**Chapter “18: The Most Difficult to Bear is the Beauty's Kindness**

Lin Fengmian felt like he was melting under the gaze of the woman before him. The most difficult thing to bear is the kindness of a beautiful woman.

This Hehuan Sect was no longer a place he could stay; otherwise, he would be trapped here forever.

If the big enchantresses of the sect didn't deal with him, the little girl Xia Yunxi would.

"Senior Brother, what's wrong?" Xia Yunxi asked.

Lin Fengmian shook his head, saying, "Let's go. If we don't return soon, you might get into trouble."

Xia Yunxi nodded softly, stood up, and quietly followed behind him, her hand tugging at the corner of his robe.

Lin Fengmian turned around to look at her, and she shyly lowered her head. Yet, a slightly rough hand gently held her small one.

"Let's go," he whispered.

"Mm!" 

Xia Yunxi felt that as long as her senior brother was holding her hand, it didn't matter where they were going.

Lin Fengmian, however, seemed a bit lost. He unconsciously tightened his grip on her small hand. Was this girl serious about him?

He couldn't treat Xia Yunxi like the little girl she once was. Ah, what a predicament!

For the next three days, Xie Gui and the others didn't come to trouble Lin Fengmian, as everyone was making full preparations.

Lin Fengmian saw Xia Yunxi once each day, and every time they met, it was the same bittersweet moment of affection that made Lin Fengmian both love and hate the situation.

Holding a beauty who was as lovely as a fairy and who possessed an innate charm, completely devoted to him without any reservations, was a kind of affection that almost drove Lin Fengmian insane.

However, this torturous way of cultivating was also incredibly effective, and Lin Fengmian was astounded by Xia Yunxi's speed of cultivation.

Each time he absorbed Xia Yunxi's spiritual energy, she would nearly drop down to the ninth level of Qi Refining, just shy of losing her foundation. But by the next day, she had returned to her peak state, which shocked Lin Fengmian greatly.

Is this the world of geniuses? Cultivating like drinking water?

Thanks to Xia Yunxi's genius talent, Lin Fengmian also enjoyed a rapid cultivation pace as if he were a genius himself.

The night before the assessment, Lin Fengmian was at the peak of the fifth level of Qi Refining, but still hadn't broken through. Even though he had absorbed Xia Yunxi's spiritual energy that day, it wasn't quite enough, making him anxious to breakthrough overnight.

"Senior Brother Lin!" a familiar voice called from outside the door.

Lin Fengmian was surprised. When he opened the door, there stood Xia Yunxi, looking slightly shy.

"Junior Sister Xia, what are you doing here?"

"I need to talk to you, but let's go outside to talk," Xia Yunxi said, noticing the prying eyes around them. Her face flushed red.

Even though everyone knew that female disciples of the Qingluan Peak couldn't lose their virginity before reaching the Foundation Establishment stage, and also that Xia Yunxi was one of them, her extraordinary beauty had long made her famous.

Many men coveted her, all eager to be her first.

Naturally, the gaze they cast toward Lin Fengmian was filled with envy.

Lin Fengmian hurried out and followed Xia Yunxi past the jealous stares as they made their way outside Qingjiu Peak.

At their secluded spot, Lin Fengmian asked, "Junior Sister, why did you come? Is something wrong?"

"Senior Brother, you haven't broken through to the sixth level of Qi Refining yet, have you?" Xia Yunxi asked softly.

Before Lin Fengmian could answer, she moved closer, and he suddenly felt a steady flow of spiritual energy coming from her. They passionately kissed again.

This time, Xia Yunxi didn't stop Lin Fengmian as she had before, and he was completely lost in the moment of desire.

Suddenly, a powerful surge of spiritual energy rushed into him, and with a snap, Lin Fengmian came to his senses. He had broken through.

He realized Xia Yunxi had nearly been stripped bare, her skin like creamy white jade, exposed and enticing.

They were just a step away from crossing the line, and Xia Yunxi was looking at him in confusion, her eyes filled with emotion.

Lin Fengmian was filled with fear. If he hadn't stopped when he did, they would have both been doomed!

Not only would he die, but Xia Yunxi would also be destroyed because of him!

"Why didn't you stop me? Don't you know that if I hadn't stopped, we would have both died?" Lin Fengmian asked loudly.

"It's okay, Senior Brother," Xia Yunxi said weakly.

"How can it be okay? You almost died!" 

Lin Fengmian had heard of female disciples from Qingluan Peak being executed for breaking the rules, and he was filled with terror.

Xia Yunxi seemed startled by his reaction, curling up in fear.

Lin Fengmian wanted to say more, but seeing her pale face, he swallowed his words.

He slapped himself hard.

How could he blame her for something that was his responsibility to control? How could he be angry at her?

"I couldn't control myself, and now I'm blaming her?" he thought.

"Senior Brother, what are you doing?" Xia Yunxi hurriedly grabbed him.

Lin Fengmian suddenly realized he could no longer sense Xia Yunxi's cultivation level, but judging by her pale face, she was not feeling well either.

He shook his head, smiled, and said, "I lost my temper. Junior Sister, are you okay?"

Xia Yunxi didn't mind, shaking her head and smiling gently, "Senior Brother, congratulations! You've broken through!"

Lin Fengmian, looking at Xia Yunxi, who seemed more excited than he was, was left speechless, standing there with his mouth open.

Though the beauty before him was incredibly tempting, he no longer had any inappropriate thoughts.

He asked the question again, "Why do you help me like this?"

This time, Xia Yunxi finally gathered her courage. With tears in her eyes but a smile on her face, she said, "Because I like you, Senior Brother!"

"Even though I can't leave the Hehuan Sect, I want to help you escape."

Lin Fengmian hugged her tightly and murmured, "Do you really want me to leave, or do you want to bind me here?"

How could he leave her behind in the Hehuan Sect after all this?

Xia Yunxi, oblivious to his thoughts, innocently replied, "Of course I want to help you. I don't want you to die."

She embraced him back and softly said, "When you become stronger, if you don't mind, come back for me."

Lin Fengmian closed his eyes, tears welling up. In a hoarse voice, he replied, "I won't mind. How could I ever mind you?"

"Remember, okay?"

"I will."

Xia Yunxi smiled as brilliantly as blooming flowers, a sight that Lin Fengmian would remember for the rest of his life.

Even though she was naked in his arms, he had no more desire.

After they parted, Lin Fengmian returned to Qingjiu Peak, lost in thought and unable to sleep all night.

The next morning, he put on the last new robe he had and carefully combed his hair.

His expression was solemn, and he even strapped his broken wooden sword to his back before slowly walking out of his small, run-down room.

His steps were firm, because he knew that he was no longer fighting alone.

He carried with him the hopes and expectations of Xia Yunxi.