8: Chapter 8: Shadowy Night, the Saintess's Imagination

The night breeze was slightly cool, swirling a few withered leaves on the bluestone path of Xiuyun Peak.

Liu Yuqin stood in the shadow of a thousand-year-old pine tree, her fingernails sinking deep into the bark.

She should have been meditating and regulating her breathing in the guest room, but her experiences in the Soul Severing Abyss these past few days had become her Heart Demon.

Whenever she closed her eyes, her mind was filled with Su Yun's hateful smiling face and that overbearing, suffocating surge of True Qi.

Possessed by some strange impulse, she wanted to see what that bastard was doing.

This was the only path between Tingtao Pavilion and Lin Rou's Sleeping Quarters.

Tingtao Pavilion was pitch black, with no aura to be felt.

Yet, the Sleeping Quarters ahead, which symbolized the majesty of the Mysterious Maiden Sect's Inner Sect, now emitted an eerie, warm orange glow.

"Lin Chen... you actually dare..."

Liu Yuqin bit her lower lip with her pearly teeth, an indescribable sense of bitterness and anger surging in her heart.

That was her Junior Martial Uncle!

This bastard! It was one thing to impersonate a member of the Lin family, but how could he dare to target a Nascent Soul Elder on his very first day in the Sect?

Normally, she would have charged straight in, slain this shameless lecher with a single sword strike, and then apologized to her Junior Martial Uncle.

But now, her feet felt as if they had taken root.

Liu Yuqin took a deep breath, suppressed the throbbing in her heart, concealed her aura, and silently drew close to the outer wall of the Sleeping Quarters.

No Sound-isolating barrier had been set up.

Or rather, the person inside never expected anyone would dare to eavesdrop outside an inner Sect Elder's Sleeping Quarters.

As soon as she approached, a scene capable of shattering her Dao Heart crashed into her sight without warning.

The windows of the Sleeping Quarters were covered with expensive Shark-silk paper, which had excellent light permeability.

At this moment, the candlelight inside flickered.

Two black silhouettes were clearly projected onto the window paper.

They were two people.

Although they were just shadows, Liu Yuqin was all too familiar with Lin Rou's figure.

That Elder Lin Rou, usually so high and mighty, strict and dignified—who would have thought she could have such a side!

"Boom!"

It was as if a thunderclap had exploded in Liu Yuqin's mind, and she froze on the spot.

Then, intermittent sounds came from inside the room.

It was Su Yun's voice!

It carried a hint of feigned refusal and a touch of unmistakable teasing.

Then came Lin Rou's voice.

It was no longer the cold admonishment of an Elder, but a trembling tone rarely heard.

"This method of cultivation is indeed like this, yes."

"This part of the cultivation is wrong... it should... be cultivated like this..."

Liu Yuqin suddenly covered her mouth, her pupils shrinking violently.

Cultivate?

Who are they kidding!

That's a Nascent Soul Stage Elder! She is the face of the Mysterious Maiden Sect!

If it were the real Lin Chen, it would be one thing, but the man inside is Su Yun!

"I'm going to expose him..."

Liu Yuqin screamed in her heart, pressing her palms against the ground, wanting to stand up.

"If I rush in now and draw the Patrolling Disciples, Su Yun will surely die! Even if Junior Martial Uncle Lin Rou's reputation is ruined, it's better than being controlled by this bastard!"

Her reason was screaming warnings.

However, she remained frozen on the spot.

The moment the thought of "harming Su Yun" arose, a sharp pain suddenly shot through her heart.

It was the backlash of the Heart Lock.

Not only that, but an even more terrifying sensation swept through her entire body.

Along with those wonderful sounds from the room, Liu Yuqin felt an inexplicable throbbing rise from within.

Memories of the cave in the Soul Severing Abyss from a few days ago surged back like a tide.

Liu Yuqin closed her eyes in despair, tears sliding down from the corners of her eyes.

Listening to those wonderful sounds of Lin Rou inside the room, who had completely cast aside her dignity.

Liu Yuqin's body trembled; she bit the back of her hand, trying to use pain to alleviate the feeling.

She didn't know how much time had passed.

Perhaps fifteen minutes, perhaps a century.

The commotion inside the room finally subsided.

The shadows on the window paper separated.

The seated man stood up, seemingly straightening his robes.

Then, there was the rustling sound of dressing.

Liu Yuqin suddenly snapped out of it.

...

Inside the Sleeping Quarters.

Su Yun straightened his collar and looked at Lin Rou, who had fallen asleep on the soft couch like a puddle of mud, a satisfied curve hooking his lips.

[Ding! Congratulations on obtaining Lin Rou's primal yin nourishment. The host's Nine Yang Imperial Phoenix Technique proficiency has increased!]

[Current Realm: Sixth Level of Foundation Establishment!]

"Tsk, the taste of the Nascent Soul Stage is indeed more satisfying than the Golden Core Stage."

Su Yun stretched, turned, and pushed open the door.

The night breeze rushed in, dispersing the sweet and cloying scent in the room.

He stepped out of the Sleeping Quarters, his gaze carelessly sweeping over the shadows in the corner.

No one was there.

But on the ground, the five-fingered claw marks left there were particularly eye-catching under the moonlight.

In the air, there still lingered an extremely faint, familiar fragrance.

That was the Cold Snow Lotus Fragrance unique to the Mysterious Maiden Sect.

An incense that only the Saintess was qualified to use.

Su Yun's footsteps paused slightly, and then the smile on his face became playful.

"It seems tonight's audience member was quite deeply immersed in the act."