346: Ripples on the lake of my heart

Situ Jun sat up as instructed, circulating the Spiritual Qi within his body for a thorough examination. He couldn't help but feel increasingly astonished.

He had originally thought that after such an event, his Cultivation would at least be damaged, if not diminished. Yet, contrary to expectations, misfortune had turned into a blessing.

Not only was his Soul Transformation Stage Cultivation completely undiminished, but the Spiritual Qi within his body, after merging with Madame Xiangyu's gentle, yin-aligned Spiritual Qi, had become more refined, pure, and robust, circulating with even greater fluidity.

The internal injuries left from the previous Spiritual Qi imbalance were also incidentally healed by this merged Qi. The Spiritual Qi within his Dantian was now full and abundant, even showing faint signs of a Breakthrough to the Middle Stage of Soul Transformation.

He lifted his gaze to look at Madame Xiangyu. She stood nervously to the side, her hands tightly clutching the hem of her garment, disheveled strands of hair at her temples covering half her cheek. The red marks on her neck stood out starkly against her fair skin.

Her cautious, apprehensive demeanor intensified the guilt in his heart.

After a moment of contemplation, Situ Jun raised his hand. A faint light gleamed from his fingertip, and a jade pendant, glowing with a translucent green hue, appeared in his palm.

The pendant was about two fingers wide, of an ancient and simple design. It was carved with intricate and delicate 'Clear Heart' patterns, their lines fine and flowing as if naturally formed.

The jade pendant felt cool to the touch, carrying a refreshing chill. A faint green light shimmered around it, and Spiritual Qi swirled faintly—it was clearly no ordinary object at a glance.

"This jade pendant is called the Bodhi Jade, crafted from ancient spiritual jade."

Situ Jun extended the pendant towards Madame Xiangyu, his voice sincere, his gaze intense as he looked at her:

"It can calm the mind and concentrate the spirit, resisting the invasion of Heart Demons. It can also conceal one's aura, protecting your safety. If you encounter danger in the future, you only need to inject a trace of Spiritual Qi into it to conceal your form and evade powerful enemies."

He paused, his tone growing even more solemn:

"For today's matter, I thank you for your assistance, Madame. Such a great kindness cannot be repaid with mere words. If you face any difficulties in the future, you may take this pendant to the City Lord's Mansion in Beijiang City to find me. I, Situ Jun, will surely spare no effort to help you. I will not break my promise."

Madame Xiangyu's gaze fell upon the pendant emitting a soft green light. A flicker of hesitation passed through her eyes.

She originally wanted no further entanglement with him, but the pendant's effects were truly too important for someone like her.

Her Cultivation was low. As a low-level Cultivator, this pendant capable of concealing her aura and protecting her might become a lifeline for her in the days to come.

A moment later, she still reached out her hand and gently accepted the pendant.

The moment her fingertip touched the jade, a cool, refreshing energy instantly spread throughout her entire body. Like a clear spring on a summer day, it washed away the lingering chaos and restlessness in her heart, gradually relaxing her taut nerves.

She lifted her gaze, glancing swiftly at Situ Jun.

His eyes were deep and sincere, carrying evident guilt and gratitude.

That glance was too brief. She hurriedly lowered her head, her voice soft yet carrying a hint of resolve as she said:

"Thank you, Your Excellency. However, I hope... that we need not meet again in the future."

She only wished to quickly forget this interlude completely and return to her previous life.

Even if that life remained lonely and cold, like being trapped in a splendid cage, it was still better than this state of constant apprehension that stirred her heart and Soul.

She feared that upon meeting again, today's embarrassment and agitation would surge once more. She feared even more that this unexpected entanglement might bring her greater calamity.

Situ Jun sighed inwardly. He naturally understood her concerns.

Her status was special, situated in the mundane world. Becoming too deeply entangled with an outsider like him would only bring unnecessary trouble.

He said no more, only nodding solemnly:

"Rest assured, Madame. I will never mention today's events to anyone."

Having said that, he stood up and straightened his own garments, his movements composed. Yet, the look he directed at Madame Xiangyu still held a lingering trace of guilt and melancholy.

He gazed at her deeply, imprinting her current appearance firmly in his heart—the disheveled hair, the flushed cheeks, the red marks on her neck, and those downcast eyes concealing a myriad of emotions.

This look seemed as if he wanted to etch her image deep into his Soul.

Then, without further hesitation, Situ Jun activated the Spatial Power within his body.

His form gradually grew ethereal, as if merging into the air, disappearing silently from the secret chamber.

With his departure, the hidden door in the corner of the chamber slowly closed, completely cutting off the noise and turmoil of the outside world.

Only Madame Xiangyu remained in the secret chamber. The surroundings were so quiet she could hear her own heartbeat.

She stood in place, the Bodhi Jade tightly clutched in her hand. The cool sensation transmitted from her fingertips gradually calmed her chaotic emotions.

She gazed at the empty stone bed, her eyes complex and inscrutable.

There was shyness, unease, confusion about the future, and also a trace of indescribable agitation and melancholy.

The light from the Night-Luminescent Pearl remained soft, quietly spilling over her, outlining her slender figure, yet unable to illuminate the deepest corners of her heart.

The earlier intimacy and Spiritual Qi merging felt like a brief, beautiful dream.

Upon waking from the dream, she was still that Madame Xiangyu trapped within this mansion, still living that lonely, dependent, and insipid life.

However, within this calm heart, something vague and inexplicable seemed to have been added.

That something was like a pebble thrown into the stagnant waters of her life, causing her originally still heart's lake to quietly ripple with layer upon layer of waves.

She raised her hand, her fingertips gently touching the red marks on her neck. The faint sensation made her cheeks flush hot once more, and her heartbeat involuntarily quickened.

The Spiritual Qi within her body continued to circulate slowly, far more refined than before. As it flowed, there was no longer any sense of obstruction.

She could clearly feel that the barrier of Qi Refining's first layer had been completely broken at some point. At this moment, her Cultivation had steadily settled at the second layer of Qi Refining.

This was a Breakthrough she had been unable to achieve through years of arduous Cultivation, yet it had been realized in this unexpected Dual Cultivation.

She walked to the stone bed, her gaze falling upon a few strands of black hair scattered on the brocade quilt.

Those strands carried a faint aura of Spiritual Qi, clearly left behind by Situ Jun.

She bent down, carefully picking up those few strands of hair. Gently twisting them between her fingertips, an indescribable feeling welled up in her heart.

Was this sudden, unexpected event an unavoidable tribulation, or a quietly descending fate?

She dared not ponder it deeply, nor did she wish to.

Hastily gathering the strands in her palm, she walked to the incense burner in the corner of the chamber.

Inside the burner, there were still unburned incense ashes, retaining a remnant of warmth.

She gently placed the strands of hair from her palm onto the incense ashes. Using that bit of residual warmth, she watched as the strands gradually curled, burned, and finally turned into a wisp of blue smoke, dissipating into the air.

As if doing so could completely erase all traces of today.

Only after completing all this did Madame Xiangyu seem to have shed a heavy burden, letting out a long, deep sigh.

She turned and walked towards the exit of the secret chamber.

The stone wall behind her slowly closed with a soft sound, sealing away that secret past as if it had never happened.

She walked straight out of the side chamber's door. Outside was still the quiet courtyard.

Moonlight like water spilled over the bluestone slabs, reflecting a cold, clear light.

She lifted her head to glance at the waning moon at the sky's edge, tightened her grip on the Bodhi Jade in her hand. Its cool touch kept her alert.

The path ahead remained unclear, but she knew that some things had already changed.

Her Cultivation, her state of mind, and that originally still heart had all quietly transformed after this unexpected event.