789: Time alone for the two of them

The core market of Bhikkhu City, protected by the sturdy inner city and the city-guarding Formation, was still bustling with activity.

Although many buildings along the streets bore marks of damage and a faint scent of blood still lingered in the air, Cultivators and Mortals were still striving to live and trade, like resilient flowers blooming in desperation.

Han Ruyi held Yao Delong's hand as they mingled in the bustling crowd.

She was a bit nervous at first, her palms slightly sweaty, and her fingers clutching Yao Delong's sleeve were somewhat stiff.

But gradually, sensing that Yao Delong was neither impatient nor rejecting her, and that his broad, warm palm gave her an indescribable sense of security and excitement, her courage grew slightly.

In front of a highly popular stall selling Yao Beast meat and Spirit Grain, the crowd was exceptionally dense.

"Make way! Make way! Fresh Earth-Splitting Ox Yao meat! Replenishes Qi and blood, strengthens muscles and bones!" The coarse shouting was deafening.

Amidst the jostling crowd, a burly man carrying half a giant Ox Yao carcass suddenly turned around.

"Watch out!" Yao Delong's eyes narrowed slightly as he calmly circulated his Qi around his body.

The burly man was clearly about to collide with Han Ruyi!

But strangely, he and the heavy chunk of meat on his shoulder seemed to hit an invisible, extremely tough wall and were gently pushed aside by a soft yet irresistible force, which also silently 'parted' the surrounding crowd to create a gap.

Han Ruyi was completely unaware of the danger; she only felt her body being moved by a gentle force, and losing her balance, she involuntarily leaned into Yao Delong's embrace!

"Ah!" she let out a soft cry as a warm, fragrant, and soft body filled his arms, and a faint virgin scent wafted into his nose.

Yao Delong subconsciously reached out to support her slender waist, which felt soft and elastic to the touch.

Time seemed to freeze at this moment!

Han Ruyi's pretty face instantly turned as red as a cooked shrimp, and her heart almost jumped out of her throat! She could clearly feel the solid warmth of Yao Delong's chest and the burning temperature from the large hand steadily supporting her waist through the thin fabric of her martial attire.

"S-Sorry, Benefactor..." She frantically tried to stand up straight, her voice as faint as a mosquito's buzz, filled with infinite bashfulness.

"It's fine, there are too many people." Yao Delong's voice remained calm, carrying a hint of soothing power. He timely released his hand from her waist as if the intimate contact just now was merely an accident. However, the momentary soft touch and fragrance left a ripple in his heart.

The two walked to a stall specializing in Spirit Fruit Ice Dew and exquisite snacks.

To ease the earlier embarrassment and express her gratitude, Han Ruyi took the initiative to buy two servings of Ice Crystal Snow Lotus Soup served in Thousand-Year Cold Jade Bowls.

The soup was crystal clear, emitting a trace of cold air and an elegant lotus fragrance, adorned with several bright red Vermilion Fruits, looking quite beautiful.

"Benefactor, try this; it's a special cooling spirit soup from our Bhikkhu City, and it's also somewhat beneficial for restoring the mind." Han Ruyi handed one of the bowls to Yao Delong.

Yao Delong reached out to take it.

At the moment of the hand-off!

Their fingertips accidentally touched!

Han Ruyi's fingertips were cool and delicate.

Yao Delong's fingers were warm and slender.

One cold and one hot, it felt like an electric current instantly coursing through their bodies!

"Ya!" Han Ruyi, like a startled rabbit, her wrist trembling slightly, almost knocked the jade bowl over.

Yao Delong was quick-witted and agile; he flipped his palm, steadily supporting the bottom of the bowl and simultaneously enveloping her small hand that had almost let go.

Skin pressed against skin!

Han Ruyi felt as if the back of her hand had been seared by a branding iron, the burning temperature spreading all the way to her heart! She wanted to withdraw her hand like an electric shock, yet she craved that warmth and sense of being enveloped, momentarily freezing there as a rosy flush spread from her cheeks down to her fair neck.

Yao Delong was also slightly stunned. Looking at the girl's irrepressible bashfulness, as if she were about to melt, and the soft hand he had unconsciously enveloped, the strange feeling in his heart grew stronger.

He calmly took the jade bowl and slowly released her hand as if nothing had happened. He lowered his head to take a sip of the ice soup and praised, "It is indeed sweet and refreshing, calming the mind. Not bad."

"Mmm... mmm... as long as Benefactor likes it..." Han Ruyi kept her head down, taking small sips of the ice soup. The cool, sweet taste slid down her throat, but it could not extinguish the heat on her face and in her heart.

While passing a stall selling various exquisite defensive Magical Artifacts and amulets, Han Ruyi's gaze was drawn to a Luan Bird Jade Pendant carved from pink crystal, containing a sophisticated mind-calming Formation.

"Do you like it?" Yao Delong noticed where her gaze lingered.

"Ah? N-No..." Han Ruyi hurriedly shook her head, shifting her gaze in a panic.

However, Yao Delong had already picked up the jade pendant. It felt warm and smooth; though the Formation was simple, the carving was exquisite, and the Luan bird looked lifelike.

"Although this jade isn't top-tier, the mind-calming Formation within is decently drawn and can slightly block the intrusion of Evil Qi from low-level Yao Beasts." As Yao Delong spoke, he held the jade pendant out to Han Ruyi. "Your cultivation is still shallow, and the Evil Qi on the battlefield is heavy. Wearing it will provide an extra layer of protection."

To let her hear clearly, Yao Delong leaned in slightly, getting a bit closer.

The warm breath, carrying his unique clean scent—like grass dried in the sun—gently brushed past Han Ruyi's sensitive ear and the hair at her temples.

Han Ruyi only felt a strong tingling sensation instantly course through her body from her ear, her delicate frame trembling slightly.

She looked at the jade pendant right before her eyes and the large, well-defined hand holding it, her heart thumping like a drum.

"Th-Thank you, Benefactor..." Her voice carried a slight tremor as she reached out with cool fingers to cautiously take the jade pendant. The moment she touched Yao Delong's fingers, she quickly withdrew as if burned. She tightly clutched the jade pendant in her palm as if it were a rare treasure. The warmth from his palm seemed to still linger on it.

The two continued to walk through the market.

Although Han Ruyi was still shy, the initial tension and reserve seemed to quietly melt away with each subtle touch and Yao Delong's unintentional protection. Occasionally, she would muster the courage to point out some novel gadgets at the stalls to share with him, the admiration and reliance deep in her eyes growing stronger and stronger.

Although Yao Delong didn't say much, he always listened patiently, occasionally offering a few comments. As his gaze swept over the girl's profile, which was radiant with joy and shyness, a rare sense of peace and relaxation gradually rose in his heart.

The prosperity of the market amidst the smoke of war, the handsome man and beautiful woman walking side by side, the heart-pounding touch of fingertips, the warm breath during whispers... all formed a peaceful picture in a troubled world.

And this subtly heating ambiguous sentiment hidden beneath the noise was like a secluded orchid quietly blooming in the dark night, emitting an intoxicating fragrance.