Cao Yun and Song Guixiang walked leisurely through the Golden Flowery Fragrance Institute. The plump man didn't particularly know Cao Yun but he could tell that something was weighing him down. As such, he decided to take a very scenic route. Although it was probably the slowest way to get to Feng Yingyue, it was also the prettiest. On the other hand, Cao Yun was walking slower than usual. At first, it wasn't because of the view. But soon, Cao Yun had to admit that the institute was indeed beautiful. Everything had been thought of in order to induce calm, relaxation, and insight. Just by observing nature and the architecture here, one could have great inspiration. Moreover, there were great scents.
Since this was an alchemy institute, one could be worried about the various scents of many different pills and concoctions clashing together. In order to deal with this issue, the institute had relied much more on flowers and vegetation than on array formations. Of course, there were array formations, but they were meant to help the alchemy process. The heavenly scents all emanated from flowers and trees here and there, all tended with great care.
It didn't take long for Cao Yun to lose himself in this scenery. For once, Song Guixiang wasn't talking. Several times, they saw incredibly beautiful women, and yet Song Guixiang just politely bowed. To be fair, he did look at them and even looked back to really see them. At some point, a young woman came out of an alchemy room covered in perspiration. Her natural scent melded with the perfume in the air. Moreover, her clothes were almost transparent. Song Guixiang had a really hard time not talking to her. However, he compensated by engraving this image in his brain forever. For an instant, he looked at Cao Yun. Song Guixiang really wanted to say something but he controlled himself, using all of his willpower.
Finally, they arrived near Feng Yingyue's residence. Her senior brother knew that she was home because she had told him that she would be working on some specific pill ideas. Feng Yingyue was still a Mortal Warrior but she was already on the level of a Spirit alchemist. In fact, it was very clear that she would become an official 5-star Spirit alchemist the very moment she became a Spirit Warrior. Besides, she was quite close to achieving such a breakthrough. Indeed, she was already a 6th-grade Mortal Warrior. But she wanted to make sure that she could go through her Lesser Tribulation with no problem at all. She wanted the most perfect breakthrough as it would decide, in large part, her cultivation future.
Thanks to Cao Yun's 'Sealing the Seven Demons in the Nine Peaks' and her ability to enter her own sea of consciousness, Feng Yingyue had been able to imitate him when it came to pill refinement. To this day, she had been able to refine countless 1-star Spirit pills and had even once refined a 4-star Spirit pill. So, technically, she was a Spirit alchemist. However, no one had conferred the rank upon her. It wasn't that she didn't deserve it for any reason. In fact, it was quite the opposite. The Golden Flowery Fragrance Institute didn't want to expose such a talent to the world too soon. In particular, Xiao Xuefeng had insisted on it to protect her. Hua Fenfei had agreed wholeheartedly. Not only was the Hongchen Kingdom at war, but there were strange rumors about Emperor Weide.
While Cao Yun was looking at Feng Yingyue's residence, Xiao Xuefeng was talking to her sister, Director Hua Fenfei. Both women isolated themselves completely before discussing Cao Yun's arrival. This time, Xiao Xuefeng told her sister almost everything about the young man. The two Spirit Masters were so close that they literally could have been blood sisters. Although Xiao Xuefeng would trust her with her very soul, she had still made sure that Cao Yun agreed, he had. Thus, she told the director everything.
Slowly, Director Hua Fenfei's face got darker and darker. Knowledge was often a curse. Now that she knew all of that, she couldn't simply do nothing. However, she had to think about the good of the Golden Flowery Fragrance Institute. Going against Emperor Weide directly was suicidal. Of course, with Sect Leader Xuan and Matriarch Huang supporting them, things were different. But they all had to think about the good of the Hongchen Kingdom as well. Mankind's unity was essential for their survival.
Xiao Xuefeng could see the wheels turning in her sister's mind. As such, they stayed together, pondering over many matters for several days. No one could disturb them unless it was absolutely vital.
Cao Yun was pondering over something else. He had absolutely no idea how to face Feng Yingyue. Even now, he wasn't entirely sure about his feelings for her. Indeed, he cared for her deeply, but he didn't know whether he loved her or not. They had met very young, in extremely particular circumstances. Besides, she was the first and only woman he had known intimately. Deep down, he couldn't tell for sure whether he felt this love as a form of moral or social obligation, or if it was something else. With all of his mind cultivation, even Cao Yun couldn't be sure about his own feelings on the matter. Honestly, he was reluctant to see her. Indeed, he hoped for his feelings to magically sort themselves out just by seeing her, but he had no way of actually knowing how he would respond to her. Worse than that, he had no way of knowing how she would respond to his presence.
At long last, Song Guixiang spoke again when he saw Cao Yun's distress. No matter how well he could hide it, Cao Yun was an amateur when it came to romance and intimacy compared to Song Guixiang.
"Brother, calm down. If it doesn't work out with my sister, I can promise you that I have many ways to make you forget her, and to make her forget you too..."
Thankfully, Cao Yun could tell that Song Guixiang was just joking around, but images of Feng Yingyue surrounded by many beautiful young men crossed his mind. He absolutely hated it. In fact, Cao Yun felt his own Turbid Demons react to it. At the same time, he wanted to slap the man laughing at his expense, but he didn't. After all, Song Guixiang was sincerely trying to help Cao Yun, in his own manner. Besides, violence was completely out of place here.
Song Guixiang didn't wait for Cao Yun to be ready, and he just walked into his junior sister's residence.
"Junior sister, it's me! I'm sorry to disturb you, but I have a great surprise for you."
Despite Song Guixiang's impolite intrusion, a melodious voice echoed through the residence. It was loud enough to be heard but still quiet enough not to appear like a scream.
"Senior brother, I'll have to ask our teacher to remind you of some rules. I'm actually busy right now, your surprises can wait."
"Come on, sister, don't be like that... I swear that you'll love it this time. You see, Spirit Master Xiao introduced this talented young man to me, and..."
"I don't want to meet any of your friends, brother. No, I don't need to 'know' other men!"
Cao Yun's glare almost pierced Song Guixiang's back and he could clearly tell.
"Please, sister. I'm not trying to pervert you or anything. He's quite talented when it comes to alchemy too, you could probably discuss it. I'm sure you'll both learn things."
Of course, Cao Yun could have spoken at any moment, as he had followed Song Guixiang. But something was stopping him, he was genuinely afraid to meet her face-to-face. Just hearing her voice had made his heart skip several beats. He was even more stressed than during some of his battles. Although it wasn't a life-or-death situation, it almost felt like it to the young man. At some point, he was about to leave the residence but he forced himself to stay, he had to listen to Feng Yingyue's voice. He had to see her too, he had to touch her, he had to... Many images stormed his mind then and he became even more stressed.
"Humph! You think I could learn something from a young man you just met?! Well, let's bet on that, senior brother."
"Of course, of course. I'm ready to bet everything I have. Hell, I'll go without meat and wine for an entire year if you don't like my guest. What say you?"
Suddenly, Feng Yingyue grew quiet. Even Cao Yun, who didn't know Song Guixiang very well, could tell that this was huge for him. Such a bet could actually destroy him. Thus, his junior sister stopped talking for a very long time.
"Do you also want me to bet that I won't meet women for a full year? I could if you insist. But I wonder what you could bet that is of equivalent value to you?"
"Fine, if senior brother insists so much, I won't be difficult. Call your friend and let's be done with it. I won't bet anything stupid, like you do. If you're right, I'll refine any ten pills for you, of your choosing."
"Great, great! But I don't have to call my friend, he's already with me."
"You...!"
One could hear the embarrassment in Feng Yingyue's voice.
"Esteemed guest, this impolite one apologizes. Please wait a moment."
Soon after, the door to Feng Yingyue's workshop opened slightly. Suddenly, her eyes met Cao Yun's gaze. For a split second, everything seemed to stop. The world stood still and the two lovers looked at each other. They had both grown up and were more mature than they were when they last met. With their cultivation levels, they both appeared in their early twenties although they were more than thirty. Feng Yingyue was just one year older than Cao Yun, and yet she appeared a bit younger. Despite their young appearances, there was an air of authority, experience and maturity that clearly betrayed their real age. Most of it was in their eyes, the same eyes that were locked together.
The very next instant, Feng Yingyue jumped in Cao Yun's embrace. They both hugged and kissed for several minutes. No words were exchanged, it simply felt natural. Both were overwhelmed with intense feelings, emotions and sensations. Feng Yingyue used all of her strength to hug Cao Yun. Any mortal would have been crushed to death by her grip, but it didn't faze Cao Yun at all. On the other hand, he was forced to control himself not to hurt her while he was pressing her against his body.
For several minutes, Song Guixiang stayed silent. But as the two lovers were completely entranced, he had to say something before it went any further with him in the room. As such, he cleared his throat and coughed a little when it wasn't enough. In the end, he had to cough loudly enough to even hurt himself.
"What?! Oh...?"
Annoyed, Feng Yingyue quickly realized what she had been doing. She tried to put her hair and clothes back in order.
"It seems that sister Feng really didn't need to meet other men, you clearly know what you're doing. You're even more adventurous than I thought..."
"You...! You little imp, do you really want me to tell our master why you failed to refine the Nine Echo pill two months ago?"
Song Guixiang's face turned pale.
"You... You know about that?"
His junior sister only answered with a smirk.
"Fine, fine. You know what? I have some errands to run anyway. I'll leave you and brother Chen to 'talk' for now. I'll come back in a few hours... or maybe a few days... Who knows?"
Very quickly, Song Guixiang left Feng Yingyue's residence. He had nothing else to add. However, he tapped Cao Yun's back with a huge grin on his face. It was only at this moment that Cao Yun realized what had just happened. It was as if something had simply taken over his body. And that something was still there. Moreover, Cao Yun only desired to let that thing take over once more. He wanted to lose himself in this feeling, and then to lose himself in Feng Yingyue's embrace, and much more.
When Song Guixiang was finally gone, Cao Yun tried to speak but Feng Yingyue didn't leave him enough time. Her lips immediately sealed his. They kissed and embraced each other for a very long time. Their caresses became more and more intense. Without either of them realizing it, they were now lying down. Both of them let go of any inhibition. Although it was the middle of the day outside, they lay in bed and explored each other for many long hours. They were even more passionate than they had ever been before.
At this time, neither of them cared if it was true love or just carnal desire. It was stronger than them. Even if it had been weaker than them, they wanted it to overwhelm them, they wanted it to take over. They didn't want any control over it at all. Instead, they let it completely engulf and swallow them. First, their bodies melded into one another, soon even their minds, and finally their souls were intertwined one within the other. Without speaking, they could feel what the other felt, they could almost think what the other thought.
Although they were not using any dual cultivation technique, it was extremely intense, and it was helping their cultivation. Feng Yingyue could sense Cao Yun's Soul Embryo, which was helping her understand in her flesh how to break through. On the other hand, Cao Yun's Soul Embryo was assaulted by so many sensations that Cao Yun's soul was getting imprinted more and more within it. It was hard to distinguish between sensations in his body and in his very soul, or Soul Embryo. Everything was fluid while their bodies were entangled.
Thankfully, Song Guixiang didn't return after several hours. Knowing what his junior sister was doing, he had thought about interrupting them, but he decided to have fun another way instead. They wouldn't be the only ones.