Beauty Under the Moon

Although he had not yet cultivated to the point of developing spiritual consciousness, Yang Kai could still clearly sense the presence of that single drop of Yang Liquid within his dantian. At his mental command, the Yang Liquid would respond and obey.

The Yang Liquid could be used in combat, though Yang Kai had yet to try it. He would need to seek opportunities for real-life practice to understand its transformations, as such experiences could not be imparted by the wordless black book.

Despite enduring days of hardship, Yang Kai felt immensely satisfied with the emergence of a drop of Yang Liquid. Filled with excitement, he continued to cultivate by the Dragon Cliff for most of the night.

When he awoke in the latter part of the night, Yang Kai chose to stop. Continuous, unrelenting cultivation had certainly strengthened him but also placed considerable strain on his body. The path of cultivation required a balance of tension and relaxation to avoid hidden dangers.

Rising to his feet and dusting off his clothes, Yang Kai walked briskly back to his small wooden hut.

The door of the hut was slightly ajar, which puzzled him, as he remembered closing it securely before leaving.

As he stepped forward and gently pushed the door open, a scene unfolded before his eyes that left him momentarily stunned. It was like an image straight from a painting, surreal and dreamlike.

Inside his humble abode, on the only small bed, lay a woman.

Moonlight streamed through several holes in the roof, casting a gentle glow upon her. Yang Kai saw that her hands were folded on her abdomen, and her ample bosom rose and fell gently with her even breaths. The moonlight made her neck and skin appear as translucent and pure as snow. Her long, black hair spread softly across her seemingly delicate shoulders, and her exquisite earlobes exuded an alluring charm.

Lying down, her long, slender legs, slim waist, and full hips were fully displayed before Yang Kai. Her face was obscured by a veil as thin as a cicada's wing, but a single blue gem adorned her smooth forehead, accentuating her purity and sanctity.

The hazy moonlight added an ethereal beauty to her appearance.

She seemed like an immortal descended from the moon palace, flawless and radiating an aura of sacred nobility. She lay there so quietly, as if she would never wake up, which inexplicably caused Yang Kai's heart to ache.

Yang Kai considered himself not particularly sentimental, but this poetic and picturesque scene deeply moved him. Even if decades passed, this moment would remain unforgettable.

Inexplicably compelled, Yang Kai tiptoed closer, holding his breath and stilling his heartbeat, fearful of disturbing her.

When he reached the bedside, about a meter away, he observed her more closely and confirmed his suspicion. This woman was the same senior sister who had nearly collided with him at the Contribution Hall the other day. He had suspected as much upon seeing the veil.

Back then, she had not seemed so unattainable and divinely untouchable, but rather timid, shy, pure, and lovely. Glancing up at the holes in the roof, Yang Kai chuckled softly, realizing that these unrepaired holes had done a good deed today.

This soft laugh woke Xia Ning Chang. When Yang Kai looked down again, he saw her wide-eyed, staring at him.

Her bright eyes first showed confusion and anger, then quickly turned shy. In almost the blink of an eye, her small earlobes reddened.

Fortunately, it was night. Though the moonlight was present, it wasn't bright enough for Yang Kai to see everything clearly, sparing Xia Ning Chang some embarrassment.

They stared at each other, one standing by the bed, the other lying on it.

Yang Kai was full of questions, while Xia Ning Chang wished she could faint from embarrassment. Her heart was in turmoil; she couldn't believe she had fallen asleep here.

"Ahem..." Yang Kai cleared his throat, trying to appear friendly. He asked, "May I know the name of this senior sister?"

Whether due to her emotional state or something else, Yang Kai's voice sounded somewhat ethereal, making his question seem inappropriate in this late-night, solitary setting.

It sounded more like, "What is your name, young lady?"

A question with the tone of a scoundrel.

Xia Ning Chang's face turned crimson, but she maintained her composure, sitting up and brushing her hair aside. She softly replied, "My surname is Xia..."

Embarrassed to give her full name, she felt today's events were too humiliating.

"So, it's Senior Sister Xia. Is there something you need from me?"

If there were no urgent matter, why would such an ethereal person lower herself to come to his shabby hut?

Hearing his question, Xia Ning Chang remembered her purpose. She hurriedly took out a bundle and, regaining her composure, explained, "This afternoon, a hunter from Black Wind Mountain came looking for you. He waited until dusk but you hadn't returned. He was in a hurry to leave, so I inquired and he asked me to pass this bundle to you as thanks for saving his life. He said he would come to thank you in person when he had the chance."

Upon hearing this, Yang Kai immediately knew who it was.

Hunter Zhang Shan! He had saved Zhang Shan and his son while gathering herbs in Black Wind Mountain last time.

Yang Kai took the bundle, nodded, and said, "I see."

Xia Ning Chang glanced at him and continued, "I promised to deliver this, so I waited for you. But while waiting, I..."

While waiting, she had fallen asleep. This was too embarrassing to admit, making her feel she had let him down, especially since she had slept on his bed.

Yang Kai, understanding the situation, laughed and said, "Thank you for your trouble, Senior Sister. Next time, I will return earlier."

Xia Ning Chang felt his words were either her imagination or deliberately suggestive. It sounded like a husband's promise to his wife before leaving home.

Biting her lip in frustration, she said, "Whether you return early or not is none of my concern. The bundle is now with you, so I shall take my leave."

With that, she twisted her waist and stomped her foot, disappearing in an instant, leaving only a faint fragrance lingering in the hut and in Yang Kai's nostrils.

Senior Sister Xia truly was shy.

Reflecting on the earlier scene, Yang Kai felt a warmth in his heart. Coming back to his senses, he opened Zhang Shan's bundle and found two sets of green long robes inside.

These robes were meticulously stitched with dense, fine threads, likely handmade by Zhang Shan's wife.

Zhang Shan was thoughtful! During the battle with the Flower-Backed Spider, his clothes had been shredded by the beast, so Zhang Shan had brought him new ones.

Smiling, Yang Kai put the items away and lay down on his bed.

That night, Yang Kai slept soundly.