"Is this the lotus platform of the Green Lotus Core Flame?"
Xun'er's bright eyes gazed at the naturally formed green lotus platform before her, a trace of surprise flashing across them. She had seen it in ancient texts, but this was her first time seeing the real thing.
After being nourished by Xiao Bai's Yi Wood Qi and freshening up earlier, Xun'er's complexion had returned to normal, no longer as pale as before.
"That's right!" Xiao Bai held her delicate body, inhaling her faint fragrance, and took out a small jade bottle from his storage ring, placing it in her small hand.
"Now that you've broken through to Dou Zhe, you can start cultivating techniques. Here are six Earth Fire Lotus Seeds—perfect for practicing fire-attribute techniques. They should be helpful to you!"
Out of eleven Earth Fire Lotus Seeds, he had given one to Cai Lin, leaving ten. He had also given one to Yao Lao and now six to Xun'er, leaving only three in his possession. These seeds were hard to come by, and he wasn't sure if he might need them in the future, so he decided to keep some as a precaution.
"Mm!" Xun'er gently nodded, looking at him with a smile in her eyes, her heart brimming with joy.
These items were indeed precious, and she liked them, but what mattered more to her was Xiao Bai's thoughtfulness. No matter what, he always put her needs first, and that was what made her the happiest.
Xiao Bai lowered his head, looking at Xun'er's exquisite, smiling face, which was now just inches away. Her usually cool and otherworldly beauty would only blossom so perfectly before him.
As their eyes met, they could clearly hear each other's breathing. Seeing Xun'er's soft, fragrant breath so close, a trace of heat flickered in Xiao Bai's eyes. His hands, wrapped around her slender waist, unconsciously tightened, feeling the smoothness beneath her clothes.
Sensing Xiao Bai's change, Xun'er's delicate face instantly turned crimson, and her autumn-like eyes shimmered with a slight mist.
Looking at her dazed and dreamy eyes, Xiao Bai's throat moved slightly, feeling a dryness in his mouth. At this moment, Xun'er was simply too enchanting, and the heat in his eyes grew stronger.
As the fire in Xiao Bai's gaze intensified, Xun'er's cheeks flushed even deeper with shyness, and she let out a soft, barely audible moan.
That gentle sound, as if carrying some kind of magical power, made Xiao Bai's heart race wildly. Unable to resist, he lowered his head and lightly pressed his lips against her tempting, delicate mouth.
As their lips met, the soft and silky sensation sent a tremor through both of them, and an electrifying numbness spread throughout their bodies. The atmosphere instantly became heated.
"Mmm… Xiao Bai… Brother…" Xun'er instinctively struggled, but she felt her entire body going weak, unable to summon any strength.
A flash of clarity returned to Xiao Bai's eyes, and he reluctantly pulled away. Seeing the shy yet slightly annoyed Xun'er in his arms, he gave her a somewhat awkward smile—he hadn't expected his self-control to be so weak today!
Xun'er rolled her eyes at him and whispered, "You big meanie!"
Xiao Bai was utterly smitten with the little lady before him. Leaning close to her ear, he murmured, "I can't help it. My Xun'er is just too mesmerizing today. Your Xiao Bai brother couldn't resist!"
"Hmph!" Xun'er, still feeling weak, leaned against him with a soft snort. "Don't say that!"
Xiao Bai chuckled, holding her gently without saying another word.
"Who wakes first from a grand dream? Only the true dragon knows!"
A lazy voice suddenly rang out, followed by a golden light shooting out from Xiao Bai's sleeve.
"Hehe… Master, Young Mistress, did you miss me?"
A small golden dragon flew between them, grinning mischievously, its tiny eyes full of amusement.
"Get lost!" Xiao Bai felt irritated just looking at the dragon. It was supposed to be guarding him, yet it had slept all the way until now. Who was protecting whom exactly?
"Hey, hey, hey! Master, you're breaking this dragon's heart! I ended up in a deep sleep because I saved you, and now this is how you treat me?" The little golden dragon clenched its tiny claws into fists and waved them indignantly.
"Saved me?" Xiao Bai was puzzled. He really had no idea what had happened after he lost consciousness. Could it be that someone had tried to harm him?
"Young Mistress, you be the judge! That day, my lord passed out, and out of nowhere, a thundercloud appeared, trying to strike him down. Thankfully, this benevolent dragon stepped in to block it, but I was forced into hibernation! It's hard being a good dragon these days! Sniff sniff!"
The little golden dragon flew onto Xun'er's shoulder, dramatically covering its eyes with its tiny claws and pretending to cry.
Xiao Bai's heart sank instantly. He hadn't expected something like that to have happened! If Xun'er started asking too many questions… wouldn't that expose Xian'er?!
"Unconscious?"
Xun'er's expression changed slightly. She stepped out of Xiao Bai's embrace and examined him anxiously. "When did this happen?"
"It was—"
"Wait!" Xiao Bai abruptly interrupted the little golden dragon, reaching out to grab it. But the crafty creature immediately dodged and hid behind Xun'er.
Seeing Xiao Bai's reaction, Xun'er immediately sensed that something was off. She took two steps back and said, "Little Golden Dragon, come out and explain properly. What exactly happened?"
"No problem, Young Mistress!" The little golden dragon strutted out proudly, casting a sideways glance at Xiao Bai as if saying, That's what you get for falsely accusing me!
Xiao Bai gritted his teeth, glaring at the annoying dragon, wishing he could tear it to pieces.
The little golden dragon whispered into Xun'er's ear, recounting everything it knew before it fell into slumber. However, it had no knowledge of what happened afterward.
This made Xiao Bai secretly sigh in relief. Thank goodness! It doesn't know about Qingshan Town or what happened after that.
Xun'er listened in silence, staring at Xiao Bai with a complex expression.
She felt guilt, heartache… and a hint of resentment!
"Xiao Bai gege, did you have trouble breaking through because of what happened that night?" Xun'er stepped forward, gently caressing his slightly pale face.
"What do you mean?" Xiao Bai was confused. His problem had been caused by the Geng Metal Tribulation Lightning and the black mist in his Spiritual Sea.
"That night… I was just speaking in anger. I didn't really mean it. If you ever want to see me, do you think I'd truly have the heart to refuse you?"
Xun'er spoke softly, her gaze filled with tenderness and regret. She thought that her words that night had hurt Xiao Bai, causing him to struggle during his breakthrough. The guilt weighed heavily on her.
Thinking about how he had lain there, alone in the wilderness for who knows how long, completely unattended, made her heart ache. Her eyes turned slightly red.
Xiao Bai felt both amused and helpless. Xun'er had completely misunderstood the situation, but at this moment, he could neither admit nor deny it.
If he admitted it, his conscience wouldn't be able to take it—because that wasn't the reason at all! He had planned to break through and then return to coax this little troublemaker. He never expected so many things to happen in between.
But if he denied it, Xun'er would probably feel even more hurt. She might even decide to pack up and return to the Gu Clan, refusing to see him ever again!
Xiao Bai had no choice but to remain silent—neither admitting nor denying it.
Damn that nosy dragon! He wanted to punish it, but then he remembered that it had also helped him block the tribulation lightning.
Sigh… forget it!
"You don't have to worry, Xun'er! Look, aren't I perfectly fine?" Xiao Bai could only pat her small head, comforting this overly thoughtful little lady.
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