Chapter 174: Night, the Courtyard, and Zhang Lexuan
Ye Chen quietly watched Zhang Lexuan absorb the herb.
Moonlight, soft as water, filled the courtyard, outlining her tranquil silhouette.
No matter the time, she was always breathtaking to behold.
She sat cross‑legged on the soft grass, hands resting gracefully upon her knees. The Moonshadow Epiphyllum in her palms glowed with a silver hue, its radiance blending with the moon above and bathing her in ethereal light.
The cool glow flowed through her sleek, dark hair, while her simple black dress draped elegantly along the ground, accentuating the line of her shoulders and back. She emanated calm composure, graceful and unhurried—like an immortal accidentally descended into the mortal realm, carrying an effortless nobility that needed no words.
Ye Chen poured himself a cup of wine, sipping slowly as he admired the sight before him.
…
As the night deepened, an hour passed.
The moonlight surrounding her gradually dimmed—she had nearly completed the absorption.
Her cultivation was far beyond Ma Xiaotao's, and so she refined the herb's energy much faster.
Though for high‑level soul masters, the stronger they became, the less effect even an immortal herb could have.
Ye Chen could sense the rise in her power—it was only two levels.
But two levels at the Contra realm was extraordinary; normally that would take three or four years of effort.
At last, Zhang Lexuan slowly opened her bright, luminous eyes.
"How do you feel, Sister?" Ye Chen leaned closer, curiosity lighting his face.
The herb's nature was a perfect match for her; even if the increase wasn't massive, her martial spirit had likely evolved in other ways that would strengthen her body and refine her aptitude.
"So this is an Immortal Herb… I feel translucent, as if my entire being is flowing freely. My cultivation speed has doubled!" she said in awe, delight clear in her voice.
Her aptitude had always been among the best—yet even the rarest treasures had never truly increased it further. But this herb… it had transformed her completely.
Before this, even she had begun to feel stagnation. Breaking through to Titled Douluo had seemed distant.
Now, every breath of spirit energy flowed easily through her meridians. She could almost feel her next breakthrough at her fingertips—perhaps even Super Douluo…
Maybe, with effort, she could reach Elder Mu's legendary height one day.
"The Immortal Herbs are said to defy fate itself—that's why they're so rare," Ye Chen said softly.
As he spoke, he stepped behind Zhang Lexuan, gently wrapped his arms around her waist, leaned close, and whispered by her ear, "As long as Sister is happy… you won't be mad at me anymore, right?"
"M‑mad at you? When was I ever mad…" she murmured, flushing as she turned her head shyly away.
Of course, she had been—she'd felt jealous, hurt, and alone.
Now, all of that seemed silly. It wasn't his fault; she had simply overthought things—let her heart get carried away.
After all, he had brought her something this precious without hesitation.
Without Ye Chen, she might never have even seen such a treasure, much less held it in her hands.
"Really not angry?" he asked teasingly, tightening his arms slightly.
"Mmm… I'm sorry, okay? It won't happen again…"
She turned toward him, eyes slightly misted, her voice delicate, sweet as melted honey.
With her soft body nestled against his chest, her skin carried the faint scent of wine and moonlit fragrance.
He could feel the rapid beat of her heart, the gentle tremor in her breath…
Under the silver light, her fitted dress traced the perfect curve of her waist and hips. Her long legs, wrapped in fine black stockings, brushed against his own, the warmth and silkiness making his pulse stir.
It was the first time he'd heard her sound so tender, so fragile—and his heart melted entirely.
Ye Chen leaned forward.
Sensing his movement, Zhang Lexuan instinctively tilted her face up, her arms sliding around his neck.
Their lips met lightly in the cool night air—two stars colliding in silence—igniting a spark that quickly turned into flame.
Soon the tender brush turned into a lingering kiss, their breaths mingling, heavy with the faint scent of wine.
Her arms locked tighter around his waist, pressing closer, her body molding to his.
Ye Chen's hand slid lower, caressing down the smooth curve of her back to the soft silk of her dress, fingertips tracing over the supple curve beneath.
The sensation of warmth through cold silk set his blood roaring.
His other hand wandered up her shoulder, along the delicate lines of her arm—skin smooth as jade, impossible to resist.
Their breaths entangled; the faint aroma of wine blended with their warmth, stirring something deeper.
Unable to restrain himself, Ye Chen's fingers brushed along her thigh, below the thin hem of her dress.
He slid his fingertips over the edge of her garter, touching the soft skin beneath the stocking—warm, impossibly smooth. He squeezed lightly, and the heat in his chest flared into a steady burn.
…
When dawn came, Ye Chen woke first.
Beside him, Zhang Lexuan stirred, half‑asleep, eyes hazy.
"Go back to sleep a little more," he whispered. "I'll make breakfast."
"No… just stay here," she murmured, pulling him back into her embrace and wrapping the blanket over them both.
The effect of the herb truly was miraculous.
On any other day, after such a night, she would've been exhausted beyond recovery. Yet now her body wasn't sore at all—only pleasantly drowsy.
She hadn't even fully absorbed the medicinal power yet. Over the next couple weeks, as it completed its transformation of her body, her strength would grow even further.
"…Alright," Ye Chen murmured into the blanket, hiding his grin.
He silently exhaled in relief—she was happy again.
And more than that, through last night's "resonant cultivation," he had felt the synchronization between them skyrocket. Her affection for him had reached new heights—double the speed increase.
From now on, he knew she would never again doubt him or let small misunderstandings come between them.
...…
By noon, Zhang Lexuan got up to cook for him.
Of course, with Ye Chen teasing her along the way, what should've been lunch stretched into the afternoon, laughter echoing throughout the courtyard.
It wasn't until evening that Ye Chen finally left.
Because of their exhaustion from the night before—and Zhang Lexuan's pending duties—she didn't keep him again that night.
Ma Xiaotao still hadn't returned yet.
So Ye Chen had no choice but to find another place to stay.
"Ah, traveling soul at home wherever he goes," Ye Chen chuckled to himself.
With a flash, he teleported straight to Ling Luochen's dormitory.
(END CHAPTER)
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