A Maiden's Jealousy and Shyness, Planning for Opportunities

Last night, Shu Yan and the Snow Empress had cautiously discussed many rather sensitive topics. Neither dared to be too direct, but after their long conversation, both had a rough understanding of things.

Among companions, it was absolutely necessary to discuss such important decisions when needed. As for why they had not included the Ice Empress?

There was simply no need. The Ice Empress was highly intelligent, but whenever the Snow Empress was by her side, she immediately turned into a "simpering scorpion." Her intelligence and judgment plummeted, and she would almost entirely rely on the Snow Empress to make decisions.

Still, Shu Yan could more or less guess the Ice Empress's thoughts. As proud as she was, her final choice would only be the same as theirs: she would rather die standing than live kneeling...

Talking freely was all well and good, but Shu Yan had not timed things properly. Xu Jiujiu happened to see them just as she awakened from her cultivation.

Under the moonlight, a handsome man and a beautiful woman were discussing something unknown. Crisp laughter drifted over from time to time, and they looked so... well-suited?

Xu Jiujiu admitted that she was jealous and envious. For some reason, whenever Shu Yan and the Snow Empress stood together, they gave off the feeling of a match made in heaven. Compared to them, she...

Watching Xu Jiujiu turn and leap down from the Star Platform before storming away in a huff, the Snow Empress raised a brow and said lazily, amused, "Your little girlfriend seems unhappy. What, aren't you going to comfort her?"

Shu Yan sighed helplessly before saying, "Of course I have to comfort her. Let's leave it here for today, Sister Xue. You should head back and rest early too."

The Snow Empress nodded lightly. After yawning and stretching, she transformed into a breeze and vanished.

Shu Yan stared blankly at the vast, boundless sky for a moment before climbing down from the pavilion. He then headed into the Princess Mansion. The moment he entered the main hall, he saw Xu Jiujiu sitting on a soft couch with her back to him.

Under the warm, dim light, Xu Jiujiu looked as though she had just bathed. Her golden hair was still slightly damp, and a misty moisture clung to her body. She wore only a soft golden silk nightgown, exposing half her fragrant shoulders and her slender, ivory-white calves to the air. A faint fragrance that muddled the mind drifted from her.

Shu Yan embraced Xu Jiujiu from behind. Her soft body stiffened, but she quickly recovered and relaxed again.

"Why did you come back? Weren't you having such a wonderful conversation with Senior Snow Empress? To think you can still remember your official girlfriend—should I be pleasantly surprised?"

The smell of vinegar was thick. Extremely thick!

Shu Yan gently bit Xu Jiujiu's fair, tender neck, then said helplessly, "We were discussing a major matter, something with far-reaching implications. You're even jealous over something like this? My princess really is petty."

Xu Jiujiu's face flushed crimson from his actions, but she still stubbornly replied, "Who knows what you were talking about? What if you've grown tired of me and are preparing to try a different flavor?"

Shu Yan chuckled, reached out, and directly pulled Xu Jiujiu into his arms, seating her on his lap.

Xu Jiujiu put up a token struggle before obediently settling down.

As though fitted with an automatic tracker, Shu Yan's hand slipped beneath her golden nightgown and rested on Xu Jiujiu's fair, smooth thigh. Just as he tried to move higher, Xu Jiujiu pressed down on his large hand.

"Letting you touch this princess's legs is already an act of mercy. Don't push your luck."

There was a hint of coyness and tremor in Xu Jiujiu's voice. Shu Yan's touch made her entire body burn, and under such circumstances, she craved the coolness of his body even more. Almost unconsciously, she squeezed closer into his embrace.

Shu Yan withdrew his hand helplessly, only for his gaze to shift toward Xu Jiujiu's exquisite jade feet, so beautiful they were almost unreasonable.

Sensing something off, Xu Jiujiu glared fiercely at Shu Yan before crying out coquettishly, "Don't stare anymore! If you keep looking, I'll shove it straight into your mouth and see if you dare do it again..."

A question mark slowly appeared over Shu Yan's head. For a moment, he truly could not tell whether Xu Jiujiu intended to punish him or reward him...

Xu Jiujiu, however, did not notice anything strange about Shu Yan's reaction. She shifted back slightly and lifted her slender jade legs. A fragrant scent washed over him, and Shu Yan's eyes darkened. He then directly grasped that petite, exquisite jade foot.

Xu Jiujiu's entire body trembled. Seeing the undisguised predatory intent in Shu Yan's eyes, she finally realized just how tempting her actions were in his eyes...

Swallowing with difficulty, Xu Jiujiu instinctively tried to pull back her leg, only to discover that Shu Yan's grip was astonishingly strong. The next moment, Shu Yan softly said, "Jiujiu, do you really think I'm that immune to temptation...?"

Xu Jiujiu frantically shook her head. Then, forcing out a flattering smile, she pleaded softly, "A Yan, can you let go of me first? It's so ticklish. I promise I'll never do this again..."

Shu Yan pressed forward step by step, then directly pinned Xu Jiujiu beneath him. Their bodies pressed tightly together as his large hand moved further upward. Xu Jiujiu shuddered all over, squeezed her eyes shut in fright, and hurriedly said, "Not yet, at least... at least wait another two years. A Yan, I'm begging you. Just touch me, okay..."

The maiden's tender voice, carrying the faintest sob, brought Shu Yan somewhat back to his senses. Stroking Xu Jiujiu's soft waist, he sighed helplessly and said, "All right, don't cry. You're making me feel like some kind of beast..."

It took Xu Jiujiu a long time to slowly open her eyes. Seeing Shu Yan rubbing his head with an innocent expression, she gradually relaxed. Then she suddenly burst into laughter, wiped away the faint tears at the corners of her eyes, and pinched Shu Yan's cheek as she said softly, "Why are you so silly? What should I do, A Yan? I think I like you even more now. It feels like I won't be able to leave you for the rest of my life..."

Shu Yan lowered his head and kissed Xu Jiujiu's red lips. Xu Jiujiu actively lifted her head and deepened the kiss. After the two lingered together for a while, they finally fell asleep in each other's arms...

Half-asleep, Xu Jiujiu opened her eyes. Shu Yan's reflection was clear in her azure eyes, and a trace of infatuation flashed through them. Unconsciously, she snuggled closer into his arms, forcefully claimed one of his arms to use as a pillow, and only then fell into a deep sleep.

Only after Xu Jiujiu was fast asleep did Shu Yan open his eyes. Feeling his arm had already gone numb, he helplessly pinched the maiden's soft cheek. Truthfully, he had almost no desire to sleep; his mind was incomparably clear.

After reaching the Soul King level, sleep was no longer a necessity. Meditation alone could replace every function of sleep. But Xu Jiujiu could not yet do the same. Since she wanted him by her side, he naturally would not refuse. It was merely a few nights of missed meditation, which would have almost no effect on his overall Soul Power cultivation. Occasionally relaxing his mind was still necessary...

As he stared off into space, Shu Yan began planning for the time ahead. Many of the opportunities he knew of would not be difficult to obtain, and every one of them was a treasure of tremendous importance. Before the story began, he would certainly claim them one by one. After considering things carefully for a moment, Shu Yan already had a corresponding plan in mind...