Chapter 532: What Exactly Is Being Tested?

Zu'an turned his head and saw a young woman lying beside him. Her disheveled hair obscured her face, but as he had just sat up, the blanket had slipped, revealing a large expanse of dazzling, fair skin.

Though it was only a fleeting glimpse, he could still make out her graceful and slender figure. The exposed skin seemed to shimmer with a crystalline luster, looking incredibly alluring and instantly arousing Zu'an.

"This isn't how it's supposed to start!"

Zu'an swallowed hard, thinking with difficulty.

According to Master Ya's previous description, no one had ever passed the trial, which implied it should be extremely perilous. Yet, the surrounding environment looked like a magnificent palace, giving off a homely feeling, with no hint of danger.

Could it be that the greatest danger of this trial came from the woman beside him?

"Are they using a honey trap on me? Hmm, I don't think I can actually resist."

"Wait, where's Da Manman?"

His expression changed at this thought, and he quickly looked around. But apart from the young woman beside him, there was no sign of Da Manman.

"Hold on, these impressive curves seem a bit familiar."

Just then, the young woman beside him moaned softly and slowly woke up.

This soft hum seemed to flow naturally from her throat, like a gentle mountain breeze or the light song of an oriole, tinged with a playful whine. In that instant, it was enough to make any man's heart race.

Zu'an immediately stiffened, feeling as if he might explode. However, his mind was racing with one question: How was he going to explain the current situation to this woman later?

"This feels like the beginning of some melodramatic TV show... no, wait, TV shows wouldn't dare portray something like this nowadays."

Just then, the young woman also gradually regained full consciousness. She instinctively sat up, preparing to survey her surroundings.

But she immediately felt a chill on her chest, realizing she was completely naked.

With a gasp, she quickly clasped her hands over her chest. But how could her slender, delicate hands possibly conceal her magnificent curves?

Zu'an felt his nose warm, as if a nosebleed might start at any moment.

However, he had already recognized her, and he said with a smile, "Actually, in this situation, the first thing you should cover is your face."

The young woman, realizing there was a man beside her, was about to lash out. But upon hearing his familiar teasing tone, she was surprised and delighted: "Ah Zu?"

Zu'an smiled slightly, "Da Manman."

He had intended to gaze into her eyes lovingly, but his gaze, beyond his control, kept drifting downwards.

Pei Mianman noticed his gaze. Her oval face, usually captivating, was now flushed crimson. Her charming, expressive peach blossom eyes were misty and blurred with emotion.

"Is it beautiful?" Her voice was softer than usual.

"Beautiful," Zu'an nodded instinctively. But he immediately came to his senses and quickly explained, "Uh, I wasn't looking intentionally. It's just that this is how you were when I woke up..."

Women in this world still valued their chastity greatly. Although Pei Mianman usually appeared seductive and flirtatious, he knew it was a disguise; in reality, she was still a maiden. To suddenly have her entire body seen by a man would likely fill her with shame and indignation.

He hadn't even finished explaining when a soft hand gently pressed against his lips. "Silly, why are you so nervous? I'm not blaming you."

"Huh?" Zu'an blinked, momentarily bewildered.

Pei Mianman slowly nestled into his embrace, her face pressed against his chest. She said softly, "The moment I woke up and found myself naked with a man beside me, I nearly went crazy. I was just thinking of killing him when I realized it was you."

"And if it's me, what then?" With her warm, soft body in his arms, Zu'an felt his heart pound. He instinctively wrapped his arms around her shoulders.

The feeling of her skin, like congealed cream to the touch, was truly astonishing.

Pei Mianman pursed her lips, looking up at him. "If it's you, it's fine."

"Manman..." Hearing her tender words, Zu'an, though still physically stiff, felt the softest part of his heart touched.

Seeing his astonished expression, Pei Mianman smiled sweetly. "Silly, we already confirmed our relationship back outside, what's with that look?"

Zu'an chuckled, "Happiness came so suddenly, I didn't react in time."

Pei Mianman scoffed, "It seems you woke up before me. Why didn't you wake me? You scared me half to death."

Zu'an stared at her and couldn't help but mutter, "Your face was mostly covered by your hair then, and I really didn't recognize you without your clothes on."

Pei Mianman: "..."

She couldn't help but feel both shy and angry, responding with a flurry of light punches.

Zu'an and she playfully wrestled for a while, their bodies intertwined, and their temperatures unconsciously rose.

Finally, Zu'an held her hands. Pei Mianman stopped resisting and stared at him with tender, watery eyes full of affection.

Staring at her alluring red lips so close to him, Zu'an could no longer resist and slowly leaned in.

Sensing his approach, Pei Mianman stiffened for a moment but quickly relaxed. She didn't shy away and slowly closed her eyes.

Feeling her lover's lips, Pei Mianman trembled. She felt a jolt of electricity run through her body, and her jade-like arms instinctively wrapped around the man embracing her.

New couples were always like this, kissing passionately and sweetly.

It was unclear how long passed before their lips parted. Pei Mianman's cheeks were flushed pink, and her voice became even softer and more alluring. "Your 'sword' is pressing against me."

Zu'an's face flushed red, not knowing how to explain.

However, Pei Mianman quickly realized that they were both naked in bed. How could he possibly be carrying a sword?

Curious, she lifted a corner of the blanket and peeked. The mist in her peach blossom eyes grew thicker.

Zu'an was about to say something, but Pei Mianman let out a giggle. "I wondered why all the men in the academy became so strange after the last Yaoguang Secret Realm incident, as if they knew some secret but kept quiet about it. I even specifically caught a few and interrogated them. They were vague, leaving me completely confused, but now I understand."

Zu'an couldn't help but feel embarrassed. This woman was truly formidable; she had secretly tortured her classmates for information.

As Pei Mianman spoke, her little face also turned red, and she spat lightly. "No wonder those boys secretly called you a 'beast.' I thought they were insulting you back then, but now, hehe..."

Zu'an felt a little annoyed. "You demon, are you challenging me? If I can't hold back later, will you take responsibility?"

Pei Mianman nestled against him, her slender fingers gently twirling a strand of her beautiful hair. "I'll take responsibility."

Zu'an's heart skipped a beat; for a moment, he wasn't entirely sure what she meant.

Pei Mianman again lifted a corner of the blanket and looked inside, marveling with pursed lips. "I'm genuinely curious how Chu Yan's delicate body managed to handle that."

How could Zu'an possibly hold back? He flipped over, pinning her beneath him, and stared into her eyes. "Why don't you try it yourself and find out?"

Pei Mianman's eyes were filled with moisture. "Silly, I've long considered myself yours in my heart. Why do you need to test me?"

Zu'an let out a low growl and kissed her fiercely.

A moment later, Pei Mianman's delicate brows furrowed, and a faint hint of pain appeared on her pretty face. She hurriedly pressed against his chest. "Wait a moment."

"What's wrong?" Zu'an thought to himself, *My dear lady, the arrow's on the string; if you tell me to stop now, aren't you asking for my life?*

It was as if the pain she had just felt brought a moment of clarity to Pei Mianman's mind. "Ah Zu, we're in a trial right now, aren't we?"

Zu'an nodded, remembering the purpose of their visit.

Pei Mianman pursed her lips, then asked him a few small secrets that only the two of them knew. After receiving accurate answers, she finally breathed a sigh of relief. "I was worried I was under some illusion, so I wanted to confirm your identity."

Zu'an laughed heartily. "Manman, you're truly meticulous." At the same time, a trace of doubt lingered in his mind: What exactly was this trial testing? Was this stage truly a "beauty trap"?