I'll Stand Guard for You

"Gurgle..." An ill-timed sound broke the ambiguous and enchanting atmosphere.

Qin Chuan looked down at his stomach, his old face flushing red.

Having been busy all morning, he was truly hungry.

Hu Liena was amused by the sound. She took Qin Chuan's hand and said, "How about we make some lunch?"

"Mm, I'll make grilled fish." The moment food was mentioned, Qin Chuan's spirits lifted.

Qin Chuan took a large fish from the net bag, pulled out a sharp dagger, and began to prepare it.

Scaling, gutting, removing the innards... His movements were clean and efficient; one could tell he did this often.

Hu Liena started the fire nearby. Instead of using a flint, she simply extended her jade-like hand, a small cluster of pink flames coalescing at her fingertips. This was the Fox Fire that came with her "Demon Fox" martial soul; it had an extremely high temperature and could be controlled in size at will.

Soon, a campfire was crackling away.

Qin Chuan skewered the prepared fish with wooden sticks, set them over the fire, and brought out the large collection of jars and bottles of seasoning he had brought along.

He first brushed an even layer of oil over the fish to prevent the skin from burning.

Once the fish meat turned a slight golden yellow, he sprinkled on a layer of fine salt, followed by cumin powder, chili powder, and five-spice powder...

Under the intense heat, the various spices mingled with the fish's oils, emitting an indescribably domineering aroma.

Carried by the wind, this fragrance drifted deep into the forest.

Hiding in the trees, Qian Renxue caught a whiff of the scent, and her stomach let out an uncooperative growl.

She had only gnawed on half a piece of dry, hard biscuit that morning and had long been starving. Now, smelling the rich aroma of the grilled fish, her saliva began to secrete uncontrollably.

She watched the two by the lake, huddled around the campfire, laughing and chatting. The man skillfully turned the fish, sprinkling on seasonings from time to time. The woman looked at him with adoration, like a young wife waiting to be fed.

Qian Renxue's heart was a complex mix of emotions.

While she despised Hu Liena's "depravity," she couldn't help but envy her for being able to eat such delicious grilled fish.

Some time later.

"Alright, it's ready to eat!" Qin Chuan took the golden, crispy fish off the fire, cut off a large piece with his dagger, and handed it to Hu Liena. "Here, you try it first."

The fish skin was charred and fragrant, while the inside was white, tender, and steaming hot.

"Wow, it smells so good!" Hu Liena took the fish, and without caring about the heat, she blew on it twice and took a large bite.

"Mmm... delicious!" Her eyes lit up instantly.

The fish meat melted in her mouth, tasting incredibly fresh. The flavors of the various spices blended perfectly, not masking the natural sweetness of the fish but rather adding layers of richness to the texture.

Most importantly, as the fish went down, a pure and gentle energy dissolved within her body, rapidly replenishing the soul power and stamina she had previously expended.

"Brother Chuan, I didn't expect your cooking to be so good!" Hu Liena praised him vaguely while eating.

Qin Chuan also tore off a piece of fish, popped it into his mouth, and nodded with satisfaction. "Of course, this is the most basic survival skill in the wild!"

As he spoke, he began to feast heartily.

Qin Chuan felt his entire body warming up, his fatigue swept away as if he were filled with inexhaustible strength.

"Hmm, this fish really is a potent tonic." He smacked his lips, assuming it was just the effect of the fish itself, and didn't think much of it.

The two chatted while eating the grilled fish.

"I feel so happy today." Hu Liena gnawed on a fish bone, a blissful smile blooming on her face. "In my 19 years of life, this is the happiest day I've ever had. Before, I only knew how to cultivate, soak in medicinal baths, and cultivate some more; I had almost forgotten what life was supposed to be like."

"That's true." Qin Chuan nodded in deep agreement. "One must look down at the path they walk, but also look up at the road ahead. After cultivating for a long time, one needs to come out, walk around, and relax; who knows, you might even have a sudden epiphany."

He was just casually reciting some "chicken soup for the soul" he had seen back on Blue Star.

But when Hu Liena heard it, she was struck as if by lightning, frozen in place.

[One must look down at the path they walk, but also look up at the road ahead...]

Her mentor Poseidon, as well as the theory master Yu Xiaogang at the academy, had always taught them to work hard and stay focused. But no one had ever told her that cultivation also required a balance of tension and relaxation.

Sometimes, the bottleneck that had troubled her for so long might not be due to a lack of effort, but because she had been stuck in a dead end. Changing the environment and changing her mood might just be the key to clarity.

"Wow, Brother Chuan, what you said makes so much sense!" Hu Liena looked at Qin Chuan, her eyes sparkling. "I think it's more useful than all those grand theories Teacher Yu Xiaogang talks about! Yes, yes, that's it! You can't just bury your head in cultivation all the time!"

Qin Chuan felt a bit embarrassed by her adoring gaze and said modestly, "That's true, that's true. It's just a pity that I have no martial soul and no soul power. Otherwise... otherwise I would also want to become a Titled Douluo, or even reach level 100 and become a god."

He said this half-jokingly, sharing his "dream."

Hiding in the shadows, Qian Renxue curled her lip upon hearing this.

[A mere mortal, wanting to become a god? What a delusional dream.]

Yet, for some reason, she felt that although this man's strength was mediocre, he understood many truths, and his ambitions were at least grand.

Her impression of Qin Chuan, without her realizing it, rose from 0 to 5 points.

The meter-long fish was soon eaten clean by the two, leaving only a skeleton behind.

Full and satisfied, Qin Chuan yawned, sleepiness washing over him.

"I'm a bit tired; I want to take a nap," he said to Hu Liena. "I usually have the habit of taking a midday rest."

"Okay, okay." Hu Liena nodded repeatedly, saying eagerly, "Then go sleep in the tent, I'll keep watch for you!"

Qin Chuan didn't stand on ceremony with her; he turned and ducked into the tent.

The tent was lined with a soft, moisture-proof mat. Qin Chuan lay down and was fast asleep before long.

Outside the tent, Hu Liena sat by the campfire, watching the dancing flames, but her heart refused to settle.

She touched the flower crown on her head, recalling the notification that had sent her into a frenzy of joy earlier.

[Silver Member!]

[Experience 30/100!]

[High-Tier Zone unlocked!]

It all felt like a dream.

And the one who had given her all of this was the man sleeping soundly inside the tent.

She could now play the claw machine five times a day and had the chance to enter the mysterious "High-Tier Zone." This meant her rate of growth would accelerate once again!

Xiao Wu and Ning Rongrong must know this secret too; they were likely working hard for that one extra daily attempt, weren't they?

But she was already far ahead.

A strong sense of superiority surged in Hu Liena's heart, yet she wasn't satisfied.

With 30/100 experience, she was still 70 points away from the next level.

Having tasted the sweetness, she craved more.

She wondered what heaven-defying privileges a Gold Member, or even the legendary Supreme Member, might possess.

How could she increase her experience points quickly?

Hu Liena closed her eyes, recalling the prompts on the crystal ball.

[Helping the shopkeeper with chores or gaining the shopkeeper's favor will increase experience points.]

The "chores" route seemed inefficient, and the conditions weren't right for it anyway.

That left only the path of "gaining the shopkeeper's favor."

Treating him to a meal, accompanying him fishing, and making him happy today had earned her a few points.

When he gave her the flower crown and she kissed him, it had granted her 50 points directly!

This proved that the more intimate the act, the more experience she gained!

So... what if she were to perform an act even more intimate than a kiss?

A bold and wild thought took root in the depths of Hu Liena's heart, sprouting and growing with reckless abandon.

She glanced at the quiet blue tent.

Qin Chuan was inside, sleeping deeply.

They were in the Star Dou Forest, with no one else around.

The time, the place, and the circumstances were all perfect...

Hu Liena felt her heart pounding against her ribs, her cheeks burning hot with a mix of excitement and nerves.

Reason told her this was too risky, too outrageous. She was a young woman, the Vice President of the Spirit Academy—how could she do something so shameless?

But another voice screamed wildly in her ear.

[Go! As long as you can become stronger, what is a small sacrifice?]

[Think of Qian Renxue's icy face! Do you want to be suppressed by her for the rest of your life?]

[Think of that ethereal level-one-hundred godhood! This is your only chance!]

[This man is just a mortal; he won't even know what happened. You gain power, and he doesn't lose out. It's a win-win!]

Desire ultimately triumphed over reason.

Hu Liena stood up, took a deep breath, and her gaze became incredibly resolute.

She straightened her clothes, then, with steps as light as a cat's, she walked, step by step, toward the blue tent that was filled with temptation.

She gently pulled the tent's zipper, and a warm breeze, carrying the scent of the man mixed with the smell of grass, drifted out.

Qin Chuan lay on the mat, sleeping soundly. His chest rose and fell steadily, and a satisfied smile played on his lips, as if he were having a pleasant dream.

Hu Liena looked at his defenseless sleeping face and licked her dry lips.

She slipped inside without a sound and pulled the zipper shut behind her.

The light inside the tent dimmed instantly.

Only a faint glow filtered through the blue fabric, casting two blurred silhouettes.

Hu Liena knelt beside Qin Chuan, looking at his face just inches away.

Her spirit was the "Demon Fox," naturally endowed with the attribute of Charm. She slowly leaned down, a strand of rose-gold hair falling onto Qin Chuan's face.

As Qin Chuan cracked his eyes open, he was plunged into total chaos.

"First Spirit Skill, Fox Charm!"

For a mortal like Qin Chuan, there was absolutely no resistance to be found.

The effect of Fox Charm was visual bewitchment; those struck by it would lose their senses, their bodies would stiffen, and they would be unable to extricate themselves.

"Don't be afraid," Hu Liena said, extending a slender finger. A faint, nearly invisible trace of pink soul power gathered at her fingertip, which she gently pressed against the center of Qin Chuan's brow.

After finishing this, a cunning and alluring smile appeared on Hu Liena's face.

Brother Chuan, I'm sorry.

In order to become stronger, I have no choice but to... wrong you for a moment.

She began to slowly peel the clothing from her body...