Sweet Talks

"Master Huan, it would be a great scandal... If the entire continent would discover that you have consumed all your aura against the Harem King of the Open Sea Adorned by Hundreds of Songstress! The master that they praised so well had actually reached his limit?" Qiaolian voice was soft and teasing. She lowered her gaze and put her arms around his waist in a casual embrace."Then, they would be extremely disappoint----"

Huan Xue suddenly blocked her words with another kiss, tightly locking her lips with his, taking Qiaolian by full surprise.

It was sensual but quick, making her pout and bite her lower lips.

She looked at him suspiciously but for some reason, Huan Xue's gaze seemed to give him a challenging look. As if he was inciting her. 'What? It's you who started it! You can steal a kiss and I can't?'

Ahhh... She did!

In fact, removing the effect of her repulsive vibration can be done by simply pressing Huan Xue's pulse. But, after she saw how intense and cold his eyes were, Qiaolian felt he needed a kiss to calm his glare!

"Qiaolian is guilty... But, with the condition of Master Huan's elixir field, I don't think he could enforce me to take responsibility!" Her face cheered with a glint of victory in her expression.

However, Huan Xue's eyes just stared at her and remained unchanged. "Never mind the condition of my elixir field. My words are enough. If this master requests Qiaolian to take responsibility, I am certain she will do it willingly."

Hah! Qiaolian shrugged her shoulder and sighed. But, there was a small smile on her lips that she tried so hard to hide.

Before she could think of how to fight back, the deliberate coughing and clearing of the throat on the other side of the boat interrupted their thoughts.

Perhaps, Elder Xia had enough of their sweet talks that he took the initiative to remind the two that they were not alone in the boat!

"Ehhem! Uh-uh-- Ehem! Huan Xue, the boat has already docked."

"Ohh... right," Huan Xue nodded and the two finally switched their attention to the surroundings. He guided Qiaolian as they carefully walked out of the boat.

"Old Zui, are you going to be okay?" Qiaolian did not forget the old wine merchant and called him.

"Y-Yes..." Zui Qingxing nodded his head several times. However, the boatman beside him had a blank look in his eyes and was still abnormally pale.

"What about your boatman? Maybe he needs medicine?"

"Merchant Zui, you can use the vine to visit Si Apothecary Building," said Huan Xue, maintaining a volume that could be heard by the merchant, and glancing at the boatman. "His condition is indeed worse. But, it is probably due to a lack of experience in sea travel. The apothecary will take care of everything."

"T-Thank you! That's right. This is his fourth time crossing the Boundless Shoreline and Scarlet Islands. But, I will bring him to the Si Apothecary Building for prescription, Master Huan Xue. Thank you for your generosity," Zui Qingxing politely said and offered a customary bow. The boatman absentmindedly followed his gesture and bowed too.

Not long after, Huan Xue and Qiaolian rode a carriage in comfortable silence. They sat beside each other while Elder Xia was sitting opposite them.

"Lady Zhou, we are heading to the Jingguan Mansion on the upper east side of this island. I have prepared that place as your residence. It gives a good scenery of sunset and sunrise. And there is a wild fragrant orchid garden surrounding it," said Elder Xia while preparing a tea.

His preparation of the place was actually extensive. He started developing the Jingguan Mansion even before he gave Huan Xue the list of his suitable cultivation partner. "As for servants and maids, I am not sure if Lady Zhou is accustomed to it. I have heard rumors that you have rejected all servants and maids in the Feng Sect. But, I have assigned two personal maids, two personal cooks, and two cleaners for your bedroom. They are civilians from ordinary families. For regular cleaners of the mansion and bodyguards, I am not sure how many should I allocate."

"Hahaha... Elder, it's really not convenient for me to have servants and maids. I prefer to eat outside, and if there is a dish that I found a liking, I'll just buy its recipe and learn how to cook it. No need for personal maids too. I pick my dress and accessories the way I like. The cleaners are also not necessary. I can organize my mess in just one wave of my inner force. HAHAHAHA... Elder, I appreciate your thoughtfulness. Thanks!"

Qiaolian's expression was calm. But, Huan Xue sensed a familiarity with her reaction. It was the same reaction when he mentioned that he could no longer sense her elixir field.

As he peered closer and observed Qiaolian, he somehow noticed a deep sentiment suppressed in her eyes. "The Scarlet Islands is safe."

Although his words were brief, their meaning was clear.

To Elder Xia, it meant that if Qiaolian disliked being served, Elder Xia does not need to worry. There should be no dangerous places in their region.

It was normal for him to be concerned about her well-being. After all, the elder was the one who told Huan Xue to choose Qiaolian as his cultivation partner.

However, to Qiaolian, Huan Xue's words may have a different purpose. Because of what he had noticed in her gaze, he assumed that she was probably taking caution and was not trusting new people. This was not a strange practice. Thus, he simply said that everyone on the island is safe.

Elder Xia poured tea for them and thought for a while. "The Jingguan Mansion is not so big. I'm just worried Lady Zhou would be bored while Huan Xue is doing closed-door cultivation. However, there is an apothecary building here that talks about interesting rumors. You can also visit there."

"Elder Xia... Qiaolian won't be bored. If Master Huan goes to seclusion, I will explore your territories. Hehehe... This privilege is too rare for an outsider!"

Huan Xue opened his mouth to refute her. However, with respect to the Zhou Clan lineage, Qiaolian was indeed a separate entity from the people in Scarlet Islands.

Elder Xia smiled at the two. "Lady Zhou, now that you've exchanged Huan Xue's primal yang, how can you be an outsider? Within you is Huan Xue's fundamental yang essence." And Huan Xue got your fundamental yin essence. Hehehe..."

The tone of Elder Xia was extremely friendly but Huan Xue suddenly felt conscious. In his mind, such a thing was a blessing to him and a curse to her. His yang essence could not replace the shattered elixir field of Qiaolian!