Chapter 208: The Holy Maiden and Noble Lady Are Not As Good As The Maidservant

Pei Chuyun's heavenly tribulation was quite distinctive, unlike the damaging tribulations others experienced. It was either a heart tribulation or a desire tribulation, both invisible to the naked eye, and notably sensual. Lu Xingzhou couldn't help but think, "As expected of you."

Fortunately, Lu Xingzhou didn't know how Pei Chuyun overcame her heart tribulation, but he was confident she would manage it without an issue. The desire tribulation, however, was quite simple: they merely had to continue what they were doing, as they hadn't fully enjoyed themselves yet.

It was uncertain if Pei Chuyun was the only cultivator to transcend a tribulation during such an intimate act, but it was clear that afterward, she would possess mind-guidance abilities akin to a succubus, far more sophisticated than simply stimulating physical desires. Lu Xingzhou suddenly considered taking Pei Chuyun to the second level of the Demon Subjugation Domain. The dying succubus there might offer some insights for Pei Chuyun. After all, that was a spirit born of heaven and earth, fundamentally different from what Pei Chuyun had achieved through her cultivation method, even if their effects seemed similar. If Pei Chuyun wished to gain more leverage within the sect, this could be a viable path.

After an unknown period, the rain subsided, and the clouds parted. Lu Xingzhou didn't even inquire about Pei Chuyun's handling of her heart demon tribulation; given her capabilities, there was no need. They lay in each other's arms, breathing weakly.

After a long while, Pei Chuyun leaned into his shoulder, a hint of expectation in her voice as she gently scratched his chin: "Most people who experience the Proficient Art of the Enchantress can't get enough, because it's far more pleasurable than with anyone else... So, are you hooked on A-Nui now?"

So that was the hidden meaning of her words. However, Lu Xingzhou had also employed the Yin-Yang Extremity Art to counter the Proficient Art of the Enchantress. The unparalleled pleasure was a mutual experience, meaning neither was truly indispensable to the other. Yet, Lu Xingzhou was no fool; he played along and replied, "Of course I can't leave you!"

Pei Chuyun hummed softly, knowing full well Lu Xingzhou wasn't the type to be a sex addict. Then, with a faint sigh, she said, "Xingzhou, I feel a little insecure."

"What's wrong? Is it because you lost your primordial yin, which is like losing a great weapon?"

"A little... but that's not the most important." Pei Chuyun tightened her grip on his hand. "I'm afraid you'll change after you've had me."

"You know I won't."

"Mmm..."

"Just now, I was thinking about how to take you to the second level of the Demon Subjugation Domain. There's a succubus there... I'll have to ask Sheng Qingfeng for a favor; I'm not sure if he'll agree."

"Haha..." Pei Chuyun laughed. "If that's possible, I can have Old Pei pull some strings; he has enough influence."

"Given how you are now, will Old Pei notice?"

"If he does, are you scared?"

"What's there to be afraid of? I'll just tell him, 'Old geezer, my wheelchair is parked downstairs at your place.'"

Pei Chuyun didn't get the joke, but she picked up on Lu Xingzhou's indifferent attitude, laughing softly. "Are you really not concerned about the Pei family at all?"

"Because the rivalry between the Pei family and the Huo family won't change. No matter what I do, they'll inevitably try to win me over if they want to oppose the Huo family. Why should I bother trying to ingratiate myself with them? Do they really think that just because I'm from the Pill Academy, I can storm into the Pei family and kill people without repercussions? What they're truly considering is Shen Tang and the Huo family." Lu Xingzhou gently scratched the little enchantress's nose. "So, little A-Nui, your connections aren't going to help your lord."

Pei Chuyun purred seductively, "So A-Nui can only be bullied by her lord, then..."

In reality, both understood that Lu Xingzhou was conveying he desired nothing from Pei Chuyun, nothing worth scheming for. Pei Chuyun knew well that the only thing he might have coveted was her body, but she had already given it...

But when it came to that, who had truly schemed against whom? She was the one who had used enchanting arts to 'capture' him, and she was also the one who had broken through to the third rank.

Pei Chuyun sighed softly, returning to his initial question: "The Pei family won't necessarily find out... When I first arrived at the Pei family, Father secretly had a matron skilled in checking a woman's purity examine me. But they won't do that every day. The next time he finds out will likely be when he's seriously considering a marriage for me."

Lu Xingzhou murmured, "Mm."

Pei Chuyun added, "Actually, even if they found out, it's not a big deal. Before, I had expectations of them; I wanted to be a daughter and sister they would like... But now it doesn't matter. I don't care how they see me."

"What about your sect? Your master would see it at a glance, wouldn't she?"

"My master sent me to control you." Pei Chuyun giggled. "I was ordered to go to bed with you, and I failed. What can she do?"

Lu Xingzhou was speechless.

Pei Chuyun sighed. "My master said that only the sect wishes to help me get revenge, because they also want to avenge the former Saintess... I don't believe that. She most likely intends to exploit my desire for revenge, using me as a weapon to deal a severe blow to the Pei family... ideally to gain control of them."

Lu Xingzhou said, "It's obvious. Using your father's guilt to elevate you to the status of a legitimate daughter was merely the first step. From then on, you'd possess succession rights. As long as Pei Yu is secretly eliminated, the Pei family would likely fall into your hands."

Pei Chuyun offered a sarcastic smile: "It's not that easy. The Pei family internally barely acknowledges this so-called 'legitimate daughter.' Even if Pei Yu died, my father would more easily adopt someone from a more reputable collateral branch than pass control to me; that would be far more acceptable."

Lu Xingzhou said, "That's how it is now, but what about after you use revenge to eliminate dissidents and seize power?"

Pei Chuyun narrowed her eyes.

"And this is something you're bound to do. You're also a little enchantress, not some honest person." Lu Xingzhou smiled. "It's alright, do whatever you need to do, I'll help you."

Pei Chuyun asked, "Aren't you afraid you'll end up doing all the work for my sect?"

Lu Xingzhou sighed. "Your father isn't a mere puppet, and Pei Yu isn't a fool. How could things truly proceed exactly as your master intends? For now, she will certainly help you with revenge, so just use her as your weapon. When a real conflict finally arises, who knows how many years from now that will be?"

Pei Chuyun laughed. "So, my lord's meaning is, when that year comes, you'll be the one I depend on, right?"

They both recalled their previous conversation—about the day he could become someone she could truly rely on. After all the twists and turns, they were back to this point. Only, Pei Chuyun had initially thought she would wait until that time to give herself to him, but she had already done so.

Ultimately, strength was paramount in this world. Lu Xingzhou knew his current cultivation wasn't sufficient to involve himself in the affairs of first-rank powers. Lu Xingzhou performed an internal scan. This dual cultivation involved primordial yin and yang, far different from their previous minor dalliances. If his primordial yang could enable Pei Chuyun to break through even the major third-rank barrier, what then were the benefits of Pei Chuyun's immense primordial yin to him?

Fourth rank, mid-stage.

It seemed like only a one-rank increase, negligible compared to Pei Chuyun breaking through such a major barrier. Yet, his breakthrough to the fourth rank had only occurred yesterday morning, when Madam Ye guided him in bone forging. Now it was only the second night... In less than two days, a one-rank breakthrough... and this wasn't merely the initial progress into the mid-stage; he was at least halfway through it. Lu Xingzhou was eager to see if Madam Ye could maintain her aloof composure when she saw his cultivation progress tomorrow.

He didn't boast to Pei Chuyun about what he would or wouldn't do. Instead, he turned and kissed her forehead: "My little enchantress is truly insecure... Come, rest on your lord's chest and get a good night's sleep. Want to experience some security?"

Pei Chuyun chuckled, "Your scrawny chest? And you talk about security."

Lu Xingzhou protested, "I'd have accepted that when we first met, but am I really still skinny now?"

Pei Chuyun ran her hand over his firm chest muscles, her face slightly flushed. Alchemists truly cheat. In just a few months, they can transform a scrawny person's physique into something so firm and beautiful. What was she to do if it made her feel a little lustful? They had just finished... It certainly wasn't Pei Chuyun who was lustful; it was the Proficient Art of the Enchantress's fault!

Lu Xingzhou had no idea the little enchantress was already feeling lustful again during her 'sage mode.' He gently held her close and softly said, "Alright, don't overthink it. Just sleep."

"Mmm." Pei Chuyun adjusted her position, snuggled comfortably into his embrace, her limbs entwining with his, and drifted off to sleep contentedly. In fact, after reaching the third rank, sleep was almost unnecessary; cultivation had long since replaced its function. Of course, she could still choose to sleep if she wished, especially since her cultivation method also incorporated sleep as a form of practice. Since she returned to the Pei family and reconnected with her lineage, it had been a long time since she had slept with him. Their encounters were always hurried, secret rendezvous, ending with a quick escape. This feeling of casting aside all thoughts, snuggling into his warm embrace, thinking of nothing, and sleeping soundly until dawn—that sense of security and ease... she hadn't experienced it in a long time. That feeling had only existed when she was his captive and maid, yet it provided more security than being the Saintess of Joyful Union or a noblewoman of the Pei family.

The next morning, Pei Chuyun groggily woke up. She instinctively fumbled around with her hand, and the familiar warmth of his body was still there. She looked up to see Lu Xingzhou looking at her with a slightly helpless expression in his open eyes.

Pei Chuyun, her face showing no blush and her heart steady, calmly sat up and stretched. "Morning, my lord."

Lu Xingzhou chuckled, "If you're calling me 'my lord,' don't you know what a maid should do in the morning?"

Pei Chuyun blinked, "Fetch water?"

"Morning bite, ever heard of it?"

"What's that?"

"You're an unqualified Saintess of Joyful Union, aren't you? Come, your lord will teach you..."

Seeing him lead her in that direction, Pei Chuyun understood. Annoyed, she gave him a light kick. "You'll poke my insides out! No, I won't. Wait until it gets bigger."

Lu Xingzhou was speechless.

Pei Chuyun grumbled as she got out of bed and dressed. Suddenly, she turned back with a charming smile. "Do you think Old Pei will explode if I leave your place to go to school with you?"

"He probably already freaked out last night when he found you weren't home." Lu Xingzhou chuckled. "Actually, for our classmates, the more openly we behave, the less they'll imagine you slept here; they'll most likely assume we just met on the way."

Pei Chuyun's eyes lit up, and she excitedly linked her arm through his. "Then I want to go to school with you!"

Lu Xingzhou dotingly scratched her nose. "Not going to act aloof at the Imperial Academy anymore?"

"What do you mean 'act aloof'? I am naturally aloof with others." Pei Chuyun giggled, pulling him out by the arm. "Outside, you haven't 'had your way' with me, mind you. You'll have to keep pursuing me, and I'll ignore you."

"Alright, alright," Lu Xingzhou said, both amused and exasperated. "But first, you have to let go of me."

Pei Chuyun composed herself, cleared her throat, and resumed her aloof, elegant noblewoman's demeanor before opening the cave dwelling and stepping out.

A-Nuo had been standing by, waiting for a while, her gaze completely bypassing Pei Chuyun as if she hadn't seen her. When Lu Xingzhou followed out, A-Nuo's eyes lit up, and she immediately offered two steamed buns. "Master, breakfast."

"?" Pei Chuyun stopped. "Where's mine?"

"I didn't expect a guest to stay over, so I didn't prepare any," A-Nuo said, walking along and munching on a bun. "Besides, don't you have a pair of your own right there? Just eat those!"

"You little brat!" Pei Chuyun chased after her to snatch a bun. "You clearly have so many! Give me one!"

A-Nuo took off running, and Pei Chuyun gave chase. All the way into the academy, A-Nuo was finally caught, but when Pei Chuyun tried to snatch the buns from her, A-Nuo held on for dear life. Lu Xingzhou followed behind, watching with a smile... Indeed, the sight of A-Nui and A-Nuo fighting was still quite enjoyable to behold... But weren't you going to act like a noblewoman? Where's your composure?