Chapter 188: Mu Sanniang’s Return Gift
“I’m your ‘sister’ too?”
The red dress cascaded carelessly, adding a splash of color to the cave mansion.
Chen An frowned, picked up the bamboo book again, and pondered, not inclined to pay her any mind.
However, the girl clearly wouldn’t allow him to read in peace. Her delicate body offered a surprising sensation as she turned, falling softly into Chen An’s embrace.
Their posture shifted to the girl extending her arms, looping them around his neck, smiling sweetly.
Jiang Qiuchi was always like this; every appearance was exceptionally bold, her every move brimming with allure.
Especially after Chen An uttered those four words, “never,” her visits became even more frequent.
This often caused Chen An, in his prime youth, to have a disturbed heart.
He didn’t believe it was his own problem. With that vixen’s manipulative skills, he didn’t know how many adult books she’d read to learn them, making her utterly irresistible.
Furthermore, the cultivation technique they both practiced was special, and dual cultivation inevitably involved some intimate moments.
After a long period of being together, Chen An could only comfort himself, viewing it as tempering his heart.
And now, someone was clearly going to increase the intensity.
The girl in the red dress extended her hand, pressing it onto the scroll. Her bright eyes were a little misty.
Born with a natural charm, every smile and frown from the girl was intensely seductive.
She pushed aside the bamboo book, sat up, her cheek incredibly close to Chen An’s.
Her red lips parted slightly, uttering a few words.
“Stop reading. Look at me.”
…
…
About an hour later.
The stone door of the cave mansion opened, and the young man stood before it, appearing refreshed and invigorated.
No one was behind him, only a lingering wisp of fragrance.
He looked up at the sky, squinting, and felt inexplicably empty.
In fact, his impression of Jiang Qiuchi seemed to remain from the first time they met nine years ago, during a heavy snowfall.
Amidst the vast expanse of white, that crimson dress was so stunning.
It was also through these years of interaction that Chen An knew the girl was likely a complete looks-oriented person.
However, her age could no longer be described as that of a girl. In a smaller sect, she could even be called a Golden Core Ancestor.
But Chen An’s few doubts were met with harsh punishments, and he eventually learned his lesson not to argue with this woman.
After all, according to Jiang Qiuchi, “Can a girl who has lived for sixty years not be a girl?” It was somewhat convincing.
Thinking this, Chen An suddenly smiled and turned away.
He had made an appointment with Mu Sanniang to pick her up today.
After the Outer Sect Selection Tournament concluded, the top three winners could be promoted to the Inner Sect.
However, the promotion wouldn’t be immediate. They would have to wait for a month, choose their preferred peak, and only then would they officially become Inner Sect disciples.
During this interim period, they would continue to remain in the Outer Sect.
But their names, having secured victory, were already recorded and they enjoyed the same treatment as Inner Sect disciples.
The young man soared into the sky, heading towards the familiar Outer Sect small house.
His sword-riding skills had become increasingly proficient over time.
Unlike at the beginning, when he wobbled precariously, fearing he might fall with the slightest misstep.
From a distance, in front of that small house, a girl in a simple blue dress stood at the doorway, waiting quietly.
Her black hair reached her waist, her aura was indifferent and cool.
However, upon seeing her younger brother flying towards her, her beautiful eyes curved into a smile.
As he drew closer, the girl’s delicate nose twitched slightly, as if sensing something, and her expression abruptly turned cold.
Fortunately, she didn’t display many expressions to begin with, so this subtle change was well-concealed.
“Sister, are you ready?”
Chen An made a dashing leap, landing steadily on the ground.
Mu Sanniang looked at him and nodded.
Chen An glanced behind the girl.
The small house, which held nine years of their memories, was now completely empty inside.
Mu Sanniang noticed his gaze and raised her hand.
Her jade finger lifted, adorned with a small silver ring.
She said softly, “Everything has been put here.”
Chen An nodded knowingly.
In the cultivation world, storage rings were not uncommon items.
However, this was not something Mu Sanniang, a Qi Refining cultivator, should have possessed.
So, naturally, Chen An had given it to her.
His excuse was the same as always: he’d found it in his Master’s cave mansion; it was a waste not to take it.
Mu Sanniang knew his intentions. Sometimes she would insist on refusing, and other times she would silently accept.
This storage ring was one of those things Mu Sanniang had accepted.
Thinking of this, she suddenly raised her hand and tore a strip of blue cloth from the hem of her dress.
Then, under Chen An’s bewildered gaze, she carefully wrapped it around the young man’s wrist.
One loop, then another.
Finally, she tied a delicate, small knot.
Seeing her brother’s confused look, Mu Sanniang looked up and asked, “Is this not allowed?”
Chen An froze for a moment, then smiled.
“Of course, it is.”
He shook his wrist, feeling that the plain, light blue color matched him quite well, like a tied bandage.
Mu Sanniang’s eyes fluttered, then she pulled another piece of cloth from her sleeve.
With a light wave of spiritual energy from her fingertips, she cut off a small section of her hair and placed it within the cloth.
She slowly and meticulously wrapped it, then presented it to the young man.
Chen An was caught slightly off guard by her sudden action.
After a moment, he reached out and took it.
Mu Sanniang watched him quietly and said softly, “This is a return gift.”
“What return gift?”
Chen An instinctively asked.
However, the girl didn’t answer, instead changing the subject.
“Does my brother have any good friends in the sect?”
Mu Sanniang’s question seemed a bit abrupt.
Chen An carefully tucked the cloth bundle into his embrace, thought for a moment, and then replied, “Probably not. It feels like just ordinary relationships…”
The girl then mentally excluded that potential woman from the Tai Xuan Sect.
However, she soon had new doubts.
If it wasn’t a sect disciple, then who could it be?
Recalling the women her brother might have interacted with, Mu Sanniang had a vague guess.
She didn’t reveal it, only walked with Chen An towards the teleportation array leading to the Inner Sect.
This was also Chen An’s purpose for this trip.
Although officially they were supposed to wait for a month, with the three winners being led into the Inner Sect by an elder.
But if you had someone you knew to guide you, going ahead wouldn’t be punished by anyone.
Mu Sanniang was in such a hurry to enter the Inner Sect because she was eager to cultivate in the Nether Prison.
Having inquired these past few days, Chen An had explained the situation of the Nether Prison very clearly.
“If you want to enter the Nether Prison, you first need to register with the elder and receive a token.”
“The token has a teleportation effect, ensuring your life is safe even if you encounter a fierce beast you cannot defeat.”
At this point, Chen An paused.
“By the way, Sister, which peak do you want to choose?”
