All The Female Disciples Want To Kill Me-Chapter 696: .2

If only I truly were a man...

...

The light from the pile of firewood in the Daoist Temple was dim and somber.

Su Bei gently wiped the two swords within the Sword Box, feeling a new energy coursing through his body, and murmured, "The sword needs nurturing."

To him, the Qingping Sword was already second nature, but when it came to the Missing Departure, there was much left to be desired in terms of control.

The myriad arts under heaven, despite countless transformations, all share a common origin. What cultivators have sought since ancient times is still the great eternal life that grants immortality.

Only those cultivators who have achieved minor immortality truly deserve the title "Immortal," having taken the preliminary step towards Achieving Dao. As for Sword Cultivators, they nurture themselves with the sword, and the sword with themselves. Though there is no such exaggeration as merging with one's sword, it is essential to at least cultivate a Sword Spirit to reach their pinnacle.

A Sword Spirit of one's own.

Su Bei slowly closed his eyes. His Dantian Knowledge Sea fully opened, his soul drifting out and merging with the surrounding environment. He then saw himself seated in meditation.

His soul wrapped around the Missing Departure for a moment before returning to him.

Upon touching the sword again, he could feel it had grown more intimate than just a moment ago.

Watching this, Su Bei nodded in satisfaction, then picked up the Longsword, skewered a piece of pork on it, and began roasting it over the fire, "The sword has been well nurtured."

Missing Departure: "..."

Flower Bright Moon dimly veiled in a light mist.

Footsteps softly approached from behind Su Bei, the flickering firelight faintly revealing a familiar veil of white.

With no moon in the sky, everything around seemed dim.

The corners of Su Bei's mouth curved into a smile. Without even looking, he wrapped his arms around the woman's waist and said with a laugh, "Ji Baoer, why have you returned alone?"

"Tell me! Where did you leave Zi Jun?"

...

In the midst of speaking... passion had already begun to escalate.

Pressing down on her, he brushed against her earlobe... his touch tracing the contours of her body.

Li Zijun's eyes were wide with shock, her mind blank as Su Bei pulled her into his embrace.

Feeling his hands confidently roaming over her, she was momentarily incapable of coherent thought.

Having just bathed, her body still carried a fragrance, enveloping the Daoist Temple in a romantic atmosphere.

Her complexion gradually warmed to a blush, though it was unclear if it was due to the embarrassing situation or her wrist being held firmly in his hand.

Su Bei frowned slightly, starting to sense that something was amiss.

Surely, Ji Baoer's figure should have felt different... more developed... and not this inexperienced. He could even feel the woman beneath him trembling.

"Master... Master."

Finally recovering from her shock, Li Zijun frantically pushed at Su Bei with trembling hands and said nervously, "I'm not Sister Nan Ji... It's Zi Jun..."

...

Her words carried a trace of grievance. She turned her body sideways, looked away, and bit her lip.

Su Bei was taken aback for a moment, then leaned down, staring bewilderedly at the woman before him.

What beastly act had he just committed?

The atmosphere turned awkward. Su Bei wanted to comfort her by patting her head, but hesitated, fearing it might lead to a misunderstanding. His hand hovered in mid-air as he swallowed dryly, "Disciple, your teacher didn't know it was you..."

"You're wearing your Master's wife's clothes, and the light is dim..."

Li Zijun lowered her head and mumbled a response, her expression unclear.

"Master... could you please get off first?"

...

Su Bei gave an awkward smile, then gently got up, touched his nose, and after a moment of thought, said, "Your teacher truly didn't know..."

With that, he grabbed her delicate wrist, intending to pull her up.

The flickering firelight cast its glow on their faces—both preoccupied with their thoughts.

For some reason, as Su Bei looked at Li Zijun's crystal-clear, jade-like face, a surge of impulse rose within him, and his heart inexplicably began to race.

Compared to Nan Ji, the boldness of his previous actions had been considerable. Li Zijun's response, her feel, was strikingly different.

Yet, that subtle gentleness and faint distance stirred a peculiar feeling in Su Bei.

As if forgetting the prior awkwardness, Su Bei raised his hand again and tentatively slid two fingers across Li Zijun's face.

Pausing for a moment, he finally made contact with her smooth, jade-like cheek.

Li Zijun's delicate body quivered slightly, her intelligent eyes like stars. She managed to create a small gap between them but did not resist vehemently this time. Closing her eyes, she allowed Su Bei to caress her beautiful face with two fingers.

Warm and smooth like jade.

Suddenly, Su Bei saw pearl-like tears slide from the corners of Li Zijun's eyes, down her snow-white cheeks.

The flickering firelight reflected two glistening tear tracks.

Su Bei's hand paused, then gently slid to Li Zijun's rosy chin, tilting her head to meet his gaze as he stared at her stunning face.

His two fingers gently wiped away her tears as he spoke softly, "I'm sorry."

"Your teacher..."

Li Zijun's eyes, brimming with tears, looked at Su Bei.

She herself did not know why she was crying.

Was it because of his offense?

Or because there could never be a future between them?

Seeing that momentary distraction in his eyes, Li Zijun was not sure what expression to wear.

Was it helplessness?

"Flowers in the mirror, moon on the water."

Li Zijun gently lifted her head, a faint smile gracing her lips as she hid the last tear deep within her eyes, "Your disciple does not blame you, Master."

"Sister Nan Ji gave me this dress, and that's why you mistook me for her."

...

Su Bei smiled sheepishly at her, suppressing the terrifying thoughts that had just arisen within him.

Why are all the disciples I've taken so strange?

Each one seemed as if they had shared long years with him; there always seemed to be some indescribable emotion involved.

At that moment, the door opened.

Ji Nanjue, having changed into another garment, walked in. She then looked around with a puzzled expression.

Barefoot, she sat beside Su Bei, wiping away water droplets that had not yet dried from her skin.

A flicker of confusion passed through her eyes. Usually, he would have pounced on her by now. Why is he so calm tonight?

What happened between them while I was gone?

The atmosphere is so strange.

"Husband, what's wrong? You seem distracted?"

Su Bei smiled at her and then embraced Ji Nanjue.

Within Su Bei's embrace, Ji Nanjue seemed to sense a jumble of his emotions. She tilted her head and kissed him on the lips.

She had been thinking of many things just now. She knew the road ahead was long and arduous, and that the world could be cruel, often making their journey together incredibly difficult. However, being able to enjoy this moment of tranquility brought her a sense of contentment.

Her mindset had gradually begun to shift.

She wasn't asking for an eternity together, only to cherish the moments they had shared.

"It's nothing."

"It's late. We should sleep..."

Su Bei stroked her hair.

Ji Nanjue got up and took the preoccupied Li Zijun by the hand. She carefully inspected her own dress on Li Zijun and nodded.

"It suits you quite well, Zi Jun..."

Li Zijun's face flushed red. 𝑓𝘳𝘦𝑒𝑤𝑒𝘣𝘯ℴ𝘷𝘦𝓁.𝑐𝑜𝑚

Then Ji Nanjue glanced at Su Bei and coolly said, "As punishment, you'll sleep outside tonight. I'll cuddle with Zi Jun."

"How about it, Zi Jun?"

She winked at Li Zijun.

Li Zijun was startled. She looked up at Su Bei, then at Ji Nanjue beside her, and said, unable to bear the thought of Su Bei sleeping outside, "That's not good... It looks like it's going to rain outside."

Su Bei, of course, knew that Nan Ji was giving him a way out. She must have noticed the earlier awkwardness.

Touched, he glanced at Ji Nanjue and said, "I'll go outside then..."

Just then, faint footsteps were suddenly heard approaching from not far away.

The unexpected sound made all three of them frown. After a moment, Su Bei asked with some confusion, "Who could be out and about this late at night?"

...