Mu Xuanling cried until she had nothing left. Between the tears and the vast spiritual power Xie Xuechen had channeled into her body, exhaustion claimed her completely. She fell into a deep, dreamless sleep.
Xie Xuechen stayed, carefully regulating her meridians with gentle precision. When he finished, he simply watched her sleeping face for a long time—memorizing the peaceful rise and fall of her breath, the way her lashes rested against her cheeks. Finally, reluctantly, he left the room and instructed the maid to prepare hot water for when she woke.
Dawn had barely broken when concern drew him back. He pushed open the door quietly.
A faint, pleasant fragrance lingered in the air like morning mist. Mu Xuanling lay on her side on the couch, draped in soft robes that had slipped slightly off one shoulder. Her delicate skin still held a pink tinge—like peach blossoms after rain. Her breathing was light and even, eyelashes fluttering gently in sleep, completely unaware of his presence.
Xie Xuechen moved carefully, sitting on the edge of the bed. He tucked in the blanket she'd kicked aside in her sleep.
She lay curled on her side like a contented cat. As he settled beside her, her head unconsciously nuzzled against his thigh. A small hand reached out, grasping the hem of his clothes with instinctive trust.
"Xuechen…" she mumbled, still deeply asleep.
His heart melted instantly. He couldn't resist reaching out to trace her features with infinite gentleness—her brow, the delicate curve of her closed eyes, the soft line of her cheek.
Xuechen. Frost and snow—harsh, cold characters. But when she spoke them, they transformed into something impossibly tender.
What was she dreaming of?
"Ling'er…" His deep voice answered her dream-like call, soft as a prayer.
Only now, in this quiet moment, did the full weight of realization settle over him. Ling'er had never had a single good day since she was born.
She was a half-demon abandoned in the wilderness, raised among wild beasts. Then she became a demon slave at Mingyue Manor, enduring countless cruelties. After escaping, she fell into the demon realm—seven years without daylight, suffering daily from the agonizing process of demonic cultivation…
Fu Lansheng had grown up in luxury. Even in his pleasure-seeking, he'd never lacked for anything. But had Ling'er ever had a full meal at Mingyue Manor? Had she ever slept through a single night in peace in the demon realm?
If she hated this human world, he could understand. Her grief and anger would be justified. But in all the time he'd known her, he'd never seen her express hatred. Her eyes were so beautiful—always filled with him, as if seeing him alone was enough to make her content.
When she loved him, he'd given her nothing in return.
Now that he finally understood his own heart, she had forgotten him entirely.
Without emotions or love, would there be no pain?
But Ling'er, who had severed all emotions and love, hadn't been happier. Not at all.
He had forgotten the teachings he'd received, abandoned the dao heart he'd cultivated so carefully. Great love is selfless, not attached to one person.
But he was, after all, just a mortal. Capable of desire. Capable of love.
Xie Xuechen's hand moved gently along her thin back—no sensual desire in the touch, only tenderness and protective instinct.
Mu Xuanling made soft, comfortable sounds in her sleep. Unconsciously drawn to his scent, she shifted closer. Like a cat stretching in a patch of sunlight, her soft, slender body sought more of his warmth, more of his touch.
He gazed down at her sweet sleeping face and couldn't help but smile. Unable to resist, he planted a gentle kiss on her temple.
His falling dark hair brushed against her cheek. She raised a hand to wave away the tickling sensation, eyes fluttering open hazily. Those misty, moisture-bright eyes stared dully at the handsome face above her.
Xie Xuechen?
For a moment, she couldn't distinguish dream from reality. In her dream, there had been a similar scene—Xie Xuechen pressing her down, kissing her face and the flower petal marks scattered across her skin.
Still drowsy, she looked up at him with innocent confusion.
"Xie Xuechen…" Her voice emerged soft and hoarse, like a feather brushing against his heart.
He chuckled quietly, his eyes impossibly tender. "It's me."
She noticed he'd changed clothes. Suddenly she remembered the intense pain from last night—how she'd bitten down hard on his shoulder. Her heart clenched with guilt.
"Is the wound on your shoulder…" Her voice dropped to something small and worried. "Is it very deep?"
She vaguely remembered seeing a large patch of red staining the fabric.
Xie Xuechen shook his head dismissively. "It's just a minor injury."
"I also struck you with several palm strikes yesterday…" Her face paled with the memory. "And I whipped you once in the Qifeng Forest…"
At the time, blinded and under the poison's influence, she couldn't see the damage clearly. But she'd felt the torn flesh beneath her fingers. The wound had been infected by miasma—it must have been severe.
"I have a Fashen body. These are all minor injuries and have already healed." His tone was soothing, gentle.
"You're lying to me." Mu Xuanling bit her lip, sitting up abruptly and reaching for his collar. "Let me see your wounds."
Knowing he couldn't dissuade her—knowing that determined look in her eyes—Xie Xuechen sighed lightly. He obediently opened his front collar, revealing the injuries.
The fresh wound on his shoulder had stopped bleeding but still showed two neat rows of teeth marks like a cruel bracelet. The whip wound on his shoulder blade stretched about two inches—healed but leaving an angry red mark where miasma had infected the flesh. It looked like a thorny branch burned into his skin.
Xie Xuechen paid little attention to external injuries, trusting they would heal in time. He'd been so focused on Mu Xuanling that he hadn't even applied medicine. He hadn't expected her to remember to check. Seeing her fall silent as she examined his back, he assumed the scars must look worse than he'd thought, making her feel guilty.
He felt remorseful. "The wounds are fine now. The scars will fade in time. You—"
A pair of soft arms wrapped around him from behind.
Her small, warm face pressed against his strong back. He heard her voice, thick with held-back tears. "It's my fault…"
Xie Xuechen lowered his head, capturing the small hands clasped around his chest and abdomen. His voice gentled further. "Ling'er, I have hurt you before too. You've endured far more than I have."
"I never blamed you. I can understand, after all, you—" She rushed to explain, but he interrupted softly.
"So I won't blame you in the slightest. Don't be sad, alright?"
His gentle words wrapped around her like a blanket. After a moment of silence, she mumbled, "Okay…"
Xie Xuechen smiled slightly, beginning to relax—
His body suddenly tensed.
A wet, soft sensation swept across the scar on his shoulder blade, bringing unexpected tingling pleasure. He knew immediately what it was. Like a small beast tending its mate, she was licking his wounds—an instinctive, clumsy gesture of affection and concern.
His throat worked. "Ling'er, what are you doing?"
He tried to separate her hands from around him, but she held on tightly. He was afraid of using too much force and hurting her.
Mu Xuanling's soft, wet tongue traced back and forth over the whip wound on his back, then moved to press against the teeth marks on his left shoulder. Her nose filled with the faint, pleasant scent of snow cedar that clung to his skin. She'd initially felt only sorry for the injuries he'd suffered because of her.
But now a different emotion was rising.
Her full, slightly upturned lips pressed against the taut muscles of his shoulder. Her tongue flicked between the fine teeth marks. The hands wrapped around his chest began to loosen, fingers splaying to caress the firm planes of his abdomen.
Xie Xuechen drew a sharp breath. Taking advantage of her loosened grip, he broke free and turned, pinning her down against the pillow in one smooth motion. His voice dropped low and husky, filled with undisguised desire. "What are you trying to do?"
Mu Xuanling's face flushed a suspicious shade of pink. Her peach blossom eyes were misty—half filled with affection, half with spring desire. Both seductive and hoarse, she said something that made his breath catch. "My eyes can see now."
"Hmm?" He was genuinely confused for a moment.
She licked her moist lips, enticing him like a little demon who'd just discovered her power. "Can we continue what we were doing that day?"
Xie Xuechen fell silent, his gaze involuntarily dropping to her loosened collar. Faint marks on her fair skin reminded him of that night's uncontrolled passion—counting peach blossoms on her body until dawn, yet ultimately stopping at the final step.
Even when she'd been aroused with desire, writhing beneath him in pleasure, he'd restrained himself. He'd selfishly hoped that when they finally came together, it would be with the Ling'er who loved him wholeheartedly—not the one who couldn't see, who didn't know who he was, seeking only physical release.
And now, lying beneath him, was exactly that Ling'er. Her heart and eyes filled with him. Sincere and frank and his.
Her affection was never hidden. She wanted to pile it all before him, making absolutely certain he knew.
Xie Xuechen chuckled, the sound resonating deep in his chest. He leaned down, his dark hair intertwining with hers like ink bleeding into water.
"Those flower petals have just faded. Do you want to add some new ones?"
Mu Xuanling raised her arms to hook around his neck. Her eyes blazed with scorching heat that burned straight through to his heart. She curved her lips coquettishly, voice sweet and soft as honey. "As long as it's from you, I like it all."
Then she tilted her neck up and kissed the protruding Adam's apple in his throat—initiating this fire that would consume them both.
Xie Xuechen let out a muffled groan. He lowered his head to capture her fragrant, soft lips. His deft fingers made quick work of her loose waistband. His hands found her delicate skin without hindrance, roaming the elegant curve of her back.
He knew she liked this kind of caress—the slight friction of his calluses made her close her eyes in pleasure, letting out needy little sounds. She actively curled her tongue to suck on his lower lip.
"Mmm… ha…" She panted softly as she released his lips, then opened her eyes again to gaze at him with undisguised longing.
The immortal's cold features were now tinged with heavy desire and a telltale flush. His phoenix eyes, dark as midnight, reflected her blushing face. His pale thin lips, kissed to a rouge color, glistened with alluring moisture.
She raised her hands to undo his waist sash, letting the pure white robe slide to the foot of the bed. His skin was as white as snow that never melts on mountain peaks, yet it had the luster of jade and the resilience of bamboo. It made her want to linger, to leave cherry blossom marks on that pristine canvas just as he'd marked her. Her soft, boneless hands caressed his slender waist, feeling the coiled strength contained in his deceptively elegant frame. She couldn't help using her long legs to trace his form.
Xie Xuechen drew in a sharp breath, his knee pressing down on her restless leg. He lowered his head to gently bite her chest, drawing a low moan from her lips. She bit her lip, looking down at him with a wronged expression.
His broad, muscular back connected to beautifully powerful lines at his waist. Ink-black hair cascaded down, making his skin appear even more snow-white. Those beautiful curves reminded her of continuous snow mountains—majestic yet lonely…
Embracing Snow City.
Embracing… Snow…
Mu Xuanling bit her knuckles, eyes reddening as she held back the moans threatening to escape. Xie Xuechen patiently caressed her most sensitive places. He had always been patient, always in control—otherwise he wouldn't have spent an entire night counting peach blossoms only to stop at the threshold.
But this time, he had no intention of stopping.
Xie Xuechen gathered her trembling body close and whispered in her ear, "Don't bite your fingers. I've set up a barrier. No one will hear."
Mu Xuanling glared at him, though her eyes were filled with liquid allure. She clung to his shoulders, fingers tangling in his thick black hair. Pressing her forehead against his, she said hoarsely, "I want to hear your voice too…"
"Heh." His phoenix eyes crinkled with joyful laughter. "If it hurts, tell me."
"I'm not that fragile…" The words barely left her lips before her breath caught. Her face suddenly paled. "It hurts, it hurts, it hurts—"
"At least you're honest." Xie Xuechen chuckled with an affectionate sigh. His hands caressed her soft waist, lifting her hips carefully. He waited for her body to relax before slowly, carefully entering her.
She pressed hard against his shoulder, taking deep, shuddering breaths. Her body trembled involuntarily. Tears seeped from the corners of her eyes, wetting his shoulder.
"Stop?" he asked gently, giving her the choice.
Mu Xuanling let out a muffled sound, her legs tightening around his waist in answer. Her voice emerged hoarse and determined. "Don't stop… I like it… As long as it's you, even if it hurts, I like it…"
Xie Xuechen silently embraced her trembling body, placing soft kisses along the side of her face like a blessing.
"Me too," he said quietly.
"Ah—" She let out a low cry, trembling as she endured the pain of being completely filled. But her heart was overflowing with love.
She had finally embraced this bundle of snow…
"Xie Xuechen… Xuechen…" She kissed his brows and eyes lightly, reverently—more intimate than the physical joining below.
"Ling'er…" In response came a deeply affectionate call and an impossibly gentle, achingly tender kiss.
Fu Lansheng lazily sipped his tea, regarding his friend with theatrical sympathy.
"There are beautiful flowers everywhere. Why must you seek them in someone else's arms?" He sighed dramatically. "Miss Mu has been cured of the poison—she will only like Sect Leader Xie now. Ah, Nan Xuyue, Nan Xuyue. You've been clever all your life. How can you be so confused about love?" He gestured expansively. "Look at me. I've sailed through a sea of flowers, yet not a single petal clings to me."
Nan Xuyue smiled faintly, but no warmth reached his eyes. "Brother Fu, you needn't watch anymore."
"I'm just concerned about you. Don't take it out on me." Fu Lansheng looked genuinely wounded. "Although Miss Mu is stunningly beautiful, you're not one to value appearances. What exactly about her makes you unable to forget her? I'll help you find someone just like her."
Nan Xuyue's voice was quiet but cutting. "Brother Fu, among the many women infatuated with you, is there one who would love you unconditionally?"
Fu Lansheng rubbed his nose, embarrassed. "That question is truly hurtful."
Nan Xuyue laughed without humor. "When you understand love one day, come and advise me then."
As Nan Xuyue rose to leave, Fu Lansheng called after him hurriedly. "We're leaving Lingsu Island tomorrow. What are your plans?"
Nan Xuyue paused at the doorway. "They're going to Two Realms Mountain, aren't they? I'll go too."
Fu Lansheng smiled bitterly. "Fine, fine, fine. Luckily, I'm a man of leisure. I'll accompany you all then."
On the small wooden bed nearby, A Bao rolled over and woke groggily, blinking sleepy eyes.
"Where's Sister?" the little creature mumbled.
"Heartless thing. Asking for Sister as soon as you wake up." Fu Lansheng rolled his eyes.
A Bao rolled its eyes right back. "Isn't Brother standing right here? Where's Sister? She hasn't left, has she…"
"No." Fu Lansheng chuckled, unable to suppress his amusement. "Your Sister is practicing cultivation. Sect Leader Xie said Sister has been working hard on her cultivation and needs a good rest. Don't disturb her."
Tsk tsk tsk. Fu Lansheng couldn't help his wandering thoughts. Sect Leader Xie looks so cold and aloof. Who would have thought he'd indulge in daytime pleasure? And doesn't know how to cherish a delicate flower either—actually making her unable to get out of bed…
He thought back to seeing Xie Xuechen earlier today and found the whole situation deeply amusing.
If you're not embarrassed, others will be embarrassed for you. Xie Xuechen had still had visible kiss marks on his neck, yet maintained that aloof, noble expression as if nothing had happened. He'd set up a barrier in the room to block any probing—which in itself said everything. Not to mention he'd later requested hot water to be prepared…
But Fu Lansheng was overthinking it. Xie Xuechen hadn't been lying—Mu Xuanling truly was practicing cultivation.
The pain during lovemaking had lasted only moments, followed by endless waves of pleasure. Xie Xuechen knew how to control himself, careful not to leave bruises on her delicate skin. But Mu Xuanling had no such restraint, kissing and biting him everywhere she could reach, arousing him beyond measure.
With his Fashen body, even seven days and nights would pose no problem. But he was concerned about her body's limits. Later, Xie Xuechen simply employed the dual cultivation method to help her practice. With their vast difference in cultivation levels, she benefited tremendously from the energy exchange. Afterward, she needed time to refine and absorb that power.
Xie Xuechen had originally planned to wait until Mu Xuanling was well-rested before heading to Two Realms Mountain. He'd already bid farewell to Fu Lansheng earlier. But soon after, servants informed him that Fu Lansheng would accompany them.
Traveling on the Yun Xiao Ship was naturally more comfortable than flying—it would allow Mu Xuanling to rest for an extra day. Xie Xuechen wouldn't refuse such consideration.
It took Mu Xuanling two full hours to refine and absorb the spiritual power Xie Xuechen had transmitted to her during their joining. Her internal spiritual power became more concentrated, her body filled with vibrant strength. Her entire being felt radiant.
After changing into fresh clothes, she went joyfully to find Xie Xuechen.
She heard from servants that Fu Lansheng and Nan Xuyue had left the ship to bid farewell to the demon kings on Lingsu Island. The news brought relief. She recalled the conversation with Nan Xuyue last night, and it still left her feeling sad and conflicted.
Her heart had room for only one person now—it couldn't accommodate anyone else. Back in Embracing Snow City, she'd already told Nan Xuyue this truth. But she hadn't expected him to still hold onto his feelings. She viewed Nan Xuyue as a good teacher and dear friend. She would sacrifice her life to save him without hesitation. But she couldn't give him romantic attachment.
Hurting such a gentle, humble person was the last thing she wanted…
Mu Xuanling came to Xie Xuechen's room with these troubled thoughts weighing on her mind. She found him talking with A Bao.
A Bao's childish voice piped up curiously. "Sect Leader Xie, what is daytime pleasure…"
Xie Xuechen paused. "…Who said that?"
"Brother said it." A Bao immediately sold out Fu Lansheng without hesitation.
Mu Xuanling stepped forward and scooped up A Bao, huffing indignantly. "That Fu Lansheng! Always saying such improper things. Corrupting my A Bao!"
A Bao shook its ears, nestling contentedly in Mu Xuanling's palm. It tilted its head to examine her carefully, then exclaimed loudly, "Sister looks even more beautiful after practicing!"
Mu Xuanling's face flushed crimson. She glanced toward Xie Xuechen.
Xie Xuechen nodded with complete seriousness. "Deeper cultivation naturally enhances one's appearance."
The "practice" they were each thinking of was decidedly not the same thing.
Mu Xuanling set A Bao on the table and poked its little head affectionately. Suddenly an idea flashed through her mind. She blinked, eyes brightening. "Xie Xuechen, can you pass on the Jade Threshold Scripture to A Bao? If she can open up her divine aperture, is there a possibility she could transform into human form?"
Xie Xuechen looked at the expectant treasure-sniffing mouse. "If you're willing, you can try."
Since comprehending the Jade Threshold Scripture, he had been the only one to practice it. In the cultivation world, techniques should not be lightly passed on—especially divine skills. If taught to someone with an evil nature, it could bring endless calamity.
Therefore, Xie Xuechen had never passed on the Jade Threshold Scripture to others. But Mu Xuanling was different. He'd destroyed her demonic cultivation, and out of both guilt and deepening affection, he'd passed the divine skill to her. She was never guarded with those she cared for. Viewing Nan Xuyue as a friend, she'd wanted to pass it to him. Now she felt the same about A Bao.
Xie Xuechen had observed A Bao's energy and knew it was a demon beast with a pure nature—also Mu Xuanling's beloved spirit pet. If she wanted to pass the technique to A Bao, he wouldn't stop her.
He gave careful instructions. Mu Xuanling, always a quick learner, absorbed the method easily. Following Xie Xuechen's guidance, she slowly channeled her spiritual power to her palm and placed it on A Bao's small head.
A Bao blinked its bright eyes, listening intently to Xie Xuechen's directions. It closed its eyes, feeling the flow of spiritual power and carefully guiding it toward its brow.
Warm energy enveloped its forehead, slowly spreading to all four limbs. Finally, a ball of brilliant light encased A Bao's entire form.
This was Xie Xuechen's first time witnessing a demon beast cultivate the Jade Threshold Scripture. He observed A Bao's changes carefully while also monitoring Mu Xuanling's condition, fearing her body might not handle the energy transfer.
Though A Bao was young and naive, its comprehension was surprisingly high. It quickly gathered and condensed the spiritual power. The white light at its brow grew increasingly dazzling.
Xie Xuechen's eyes sharpened. His voice dropped. "The divine aperture… has appeared."
What happened next was even more shocking.
A Bao's form within the halo began to change—expanding and contracting with each breath like something being born. With a brilliant flash of yellow-gold light, the small treasure-sniffing mouse on the table vanished completely.
In its place stood a little girl in a white dress.
She looked about seven or eight years old, with a delicately carved face like a porcelain doll. She wore a fluffy white long dress with pale golden hems and cuffs—a color as enticing as gold ingots. Her thick, soft hair was divided into two buns on either side, tied with golden silk into adorable ingot shapes.
Mu Xuanling's mouth fell open in shock. "A Bao?"
The little girl on the table opened her eyes drowsily. She smiled sweetly at Mu Xuanling, revealing dimples. "Sister!"
It was unmistakably that same childish, adorable voice…
A Bao looked down at her hands and clothes with wonder, turning them this way and that. "I've turned into a human… The clothes are transformed from my fur, but why am I so small…"
Xie Xuechen's voice was slightly stunned. "As your cultivation increases, your age will naturally increase."
He was profoundly shocked. He'd never imagined the Jade Threshold Scripture possessed such miraculous power—able to transform a beast-form half-demon into human form.
Mu Xuanling had tried it with a "just give it a shot" attitude. The result left her speechless with amazement. She reached out to rub A Bao's head tenderly.
A Bao tilted her head up contentedly, still exhibiting that mouse-like behavior—but in human form, it was unbearably cute. Heart-meltingly adorable.
Mu Xuanling couldn't help but smile. "A Bao is so pretty. Your mother will be so happy when she sees you."
A Bao raised her face proudly, puffing out her little chest. "Mother said I would surely have great fortune following Sister, and Mother was indeed the most amazing!"
As Mu Xuanling reached to rub A Bao's chubby cheeks again, she felt an unexpected touch on her brow.
Startled, she turned to look at Xie Xuechen with confusion.
His expression had turned grave. "If a beast-form half-demon can transform into human form, then why can't a human-form half-demon transform into beast form?" He paused meaningfully. "Ling'er, do you know what kind of demon your father was?"
Mu Xuanling shook her head blankly. "I was abandoned as a child. I don't know what kind of demon I am. But I heard people at Mingyue Manor say that my father might have been a tree demon or vine demon—because I originally had some demon markings on my face that looked like plant patterns."
Plants and trees could also cultivate into demons, though it was far more difficult than for beast demons. It wasn't easy for plants to awaken intelligence. However, if they succeeded in becoming demons, they had the longest lifespan among all demon races. Their demonic power potential was also boundless.
But was Mu Xuanling truly a descendant of a tree demon…?
Seeing that Mu Xuanling and Xie Xuechen were deep in conversation and ignoring her, A Bao felt wronged. She pouted, then suddenly pounced toward Mu Xuanling—intending to stand on her shoulder as she always did.
But she'd forgotten she was now in human form.
She leaped from the table with the confidence of a tiny mouse. The result was catastrophic. She not only knocked over the table but also toppled Mu Xuanling in the process.
Mu Xuanling caught A Bao protectively. Xie Xuechen caught Mu Xuanling. The three of them ended up in a tangled group embrace just as an exclamation erupted from the doorway.
"I leave for just a moment, and you've already given birth to a daughter!"
Fu Lansheng stood frozen, staring in theatrical disbelief.
A Bao raised her head from Mu Xuanling's embrace to look at Fu Lansheng. She smiled sweetly, dimples flashing.
Fu Lansheng's heart melted instantly. He hurried forward, beaming. "Congratulations, congratulations! She looks just like her mother!"
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