To Xiao Meier, emotions were complicated, but benefits were straightforward.
She might have been a little interested in Zhang Yu's pure-hearted yet powerful "little brother" act, and even felt some affection for him, but she was nowhere near truly in love with him.
What really moved her was how a single night together could send her cultivation soaring. It was faster than any heavenly treasure or divine cultivation manual, and came with no harmful side effects.
It was an incredible bargain.
It was practically the greatest "shortcut to cultivation" in the world.
She glanced at Zhang Yu's profile, which bore a hint of embarrassment and hesitation, and chuckled to herself.
This young man was terrifyingly strong, yet terribly shy.
It seemed she would have to "help" him make up his mind.
She slipped her fair, jade-like arm around Zhang Yu's neck. Her breath was fragrant, and her voice carried a bone-melting allure.
"Little brother... When I said I'd 'help' you, I meant the same thing we did last night... We could have another 'nice, thorough exchange'..."
She deliberately stressed the words "nice, thorough exchange," her fingertips lightly brushing the back of Zhang Yu's neck and sending a shiver through him.
"See? After our 'exchange' last night, my cultivation went up, didn't it?
"This time, we can have an even 'deeper exchange.' Maybe I'll break through to the middle stage of Seventh Rank, or even the late stage!"
Her breath was hot, her scent intoxicating, and the implications in her words were utterly brazen.
Zhang Yu felt a surge of hot blood rush straight to his head. His cheeks burned, his body went rigid as a stone, and he had no idea where to put his hands or feet.
Seeing how adorably flustered and innocent Zhang Yu looked, Xiao Meier's amusement