The sky brightened fully as dawn broke, and Gantang tiptoed quietly to the door of the southern wing, like a little cat sneaking in for a midnight snack.
“Senior Brother?”
She lowered her voice, pressing close to the door crack to whisper softly.
The room was silent, save for the faint, steady sound of breathing.
No response.
Gantang held her breath, carefully pushing the door open just a sliver and peeking her head inside, glancing around stealthily.
Her eyes quickly locked onto the stack of Xuanya’s rice paper, weighed down firmly by the Yumo Zhenzhi on the desk.
Found it!
Her heart dropped back down into her stomach.
Her gaze drifted involuntarily toward the bed.
“It’s already well past morning, why is Senior Brother still asleep?”
Gantang muttered, standing on her tiptoes as she approached the wooden table, nimbly slipping the stack of rice paper into her Storage Ring.
Then, she turned her attention to the peacefully sleeping Lu Qiancha.
Lu Qiancha lay on her side, sound asleep, the little Luomao curled up in the soft bedding, tiny paws and legs clutching a corner of the blanket tightly, utterly defenseless.
The familiar blue and white edge of her shorts peeked out mischievously with her movements—completely like a trusting little cub with no suspicion.
“Wow… sleeping Senior Brother is really so adorable!”
Gantang’s heart screamed silently, her eyes sparkling intensely.
The usual cold and distant façade was completely shed; Lu Qiancha’s sleeping face was relaxed, her breathing even, and she looked so obedient and serene, like a smooth piece of warm jade.
Gantang’s fingers itched, and she quietly slipped over to the bedside and slowly crouched down.
Her fingers seemed to have a mind of their own, inching closer to that soft, warm cheek in the dreams…
“Pfft~”
A gentle poke.
The fingertips felt delicate and soft—very pleasant to touch.
“Mm…”
Lu Qiancha, still half asleep, seemed to sense something, her brow furrowing ever so slightly, mumbling discontentedly, then suddenly—
flop!
A thick, warm, fluffy tail of deep blue, radiating heat, swung directly onto Gantang’s face, smacking her solidly.
Gantang silently cupped the tail that completely blocked her view, carefully placing it back onto the bedding, resting her chin on her hands as she gazed long and fondly at the utterly unguarded sleeping face.
Only after confirming Lu Qiancha was still sound asleep did she reluctantly rise.
Before leaving, Gantang flicked her fingertips, activating the Shouyin Zhenfa that muffled all sound in the room. Only then did she silently close the door and slip away.
***
Lu Qiancha had slept soundly through the entire day, only waking again the next morning.
Her eyelids fluttered slightly, roused by the morning light streaming through the window.
She rubbed her drowsy eyes and sat up, her pair of fluffy ears on top of her head twitching habitually, tinged with some confusion.
Her gaze instinctively swept over to the desk.
The rice paper was gone, only the solitary Yumo Zhenzhi remained.
Lu Qiancha scratched her little ears with her paws, then naturally lifted a paw to her mouth, sticking out her soft pink tongue.
“slurp slurp”
Skillfully, she licked a small tuft of fur she had messed up earlier on the back of her paw.
“?”
The clear fuzzy texture on her tongue made Lu Qiancha freeze instantly.
What was she just doing?
Was she… licking her fur?
Her tail snapped straight up in shock. Her ears stood tall like antennas.
An overwhelming wave of embarrassment washed over her like a tsunami.
She whipped her head around, looking frantically at the surroundings—
“Phew~”
Thankfully!
The door was tightly shut, and no one was around.
That moment of silliness… had gone unseen.
Lu Qiancha hurriedly shook her head to dispel the awkwardness.
She quickly tidied herself up, using the Myriad Forms Mirage Technique to disguise as Lu Qiancha Senior Brother, took a deep breath, and opened the door.
Just as she stepped into the fresh air of the courtyard—
A flash of dazzling red caught her eyes.
It was Shangguan Yunzhu!
She stood by the gnarled old pine in the yard, smiling as she spoke with their Shizun, Xuanya Daoist.
Xuanya’s sharp eyes caught sight of Lu Qiancha’s figure out of the corner of her eye.
A trace of warmth flickered in her gaze as she spoke softly, “Qiancha, perfect timing. Shangguan Shizhi specifically came to see you.”
Lu Qiancha’s steps faltered; inwardly she groaned—she hadn’t planned to join this gathering, but now there was no avoiding it.
Suppressing her reluctance, she cupped her hands in respect, “…Yes, Shifu.”
She walked over steadily, her expression a little heavy.
As she approached, Xuanya meaningfully patted her shoulder, “Qiancha, you should have a good chat with Shangguan Shizhi. As for me, your Shifu, I won’t interfere with matters between you juniors.”
No sooner had she finished than Xuanya sent a private message to Lu Qiancha:
“I’ve observed… that young lady seems to have some feelings for you. This is a rare opportunity—make the most of it.”
“Shifu!”
Lu Qiancha nearly lost control of her expression, responding in private, “But you always teach us to keep our hearts clear and to focus solely on the immortal path. If we truly form a Dao partnership, wouldn’t that ruin our future prospects?”
“Wooden head!”
Xuanya shot her a sharp look, retorting confidently, “If you find a good partner, the resources between you will flow like rivers merging, inexhaustible! Without the desire to hoard resources as a distraction, isn’t that the highest form of ‘clear-mindedness and detachment’?”
Hearing this, Lu Qiancha sighed deeply in her heart. She realized her Shifu was truly a genius at twisting words.
At a loss for a proper response, Lu Qiancha could only bow respectfully and say, “Shifu, please take care.”
After Xuanya left,
Shangguan Yunzhu’s smile turned mischievous as she stepped closer.
“Senior Brother Qiancha~ You’re already at the door, but won’t you invite your Junior Sister inside?”
Lu Qiancha’s lips twitched faintly, his face stern as he turned to lead the way.
“Junior Sister Yunzhu, please.”
***
Moments later.
The room was filled with the scent of tea, pale smoke rising from the simple tea cup.
Lu Qiancha sat upright on one side of the tea table, striving to maintain a distant aura, his voice flat and emotionless:
“I don’t know what brings you here today, Junior Sister Yunzhu.”
“Oh, don’t sit so far away…”
Shangguan Yunzhu dragged out the words, her fingers nimbly sliding her stool with a creak closer to Lu Qiancha, her knees almost touching his. “I’m not going to eat you~”
Lu Qiancha’s eyelid twitched, just as he tried to shift away, she moved closer still.
“If you have something important to say, just speak.”
With no choice, Lu Qiancha forced a cold expression and said, “If there’s nothing, I will be closing my door to focus on cultivation shortly.”
“小干槎, don’t be so distant…”
Shangguan Yunzhu cleared her throat and straightened her expression, “I came to Tianquanfeng on Shifu’s orders to pay a formal visit and express my thanks.”
Lu Qiancha nodded and replied to Shangguan Yunzhu, “I understand your intentions. I have already received the gift your Shifu sent before.”
“A few days ago, you even helped me deal with the Da Mo in Taoyuan Village. Now we’re even.”
“Eh eh eh?! Little Qiancha, you’re so heartless!”
Shangguan Yunzhu immediately put on a tearful look, leaning her soft, almost boneless body against Lu Qiancha’s arm.
Her amber eyes locked onto his, and the warm fragrance swept over him!
Her amber eyes shone brightly, gazing at him pitifully, “Don’t send me away! I’m about to enter a closed-door session to break through the Lianxu Realm, and we might not see each other for one or two months.”
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