You're So Beautiful

After the Inner Academy Selection Competition ended, Xiao Ling rarely appeared within the academy. He was no longer seen in the Alchemy Department or the battle zone, places he had often frequented before.

It had now been three days since the Inner Academy Selection Competition ended. After several days of cultivation, coupled with the tempering he had received in the arena, Xiao Ling's cultivation had broken through to the Four-star Great Dou Master level. Once he reached the Seven-star Great Dou Shi level, taking one Three-pattern Green Spirit Pill and two Purple Heart Barrier Breaking Pills would allow his cultivation to leap directly to the peak Great Dou Master level. Feeling the surging Dou Qi within his body, Xiao Ling was quite satisfied.

According to academy rules, within seven days after the selection competition ended, the top fifty students had to begin preparing to enter the Inner Academy. Xiao Ling and the other top five, meanwhile, could choose a time during those seven days to enter the academy's Library Pavilion. As a reward, they were qualified to rely on their luck to select something that would belong to them.

Xiao Ling had already decided what reward he wanted to choose in the Library Pavilion.

During the Inner Academy Selection Competition, Han Xian had not used the Illusion Gold Fire from that Seven-tier Illusion Fire Scorpion Dragon Beast from the original work. Xiao Ling guessed that Beast Flame had most likely been a reward Han Xian obtained in the Library Pavilion. After absorbing this Seven-tier Beast Flame, even if the Fen Jue could not advance to the Intermediate Black Tier, its cultivation speed should at least increase somewhat.

At that moment, Xiao Ling was in the courtyard discussing with his companions how they would counter-rob the Inner Academy's old students during the Fire Energy Hunt Competition.

The group sat around a table in the courtyard pavilion. Xiao Xun'er was on Xiao Ling's left, while Han Yue sat on his right. Breathing in the delicate fragrances on the two women, Xiao Ling found his thoughts wandering.

As they talked, Xiao Ling's right hand beneath the tablecloth casually came to rest on Han Yue's long leg. The soft, springy feel of her flesh and the silky touch of her black stockings only intensified his longing for her. One day, he would have to try what it felt like to rest his head on her lap. After what had happened half a year ago, their relationship had developed further, and they occasionally shared intimate gestures.

Feeling the hand misbehaving on her leg, Han Yue's face remained calm, but inwardly she was already overwhelmed with shyness. Without drawing attention, she glanced at Xiao Ling beside her and reached out to brush his hand away. Yet before she could, he caught her hand in his, their fingers interlocking. She tried to pull free, but could not.

Seeing Xiao Ling's unruffled expression, Han Yue could only obediently let him hold her hand. If her junior wanted to hold hands, what could she do? She could only let him hold it.

Han Yue's slender jade hand was fair and delicate, like a freshly peeled eggshell. The young man gently kneaded it, feeling the softness in his palm, boneless and exquisite. It felt wonderful, cool as a piece of white jade. The black stockings over it added an extra touch of smoothness.

Xiao Xun'er, seated nearby, seemed to sense something. She glanced in Xiao Ling's direction and saw that his expression was perfectly normal, without the slightest emotional fluctuation. She suspiciously looked at Han Yue, then shook her head and muttered to herself, Brother Xiao Ling and I grew up together. How could he possibly like someone else? The two of us are the ones meant to be together.

In the end, the group decided to lie in wait not far from the exit. They would let the old students rob the new students first, then rob the old students afterward.

After the discussion ended, everyone returned to their own courtyards. Xiao Ling also went into his room and began cultivating in earnest, adjusting his condition in preparation for entering the Library Pavilion the next day to obtain a treasure.

Early the next morning.

Xiao Ling was practicing the Mysterious-tier Advanced Dou Technique, Swallow Return Strike, that Xiao Xun'er had given him yesterday in the small courtyard.

He had to admit, the Dou Technique this little rich girl had given him was truly useful. Its whole idea was to return the other's methods against them.

Just as Xiao Ling was immersed in practicing the Dou Technique, a bell rang from inside the house.

Stopping his practice, he walked to the courtyard gate and opened it. As expected, it was Senior Han Yue, here to call him to the Library Pavilion.

After looking around and seeing that no one was paying attention, Xiao Ling grabbed Han Yue's slender jade hand and pulled her into the small courtyard.

Han Yue helplessly rolled her eyes at Xiao Ling and said softly, "It's almost time for us to head to the Library Pavilion. Don't keep the others waiting too long." Though she said that, her hand offered little resistance as Xiao Ling held it tightly.

Xiao Ling had always been shameless as a city wall. With a grin, he said, "A little delay won't matter. We can ride Rayquaza over later—maybe we'll even arrive before them."

Xiao Ling appeared completely at ease, but Han Yue felt uncomfortable all over, her cheeks burning.

Just then, Xiao Ling reached out and wrapped his arms around Han Yue's slender, soft waist from behind, drawing her into his embrace.

Han Yue shot Xiao Ling a mildly reproachful look, but held in his arms, she inexplicably felt safe. The turmoil in her heart quickly settled.

After half a year, Xiao Ling and Han Yue were now of equal height. Their gazes met, and an ambiguous atmosphere filled the air, lingering for a long while.

Xiao Ling looked at Han Yue with a smile in his eyes, then froze slightly. Her face was close at hand, yet his gaze grew somewhat dazed, his heart trembling.

Han Yue did not notice anything unusual. She unconsciously parted her red lips and asked softly, "What's wrong?"

Looking at the pretty face and alluring red lips so close to him, Xiao Ling answered without thinking, "Han Yue, you're so beautiful. I like you so much."

Han Yue's long eyelashes trembled. For some reason, it felt as though a kitten were scratching at her heart.

Their faces, already so close, drew nearer once more, and their hearts intertwined.

Soft, warm, moist, carrying a faint fragrance, with a subtle sweetness in his mouth—this was what Xiao Ling felt at that moment.

The instant their faces pressed intimately together, every thought in his mind emptied. Within his clear blue-gold eyes, there remained only Han Yue's exquisite face and graceful figure.

Han Yue was the same. Her gaze turned hazy, and Xiao Ling's figure was the only thing left in her eyes.

No one knew how long that moment lasted. Only when their lips parted did they both come back to their senses.

Seeing the silvery thread between their lips, Han Yue hurriedly pulled away, at a loss for what to do. Xiao Ling merely touched his lips, savoring the sensation from moments ago.

For a time, neither spoke, and the atmosphere became delicate.

Fortunately, Rayquaza, which had been sleeping inside, seemed to have been awakened by their movements. It turned into a streak of black light and appeared before them, licking Xiao Ling's face before nudging Han Yue's back. That finally broke the somewhat delicate atmosphere.

Xiao Ling stopped overthinking it. With a leap, he landed on Rayquaza's back and extended a hand toward Han Yue.

Seeing this, Han Yue also came back to her senses. She rolled her eyes prettily at Xiao Ling, placed her hand in his, and with a slight exertion, seated herself behind him.