48: Chapter 48 Dual Cultivation and Core Formation

Bang!

Ning Yuan kicked the door open, hurriedly entered the room, and made sure to close the door behind him.

"Ning... Ning Yuan! I... I'm so hot!"

After placing Nangong Xi on the bed, she looked at the person before her and murmured softly.

Nangong Xi felt her entire body burning hot, as if she were inside a furnace, and her hands kept pulling at her own clothes.

With her constant movements, large patches of slightly flushed skin were revealed, making Ning Yuan's breathing quicken.

The black-red dress outlined her exquisite figure—the slender waist like a willow swaying in the breeze and those long, straight legs—all of which appeared especially captivating under the lamplight.

Ning Yuan felt the small flame in his heart instantly turn into a raging wildfire, completely uncontrollable.

In such a situation, if he didn't take action, it would almost be a disservice to his identity as a man.

So Ning Yuan hesitated no longer and slowly moved closer to Nangong Xi... Seeing this, Mu Qingyao quickly covered her pretty face, seemingly too embarrassed to watch, her cheeks red like a boiled prawn.

However, her eyes peeked through the wide gaps between her fingers, watching from beginning to end.

It gave her young heart an immense shock.

So this is how it was... The next day

When Ning Yuan woke up, he felt the beauty beside him staring straight at him, but when he looked back, she hid herself under the covers.

Seeing this, Ning Yuan's lips curved slightly upward. He reached out to pull Nangong Xi into his embrace, but she struggled a little.

Ning Yuan immediately increased his strength, pulling her directly into his arms and holding her tightly, while his hands grew restless, caressing her smooth, silk-like back.

"What happened yesterday?"

Nangong Xi buried her head under the covers, not daring to look at Ning Yuan at all, and said in a muffled voice:

"Yesterday, I wanted to go outside to clear my mind, but I didn't expect to encounter a Nascent Soul Cultivator who took a lustful interest in me, and then I was... by him..."

So that's it, just as I suspected!

Given Nangong Xi's beauty, encountering such a thing wasn't surprising. Back in Qingzhou, with the Ultimate Bliss Sect keeping order, such incidents naturally wouldn't happen.

But here in Nanzhou..." Ning Yuan comforted her softly, "That person has already been dealt with by me, so don't worry anymore!"

"I know!"

Although Nangong Xi had been drugged at the time, she was still fully aware of what was happening around her; she just couldn't control herself.

Hearing her reply, Ning Yuan was momentarily at a loss for words, unsure what else to say, and Nangong Xi didn't seem inclined to speak either.

Then the two fell silent, neither taking the initiative to speak, and there were no other movements.

After a while, Ning Yuan felt that staying silent wasn't a solution, so he said in a joking tone:

"Does this count as our fake act becoming real?"

Nangong Xi's body trembled slightly, then fell still again. Moreover, she hid her pretty face, making it impossible to know her expression.

Seeing no reaction from her, Ning Yuan thought for a moment, hugged her a little tighter, and said again, "Then we count as real Dao Companions!"

"Don't hold me so tight, I can't breathe!"

"Then do you agree with what I said?"

"What do you think?"

"I'll take that as a yes. Anyway, you can't run away for the rest of your life! If you dare to run, just see how I deal with you! Hmph!" Ning Yuan said somewhat shamelessly. Once he had her, he wasn't about to let her escape.

"Aren't you afraid I don't like you?"

"I just need you to be mine; you don't have to like me!"

"Sss..."

Suddenly, Ning Yuan felt a sharp pain in his waist and couldn't help but suck in a cold breath. He quickly grabbed Nangong Xi's hand and pleaded repeatedly:

"I was wrong! I admit it, okay?! From the first time I saw you, I've liked you! I don't just want you; I want your heart too!"

Nangong Xi silently withdrew her hand and still said in a muffled voice, "Are you telling the truth?"

"Truer than pearls! If you don't believe me, I can swear on my Heart Demon! I, Ning Yuan, swear..."

Ning Yuan said solemnly, rubbing the sore spot on his waist, but before he could finish, a jade-like hand covered his mouth.

"Alright, I believe you!"

"So you agree?" Ning Yuan exclaimed joyfully, his face beaming with a smile so wide it seemed about to split.

"..."

Ning Yuan didn't mind this. No answer meant tacit consent. Girls were shy and found it hard to speak up—that was understandable!

"Don't worry, I'll protect you well! What happened yesterday will never happen again!" Ning Yuan promised.

"..." Nangong Xi still didn't reply.

"And I'll also find a way to resolve Elder Tang's situation!"

"... About that, I already have a clue!"

"Huh?"

How was that possible? Yesterday she was crying her heart out, and today she had a solution? That was just too unbelievable!

Ning Yuan had a hundred doubts in his heart, thinking Nangong Xi was only saying this so he wouldn't worry.

"It's true! It's just that I need to try a few more times!"

"You're not lying to me, are you?" Ning Yuan asked suspiciously.

Suddenly, Nangong Xi threw the covers off, enveloping both of them under the blanket, and then... "Huh? What are you doing?"

"..."

"Wait! Don't be so hasty! Let me do it!"

And so, another day passed!

... Inside the Cultivation Chamber

Ning Yuan sat cross-legged on a meditation cushion, silently meditating to adjust his essence, energy, and spirit to their optimal state.

After Dual Cultivation with Nangong Xi, Ning Yuan's cultivation had reached the state of Foundation Establishment Great Perfection. He was only one step away from Core Formation, so he planned to seize this opportunity to form his core.

Moreover, through Dual Cultivation, Nangong Xi's cultivation had broken through to the Golden Core Middle Stage. To avoid falling too far behind, Core Formation was imperative for him as well.

Soon, Ning Yuan adjusted to his optimal state, then took out a Third-Grade Gold Essence Pill and swallowed it to assist in Core Formation.

Under the pill's effects, the spiritual energy within his body boiled like water, flowing rapidly along his Meridians.

The surrounding Spiritual Qi also continuously poured into Ning Yuan's body, ensuring an ample supply of spiritual energy during the Core Formation process.

As time slowly passed, the Core Formation process proceeded in an orderly manner... While Ning Yuan was forming his core, Nangong Xi and Tang Qian were talking about something in the room, causing Tang Qian to exclaim in surprise:

"What did you say? How can that be?"

Nangong Xi held Tang Qian's hand, her gaze firm as she said, "This is the only way! I don't want to watch you, Aunt Tang, leave me like this!"

"But it can't be like this, right? You've only just..." Tang Qian's face turned pale and then flushed, her brows tightly knit together.

Nangong Xi tightly grasped Tang Qian's hand, her eyes slightly moistening as she whispered:

"I've been an orphan since I was little. Besides my Master, you, Aunt Tang, are the closest person to me. If there were any other way, I wouldn't..."

"Sigh!"

Seeing her speak to this extent, Tang Qian's heart softened, and she let out a long sigh, saying:

"Even if I agree, what about..."

"Don't worry, I have my own way!" Nangong Xi quickly assured her, a look of joy appearing on her face.

This way, Aunt Tang could recover, and perhaps even advance further!