Ji Xueruo lay on the ground, her collar slightly torn open, revealing a touch of snow-white chest.

She gently raised her toes, her black dress gradually slipping off, placing her long, straight leg on You Su’s chest. She loved wearing dark clothes, the deep black making her skin appear as radiant as moonlight.

The most rebellious aspect of this Clan Leader was once her gaze; after countless cycles of dual cultivation, she had transformed from a dangerous serpent into a lamb waiting to be slaughtered.

Her eyes were gentle, as if gazing at a lover.

You Su held the arch of the maiden’s foot in his hand, playing with it delicately. Ji Xueruo’s foot was fair and tender, her delicate toes gleamed like jade, in You Su’s eyes surpassing the most precious jade in the world.

A strange itch in Ji Xueruo’s sole caused her pretty face to blush.

Lying on the ground with her toe placed on the man’s chest was a move not short of provocation. Even the most reserved man faced with such a deity’s initiative would likely transform into a beast. Yet, You Su did nothing, simply caressing her ornate ankle, as if he couldn’t bear to let go.

Ji Xueruo’s nose was cherry red, and she glared at You Su’s calm face, feeling both urgent and anxious inside.

Based on previous habits, You Su would have already traced her curvaceous calf and moved step by step downwards, seeking secrets. Every time she would coyly prevent him, adding much intrigue to their interactions.

But this time... Why hadn’t he made a move yet?

Ji Xueruo, no longer a beginner, immediately thought of a possibility.

This pretentious blind man, how many times have we dual cultivated, yet he still plays this outdated game of withholding desire?!

Ji Xueruo glared at You Su, her crimson lips pouting high, seemingly saying: You’re not in a hurry, right? Fine! Then I’m not in a hurry either! Whoever’s anxious goes beneath!

But You Su was far more patient than she had imagined; his thumb gently massaged Ji Xueruo’s sole, making her entire foot tingle incessantly.

Ji Xueruo couldn’t endure anymore, and retorted, "Will you do it or not?"

You Su just smiled, reluctantly releasing her foot.

Ji Xueruo froze for a moment, then propped up on her arm to lie on her side. A mysterious, shallow smile spread on her face as she glanced several times at You Su’s sword:

"What’s the matter with our great swordsman? Is your sword dull again?"

You Su clasped his hands behind his back, slightly turning his body to avoid her gaze:

"My sword remains sharp."

"I’m not so sure."

Ji Xueruo continued to provoke. A quarter of an hour isn’t long, yet this blind man wasted so much time on foreplay that they might not complete even a single round of dual cultivation this cycle.

"Hey, can’t you stop dawdling?"

At her words, You Su entirely turned his cold back to Ji Xueruo:

"We should go..."

These five words left Ji Xueruo stunned for a long time. She examined her demon pill within, and realized she had already reached Feather Realm Perfection...

Her bright eyes now seemed a bit unfocused, not knowing where to settle. She experienced countless quarters of an hour in this cave, even becoming accustomed to life here.

Dark green moss, smooth stalactites, the occasional biting cold wind, and the boy who shared his warmth in the cold...

Sometimes they curled up together, Ji Xueruo would dominantly press You Su against her fragrant shoulder and talk about random things. They would also spar, sharing joys and sorrows of life and experiences in cultivation.

They were not mechanical objects but needed some adjustment in their repetitive lives, these adjustments made their bond stronger. In this endless cycle, Ji Xueruo grasped You Su’s weaknesses, and You Su discovered Ji Xueruo’s flaws. In this world, they were the ones who understood each other the most besides each other.

Yet all this would vanish like a dream; Ji Xueruo felt a bit at a loss. Initially, she treated this as merely a transaction, but now, who could truly leave it behind so easily?

"I..."

Ji Xueruo opened her cherry lips, hesitating to speak.

She secretly despised her own cowardice, surprisingly. The thought "can’t we just stay here forever?" arose.

No matter how clear-minded, dreams could still make one sink.

This wasn’t a thought befitting a Snake Race Clan Leader, determined to lead her kind back to the Divine Mountain and claim the title of Empress.

Her lifelong dream was to become the most noble woman in the world. How could she stay here with a man forever? She bore countless responsibilities on her shoulders and couldn’t escape the reality she must face.

"Xueruo... Despite the environment’s depth, to me, this is the warmest haven. But this is still an illusion... Hiding in illusions is exactly what the hidden lands wish to see."

You Su’s tone was gentle, kindly advising:

"No matter how beautiful here is, it’s not even one-ten-thousandth of the outside world. Mountains, snowfields, oceans, we..."

"Enough."

Ji Xueruo’s face froze like icy snow, coldly interrupting You Su’s musings about the future. She wasn’t one of those tearful wives waiting for husbands to coax them, nor needed those ethereal promises from You Su to wake her up.

You Su turned around, pursed his lips, unsure of what to say.

Ji Xueruo continued to stare at You Su’s downcast eyes, feeling somewhat indignant.

Half because she forgot her original intention, half because You Su was too awake...

Was she the only one willing to stay in this illusion, never to awaken?