It's Evening, What Else Can Be Done Besides the Sun?

She employed a subtle provocation, sensing that a genius like Li Qing was most susceptible to such tactics.

"Fine, I'm scared. What are you going to do about it?"

However, faced with Qian Renxue's goading, Li Qing didn't take the bait at all. He said with complete indifference, "I'm living perfectly well here on Sea God Island; why would I follow you back to the mainland for no reason? You have your plans to complete, and how are we supposed to cultivate a relationship? You're joking, right? My sister is too naive, actually letting you fool her into a daze."

Having transmigrated from Blue Star, he found such amateurish provocation far too childish.

"Who are you calling fooled into a daze!"

Qian Renxue was driven to distraction, retorting, "And what do you mean we can't cultivate a relationship? You can do your own thing during the day and cultivate to your heart's content, but can't we build a bond at night?"

As she said this, she lifted her chin slightly, a flash of the pride and dominance belonging to a Saintess of Martial Soul Hall and a future Angel God flickering in her violet eyes. "With me, Qian Renxue, here, who would dare show you disrespect within the sphere of influence of Martial Soul Hall? If you want to cultivate, resources are yours to take. If you want peace, absolutely no one will dare disturb you."

"That's all well and good, but then explain to me—how exactly are we supposed to 'cultivate a relationship' at night?"

Hearing this, Li Qing blinked, offering a suggestive look.

Qian Renxue froze for a moment, and then her face flushed red.

What had she just said?

Cultivate a relationship at night?

Once it's night, how else could one cultivate a relationship?

Besides doing that, what else is there?

At this thought, Qian Renxue didn't know how to respond, so she had to change direction and topic. "Don't forget, the mainland is vast and rich in resources. Rare treasures, secret realms, and ancient ruins are far more abundant there than on this isolated island. Who knows? You might find opportunities that could accelerate your cultivation or prove immensely beneficial to your mysterious martial soul."

Qian Renxue continued to cast her bait, knowing that Li Qing had a desperate craving for power.

Sure enough, upon hearing this, Li Qing's heart stirred.

The mainland... it really does seem to have quite a few good things. The immortal herbs of the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, the domain of Slaughter City... these things don't exist on Sea God Island.

He rubbed his chin, a look of contemplation appearing on his face.

It seemed... following her back might not be entirely without benefits?

But to agree so easily made him feel like he lacked principles. His eyes darted, and a plan formed in his mind.

"It's not that I can't go with you..."

Li Qing drew out his tone, putting on an expression of great difficulty, and reminded her, "But what's in it for me? You can't just snap your lips together and expect me to follow you around like a puppy. Let's get this straight: no benefits, no deal! I won't be swayed by anyone!"

"Benefits?"

Qian Renxue's beautiful face darkened instantly. She was almost laughed to anger by Li Qing's shameless act of seizing the opportunity to demand perks. "Li Qing! We are now an engaged couple! Do we really need to talk about benefits between an engaged couple? Is my person, to you, worth less than some material objects?"

She was truly angry this time, a thin veil of moisture even clouding her violet eyes.

Li Qing, however, looked perfectly righteous as he spread his hands. "Even brothers settle accounts clearly, let alone a betrothal that was just decided. Feelings are feelings, and transactions are transactions. Without some tangible benefits, I lack the motivation."

"You—!"

Qian Renxue pointed at him, her chest heaving violently; she was clearly incensed.

She realized that reasoning with this guy or playing the emotional card seemed completely useless.

He was the type who wouldn't release the hawk until he saw the rabbit!

The two stared each other down, locked in a stalemate for a moment.

Finally, Qian Renxue seemed to reach a decision.

She took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. The anger on her face gradually faded, replaced by a calm that felt like burning one's bridges, with even a faint, self-deprecating, and resolute smile tugging at the corners of her mouth.

She didn't speak, simply taking a step forward and walking toward Li Qing.

Li Qing was baffled by her sudden calm and approach. He instinctively took half a step back, watching her with vigilance. "What... what are you doing? We agreed, forced melons aren't sweet, don't you go doing anything reckless!"

Qian Renxue ignored his warning, walking until she was right in front of him, so close that they could almost feel each other's breath.

She lifted those violet eyes, which now seemed to contain a thousand stars and a complex mix of emotions, and looked deeply at Li Qing.

Then, under his increasingly shocked and incredulous gaze.

She stood slightly on her tiptoes, closed her eyes, and proactively—with a tremor that was hard to detect—pressed her cherry-blossom-soft, alluring red lips gently and firmly against his lips, which were parted in surprise.

"!!!"

Time seemed to freeze completely at this moment.

Li Qing's eyes went wide, his mind turning into a blank slate!

He could only feel the incredibly soft and delicate sensation on his lips, carrying a hint of coolness and the faint, unique fragrance belonging to Qian Renxue.

It was an unprecedented, strange, and wonderful feeling, as if a tiny electric current were coursing through his entire body from the point of contact, leaving him completely stiff.

Qian Renxue's lips... so soft.

Kissing her... it actually... felt pretty good?

This thought sprouted like a weed in Li Qing's blank mind. He felt an almost involuntary, lingering craving for it not to end.

Of course, that might have had something to do with the fact that, across both his lifetimes, this was his first real kiss.

So... this is what a kiss feels like?

As Qian Renxue took the initiative to press her lips to his, her delicate body gave a violent shudder the moment they touched.

Her thick, long eyelashes fluttered frantically like the wings of a startled butterfly, and her exquisite face flushed a deep, ripened-peach red that spread all the way to the tips of her ears.

She could clearly feel the warmth of Li Qing's lips and his momentary stiffness, just as she could hear the brief blankness in his mind, followed by a surge of thoughts tinged with bewilderment and a hint of lingering greed.

Is this reward... practical enough?

She thought bitterly, a touch of vengeful satisfaction hidden within.

The contact broke as quickly as it had begun.

Qian Renxue retreated two steps, putting distance between them. She dared not meet Li Qing's eyes, keeping her head bowed as she spoke in a voice no louder than a mosquito's hum, yet laced with an undeniable tone of command:

"This... is the reward. Now, you... pack your things."

Having said that, she could no longer bear to stay, as if something terrifying were chasing her from behind.

She turned, pulled open the door, and hurried away without looking back, leaving behind only a faint, fragrant breeze and a flustered silhouette.

Inside the room, Li Qing was left all alone, standing dazed in his spot, the soft sensation and sweet scent seemingly still lingering on his lips.

He subconsciously raised a hand to touch his mouth.

[Holy crap... she was for real?]