Star Dou Forest – Mixed Zone
The noise inside the cave had died down. Ji Lin sat holding the still-damp Zhang Lexuan, his face full of frustration and helplessness.
Although he had taken advantage of Zhang Lexuan, it wasn't something he had intended or wanted.
Just then, the woman in his arms furrowed her brows slightly, her eyelids trembling—clearly regaining consciousness.
But she didn't open her eyes immediately. Obviously, she was pretending to be unconscious. With the current situation, she didn't know how to face Ji Lin.
So she decided to stay still for now, to collect her thoughts.
Before taking that piece of 100,000-year-old whale glue, she had actually known about its side effects. After all, as the most outstanding inner court disciple of Shrek Academy in the past 3,000 years, she had taken ten-thousand-year whale glue before.
So she was very familiar with the side effects. That's why she had hesitated when Ji Lin offered it to her—this was the real reason behind her initial reluctance.
Even the ten-thousand-year version had intense effects. At the time, she had suppressed it entirely with her cultivation. And now that she had become a Soul Douluo, she assumed she could do the same—completely suppress any side effects.
But things hadn't gone as expected. When she began refining the glue, that burning heat coursed through her body, crashed into her mind, and shattered her reason.
Even though she had no actual experience, she had read some related books, and she understood what would happen to someone overwhelmed by the glue's side effects.
Though her mind had been clouded by desire, when she awoke, she recalled everything that had happened—and the conversations between Ji Lin and Chi Yuan.
So she clearly understood that Ji Lin couldn't be fully blamed for what had happened. He had acted to save her, not to take advantage of her while she was vulnerable. The intention mattered.
The only reason she hadn't opened her eyes yet was that she didn't know how to face him.
Suddenly, she felt Ji Lin's hand climb once again onto her chest. She could no longer pretend. Her eyes slowly opened, and she stared straight at him.
Ji Lin, whose hand had just landed on her towering peak, froze completely when he saw her clear black eyes looking back at him.
"L-Lexuan… you're awake! I can explain—wait, I mean—please let me explain! It's not what it looks like!"
Seeing Ji Lin's flustered and stumbling words, Zhang Lexuan sighed lightly.
"…Take your hand off."
Ji Lin quickly withdrew his hand, looking extremely awkward.
Zhang Lexuan pushed herself up from Ji Lin's embrace. But as soon as she stood, her legs went weak. Just one step forward and she nearly fell.
Ji Lin quickly reached out to steady her.
"Lexuan, are you okay?!"
Zhang Lexuan hesitated a moment but didn't push him away. Instead, she turned her head and softly said, "I'm fine. Don't worry. I need to go clean up and change clothes."
"O-Okay…"
Ji Lin quickly let go, watching her walk behind a large boulder.
"Turn around. No peeking."
Her voice came from behind the boulder.
Hearing that, Ji Lin felt relieved and even a little happy.
"Don't worry, Lexuan—I won't peek!"
Only now did Ji Lin feel a bit more at ease. At least she didn't seem to hate him for what had happened. Considering how far things had gone, he had feared she might hate him forever.
He still hoped to get closer to her in the future—not end things before they even began.
Behind the boulder, Zhang Lexuan retrieved fresh water and clean clothes from her soul storage. She removed her wet garments and began washing herself.
Looking down at the bruises on her full chest, she thought of a certain promise. She thought of Beibei, and tears streamed from the corners of her eyes.
She didn't know how she would face Beibei in the future. She had been promised to him since childhood, raised as his fiancée. She had always lived up to Elder Mu's agreement and viewed herself as Beibei's future wife.
Beibei and Tang Ya's situation had already left her heart full of sorrow and helplessness.
And now, after what had happened with Ji Lin, she truly didn't know what to do next.
After cleaning up and changing into new clothes, Zhang Lexuan stepped out from behind the boulder and saw the silver-haired boy standing with his back to her.
She remembered how, the first time they met, he had called her "sister" and praised her beauty. She recalled the moment when, in her darkest hour, he had descended like a savior and taken her hand to flee together.
She remembered how he had given her the precious 100,000-year soul ring, and how he'd even offered her the priceless 100,000-year whale glue to help her absorb it safely. And she remembered that joking line he'd said.
What had happened in the cave was an accident, but his kindness toward her was genuine—she could see that clearly.
Thinking of all this, Zhang Lexuan looked at the silver-haired boy's back, and her gaze softened.
Then she thought of Beibei and Tang Ya, and a quiet sigh escaped her heart.
Sigh… It's time to let go. Beibei has already found his true love. As for me… it looks like I'll have to break my promise to Elder Mu. I'll apologize to him when I return.
Having made up her mind, Zhang Lexuan calmed herself. She once again became the beautiful and composed senior sister of the inner court.
Hearing footsteps behind him, Ji Lin knew Zhang Lexuan had come out. He turned quickly and called out:
"Lexuan—sister…"
In front of him stood Zhang Lexuan, dressed in white like snow, with dark hair flowing over her shoulders. Her beauty was serene and ethereal, like the moon in the sky.
Ji Lin stared, momentarily stunned.
Seeing his dazed expression, Zhang Lexuan smiled softly.
"What are you looking at? Let's go. Chi Yuan must've been waiting a long time."
"Oh—right! Let's hurry. Teacher Chi Yuan is still waiting for us."
Ji Lin snapped back to reality. Seeing that Zhang Lexuan didn't bring up what had happened in the cave, and even smiled, he knew she wasn't angry. He let out a deep breath of relief.
He wisely didn't mention it either, and the two of them left the cave together.
Outside, Chi Yuan stood near the cave entrance. When she heard footsteps behind her, she turned and saw the two walking side by side, chatting and smiling as if nothing had happened.
Chi Yuan's face filled with confusion and disbelief.
She had expected Ji Lin to be beaten up, or at least that Zhang Lexuan would ignore him.
But reality was the complete opposite.
Did the book lie to me? Why is this nothing like what I read?
Seeing Chi Yuan's puzzled face, Ji Lin quickly gave her a look, silently begging her not to mention anything.
Worried she might say something embarrassing, he quickly asked:
"Teacher Chi Yuan, is the Silver Moon Dragon Emperor still alive? Can Lexuan now absorb the 100,000-year soul ring?"
Chi Yuan finally understood his signals. She calmly nodded.
"I stabilized its injuries with soul power. It's still alive—for now."
Then she scanned Zhang Lexuan with her spiritual sense and added:
"Her physical condition is ready. She has strong spiritual power as well. She should have no problem absorbing the Silver Moon Dragon Emperor's soul ring."
Their supposedly secret exchange didn't escape Zhang Lexuan's notice. She saw right through it, and though she found it amusing, she was also relieved.
She had feared Chi Yuan might bring up what had happened in the cave. If she had, the awkwardness would've been unbearable.
"That's great. Lexuan, we'll guard you while you absorb the ring," Ji Lin said.