Nie Yong stepped out of the treasury, a storage pouch slung over his shoulder, its contents clinking faintly with the weight of rare herbs.
"Thanks again, Treasurer Meng!" he called back with a wave.
"See you again, young master," Meng Wu Ya replied with a rare smile. Beside him, Xia Ning Chang gave a small, embarrassed wave of her own, barely able to meet Nie Yong's eyes.
...
Back at the Coiling Dragon Streams, the valley was quiet. Nie Yong sat cross-legged, the newly acquired Forbidden Grass and Three-Leaved Spirit Flowers slowly burning in the Antique Incense Burner beside him.
The fragrant smoke coiled around him like invisible chains, its strange effect immediately apparent. His breathing slowed, his blood seemed thicker, his meridians sluggish.
That was the incense burner's purpose—it slowed cultivation, deliberately suppressing the flow of Qi in the body. But not to hinder. No, like training with shackles or weights, this forced resistance refined control, enhanced absorption, and magnified breakthroughs once released.
Despite the suppression, Nie Yong was absorbing Yang Qi at an impressive rate.
The Yang Qi of the Coiling Dragon Streams surged into him, swallowed by the profound rotational pull of his Yang Essence Secret Art. His technique had evolved to such a point that it was as fast as the True Yang Secret Art's absorption speed even with the Antique Incense Burner in work.
And yet…
"Fuck! The Inheritance Cave!" Nie Yong cursed aloud, breaking from his meditation.
He leapt to his feet, face twisted in frustration.
"At this rate I won't reach the Initial Element Realm in time!"
Yes, he had made excellent progress. But not enough. Not fast enough. He could feel it in his bones—that window of opportunity was closing.
His fingers clenched into fists.
'Maybe if I hadn't spent so much time training martial skills… but even then… no. It's not just about focus anymore. I need something else. I need a boost.'
His mind raced. And then, he remembered.
"…The Yang Seeds."
A grin tugged at the edge of his mouth.
"That's right… I should go find that stand guy again. Last time, I didn't get them because I got... ehm... distracted with Hu Mei'er—"
He stopped.
"…Hu Mei'er?"
For a moment, he stood frozen in place. But then, a completely different idea took root.
His eyes lit up.
"…That might work even better," he muttered with a growing grin. "Heh. Time to pay a visit."
...
Within a graceful pavilion tucked in the back of the Black Wind Marketplace, the scent of fragrant incense filled the air. Silken curtains swayed with the breeze, and inside the elegantly decorated house, two women sat across from each other.
They were identical in every way—long silky black hair, alluring eyes, flawless skin—but it was said that they were not twins. The older one, Hu Jiao'er, held herself with calm authority and sharp pride. The younger, Hu Mei'er, had a more cheerful air, soft and dreamy-eyed.
"Sister, I've told you several times already!" Hu Jiao'er said, her voice stern but not unkind. "There's no man in this world worthy of you!"
Hu Mei'er looked down, fidgeting with the edge of her sleeve.
"But sister… Nie Yong is different—" she began quietly.
"Different?" Hu Jiao'er snapped, cutting her off. "How long have you even known him to say something like that?"
Before Hu Mei'er could reply, there was a sudden knock at the door.
Knock knock.
The two sisters froze.
A familiar voice came from outside.
"Mei'er, it's me. Nie Yong."
Hu Mei'er's eyes widened. She rose halfway to her feet, but her sister's hand shot up.
Hu Jiao'er smiled slowly.
"Fufufu…"
Her fingers flicked in a practiced motion, and a soft violet glow erupted in the room. A dome of Qi enveloped Hu Mei'er, shimmering faintly for a second before vanishing from view entirely.
"Wha—sister! Don't!" Hu Mei'er shouted, but her voice was immediately swallowed by the barrier.
From the outside, the room fell silent.
"You stay quiet there," Hu Jiao'er said calmly, brushing invisible dust off her robe. "I'll test this Nie Yong of yours myself."
She walked toward the door with measured steps, her expression calm, but her eyes gleaming with playful challenge.
On the other side, Nie Yong stood with a silent grin, arms crossed casually.
He already knew Hu Jiao'er was inside. He remembered how she had tested Yang Kai in the original timeline… and he had already prepared.
This time, he wouldn't be the one caught off guard.
"Please enter!" came the sweet, cheerful voice from inside.
It was unnaturally bubbly—even for Hu Mei'er—but Nie Yong pretended not to notice. He smirked slightly.
Inside, Hu Jiao'er let the words hang in the air. She had changed her tone, her posture, even her expression. The confident glint in her eyes was softened into something dreamy, inviting. She let her spiritual aura waver to match her younger sister's naturally cheerful vibe.
There. Just like that—she became Hu Mei'er.
The door creaked open, and Nie Yong stepped inside.
Their eyes met.
And Hu Jiao'er froze for a split second.
'Well… Hu Mei'er did say he was handsome… but I didn't expect him to be to this extent—'
Before she could gather herself, Nie Yong had already closed the distance and sealed her lips with his.
Her eyes widened.
What is he doing?! she screamed internally, cheeks instantly flushed with crimson. Her body stiffened on instinct, her hands rising to push him away.
But then she remembered—any resistance would give her away.
So she stood still.
From within the barrier, Hu Mei'er screamed. "Sister!!!" Her voice inaudible to anyone but Hu Jiao'er.
The kiss was brief, but devastatingly intimate. Nie Yong pulled back slightly, his forehead almost resting against hers, and he gazed into her eyes with convincing emotion.
"I missed you a lot, Mei'er…" he said softly, his voice thick with affection.
Hu Jiao'er gulped, trying to remember how her sister acted.
"Y-yeah…" she stammered, smiling awkwardly. "I missed you too, Nie Yong."
Nie Yong's eyes narrowed ever so slightly.
"Nie Yong?" he repeated, tilting his head. His voice carried a faint edge of amusement. A knowing glint flickered in his gaze. "What happened to Yong'er?"
Hu Jiao'er's soul nearly left her body.
'Fuck! I messed up!' she cursed internally.
From inside the barrier, Hu Mei'er looked like she was going to faint from sheer panic.
To be continued...
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