Xiao Jietian heard the sound and opened his eyes.
There, framed in the doorway like a startled deer, stood Xun'er — both hands clapped tightly over her eyes. Yet between her slender fingers remained the tiniest of gaps.
"Tian-ge… you pervert."
Her voice was half-scolding, half-trembling. The flush on her cheeks had already spread to the tips of her ears.
Xiao Jietian stood in the tub, water streaming down his toned body, completely unabashed.
He raised both arms in mock surrender, letting droplets slide from his skin.
Xun'er took a steadying breath, then stepped forward like a virtuous young wife. She reached for the large bath towel hanging nearby, unfolded it with slightly shaking hands, and began wiping the water from his shoulders and chest.
Xiao Jietian cooperated fully, standing still and allowing her to serve him. The lingering joy of breaking through to Dou Huang only made the moment sweeter.
"Congratulations, Tian-ge… on reaching Dou Huang."
Xun'er's voice was soft, almost reverent. She dabbed gently at his hair, then moved lower to dry his arms. Her happiness at his breakthrough surpassed even what she would feel for her own advancement.
Xiao Jietian smiled, reaching out to lightly pinch her soft cheek.
"I believe you, Xun'er, will catch up very soon."
A strange light flickered through Xun'er's eyes.
*Does Tian-ge… already know about my bloodline?*
Xiao Jietian saw the flicker of realization and gently tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear.
"Don't overthink it. You will always be my beloved Xun'er — nothing more, nothing less."
Xun'er looked up at him, eyes shimmering with emotion. She nodded heavily, the tenderness in her gaze deepening.
As she continued drying him, however, her movements gradually slowed.
Her gaze drifted lower — past his chest, past the defined lines of his abdomen…
Her face instantly blazed scarlet, as though boiling water had been poured over her head.
She let out a tiny yelp, slapped his chest lightly with the towel, then threw the entire bath towel over his head and fled in a flurry of footsteps.
In her panic, she forgot to close the door behind her.
Just then, a graceful silver figure ascended the stairs from the lower floor, heading straight for the second-floor corridor.
She caught sight of Xun'er — cheeks burning, dress fluttering — about to dash up to the third floor.
"Xun—"
Before the greeting could fully leave her lips, Xun'er had already vanished like a startled rabbit.
The silver-haired beauty blinked in confusion, staring after the vanished figure for a moment before murmuring softly,
"The room at the very end of the left corridor on the second floor…"
She confirmed the direction and continued walking.
When she reached the last room, she noticed the door standing wide open.
Frowning slightly, she raised her hand to knock lightly —
Only for Xiao Jietian to step out of the bathing chamber at that exact moment, still toweling his damp hair.
For a heartbeat, the two simply stared at each other.
Silence.
Xiao Jietian stood there completely naked, water droplets still clinging to his strong yet graceful physique. Eight distinct abdominal muscles gleamed under the sunlight streaming through the window, exuding a primal, magnetic charm.
Han Yue's beautiful eyes widened to their fullest extent.
This was the first time in her life she had ever seen a man in such a state.
Her mind blanked.
Then — realization crashed over her like a tidal wave.
Shyness, embarrassment, and a flash of anger surged into her gaze all at once.
"Pervert—"
Just as the word was about to become a shout, Xiao Jietian moved like lightning.
In one fluid motion he pulled her inside, one hand clamping firmly over her mouth while the other waved casually.
"Bang!"
The door slammed shut.
"Mmmph—! Mmm mmm mmmph!!"
Han Yue struggled instinctively, silver hair whipping as she tried to break free. Her muffled protests were fierce, yet pitifully soft.
Xiao Jietian leaned close to her ear, voice low and urgent.
"Senior, this is a misunderstanding. I'll let go now, but you absolutely must not shout, alright?"
Warm breath brushed the sensitive shell of her ear.
Han Yue froze.
She felt the heat of his bare chest against her back, the lingering dampness of his skin seeping through her robes.
Her heart pounded wildly.
After a long moment, she gave a tiny, jerky nod.
Xiao Jietian slowly released her mouth — though his other arm remained loosely around her waist, ready to cover her again if necessary.
Han Yue took several rapid breaths, trying to steady herself.
She dared not turn around fully, but stole a sideways glance.
Xiao Jietian had already stepped back slightly. His expression was surprisingly calm, though a faint trace of embarrassment flickered in his eyes.
"Senior Han Yue… please sit. Did you need something from me?"
Han Yue slowly turned, keeping her gaze firmly fixed on his face — anywhere but lower.
Her cheeks burned so hot she felt they might combust.
"Junior Xiao Tian…" Her voice trembled slightly. "Could you… please put on some clothes first?"
Xiao Jietian nodded at once.
He reached for a fresh set of robes hanging nearby and slipped them on with practiced ease.
Only after he had tied the sash did Han Yue finally dare to fully face him.
Yet even then, her eyes kept unconsciously drifting — then snapping away — before returning to his face again.
She cleared her throat, trying to regain some semblance of composure.
"Have you… always been so unrestrained?"
There was a trace of teasing in her tone now, though her voice still carried a faint quiver.
Xiao Jietian rubbed the back of his neck, looking momentarily sheepish.
"Certainly not, Senior. This truly was a misunderstanding. I never expected… I am sincerely sorry."
Han Yue studied him for a moment.
She suddenly recalled the sight of Xun'er fleeing upstairs earlier — cheeks aflame, dress in disarray.
Combined with the lingering scent of Earth Core Body Tempering Fluid in the room and on Xiao Jietian's body…
A shrewd light flashed through her eyes.
She instantly pieced it together.
While he had been absorbing the medicinal liquid, Xun'er must have burst in at an inopportune moment — resulting in a scene very similar to the one she herself had just witnessed.
That explained Xun'er's flustered escape.
A trace of amusement softened Han Yue's embarrassment.
She let out a light breath.
"Then… I believe you, Junior. We are all cultivators; there is no need to dwell on such things. Besides… you were the one who suffered the disadvantage."
Though she spoke with deliberate open-mindedness, the faint unnaturalness in her eyes betrayed her.
After so many years, this was the first time she had ever seen a man's body so clearly.
Xiao Jietian smiled wryly.
Han Yue composed herself and waved her hand over the table.
A pile of rare medicinal herbs appeared — stalks of Moon Spirit Grass, Heart Cleansing Lotus Seeds, several portions of rare Ground Spirit Root, and more.
She then took out an exquisite jade pendant from within her robes and placed it gently on the table.
"I, your Senior, am quite poor and don't possess many treasures. Last time you mentioned needing medicinal herbs, and since you are an alchemist, I gathered these rarer ones from the Moon Spirit storeroom."
"And this jade pendant… I 'accidentally' obtained it some time ago. It calms the mind, nourishes the spirit, and when used inside the Heavenly Flame Training Pagoda, it can reduce the harm of fire poison and extend cultivation time."
"Please do not mock me, and absolutely do not refuse — otherwise I will feel unworthy."
Xiao Jietian looked at her solemn expression and nodded gently.
"I happen to be short on medicinal herbs recently, so I will accept them without ceremony."
Of course, he was not truly short — but he would never refuse her sincere goodwill.
After carefully storing the herbs, he picked up the jade pendant and examined it.
A faint, cool energy flowed from it — indeed perfect for mitigating the Heavenly Flame Training Pagoda's fire poison.
Han Yue watched him quietly.
A trace of satisfaction appeared in her eyes.
Xiao Jietian looked up and met her gaze.
"Senior… thank you."
Han Yue's lips curved in a small, genuine smile.
"You're welcome, Junior."
For a moment, the room was quiet — only the soft sound of their breathing and the distant chirping of birds outside the window.
Neither spoke.
Yet the earlier embarrassment had quietly transformed into something warmer, something gentler.
Something neither of them yet dared to name.