Chapter 13: Quench Your Thirst

                                  

Once desire stirs, reason unravels.

Yun Wan’s gaze locked onto Xie Tingyun. His eyes burned with a fire that seemed to consume her, tracing over the fall of his black hair, the arch of his thick brows, the proud bridge of his nose, and the curve of his lips. Her throat tightened, dry and aching, as if the heat within her demanded release. Unable to resist, she clutched the hem of his robe with both hands, tugging him closer, and leaned in to kiss him.

The last time had been necessity—an exchange of breath to halt poison, a purely physical act. But this time was different. This time was thirst, raw and unbidden. And it was the first time Yun Wan kissed him of her own will.

Xie Tingyun had never imagined she would move so suddenly. For a heartbeat he was stunned, caught off guard by the press of her lips. The lingering taste of the demon pill still clung faintly to her tongue, carrying with it an inexplicable, intoxicating aura. He had thought their last encounter was enough to shake his composure, but this kiss—this kiss was something else entirely. It was comfortable, unbelievable, and dangerously seductive.

His fingertips trembled. His lips and teeth tingled with numbness. Memories long buried surged back—memories of that day when they had been inseparable, of her soft, gentle voice calling to him.

Xie Tingyun was not a man easily swayed, yet at this moment his heartstrings tangled, struck by a thousand threads of desire. He felt himself ensnared, unable to break free.

Yun Wan pressed him against the rough stone wall, her urgency overwhelming.

But the disarray of the cave, the lingering blood and dust, jolted him back to reality. He braced his hands against her shoulders, forcing her back.

Her eyes shimmered with tears, her voice hoarse and pleading. “Uncomfortable…”

His breath caught, but he refused firmly. “No.”

“It was fine when I gave it to you last time. Now it’s my turn.” Even in her haze, Yun Wan’s mind was sharp. She remembered clearly what had happened before, and the thought of imbalance gnawed at her. Determined to reclaim what she felt owed, her movements grew more insistent.

Her palm slid across his abdomen, over firm muscles and jade‑smooth skin. She showed no reserve, no hesitation.

Xie Tingyun’s composure faltered. His Adam’s apple bobbed, his breath uneven. He seized her slender wrist, bent close, and exhaled a stream of true energy through their kiss.

His lips lingered against hers as he whispered, “The spider demon is dead. The formations will collapse soon. It can’t be done.”

And beyond that—this place was tainted, chaotic. Even cleansed with magic, it was unacceptable to him.

Yun Wan seemed not to hear, clinging tighter. His muffled groan escaped, sweat beading on his brow. He pulled her hand away, holding it firmly. His voice softened, coaxing, almost tender: “If you feel uncomfortable next time, I’ll help you again. Okay?”

The gentleness in his tone stilled her. She fell silent, her body finally easing.

The heat of the demon pill dissipated swiftly, suppressed by his Yuanyang energy. Her blurred pupils cleared, revealing bright eyes that reflected his elegant brows and lips reddened from her bite.

Yun Wan blinked, dazed. Slowly, realization dawned. She had kissed him—truly kissed him.

She scrambled upright, head still spinning. The sudden absence of her warmth left Xie Tingyun momentarily unmoored, though his expression soon returned to calm.

Awake now, Yun Wan muttered, half‑defiant, half‑embarrassed: “What are you dreaming about? There won’t be a next time.” She lowered her head, straightening her wrinkled clothes.

But when she glanced at him, her cheeks flamed. His robe hung open, revealing faint marks on his pale chest. Her ears burned. She blurted, “You don’t want money, do you?”

His sigh was helpless. “No.”

“Neither this time nor the next?”

Her voice carried both suspicion and hope. She feared he might demand payment, feared his stinginess.

He lowered his voice. “No.”

Relief washed over her. “Oh, that’s good.” Last time had been necessity, this time compulsion. If there was a next time… she would earn it, body and soul.

She quickly shifted blame. “Speaking of which, it was you who coaxed me, saying there’d be no adverse reaction. If anyone’s at fault, it’s you.”

He remained patient. “The first time you took the demon pill, your body couldn’t adapt. It won’t happen again.”

What he didn’t say was that her unique physique had amplified the pill’s effects. The spider demon had cultivated on men’s essence, and its power had struck her harder than expected. The thought of her earlier actions reddened his ears.

Yun Wan touched her belly, wondering if she had swallowed a false pill. He instructed gently, “Close your eyes. Focus.”

She obeyed, aura circulating from her dantian. Energy coursed through her, completing a small cycle. Her internal force grew more mellow, her body lighter, her senses sharper. Yet her cultivation only rose from sixth to twelfth level of qi refining—no breakthrough.

Disappointment clouded her face. “Still just a Qi refiner…”

Xie Tingyun comforted her. “Everyone’s path is different. Don’t despair.” Then, more firmly: “It’s time to go. The cave will collapse.”

But Yun Wan’s eyes gleamed. The spider demon’s hoard lay ahead—gold, silver, treasures piled high. She refused to leave empty‑handed.

Lighting the corridor with a flicker of fire, she pressed forward. At the sealed stone gate, hesitation flickered. Before she could act, Xie Tingyun drew her close, and together they passed through the barrier.

Inside lay the treasure trove—swords, jewels, panaceas, stolen wealth amassed over centuries. Yun Wan eagerly filled her storage bag, tossing a ring to him. “Don’t just stand there. Collect.”

Even his swords grew greedy, devouring spiritual power.

Then he noticed a crack spreading above. The cave was collapsing.

“Let’s go.” He pulled her up.

She resisted, eyes lingering on the treasures. But cries echoed from below—children’s voices, pleading for help.

Yun Wan froze, listening. The spider demon had imprisoned innocents beneath.

Time was short. She struck the ground, blasting open a hole with her newfound strength.

“Let’s go down.” She leapt boldly, heroic figure vanishing into the depths.

Xie Tingyun’s brows twitched. He could have carried her safely—but she fell faster now.

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