Translator: CinderTL
The girl clung tightly to Jiang Ye, her fingers digging into his back as if trying to merge her body with his.
Whether it was because of her desperate grip or because her ample breasts pressed against his abdomen, Jiang Ye felt a slight suffocation.
Despite the discomfort, he noticed his heart racing.
"Jiang Ye," the girl murmured.
"What is it?" Jiang Ye replied, puzzled.
"Jiang Ye..." Chen Zilu buried her face in his chest, repeating his name over and over, her voice choked with sobs.
Jiang Ye's expression froze slightly.
Feeling the trembling body in his arms, all the questions he wanted to ask vanished.
He sighed softly, slowly raised his arms, and gently embraced her.
Chen Zilu's body was incredibly soft, like holding a warm, yielding jelly, so tender it felt like it might melt away.
The sensation made him want to take a bite, savoring the lingering sweetness.
"Jiang Ye," Chen Zilu continued to whisper his name.
She gripped him tightly, as if afraid he might vanish at any moment.
"Senior sister, I'm here," Jiang Ye said, tightening his hold on the girl in his arms.
A delicate fragrance filled his nostrils, like summer cherry blossoms mingled with spring snow—crisp yet sweet.
Jiang Ye couldn't resist taking a deep breath.
So refreshing.
This was Chen Zilu's unique scent, one that even the illusionary realm couldn't replicate.
Suddenly.
Thump-thump... thump-thump!
A sudden tremor ran through Chen Zilu's heart.
In the next instant, her pupils contracted slightly, and her entire body froze.
Not an illusionary realm?
The thought flashed through her mind, and her delicate frame shuddered as if struck by lightning.
Chen Zilu confirmed it again, her disbelief growing.
Thump-thump... thump-thump!
Yes, it was that familiar tremor.
But this time, for some reason, it had come late.
An unprecedented wave of shame surged through her, like an electric shock searing from the soles of her feet to the crown point of her head.
"Ah!"
Chen Zilu gasped, hastily pulling away from Jiang Ye's embrace and stumbling backward several steps.
"I... I..." She whirled around, her fair cheeks flushing crimson.
Oh heavens!
What have I done?
She had actually... actually hugged Jiang Ye first, and even...
Chen Zilu's face burned scarlet, so hot she couldn't bear to meet Jiang Ye's gaze.
"Senior Sister?" Jiang Ye was bewildered by her sudden transformation.
"..."
"I'm fine," Chen Zilu managed, her composure returning. After all, she was a strong cultivator who had achieved her fifth breakthrough, capable of suppressing her emotions.
Still, she couldn't bring herself to turn around.
Jiang Ye simply circled around to face her.
Chen Zilu immediately covered her burning cheeks and spun away again.
"Don't come any closer!" she cried out, her voice laced with shame.
"Senior Sister."
"Did someone bully you?" Jiang Ye asked consolingly. "It's okay, tell me. I'll help you yell back."
He added indignantly, "Who was it? How dare they bully such a kind senior sister? That's outrageous!"
Chen Zilu glanced at him, speechless, and couldn't help but laugh.
It was hard to tell if she was laughing out of anger or amusement.
Still, Jiang Ye's words did ease her mood.
"You."
"What are you doing here?" Chen Zilu lowered her hands and turned to face Jiang Ye.
A faint blush still lingered on her cheeks, giving her fair face a rosy glow that was breathtakingly beautiful.
"What am I doing here?"
Jiang Ye's smile vanished instantly.
"It's all because of you, Senior Sister," he said sternly. "You passed up a treasure that could repair your innate aptitude and chose a useless one instead."
"You?"
"How did you find out?" Chen Zilu's delicate face registered disbelief.
For a moment, she even wondered if she was still trapped in the illusionary realm.
"Don't worry about how I know."
"Senior Sister, what a perfect opportunity!" Jiang Ye demanded. "Why didn't you choose the treasure that repairs innate aptitudes?"
"Even if you're thinking of me, you should prioritize your own well-being first," Chen Zilu retorted.
Jiang Ye wore a look of exasperation.
"Who's thinking of you?" Chen Zilu snapped back. "Don't flatter yourself."
"Then tell me," Jiang Ye pressed, his gaze fixed on her. "Who were you planning to give the treasure that reshapes innate aptitudes to?"
"To myself, of course!" Chen Zilu huffed, then muttered, "I'll see if it works for me first. If not, then we'll talk."
Jiang Ye watched her stubborn defiance, feeling a mix of amusement and exasperation.
Before Chen Zilu had chosen her treasure, the alien powerhouse had explained their properties.
Her choice had been made entirely for Jiang Ye's sake.
Chen Zilu still thought Jiang Ye was unaware.
Little did she know, Jiang Ye had already seen everything through the projection screen.
"Senior Sister," Jiang Ye said, flipping his palm to reveal the Soaring Dragon Divine Stone. "I already have the treasure that reshapes innate aptitudes."
Chen Zilu froze, stunned.
She could sense that the energy radiating from the Soaring Dragon Divine Stone shared the same origin as the treasure she had chosen.
This proved that Jiang Ye hadn't lied to her.
"You already have one?" The girl lowered her head, a flicker of disappointment in her eyes.
In truth, the treasure she had chosen was the most precious thing she could offer.
But it seemed Jiang Ye didn't need it.
Without realizing it, she had reached a point where she could no longer help him.
A sudden wave of unease and uncertainty washed over Chen Zilu.
"Senior Sister," Jiang Ye said, looking at her. "Come back to the Divine Temple with me now. We'll ask the temple master to let you choose another treasure."
"No need," Chen Zilu replied, shaking her head gently. "Although that treasure can repair innate aptitude, its quality is too low. It wouldn't be of much help to me."
"Otherwise, I wouldn't have chosen it in the first place," she added earnestly.
Just then, Jiang Ye produced a radiant pearl, its surface shimmering with divine energy.
It was the Primordial Chaos Divine Pearl.
Chen Zilu's eyes widened in astonishment.
(End of the Chapter)
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