“Mountain Cloud Notes,” originally a practice that defied the natural order, allowed cultivators to gather auras even in places with minimal spiritual energy. In the Lingshan Sect, Shen Feixiao’s environment lacked abundant qi, so he remained oblivious to any issues. However, upon entering the spiritually rich secret realm, the true potency of Mountain Cloud Notes emerged.
In less than half a month, Shen Feixiao had ascended from the Qi Refining stage to foundation-building. Yet, the rapid breakthrough concealed an underlying instability.
And this hidden peril surfaced just as Shen Feixiao stood on the brink of advancement.
Unbridled spiritual energy assailed his mind, plunging it into chaos. Bloodshot eyes snapped open, and Shen Feixiao detected an unfamiliar fragrance—a lifeline pulling him back from the precipice. 🌿🌫️
Beautiful Misunderstanding
The air carried an unfamiliar fragrance—a scent that tugged at Shen Feixiao’s senses. He pushed himself up from the ground, stumbling as he followed the elusive wisps.
The sound of water reached his ears. Shen Feixiao stood on the shore, gaze fixed on the figure bathing in the river.
The man’s physique defied easy categorization—neither robust nor frail. His firm build lent him a statuesque presence. His skin, not pallid but rather akin to warm jade, emitted a subtle luminescence. Taller than Shen Feixiao, he stood beneath the cascade of clear water. Droplets traced the curve of his spine, pooling at the base of a pair of enticing buttocks.
Shen Feixiao marveled at the clarity of his vision. From a distance, he watched Qin Kaiyi, bewitched. The man, immersed in the limpid river, stirred something within Shen Feixiao. His gaze lingered, and he swallowed—how fragrant. 🌿🌊
Beautiful Misunderstanding
Shen Feixiao’s mental equilibrium had barely settled when the man in the river turned around. A golden mask clung to his face, its intricate lotus pattern exuding an exotic allure. The man’s pretty, flirtatious appearance sent Shen Feixiao’s reason spiraling into chaos.
The events that followed remained a blur. His chaotic memories hinted at actions he shouldn’t have taken.
When Shen Feixiao finally roused, he found himself lying on a soft mat. The masked man had procured these items—though that wasn’t the most pressing matter at hand.
“Are you awake?” Qin Kaiyi’s voice, low and irritable, reached Shen Feixiao.
“…” Shen Feixiao’s body stiffened further, but he withheld any response.
“Don’t pretend,” Qin Kaiyi persisted. “I know you’re awake. Now get up.” 🌿🌙
“En.” Shen Feixiao’s subdued response accompanied his silent ascent from the mat. His gaze lifted to the masked figure across from him, but it was immediately drawn to the wound on the man’s neck.
“What are you looking at?” Qin Kaiyi’s irritation surfaced. “Stare again, and I’ll gouge your eyes out.”
“Oh.” Shen Feixiao lowered his head once more.
“…” Frustration gnawed at Qin Kaiyi. He wrestled with his emotions before finally speaking. “Give me your hand.”
Shen Feixiao’s expression remained puzzled; he clearly didn’t grasp Qin Kaiyi’s intent.
“Give me your hand!” Qin Kaiyi’s patience waned further. He longed to seize Shen Feixiao’s neck and shake some sense into this dense-headed man. 🌿🔮
Beautiful Misunderstanding
“Oh.” Shen Feixiao obediently extended his hand toward Qin Kaiyi, lapsing into silence once more.
“Alas.” Qin Kaiyi sighed heavily, feeling increasingly like a stay-at-home dad. He regarded Shen Feixiao’s expressionless face and fought the urge to pinch it. Of course, he refrained from acting on that impulse.
Squeezing Shen Feixiao’s wrist, Qin Kaiyi probed further. Against all odds, it appeared that Shen Feixiao had reached the foundation-building stage. Within half a year, he had leaped from an ordinary person to a foundation-building cultivator. Even Qin Kaiyi couldn’t help but marvel at the potency of the protagonist’s halo.
But now wasn’t the time for such musings. Qin Kaiyi gingerly infused a wisp of spiritual power into Shen Feixiao’s hand, following the meridians to his dantian.
As he investigated, Qin Kaiyi’s frown deepened.
… What was happening with Shen Feixiao’s dantian? The more Qin Kaiyi delved, the greater his surprise. Shen Feixiao’s dantian had transformed into a whirlpool-like entity. Qin Kaiyi’s spiritual power vanished immediately upon entry, absorbed by the vortex. Cold sweat dotted his forehead. He dared not explore further, hastily withdrawing his energy. 🌿🌀
Beautiful Misunderstanding
Shen Feixiao observed Qin Kaiyi’s furrowed expression, a wariness lingering in his gaze. He yearned to speak, yet hesitated—his mask concealing any hint of emotion.
“You’re fine,” Qin Kaiyi reassured him. Despite his uncertainty about Shen Feixiao’s body, he reasoned that the minimal damage to the meridians shouldn’t pose significant problems.
Unaware of Shen Feixiao’s inner turmoil, Qin Kaiyi sighed inwardly. He felt increasingly like a stay-at-home dad. His gaze shifted to the eggplant, which had remained squatting nearby. “Who really are you?” Shen Feixiao’s intense stare bore into Qin Kaiyi’s masked face. “Why are you helping me?” 🌿🌙
Beautiful Misunderstanding
Qin Kaiyi regarded Shen Feixiao with a blank expression, too weary to engage in further debate. His mind grappled with a more pressing issue.
“Shen Feixiao,” Qin Kaiyi deliberated aloud, his voice unwavering. “I should go.”
“What?” Shen Feixiao’s reaction lagged. “You want to go?”
“En.” Qin Kaiyi’s decision was final. He knew Shen Feixiao was about to enter the hidden treasure trove, but he had no interest in wading into those murky waters. If not for his deal with Yan Gu, he wouldn’t even consider entering that treasure house.
“Where are you going?” Shen Feixiao clutched the eggplant more tightly. “Why are you leaving?”
“Why should I stay?” Qin Kaiyi retorted, his patience thinning. “What do you think I’m here for?”
I thought you were here to protect me. Shen Feixiao didn’t voice this sentiment. Instead, he gazed at the black eyes peering from behind the mask. For some inexplicable reason, he couldn’t release his grip on the hands that had shielded him—like a chick glimpsing its mother after breaking free from its shell. 🌿🌙
Beautiful Misunderstanding
“You have to become strong.” Qin Kaiyi’s sincerity underscored his words. He knew Shen Feixiao had no other option but to grow stronger. In the days ahead, Shen Feixiao would face countless trials—cruel and unforgiving. Yet, Qin Kaiyi believed that Shen Feixiao could ascend to the pinnacle of this world.
“Become strong?” Shen Feixiao echoed, his voice numb.
“Yes, become strong,” Qin Kaiyi affirmed solemnly. “Only through strength can you truly attain your desires. Only when you’re strong can you avoid being trampled by others. Understand?”
“…” Shen Feixiao neither nodded nor shook his head. His silence conveyed more than words ever could—Qin Kaiyi saw the understanding in his eyes.
“I’m leaving,” Qin Kaiyi softened his tone. “In truth, I came to the secret realm just to see you. The rest is up to you.” 🌿🌙
Beautiful Misunderstanding
“You knew that Qin Shi would send me in?” Shen Feixiao’s disbelief colored his words.
“…” Qin Kaiyi grappled with his response. He couldn’t very well reveal that he was Qin Shi, could he?
“I get it.” Shen Feixiao’s voice, soft as a whisper, stirred an inexplicable fear within Qin Kaiyi. “Leave then.”
“En.” Qin Kaiyi chose not to linger. Despite the ache in his heart, he couldn’t stay. Today, Shen Feixiao might only have sucked his blood, but who knew if tomorrow he’d devour Qin Kaiyi’s flesh? He wasn’t the protagonist. Without that ineffable halo, survival demanded constant vigilance.
Though Shen Feixiao’s well-being weighed on his mind, Qin Kaiyi had no other recourse—he had to leave. 🌿🌙