The pool water was still, its glow gentle.
Tantai Mingyue rose to her feet, her bare feet stepping onto the poolside. With her back to Chu Jiang, she casually smoothed her slightly damp long hair.
Chu Jiang walked behind her and naturally tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear.
"Your hair is messy," Chu Jiang said.
"Mm."
Tantai Mingyue answered without turning around, but the tips of her ears slowly reddened.
A quiet moment passed.
"Junior Brother Chu," she suddenly said.
"Mm?"
"This is for you." She turned around, holding a dark purple, square jade block strung on a silver chain. The jade was warm and lustrous, with faint thunder patterns flowing across it.
Chu Jiang accepted it.
The jade felt slightly cool to the touch, then turned warm against his chest. A thread of cool, calming intent spread through him.
"This is Soul-Calming Thunder Jade," Tantai Mingyue explained. "I've worn it for many years. Your cultivation has advanced too quickly; wearing it will steady your mind and suppress external evils."
Chu Jiang lowered his head to inspect the jade, then looked back at her. "Does this count as a token of love?"
Tantai Mingyue turned her face away, her voice very soft. "Interpret it however you wish."
After the two dressed, Tantai Mingyue regained her former bearing—holy and majestic, beautiful beyond compare.
"Junior Brother, you are still young, yet you have already reached the fourth level of the quasi-Saint realm. Such talent is rare in this age. But you must never grow slack, much less... indulge in pleasure and neglect your path of cultivation." By the end, her own cheeks had flushed faintly.
"Rest assured, Senior Sister," Chu Jiang said seriously. "I know my limits. Besides..." He raised his gaze, his eyes blazing. "Cultivating together with Senior