Let’s Talk About It on My Bed

Sister, with the Iron Armor Puppet still around, there’s no need for you to stay on edge.

The two of them were still in good condition, so Cao Xueyan suggested that they take advantage of the night to slay a few more demon beasts.

As long as they didn’t encounter a second-tier beast, even if they couldn’t win, they could at least preserve their lives.

Danyao agreed without hesitation — she always listened to Cao Xueyan.

As night fell, the demon beasts in the forest became restless, just as expected.

Since Cao Xueyan had already put the puppet away into her storage bag, the beasts no longer held back.

In no time, Cao Xueyan and Danyao were attacked more than a dozen times by all sorts of creatures — wolf demons with glowing green eyes, venomous and sly serpent demons, and even some she couldn’t name but felt were unusually fierce.

After all, this was the cultivation world; one couldn’t simply compare them to ordinary beasts from the mortal realm.

Through practice, the two gradually developed some teamwork.

Danyao bravely took the front lines, while Cao Xueyan, holding her silver needles, calmly attacked from behind her cover.

Those Ice Soul Silver Needles were lethal — most beasts below the second tier couldn’t withstand even one strike.

Once pierced, they would collapse instantly, paralyzed and helpless.

As time went on, the second-tier beasts seemed to be drawn away by some unknown force.

Even low-level disciples now had a chance of running into them.

Most disciples had already paired up, combining their strength — even if they didn’t dare fight, they could at least retreat safely.

Cao Xueyan and Danyao were self-aware; they avoided second-tier monsters whenever possible.

Soon enough, Foundation Establishment seniors would arrive, and that kind of battle was far beyond their level.

Even standing nearby as spectators could get them caught in the crossfire.

Like when Cao Xueyan had been trapped by the tiger demon — a Foundation Establishment senior had arrived and casually cast a single fire spell that scorched the entire area.

Had Cao Xueyan not been protected by a defensive artifact, her fate might have been tragic.

It was said that cultivators had no real sense of time.

One moment, Cao Xueyan was casting spells, sending her silver needles flying.

The next, when she came to her senses, the sky was already tinged with red clouds of sunset.

“It’s about to get dark. Should we rest for a while, Senior Sister?” Cao Xueyan asked.

But Danyao gave her a strange look and said, “Junior Sister, do you know what day it is today?”

“What day?” Cao Xueyan asked, puzzled.

“Today is the third day — the Monster Hunting Tournament is coming to an end.”

Only then did Cao Xueyan suddenly recall — the sect had arranged for three days and two nights.

By the evening of the third day, the competition would officially end.

Now, as the sun dipped below the horizon, the event was nearing its conclusion.

Cao Xueyan felt reluctant; these past few days had been invaluable to her.

It was her first time facing real beasts, her first time fighting so freely, her first time cooperating so closely with another.

“When the time comes, the grand formation will teleport us back to where we entered. We just have to wait here,” Danyao explained.

Cao Xueyan sighed in regret — she wasn’t ready for it to end, but the formation cared nothing for such feelings.

Half an hour later, the sun had fully set.

Before darkness completely fell, every participant, no matter where they were or what they were doing, was drawn by the array back to the starting point.

Elder Lin finally descended from the sky, though he still sat lazily on his spirit boat, unwilling to step out.

“It seems everyone’s back. Hand over your spoils, the injured should get treated, and the rest may return to rest,” Elder Lin said drowsily before lying back down.

Several deacons came forward, and the disciples automatically formed lines to submit their harvests.

The more they turned in, the higher their scores.

Those who didn’t wish to submit were free to keep their spoils — the sect wouldn’t force them.

After all, this tournament was held for their sake.

Cao Xueyan and Danyao stood toward the back of the line.

After a while, a familiar voice called out, “Isn’t this the Sect Leader’s personal disciple, Cao?”

Following the voice, Cao Xueyan saw the Foundation Establishment senior who had once saved her.

He was a tall, powerful man holding a rope that seemed to be a magic tool.

At the other end was a massive tiger demon’s corpse, its blood aura still oppressive despite being dead.

Only a cultivator of his level could safely drag it around using spiritual protection.

That tiger demon — she recognized it.

It was the same one that had once trapped her.

“The beast that attacked you before — I spent some effort to catch it. Consider this an apology,” the senior said with a grin.

He had a way of speaking that made people feel comfortable.

Cao Xueyan replied softly, “No need for apologies, Senior Brother. I’m already grateful you avenged me. This was your kill — I can’t take what I didn’t earn.”

Seeing her humble refusal, the senior laughed and left, dragging the tiger corpse away.

Even without gifting it, such a trophy had great value — not least of which was the tiger’s core and pelt.

Soon, it was Cao Xueyan and Danyao’s turn to hand over their spoils.

They had agreed earlier to split everything equally.

Cao Xueyan wanted to give her entire share to Danyao — she had done so in the simulation before — but reality was different.

Because of how things had begun, she hadn’t made any other friends.

And with Danyao’s honest nature, she would never accept something she hadn’t earned.

Their total score wasn’t high — somewhere in the middle — but Cao Xueyan felt content nonetheless.

It was a peaceful kind of satisfaction, like dust settling.

When it came time to part, Danyao was reluctant.

In her twenty-some years of life, she had never felt as happy as in these few days.

It had been exhausting, yes, but with Cao Xueyan by her side, her heart had felt calm and light.

“Senior Sister, wait,” Cao Xueyan suddenly called out.

“I heard you can refine that so-called ‘Heaven’s Defect Pill.’ Could you give me one to look at?”

Danyao blinked in surprise — who would ever ask for such a thing?

That pill was notorious among cultivators — a symbol of misfortune!

“Junior Sister, what do you want it for? If you need pills, I’ll send you ten bottles of better ones when I return,” Danyao said awkwardly.

But Cao Xueyan smiled and replied, “No matter how precious those are, none could compare to a pill refined by you, Senior Sister.”

That single sentence made Danyao freeze.

Ever since she had refined her first Heaven’s Defect Pill, no one had ever said anything like that to her.

Her master had shaken his head, her family had mocked her — but now, for the first time, someone looked at her creation with warmth.

She trembled slightly as she pulled out a small bottle from her storage pouch.

The pills inside weren’t rare, but they were her handiwork.

Cao Xueyan took the bottle, poured out a pill, and examined it closely.

It had a rich fragrance and fine texture — clearly a high-quality pill, if not for the small missing corner that earned it its cursed name.

It was almost comical how people feared it.

“Junior Sister,” Danyao said softly, “you can keep it as a memento, but please don’t take it.”

Though deep down, she had always wished someone would dare to consume her pill, when it came to Cao Xueyan, she couldn’t bear the thought.

Cao Xueyan had treated her with true sincerity — how could she bring her harm?

After they parted, Cao Xueyan arrived at the base of the Talisman Peak.

There, under the dim night sky, a white-robed fairy was already waiting — radiant as the moon, impossible to ignore.

“Master!”

After several days apart, Cao Xueyan had missed her deeply.

With no one around, she ran into her master’s embrace like a sparrow returning to its nest.

The familiar fragrance and softness enveloped her, and Cao Xueyan greedily breathed it in.

Xiao Menglan gently stroked her disciple’s hair and asked softly, “Did you gain anything these few days?”

Cao Xueyan counted on her fingers and said, “My spells are smoother now. I’ve seen many beasts, and also—”

Before she could finish, Xiao Menglan pressed a slender finger to her lips, eyes filled with tender affection.

“Let’s talk about it on my bed.”

Cao Xueyan blushed and nodded shyly as Xiao Menglan lifted her onto the flying sword, carrying her toward the Moonlit Palace atop the peak.

Meanwhile, back at the Alchemy Peak, Danyao wandered through the medicine fields, her face tinged with a shy, girlish blush.

Though the sky was dark, she was radiant beyond compare.

Every time she recalled Cao Xueyan calling her “Senior Sister,” it tickled her heart like a kitten’s paw — strange yet pleasant.

She wondered if Cao Xueyan had already returned. What was she doing now?

Though nearly thirty, Danyao’s heart still held the tenderness of a young girl — one that stirred easily and refused to settle.