Zhu Xian: They've all been reborn

The daylight streamed through the paper-covered window, a pale, grayish-white hue that was just beginning to brighten.

Jiang Xiaochuan vaguely felt a heaviness in his chest, and his breathing was not smooth, as if something warm, soft, and slightly elastic was pressing down on him.

He frowned, his eyelids twitched, but he didn't open them.

Fragments of last night's chaotic dream still lingered in my mind.

One moment it's Lu Xueqi's cool, clear eyes; the next it's Tian Ling'er's red-rimmed eyes; then it's Xiao Bai's playful smile under the moonlight...

Then, she caught a familiar, warm fragrance, not as cold as Lu Xueqi's, nor as lively as Tian Ling'er's, but a more languid and alluring scent.

He suddenly opened his eyes.

His gaze fell upon a patch of snow-white, smooth, and delicate skin, no more than an inch from the tip of his nose.

Further down, there are delicate and alluring collarbones, and breathtakingly soft curves squeezed out by the side-lying position, half-hidden by the plain white fabric.

His silver hair spread out, with a few strands brushing against his neck and cheeks, tickling him.

Little White. Humanoid.

She was lying on her side on him, with one arm draped over his waist, her head resting on his chest, breathing evenly and deeply, fast asleep.

Her face was very close to his, her long, thick silver eyelashes were closed, casting a faint shadow under her eyelids, her rosy lips were slightly parted, and her breath was fragrant, warm breath spraying onto the sensitive skin of his neck.

Jiang Xiaochuan's mind went blank, and his blood rushed to his head.

His body was as stiff as a stone, his eyes wide open, staring intently at the stunningly beautiful face so close to his and that dazzling expanse of white.

Breathing completely stopped, and somewhere gave the most honest response.

Almost simultaneously, Little White, who was lying on his chest, trembled her eyelashes and slowly opened her eyes.

Those silver eyes, when they first woke up, were misty and looked exceptionally gentle, but they quickly regained their clarity and even took on a hint of playfulness.

She didn't move, but simply tilted her head back slightly, resting her chin on his chest, looking at his flushed face and panicked eyes, and slowly curled her lips into a lazy yet mischievous smile.

Good morning, Chuan Chuan.

"Tell me, how many times has this happened now? Hmm?"

She shifted her body.

The smile in her eyes deepened.

In an extremely ambiguous and seductive tone, he asked in a low voice:

"Do you need... help? Hmm?"

"You—! Shut up! Get up!"

His voice trembled and changed tone as he frantically tried to push Xiaobai's shoulders off him.

He touched a piece of soft, smooth skin, the texture of which was frighteningly good. He recoiled as if he had been burned, becoming even more embarrassed.

"What's wrong? Are you shy?"

Instead of getting up, Xiao Bai propped herself up slightly, looking down at him. Her silver hair fell down, brushing against his cheeks, and her captivating eyes were full of wicked smiles.

"Who was it that swore they'd sleep on the floor last night? But in the middle of the night, they crawled back to bed and insisted on sleeping in my arms. Hmm? What a hypocrite."

"I didn't!" Jiang Xiaochuan's eyes turned red with anxiety as he struggled in vain, trying to escape this extremely awkward position and sensation.

And even that...

This realization made him wish he could die immediately!

Xiao Bai looked at him, his face contorted with shame and indignation, his body trembling slightly, his eyes wet with panic.

My mischievous playfulness was greatly satisfied.

But deeper still, a tender feeling of pity quietly spread out.

She stopped teasing and actually reached out a hand.

"Ugh—!" Jiang Xiaochuan shuddered.

A short, muffled groan escaped his throat uncontrollably, his vision went black, and his limbs went limp.

He didn't know where the strength came from, or perhaps it was his body's most primal reaction, but the moment he was touched, he suddenly rolled over!

"Ah!" Xiao Bai seemed to have not expected his sudden outburst and cried out in surprise. In the blink of an eye, Jiang Xiaochuan had already pinned her down!

The two switched positions instantly.

Jiang Xiaochuan braced himself above her, his hands pressed on the bed on either side of her head. His chest heaved violently, his breathing was heavy and hot, his eyes were bloodshot, and he stared intently at Xiaobai's slightly widened, watery silver eyes, which were slightly open in surprise, and her extremely alluring chest that rose and fell slightly with her panting.

Her plain white dress had become even more disheveled during the tumbling, revealing more of her body.

This position is even more ambiguous, even more...dangerous.

Jiang Xiaochuan could clearly feel himself.

Xiaobai seemed to sense it too. Instead of being afraid, the surprise in her eyes quickly faded, replaced by a more intense, almost excited light.

A provocative yet expectant smile even appeared at the corners of his mouth, and his silver pupils contracted slightly, like a beast that had spotted some interesting prey.

"That's right...that's more like it..."

She breathed heavily, her voice tinged with a barely perceptible hoarseness and excitement. She raised her hand, her fingertips lightly tracing the hot, taut jawline of Jiang Xiaochuan, her eyes glazed. "Come on... Xiaochuan... don't hold back..."

That voice, that look, that movement were like a fire, suddenly poured onto Jiang Xiaochuan's already boiling blood!

He let out a muffled, almost beast-like growl, and his body began to press downwards uncontrollably—

Just before his lips were about to touch those two alluring red lips, out of the corner of his eye, he caught a fleeting, almost elusive glimpse of... triumph and anticipation in Xiaobai's eyes.

Do not!

No!

This can't be done!

A cold voice, like a thunderclap, suddenly exploded in his chaotic and burning mind!

This is Xiao Bai! That old monster who has lived for thousands of years!

She's teasing you! She's playing with you! Like a cat playing with a mouse!

If you actually do it, you're completely finished!

How can I ever hold my head high in front of her again?

How can I face Lu Xueqi and Tian Ling'er?

How can I...be a human being?

*Smack!*

A crisp, loud slap landed hard on his left cheek! The burning pain instantly brought him back to his senses.

Not enough! Still not enough!

"Slap! Slap! Slap! Slap! Slap!..."

He went berserk, slapping his own cheeks repeatedly and fiercely with all his might!

The crisp sound of slaps rang out repeatedly in the quiet morning room, one after another, fast and hard!

Every strike was delivered with all one's might, as if one were not slapping their own face, but rather the restless beast within their heart called "desire"!

Xiaobai was stunned.

The excitement and anticipation on her face froze instantly, turning into astonishment and disbelief as she watched the boy on top of her act as if he had gone mad, treating her so cruelly.

Her delicate face swelled up rapidly before the naked eye, the fingerprints were clear, and a trace of blood even seeped from the corner of her mouth.

But the madness and determination in his eyes sent a chill through her heart for the first time… and an indescribable stinging pain?

A dozen or so slaps, swift as lightning.

Jiang Xiaochuan finally stopped. His cheeks were swollen and burning, and his mouth was full of a metallic, sweet taste.

But the intense, self-destructive pain completely cleared and cooled my mind.

The crimson desire and chaos in his eyes receded like the tide, leaving only a cold clarity and a lingering sense of fear.

Without even glancing at Xiaobai, whose expression was complicated beneath him, he abruptly rolled off her, staggered off the bed, and, without even bothering to put on his shoes, rushed barefoot to the table. He grabbed his coat and hastily put it on, then picked up the Xuechuan Sword that was quietly placed on the table.

"I'm sorry... I'm leaving."

He was facing away from the bed, his voice hoarse and nasal, the pain in his cheek making his speech somewhat indistinct, "You... whatever."

After saying that, he didn't linger, not even daring to look back. He burst open the door, rushed to the open space outside, and with a hurried thought, the Snow River Sword was drawn from its sheath with a "clang," transforming into a stream of ice-blue and silver light.

He leaped onto the sword, and before he could even stand firmly, the sword light shot into the sky at an extremely fast, erratic speed, heading towards Tongtian Peak as if fleeing in panic, and in the blink of an eye, it became a small dot on the horizon.

Silence returned to the room.

Xiao Bai slowly sat up from the bed, her plain white dress slightly disheveled.

She raised her hand and touched her lower abdomen.

She walked to the window, gazing at the direction of the hasty sword light that had long since disappeared behind the clouds, and remained motionless for a long time.

The morning breeze stirred her long silver hair and the hem of her clothes.

After a long while, she gently raised her hand, her fingertips brushing against her smooth cheek, as if she could still feel the force of the slap when the boy had slapped her so hard.

The crisp sound of those slaps still seems to echo in my ears.

"Does it hurt... you idiot?" she murmured to herself, her voice so soft it was almost inaudible. Her eyes held a complex and unfathomable mix of helplessness, mockery, indulgence, and a hint of... a subtle tenderness that even she herself hadn't fully grasped.

If he can be so ruthless to himself, he probably can't bear to hurt others, especially those he cares about.

What a troublesome yet soft-hearted guy.

She shook her head, turned and walked back to the bedside, slowly tidying her slightly disheveled clothes and long hair.

Her exquisite face regained its usual languid and unfathomable expression.

The Seven Sects Martial Arts Tournament... the real show is just beginning.

Tongtian Peak, Cloud Sea Square, Zhenwei Arena.

As the sun rose higher, its bright rays shone brightly on the huge, square arena built from a single block of hard bluestone, reflecting a somewhat dazzling light.

The arena was already surrounded by layers upon layers of people, a dense, dark mass, probably numbering no less than several hundred.

Whispers, discussions, and laughter mingled together, buzzing and filling the air with an atmosphere of excitement, curiosity, and restlessness.

There are only two reasons why so many people have gathered at this relatively back "Zhen" position arena:

Firstly, they were curious and wanted to see who this disciple of Dazhu Peak named "Jiang Xiaochuan" was, and what abilities he had that could attract the attention of Lu Xueqi, the icy beauty and genius disciple of Xiaozhu Peak, to such "different treatment," even to the point of "pulling and hugging" him in public, causing quite a stir.

Secondly... Lu Xueqi herself was standing quietly at the very front of the east side of the arena, only a few feet away from it.

Wearing a moon-white Taoist robe and the Heavenly Jade Sword on her back, her cold and beautiful face was expressionless, but her eyes were fixed intently on the somewhat nervous figure who had just stepped onto the stage in the center of the arena.

Lu Xueqi's mere presence was enough to attract most of the attention and discussion.

Jiang Xiaochuan stood in the center of the arena, feeling extremely uncomfortable. His face still stung from the slap he had made. Although he had secretly used the cool Snow River Sword Qi to soothe the swelling, the marks were still visible upon closer inspection.

He dared not look at Lu Xueqi below the arena, nor did he dare look at Tian Ling'er or other acquaintances in the crowd. He could only force himself to stare at his opponent.

The opponent was a disciple of Chaoyang Peak named Chu Yuhong. He looked to be in his early twenties, with an ordinary appearance, but his eyes were calm and his aura was refined. He carried a bright red immortal sword on his back, which emitted faint heat waves and was obviously of the fire attribute.

He was at the fifth level of the Jade Purity Realm, which was equivalent to his level.

"Jiang Xiaochuan from Dazhu Peak, please enlighten me, Senior Brother Chu." Jiang Xiaochuan composed himself, cupped his hands in greeting, and tried to make his voice sound as steady as possible.

"Chaoyang Peak, Chu Yuhong, please give me your guidance, Junior Brother Jiang." Chu Yuhong returned the greeting with a cupped hand, his gaze lingering briefly on Jiang Xiaochuan's face. He seemed to have noticed the unusual appearance on Jiang's cheek, but he didn't ask any further questions. His eyes were filled with more seriousness about the competition.

With a command from the elder who was acting as the referee, the competition began!

Chu Yuhong was clearly experienced and acted decisively. With a low shout, the crimson immortal sword "Shaoyang" behind him was drawn with a clang, transforming into a blazing red light with a scorching shockwave, piercing straight for Jiang Xiaochuan's face!

Before the sword even arrived, a blast of hot air hit their faces, making their skin dry.

Jiang Xiaochuan's heart tightened, and he dared not be careless. The Snow River Sword flew out automatically, its ice-blue and silver-white blade carrying a streak of cold light, and met the attack head-on!

"Clang!"

The two swords clashed, producing a crisp, clear sound!

A burst of energy, both intensely hot and icy cold, suddenly exploded out!

Jiang Xiaochuan felt a scorching, domineering force travel through the Xuechuan Sword, his arm went slightly numb, and he involuntarily took a step back. Chu Yuhong's Shaoyang Sword was also affected by the Xuechuan Sword's chilling aura, its red light momentarily pausing.

In their first encounter, Jiang Xiaochuan was slightly at a disadvantage.

A murmur arose from the audience.