Tower. Lounge.

After taking a final glance at the thin layer of pink mist roaming in the airspace above where his seed was suspended, Bubai opened his eyes and let out a sigh.

Looking down at the petite maid kneeling before him, her black, bob hair swaying with her head’s every bob, Bubai arched a brow, “Oh? You’ve learned a new trick?”

Wei Er withdrew from her task, looking up and giving him a pleasing smile, “Mhm! Wei Er learned it from my sister. Does master like it?”

Bubai reached out to give her a pat on the head. "Oh. It's good to learn new things.”

Wei Er beamed at his approval. "Yes, Wei Er will learn well to please master!"

Then, she leaned in to continue practicing whatever skill she had acquired...

Bubai watched her with an inscrutable expression, his eyes narrowing slightly. Heh. Was she truly learning to impress him, or... was it for someone else?

Bubai took a bite of his dried ration, chewing thoughtfully and eyeing Wei Er’s twin sister who was massaging his shoulder.

As if understanding his unspoken question, Wei Yi shook her head subtly, then bowed her head to focus on her task.

Bubai’s eyes switched back to the kneeling Wei Er, studying her for one last time before looking out at the darkening skies outside the lounge’s window.

Well, don’t say he didn’t give them a chance.

One was willing to step into the pit, while the other was selfish enough to give the push. Oh, sisterly bonds... so fragile.

Bubai closed his eyes, waiting for the show to play out. Only time will tell if their choices were right.

Book Pavilion.

“Checkmate.”

Bubai shifted in his seat, staring at the chessboard, letting out a sigh. He lost. Badly.

He wasn’t releasing the water, but it wasn't even close.

What’s worse? It was not his first loss. In fact, he hadn't won a single game in a while.

It was as if the silver-haired fairy sitting across from him could read his every move, no matter how many steps he planned ahead. She was just that good.

Observing Bubai’s bland face, the light and cheerful Shu Ling couldn't help but raise her hand, trying to hide her delicate laugh, “Fufufu… Don’t be so glum. It’s just a game. Winning or losing doesn’t matter.”

Bubai threw her a half-hearted glare, his lips pressing into a thin line. “But fairy looks happy.”

"Hum. Hum. This fairy is always happy whenever fairy brother has the time to accompany me,” Shu Ling replied, her eyes twinkling.

Really now? Is it him courting the lady or the lady flirting with him? This game of chess is really complicated sometimes.

Averting his eyes from her attractive starry eyes, Bubai glanced at the pile of wooden formation chips on the table, noting the crooked runes imprinted on some and the good ones mixed within the others.

Well, success doesn’t come all at once. That should be enough practice for today. Let’s save some time for his other plans.

Bubai looked back at Shu Ling, who was watching him with her fingers curling a lock of her silver hair, “Fairy, let's bring a closure to today's exchange here."

"A bit early...” Shu Ling pouted slightly, but her elegant smile quickly returned. “Hum, fine. But fairy brother, how about a walk with this fairy? Just to make up for it."

Some really indecent thoughts wandered into Bubai’s mind, but he immediately booted those thoughts aside.

Seriously, he really shouldn’t go on these… “walks”, but…

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Seeing her bright, expectant eyes, Bubai really couldn’t bring himself to kick her away after getting what he needed. So, he could only confirm, “Just a walk?”

"Hum. Of course.” Shu Ling rolled her eyes and gave him a sly smile. “Just a… walk.”

Her tone was… definitely ambiguous enough to leave room for doubt. Though Bubai caught on to this, he decided to play along.

So, he simply swept the formation chips into his storage pouch and stood up, offering his hand to the beauty with a slight bow, "Would you do me the honor of taking a walk with me, beautiful Miss Ling’er?"

Shu Ling giggled softly, placing her delicate hand in his. "It would be my pleasure."

North District.

Strolling down the quiet morning street, Bubai let himself enjoy his peaceful time with the fairy, who had a certain grace about her, a way of making everything seem lighter and more carefree.

Knowing there is still some spare time left, Bubai cast a glance back at the Book Pavilion, now a distant silhouette in the early morning mist, before turning back to the Shu Ling linking to his arm.

"So, fairy, is there anything you'd like to do today? We could buy some new clothes, visit the Central District's gardens, or maybe find a quiet spot to read a book. Your choice."

“Hum…” Shu Ling’s fingers thoughtfully tapped on her own lips for a moment before suggesting, “How about we find a place and…”

She left the sentence unfinished, throwing a “you know” glance over.

With that single look, Bubai felt his heart shudder.

Instinctively, he summoned a green dew to wash away his impulses, quickly forcing a neutral expression and focusing on his priorities, “Late-stage?”

Shu Ling gave him an eye-roll, "Fairy brother, you still haven't learned to run, and you want to talk about flying?"

Right. Of course it wasn’t going to be that easy.

The first time was only a lure to break his bottom-line. Now that he was hooked, she was patiently waving the carrot around.

Obviously, she won’t give him the full deal anytime soon because doing so would be akin to giving him all the chips and setting him free!

After all, his foundation establishment route was already set in stone and required strict adherence to the follow-up portions in order to grow.

However, the journey beyond—the golden core—offered more flexibility and creativity because it will be a completely new realm which didn’t have to strictly adhere to the same set of method!

Of course, compatibility would be for the best. But if the situation calls, Bubai was free to risk choosing another cultivation method.

Regardless, the late-stage part of the Dreamcatching Art was something he needed. The fairy knew this, and she was using that to her advantage to keep him in her game – a very, very enticing game.

“Hum. Instead of running after the impossible…”

With her fingers walking down his abs, Shu Ling showed her clear intentions to advance the game forward to the next step.

“How about this fairy let fairy brother enjoy the feeling of flying... just like last night?”

Facing her offer, Bubai felt the temptation bubbling up inside him, but since there were not enough benefits involved aside from pleasure…

Bubai stopped the naughty hand in her place, “Fairy, please restrain yourself.” He wasn’t willing to sacrifice himself further.

After all, the dynamics between him and the fairy were tricky, to say the least. It involved some dangerous field of cultivation he wasn’t aware of.

If Bubai still foolishly dived deeper into uncertain territory for little to no cost, sooner or later, he might find himself losing more than he could afford.

Plus, he personally might not be worth much, but he still must raise his own price by not giving in so easily.

Whet her appetite like she does with him. Otherwise, he will soon run out of cards to play.

At that time, she'd lose interest—or worse, she'd get bored and move on to someone else.

Losing a handy fairy was not on his agenda. Thus, he had to play his own game, not just follow her lead.

The fairy, however, was not one to give up so easily.

She pressed closer against his arm, her starry eyes boring into him with a charming intensity, coaxing him in a tone dripping with sweet honey. "Why not? It'll be fun~”

But Bubai stood his ground, his gaze steady despite her alluring touch, hoping to send a clear message that he wouldn't be easily swayed. "Too much indulgence will only set our hearts further apart."

Shu Ling pouted, retorting. "It's not like fairy brother to say something so philosophical."

Bubai took the chance to remind her of the times when things were simpler, "Fairy, have you already forgotten our exchanges before I was promoted?"

Shu Ling shot a glare over, “Humph! Fairy brother still has the nerve to remind this fairy of your unpleasant memory loss!”

Oh yeah. That was a thing. Bubai could only laugh awkwardly. “Haha…” Bummer. He stepped on a mine.

Taking advantage of his misstep, Shu Ling put on a pitiful face and gave him a nudge. "Is fairy brother really just bringing this fairy on a boring walk and disappoint this fairy like that?"

"Today, I still have something to be busy with," Bubai explained, trying to maintain his resolve.

But Shu Ling pressed on, her eyes glistening with a hint of moisture. "Are you really going to leave this fairy hanging? This fairy will be sad…”

Her voice sounded so heartbroken that it could melt the toughest resolve.

Bubai couldn’t resist glancing at her, just to see the delicate pout forming on her lips and the way her bewitching eyes seemed to shimmer with unshed tears. It was... hard to resist such a plea.

Bubai sighed deeply, knowing he was fighting a losing battle. So, he decisively flipped the table in his favor.

Taking her hand, Bubai dragged her over to a nearby wall, slamming his elbow against the wall to box her in.

Staring into those enchanting eyes, their faces mere inches apart, Bubai uttered in a low voice, “Just a kiss, okay?”

Her eyes lit up, her earlier sadness disappearing like mist in the sun, and an enchanting smile bloomed across her face. It was like... watching a rainbow appear after a storm.

Accompanying the refreshing sight was her mellow voice, "Just a kiss. Nothing more, nothing less."

He really couldn't afford to let his guard down completely, but for now... he'd indulge her. Just a little.