Dao Companion Crippled, Coveters Move

Chapter 281 279: 1 Moon, 2 Fairies of Contrasting Temperatures

A thin sheen of sweat covered Ye Liyuan's forehead. A few stray strands of hair, slightly messy, clung to her cheeks, making her look both languid and alluring.

Her breathing was still a little ragged, her chest rising and falling gently. Her body was limp as she leaned against Pei Yuhang's embrace, unwilling to even lift a single finger.

However, her eyes sparkled with an unprecedented excitement and pride, as if she had just accomplished some magnificent feat.

"Ah Han, how did you feel? Have I gotten much stronger?"

Her voice was a bit hoarse, but it couldn't hide the joy and anticipation within.

Ye Liyuan's eyes were now full of expectant light, as if waiting for her lover's praise.

'She, Ye Liyuan, had finally reached a new peak!'

'She had proven with her actions that she was a woman, not useless!'

Pei Yuhang sensed his Dao Companion's excitement. He looked down at her, a hint of surprise and admiration flashing in his eyes.

His fingers gently stroked her hair, his movements tender and delicate. "Liyuan, how did you do it?

Those prescriptions and Secret Techniques... the ones I brought you. Why are they suddenly so much more effective?"

At this moment, Pei Yuhang's heart was filled with both surprise and relief.

Although Ye Liyuan's performance still couldn't compare to that evil woman, Shang Miaoyan, she had at least reached fifty percent of her Power.

It still sounded a bit pathetic, but compared to the past, this was an achievement Liyuan wouldn't have even dared to dream of.

For Pei Yuhang, this was undoubtedly a huge encouragement.

'If my Dao Companion can maintain this trend of improvement, I'll soon be able to break that shameful contract with Shang Miaoyan. I won't have to go over and serve her every day anymore.'

Just as Pei Yuhang was feeling delighted, something suddenly occurred to him.

His brow furrowed slightly, the joy in his eyes gradually replaced by a hint of worry. His expression grew serious and earnest.

Pei Yuhang gently caressed his Dao Companion's cheek. The gesture was tender, yet held a probing quality. "Liyuan, be honest with me. Did you take some of those potent Elixirs?"

"Using Elixirs like that can damage your Yin Essence foundation. Your body will become even weaker in the future..."

Hearing Pei Yuhang's words, his Dao Companion, who had been basking in her excitement, saw her pretty face immediately fall. A flash of anger and hurt crossed her eyes, and the corners of her lips turned down with displeasure and disappointment.

"You bastard, Ah Han! I finally manage to get the upper hand for once, and you accuse me of taking drugs!"

Overcome with fury, Ye Liyuan immediately opened her mouth and sank her teeth into Pei Yuhang's shoulder.

The pain from his shoulder made Pei Yuhang gasp. He hurriedly apologized to his Dao Companion. "Liyuan, stop, stop! I shouldn't have doubted you... I was just worried about your health."

"Hmph!"

Hearing his apology, Ye Liyuan finally released her bite, sparing little Ah Han.

Then, she took the initiative to explain to Pei Yuhang about the Jade Maiden White Ginseng that Lin Qianyan had sent over.

When mentioning the Jade Maiden White Ginseng, she specifically emphasized that it was a Spiritual Object. Consuming it would only awaken a Cultivator's latent potential, which didn't count as taking performance-enhancing drugs and had no side effects on the body.

In short, there was nothing artificial about it—it was all-natural!

"Anyway, don't you dare doubt your Dao Companion's abilities again... or I'll bite you!"

Ye Liyuan's tone was a mix of playful pouting and menace as she brandished her claws threateningly at Pei Yuhang.

"Alright, alright. Liyuan, you're the best."

A tender expression appeared on Pei Yuhang's face. He stroked his Dao Companion's head, encouraging and comforting her.

At the same time, he sighed to himself. 'I never thought Qianqian would be able to help Liyuan in this way...'

Ye Liyuan had no idea that Pei Yuhang was still thinking about his "ex-wife."

She was basking in Ah Han's recent praise, the smile in her eyes deepening.

Ye Liyuan's anger gradually subsided. Her gaze fell back to Pei Yuhang's shoulder, and seeing the bite mark she had just left, a flicker of heartache and guilt appeared in her eyes.

Her fingers gently traced the faint mark, her touch soft and cautious, as if offering a silent apology.

"Ah Han, I think I bit too hard just now. Does it hurt?"

Pei Yuhang looked down at her, his face holding no blame, only gentleness and doting affection.

"It's fine, it doesn't hurt. In fact... I like any mark you leave on me~"

As he spoke, Pei Yuhang took aim at his Dao Companion's cute, fair earlobe and blew a soft breath of air on it, causing it to instantly turn bright red.

"Hey! Why would you suddenly say something so perverted? Who wants to leave marks on you?!"

Ye Liyuan's pretty face instantly flushed crimson, as if reflecting a sunset. She huffed and turned her head away, not wanting Pei Yuhang to see the flustered shyness in her eyes.

Seeing this, the smile in Pei Yuhang's eyes deepened. His fingers gently caressed her cheek, his movements tender and cautious, as if silently soothing her emotions.

"Liyuan, you're so cute when you're shy."

Ye Liyuan's pretty face grew even redder, like a ripe apple with an inviting sheen.

She turned back around, raising a small fist threateningly.

"Y-You, stop talking! If you say another word, I'll bite you!"

"Alright, I'll stop."

Pei Yuhang chuckled, ceasing his teasing. He simply lay quietly beside his Dao Companion, just looking at her.

After a long moment, he suddenly said, "Liyuan, I love you. I will always cherish you."

Ye Liyuan was silent for a moment. She hugged Pei Yuhang's waist tightly and buried her head in his chest.

Her voice was soft and pleasant, tinged with a hint of coolness and allure:

"Then, Ah Han... you'd better cherish me well~"

...

...

The cold Moonlight spilled down, blanketing the earth like a thin veil of gauze.

A Fairy in white sat alone before a jade table, a crystal-clear Jade Cup in her hand, filled to the brim with fine wine.

Her figure looked exceptionally lonely under the Moonlight, as if she had merged with the cold night, appearing utterly desolate.

Lin Qianyan silently stared at the full moon reflected in her cup. She swirled the Jade Cup, and the moon within instantly shattered, dissolving into fragmented shards of light.

Perhaps it was because she was drunk, but she could faintly hear the sound of childhood laughter. The voices were crisp and innocent, as if they had traveled through time to echo in her ears once more.

"Brother Pei, can I drink alcohol now?"

"No."

"Why not?"

"Because you're not of age."

"Then when I'm of age, can I drink with Brother Pei?"

"When you're of age... I'll drink with you, I suppose."

"..."

Lin Qianyan narrowed her eyes, a look of resolve flashing within them.

She raised the Jade Cup and drained the fine wine in one gulp. The liquid slid down her throat, bringing a burning sensation that failed to dispel the chill in her heart.

She placed the empty cup on the table and raised the Jade Pot to pour more. Wine spilled onto the tabletop with a faint dripping sound. She raised the cup again and downed it in one go, as if trying to numb her nerves with alcohol.

Perhaps because she was drinking too hastily, droplets of wine trickled down her fair, flawless face, dampening the collar of her robes.

She cut a sorry figure, completely lacking the grace and dignity of a One Sect Saintess. Messy strands of hair clung to her cheeks, making her look both fragile and helpless.

DRIP—

Clear tears flowed silently from Lin Qianyan's beautiful eyes, mixing with the wine she drank.

"Liar... you big liar!"

"After I came of age, you never once drank a single cup of wine with me!"

"Brother Pei, ever since we were children, you've used your cleverness to trick me for your own amusement..."

She didn't know how long she had been crying, but two empty wine jars now lay at her feet.

She wiped the tear stains from her face and rose, looking toward the Cold Palace Sword Mansion, her beautiful eyes filled with determination.

"Brother Pei, please forgive Qianqian for being selfish this once."

"These lonely nights are too long and too cold... I don't want to keep walking this path alone."

'I have to be with you. No one can keep us apart!'

Lin Qianyan made a silent vow in her heart.

Then, she leaned quietly against the windowsill, her gaze as gentle as water as it fell upon the bright, clear moon in the sky.

She didn't know when it started, perhaps after Brother Pei was taken away by that evil woman from the Yin Yang Sacred Land. She had become like him, fond of staring blankly at the starry sky when she couldn't sleep at night.

The night breeze gently brushed past her long, dark hair, carrying a faint scent of wine. She was completely oblivious, just gazing absently at the moon, her thoughts already far away.

It wasn't until the sky began to show the pale light of dawn and the first rays of morning crept onto the window lattice that she snapped out of her reverie as if waking from a dream.

Lin Qianyan looked down at her slightly disheveled clothes. The heavy smell of wine lingering around her made her frown slightly.

She sighed softly, raising a hand to rub her aching temples. Then she stood up and walked toward the bathing chamber, her steps light yet tinged with exhaustion.

'I can't let Brother Pei see me like this...'

'I must... I must make sure he always sees me at my most perfect. I'm not that country girl anymore. The me of today has to outshine every other woman.'

She murmured to herself as she gently pushed open the door to the bathing chamber. Warm steam rushed out to greet her, as if to wash away all her fatigue and the stench of wine.

She removed her robes and stepped into the pool, letting the warm water envelop her entire body, as if it could wash away the night's turmoil and unease.

The scent of burning incense gradually filled the air, mingling with the dense steam, enveloping her in a hazy mist.

She closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and submerged her flawless body completely in the hot spring, leaving only the purest anticipation in her heart.