Lin Mo woke up and slowly opened his eyes.
The light was dim, probably because of the candlelight hanging high on the ceiling. Only the roof was visible clearly. Every line of the intricately carved patterns was delicate and smooth.
There were winding, coiling flood dragons, seemingly poised to burst through the rafters and soar away.
Beside them, vibrant flowers bloomed, their petals layered intricately, appearing remarkably lifelike.
Beneath him lay a soft mattress, and a duvet covered his body.
The duvet's material was exceptionally fine; a light touch brought a silken sensation to his fingertips.
A faint, fresh scent emanated from the bedding.
It was soft, warm, and utterly comfortable.
This level of comfort was something he had not experienced in his ten years at the Qiu family.
His gamble had paid off.
He had survived—no, to be precise, he had been rescued by Mu Qingli.
Lin Mo had wagered that Mu Qingli needed him, and that as the Sect Master of the Xuan Nv Sect, she harbored no nefarious intentions.
Having witnessed the disciple-acceptance ceremony and the incident where she 'snatched' him, it was clear that Mu Qingli and the Grand Elder were practically at odds.
The Sect Master had not presided over the disciple-acceptance ceremony, indicating that Mu Qingli, despite her title, wielded little actual power.
As for the reason, Lin Mo remained unaware.
Mu Qingli had been willing to sacrifice her dignity to snatch a disciple in public, which suggested she desperately needed one.
While its specific purpose was unknown, this disciple was clearly of immense importance.
Finally, and most crucially, though he couldn't explain why, he seemed capable of alleviating Mu Qingli's backlash.
It was this realization that had prompted Lin Mo to choose such a risky approach.
For an immortal cultivator, saving a mere mortal like himself should be effortless.
Even if she couldn't completely prevent something, ensuring his survival would likely be simple.
Indeed, hadn't he just come back to life?
Moreover, and most, most, most, most, most importantly, his most defining characteristic remained intact!
There was no empty sensation; a mere thought brought a tangible response.
Lin Mo's heart swelled with delight.
Instead of getting up, Lin Mo rolled onto his side, facing outwards, intending to lie there a while longer.
After all those years at the Qiu family, he hadn't had the luxury of a second sleep in ages.
Qiu Yue had stopped returning to the main family for the New Year several years ago.
Yet, the moment he turned, he discovered a pair of golden eyes glowing faintly in the dimness.
That gaze, like a tangible rope, was fixed intently upon him.
'Holy crap! There's a monster!'
Lin Mo's heart instantly leaped into his throat; he sprang up from the bed like a coiled spring, his hair disheveled from the fright.
Only when his eyes gradually adjusted to the darkness did he realize it wasn't a monster, but Mu Qingli.
For some unknown reason, she was currently squatting by his bedside, staring fixedly at him without blinking.
She resembled a silent phantom, her golden pupils shimmering with a mysterious light in the darkness.
Her face was somewhat indistinct in the shadows, only its outline visible, yet he could still feel the intensity of her focused gaze, which sent a shiver down his spine.
'This… this person… surely… surely they aren't trying to put a curse on me while I'm secretly asleep?!'
"S-Sect Master… you're quite frightening like this…" Lin Mo said cautiously.
Mu Qingli, who had seemingly been half-squatting, now slowly rose, her golden eyes never once leaving him.
"Who exactly are you?" Mu Qingli slowly inquired, then snapped her fingers.
From a distance, a chair swiftly flew towards her, coming to a stable halt for her to sit upon.
It was as if invisible servants were attending to her every need.
'Honestly… that display of power was quite impressive, very cool.'
Lin Mo sat cross-legged.
'I must be cautious.
If I answer carelessly, and Mu Qingli decides to investigate later, it could lead to immense trouble for me.'
'Now that I'm in Mu Qingli's hands, ordinary methods won't suffice for escape.'
'Especially since my unique constitution can help her alleviate certain symptoms, I'm bound to be heavily guarded.'
'My only course of action is to gain her trust, lull her into a false sense of security, and then find an opportunity to escape.'
'Just like at the Qiu family.'
'If I'm too closely watched, even with Yang Po Po's help, I probably won't be able to get out.'
'Here… I must tell the truth!'
"My original name is Lin Mo, and I… lost my memory.
Ten years ago, I woke up to find myself in the mountains.
Before I could even attempt to recover my memories, I accidentally offended the Qiu family's young lady in Luofeng City and was subsequently taken as a male servant.
It took me ten years, and the help of others, to finally escape, but an unforeseen incident occurred midway, causing me to inadvertently join the Xuan Nv Sect's recruitment procession.
And then… well, Sect Master, you know what happened next…"
Mu Qingli remained silent after hearing his story, her golden eyes still fixed on Lin Mo, her thoughts inscrutable.
Only after a long pause did she leisurely utter, "Is that so?"
"I swear to the heavens, Sect Master! I truly didn't intentionally come up the mountain in women's clothing!
It was a complete accident that I ended up in the Xuan Nv Sect!" Lin Mo declared, thumping his chest.
"I know," Mu Qingli replied.
"The Xuan Nv Sect has a formation array, and while it's currently undergoing repairs, this information has not been leaked to outsiders.
I also inspected you and found nothing capable of evading detection.
I believe your claim of stumbling in by accident."
Mu Qingli then seemed about to say something else, but hesitated, pausing for a long moment before finally asking, "…You said you were captured, but why?"
"Ah…? I… I don't know…"
"Perhaps it was because I offended that young lady; she likely found me an eyesore and didn't want me to die too easily, so she captured me, intending to torment me for a lifetime?"
Lin Mo genuinely didn't know the true reason; this was the only explanation he could conjure.
"What a truly perverse taste," Mu Qingli suddenly remarked.
"That young lady is no good person either."
'Those words!'
'They brought a flicker of surprise to Lin Mo.
Could she—'
"If it were me, I would have simply killed him," she continued.
"Isn't it disgusting to keep a repulsive man by your side?"
Having said this, Mu Qingli fixed her gaze upon him.
'Well…'
'Her words were quicker than my thoughts, immediately extinguishing my budding idea.'
'She still despises men so much.
Is this truly a matriarchal world?'
'My future… looks bleak indeed.'
Just then, he felt a sudden rush of wind.
Lin Mo was abruptly pushed down, a heavy weight pressing against his abdomen, pinning his entire body to the bed!
'Huh?'
To his astonishment, it was Mu Qingli!
At some point, she had swiftly flipped onto the bed, now sitting directly on Lin Mo, holding him firmly down.
'Hm?!'
Before Lin Mo could even react, his splayed hands were suddenly yanked above his head by an unseen, immense force!
A sharp pain shot through his wrists as a cold, constricting sensation instantly tightened.
His arms were bound together inextricably!
"Yet, I can't leave you!" Mu Qingli's voice, brimming with fury, sounded as if she had been utterly provoked.
But for some inexplicable reason, the flush on Mu Qingli's face prevented Lin Mo from associating her tone with her expression.
Rather than the raging anger that would cause blood to boil beneath her cheeks, turning them crimson, it looked more like… shyness.
It was the blush that might appear on a young girl's face in an anime, when she yearns to confess her feelings but is too shy to utter a single word.
'Lin Mo couldn't help but wonder if… something was wrong with him?'
"Tonight… I'm going to thoroughly study you!
I will uncover your secrets and completely rid myself of you, this disgusting man!"
With that declaration, Mu Qingli directly lay upon Lin Mo's chest, meticulously and earnestly… studying him.
'Just studying, with no other intentions—right?'
'No matter how I look at it… Mu Qingli… she seems just like a cat high on catnip.'
She was utterly captivated, deeply engrossed.
Especially… with how she was now desperately inhaling his scent, as if it were an addicting drug…
'Great… just escaped the tiger's maw, only to fall into a demoness's lair…'
---------------
Chapter 12: The Price of Observation and the Return of a Vow
Observation is a window for humans to understand the world. It is not just about looking at the surface of things, but also about the ability to explore in depth.
People must learn to observe. In this complex world, information is pouring in like a tide. If we only look at it superficially, all we get is some superficial fragments.
True observation, much like that of a keen explorer, delves into every hidden corner of the jungle, refusing to let even the most subtle clue escape notice.
It transcends mere sight; it demands contemplation.
When one beholds a blooming flower, merely appreciating its vibrant hues and graceful form offers only a fleeting visual pleasure.
Yet, when we delve deeper, pondering the reasons for its bloom—is it the sun's generous gift, the soil's rich nourishment, or the intricate dance of insect pollination?
Such contemplation imbues the act of observation with a profounder significance.
Thus, to observe with true diligence, one must draw near.
To truly grasp the essence of things, one must cast aside all aversion and observe with unwavering earnestness.
These were the tenets her Master had instilled in Mu Qingli.
And now, she was meticulously observing Lin Mo.
An observation up close, leaving not the slightest gap between them.
Mu Qingli's sole intent was to investigate why Lin Mo could alleviate her backlash, and to comprehend the source of the enchanting fragrance he exuded.
Slowly, Mu Qingli unfastened the garments she had dressed Lin Mo in, then bent low, her face nearly pressing against his chest as she meticulously scrutinized every inch of his skin.
Beyond the mere scent, the closer she drew to Lin Mo, the more the frigid qi of her Profound Yin Physique seemed to completely dissipate, her body embraced by a warm, comforting current.
This warmth provided a perfectly balanced sense of ease.
It was as if she had been transported back to her childhood, to those bitter winter nights when, after completing her Bright Jade Profound Yin cultivation, she would shiver uncontrollably, her hands and feet numb with cold, her fingers afflicted with chilblains.
Her Master, wrapped in a thick quilt, would tenderly cradle her, reaching a hand beneath the covers to gently massage her cold, stiff limbs, coaxing her tensed body to involuntarily relax.
With spiritual energy, her Master would create a current of warmth, akin to the softest breeze of spring, caressing every inch of her skin, seeping into her pores strand by strand, dispelling the deep-seated cold within her.
That cherished, warm moment felt precisely like the present.
'And yet… Master doesn't seem to smell as fragrant as Lin Mo.'
'No, no! How could Lin Mo possibly compare to my Master!'
'Don't forget your objective, Mu Qingli!'
'You are pressed so intimately against this odious man not because the scent Lin Mo emits is pleasant, absolutely not for the sake of a more delightful aroma, but for the truth!'
'I am here for the truth!'
'To refine the cultivation technique!'
'To fulfill Master's dying wish!'
'This is a humiliation I must endure!'
'Precisely!'
"Sect Master… why is your face pressed against my chest…?" Lin Mo inquired, a nervous tremor in his voice.
Mu Qingli had almost buried her face in his chest, the warm, moist breath from her mouth and nose making him feel as though he were being scorched by a relentless flame.
He had no notion of what transpired within the minds of these madwomen; Mu Qingli might appear utterly captivated, her face flushed scarlet, pressed against his chest, allowing her soft bosom to gently rest upon his abdomen.
Who could say if, in the very next second, she might suddenly turn hostile, exclaiming, "Ah, you foul man, how dare you defile my pure and noble self?!"
Only to then proceed to pummel him mercilessly.
This was no mere exaggeration; Qiu Yue had engaged in such antics before.
Back then, Qiu Yue would frequently utter words that made his heart flutter, like "I love you," "I like you," or "You are mine."
At that time, Lin Mo, having watched many Japanese anime, had once harbored a naive and ridiculous fantasy: 'Could it be that Miss Qiu Yue truly likes me?'
'Were those declarations of "love" not mockery, but genuine affection?'
'Isn't this how it always goes in manga and anime?'
'A young lady accustomed to the intrigues and feigned civility within noble families, she, living in such an environment, might have long forgotten how to express love normally, perhaps even resorting to seemingly venomous words to treat me.'
'She knew how to say "love," but not how to show it.'
'At such a moment, shouldn't it be my turn, as the "male lead," to demonstrate how love should be expressed?!'
'To show, through action, how love is expressed!'
'As for why he considered himself the male lead… wasn't it because he was still alive and hadn't been slapped to death by Qiu Yue!'
Consequently, one day, Lin Mo mustered his courage, pulled Qiu Yue into his embrace, and even patted her head—only to be met with a brutal beating!
A brutal beating!
His skin was torn and flesh lacerated!
From then on, Lin Mo knew he had been wrong.
'Qiu Yue simply enjoyed tormenting him!'
'All those "love" and "I like you" were nothing but lies!'
'He must be wary and vigilant, never falling into a woman's trap!'
'Therefore! Even Mu Qingli, he absolutely must not…'
"Sect Master…? Are you listening to me?"
Hearing Lin Mo's voice, Mu Qingli snapped out of her immersion! She abruptly pulled her face away.
She suddenly realized what she had just been doing…
Instantly, the atmosphere became incredibly awkward.
Mu Qingli's face flushed crimson; she… she actually…
Seeing Mu Qingli, who looked as though steam might burst from her, Lin Mo understood that the Sect Master's embarrassment was about to reach its peak.
'Based on my many years of anime-watching experience—if I don't say something now, I'm going to be physically erased from memory.'
"Se-Sect Master! Is… is my heartbeat alright? I'm a man; cultivating a female cultivation technique surely causes rejection, right?"
"You've been listening for so long; you must not have heard anything unusual, right? Inspection, auscultation, inquiry, and palpation (TL Note: The four diagnostic methods of Traditional Chinese Medicine) – these are common methods in Traditional Chinese Medicine!"
"Yes, yes! That's right! Your cultivation is shallow, but your insight is considerable.
You, your peculiar physique, this Sect Master hasn't fully researched yet, and there are many conjectures.
To-to-today, let's stop here!
Let me, your master, go research some ancient texts for reference first!"
Mu Qingli seized the opportunity to dismount (TL Note: A Chinese idiom meaning to take advantage of a situation to gracefully exit or back down), quickly getting off Lin Mo.
"Your body is unharmed, and the Bright Jade Profound Yin is operating normally.
Tonight, familiarize yourself with the technique.
Tomorrow, I will return to ensure you fully enter the path.
Furthermore, you are not permitted to leave this room.
Should you wander off, I will make your life a living hell!"
Uttering a harsh threat, Mu Qingli bolted out the door as if fleeing.
Seeing that Mu Qingli hadn't beaten him, Lin Mo's hanging heart finally settled.
It seemed that as long as he was careful, there would be no problems.
Lin Mo let out a sigh of relief, having narrowly escaped another predicament.
'Speaking of which, I've entered the path… does that mean I'm a cultivator now?'
With that, he leaped off the bed.
His body felt incredibly light and vibrant.
He sensed a faint, almost imperceptible current of qi flowing gently through his meridians.
He felt completely refreshed, as if possessing inexhaustible energy, his strength significantly increased.
Unfortunately, there was nothing around for him to test his strength on.
Though the room contained furniture, it lacked excessive decoration.
There was only a bed, a table, and a chair, and nothing else.
Fortunately, Lin Mo could perceive his changes in another way.
His senses.
His senses had become extraordinarily sharp.
Subtle sounds he had never noticed before now clearly registered in his ears; he could hear the rustling of distant leaves, a sound like a gentle whisper; he could hear the scurrying of insects in the grass, like a miniature symphony.
His eyesight had also vastly improved.
He suddenly realized he could discern the room's layout in the dark, despite having night blindness which made it difficult to see anything at night.
Even his sense of smell had sharpened, allowing him to distinguish various scents in the air: the richness of floral fragrances, the freshness of soil, and the faint aroma of decaying leaves in the forest.
Concurrently, he perceived something entirely new—spiritual energy.
It was akin to seeing countless particles of various kinds floating in the air under the sunlight with the naked eye; he also saw those pure and flawless things, though they were difficult to discern clearly.
And he wasn't using his eyes, but rather… a 'Divine Sense' (TL Note: A spiritual perception ability often found in cultivation novels).
However, his Divine Sense could not be used for long, and soon a wave of fatigue washed over him, leaving Lin Mo feeling somewhat dizzy.
Lin Mo sat on the bed, wiping the cold sweat from his forehead, his face alight with excitement.
'I've become a cultivator!'
'Once my cultivation advances, won't the vast world be mine to roam?
Then, escaping will be a simple matter, won't it?!'
Remembering Mu Qingli's instructions, Lin Mo promptly began circulating the Bright Jade Profound Yin technique.
Logically, a cultivation method passed down by the Xuan Nv Sect should only be suitable for women, with men encountering numerous obstacles during practice.
After all, if the physical structures of men and women differed, their meridians would also be different, wouldn't they?
Yet, when he circulated it once, he encountered no obstacles; instead, it flowed with remarkable smoothness.
'Could it be… I possess both Yin and Yang physiques?'
'Or is it—due to the system within me?'
After much thought, Lin Mo quickly abandoned his struggles; after all, it was best to set aside things he couldn't comprehend for now.
'Anyway, as long as there's no discomfort, I'll just circulate it a few more times to get familiar with the technique.'
'First, I cultivate!'
'Just you wait, Qiu Yue!
I'll come back for my revenge sooner or later, hmph hmph!
Once my cultivation reaches mastery, you'll be finished!'
'A gentleman's revenge, though delayed by ten years, is never too late!'
Meanwhile, on another side of the Xuan Nv Sect—
"Welcome.
I never imagined that, besides Liu Ruyan, our sect would gain such a remarkably talented disciple.
This is truly a blessing for our sect."
Elder Qing You was personally receiving a distinguished guest who had traveled a great distance.
The distinguished guest wore a bamboo hat, with a black veil concealing her noble countenance.
"The same to you, Grand Elder."
"However… I don't quite understand.
What do you need the list of newly selected disciples for?" Saying this, Grand Elder Qing You placed a scroll on the table.
This was not a secret for the Xuan Nv Sect, and the fact that the other party had paid such a high price just to obtain it truly perplexed Qing You.
"I have my reasons, Grand Elder, I have my reasons." The distinguished guest slowly removed her bamboo hat, revealing long, azure hair that cascaded down like a waterfall.
Qing You didn't understand, but she accepted it.
Everyone had their own thoughts, and there was no need to forcefully pry.
Still, curiosity lingered.
After all, the Xuan Nv Sect had never had much connection with her illustrious and renowned family, and now, in its decline, it was even less able to associate with them.
She had been wondering how to establish a connection, and now the connection had proactively presented itself.
Qing You could only attribute it to the good fortune of the Xuan Nv Sect.
Only she—Qiu Yue herself—knew what this reason was and what price she had to pay.
Perhaps others would call her foolish if they knew.
But Qiu Yue felt it was nothing; she had someone far more important.
Now that she had found him again, she absolutely would not let him escape this time.
She loved the person; even without limbs, he would still be that person.
This time, she would eliminate every possibility for Lin Mo to escape.
--------------
The sunlight shining through the screen window shone on Lin Mo's face. The dazzling sunlight slowly forced him to wake up from his sleep, and he used his hands to block the dazzling sunlight.
When his consciousness was completely restored, he looked down and found that he seemed to have been practicing martial arts all night, and fell asleep in a daze while practicing.
'That's strange,' he thought. 'Didn't they say cultivators don't need sleep? Or is it just that my cultivation realm isn't high enough?'
Perhaps it was due to cultivation, but after sitting cross-legged all night, his body felt no stiffness; instead, he experienced a profound sense of ease.
As a new day dawned, Lin Mo stretched languidly, preparing to rise and greet it.
"Awake?"
The sudden voice made Lin Mo jolt. His body tensed abruptly, like a startled rabbit, and he sprang upright.
Spinning around, he discovered it was Mu Qingli!
Lin Mo's eyes widened, filled with a mix of astonishment and bewilderment. 'Hadn't she left his room last night? He had watched her depart with his own eyes!'
'How had she returned?'
'When did she come back?'
'How long had she been sitting beside him?!'
Mu Qingli sat composedly at the edge of the bed, her gaze sharp and cold, her stern expression utterly unchanged. "Excellent," she stated dispassionately. "You heeded my words. You went nowhere, merely cultivating obediently in your room. This is a promising start."
'She monitored me all night?!'
Lin Mo's heart seized with alarm.
'Did she have nothing better to do? She was a Grand Cultivator and the Sect Master, for heaven's sake! How could she possibly have the leisure to monitor him?!'
'No… it wasn't just monitoring… This woman, she probably wanted to absorb his Yang energy, didn't she?'
Although Lin Mo had no idea what power within him attracted Mu Qingli, this sensation felt unmistakably like Mu Qingli, this 'female ghost,' was burdened by excessive Yin energy and sought to absorb Yang energy to maintain her Yin-Yang balance.
'Yes! That's it exactly, that analogy!'
The more Lin Mo considered it, the more apt it seemed.
After all, considering Mu Qingli's demeanor during their private interactions, this explanation truly hit the mark.
Thankfully, Mu Qingli wasn't a real female ghost; she could absorb whatever she wished, cling to him however she pleased, and he felt no ill effects… a blessing in disguise, he supposed.
"S-Since it is Sect Master's command, this humble one must naturally obey. Not only did Sect Master spare my life, but you also imparted cultivation techniques and guided me onto the path of immortality. Each of these acts is a profound kindness from Sect Master, a testament to your boundless compassion. If, after Sect Master's clear instructions, this humble one were to insist on leaving, would that not be the height of ingratitude?" Lin Mo bowed deeply, cupping his hands.
First, he expressed gratitude, then promptly reaffirmed his subordinate position.
Ostensibly, he was Mu Qingli's disciple, but privately, he absolutely could not claim that. Mu Qingli detested men; his survival merely meant he still held some utility.
To Mu Qingli, he was nothing more than an object. He dared not refer to himself as 'disciple' in private, lest he invite trouble.
He needed to make Mu Qingli understand that he was sensible and knew his place.
"Heh, isn't ingratitude commonplace for your kind?" Mu Qingli's lips curled into a cold sneer. "Take this."
A wooden waist token was tossed at Lin Mo's feet.
"Sect Master, this is…?"
"A visitor's token. It can temporarily defend against the sect's grand formation for twelve hours."
!
At her words, Lin Mo's body trembled.
'He had almost forgotten! The Xuan Nv Sect possessed a grand formation capable of slaying men!'
"Th-Thank you, Sect Master!" Lin Mo hastily picked up the token, then wondered where to hide it…
'Where were his clothes?!'
Only then did Lin Mo realize he was… completely naked?!
'Why?! Last night he had been wearing… no, at least he'd had a jacket on, hadn't he?'
Lin Mo stared at Mu Qingli in astonishment, hoping for an explanation.
Instead, Mu Qingli let out a cold snort and immediately berated him, "Yesterday, seeing you, this idiot, suddenly cease your cultivation, I assumed you, this fool, had encountered a problem in your practice. I tore off your beastly clothes to examine you thoroughly, only to discover you, this good-for-nothing, had merely fallen asleep. What a waste of my effort."
'Good heavens, four 'you's, each paired with a different insult… Clearly, it was this female ghost who craved Yang energy, she must have rushed over, couldn't resist tearing off his clothes, and desperately absorbed it, right?!'
'Perhaps she had knocked him unconscious to make him sleep!'
But dared Lin Mo say any of this aloud?
He dared not.
Curse her he might in his heart, but on his face, he had to feign sudden realization. He immediately knelt and kowtowed to Mu Qingli, thanking her profusely. "To think this humble one caused Sect Master such trouble! I truly deserve death ten thousand times over!"
Lin Mo had intended to kowtow heavily, letting the dull thud against the floor convey his profound apology to Mu Qingli. The lessons he had learned from Qiu Yue, he realized, could still prove useful here.
'Perhaps Mu Qingli was the same.'
Yet, a wisp of clear breeze gently lifted his head, as if an invisible pair of hands had softly cupped his forehead.
"Enough of these superficial gestures," Mu Qingli said. With a delicate flick of her finger, a flash of light rippled, and Lin Mo suddenly noticed a new set of clothes lying on the ground.
"Put on your clothes. I'll wait for you outside the door." Having spoken, she rose and departed.
Lin Mo gazed at the clothes on the ground, then picked them up with both hands.
This appeared to be a Xuan Nv Sect uniform, predominantly black, accented with white and silver. The loose, flowing black robes and fishtail skirt, along with complementary inner garments, were adorned with exquisite embroidery and lavish accessories, perfectly showcasing a woman's grace and elegance.
This was no ordinary Xuan Nv Sect uniform; Lin Mo had observed at the disciple-acceptance ceremony that most disciples wore uniforms primarily in pale lavender.
Moreover, the inner cuff was embroidered with the character "Lin."
'Did… she make it for me?'
'Don't be ridiculous. Just because it has the character 'Lin' means she made it for him? Stop fantasizing, Lin Mo. Had he already forgotten the lesson Qiu Yue taught him?'
Even though the wounds from fifty lashes had long healed, Lin Mo could still, from time to time, feel a faint ache beneath his perfectly mended skin.
'Do not fall into a woman's trap!'
Feigning indifference, Lin Mo put on the clothes.
Lin Mo was quite tall and broad-shouldered, so clothes designed for women should have felt constricting. Yet, to his surprise, the uniform fit perfectly. He moved around a little, finding no tightness or pinching anywhere.
It molded flawlessly to his body.
'Could this be the legendary Ruyi Robe (TL Note: A mythical garment that can automatically adjust to the wearer's body size), capable of sensing its wearer's form and resizing itself at will?!'
"Once you're dressed, come out quickly. Don't waste time, you idiot."
Mu Qingli's scolding voice drifted from outside, jolting Lin Mo back to his senses. He quickly made his way out.
As Lin Mo emerged, his face, paired with the exquisite attire, struck Mu Qingli into a momentary trance.
His face, like a meticulously carved piece of jade, was utterly flawless. From every angle, it exuded a captivating blend of allure and beauty, as if imbued with an invisible magic, holding an irresistible charm that drew all eyes like a magnet.
Yet, why should such a perfect face belong to a man? It was truly a pity.
"Does it fit?" Mu Qingli inquired.
"Eh…?" Lin Mo paused, momentarily stunned, but his years of survival instinct prompted him to instinctively reply, "It fits perfectly! Thank you for the generous gift, Sect Master! This humble one has never worn such fine clothing!"
"Good that it fits. It has been a long time since this Master last sewed, so my skills are a bit rusty. Moreover, I merely found some discarded, trashy fabric to stitch it together, pairing it with you, this cheap—" Mu Qingli's words halted midway as she suddenly noticed a tiny tear silently tracing a path down Lin Mo's astonished face.
"You… why are you crying?" Mu Qingli frowned. "Do you despise this Master's clothes?"
As she spoke, Mu Qingli's gaze sharpened, radiating intense killing intent.
"No…" Lin Mo smiled, a brilliant, radiant smile that even his tears could not diminish. His exquisitely beautiful face, lightly moistened by the teardrops, resembled a pear blossom bathed in rain, yet this only added a more alluring and captivating charm to his smile.
The smile seemed to possess a magical quality, from the crescent curve of his eyes to the slight upward tilt of his lips, every detail exuded an enchanting aura.
Mu Qingli watched him in silence, her breath involuntarily quickening. Her gaze felt utterly ensnared by Lin Mo, unable to shift even a fraction.
This beauty was not merely pleasant to the eye; it was a profound, heart-shaking impact. Each prolonged glance felt like an invisible hand gently plucking at Mu Qingli's heartstrings, causing her pulse to quicken uncontrollably, as if a small flame slowly ignited within her, bringing an indescribable warmth and tremor.
Mu Qingli shook her head vehemently. 'It m-must be Lin Mo's physique playing tricks! No, otherwise, how could she find a stinking man like him attractive?!'
'It m-must be a physique issue!'
'Y-Yes, that's right!'
'Her Profound Yin Body must be acting up again; it p-probably wanted to consume whatever emanated from Lin Mo's body.'
Yet, paradoxically, warmth permeated Mu Qingli's body; there was not a trace of coldness.