Path of the Sect Leader

Chapter 111: Delights in the Thatched Hall

Wei Minniang's eyes were still a touch puffy around the edges—remnants of the tears she'd shed earlier that day. Yet those phoenix-like gaze hadn't lost an ounce of their power. Up this close, Qi Xiu met her stare for just a moment, and his Dao Heart nearly crumbled. A faint dizziness washed over him, forcing him to look away. He let his eyes drift roughly across her face, flawless in a way that felt almost unfair, before he finally surrendered.

"Uh... truth is, my cultivation's not deep enough. I can't tell a thing."

His mind was a mess. Whatever he'd read in that physiognomy manual had vanished completely. He dropped his gaze lower, only to land on the subtle rise beneath her thin robes. Wei Minniang always looked delicate, softer than most, a head shorter than him even. In plain robes or palace gowns, her figure stood out—curves that caught the eye without trying. But in this loose daoist robe, it lent her an unexpected allure, something that clashed with her usual grace and made her all the more dangerous. Qi Xiu, the lifelong bachelor, couldn't hold up under it. He grabbed the manual, flipping through it with fake concentration, hiding the stirrings of a heart that hadn't felt this alive in years.

A soft laugh escaped her.

"Pfft..."

Hearing it ring in his ears only made him more flustered.

"Looks like you're worse at this than me. Want me to read yours instead?"

She'd shaken off the day's grief entirely, almost playful now, like a kid sneaking a game.

"Oh... sure. Yeah." Qi Xiu kept his eyes glued to the page, turning another leaf for good measure.

"Then lift your head."

Her voice dipped into something lighter, teasing. No escaping it this time. He raised his chin, meeting her eyes again. Silence stretched between them. Qi Xiu dug in, pushing his [Clarify the Self] talent to its limit, steadying his breath at last. Wei Minniang, though—she wasn't faring as well. Color rushed up her cheeks fast enough to watch, spreading from her face to her ears, down the pale column of her neck. Skin so fair it seemed translucent flushed deep, blood rising just beneath the surface, tempting enough to bite.

"Hmph. Average looks. Nose like a nose, eyes like eyes. Nothing special, nothing awful. Just... ordinary."

She'd been the one squirming first, but now the tables turned. Surprise flickered across her face, then embarrassment. Her lips pursed in a pout, the picture of a sulking girl as she huffed the words.

"I'm... yeah, I'm just ordinary."

The comment stung a little. Qi Xiu's thoughts drifted to monsters like He Yuqin and Si Yan—those heaven-blessed freaks. Whoever his real parents were, they'd clearly skimped on the looks department.

"Face-reading isn't enough. I need to feel the bones. Stand up."

Her eyes sparkled with mischief as she waved him to his feet. Watching the blue-robed man rise before her, she made up her mind in silence—tonight it is. She stood too, graceful as ever, stepping closer.

"Go ahead..." Qi Xiu dipped his head slightly, giving permission. He'd studied bone-reading a bit himself. Usually started with the skull, then hands.

But she didn't reach out. Just stared, breath coming quicker. The rise and fall of her chest drew his eyes again, stirring him deeper.

"Is your Fortune Seeking and Calamity Avoidance Art easy to learn?" she asked out of nowhere.

"Huh?" Her leap caught him off guard. He paused. "Easy? Not even close. I haven't grasped the basics yet."

"Then what's 'fortune' mean?"

"Well... good things. Kind acts. Joys. Desires fulfilled. Helping others succeed. A peaceful home, thriving work. Harmony..."

His words cut off sharp.

The red robe slipped from her shoulders, pooling at her feet. White fabric flashed brief before nothing at all. Her body laid bare before him—collarbones sharp and inviting, twin peaks proud, tips brushed with fresh pink. His gaze dropped lower despite himself, drawn into the dark meadow below, the wild curves of her hips pulling him in like quicksand.

Goosebumps prickled across her flushed skin. She watched his eyes roam the places she hid from the world, voice trembling soft. "Have you foreseen today's fortune?"

"No... nothing."

The woman before him burned nothing like the cool, fragile bride from earlier. Heat rolled off her in waves, drying his throat. He swallowed hard—the gulp loud in the quiet night.

"Seems fate isn't set in stone. Not if you reach for it..."

She smiled again, hand pressing to his chest. A gentle push, and she stepped forward, waves rippling across her body. Qi Xiu went limp, stumbling back a dozen steps until he sat heavy on the bed. She leaned down, pressing close, only his thin robe between them. The feel of her sent his head spinning.

"Oh..." Her hand brushed the proof of his want. She let out a small gasp, shooting him a playful glare from those phoenix eyes. Slender fingers guided his hands to her waist. He still looked dazed. Embarrassment won out—she spat lightly, "Idiot. You waiting for me to do everything?"

"Uh..." Up close, her face glowed—shy, radiant. His palms felt the silk of her skin, her softness pressed firm against his chest. Reason slipped away. Or maybe it finally kicked in. He stripped bare in a rush, hands sliding down, lifting those long, perfect legs. He settled her astride him in lotus pose, one hand claiming a peak, kneading slow, the other reaching back. Palm flat against her spine, he traced downward until his finger found the cleft between. Channeling a bedroom art from the Evergreen Technique, he guided Spiritual Qi into her.

"Idiot! What are you doing!?"

Pleasure had her eyes hazy, legs wrapped tight around his waist—until the qi hit. She snapped upright, breaking the spell, voice sharp with surprise.

Qi Xiu fumbled. "Ah... I... it's a dual cultivation trick from the Evergreen Technique. Supposed to heighten the—"

"You idiot." Laughter shook her, bright and wild. She shoved him flat on his back. "Where's the fun in that?" Murmuring low, she leaned in, lips claiming his. Sweet tongue parted his teeth, tangling deep. They broke apart long after, a thin thread lingering between them.

"Love me..."

The words undid him. Desire and tenderness crashed together. He growled low, arms crushing her close. Two burning bodies rolled across the sheets, tangled inseparable.

"Oh..."

When he finally sank into that warm, waiting depth, Wei Minniang arched hard beneath him. Her body shook, long-neglected and overwhelmed in a single thrust. Eyes lost focus, skin blooming pink across white. She trembled long before sighing deep, content. Qi Xiu kept moving, harder now. She gasped, hips rising to meet him, legs locked fierce around his waist, chasing every sensation.

He drove on relentless. When she stiffened again, teetering on the edge, sweat soaked the sheets beneath them. Those captivating eyes stared blank, black hair plastered damp to her stunning face. The bounce of her breasts with every thrust—a sight beyond words. Instinct took over; he leaned down, mouth closing on a hardened peak, drawing another soft moan from her lips.

"Wait..."

She surfaced from the second wave, arms clamping around him, stilling his hips.

"What's wrong?" He pulled back from the sweetness, breath hot against her ear.

"You..." Color returned to her cheeks despite everything. The bold one grew shy again. Arms looped around his neck. "Nothing. Just... hold on."

"Oh..."

Exhaustion crept in. He shifted to roll aside.

"No—stay inside."

He froze obedient, buried deep.

"Pfft..." Laughter bubbled up again. "Idiot..."

They stayed locked face-to-face until the flush faded from her skin. Then she moved, kneeling over him, gaze soft and sultry. Hands braced on his chest, she took control—body swaying gentle, every perfect curve on full display as she claimed the pleasure all over again.