Chapter 140 Good Brother

The two entered the cave and found a relatively flat and dry spot. Yun Qingyao sat cross-legged, struggling to circulate her Cultivation Technique as she began her slow recovery.

Xiao Ming stood silently to the side, observing for a moment. His brow furrowed slightly as if weighing his options. Then, he let out a soft sigh, his tone carrying a perfect blend of concern and determination. "Senior Sister Yun, forgive me!"

He walked slowly to sit opposite Yun Qingyao, the two of them less than three feet apart. The light inside the cave was dim, with only a few rays of daylight filtering through the gaps in the vines at the entrance and the hazy shimmer of the nearby spirit spring, casting his face in half-light and half-shadow, adding a touch of depth to his features.

"Senior Sister just needs to relax your mind and circulate your Cultivation Technique as usual," Xiao Ming said in a gentle voice, carrying a reassuring steadiness.

"Alright." Yun Qingyao took a deep breath, suppressing the stray thoughts in her mind. She closed her eyes again and focused on her recovery.

Xiao Ming also closed his eyes, extending both hands with palms facing upward, slowly pushing them forward.

Yun Qingyao felt his palms drawing near; that warmth seemed to transmit even through the air.

The moment their skin touched, both of their bodies gave an imperceptible tremor.

An indescribable sense of strangeness welled up in her heart, causing ripples to spread across Yun Qingyao's cold heart-lake.

A stream of spiritual power—pure, vast, and incredibly gentle—flowed continuously from Xiao Ming's palms into her, like snow melting under the warm sun of early spring.

As the spiritual power continued to blend and circulate, Yun Qingyao gradually became immersed in this unprecedented feeling of comfort. The internal injuries were rapidly repaired, and her spiritual power was steadily restored, becoming even a fraction more refined and concentrated than before her injury. Her paper-white complexion gradually regained its rosy hue, and her breathing became long and steady.

However, just as her mind relaxed, a trace of strange and profound fluctuation quietly mixed into that pure and peaceful torrent of spiritual power. It merged into her body soundlessly and followed the circulation of spiritual power directly into the depths of her heart.

This was the "Heavenly Derivation Love-Fixing Seal." It was not a malicious Restriction of the Demonic Path that forcibly twisted one's will, but a more profound resonance and guidance that bordered on the Great Dao. It would not immediately change the victim's mind; instead, it was like planting a strange seed in the depths of the heart-lake. Over time, through contact between the victim and the caster, this seed would quietly sprout and grow, subtly enhancing the victim's favor, trust, and ultimately evolving into an inseparable emotional bond.

But at this moment, Yun Qingyao was completely unaware of all this. She only felt that healing under the help of this "Junior Brother Mu" was exceptionally smooth and comfortable. She even felt a strange sense of peace and trust, as if with him by her side, no danger or pain was worth fearing.

Time passed in the silence of healing. After an unknown amount of time, the severe backlash within Yun Qingyao's body had been cleared away, and her spiritual power had recovered to seventy or eighty percent.

The warm sensation of their palms touching vanished, and a faint sense of loss—one so subtle she wasn't even consciously aware of it—unexpectedly arose in Yun Qingyao's heart. She slowly opened her eyes, her long eyelashes trembling slightly.

What met her eyes were Xiao Ming's eyes, which had also just opened. His expression was as usual, his aura steady and profound, carrying a power that put one at ease.

"How do you feel, Senior Sister Yun?" Xiao Ming withdrew his hands, his tone gentle.

Yun Qingyao inspected her internal state; her injuries were no longer a major concern. Her gratitude deepened, and at the same time, she felt more curiosity and a desire to probe this mysterious Junior Brother. She stood up and gave another solemn salute. "Thank you, Junior Brother Mu!"

"Senior Sister, you're being too formal. It's just fellow disciples helping each other," Xiao Ming said as he also stood up, giving a slight dismissive gesture with a smile.

Just then, Xiao Ming's brow twitched imperceptibly as if he had sensed something. He then gave Yun Qingyao a slight smile, which appeared somewhat blurred in the dim light. "Since Senior Sister is no longer in any danger, I shall continue my training."

"Junior Brother Mu!" Seeing him about to leave so decisively again, that inexplicable sense of loss surfaced once more. Yun Qingyao spoke up instinctively but didn't know what to say. Ask him to stay? In what capacity? It seemed too abrupt.

Xiao Ming seemed to see her hesitation. The smile in his eyes deepened slightly, yet he remained gentle and polite. "Senior Sister, take care. We shall meet again if fate allows."

As the words fell, without waiting for Yun Qingyao to speak again, he stepped back slightly and quietly exited the cave, merging into the forest.

Yun Qingyao stared blankly at the spot where Xiao Ming had disappeared. Her palms seemed to still retain his warmth and power, and a complex, indescribable emotion welled up in her heart. Gratitude, curiosity, a faint sense of melancholy, and... a heartstring that had been quietly tugged, though she hadn't yet clearly realized it herself.

Almost the very instant Xiao Ming's figure vanished, a sharp and anxious Sword Intent approached from afar, arriving outside the cave in a flash! The sword light faded, revealing Jian Wushuang's tall and slightly tense figure. He strode into the cave, his gaze like lightning as it instantly locked onto Yun Qingyao. Seeing her steady aura and rosy complexion, his eyes first relaxed, only to be replaced by deeper shock and suspicion.

"Qingyao!" Jian Wushuang hurried forward, his sharp gaze sweeping across the entire cave, lingering for a moment on Yun Qingyao, where she had just been sitting, and the shadowed corners. The faint, unfamiliar aura in the air that was about to completely dissipate made him furrow his brows tightly. "Are you alright? Are you hurt? Did he do anything to you?"

His string of questions carried an undisguised scrutiny and a trace of imperceptible agitation. Just now, he had clearly sensed two auras here; one was unfamiliar and obscure, while the other, belonging to Yun Qingyao, had strange fluctuations. Now only she remained, and her condition was unusually good, which set off alarm bells in his heart.

Yun Qingyao turned to face Jian Wushuang. The flush on her face had already faded, returning to her usual cold calm. However, in the depths of her eyes, there seemed to be something more than before, yet also something less. Hearing Jun Lin's questioning full of doubt—especially the part about "what did he do to you"—her elegant brows furrowed almost imperceptibly.

"I'm fine," Yun Qingyao said in a flat tone, devoid of much emotion, as she slowly walked toward the cave entrance.

On the other side, on a towering ancient tree not far from the cave, Xiao Ming's figure stood silently like a ghost merged into the forest. He watched from afar as Jian Wushuang's figure, filled with obvious agitation and suspicion, entered the cave. A cold and mocking curve slowly formed on his lips.

He leisurely made his way toward the direction where Mu Wanning had been fighting the Iron-Armored Explosive Bear.

Before long, he returned to the messy forest clearing.

He saw Mu Wanning leaning against a fallen giant log, panting slightly. Her pale yellow dress had several new tears and stains, and a few strands of hair on her forehead were damp with sweat, clinging to her smooth brow, making her look somewhat disheveled. But those pale gold eyes, beneath the exhaustion, held a trace of sharpness and composure that hadn't been there before, as if she had undergone a true life-and-death struggle (though forced).

At her feet lay several dead Vicious Beasts, their heads split open.

Hearing footsteps, Mu Wanning immediately looked up warily. When she saw it was Xiao Ming, a flash of instinctive relief first crossed her eyes, only to be replaced by intense shame, resentment, and a trace of imperceptible reliance she hadn't even realized herself. She quickly lowered her head, not wanting him to see the complex emotions in her eyes. She just pursed her lips, took out all the collected Spirit Cores from her spatial ring, held them in her hands, stood up, walked to Xiao Ming, and held out her hands.

Xiao Ming didn't take them immediately but instead sized her up at his leisure. His gaze traveled from her slightly messy hair to her face, which was stained with dirt but still couldn't hide her stunning beauty, then to her chest, which rose and fell slightly from panting, and finally landed on her slender hands holding the Spirit Cores, her fingertips still stained with blood.

"Hmm, it seems my little maid hasn't been lazy," Xiao Ming spoke slowly, his tone neither praising nor critical. "However, this efficiency is still a bit slow!"

Mu Wanning's body stiffened, her hands holding the Spirit Cores tightening until her knuckles turned white.

"That's easy for you to say! If you think it's slow, you can go yourself..." Mu Wanning suddenly looked up, fire dancing in her pale gold eyes. But halfway through, meeting Xiao Ming's half-smiling eyes that seemed to see through everything, the rest of her words got stuck in her throat. She remembered her current situation, the one-month bet, and this man's unfathomable strength and wicked temperament. She forced herself to swallow the disrespectful second half of her sentence, though her chest still heaved with anger.

Seeing her look of suppressed rage, her pretty face flushed red, the playfulness in Xiao Ming's eyes grew stronger. He gave a light laugh and took a step forward, almost pressing himself right in front of Mu Wanning.

His voice was kept very low, carrying a seductive magnetism. "Then why don't we... make another bet?"

As the warm breath brushed against her ear, Mu Wanning's entire body stiffened. She instinctively wanted to retreat, only to find a thick tree trunk behind her, leaving her no room to move. Forcing herself to meet his gaze, her voice carried an imperceptible tremor. "You bastard... what kind of trick are you trying to play now?"

"It's simple." Xiao Ming straightened up and said unhurriedly, "Since my little maid thinks I'm talking big while standing idly by, how about this: I will spend the same amount of time..." He paused, his gaze roaming over Mu Wanning's instantly tensed little face, his lips curling into a malicious arc. "If I lose, the previous bet is canceled. But if I win again..."

He deliberately dragged out his words, enjoying the thickening wariness and unease in Mu Wanning's eyes.

"...'You must call me... Good Brother'."

He spoke those last two words softly and slowly, filled with mockery and banter, clearly reaching Mu Wanning's ears.

"You—!" Mu Wanning's pale gold eyes instantly widened. The color drained from her face in a flash, only to surge back even faster until she was flushed crimson. Shame, fury, disbelief... various emotions intertwined, making her feel as though she were about to explode on the spot.

"Good Brother"? He actually wanted her to call him "Good Brother"? This—this was simply scandalous! Who was she? She was Mu Wanning! She was his elder sister! Even if she had lost the bet and been reduced to a maid, that was just a temporary measure forced by the wager! How—how did he dare propose such a... such a frivolous and shameless condition!

"Don't even think about it!" Mu Wanning trembled with rage, her pale gold eyes looking as if they were about to spit fire. She hissed through gritted teeth, "Mu Changge! Don't go too far! What kind of bet is this? Shameless! Despicable!"

"Too far? Shameless? Despicable?" Xiao Ming raised an eyebrow, completely indifferent to her insults. Instead, his smile grew more delighted. "My dear maid, have you forgotten who holds the initiative right now? Besides..."

He paced slowly for two steps, his gaze sweeping over the corpse of the Iron-Armored Explosive Bear on the ground. His tone carried blatant contempt. "Don't you want to cancel the previous bet?"

Xiao Ming's final sentence was like a devil's whisper, accurately piercing the place Mu Wanning desired most. Canceling that bet... the temptation was simply too great.

A tiny sliver of wishful thinking, mixed with a strong desire for freedom, overrode the warnings of reason and her instinctive shame. She stared fixedly at Xiao Ming's deep eyes, which seemed able to see through one's heart. Her voice trembled slightly from extreme humiliation and tension. "Are... are you serious?"

"Naturally." Xiao Ming replied nonchalantly. "A gentleman's word is his bond. But you, my dear sister, had better think it through."

The words "Good Brother" were uttered by him again in that mocking tone. Mu Wanning's cheeks burned once more, and her pale gold eyes nearly spat physical flames. She took a deep breath, forcing herself to calm down.

"Fine, I'll bet!" Mu Wanning squeezed these words out from between her teeth with the resolve of someone burning their bridges. "But we must agree! It starts now, with a limit of one Incense Stick... no, half an Incense Stick's time!" She quickly added conditions, trying to increase her slim chances of winning.

"Half an Incense Stick?" Xiao Ming raised an eyebrow, looking at her with a half-smile. "My dear sister, just how little confidence do you have in yourself, and how much 'confidence' do you have in me? Very well, as you wish. Half an Incense Stick it is..."

Mu Wanning, with a sense of preparation, even took out an Incense Stick and lit it, as if terrified Xiao Ming would change his mind.

...

The time of half an Incense Stick flew by under the thickening twilight of the forest and Mu Wanning's anxious gaze.

Just a moment before the incense was about to burn down to the halfway mark, a breeze brushed past. The figure in green robes had silently returned to the spot, spotless and with breathing as steady as if he had never left.

At Xiao Ming's feet, centered around him, lay the scattered corpses of eight Vicious Beasts of various forms! Each one had a ferocious aura and had been at least at the Peak Nascent Soul Stage in life. Among them were a giant red lizard-like beast with a single horn and a green-scaled python as thick as a water bucket; the spiritual pressure they emitted had reached the Soul Transformation level! They had all been killed in a single strike, their wounds clean and efficient, as if their life force had been instantly destroyed by some terrifying power.

Mu Wanning's gaze froze on Xiao Ming before slowly sweeping over the mess of powerful beast corpses on the ground, finally landing back on the brilliant, shimmering Spirit Cores in Xiao Ming's hand. Her face was filled with disbelief, her pale gold eyes widened to their limit. Her pupils constricted, reflecting the shocking scene and Xiao Ming's tall, nonchalant figure, as if he had merely brushed away some dust.

Looking at those corpses—all at least at the Peak Nascent Soul Stage, with some even carrying the aura of Soul Transformation Vicious Beasts—and the plump, spirit-rich cores in Xiao Ming's hand, Mu Wanning felt a chill rush from her spine to the top of her head. Her blood seemed to freeze instantly.

'How... how could I possibly win? How can he be this strong?'

"It seems the winner has been decided." Xiao Ming casually put the cores back into his ring. He paced leisurely over to Mu Wanning and leaned down slightly, his gaze level with her pale gold eyes, which were glazed with shock, despair, and shame.

"Now, my dear sister, it is time for you to fulfill the bet." He paused deliberately, enjoying the shifting expressions on the beauty's face.

Mu Wanning's lips trembled violently, but she couldn't make a sound. Those humiliating words were like a red-hot iron, searing her throat and burning her heart and lungs. She clenched her fists tightly, the sharp pain far outweighed by the ant-like gnawing of shame in her heart.

"Hmm?" Xiao Ming's voice trailed upward with a hint of impatient urging, like a cat playing with a mouse. "What's wrong? Dear sister, are you going back on your word?"

Mu Wanning shuddered. Meeting those eyes that were as deep as the stars, she hesitated for a long time.

Only then did she extremely slowly, bit by bit, lower her head. Her thick lashes fluttered like the wings of a dying butterfly, trembling violently and shielding all light from her eyes. It was as if all the strength had been drained from her body; she could even hear her heart pounding wildly and the sound of blood rushing to her head before crashing back down.

Time seemed to stretch out infinitely. Xiao Ming didn't rush her, merely waiting quietly and with great interest, watching all her pride crumble bit by bit, watching her whole body tremble uncontrollably from extreme humiliation, and watching her hair fall as she bowed her head, revealing her fair, fragile neck.

"I..." A broken syllable struggled out of her throat, carrying a heavy nasal tone and a tremor, barely audible.

"Too quiet, I didn't hear you." Xiao Ming "kindly" reminded her, even tilting his head slightly in a listening gesture, the malicious smile on his face completely undisguised.

Mu Wanning's body jolted again as she forced back the tears threatening to overflow. she took a deep, desperate breath, as if using up all the courage and strength of her entire life. From between her teeth, in a sobbing, broken, yet clear tone, she squeezed out those words:

"...Good... Bro... ther..."

The broken words, like ice shards soaked in blood and tears, struggled out from Mu Wanning's trembling lips. Every syllable carried the humiliation and despair of someone on the brink of collapse. Before the words had even finished fading, and even before the malicious smile on Xiao Ming's face could fully widen—

Mu Wanning suddenly turned around!

As if using all her strength, like a small, panicked beast driven into a corner, she bolted toward the direction of the Sect!

Her pale yellow skirt traced a frantic path through the dim forest, her messy hair flying behind her.

In just a few breaths, that pale yellow, wretched figure completely vanished into the thick twilight and the heavy shadows of the trees.

Back at the spot, the smile on Xiao Ming's face faltered slightly before turning into a deeper, more playful curve. He didn't chase her immediately, nor did he even move his feet. He just quietly watched the direction Mu Wanning had disappeared in, as if admiring a bird that thought it had escaped its cage.

"Tsk, can't handle even this?" he whispered. His voice betrayed no emotion, only a composure that suggested everything was within his grasp.

He unhurriedly flicked away non-existent dust from his sleeve, and only then did he leisurely set off, following at a relaxed pace in the direction Mu Wanning had fled.