Foundation Establishment Spiritual Liquid in Hand

"Senior, is there something wrong with my idea?"

"No. I just think you're clever. I like you even more now."

Zhu Zhuqing's heart pounded, and her long lashes trembled. The room fell silent, leaving only her slightly hurried breathing.

Lu Chuan said nothing. He leaned forward, slowly drawing closer to her.

Zhu Zhuqing felt his warm breath nearing her. She had never been this close to a man, yet she couldn't bring herself to dislike it.

Panic swept through her. She hurriedly raised a slender hand and pressed it against Lu Chuan's chest, though she used hardly any force.

"Mmph..."

Zhu Zhuqing went rigid. She fumbled through a response to his teasing words, then slowly began to relax.

Lu Chuan's kiss grew more passionate, and his hand traced her curves over her black leather outfit.

Zhu Zhuqing's eyes flew wide. She shoved Lu Chuan away, and as their lips parted, a barely visible glistening thread broke and settled at the corner of her mouth.

Her chest rose and fell, and her face burned.

"Hah... hah... I'm sorry, Senior. I'm not ready yet."

Lu Chuan moved back a little, putting some distance between them.

He slowly quelled the desire in his eyes, and his voice returned to its usual calm.

"I was too hasty, Zhu Qing."

He spoke softly, no longer pressing her. His gaze rested on her flushed cheek.

"There's no rush. We can take our time."

"Mm."

Zhu Zhuqing answered softly and hastily turned her gaze to the Cultivation Method scroll. Her thoughts were a mess, and she couldn't stop worrying.

I've only known Senior for one day, and we've already kissed. Will he think I'm a loose woman?

Her fingertips absently rubbed the scroll's rough edge as conflicting feelings tangled in her mind.

She couldn't help thinking that, for all his strength and mystery, Senior Lu Chuan was exceptionally gentle and considerate toward her.

Even for this precious High-Rank Cultivation Method, all he had asked in return was to hold her while they slept for one night. He had never truly forced her into anything.

She couldn't find a single reason not to be drawn to a man so remarkable, who treated her so well.

But they had known each other for barely a day. Things had moved so unusually fast that she felt both shy and uneasy, unable to fully put those feelings aside.

She pressed her lips together, forced down the tangle of emotions, and tried to focus on the Cultivation Method scroll before her instead of letting her thoughts run wild.

Beside her, Lu Chuan sat cross-legged and closed his eyes. Gently guiding his Soul Power, he tried to draw the free-floating Dou Qi into his body bit by bit.

Within a few breaths, a wisp of Dou Qi really did travel along his Meridians and settle steadily in his Dantian.

Lu Chuan's eyes snapped open, delight plain on his face.

This method really works. Soul Power is lower in rank, so it can draw in Dou Qi and assimilate it.

Using Soul Power as bait to lure Dou Qi into my body and refine it works better than I expected.

Without further hesitation, he resumed cultivating, feeling streams of Dou Qi pour into his Dantian.

After an unknown length of time, Lu Chuan slowly opened his eyes.

Outside the window, darkness had fallen completely, and night blanketed the little courtyard.

Zhu Zhuqing sat cross-legged nearby, cultivating quietly with her eyes closed. She held the Cultivation Method scroll tightly against her chest as though guarding a priceless treasure from anyone who might take it.

Lu Chuan rested an elbow on his knee and propped his chin on his hand.

Cool moonlight spilled through the window lattice, bathing the girl's delicate profile in a faint silver glow.

He watched her quietly while making plans in his head.

Once Xiao Yan brings the first batch of Foundation Establishment Spiritual Liquid tomorrow, Zhu Zhuqing's time here should be nearly up. I can go back with her and get my hands on a Spirit Awakening Stone.

Once Xiao Yan and Xun'er awaken their Martial Souls, they'll need Spirit Rings, won't they? I can sell them Soul Beasts next. Heh, heh, heh~

Zhu Zhuqing heard the strange chuckle beside her and opened her eyes in confusion.

"Finished? If you're done, let's get some sleep."

Without another word, Lu Chuan slipped an arm around her waist and another beneath her knees. In one smooth motion, he scooped Zhu Zhuqing up and held her securely in his arms.

The sudden lift made Zhu Zhuqing stiffen. She instinctively wrapped her arms around his neck.

Her cheeks flushed crimson, and her heart raced. All the uncertainty she had wrestled with earlier rushed back.

She turned her head slightly, not daring to meet Lu Chuan's eyes. Even in the cool moonlight, the tips of her ears glowed red.

"S-Senior..."

Her faint voice carried a hint of helplessness.

Lu Chuan glanced down at the tense girl in his arms and walked slowly toward the bed.

"Don't worry. We only agreed that I'd hold you while we slept tonight. I won't do anything you aren't ready for."

Neither spoke again that night.

Early the next morning, both of them got up and washed, looking drained.

Neither had slept a wink. They had spent the night in each other's arms, the atmosphere intimate and subtly charged throughout.

Lu Chuan was a young man who had never been with a woman. With her softness and distinctive, faint fragrance in his arms, how could he bear it? His blood rushed to one spot no matter what he did, and even silently reciting a calming mantra was useless.

Zhu Zhuqing had fared no better. She spent the night tense, her mind in chaos.

At dawn, a considerate Xiao Family servant arrived at the courtyard on time with a generous breakfast.

Delicate breakfast dishes and warm rice porridge filled the table, their aromas drifting through the air.

After a sleepless night, Lu Chuan and Zhu Zhuqing were both exhausted. Neither had much appetite, but they sat down to eat a little.

As they ate, Xiao Yan's voice rang out from beyond the courtyard.

"Brother Lu Chuan! Sister-in-law Zhu Qing! I'm here with the goods!"

He pushed the door open and came in. One look at their tired faces was enough for him to think he understood. He scratched the back of his head and gave an awkward grin.

"Uh... did I come at a bad time?"

Lu Chuan rolled his eyes.

"Cut the chatter. Is the Foundation Establishment Spiritual Liquid ready?"

Xiao Yan sat beside Lu Chuan, took a small Porcelain Bottle from his Naji, and set it on the table.

"You guessed it, Brother. That old man said to fill a big tub with water and add one drop. Then strip down, sit in it, and cultivate while absorbing the medicine. Whatever you do, don't drink it, or your body will burst."

Lu Chuan picked up the bottle and gave it a shake. Through its walls, he could see the clear, pale green liquid inside, and a faint Medicinal Fragrance rose from it.

Still wary, he had the system check it.

Ding! Client Xiao Yan has fulfilled the terms of the trade and provided one bottle of Foundation Establishment Spiritual Liquid.

Looks like he hasn't tampered with it.

Lu Chuan then put the Foundation Establishment Spiritual Liquid into his System Space.

"All right. I'll come back in a few days to awaken your Martial Soul."

Xiao Yan's eyes widened, and he asked excitedly.

"Huh? Brother, are you going back to the Douluo world? Can your little brother come with you?"

Lu Chuan smiled faintly and shook his head.

"Heh. Not right now."

Disappointment flickered across Xiao Yan's face, but he pressed on.

"Is it dangerous over there? Or does it take something special to go?"

Lu Chuan said nothing and went on eating.