After a round of mulling in the plaza, Bubai resisted the urge to bite the hook and left the crowd of fish behind, bringing Shu Ling on a peaceful walk along the less-trodden road leading to the quieter, gloomier North District.

Clinging to his side, Shu Ling’s lively eyes wandered, taking in the bleak morning scenery with a hint of disappointment.

Sensing her growing boredom, Bubai cleared his throat and made another attempt to win the fairy over, "So, uh, is there anywhere else Miss Ling’er would like to go?"

Shu Ling's head whipped around, her starry eyes gleaming with enthusiasm.

But before she could voice her answer, Bubai guessed her thoughts and quickly added, "Just to be clear, no gambling halls."

Shu Ling's face fell, her excitement fizzling out. She puffed her cheeks and turned away with a huff. "Humph. No fun," she muttered, kicking a pebble down the road.

Seeing her cute pout, Bubai felt a pang of guilt. So, he tried to soften the blow.

"Hey, I'm sorry. I really want to bring fairy to have fun, but I can't risk breaking the rules and getting banned. Our time together is precious, and I don’t want to go another day without seeing you again. I hope fairy understands.”

Listening to his words, Shu Ling’s pout was overridden by a sweet smile and her eyes flitted over, "Hum, fairy brother is always using sugar-coated excuses, but, hum, this fairy isn't a three-year-old child."

“Haha…” Bubai chuckled sheepishly, “Yeah, well, you know… just trying to keep fairy out of trouble. Fairy, please forgive my offense.”

Shu Ling rolled her eyes, giving his arm a gentle pinch, “Hum, this fairy will let it slide this time," she said with mock seriousness. "But you owe this fairy something fun, okay?"

Something fun? Some stray thoughts intruded Bubai’s mind, but he immediately suppressed them, opting to inquire like a true gentlemen, “Hmm. So, what does Miss Ling’er have in mind?”

“Mhum…” Shu Ling's steps slow, her eyes searching around. Finding a good spot, her eyes flashed with renewed interest. "Hum. Fairy brother, how about we play a fun little game?"

Bubai traced her line of sight, only to see the plain white jade wall of a nearby building. Oh! That was-

Uh well… there was nothing special?

Bubai blinked, slightly confused. Looking back at Shu Ling, he couldn’t help but ask, "What game?" Chess? Wall climbing?

Stopping in place, Shu Ling nudged him suggestively, her voice taking on a playful edge, "Continue the unfinished game from that night…"

At her reminder, a suppressed memory briefly flashed in his mind: a night full of unfulfilled lust and danger, an impromptu game that ended in a close call. His heart lurched.

“Fairy, we can’t-”

Shu Ling’s finger pressed lightly against his lips, cutting him off. "This fairy understand what fairy brother is worried about, but..."

Shu Ling took back her finger, bringing it to her own lips for a taste, her eyes narrowing with mischief, speaking in a low and almost conspiratorial voice, "...as long as we restrain ourselves, then there is no problem."

Bubai felt his mouth go dry, his pulse quickening, yet he fought to keep his composure, knowing better than to give in to this naughty fairy’s whims so easily.

"This is dangerous. Fairy, you know what I'm like."

Shu Ling’s eyes narrowed playfully, hiding her amused lips.

“Fufufu… Indeed, fairy brother really likes to push boundaries whenever you can. Hum… So, to make things interesting, this time, let's set a little rule to curb that charming trait of yours.”

Bubai raised an eyebrow. "What rule?"

"It's simple," Shu Ling replied, tapping her lips thoughtfully. "Fairy brother just needs to stay still and... let this fairy handle the rest."

Huh? Bubai blinked, taken aback by the suggestion. Stay still and do nothing? Like a doll at her beck and call?

This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

That... wasn't really his style. He preferred to be in control, not a passive participant.

Plus, he knew this enchanting fairy's penchant for rule-breaking, and the idea of letting her take full control didn't exactly sit well with him...

As if she could sense his reluctance, Shu Ling leaned a little closer, using her hidden bunnies to lay a trap for his arms while dangling another carrot before him.

"If fairy brother can grant this little wish of mine, then... this fairy doesn’t mind disclosing some upper-level knowledge to you."

Oh? Now we’re talking. So, Bubai conveniently went with the flow, “Fairy means...?”

Shu Ling's lips curved into a knowing smile, offering in a tone as sweet as honey. "How about the knowledge and method for the mid-stage of foundation establishment?"

Her words stopped his heart cold. For real?!

While he and Shu Ling had exchanged a fair bit of information, from formation theory to actual combat techniques, they had never broached the topic of the advanced realms of his cultivation method.

It wasn’t because Bubai didn’t want to. It was just that he knew that upper-level knowledge came with a steep price tag.

A whopping 20,000 contribution points for the mid and late-stage portions, and it wasn’t sold in parts – it was all or nothing!

Earning that many points would take Bubai years, if not decades.

Bubai didn’t know the lengths others would go to obtain even a fragment of this kind of knowledge, but he knew for his current stage, this knowledge was practically priceless - incomparable to the non-critical previous-life knowledge he could offer.

Yet here she was, dangling this golden opportunity before him; one just too good to pass up.

“That… what are the conditions to win?”

“Fufufu…” Knowing she had him on hook, Shu Ling’s eyes twinkled, her voice dropping to a seductive whisper, “Fairy brother, you will win as long as you play till the end.”

Nani?! Such a good deal?! Just play the game and win this invaluable knowledge?

It was too good to be true, wasn't it?

Bubai glanced at the fairy, trying to read her expression.

A patient face, an elegant smile, giving nothing away short of innocence and sincerity, as if saying, “Would this fairy ever trick you, fairy brother?”

But Bubai knew that nothing was ever given for free in this world…

Was it really that simple? The answer was... a resounding no, obviously.

Bubai knew better than to trust such deals at face value. There were always hidden strings attached, and the unspoken ones were typically the most deadly, but...

The foundation establishment knowledge will nonetheless be real. He knew the fairy. She rarely made empty promises.

Therefore, this was a win-win scenario for him... in many ways. Ahem.

So, Bubai was willing to give it a shot. “Just a game?”

"Hum, just one game. Nothing more, nothing less."

Her whisper was like a sweet breeze, and her lips were so tempting, so close to his own, that Bubai had to look away to resist pushing her over right then and there.

Successfully diverting his focus, Bubai scanned the empty, dreary afternoon street. It was quiet, too quiet, leaving him feeling a bit of unease.

“Fairy brother always worries too much…”

A faint sandalwood scent invaded his nose, and Shu Ling’s fair hand guided his attention back to herself, “Just relax and leave everything to this fairy. Fufufu…”

Bubai felt his heart race at her light laugh.

“Go, over there.” Clasping onto Bubai’s arm, Shu Ling guided him forward, the sandalwood scent she exuded growing more pronounced with each step, intoxicating in its subtlety.

Just when they came beside the building, Shu Ling broke free from his arm.

Her delicate hand slid up his chest and, without warning, gave him a shove, pressing him firmly against the cold surface of the wall.

Her other hand came slamming onto the wall beside his head, boxing him in.

With her starry eyes staring right into his soul, her face closed in, bringing her lips just a hair’s breath away from his own.

Here, she paused, whispering, "Fairy brother had fun last time doing this. Now it's this fairy's turn."

Without any further foreplay, her lips met his...

Unlike the forceful passion he'd shown in their previous game, her approach was deep and slow, very measured, almost teasing.

Like a refined lady, she savored him, with her hand zealously wandering over his chest.

He could feel the tingle on his tongue when it met hers again and again. Ah, the taste... was awfully wonderful.

It was hard not to get swept up by her allure, especially when she was practically draping herself over him.

But he still remembered the game. This was her turn, and he was determined to suppress his instincts and let her lead the dance...

He could feel her hand wandering down his chest, soon tracing the lines of his developing abs…

But her naughty hand didn’t stay there for long.

Leaving a searing trail in its wake, her fingers teasingly descended… brushing past his navel and eventually finding the switch to crank the heat up a notch!

Getting rubbed the wrong way, he felt his bestiality being aroused, wanting so bad to flip this fairy over and press her against the wall to teach her a lesson!

But, he was still clear-minded enough to resist that primal instinct. Instead, his hand shot out and caught the wrist of her roaming hand.

Seemingly dissatisfied with his response, Shu Ling broke free from his lips with a soft gasp, her watery eyes glittering as she searched his. "Fairy brother, why are you stopping this fairy?"

Bubai’s eyes bore into her with a feral intensity, yet he still articulated his thoughts, “Fairy, please restrain yourself. We can't cross certain boundaries."

“Fuu…” Shu Ling's soft sigh was like a drug, refining his hardened bones even further, "This fairy knows, but… granny only requires this fairy to preserve her chastity. Every other playstyle... is fair game."

Her expression was innocent, yet her words were delivered with a playful lilt, suggesting she knew exactly what she was doing to him.

Bubai’s throat felt tight, "Fairy means…"

“Fufufu… It’s as fairy brother thinks...”

Bubai felt her other hand already sneaking past his hold, drawing some circles his chest before moving to pry his fingers off her other wrist, "So just stand still and let this fairy take care of it."

His grip was weak, just like his resolve.

With her hands freed, she brought her hands to his chest and let them wander down once more, but this time, her lithe body was slowly accompanying the descent...