Luoshi gave a quiet nod. "I'll report to the peak first," she said. "Rest well."
Without waiting for replies, she stepped onto her sword once more and ascended toward the summit.
Feng, on the other hand, caught sight of an old friend near a lotus pond. With a quick grin, he excused himself.
"I'll be back later," he said, already jogging away.
Now only i and Julian remained.
The courtyard grew quieter, with only the chirps of night birds and the soft rustle of trees. i stood beside Julian, her gaze flickering between the stars above and the monk beside her.
She didn't speak at first, as if waiting. Julian, as usual, remained calm, simply observing the tranquility of the sect under the night sky—until i finally said softly, "Brother Monk, do you believe fate brings people together?"
Julian smiled faintly, the corner of his lips curving upward in that familiar, knowing way.
"Fate…" he repeated softly. He turned his gaze to i, eyes half-lidded. "It's an intriguing topic, right, young miss?"
i lowered her head slightly, brushing her hair behind her ear. The night's breeze stirred her robes, and her heart thudded at the gentleness in his voice.
Julian continued. "I do believe in fate. How could I not?" He paused, looking at the lantern. "If not for fate, how would I—a humble monk, without a temple to call ho, without a single person waiting for —cross paths with soone as… precious as you?"
His words struck her like the soft pluck of a string, and i found herself holding her breath.
"Not only did we et," he added, "but we've also entered a sacred bond. A master and disciple relationship… one that goes beyond teaching martial arts or guiding cultivation."
Julian's eyes drifted upward, to the moon that shone like a diamond in the sky. He slowly joined his palms together, "Amitabha… It must be the will of the heavens."
But as soon as those words left his mouth, he inwardly cringed. He could lie to hundreds with a straight face, move armies with words… yet praising himself in this overly righteous monk tone? That was a little too much. After all, he was everything here, be it heavens, god or anything.
Still, he didn't let it show.
"Sotis," he added, glancing at i again, "the heavens don't send us what we expect. They send us what we need. And if you believe in that, then this eting of ours, i'er, is nothing short of divine arrangent."
i lowered her head further, her cheeks reddening. "You are so poetic… brother monk," she whispered, her voice trembling with emotion.
Julian knew then, without a doubt, that she was completely under his spell.
She wasn't just fascinated with his words—she was lost in them.
Her gaze dropped to the ground for a mont, then rose slowly, as if gathering courage. She took a step closer, close enough for Julian to feel the warmth of her body.
Her voice fell to a whisper, almost as if she was afraid that soone might hear them.
"Brother monk… when are we going to start our… martial path?"
The way she said it, the hesitation in her voice, the heat in her cheeks—it was clear that the words ant more than what they appeared to be.
Julian chuckled softly. He leaned in, lowering his head just enough that their foreheads almost touched.
"It seems," he whispered, "young miss can't wait for our… union."
i's breath hitched.
Her heart pounded against her chest, loud and wild. She tried to reply, but her tongue felt heavy, her thoughts tangled.
Julian smiled gently, withdrawing just a little, just enough to make her crave that closeness again. His hands found her waist, the warmth of his touch sending shivers down her spine.
She gasped softly, eyes darting left and right in panic. The sect was quiet this late, but still—what if soone saw?
"B-Brother… soone might see us," she whispered, her voice trembling with both excitent and fear.
Julian simply smiled, calm and composed. He leaned in even closer, his lips brushing the edge of her ear as he spoke in a hushed tone,
"Amitabha… the gods have chosen us, young miss. Why should you fear the gaze of mortals when the heavens themselves are watching with approval?"
He pulled her closer, letting her feel the steady beat of his heart. His aura wrapped around her like a warm coat, draining the hesitation out of her.
i's legs grew weak for a mont as her body responded to his closeness. Her thoughts raced in chaos, but all of it felt so far away when Julian looked at her like this… spoke to her like she was the only soul that mattered.
"I…" she began, but no more words ca out. "It's my… first… ti," she finally whispered.
Julian's smile deepened, gentle and warm, as he wrapped his arms around her.
"I know," he murmured. "That's why I'll be gentle. You've entrusted sothing sacred to , i'er."
She felt his heartbeat, calm and unwavering, which lted the tension in her shoulders. Her hands, pressed lightly to his chest, curled just a little, clutching the fabric of his robe.
Julian stroked her back slowly, letting silence fill the space between them for a mont.
"You're not alone," he whispered.
i closed her eyes and nodded slightly, her cheeks still burning, but her heart slowly surrendering to the mont.
Julian's hands moved slowly, sliding upward until they gently cupped i's small breasts. She flinched for a mont, her body tensing under his touch.
Her eyes widened, darting to the shadowed corners of the courtyard, as if expecting a disciple or elder to erge from the darkness.
Julian's touch was warm, and unhurried. Her breathing slowed, her body easing into his hands as if they were ant to rest there.
"Amitabha, Let us begin the path of nature," Julian murmured. "This is the first step, i'er."
i's eyes snapped to his. "Now?" she whispered, her voice trembling with a mix of anticipation and uncertainty.
Julian nodded, his serene smile unwavering. "Yes, i'er. I will guide you through the basic training of our path."
He paused, his gaze softening as he leaned closer, his breath brushing her ear. "Lead to your room."
i's heart thudded against her ribs, loud enough that she feared Julian could hear it. Her room? The thought sent a fresh wave of heat through her, mingling with a nervous flutter in her stomach.
She hesitated, her fingers tightening on the fabric of his robe. "My room…" she began, her voice barely audible. "It's… private. If soone saw us—"
Julian's hand slid from her chest to her cheek, his thumb brushing lightly against her flushed skin.
"i'er," he said softly, "the path of nature is not bound by the rules of mortals. It is a journey of trust, of unity. No one will disturb us. The heavens have already paved the way."
His words wrapped around her like a spell, soothing her fears while igniting sothing deeper—a longing to follow him, to see where this path led.
She swallowed hard, then nodded, her resolve hardening despite the tremor in her hands. "Alright… Follow , Brother Monk."
Turning away, she led Julian through the courtyard, and toward the paths of the Inner Sect. Julian followed silently, his hands behind his back, head slightly bowed as if in prayer.
They reached a secluded corner of the Inner Sect, where a small pavilion stood. Its wooden doors were carved with the different shapes of moon and it glowed faintly under protective formations.
i paused, her hand hovering over the door as she glanced back at Julian.
Julian offered a warm smile, his voice soft but commanding. "Open the door, i'er. Let us step into the path together."
With a shaky breath, i pressed her palm against the door, channeling her Qi to unlock the formation. The door slid open , revealing a modest yet elegant room.
A low wooden bed was fixed in one corner and a small table held an incense burner, filling the room with the scent of an incense. Shelves lined with scrolls and jade slips glowed faintly, hinting at i's diligent studies.
i stepped inside, while Julian followed, closing the door behind them with a soft click.
She turned to face him, her voice barely above a whisper. "What… what do we do now, Brother Monk?"
Julian's smile deepened. He stepped closer, his presence filling the small room.
"The path of nature begins with harmony," he said, "Your body, your spirit, must align with mine. Sit, i'er."
He gestured to the bed, his tone calm but laced with an authority that made her obey almost imdiately.
i sat, her hands folded in her lap, her gaze fixed on him as he knelt before her.
Julian reached out, taking her hands in his. "Close your eyes," he instructed softly. "Feel the Qi within you. Let it flow like a river."
i obeyed, her eyelids fluttering shut. She focused on her dantian and imdiately felt it—her qi vast, but restless. Her breathing slowed as she tried to guide it, to calm the chaos within.
Julian's voice was a whisper now, close enough that she felt his breath against her cheek.
"Good… Now, feel my presence. Let our energies touch, not as separate forces, but as one. This is the first step of union, i'er—the blending of spirits."
He placed a hand gently on her chest, just above her heart. His palm radiated a warmth that seed to seep into her very soul.
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