Spring Stirrings at the Mountain Spring

The rain had stopped.

When Ling Qianxue awoke, she found herself still in Xiao Hanye's arms.

His arm encircled her waist, his breath falling evenly on her hair. This position was too intimate, making her heartbeat instantly accelerate.

Sensing her movement, Xiao Hanye also opened his eyes. The moment their gazes met, both froze.

Ling Qianxue hurriedly tried to get up, but moved too hastily and almost fell. Xiao Hanye instinctively tightened his arms, steadying her securely.

This back and forth brought them even closer together. Their breaths intertwined, the air filled with an indescribable ambiguity.

Ling Qianxue's cheeks flushed pink, like peach blossoms under morning glow. She gently pushed against his chest, and only then did Xiao Hanye react, slowly releasing his hold.

The rain had stopped, and the air carried the fresh scent of earth and grass. Sunlight streamed through the cave entrance, coating the small space in gold.

"Sister Qianxue, your wound..." 

"It's fine now," Ling Qianxue moved her shoulder. "The healing medicine worked very well."

They left the cave, the air exceptionally fresh, fragrance everywhere after the rain.

"Hm, there seems to be the sound of water over there," Xiao Hanye listened carefully.

Following the sound, they discovered a hidden mountain spring.

Spring water flowed from between the rocks, gathering into a crystal-clear pool. The water was emerald green like jade, with wisps of steam rising from it.

"It's a hot spring!" Ling Qianxue said delightedly.

She approached to examine it and found the spring water contained faint spiritual energy.

"This is a spirit spring!" She became even more excited. "Bathing in a spirit spring is greatly beneficial for cultivation!"

"Wonderful!" Xiao Hanye was also pleased, but then thought of something and blushed. "Um... Sister Qianxue should bathe first, I'll wait elsewhere."

"Wait," Ling Qianxue called to him.

She looked at the blood stains on Xiao Hanye's body from the recent battle, and remembered that the impurities expelled during his body tempering hadn't been completely cleaned.

"You... you also need to wash," she said, biting her lip, her voice growing smaller. "And the spirit spring is very helpful for consolidating the body tempering effects..."

"But..." Xiao Hanye became even more flustered.

"Fool!" Ling Qianxue's face turned red as a ripe apple. "I... I mean taking turns! You bathe first, I'll wait over there!"

With that, she fled as if escaping.

Xiao Hanye scratched his head, watching her panicked retreat, an indescribable feeling welling up in his heart.

'Sister Qianxue just now... was so cute...'

He shook his head, casting aside stray thoughts, quickly removed his upper garments and jumped into the spring.

"Ah, so comfortable!"

The warm spring water enveloped his body, spiritual energy slowly seeping through his skin, making him feel all fatigue dissipate.

He carefully washed his body, cleaning away all remaining filth.

Meanwhile, Ling Qianxue, who should have gone far away, had somehow stopped in her tracks.

She hid behind a large tree, hands tightly clutching her clothes, knuckles white from the force. Reason told her she should leave, but her body honestly remained rooted in place.

Moonlight poured down like liquid silver, coating Xiao Hanye's form in a hazy glow. Where water splashed, muscle lines appeared and disappeared in the interplay of light and shadow.

Ling Qianxue's breathing became rapid and disordered. She bit her lower lip, struggling to suppress the strange, burning emotions in her heart.

A water droplet slid down his spine, and her gaze involuntarily followed that trail until it disappeared into the water's surface.

Night wind rustled the leaves, the sound masking her rapid heartbeat. She leaned against the tree trunk, feeling her legs somewhat weak.

At this moment, a maiden's reserve and instinctive desire waged fierce battle within her.

"Sister Qianxue, I'm done bathing!" Xiao Hanye's voice called out.

Ling Qianxue startled and quickly hid properly.

After Xiao Hanye dressed and left, she emerged with a red face.

"Fool... making my heart beat so fast..." she muttered softly.

She stood by the spring for a long time, until certain there was no movement around, before slowly undoing her sash.

The warm spring water enveloped her body, spiritual energy slowly seeping into her skin. But she had no heart to enjoy it, her mind full of that earlier image.

She sank into the water, leaving only her head exposed, trying to use the cool night breeze to dispel the heat on her face.

Her flushed face reflected on the water's surface - even she couldn't believe that woman with misty eyes and spring-stirred heart was herself.

She cupped spring water in her hands, gently patting her cheeks. Water droplets slid down her fair neck, disappearing into the surface, creating ripples.

Just like her current state of mind, disturbed by someone into a pool of spring water.

"Sister Qianxue?" Xiao Hanye's voice suddenly sounded. "Are you done yet?"

"Ah!" Ling Qianxue almost choked on water. "You... why did you come over!"

"I heard you call out and worried something happened..." Xiao Hanye's voice was anxious.

"I'm fine! Don't come over!" Ling Qianxue said frantically.

But it was too late.

Xiao Hanye, worried for her safety, had already rushed over.

The moment their eyes met, both froze.

Moonlight like water spilled onto Ling Qianxue's jade-like skin. She hurriedly covered herself with her hands, but her soaked clothes clung to her body, instead outlining her graceful curves.

Xiao Hanye's breathing hitched. Since that first kiss, though their relationship had grown more intimate, they still maintained propriety. Now seeing her like this, that restraint instantly crumbled.

"Hanye..." Ling Qianxue saw the heat in his eyes, her heart pounding like drums.

"Sister Qianxue, I..." Xiao Hanye's voice was hoarse.

He didn't turn away, instead taking a step forward.

"You... don't come over!" Ling Qianxue was so embarrassed she wanted to sink into the water, but her body honestly stayed in place.

Ling Qianxue wanted to get out, but Xiao Hanye had already reached the spring's edge.

"Hanye, you..." Her voice trembled.

Xiao Hanye said nothing, just quietly watching her. That gaze held too many unspoken emotions, as if wanting to carve her image into the depths of his soul.

Moonlight shone on the water's surface, creating shimmering ripples. Night wind gently blew, bringing the scent of gardenias. In this moment, time seemed to stop.

Ling Qianxue, flustered by his gaze, unconsciously stepped back, forgetting she was still in the water.

"Careful." Xiao Hanye extended his hand, palm up in an inviting gesture.

Ling Qianxue looked at that hand, hesitated a moment, then finally said softly: "You... turn around first, let me get out."

Xiao Hanye obediently turned around.

Ling Qianxue hurriedly got out, but being too flustered, slipped.

"Ah!"

Xiao Hanye instinctively turned back, catching her in his arms.

Her damp body pressed against him, both of them freezing.

"Sister Qianxue..." Xiao Hanye's voice was hoarse.

Their breaths intertwined, the air filled with an indescribable tension. Xiao Hanye's arms tightened slightly, as if desperately restraining something.

Ling Qianxue's lashes trembled lightly, not daring to meet his eyes. She gently pushed against his chest, pointing to a flat stone nearby.

Xiao Hanye carried her over, carefully setting her down.

In the moonlight, her soaked clothes were translucent, breathtakingly beautiful.

"Don't look," Ling Qianxue covered her face with her hands in embarrassment.

Xiao Hanye sat beside her, his gaze lingering on her face, as if admiring the world's most precious treasure.

He slowly raised his hand, the movement as gentle as if afraid of startling a butterfly, brushing the wet hair from her cheek behind her ear. His fingertips inadvertently grazed her skin, leaving a burning trail.

The distance between them grew smaller. His gaze fell on her lips, his breathing becoming urgent. And she, as if bewitched, slightly raised her head, lips parting gently.

This silent invitation spoke louder than a thousand words.

Xiao Hanye joyfully leaned down, gently kissing her lips.

This kiss was more skilled than the first, and more lingering. His hand supported the back of her neck, pulling her closer.

Ling Qianxue closed her eyes, lost in this kiss. Her hands unconsciously circled his neck, responding to his passion.

"Mm..." When his tongue gently pried open her lips, she let out a soft moan.

This sound completely ignited Xiao Hanye. His kiss became more fervent, almost wanting to devour her.

After who knows how long, the two finally separated, gasping for breath.

Xiao Hanye's eyes were deep as the night sky, burning with dangerous flames within. His hand still rested on her waist, fingers slightly tightening, as if desperately restraining something.

Ling Qianxue sensed his intention, gently pressing down on his restless hand. She shook her head, her eyes holding both shyness and determination.

Xiao Hanye closed his eyes, resting his forehead against her shoulder, his rapid breathing spraying on her neck. After a long while, he slowly calmed down.

Ling Qianxue tenderly stroked his back, feeling his body's trembling. She knew how difficult such restraint was for a hot-blooded young man.

Xiao Hanye took her hand, gently kissing her palm: "Sister Qianxue, on our wedding day, I'll make you the happiest woman in the world."

"Mm." Ling Qianxue sweetly nestled in his arms.

The two quietly embraced like this, enjoying this intimacy. Their damp clothes stuck to their bodies, but neither cared.

"Sister Qianxue, your clothes are all wet, you'll catch cold," Xiao Hanye said with concern.

He took off his outer robe and draped it over her.

"What about you?" Ling Qianxue looked at him worriedly.

"I'm strong, not afraid of cold," Xiao Hanye smiled.

Moonlight spilled on his bare upper body, and Ling Qianxue again recalled his perfect physique after body tempering, her face involuntarily reddening again.

Xiao Hanye caught her stealing glances, a mischievous smile curving his lips.

He deliberately stretched his shoulders, the muscle lines even more defined in the moonlight.

Ling Qianxue hurriedly averted her gaze, but he gently caught her wrist.

The next moment, her palm was pressed against his chest. The scorching body heat transmitted through skin, along with that strong, powerful heartbeat, beating in response to her equally rapid heart.

She wanted to pull her hand back, but he wouldn't let go. The two remained in this standoff, sparks jumping where their gazes met.

Suddenly, a cunning light flashed in Xiao Hanye's eyes. He swept her up in his arms, spinning in the moonlight.

"Ah!" Ling Qianxue cried out, instinctively tightening her arms around his neck.

Night wind lifted her long hair, moonlight spilling over them both - this moment was beautiful as a painting.

"Fool, put me down quickly!"

Xiao Hanye set her down, but his arms still encircled her waist, unwilling to let go.

He said nothing, just looking at her deeply. That gaze held anticipation, unease, and longing for the future.

Ling Qianxue understood his thoughts. She stood on tiptoe, placing a gentle kiss at the corner of his lips.

This kiss was very light and quick, yet more firm than any vow.

Just at this tender moment—

"Roar!"

A beast's roar shattered the beautiful atmosphere.

The two separated like startled birds.

"There's a demon beast!" Xiao Hanye immediately entered combat mode.

A giant blue wolf emerged from the forest, its fierce gaze fixed on them.

"It's a Azure Wind Wolf, a Nine-Star Awakening Stage demon beast," Ling Qianxue said.

"Sister Qianxue, hide first," Xiao Hanye stood protectively in front of her.

"I can fight," Ling Qianxue stood up. Though her foot still hurt slightly, it didn't affect her spellcasting.

"Be careful."

The Azure Wind Wolf attacked, fast as the swift wind.

Xiao Hanye met it head-on, his fists whistling through the air.

Ling Qianxue provided support from behind, her fireballs precisely blocking the Azure Wind Wolf's retreat routes.

The two coordinated perfectly, quickly gaining the upper hand.

"Now!"

Xiao Hanye seized the opportunity, landing a punch on the Azure Wind Wolf's vital point.

Ling Qianxue's fire lotus also bloomed simultaneously.

"Awooo—"

The Azure Wind Wolf howled in pain and collapsed.

"Phew..." Both relaxed.

"Sister Qianxue, is your foot alright?" Xiao Hanye asked with concern.

"Much better already." Ling Qianxue moved her ankle - indeed, it hurt much less.

After collecting the spoils, they decided to return.

On the road, both were somewhat silent.

Moonlight filtered through gaps in the leaves, casting mottled shadows on the ground. Night insects chirped one after another, making the silence even more pronounced.

Xiao Hanye secretly glanced at Ling Qianxue, opened his mouth, then closed it again.

Ling Qianxue sensed his movement, her cheeks slightly warming. She quickened her pace, yet deliberately slowed, always maintaining a neither-far-nor-near distance from him.

A night breeze blew past, carrying the moisture of spring water and the fragrance of gardenias. The two simultaneously took a deep breath, then looked at each other and smiled.

Some words need not be spoken, some feelings were quietly growing.

Xiao Hanye extended his hand, gently hooking her pinky finger. Ling Qianxue's body trembled slightly but didn't pull away.

Like this, fingers interlocked, they slowly walked in the moonlight. Their shadows intertwined on the ground, like a pair of lingering lovers.

The moonlight remained bright, illuminating their path home.

Some feelings need not be spoken - both could feel them.

Like this moment, though maintaining distance, their hearts were very, very close.