Soft, unconscious murmurs kept escaping from Yun Yun's lips.
Looking at her current feverish state and recalling the gray snake that had bitten her, Xiao Tian quickly identified the creature — a low-grade magical beast known as the Shadow Bat Bewitching Snake.
Once back inside the mountain cave, Xiao Tian held the woman who was clinging to him like an octopus. He immediately heated a small knife over the fire until it glowed red.
Carefully prying Yun Yun off him, he gently pinned her down and made a tiny incision at the bite wound on her left calf. Lowering his head, he began sucking out the venom, spitting it to the side repeatedly.
Just as he was extracting the final traces of venom, something unexpected happened.
Yun Yun suddenly broke free from his restraint and lunged at him. Her eyes burned with unnatural heat, her face flushed crimson, and faint red spots had begun to appear across her creamy skin.
Before Xiao Tian could react, a pair of soft, burning lips pressed fiercely against his own. In that moment, he accidentally swallowed the remaining venom still in his mouth.
"Spicy…!"
Xiao Tian froze for a split second, then tried to push Yun Yun away. However, the woman, driven by the potent effects of the venom, had become like a hungry wolf that had finally found its prey — and that prey was him.
The venom he had swallowed quickly spread through his body. A mysterious, scorching sensation surged from the depths of his soul, clouding his mind. Instinctively, Xiao Tian wrapped his arms around Yun Yun. Their minds overwhelmed by the toxin, the two of them gradually lost control, embracing and kissing passionately.
Clothes rustled and fell to the ground.
That night passed in silence and heat…
The next morning.
Xiao Tian woke up first. He slowly sat up and gazed at the woman lying beside him. Shaking his head gently, the memories of last night flooded back like a surging tide, feeling almost like a fleeting, unreal dream.
Sensing movement, Yun Yun opened her eyes. The moment she saw him, she instinctively slapped him hard across the face.
Caught completely off guard, Xiao Tian was knocked off the stone platform and rolled several times across the ground in a disheveled state.
Yun Yun's face was filled with shame and fury as she abruptly sat up. She looked at the messy scene around them, hurriedly grabbed her clothes to cover herself, and recalled everything that had happened the previous day.
She had given herself away… for nothing.
Looking at the handsome young man before her, Yun Yun bit her lower lip lightly. A complex, indescribable emotion flickered in her clear, watery eyes.
Although she had been poisoned yesterday, her memories remained intact. She clearly remembered that Xiao Tian had only been trying to save her. It was she who had interrupted him, causing him to swallow the venom. In the end, she was the one at fault.
Yun Yun tried to sit up properly, but a sharp pain shot through her body, making her gasp softly and twitch.
Seeing her discomfort, Xiao Tian slowly approached and sat on the edge of the stone platform.
"Yun Zhi…" he called softly.
"Turn around," Yun Yun said, her voice laced with shame, anger, and a trace of coldness.
Xiao Tian remained silent. He stood up awkwardly and turned his back to her.
Behind him came the rustling sound of fabric. After a long while, Yun Yun's calm but indifferent voice rang out:
"Tian Xiao, what happened yesterday was just an accident. Let's pretend it never happened between us."
Xiao Tian frowned and turned around. "What do you mean by that?"
"Exactly what I said. We should pretend this incident never occurred. It's better for both of us," Yun Yun replied, trying to sound emotionless.
"I'm sorry, but I can't do that," Xiao Tian said coldly, staring at her. "And do you really believe you can pretend it never happened?"
Yun Yun fell silent.
She already had feelings for this young man. After being rescued by him, seen by him, and touched by his appearance, talent, and gentle care, his image had quietly taken root in her heart. She simply refused to admit it.
Can I really forget? Can I truly pretend it never happened?
Seeing her expression constantly shifting, Xiao Tian sighed softly. He stepped closer and gently hugged her from behind.
"What are you doing?!" Yun Yun struggled in his embrace.
"Don't move," Xiao Tian said tenderly, holding her firmly. "I know you may not be able to accept this right away. You probably have many concerns, but none of that matters now. Since it has already happened, I will take responsibility."
Yun Yun's body stiffened at his words.
Taking advantage of the moment, Xiao Tian tightened his arms around her. The two held each other closely as he gently stroked her long, silky hair.
"You like me, and I like you too," he whispered. "Whether it's the age difference of more than ten years, or whether our feelings are truly love right now — time will prove everything. One day, I will make you willingly accept me."
After saying what needed to be said, Xiao Tian released her. He understood the principle that "too much is just as bad as too little." Yun Yun was someone who kept her emotions buried deep inside. He could only move forward step by step.
Letting her reflect quietly was the best approach for now.
The cave fell into a silent, somewhat awkward atmosphere.
Xiao Tian sat absentmindedly on a stone, roasting fish over the fire. When he turned his head, he met Yun Yun's beautiful eyes. Both of them quickly looked away, pretending nothing had happened.
This strange tension lasted for nearly twenty minutes.
Xiao Tian flipped the fish in his hand, then picked up one and offered it to her. "Have something to eat first. You must be hungry after so long without food."
"I'm not…" Yun Yun started to refuse, but seeing the young man's gentle, warm smile, her heart softened.
After all, it had been her insistence on taking a bath that led to everything that followed. And the young man had only been trying to save her…
With a soft sigh, she reached out and accepted the roasted fish.
"Be careful, it's freshly cooked and might be hot," Xiao Tian reminded her gently.
"Mm." Yun Yun nodded and took a small bite. Whether it was his caring words or the delicious taste of the fish, her melancholic mood eased slightly.
"My seal should be broken by tomorrow," she said quietly.
"Then congratulations," Xiao Tian replied. His hand paused for a moment before he lowered his head and continued eating. He muttered under his breath, "I really hope I can seal you again…"
"What did you say?" Yun Yun asked, not hearing him clearly.
"Nothing," Xiao Tian said with a faint smile. "After your seal is broken, will you continue searching for the Amethyst Winged Lion King?"
"Yes. The Purple Spirit Crystal is very important to me. I came thousands of miles for it and cannot return empty-handed." Yun Yun put down the fish and looked at him. "However, this time I need your help with something."
"Alright, I promise," Xiao Tian agreed without hesitation.
Yun Yun was slightly surprised. "I haven't even told you what I need help with. Aren't you afraid I'll ask you to lure the Amethyst Winged Lion King?"
"No," Xiao Tian replied calmly, looking into her eyes. "Because I know you're not that kind of person."