Two Days

Ye Qiu had needed only two days to win Shui Bing'er over.

Even with the formidable Ice Phoenix as her Martial Soul, it had made no difference. The gap in cultivation and physical strength was beyond what her still-unpracticed techniques could make up for.

In the end.

Shui Bing'er had still ended up sprawled face-down in front of Ye Qiu, collapsed at his feet like a defeated opponent, gritting her teeth as sweat poured down her.

Two days had passed.

Ye Qiu understood the value of knowing when to stop. Five knockouts were already plenty. He gently loosened his grip on her hand, letting Shui Bing'er lie fully prone and rest properly.

He leaned down, pressed himself against her smooth, delicate back, and held her in his arms beneath a thin blanket.

The sun was already high in the sky.

Ye Qiu had only just begun resting with Shui Bing'er. The room fell utterly quiet, broken only now and then by the sound of her teeth chattering like she was grinding them.

In the courtyard.

"Zhu Qing, how come you're fine? Did you sleep last night?" Xiao Wu asked, looking at Zhu Zhuqing with dark circles under her eyes.

"No." Zhu Zhuqing shook her head. "I only cultivated for a while. Nana did too."

"But she clearly has dark circles under her eyes as well!" Xiao Wu pointed at Hu Liena.

"I—I was going to cultivate, but the noise was too loud. I couldn't focus." Hu Liena cradled a cup of hot tea, feeling weak and tingly all over. She hadn't experienced it herself, but even imagining that fierce onslaught made her heart race.

"Um... My sister will be all right, won't she?" Shui Yue'er asked worriedly from beside them.

"Hmph! What could happen to her? I got through