CH 100

Villainous Master (22)

Once again, Song Xu Yi found herself unable to sleep. As the night wore on, she grew increasingly restless and finally decided to rise from her bed and resume reciting the spell with the Clear Mind Censer. However, tonight the scripture that had always been so effective for her seemed to lose its power, leaving her feeling more agitated than ever. Even the sound of the censer’s chanting seemed to morph into the seductive and dangerous voice of Ning Jing Yu.

In her mind’s eye, she saw Ning Jing Yu emerging from the blood pool in Black Water Pool, her skin as smooth as jade and her eyes both tempting and perilous.

Song Xu Yi felt like she was losing her grip on reality.

She had always thought of herself as a principled person, someone who appreciated beauty but did not indulge in it. When she accidentally caught her master in a compromising position near the blood pool in Black Water Pool, it was just that – an accident. But she never expected that she would still be revisiting that scene in her subconscious.

Was it possible that deep down she had coveted her master? Was she unable to cleanse the impurities in her heart even with the Clear Mind Censer?

This was too shameful to confide in anyone, not even the system. Song Xu Yi was lost in her thoughts and missed the system’s murmured observation when it touched the Clear Mind Censer: “The energy of this censer seems off lately, like that terrifying woman…”

For the next few days, Song Xu Yi was plagued by the fear of dreaming of Ning Jing Yu and the inappropriate things she might do. She spent her days meditating and was afraid to even sleep.

She had hoped to use the Clear Mind Censer to calm her thoughts, but now the mere touch of it made her think of Ning Jing Yu. She felt as though she was always around her, her presence and energy lingering.

Song Xu Yi made the decision to stop relying on the Clear Mind Censer.

Perhaps, as Zheng Li had previously stated, the key to mastering emotions was through personal effort, and any external aids were simply supplementary. Over-reliance on external factors could potentially have the opposite effect.

With this in mind, Song Xu Yi persisted for several days, and eventually, during her practice, she faintly touched the boundary and entered a mysterious realm, ascending to the Golden Core stage…

During the ascension process, Song Xu Yi fell into a semi-conscious state once again.

And once more, she saw the young woman from next door.

The young woman’s clear and beautiful eyes, which were usually serene, were now brimming with tears. She looked at Song Xu Yi with a pleading gaze and said, “I know everything that happened that night was an accident. Please don’t avoid me anymore, okay? If I did something wrong, just tell me!”

“My father is a direct minister, and the court cannot have any factions. I haven’t had any other friends in the capital all these years. I’ve been looking for you ever since you left the city, but I couldn’t find you…”

Song Xu Yi thought that this dream was too vivid. In reality, only a few days had passed, and she had intentionally avoided continuing the dream. She didn’t expect that a year would pass in the dream.

After a year, the young woman’s demeanor became even more mature and strikingly beautiful, and she resembled Ning Jing Yu more and more. However, the young woman in the dream was gentle and submissive, with a temperament that was nothing like Ning Jing Yu’s.

This kind of young woman looked so pitiable, it was truly heart-wrenching.

Song Xu Yi gazed at the red birthmark nestled at the corner of the young woman’s eye, identical to Ning Jing Yu’s. On Ning Jing Yu’s face, it was a stunning glance amidst the icy snow, unattainable yet captivating. But on the young woman’s face, it blended flawlessly with her charming demeanor, evoking a desire to cherish and protect her.

Despite her similarities to Ning Jing Yu, the young woman was merely a girl hurt by her own aloofness.

It was all just a dream, a reflection of one’s innermost desires, regardless of reality.

“I was wrong.”

Song Xu Yi took hold of the young woman’s hand, her voice suddenly husky. “My own failure to overcome my fears caused me to avoid you. You did nothing wrong. I’m the one who should apologize–“

“Will Xu Yi still talk to me after this?” The young woman didn’t seem to care about Song Xu Yi being right or wrong. She gazed up at Song Xu Yi and held her hand, speaking with sincerity in her eyes, “I just want to be sisters with Xu Yi forever.”

It must be said that the young woman was very adept at handling the situation.

If she had used different words, Song Xu Yi might have hesitated. However, the young woman’s only desire was to be lifelong sisters with her.

When they were young, it was the young woman who had first approached her and asked to be sisters. Now, it was Song Xu Yi feeling guilty. How could she let the young woman worry about her?

Song Xu Yi looked at the young woman’s teary eyes and was overwhelmed with guilt. She sighed, “Of course, we will be lifelong sisters.”

The young woman’s beautiful eyes lit up like stars.

“You’re so kind, Xu Yi!” Her smile was incredibly lovely, like a burst of fresh flowers blooming before Song Xu Yi’s eyes, indescribably bright and beautiful. She seemed extremely bashful as she took Song Xu Yi’s hand and gazed earnestly into her eyes. “We haven’t whispered to each other in so long…”

“My family has gone to the temple recently to worship, because they heard that you were coming back. I made an excuse to stay home and wait for you. But…the courtyard is empty, and I’m afraid every night. Can you come to my house and keep me company tonight?”

The young woman’s request caught Song Xu Yi off guard.

At first, she wanted to refuse subconsciously, but then the weather outside suddenly changed. The sky turned gloomy, and the wind began to howl, making it seem like a heavy rain was about to fall.

Considering the large mansion next door, leaving the young woman alone at home was not an option if her secret were to be exposed. Moreover, the young woman’s beautiful eyes gleamed with anticipation.

However, the young woman seemed to realize belatedly that her request was a bit abrupt, and her ears turned red with embarrassment.

Forcing a smile, she let go of the young woman’s hand, which she had been holding onto, but her eyes betrayed her disappointment: “I was just kidding, don’t take it to heart. I have plenty of books at home—”

“Okay!” Song Xu Yi sighed and interrupted her. “We’re good sisters, so of course, I’ll keep you company.”

Song Xu Yi was unsure whether it was due to the changing weather or not, but she couldn’t shake the feeling that the young woman was becoming increasingly frail and pale. It made Song Xu Yi uneasy to think of leaving such a delicate creature alone at home on a stormy night.

But then again, it was only a dream.

Trying to reassure herself, Song Xu Yi told herself that the young woman was so sweet and tender, and this dream was beyond her control. Who knew what might happen if she didn’t go and keep her company?

As night fell, the rain began to pour, and the winter night grew colder. The dream felt more vivid than ever, as Song Xu Yi walked through the courtyard, pulling her coat tightly around herself.

Stopping at the door, Song Xu Yi hesitated before biting her lip and knocking on the young woman’s door. After a moment of commotion inside, the young woman’s voice called out, “Come in!”

Upon entering, Song Xu Yi saw that the young woman was already fast asleep. Taking note of the extra bedding and the space left for her, Song Xu Yi let out a sigh of relief.

A fireplace burned brightly in the room, casting a warm and inviting glow that contrasted sharply with the cold outside. After standing there for a moment, Song Xu Yi climbed into bed, feeling the warmth seep into her body. Deciding not to turn off the light, she reached out from under the covers and held the young woman’s icy hand.

As Song Xu Yi’s gaze swept over the book on the bedside table, she immediately understood the movement she had heard: the young woman had been waiting for her in the room and had just gotten into bed.

“Don’t be afraid!” Song Xu Yi sighed softly, thinking of the young woman’s pale face upon her arrival. She felt even more pity and couldn’t help but say, “I’ll stay with you tonight.”

“I trust you, Xu Yi.”

The young woman curled up under the blanket, revealing a half-beautiful face like a flower, and made a soft “hmm” sound. Then she trembled and held Song Xu Yi’s hand under the covers, interlocking their fingers.

As Song Xu Yi looked at the young woman’s obedient and clever appearance, her eyelashes quivered. She turned her head and blew out the light, closing her eyes to hide her emotions.

The room was silent, and Song Xu Yi could hear the young woman’s breathing by her pillow crystal clear.

Although she pretended to sleep, Song Xu Yi was wide awake.

Without intending to, her mind drifted to Ning Jing Yu:

The girl in her dream was a fictitious character inspired by Ning Jing Yu’s features. But somehow, she had developed a completely different personality. Yet, Song Xu Yi had an inexplicable feeling that the two were the same person…

If she had to choose, Song Xu Yi would prefer the young woman’s straightforwardness. She laid bare everything on her face and spoke gently and candidly, unlike Ning Jing Yu, who concealed her thoughts and required constant guesswork.

Perhaps it was because subconsciously she longed for Ning Jing Yu to be open and honest that she had created the young woman in her dream.

……

After an unknown amount of time, it started to rain outside.

The downpour grew stronger and stronger, tapping against the window with a “pitter-patter” sound. Lightning bolts as thick as a child’s arm slashed through the sky, followed by thunderous booms. The young woman suddenly tightened her grip on Song Xu Yi’s hand.

Assuming Song Xu Yi was asleep, the young woman’s breathing drew nearer. Even though Song Xu Yi’s eyes were closed, she could sense the young woman’s eager gaze on her.

In that moment, the blanket became incredibly warm, and Song Xu Yi’s cheeks flushed. Sweat even began to form on her back.

The young woman’s hold on her hand tightened inch by inch–

“Xu Yi, are you asleep?” The young woman’s voice came hesitantly, bringing to mind once again the half of the young woman’s snow-white face that had been visible above the covers before she had turned out the lights, as well as her trusting and joyful eyes fixed on her.

A sudden restlessness took hold of Song Xu Yi’s heart.

In a moment of inexplicable impulse, she shook her head.

And then, in that very instant, a deafening clap of thunder resounded, as if it had exploded just outside the window!

Song Xu Yi jumped in surprise, feeling a rush of wind in the blanket. When she regained her senses, there was already a soft body beside her in bed…

Song Xu Yi felt the warmth and softness of the young woman’s embrace and her body grew so hot that she felt like she might burst into flames. Despite her stiffness, the young woman held onto her waist tightly, as if clutching at a lifeline.

“Xu Yi, I’m sorry. I’m just so scared,” the young woman’s voice whispered softly in Song Xu Yi’s ear, and the sound of her crying made her seem even more delicate.

Song Xu Yi’s scalp prickled, but she dared not respond. In this situation, pretending to be asleep was less embarrassing than waking up, even though Song Xu Yi desperately wanted to awaken from this dream…

Alas, her wishes were not granted, and the dream continued unabated.

After Song Xu Yi had fallen asleep, the young woman let go of her waist and rested her head on her neck, breathing evenly as she gently rubbed against her. Song Xu Yi let out a sigh of relief.

She had thought she wouldn’t be able to sleep, but perhaps the young woman’s peaceful slumber had influenced her as well. Before she knew it, Song Xu Yi had drifted off to sleep.

When she woke up the next morning, Song Xu Yi found herself staring at the young woman’s innocent, flawless sleeping face. This dream had lasted longer than she expected, and Song Xu Yi found herself interacting with the young woman on a daily basis. Though she wasn’t sure if it was just her imagination, she felt that their relationship had grown even closer than before.

The young woman had become more skilled in acting coy towards Song Xu Yi, often shedding tears and affectionately calling her “my Xu Yi” instead of just “Xu Yi.” With each passing day, Song Xu Yi found herself growing more indulgent towards the young woman, and even enjoyed the feeling of being trusted and relied upon by her due to her stunning beauty.

The incident where she had kissed the young woman while drunk was left unmentioned between them, as if an unspoken agreement had been made.

Days turned into weeks, and Song Xu Yi had no idea how long she would be trapped in this dream. But an unexpected event occurred one day when she walked in on the young woman changing. They were so familiar with each other that Song Xu Yi didn’t knock before entering, and she was caught off guard by the sight of the young woman, nearly naked and blushing with embarrassment. In that moment, Song Xu Yi’s mind flashed with an image of Ning Jing Yu emerging from a pool of blood…

As she had turned to leave, a seductive voice suddenly echoed in Song Xu Yi’s mind, “This is your dream! You can do whatever you want to her…”

Her mind ignited with a small flame that quickly spread. Rationality and desire battled within her as she found herself taking two steps forward without explanation.

“Ah!”

The young woman cried out in surprise as ropes suddenly wrapped around her snow-white skin.

“Xu Yi, what’s happening to me?” the young woman looked at Song Xu Yi in shock and panic. Her beautiful cheeks were like a ripe, luscious flower waiting to be picked, and her voice fueled the flame burning in Song Xu Yi’s heart.

Without thinking, Song Xu Yi reached out her hand…

……

The sound of a bell echoed in Song Xu Yi’s mind with a resounding “clang.”

Startled, she felt as if something had been injected into her spiritual consciousness. Her almost depleted spiritual power now flowed rapidly within her body, condensing her core in her dantian, and successfully ascending her to become a Golden Core stage cultivator.

Yet, Song Xu Yi couldn’t find any joy in her heart. She had become wicked! In her dream, she had almost acted inappropriately towards the young woman.

How would she face Ning Jing Yu in the future, who looked exactly like the young woman?

The author has something to say:

Congratulations to Little Ning, the seduction plan in the dream succeeded…