Master, and you still say this isn’t a dual cultivation technique?

Somewhere nearby, Yun Zhanyi turned away, her face flushed and ears burning, unable to keep watching.

Lately, Ning Huanhuan had indeed been missing Xiao Lingchen to the point of obsession. But hadn’t Yun Zhanyi felt the same?

Ever since that day when she was poisoned by the蛟龙 blood and tasted its allure, she couldn’t erase the memory from her mind.

So, whenever she saw Ning Huanhuan sneaking down the mountain these past days, Yun Zhanyi would secretly follow.

Sadly, Xiao Lingchen hadn’t been around the previous times. She’d always returned disappointed.

Now, Xiao Lingchen had returned from the True Martial Space. Ning Huanhuan had slipped away again, and the two had finally met.

Yun Zhanyi suddenly felt a pang of envy toward Ning Huanhuan. At least she could seek out Xiao Lingchen whenever she wanted.

Yun Zhanyi, though, could not.

After a while, the commotion behind her quieted down.

It seemed Xiao Lingchen had some business to attend to. He bid farewell to Ning Huanhuan and left.

Seeing them depart, Yun Zhanyi sighed and prepared to head back herself.

But just as she stood, a voice called from behind, “Senior Sister?”

Hearing it, Yun Zhanyi froze. Turning around, she saw it was none other than Xiao Lingchen.

For a moment, panic flashed across her face.

Xiao Lingchen approached, smiling as he asked, “Senior Sister, what are you doing here?”

Yun Zhanyi quickly masked her unease, replying coolly, “I… I was just passing by.”

“Do you need something? If not, I’ll be going.”

With that, she turned to leave in a hurry.

But the next moment, Xiao Lingchen’s voice rang out again, “Was it a good show, Senior Sister?”

The words struck her like lightning, halting her steps.

When she turned back, she saw a playful grin on Xiao Lingchen’s face.

Instantly, her cheeks flushed again.

Only now did she realize he’d known she was there all along. He’d stayed silent on purpose, letting her watch everything, only to tease her now.

In that moment, it felt like her cover had been ripped away. Shame and anger surged within her.

Before she could speak, Xiao Lingchen stepped closer. His broad, sturdy frame was so near, tempting her to lean into it.

Gently grasping her shoulders, he smiled and said, “Senior Sister, you must’ve missed me a lot these past days, huh?”

Yun Zhanyi stepped back, keeping her distance. “W-Who missed you?”

“I told you, I was just passing by. I didn’t see anything earlier.”

“Do you have business or not? If not, I’m leaving. You should head back too!”

With that, she turned and walked off.

She’d expected Xiao Lingchen to chase after her. But when she glanced back after a short distance, he was nowhere to be seen.

A sudden emptiness settled in her chest.

“Stupid kid,” she muttered. “I tell you to go back, and you actually do?”

“Doesn’t he know women say one thing and mean another? Couldn’t he at least chase me?”

But the next second, Xiao Lingchen appeared right in front of her, startling her.

“You still say you didn’t miss me?”

This time, he didn’t give her a chance to respond. He tackled her to the ground.

…

Since he still had to report to his master, Xiao Lingchen didn’t linger too long.

Afterward, Yun Zhanyi tossed him a transmission talisman. “From now on, we can use this to stay in touch.”

“If you miss me, come find me.”

Catching the talisman, Xiao Lingchen brought it to his nose. It carried a faint, delicate fragrance.

He smiled and nodded, but then something occurred to him. “Oh, by the way—do you remember what happened back in the Dark Forest?”

Yun Zhanyi rolled her eyes, her charm shining through. “Ugh, you’re annoying! If I didn’t remember, would I still be hung up on a little troublemaker like you?”

“Cough, cough…” Xiao Lingchen cleared his throat, realizing she’d misunderstood.

“No, Senior Sister, you’ve got it wrong. I didn’t mean that.”

“I meant the deal we made. You promised that if I helped you find Ning Huanhuan, you’d grant me one condition. You haven’t forgotten, have you?”