Sharing a Bed

"What?"

Chen Ning was dumbfounded. Big sis, wasn't that a little too overbearing a way to make someone stay?

Cang Yue had never humbled herself to beg anyone for anything. Even with Wine Maniac, she had only spoken to him with the courtesy a junior owed a senior.

She had once been the Great Yan Dynasty's exalted eldest princess, elevated high above others, so in her haste, she wasn't good at persuading someone to stay.

In fact, she had only behaved so unbecomingly because she was far too excited.

Just now, she had suddenly discovered that her mastery of talismans had broken through once again.

The methods of inscribing and combining them that she had been unable to figure out had all become clear in that very instant, and she had fully understood them.

Even that faint, elusive profundity seemed clearer to her now.

Wasn't this the sect leader's doing?

But as the sect leader was about to leave, that faint profundity began to drift away with him, and she grew anxious.

"Sect Leader, it's late, and Verdant Peak is far from Vermilion Bird Peak. Why not put up with staying here with me for the night?"

Cang Yue gazed at him tenderly, her beautiful eyes rippling like water.

"That... wouldn't be convenient, would it?"

Chen Ning declined, only to feel a gentle breeze lift him and carry him straight onto the bed.

"My bed is very soft and spacious, Sect Leader. Just rest easy, and I'll stand guard for you."

Cang Yue smiled, looking every bit the caring woman.

But Chen Ning found it strange. She was a dynasty spy who lived by licking blood from a blade. No matter how vivid his imagination was, he couldn't associate Cang Yue with being caring.

But things had come to this, and he couldn't leave now even if he wanted to.

Chen Ning had no choice but to check the system.

Host: Chen Ning

Cultivation: Ninth level of the Human Martial Realm

Titles: Sect Leader Who Perceives the Finest Details (equipped), Rookie Sect Leader (can be switched)

Title effect: Increases perception by 999. The host will now find it easier to notice subtle clues.

Unique active skill granted by title: [Lie Detection]. When used, you will be able to tell whether the other person's words are true or false. Duration: one minute. Cooldown: 24 hours.

Divine abilities: [Heaven-Stealing Ghost Hand] [Bewitch Hearts] [Fire God Seal]

Cultivation method: [Heaven-Reaching Talisman]

Special items: [Mysterious Spirit Beast Egg (can be hatched)] [Immortal-Trapping Talisman] [Protective Talisman]

That was basically all the trump cards and means Chen Ning had at present. Such a great change in just over ten days was truly astonishing.

He had been a noob at the very start, but now his cultivation had already reached the ninth level of the Human Martial Realm.

He was only one step away from the Spirit Martial Realm.

He could break through just by doing a random task.

But Chen Ning didn't grow complacent because of that. This was only the beginning. The enemies he faced were too powerful, and a spy could reveal ill intent at any moment. He was still surrounded by danger on all sides.

Just like now, wasn't he under house arrest by the grand elder?

He had kindly brought her a cake, and it was one thing not to thank him, but she had even restricted his freedom. Where was the justice in that?

It wasn't convenient to hatch the spirit beast egg now, but it was still necessary to check the divine ability he had just obtained.

Divine ability: [Fire God Seal]

Description: A divine ability of the Great Yan Dynasty's imperial bloodline. Legend says it was bestowed by the fire god in ancient times. Its power is terrifying.

Proficiency: Max level (great perfection)

Chen Ning felt somewhat helpless. Though powerful, it was another divine ability he couldn't use lightly. It came from the Great Yan Dynasty, so wasn't it an ability of Cang Yue's bloodline?

He had only known before that she came from the dynasty, but this time he had indirectly obtained new information. Was she actually a member of the imperial family?

Seeing Chen Ning lying on his side, Cang Yue moved with small, graceful steps and soon reached the bedside.

Even she didn't know why she was in such a good mood today. Perhaps it was because she had eaten a sweet unlike any she had ever tasted, but even more so because she had gained insight into the profundities of talismans.

She had also discovered that the closer she was to Chen Ning, the clearer that mysterious profundity became.

It was as though Chen Ning's body were a lighthouse in the dark of night.

She couldn't help following that faint light, drawing closer bit by bit.

"Huh?"

Chen Ning had been lying comfortably on his side when he suddenly felt Cang Yue draw close to his back.

"There's no need to overthink it, Sect Leader. I'll stand guard for you. Please, just rest."

Chen Ning didn't turn around, or he would have seen that Cang Yue's breathtakingly beautiful face was burning red, and her heart was inexplicably beating faster.

It was also the first time in her life she had been so close to a man.

At this distance, the faint profundity of talismans was clearest to her, and she really didn't want to miss the opportunity.

Feeling the presence of the woman behind him, Chen Ning wasn't sleepy at all anymore. What the hell! With her this close, it was hard for him not to think too much.

It would have been fine if it were someone else, but she was a member of the Great Yan Dynasty's imperial family. If he dared to harbor improper thoughts about her...

He really would be tired of living.

Smelling the faint fragrance, Chen Ning simply pinched his own nose shut and edged toward the other side.

Once their bodies were no longer touching, he immediately felt much more at ease.

Sleep!

However, Cang Yue was at a crucial moment in comprehending that faint profundity. Caught off guard when Chen Ning pulled free and moved farther away, she couldn't help growing anxious and took the initiative to edge closer to him again.

This time, to keep Chen Ning from escaping, Cang Yue reached out and wrapped an arm around him from behind.

Chen Ning had grievances he couldn't voice and could only resign himself to his fate.

A night passed.

Under immense pressure, Chen Ning had fallen asleep at some point. When he opened his eyes again, he saw that his sleeping posture seemed somewhat indecent.

Chen Ning sheepishly pulled his arms and legs back and looked closely at the sleeping Cang Yue. She was fast asleep, a faint blush coloring her delicate cheeks.

It had to be said that Cang Yue had an excellent sleeping posture, giving off a sense of tranquility.

Unlike that loli Su Ling'er, who usually looked pretty but was adorably silly when she slept.

And then there was Xiao Mei. Even in her sleep, Xiao Mei's enchanting face was incredibly alluring.

Wait, that's not right...

Chen Ning suddenly realized something strange.

How had I seen so many women sleeping?

That can't be right. Why does this sound a little like the kind of experience and insight a scumbag would have?

I'm a decent man.

But now wasn't the time to think about that. He had to slip away quickly.

"If she wakes up and gets angry out of embarrassment, that'll be bad."

Chen Ning got out of bed, put on his socks and shoes, and pushed open the door to leave.

The woman outside, who had opened the door for him the previous night, didn't stop him. She merely sized him up with a strange look.

Chen Ning pretended not to see her and went on his way.

"This makes me look even more like a scumbag..."

Chen Ning felt that the whole situation was taking an increasingly strange turn.

The maid at the door watched Chen Ning's departing figure, utterly bewildered.

She couldn't understand why Her Highness had kept the new sect leader here for the night.

She wasn't worried about Her Highness's safety. With Her Highness's strength, no one in the Dragon-Seeking Sect could force her to do anything.

So Her Highness could only have asked the sect leader to stay of her own accord.

But that was strange.

"Could it be... that Her Highness has taken a fancy to the sect leader's looks?"