“Fairy, Your Fingers Are Quite Beautiful.”

Though both were in a state of unclear consciousness, there was still a difference between them.

Qin Ximo, unlike her junior martial sister, had lived in restraint for many years.

Her body remembered its instincts and desires, longing to release them upon the girl in her arms.

But when she truly tried to act, she found she did not know where to begin.

Her hands moved without direction, unable to find what she sought.

Seeing this, Cao Xueyan quietly sighed in her heart.

“Ah… Martial Aunt, I even took off my clothes myself, yet you still haven’t gotten to the main point.”

“I already apologized to Master several times in my heart.”

Having no other choice, Cao Xueyan gently guided Qin Ximo’s movements, like an adult teaching a flustered child step by step.

“Qin… Fairy, give me your hand. Yes, just like that. Don’t rush.”

“Your fingers are very beautiful. Your skin is soft. I thought your hands might have calluses from sword practice.”

Her tone was gentle, soothing Qin Ximo’s frantic emotions.

Qin Ximo had clearly been pushed to her limits by the formation of the Immortal Mountain.

Earlier she could still speak.
Now she could only make hoarse, unclear sounds—like a wild beast overwhelmed by instinct.

Cao Xueyan hoped that speaking to her might gradually bring her mind back.

But to resolve the root of the problem, the necessary act still could not be avoided.

“…”

Qin Ximo’s eyes were hazy.

In her perception, the girl before her was unbearably beautiful.

Her body seemed to demand something desperately, drawn toward Cao Xueyan with instinctual hunger.

She followed the girl’s guidance, searching for that relief her body cried for.

It was unclear how long passed before Qin Ximo suddenly regained clarity.

Her mouth was dry. She swallowed and spoke hoarsely.

“Yue’er… is that you?”

Cao Xueyan lifted her face from Qin Ximo’s embrace.
She herself had been affected, but hearing Qin Ximo speak brought her joy.

“Qin Fairy, do you feel a bit better?”

Qin Ximo saw the familiar face before her.

Her mind reflexively overlapped it with someone from her memories.

No—she shook her head sharply.
She must not think like that.

But the more she tried to dispel the thought, the more it circled in her mind.

She almost wanted to slap herself.

Qin Ximo, what are you thinking?

This is your martial niece, your junior martial sister’s disciple!

Even the most shameless person would not allow such thoughts.

And though the resemblance was strong—it was only resemblance.

Different people.

She must not feel guilt.

She had been cautious all this time, always wary of Lu Qingyun.

But the demonic woman hid too deeply, saving her scheme for this moment.

Even so, Qin Ximo had managed to restrain her and buy herself a chance to calm the fire raging in her body.

Though her mind was clearer, her body still burned fiercely.

Her core felt like an empty void, urgently needing something to fill it.

If denied, she would fall again—perhaps even worse than before.

She would truly be lost.

Qin Ximo’s gaze once again settled on Cao Xueyan.

Shame had faded, replaced by quiet determination.

And with the guidance Cao Xueyan gave earlier, Qin Ximo now understood what needed to be done.

But still—

Even if her words were pretended or deliberate—she wanted to ask one more time.

“If I continue from here… there will be no turning back.”

She spoke seriously, suppressing the fire in her chest.

Cao Xueyan opened her mouth to answer—

But a harsh voice interrupted:

“Qin Ximo! You hypocritical, shameless—!”

Lu Qingyun was still frozen in the posture she had been sealed in.

The talisman locked her completely—even her spiritual consciousness was trapped.

She was no stronger than a mortal at the moment.

She had never suffered such humiliation.

The girl she had chosen, the one she wanted to make her cultivation partner, was now submitting to someone else—while even teaching the other how to handle her.

It was unbearable shame.

But she was helpless to act.

Qin Ximo glanced at the talisman.
It showed signs of loosening.

“It’s fine. I’ll reinforce it later. Her junior sister gave plenty of talismans.”

Qin Ximo ignored Lu Qingyun entirely and focused only on the girl before her.

Cao Xueyan looked at Qin Ximo.

The usually aloof fairy now appeared almost endearing—struggling to remain composed despite her overwhelming desire.

Something in Cao Xueyan’s chest stirred.

She smiled lightly.

“Qin Fairy, if you want something, you may simply take it. Why ask?”

Qin Ximo’s voice softened.

“Because I do not wish to wrong you.”

The words struck Cao Xueyan’s heart.

She remembered her master.

“If I choose this path… would I not be betraying Master?”

But Qin Ximo’s condition could not wait.

So Cao Xueyan spoke deliberately:

“If Qin Fairy feels guilt, then… there is someone else whose physique matches yours as well. She could help you resolve this just the same.”

Lu Qingyun, unable to move, could only speak:

“I have never wronged you… why would you say that…? You want to let Qin Ximo touch my body?! Why!?”

Cao Xueyan’s voice remained calm.

“Saintess, in your eyes, I was only a furnace to be used. After my essence was drained, I would be discarded.”

“I have seen many such corpses. I dreamed of their faces replacing mine. I feared you. I hated you.”

Lu Qingyun fell silent.

Everything Cao Xueyan said was true.

Her heart collapsed, and she could only remain quiet.

Qin Ximo leaned forward, gently kissing Cao Xueyan—touch soft and lingering, without violence, but filled with restrained urgency.

Cao Xueyan gasped lightly, then remembered what still needed to be done.

“Qin Fairy—wait.”

“Call me Ximo.”

Cao Xueyan flushed, her voice trembling slightly.

“Take the dual cultivation pill first… and also—about the Hehuan Sect technique. I know you dislike it, but without practicing it, the formation will still treat you as an enemy. I’ll recite it for you. Just try.”

Qin Ximo nodded.

“Alright.”

Cao Xueyan took out the Yin-Yang Creation Pills, placing one into her own mouth and gently guiding the other to Qin Ximo.

Warmth spread through both of them.

Though her body was heating, Cao Xueyan steadied herself—and began to teach the technique calmly, step by step.