After an unknown amount of time, strange sounds came from outside the cave, a rustling noise like countless insects crawling. Xie Xuechen’s expression grew serious, his brows furrowing slightly as he gripped Jun Tian.

In the darkness, a huge silhouette slowly emerged, at first glance resembling a giant, about ten feet tall. The figure seemed drunk, swaying as it approached the cave. As it came into the firelight, its true form was revealed.

It was a massive worm, probably thirty feet long and as thick as two people’s embrace. Its body was cabbage-green, appearing ten feet tall as it raised a third of its body. The worm’s body had ring upon ring of wrinkles, with countless small insects seemingly wriggling between the folds. Its head had three holes, the upper two either eyes or nostrils, the lower one a mouth. It opened its mouth wide, making a hissing sound, revealing countless sharp teeth and dripping green saliva that raised corrosive smoke where it fell on the ground. The worm’s abdomen had countless pairs of legs, which suddenly slammed against the barrier, causing a tremendous noise and making the barrier tremble.

Xie Xuechen’s expression was grave. The force of this monstrous worm’s single strike far surpassed that of an ordinary Fa Xiang realm cultivator, probably on par with Fu Yuanting.

This was just a worm in the dense forest, a creature that could only come out at night.

Hearing the impact, though unable to see, Mu Xuanling guessed that the arrival was formidable. She squinted towards the firelight and asked, “Sect Leader Xie, what kind of creature has come?”

Xie Xuechen calmly replied, “Just a little worm.”

Fortunately, Mu Xuanling couldn’t see at the moment, or she might have been sick with disgust.

Xie Xuechen took a deep breath, Jun Tian growing brighter in his hand. His phoenix eyes darkened, killing intent suddenly appearing. His left hand thrust forward, sending out a palm strike. The vast spiritual power transformed into a strong wind, forcing the giant worm back several zhang. Xie Xuechen leaped out of the barrier, determined to kill the monstrous worm at a distance to avoid frightening Mu Xuanling.

The monstrous worm, unable to see, had relied on its extremely keen sense of smell to find this place, only to encounter an obstacle and a heavy blow. It immediately became enraged, raising its head to emit a piercing screech that made one’s bones ache. Then, with a powerful twist of its neck, it spat a mouthful of green filaments towards Xie Xuechen.

Sharp sword qi split the worm’s threads, sending them flying to either side where they fell on the grass, corroding it completely.

The Jun Tian sword struck at the giant worm’s body with the force of thunder and lightning. The worm’s skin, which appeared soft, was surprisingly tough. The sword tip sank into the skin but met resistance, not piercing through the giant worm as Xie Xuechen had expected. The cinnabar mark between his brows glowed faintly, his divine aperture surging. The Jun Tian sword seemed to receive instructions, its blade erupting with dazzling golden light, finally piercing through the worm’s skin. A sword wound appeared on the grey-green skin, immediately spurting green blood. The small worms wriggling in the monster’s wrinkles seemed to be parasites, hurriedly burrowing into the worm’s body through the wound.

The monstrous worm let out a painful screech, but its body began to swell…

The barrier blocked both sound and scent. Mu Xuanling sat bewildered in the cave, hugging her knees and anxiously waiting for Xie Xuechen.

The vibration transmitted through the barrier earlier was not something a small worm could produce. Although Xie Xuechen was very confident, this dense forest was quite strange, and he didn’t know if he could handle it…

Mu Xuanling silently counted in her heart, feeling that more than a quarter of an hour had passed before she finally heard Xie Xuechen’s footsteps. Her heart eased, and she asked, “Sect Leader Xie, did you deal with that worm?”

For some reason, Xie Xuechen paused his steps, his breathing suddenly becoming heavy.

Mu Xuanling was startled and quickly asked, “Are you injured?”

Could that worm have hurt Xie Xuechen?

Xie Xuechen’s footsteps slowly approached the fire, and he seemed a bit unsteady as he sat down. Mu Xuanling thought that they were now in the same boat, and she didn’t want anything to happen to Xie Xuechen. If that worm could injure even Xie Xuechen, she would likely have no chance against it.

Getting no response from Xie Xuechen, she groped her way to her feet, the cloak sliding to the ground. She squinted towards the direction of the firelight, bowing her head to search for his silhouette on the ground.

The cave wasn’t large. After taking three or four steps, her foot kicked someone. She stumbled and steadied herself on Xie Xuechen’s shoulder. Smelling the familiar scent of snow cedar, her heart calmed a little. She slowly crouched down, half-kneeling beside Xie Xuechen. Her nose sniffed, and it seemed she didn’t smell any blood.

“Sect Leader Xie, you don’t seem to have any external injuries. Did you suffer internal injuries?” Mu Xuanling asked. “I have quite a few pills here. See if any of them can be of use.”

Xie Xuechen’s body was very stiff as if he was using his cultivation to resist something. She heard a suppressed groan escape his throat, deep and hoarse, seemingly in great discomfort. Even when Xie Xuechen was punished in the Molten Abyss for seven days, he probably hadn’t groaned like this. Mu Xuanling felt something was amiss. Her hand groped and caressed Xie Xuechen’s cheek, feeling that his body temperature was a bit high. “Hey…” Seeing that he didn’t make a sound, she said anxiously, “How severe are your injuries? Do you need me to transfer some spiritual power to help you heal? You insisted on bringing me to this dangerous place, don’t you dare die on me. If another insect comes later, I can’t see and won’t be able to deal with it!”

Her hand was suddenly gripped by Xie Xuechen. His palm was warmer than usual, the rough pads of his fingers rubbing against her delicate palm. With a sudden pull, Mu Xuanling fell forward, tumbling into his embrace.

“I’m not injured,” a hoarse voice sounded above her head.

Mu Xuanling sighed in relief, muttering, “But something’s not right with you.”

She struggled to sit up, but Xie Xuechen pressed her down in his arms. He lifted her sleeve and said slowly, “There are more petals on your body now, the color is more vibrant, and the fragrance is stronger.”

Earlier, he had placed a barrier on the boundary to block the scent, so the fragrance couldn’t disperse and fill the small cave. As soon as he entered, he unexpectedly inhaled a full breath of the rich, sweet scent, only then realizing how alluring it was. Even he couldn’t resist it.

However, Mu Xuanling didn’t know how the scent on her body was. She nervously touched her face, “Are there petals on my face too?”

“No,” Xie Xuechen’s fingertips fell on her face, kneading lightly and heavily twice. His hoarse voice said, “But there are some on your neck.”

His warm fingertips gently caressed her neck. The skin was soft and delicate, like an early spring bud about to bloom, making him reluctant to move his hand away. Two pale pink peach blossoms had grown on the right side of her neck, one below her ear, the other extending into her collar.

Xie Xuechen’s fingertip slid down from below her ear, pressing on the peach blossom at the edge of her collar. His fingertip gently pulled down, loosening the collar slightly, revealing her delicate collarbone and a sensual flower bud. He held Mu Xuanling with one arm, while his other hand moved along her neck as if plucking a flower, his hot breath brushing against her neck. Mu Xuanling couldn’t see, making her even more sensitive. She felt the tingling sensation on her neck, shuddered, and pushed against Xie Xuechen, “Let go of me first.”

Xie Xuechen’s movements suddenly stopped, as if he had discovered something. His fingertip moved to the side, revealing a red string. His slender fingers hooked onto that section of red string and gently pulled, exposing the jade pendant she wore close to her skin.

The jade glowed with flowing light, smooth to the touch, an excellent magical artifact that still carried her body temperature and scent.

Turning it over, there was an ancient character engraved on the back — “Moon.”

The creator of this magical artifact was self-evident.

Mu Xuanling felt her intimate jade pendant being snatched away. Embarrassed and annoyed, she reached out to grab it back but only caught Xie Xuechen’s bony hand. That hand was tightly gripping the jade pendant, making her struggle with all her might, her face flushed red, but unable to snatch it back. Mu Xuanling gritted her teeth and said, “Sect Leader Xie, aren’t you being a bit discourteous?”

Xie Xuechen wasn’t surprised that Nan Xuyue would so thoughtfully give Mu Xuanling a protective magical artifact, but he hadn’t expected Mu Xuanling to accept it.

“You and Manor Lord Nan seem to have a good relationship,” he snorted, his hoarse voice hiding a hint of sourness.

Mu Xuanling replied without thinking, “He is my friend.”

“Friend…” Xie Xuechen laughed mockingly, “He doesn’t think so, and you can’t possibly know that. You accepted this jade pendant… just treating him as a friend?”

Mu Xuanling was stunned, her delicate brows slightly furrowed as she muttered, “He’s very good to me…”

Xie Xuechen remembered Nan Xuyue saying that Mu Xuanling had a bit of affection for him…

Looking at the jade pendant, his phoenix eyes cooled slightly. His thumb pressed on the back of the jade pendant, applying a little force, and smoothed out the character “Moon.”

This jade pendant was an excellent magical artifact that could protect her when facing strong enemies, so he wouldn’t take it away. However, he couldn’t tolerate this “Moon” character hidden in her heart. He returned the jade pendant to her, but held her even tighter, his thin lips pressed against her ear as he asked hoarsely, “Why do you only remember his kindness? What about me…”

Hadn’t taken the Heart Enlightenment Water supposed to erase the seven emotions and six desires? Why did she still remember her old feelings for Nan Xuyue? Could it be… that Nan Xuyue was special to her?

This realization made his heart ache with sourness. He laughed bitterly. The seven emotions and six desires she had erased had all transferred to him, becoming his heart demon. Now his heart demon was blazing, having to restrain both the desire to be close to her and the sourness and regret. The collapse of his dao heart was just a moment away.

Mu Xuanling resisted, saying, “You’re not good to me.”

His eyes darkened, and he bit her earlobe. The tingling and sharp pain elicited a trembling light cry from her.

Mu Xuanling couldn’t see, but at this moment, the aura coming from Xie Xuechen was too unfamiliar. She suddenly shook, raising her hand to hit Xie Xuechen’s chest. Xie Xuechen frowned, letting out a low, muffled groan, and then suddenly restrained both her hands.

“You’re not the real Xie Xuechen!” Mu Xuanling suspected it was another forest spirit that had transformed into Xie Xuechen. Her divine sense surged, spiritual power billowing, trying to dispel the illusion.

Spiritual power stirred up a vortex around them, disheveling both their hair. Xie Xuechen gazed deeply at Mu Xuanling, looking at her empty, unfocused eyes, at her beautiful and charming face, and said softly, “I am real.”

He completely abandoned his restraint and self-control, bending down to kiss the Tears of All Beings at the corner of her eye.

His warm, thin lips gently kissed the corner of her eye with utmost tenderness and care, making Mu Xuanling momentarily stunned, forgetting to resist. The next moment, his kiss fell on her lips.

Mu Xuanling’s breath caught, wanting to struggle but unable to break free from his restraint. In her blurry vision, there was only a shadow. Although she smelled the snow cedar scent unique to Xie Xuechen, she couldn’t see who it was. It was Xie Xuechen, yet not him… Such a cold and restrained person, who had always been disgusted and resistant towards her, how could he now be holding her and taking such liberties?

He lightly kissed the tiny wound on her lip, layer upon layer of desire piling up in his heart. The last time, he was affected by the Cage of Greed, losing himself in desire and losing his reason. But this time, he was aware of what he was doing. The strange fragrance on her body might have stirred his amorous thoughts, but his self-control shouldn’t have crumbled so easily. It was just that he no longer wished to restrain himself…

“You…”

As soon as Mu Xuanling opened her mouth, she was silenced by him. With three parts unwillingness and seven parts longing, he invaded her mouth, deepening the kiss, entangling her to sink with him. Her resistance was futile, only making their entanglement more inseparable.

Mu Xuanling’s arms clung to his broad shoulders. In her struggle, she unintentionally tore the wound on his shoulder, feeling a handful of blood. She immediately froze, forgetting to resist. Xie Xuechen seemed to have forgotten the pain, not caring about the fresh blood flowing from his back, allowing his white clothes to be dyed crimson, making him even more alluringly beautiful. He pressed her against the stone wall, encircling her in his arms, greedily stealing the soft whimpers and gasps from her mouth. One warm hand caressed her powdered temples and fragrant cheeks, wiping away the fragrant sweat from her forehead, and gently pinching the Tears of All Beings at the corner of her eye.

Not just the Tears of All Beings, her unfocused and bewildered eyes were also covered with a thin mist. Her eye sockets were red, helpless, and pitiful, yet also exceptionally charming and alluring, making him unable to look away.

She was kissed until her whole body went soft, unable to muster any strength to resist. Her heart was beating wildly, her mind in chaos, yet her body felt like it was on fire. Even though she had no feelings for Xie Xuechen, she couldn’t withstand his teasing. Her body naturally responded, making her both embarrassed and angry. Her eyes were moist and black, unable to squeeze out even a hint of killing intent.

The sound of heavy breathing rang in her ears, accompanied by a hoarse chuckle. He hooked her hair and said, “Ling’er’s heart may be hard, but her lips are very soft.”

Mu Xuanling’s heart skipped a beat. She said tremblingly in embarrassment and anger, “You… are indeed taking revenge.”

Everything she had done, everything she had said, he was now returning it all, with interest.

Xie Xuechen breathed in the fragrance on her body, his palm against the graceful curve of her waist. His index finger slipped between her waistband, rubbing the sensitive soft flesh of her waist. Feeling her slight trembling, his deep voice said slowly, “If I say I’m not, would you believe me?”

Mu Xuanling’s heart was pounding like thunder. She said tremblingly, “I… I believe you. Then please let me go… I was wrong before, I shouldn’t have been so handsy with you. You’re the Sect Leader of the Immortal Alliance, noble and pure. Why would you use this method to take revenge on me? Wouldn’t that be too unfair to you!”

She had lost all shame; her chastity was more important.

“Heh.” Xie Xuechen chuckled, “First, you didn’t do anything wrong. I was the wrong one.”

Mu Xuanling was stunned.

“Second, I’m not noble and pure. I’m just an ordinary man who can fall in love and have feelings.”

“Third, this isn’t revenge.”

“Fourth, it’s not unfair.”

His kiss fell on her neck, sucking on the sensual and soft peach blossom on her collarbone, using actions to tell her — Fifth, he wouldn’t let go.

In her blurry vision, she seemed to see those eyes from her dream, those phoenix eyes imbued with desire and deep affection.