036: Relationship

Roch finally separated from Zemirah, both of them gasping for air. Zemirah's face is flushed red with her eyes closed. Roch can't take his eyes off her, engraving her beauty in his heart.

He wanted to kiss her again, feeling the touch of her lips against his. Roch felt that he was addicted to the touch of her lips, just a simple kiss and he was like this. 

Zemirah felt Roch stopped kissing her so she opened her eyes, looking at him with confusion. Her eyes seems to be asking, why did he stop? 

She did not know how charming she looked right now. With her pink-tinted eyes watery, her lips seemed to have been ravaged as it became a deeper pink. Her cheeks flushed like it was painted with a rogue, but Roch knew that he was the reason for all of it. 

The mere thought of it made Roch breathless, however, he restrained himself. He did not want their relationship to be done in such a confusing manner.

"You're so beautiful," He whispered against her lips.

Zemirah blushed even further. "Stop teasing me."

Roch chuckled as he kissed her cheeks, "Who is it that started, hmm?"

"Of course it was you." Zemirah laughed as she felt tickled by his little kisses.

Roch did not argue more as she was right. He then wrapped his arms around her and embraced her. His lips near her ears as he said, "Be with me, okay?"

Zemirah felt the warm embrace, feeling her with the tingling feeling she loved. She also wrapped her arm around his neck and hugged him tighter. She did not dare look into his eyes as she hid her face on his neck. 

The breath he exuded on her ears made her ticklish, "You just know me for a few days." She answered.

"We fought a life and death battle together, we also kissed. Our relationship surpasses that of friends, so let's be together, hmm?"

Hearing his words, Zemirah knew that he was asking her permission but she felt that even if she refused, he would not stop asking her to be together with him.

The stubbornness of the man cannot be concealed from her, which makes her feel funny and helpless.

Zemirah was not resistant to having a relationship, she also had boyfriends in her past life. However, this world is different from Earth where people can be together and break up if they want.

This world respects strength, power, and status. Zemirah has nothing of those right now, while the man who is embracing her has all of those already.

Although she knew it, Zemirah couldn't ignore the temptation of the man as he moved her heart.

She knew he had secrets, and so did she. 

Zemirah finally stopped thinking of the complications and decided to work hard to catch up with this man so they would be equal. She did not doubt that she would rise with her system by her side.

"Okay."

Zemirah is not sure if this relationship will last for a lifetime or just a flicker of passion, but she knows that she wants it. So she decided to try, not caring whether it would end in regret or happiness.

Roch smiled, "Thank you, I promise not to let you down." He took a deep breath and smelled her sweet floral scent. Like a burst of spring in the middle of freezing winter, the pink plum blossom that stood in the vast white blanket of snow.

"You are now my Taoist companion," Zemirah said absentmindedly.

Roch froze at her sudden words then smiled happily, "En, we're Taoist companions."

Zemirah remembered something, she knew that Taoist companions are not as simple as girlfriends and boyfriends. Although she was not sure of the full details, she was sure she wanted him to be her Taoist companion.

Since their relationship reached this level, then she must not forget to give gifts.

"This is the first day we became Taoist companions, then let me give you a gift," Zemirah said shyly but excitedly.

Roch raised a brow in anticipation at her words, "Okay, I'll also give you a gift after."

Zemirah loves giving gifts just as she loves being given gifts. It was her love language and she could fully show it to her man.

Thinking of the items in her bag, she pondered what gift would suit Roch. She knew Roch was good at swordsmanship, but he was best at musical instruments.

However, the musical instruments she has are the newly bought [Cold Jade Flute] and the [Starlight Sea Piano] she got from Roch.

Both are not suitable for Roch because of their low grade and quality. 

So Zemirah decided to just look at the ornamental artifacts that is the highest number of artifacts she had on her. A necklace is not good, hair ornaments are also not good. 

Zemirah finally settled her gaze on the [Yin Yang Star Bracelet].

[Ding!]

[Name]: Yin-Yang Star Bracelet] | Celestial-Quality Peak-Stage Grade 2 Accessory Artifact

[Introduction]: A pair of bracelets that are connected to each other. Forged from the fallen yin yang meteor star. It has the function of communication through the stars, not hindered by distance or realm. The owners can sense each other's situation such as their health, location, and needs. A small space inside the bracelet is connected, and both owners can access the shared space.

Zemirah did not know how to use the bracelet at first, but now she knew that it was a couple artifact. It makes communication convenient and simple to monitor each other. The thing she liked the most was the shared space, although small, in some situations, it can be life-saving.

"I have an artifact here, I think it's suitable for us." Zemirah took the [Yin Yang Star Bracelet] from her storage ring.

A pair of delicate bracelets appeared in her hand, they were the same black and white color and design except for the small pendant. One has the black moon while the other has the white sun. 

"This is?" Roch asked in wonder.

His heart was quite surprised after seeing the item Zemirah took out, although there was this little emotion that had expected it. The treasure light unique to high-quality items like artifacts, pills, and other immortal items cannot be mistaken.

Roch is sure that the bracelet in Zemirah's hand is another Celestial-Quality artifact and its grade is not low either.

Even with his background that surpasses the majority of cultivators in this region, even in this continent, Roch rarely has access to such high-quality items.

He sometimes wonders what is the real identity of the person in his arms but does not think too much. He has no intention of delving deeper into her secret, just as Zemirah did not ask him about his identity.

Both of them have basic respect for each other's secrets. 

Zemirah smiled shyly, "This is called [Yin Yang Star Bracelet].

She explained to Roch the function of the artifact patiently. Roch did not take long to realize the preciousness of the pair of artifact bracelets. 

At his status, he saw many wonders and treasures. But the artifact called [Yin Yang Star Bracelet] is a unique one in Roch's eyes.

It can allow the owners to communicate despite the distance, know each other's situation, and even have a small storage space that can be shared. 

"I'll have the moon and yours is the sun. Is that okay?" Zemirah said happily and looked at Roch in anticipation.

Roch did not know how to react but felt amazed and adoration for Zemirah who had no care for the treasure but only had her eyes on him. 

He couldn't help but squeeze her cheeks softly, "I like it very much."

"It's good that you like it, here you go." Zemirah sighed in relief and handed Roch the sun bracelet.

"Let's bind the artifacts now," Roch said after seeing her joy. He was also quite interested in using the functions of the artifact.

Zemirah and Roch sat in front of each other, sitting in a cross legged position as they started binding the artifact. Roch took an hour to bind the artifact because he have a similar cultivation realm to the [Yin Yang Star Bracelet]. The difficulty is reduced to the minimum, smoothly making a connection to the artifact.

Zemirah took a longer time as she had lower cultivation.

Roch waited patiently at the side, protecting Zemirah as she was busy binding the artifact. He did not do anything but stare at the beautiful lady's face. It was contrary to his past habit where he always had something to do, making full use of his time.

Either he is cultivating, practicing techniques, or studying.

Zemirah did not put the veil back, letting Roch relish his Taoist companion's beauty.

Roch has already known that Zemirah was beautiful before he saw her face. He knew it based on her unique temperament that attracts people's attention and curiosity.

But Roch realizes that his imagination cannot catch up to Zemirah's beauty. No matter how he imagined her real appearance before, it was far inferior to her true beauty.

But Roch was never attracted to her beauty first, it was just an additional surprise to him.

Roch's loved Zemirah's eyes, followed by her lips. 

Thinking of the kiss they shared, a small smile appeared on his lips. He felt like he was floating on clouds everytime he remembered that moment.

"I'm really doomed to her." He sighed helplessly, aware of his changes because of Zemirah. However, he did not intend to stop it or change it.

He loved what Zemirah made him feel and his changes because of her. 

Zemirah suddenly opened her eyes and stared at Roch with narrow smiling eyes, "Why? Don't want to?"

Roch was slightly surprise at her sudden question but immediately laughed. He answered, "No, I like it very much. Only with you, I act like this."

He took her hand and intertwined their fingers. Zemirah hummed happily at his answer, her eyes watching their hands. A little burst of happiness appeared in her heart, liking the man's affection for her.

"Done binding?" Roch asked, although it was obvious.

"Yep! Let's try the function, okay?" Zemirah's attention was attracted.

Roch obliged her words, "En."

Zemirah and Roch tested the communication function, sending each other voice messages that appeared in their minds even though they were just beside each other.

Then there is the monitoring function where they can see each other's location and health situation. Last is the shared storage space that they both liked the most.

"Every day, I'll put a gift here for you. Remember to check them, okay?" Zemirah said.

"En, I'll remember."

"Then you also give me a present."

"En, whatever you want."

"Do you know how to cook? How about sending me some snacks?" 

"I'll ask my sister to teach me on how to make spiritual food."

"It's okay even if you did not make it, just send me some. I still like it as long as you give it."

"That's not good, I need to feed you food made by my hands."

Just like normal couples who just got together, the honeymoon period where sweetness can't stop also happened to Zemirah and Roch.

If anyone heard their conversation, especially people who knew Roch like his family or subordinates, would be surprised to see this side of him.

Who would've thought that the indifferent person who uses a gentleman's facade would be this gentle and mushy?

Sure enough, love would not spare anyone.

–

Zemirah and Roch didn't waste time on their stay at the cave, they decided to set off tomorrow after they cultivated. 

Sitting side by side on their own futon, Zemirah and Roch started to practice. Zemirah was instantly surrounded by the power of stars attracted by her cultivation technique while Roch was covered with frost and cold smoke.

Zemirah ate a medicinal pill for her practice, while Roch did not since he was not in urgent need to fill his Dantian with spiritual energy.

Although medicinal pills are good, some impurities will be left depending on the quality. The higher the quality, the lower the impurities. That is why many cultivators fight for high-quality pills. 

The medicinal pills Zemirah consumes are of course the highest quality, Celestial-Quality that don't have any impurities but also magical effects.

Roch also has a bottle of medicinal pills at such high quality on his body, but he keeps them for emergencies, unlike Zemirah's normal consumption.

Breathing in the spiritual energy with the power of stars, circulating them in her Dantian like how the moon and sun rotate. Zemirah smoothly finished her daily cultivation.