Chapter 106 Master's Test

Xiao Ming arrived before the towering main hall of the Vice Sect Master.

The hall doors were tightly shut, surrounded by several layers of powerful, shimmering Restrictions that emitted a stern aura, warning others to keep away.

Just as he was about to knock according to etiquette, a flash of inspiration struck him, and he remembered the crimson token that his beautiful Revered Master had personally gifted him when he first became her Disciple.

"Cough, look at my brain, how could I have forgotten this."

A faint smile tugged at the corner of his mouth as he retrieved the token engraved with the character "Red" from his storage ring.

The token felt warm in his hand, faintly resonating with the Restrictions ahead.

Holding the token, he walked straight forward.

Sure enough, wherever he passed, the layers of Formation radiance, which were sufficient to crush a Soul Transformation powerhouse, dissipated silently like the tide, clearing a path for him.

He traversed the outer corridors without obstruction, arriving before the grand door of the sleeping quarters in the deepest part of the hall, which was dignified and imposing.

Without hesitation, Xiao Ming gently pushed open the heavy hall door.

The moment the door opened a crack, a cold, powerful, and scrutinizing perception, like an invisible tentacle, instantly locked onto him!

The pressure contained within that perception, belonging to a powerhouse above the Soul Transformation stage, along with a barely perceptible restlessness, made Xiao Ming's breath hitch.

But this lockdown lasted for only a fleeting moment, as if confirming something, before it receded rapidly like the tide and vanished without a trace.

Inside the sleeping quarters, it remained warm, with warm jade glowing.

However, the rich fragrance was faintly mixed with a trace of extremely faint, unusual, and dry heat.

On a prayer mat beside the large soft couch, Luo Hongyi was originally sitting cross-legged, her spiritual Qi circulating as she attempted to suppress the insidious side effects within her body.

However, that strange, dry heat and feeling of powerlessness arrived right on schedule, even more intense than before.

She let out a muffled groan, her delicate body going limp, and she nearly slid off, having to steady herself with her hands.

Just as this weakness struck, she clearly perceived someone ignoring the layers of Restrictions and intruding directly into the core of her sleeping quarters!

Shocked, her first reaction was that a powerful enemy was attacking, or that those in the Sect who coveted her position had lost their patience and chosen to strike.

Boundless killing intent and biting cold radiated from her beautiful eyes.

In her jade hand, a crimson edge, condensed from her fundamental essence and the power of rules, had already quietly formed, ready to strike—even in her poor state, she, Luo Hongyi, was definitely not someone to be trifled with!

However, when her massive perception pierced out like a sword, instantly enveloping the intruder and identifying his identity, that monstrous killing intent and her tense nerves suddenly relaxed.

It was Xiao Ming?

It was her good Disciple who respected his Revered Master.

After the shock came realization.

Right, she had once gifted him the token to her sleeping quarters, allowing him to see her at any time.

Really, it was just... why did it have to be at this time?

When she was in such a disheveled state.

The relaxed mood lasted only for a moment before being replaced by deeper vigilance.

This was the Heavenly Demon Sect after all, a Sect of the Demonic Path where the strong preyed on the weak and conspiracies never ceased.

Even as Revered Master and Disciple, in the face of absolute benefit or temptation, betrayal and insubordination were not rare.

Her Qi was currently sluggish, her Devilish Qi stagnant...

If this Disciple of hers harbored ill intentions...

Thinking of this, Luo Hongyi wanted to force herself to sit up, but the weakness and stagnation in her body left her without even a shred of strength.

She withdrew her external killing intent, but her tightly clenched jade hand did not let go.

Her stunningly beautiful face struggled to maintain its usual majesty and calm, but her slightly rapid breathing and the Phoenix eyes that seemed to be covered in a layer of mist betrayed the fact that her current state was not as composed as it appeared on the surface.

She raised her eyes, her gaze passing through the dense, warm fragrance in the hall, and cast it upon the tall, upright figure slowly entering the door.

Her voice remained majestic, yet it held a bit more fragility than usual, carrying a trace of imperceptible tension:

"Disciple? You... why have you come at this time?"

Xiao Ming walked slowly into the room, looking at the peerless beauty who had collapsed weakly on the prayer mat.

The dignified posture that was usually sacred, inviolable, and high above now carried a touch of pitiable, desolate weakness, adding a few more layers of alluring, heart-wrenching charm.

A dark light flashed rapidly in the depths of Xiao Ming's eyes, only to be completely masked.

A look of appropriate shock and worry appeared on his face as he stepped forward quickly and bowed respectfully: "Revered Master!"

Luo Hongyi struggled to lift her eyelids, her gaze looking at him powerlessly.

Xiao Ming said with a tone full of concern: "Disciple has just returned from Yuan City after handling matters regarding the Soul Suppressing Abyss.

I was thinking of Revered Master and missed Revered Master, so I came to see Revered Master... Revered Master, what is wrong with you?"

His gaze swept over her weak and soft posture, his worry deepening, and as he spoke, he had naturally moved a few steps closer.

Luo Hongyi understood in her heart.

She had already received a detailed report on the matter of Yuan City and had praised Xiao Ming's methods.

She braced herself, her voice much softer than usual, yet she still struggled to maintain the usual demeanor of a Revered Master: "It is nothing... I suffered some minor injuries; I will be fine after resting for a few days.

Ming'er, you did very well.

I am already aware of the matter in Yuan City.

You should go back first!

I am fine, I only need to meditate."

In her current state, it was really not suitable for outsiders to see her, especially her Disciple, and she felt deeply embarrassed.

However, Xiao Ming seemed not to have heard the second half of her order to leave, his face filled with unquestionable worry and anxiety.

"How can Disciple leave when Revered Master is like this!"

Before he finished speaking, he had already stepped forward, and without a word, he reached out his hands, gently yet firmly supporting Luo Hongyi's fragrant shoulders, helping her from the prayer mat into a half-sitting, half-embraced position.

The moment their skin touched, Luo Hongyi's body stiffened imperceptibly.

Through the thin clothing, she could clearly feel the warmth and strength coming from the man's palms in front of her.

She raised her eyes and looked deeply at Xiao Ming, meeting his deep gaze—it was filled with unfeigned anxiety, heartache, and deep concern.

Such pure and intense worry was rare and precious in this indifferent Demonic Path Sect where benefits were paramount.

The lake of Luo Hongyi's heart, which had been frozen for who knows how many years, seemed to have had a small pebble thrown into it by this gaze, causing ripples to spread.

She couldn't help but think that the person in front of her was not only the exceptionally talented Saint of the Heavenly Demon Sect, but also her newly accepted Disciple... and the benefactor from that vague memory of her childhood, who had even gifted her that ring of extraordinary significance...

Complex and indescribable emotions surged in her heart.

Her vigilance remained, but she inevitably softened a fraction.

However, she steadied her mind, intending to test him one more time.

If he could withstand the test, with a pure Heart-Nature and respect for his Revered Master, then when she returned to the Upper Realm in the future, she could rest assured in entrusting this vast Heavenly Demon Sect to him...

As her thoughts raced, Luo Hongyi made a decision.

She took a deep breath, and the perception within her body, which had been magnified to the extreme by the negative effects, allowed her to clearly capture the surging aura of the male on Xiao Ming, as well as the warmth from his hands supporting her, all of which caused a strange feeling to arise in her heart.

She forcibly suppressed the strange feeling, and a muffled, extremely suppressed, and painful groan escaped her throat.

Her eyelids drooped heavily, and her head tilted powerlessly to one side, as if she had completely lost consciousness, letting her soft body lean into Xiao Ming's arms.

She quietly released her perception, enveloping her surroundings, and closely monitored every move Xiao Ming made.

"Revered Master!" Xiao Ming exclaimed, his arms steadily cradling the beauty who had suddenly "fainted" in his arms.

Where he touched, it was warm, fragrant, and soft; the shocking softness and curves were clearly transmitted through her clothes, accompanied by her unique fragrance, which drifted into his nostrils in wisps.

The beauty in his arms had her eyes tightly closed, her long eyelashes resting like butterfly wings, her stunning face close at hand, her breathing weak and warm, gently brushing against the skin on the side of his neck.

Xiao Ming felt his heart skip a beat, and an indescribable throb and dry heat rose from his lower abdomen.

But he showed nothing on his face, still maintaining the appearance of a worried, good Disciple.

He carefully adjusted Luo Hongyi's body in his arms to a more comfortable position, one hand steadily supporting her back, while the other hand gently took her slender jade hand that was hanging weakly.

His fingertips inadvertently touched the skin on her wrist, which was as delicate as porcelain; the touch was cool and smooth.

Xiao Ming put away all distracting thoughts, his expression solemn and focused, like the most devout physician, his fingertips steadily resting on her pulse.

His perception carefully poked out, wrapping around it, meticulously checking if there was anything wrong within her body.

Luo Hongyi's mind was tense to the extreme.

When her wrist was held, she almost couldn't control her instinct to fight back.

However, the expected lewdness and desecration did not happen; all that came were the steady temperature of his fingertips and a trace of gentle perception.

Was he really just taking her pulse?

Sensing Xiao Ming's pure investigation, Luo Hongyi's tense heartstrings quietly relaxed a little.

Perhaps... she really was overthinking it?

However, before she could even exhale the breath she had just let out, Xiao Ming's next action made her entire body stiffen suddenly!

The hand that had originally been supporting her back actually moved slowly, and in an extremely ambiguous posture, passed through her slender and soft waist, firmly holding her willow waist that was not a handful!

The warmth of his palm penetrated through her clothes, pressing against her, causing a wave of fine tremors.

Immediately after, Xiao Ming bent his arms and picked her up horizontally!

"!!!" Luo Hongyi's mind buzzed, and she went blank for a moment.

He dared!

He actually dared to be so presumptuous!

What was he doing...!

Intense shame and cold killing intent intertwined and surged in her heart, and her fingertips in her sleeves twitched violently.

She forcibly restrained the impulse to immediately open her eyes and burn this Rebellious Disciple to ashes, scolding in her heart: As expected!

As expected, all men in the world are cut from the same cloth!

Respectful on the surface, but who knows what kind of filthy thoughts are hidden inside!

This Revered Master will see exactly what else you, this Wicked Disciple, want to do next!

If you dare to cross the line even by half a step, I will surely make your Divine Soul dissipate completely!

Xiao Ming steadily lifted the light yet incredibly soft body in his arms.

The beauty leaned softly (though in reality, stiffly) in his arms, her head resting weakly on his shoulder, the warm breath of her breathing mixed with a unique fragrance, winding around his nose and neck, impacting all his senses and causing his mind to sway.

As if it were an unconscious whisper, or perhaps an irrepressible sigh, a very soft murmur drifted into Luo Hongyi's extremely sensitive ears:

"Revered Master smells... so good!"

"Boom—!"

This sentence exploded in Luo Hongyi's mind like a thunderclap!

All her reason and testing were shattered by the immense shame and anger at this moment!

He... what did he say?

He actually said that his Revered Master... smelled good?

Rebellious Disciple!

Wicked Disciple!

How could he... how could he dare to speak so lewdly!

Intense humiliation made her jade fist in her sleeve clench tightly, and the Phoenix flames in her body were almost about to erupt.

She really wanted to "wake up" immediately, give this Wicked Disciple a heavy slap, and then burn him to ashes completely!

However, before she could make a move, an even more soul-shattering action followed!

Xiao Ming held her and walked steadily toward the soft couch to the side.

Just as he was about to lay her down, Xiao Ming actually lowered his head slightly, leaned close to her cheek, and then, stretched out a finger, with a bit of intimacy and helplessness, gently pinched her straight and exquisite nose!

"You are already so powerful, why are you still so careless!"

His voice was kept very low, carrying an indescribable tenderness, doting, and a trace of faint reproach, as if he were treating a "little girl" who didn't know how to take care of herself and made people's hearts ache.

To tell the truth, although Xiao Ming's tone and actions were extremely natural and dashing, he was sweating profusely behind his back.

If this didn't go well, everything would be ruined.

But his efforts were not in vain; this action and this tone were truly of massive lethality!

Luo Hongyi shook violently, almost jumping up directly.

Destroy him!

Destroy this damned Wicked Disciple!

Right now!

Luo Hongyi screamed frantically in her heart, the accumulated power reaching its peak, and it was about to erupt!

However, the further action she expected did not come.

Xiao Ming carefully placed her on the soft jade couch, his movements gentle.

He even carefully smoothed out her slightly messy skirt, then pulled over a brocade quilt from the side, gently covered her with it, carefully tucked in the corners of the quilt, and Xiao Ming searched the System mall for a long time, painfully spending 5000 villain points to help her clear her negative status.

After doing all this, he stood quietly by the couch, gazing deeply at his Revered Master, who appeared weak.

That gaze was complex and difficult to understand, containing concern, worry, and seemingly a trace of... emotions that Luo Hongyi could not understand.

After staying for a long time, Xiao Ming turned around, his steps very light, and slowly exited the sleeping quarters, carefully closing the hall door again.

Inside the sleeping quarters, silence returned, leaving only the warm, misty heat of the jade and Luo Hongyi's own heartbeat, which sounded like a beating drum.

After confirming that Xiao Ming had completely walked away, Luo Hongyi suddenly opened her eyes.

Emotions churned in her beautiful eyes: shame, anger, killing intent, and a trace of confusion and palpitation that even she herself had not noticed were intertwined.

She propped up her still somewhat weak body, the brocade quilt sliding off her shoulder, revealing her slightly flushed fragrant shoulder.

The waist that had just been touched and the nose tip that had been pinched seemed to still retain that scorching tactile sensation.

Especially that sentence "Revered Master smells so good," which was like demonic music, constantly echoing in her mind.

"Wicked Disciple... Rebellious Disciple!"

She cursed through gritted teeth, the blush on her stunning face not fading, not knowing if it was from anger or something else.

However, the wisp of condensed Phoenix flame in her palm had quietly dissipated at some point.

She rubbed her forehead irritably, her heart in a mess.

What exactly had this test tested?

Did that Wicked Disciple pull back from the brink at the last moment?

Or was his original nature still there and he still had a bottom line?

Or... something else?

She had no way of knowing.

Outside the hall, far away from the warm-scented sleeping quarters, Xiao Ming, who was slowly pacing along the quiet path of the Sect, no longer had that respectful and worried expression on his face.

Replacing it was a smile mixed with playfulness, pleasure, and deep calculation, his mouth almost grinning to his ears.

In fact, when he held her waist and pinched her nose, he had already felt the Revered Master's subconscious stiffness and tension.

How could he not know that the Revered Master was pretending to sleep?

But he really didn't dare to go too far, really afraid of making the Revered Master angry.

He had actually thought about whether he could replicate the previous plot of the Rebellious Disciple rushing the Revered Master.

However, this thought only flashed by, and in the end, he decided to forget it, given the personality of this Revered Master of his.

If he really did that, she would probably kill him no matter what; she would scramble the eggs and destroy the tools of the crime.

Thinking of this, he felt a bit chilly, his lower body feeling slightly cold.

"Tsk, haste makes waste..."

Xiao Ming touched his chin, savoring the wonderful touch in his arms and the unique fragrance lingering on his nose tip, a trace of regret flashing in his eyes, but more of it was eagerness and itching.

"However... today's 'filial piety' from this Disciple must have left a deep impression on Revered Master, right?"

Thinking of how Luo Hongyi might be feeling restless in the sleeping quarters at this moment, the smile on Xiao Ming's face deepened.

He shook his head, temporarily suppressing those amorous thoughts and calculations, and continued walking forward.