339: Chapter 339 He slept with her, and then he said it was an accident?

Xu Ruyu's heart skipped a beat.

That day... in the illusion...

Those enchanting scenes uncontrollably flooded his mind.

He remembered the sensation of pressing that figure beneath him, the tremors when their spiritual bodies intertwined, and those chaotic yet intense...

His face instantly flushed red all the way to his ears.

The Artifact Spirit saw his expression, and the blush on her own face deepened.

But she didn't look away; instead, she gazed at him even more earnestly, the light in her eyes so tender it seemed it could melt into water.

"Do you... do you know why I was able to achieve a Breakthrough?"

she asked softly.

Xu Ruyu shook his head.

The Artifact Spirit smiled slightly, her smile carrying a hint of shyness and a touch of sweetness: "It was because of you.

Your special Physique, and that... aura on you that I can't quite explain, helped me pry open the shackles of my Origin.

You... you gave me a great fortune."

Xu Ruyu was stunned.

He recalled that strange, out-of-control energy within his body that day in the illusion, and the resonance when his spiritual body intertwined with the Artifact Spirit's...

Could it be that his 'Void Source Energy' truly helped the Artifact Spirit?

"So..." The Artifact Spirit's voice grew even lower, almost inaudible, "you don't owe me anything.

On the contrary, it is I... I who should thank you."

Xu Ruyu opened his mouth, momentarily at a loss for words.

Seeing his dazed expression, the Artifact Spirit couldn't help but burst into a giggle.

The laughter was crisp and pleasant, echoing through the Artifact Refining Room like silver bells.

"You are truly interesting," she laughed. "In the illusion, you were so... so bold, so why are you acting so silly now?"

Xu Ruyu's face turned even redder at her words, and he stammered, "That... that was an accident... I..."

"An accident?" The Artifact Spirit tilted her head, a flash of mischief in her eyes. "You slept with me, and you call it an accident?"

Xu Ruyu was completely speechless.

The Artifact Spirit laughed even more joyfully at his embarrassment.

She reached out and lightly tapped his forehead with her fingertip; the touch was cool and soft, like condensed moonlight.

"Alright, I'll stop teasing you," she said, withdrawing her hand with a smile. "Since you're here, just focus on Artifact Refining with peace of mind.

If you need anything, just say so.

If Little Taihao dares to make things difficult for you, tell me."

As she spoke, she glanced back at the Taihao Clan, who was still standing in the distance in a state of shock, a doting smile flickering in her eyes.

"Her? She's all bark and no bite.

She says she wants to castrate you, but in truth, her heart was long ago conquered by your talent for Artifact Refining.

Look at the way she stares at your Array Pattern; her eyes are practically popping out of her head."

Hearing this, the Taihao Clan finally snapped out of her shock, her face instantly turning beet red as she stomped her foot and cried, "Master! What are you saying!

Who... who was conquered by him? Do you think I'm you?"

The Artifact Spirit knew her Disciple was just making excuses but ignored her, continuing to Xu Ruyu, "I've sensed those Array Pattern of yours.

They are very interesting, a path I have never seen before.

Refine well; if there's anything you don't understand, you can ask her.

Though she has a sharp tongue, her skills in Artifact Refining are quite good."

Xu Ruyu nodded hastily, "Thank you, Senior!"

The Artifact Spirit paused slightly, then smiled, "Senior? You're still calling me Senior?"

Xu Ruyu was stunned, not knowing what he should call her.

The Artifact Spirit looked at him, a complex light flashing in her eyes.

She fell silent for a moment, then suddenly whispered, "You... you can call me whatever you wish."

With that, she turned and walked out of the Artifact Refining Room.

Upon reaching the door, she suddenly stopped, looked back at Xu Ruyu, and that bashful blush reappeared on her face.

"My... my name is Yue Ling.

In the future... in the future, you can just call me Yue Ling."

After saying this, she left quickly, disappearing into the corridor outside the Artifact Refining Room.

Leaving Xu Ruyu and the Taihao Clan staring at each other on the spot.

...

Silence.

Xu Ruyu and the Taihao Clan looked at each other; neither spoke.

After a long while, the Taihao Clan finally broke the silence, her voice dry: "You... you and my Master... really..."

Xu Ruyu waved his hands frantically, "A misunderstanding! It's all a misunderstanding! That day was..."

"Enough." The Taihao Clan interrupted him, her expression complex. "No need to explain.

Master said it herself; what else is there to explain?"

Xu Ruyu opened his mouth but ultimately closed it.

The Taihao Clan looked at him with an extremely complex gaze.

There was curiosity, conflict, a hint of relief, and something... subtle that she couldn't even describe herself.

She recalled her Master's bashful appearance just now, that tender tone, and that phrase 'Master's man'...

Master had lived for tens of thousands of years and had never fallen for anyone.

Yet this youth, only at the Qi Refining Stage, could actually make Master show such an expression?

What kind of magic did he possess?

The Taihao Clan's gaze couldn't help but sweep over Xu Ruyu once more.

Still so young, so ordinary, so... aside from those Array Pattern, there didn't seem to be anything special about him.

But as it happened, Master liked him.

And in Artifact Refining, he truly was a Genius.

The Taihao Clan suddenly felt that her previous hatred didn't seem so important anymore.

If Master herself didn't care, what could she, as the Disciple, say?

And...

And...

If Master really was with him... then in the future, could she openly learn those Array Pattern from him?

The Taihao Clan's eyes suddenly lit up.