7: Chapter 7: We had no choice but to live outside together.

She still couldn't understand it even now.

What kind of madness had possessed her back then to make her stab Senior Brother Mo for no reason?

But the fact that the sword had struck a vital point was absolute.

She had seen Disciples fighting too fiercely at the Outer Sect Martial Arts Field, resulting in someone being seriously injured.

Even a Disciple at Qi Refining Level 9, having suffered such a severe piercing wound to the heart, could never have stabilized their condition with just a single healing pill.

Not to mention that after a while, Senior Brother Mo had taken up his sword and cleanly slain several Bamboo Demons.

Although he looked unwell at the time, he never showed the slightest hint of fear from beginning to end.

He had shouldered all the danger alone.

He must be hiding many secrets.

Such a mysterious Senior Brother, yet one who protected her at every turn...

While she was staring blankly at Mo Zixing's profile, the sky outside the cave had gradually darkened.

The last light of the setting sun was swallowed by the bamboo forest.

The mountain wind blew into the cave entrance with the night's chill, making her shiver and snapping her out of her messy thoughts.

Jiang Yuwei quickly stood up and walked to the cave entrance to take a look outside.

It was mostly dark outside, and the path was becoming hard to see.

“Senior Brother, it's getting dark.”

“If we head back now, will we be unable to enter the Outer Sect?”

Such were the rules of the Outer Sect; the Curfew fell exactly at the Hai Hour.

Unless there was a special report or a Sect field mission, Disciples were supposed to be punished for staying out overnight.

She had only entered the Sect a few days ago and didn't dare to cross this red line.

Mo Zixing also stood up and walked to the cave entrance to take a look.

The sky was indeed late.

Having spent three years in the Outer Sect, he naturally knew that the so-called Curfew was something the authorities turned a blind eye to.

As long as it didn't cause a big scene, nobody cared.

But there was no need for him to say that.

It was also a good opportunity to use tonight's time alone to farm another wave of favorability.

By the time they returned to the Outer Sect tomorrow, the cooldown for the trait modification would be almost over.

Then he could figure out how to use the refreshed trait modification opportunity to maximize the gains in one go.

He nodded to Jiang Yuwei and took the initiative to decide:

“Then there's no choice. The mountain path is pitch black and unsafe.”

“We'll rest here for the night and return to the Sect first thing tomorrow morning.”

“Alright.”

Hearing this, Jiang Yuwei nodded obediently, turned around to gather some large, thick leaves, and used her sword to cut down a few vines.

With her fingers flying, she quickly wove two simple, natural small beds.

Once everything was settled, she sat on her small bed holding her sword and rested for a moment, saying:

“Senior Brother, you were injured and killed demons today; you must be exhausted.”

“Rest well tonight. I'll keep watch and won't let any Yao Beasts or anyone else get close.”

Halfway through, she seemed to suddenly remember something and quickly handed the sword to Mo Zixing, fearing he might misunderstand:

“Senior Brother, the sword—the sword will stay with you!”

“I definitely don't have any other intentions! If there's danger, I'll call you immediately!”

She was quite thoughtful.

Seeing the Junior Sister's nervous look, Mo Zixing reached out to take the sword and placed it casually by his side:

“No need to be so nervous. I believe you didn't do it on purpose; there must have been some misunderstanding.”

“As for you, this is your first time exploring a Secret Realm. You must be tired, so go to sleep first.”

“How can I do that?”

Jiang Yuwei immediately shook her head, her eyes full of stubbornness:

“No matter what, I'm the one who caused your injury. How can I let you keep watch while injured?”

“How about... how about we each watch half the night?”

“Fine, it's a deal.”

Mo Zixing nodded:

“But I'll take the first half, and I'll wake you for the second half.”

As a newcomer who had just reached Qi Refining Level 1, Jiang Yuwei's eyelids were already fighting to stay open after the long day.

Ultimately, she softly agreed.

Mo Zixing sat nearby, absent-mindedly playing with the sword in his hand.

He had helped Jiang Yuwei buy this sword just two days ago when she first entered the Sect.

Back then, she was timid, not even daring to bargain with the market stall owner, her face turning red without being able to utter a word of haggling.

At that time, he only thought the girl was very timid and didn't see the [self-serving] trait in her at all.

Let alone imagining that she would one day pierce his heart with a sword.

Mo Zixing couldn't help but click his tongue in his mind.

But the current kind and cute Jiang Yuwei was much better.

Thinking of this, he began to ponder what the System had said about the [Loyalty] trait that was guaranteed to appear after deep communication once favorability was maxed out.

When the time came to pull it, which trait should he replace: [Benevolent] or [prudent]?

Forget it, it's too early to think about that now.

Let's max out the favorability first.

The mountain wind blew into the cave again.

As Jiang Yuwei slept, she subconsciously curled into a ball and huddled toward a warmer spot.

Seeing her shivering from the cold, Mo Zixing took off his outer robe that was draped over his arm and gently covered her with it.

Doing anything more would be too deliberate.

Mo Zixing simply cleared his mind and began to run the Basic Breathing Mind-Cultivation Technique distributed by the Outer Sect.

He originally just didn't want to waste time, but he hadn't expected the Candle Dragon Bloodline to have a hidden effect.

The originally mediocre basic Mind-Cultivation Technique actually ran more than three times smoother than before.

His cultivation, which had been stuck at Qi Refining Level 3...

...actually rose to Qi Refining Level 4 all of a sudden!

Mo Zixing was secretly delighted.

As expected of a red-quality trait, it had quite a few practical uses.

He had somewhat misjudged the System.

Without hesitation, he immersed himself back into his cultivation, and in the blink of an eye, the next day arrived.

The dim morning light shone into the cave entrance.

Jiang Yuwei slowly woke up, the scent belonging to Mo Zixing lingering around her nose.

She froze for a moment before realizing she was covered by his outer robe.

Jiang Yuwei quickly scrambled up from the bed.

Her movements were too hurried; she didn't notice Mo Zixing sitting cross-legged beside her and bumped directly into his arms.

Two soft things bounced against Mo Zixing's chest with a boing.

“Ugh...”

Jiang Yuwei let out a muffled groan and lifted her dazed little head.

Mo Zixing snapped back to his senses, and as soon as he opened his eyes, he saw his blushing Junior Sister in his arms.

He had subconsciously reached out to steady her just now, and his palm happened to cradle her soft little face.

It felt delicate and tender to the touch.

The texture was great.

Mo Zixing couldn't help but gently rub it twice.

“You're awake?”

Jiang Yuwei quickly sat up straight, covered her burning cheeks, and stammered:

“S-Sorry, Senior Brother!”

She paused, then belatedly realized something and asked:

“Wait, no, Senior Brother, why didn't you wake me up to switch shifts? Didn't we agree to each watch half the night?”

“You were sleeping so soundly that I didn't want to wake you.”

Mo Zixing shrugged and withdrew his hand, the soft, tender sensation still lingering on his palm.

He didn't forget to open Jiang Yuwei's panel to check her favorability status.