Yani pulled away the mont his arms loosened, heat flooding her face in a way she found deeply irritating. She always kept a distance from everyone in the sect, focusing solely on alchemy and her mother’s affection,nothing else had ever demanded more for her— those were things she understood. The warmth of him clung stubbornly to her senses, refusing to fade, and that unsettled her more than any physical contact ever should have.
And yet, beneath the irritation, sothing else stirred. A quiet pull she didn’t recognize, threading its way through her thoughts before she could cut it off. She didn’t know when it had begun—only that the mory of Lingling clinging to him, smiling so freely, had planted a seed she hadn’t noticed until now. Yani turned away before any of it could show.
"Was it bounty hunters she asked abruptly?,Interruption his lewd thoughts. She decided to change the topic and and she knew she couldn’t get distracted here, her mother specially ordered her to bring brother Xuanyan as fast as possible.
Xuanyan raised an eyebrow, clearly surprised that sister Yani already knew about this. "Well, there were a few bounty hunters, I don’t know exactly how many but I managed to take down one from the Silent Fang organisation, he answered studying her expression. Yani nodded calmly as she seated herself on the sole chair in the room. "When you didn’t show up, Lingling asked to look for you. After that... it wasn’t hard to find out."
"Did you find them Sister Yani?"
Yani responded with a smile, "Of course. No need to worry about them anymore brother Xuanyan. I’ve already dealt with the situation, and your bounty has also been removed too. These two organisations won’t be retaliating against you."
He sighed in relief. "Thank you, Senior sister. I owe you this ti." She shook her head. "There is no need to thank , it was Mother and her influence that helped resolve this so easily. Still, Xuanyan continue, I know I’m poor at the mont, but i want to return your favour. I’m not that ungrateful senior sister. Xuanyan glanced at the storage ring and said lightly, i don’t own anything valuable enough to properly thank you."
With a playful smirk, he added, "Unless you’re the type who accepts.... unconventional paynt."
Her breath caught, For a split second, her gaze flickered—down, then toward him
Idiot
She straightened up, her face maintaining a calm, blank expression. "Freshen up," she ordered. "If you’re late, I’ll leave you behind."
.....
So ti later, Yani and Xuanyan made their way toward the alchemy Pavilion. They both remained mostly silent, each absorbed in their own thoughts. After a brief walk through the mountain stone pathway, they soon arrived at the grand alchemy pavilion, it was still the sa as last ti. Heat slamd into him imdiately—thick, suffocating, the kind that crawled under the skin and made a man reconsider every decision that had led him here.
Xuanyan didn’t show much reaction outwardly, but he could sense many gazes on him from the mont he and Yani entered the pillfire Alchemy Hall.
Now, when he was here for the second ti, he could see many things that he was unable to notice before. At the centre, where true masters stood, Calm and composed working behind translucent formation light barriers that pulsed gently with authority. Their movents were swift and precise with every gesture confident in the knowledge that nothing could touch them without permission.
Witnessing their skills, Xuanyan realised he could surpass them in no ti. At this mont seeing elder i Lingyao daughter Yani with outer sect disciple a rough older voice muttered in disbelief, "Don’t tell that’s the one Miss Lingling... dao partner?"
"Another voice answered, laced with disbelief. "That outer sect kid? You’re joking right. He’s only Qi Condensation Stage Four." Did she lost her mind or what.
A scoff followed imdiately, "You still don’t understand do you?" he asked. Silence stretched between them for few seconds then one girl murmured slowly ""You an... he’s her—"
"Keep your voice down," he cut her sharply, She swallowed her word hard, then softly breathed the words instead of speaking them outright "...Furnace cauldron?"
On the other hand Xuanyan’s mouth twitch at their conversation, he can still hear from this far away and Yani was still walking calmly like a model not caring about false rumours.
"But seriously — him? She could have chosen anyone from the inner court." and isn’t it’s demonic practice.
He exhaled softly, "Inner court disciples co with ties. Families. Elders backing them. Debts, alliances, consequences." His eyes flicked toward the platform again. "A furnace shouldn’t have any of that."
The girl’s gaze drifted back to the man on the platform. He stood straight, expression composed, as if this were an honor beyond asure. Her voice softened, almost against her will. "Do you think he knows?"
The answer ca without hesitation. "If he did... he wouldn’t have such goofy smile on his face.
Xuanyan grimaced, pinching his nose in frustration at their foolishness. Yet, a flicker of doubt caught him off guard for a mont—what if this actually true? He chuckled softly, almost to himself. My system wouldn’t lie about her devotion levels... right?...Right?
System - [ No Response 💀]
....
Yani slowed to a stop before a massive wooden door at the far end of the corridor. The alchemy pavilion’s second floor was noticeably quieter than below—no clanging furnaces, no drifting smoke—only a faint warmth seeping through the walls and the muted scent of refined herbs lingering in the air.
She turned toward him,"You should go et Lingling first," she’s hasn’t moved from this room since yesterday. Yani moved a little closer towards Xuanyan cupping his both hand softly please take care of her she said in almost tender voice. Yani gaze shifted briefly toward a side passage, then returned to him. "I’ll head to Mother’s chamber and inform her of your arrival."
Before Xuanyan could respond—she turned away. The hem of her robe swayed once as she stepped forward, already moving down the corridor with unhurried strides.
Reviews
All reviews (0)