6 Self-Taught

When Jiuwu returned to the cave, the sky had not yet brightened. She paused at the entrance, her eyes downcast.

Physical contact, is it?

Xuanyi was sensitive to the cold. Even though Jiuwu had cast a wind-shielding spell at the entrance, the damp chill of the cave still made his entire body feel as if he had plunged into an ice cellar. It felt as though he had returned to that long, long time ago—sealed in an ice coffin, buried beneath the earth, enduring the bone-chilling cold that gripped his very soul.

In his sleep, Xuanyi’s brows were tightly furrowed, his lips slightly pale from the cold.

Then, a pair of arms wrapped around his waist, the warmth seeping through his clothes.

Jiuwu could not understand why this man, who possessed the world’s most masterful swordsmanship and unfathomable cultivation, was still plagued by such frigidity. She held him as if cradling an ice sculpture, constantly channeling her spiritual energy to dispel the cold surrounding him.

She leaned against his chest, inhaling the clean, cold scent that clung to him, her mind wandering back to Aunt Liu’s words, unable to fall asleep for a long time.

Jiuwu propped herself up, her fingertips tracing the cold, elegant contours of his brows and eyes. He was beautiful—more beautiful than anyone she had ever seen. This was a truth she had realized the very day he brought her back to the Wanshu Sect.

Jiuwu had never understood: the warm older brother from her childhood, who would buy her delicious candies, guide her through cultivation, playfully ruffle the hair her master had carefully groomed for her, and apologize whenever he could not stay by her side…

That older brother loved it when she called him "Senior Brother." Every time he heard it, his fox-like eyes would crinkle into slits of joy.

But decades had passed, and she could no longer connect him to the older brother of her memories. He had transformed into the brilliant, moon-bright young master of the immortal sect. He was upright and courteous, cold and self-contained; his heart held the weight of all living beings, yet there was no room left for her.

When exactly did he change?

Jiuwu rubbed her eyes, wiping away the tears at their corners.

Regardless of why he hated her, or how much he disliked her, the moment he chose to reach out to that filthy beggar in the small town, he had lost the ability to ever cast her off.

Jiuwu leaned down, biting at Xuanyi’s lips like a trapped beast, her eyes filled with extreme obsession and possessiveness, stopping only when she tasted the metallic tang of blood.

She opened her eyes, meeting his calm, ripple-less gaze. She did not look away, her fingers pinning his jaw as she pressed her lips to his once more.

There was no technique, only chaos, like a puppy gnawing on its beloved food, even if that food resisted.

Xuanyi’s breathing turned ragged. His hand, resting against Jiuwu’s shoulder, fell limp at her slightest touch. His expression grew colder, a layer of frost settling in his eyes.

Jiuwu’s eyes turned bloodshot. That look again—pitying and distant.

His eyes could encompass all things, yet he was so cruel to her alone!

Why! He was the one who broke into her life first, only to snatch away the warmth he had bestowed upon her without warning. Why should she be treated like a lunatic?

Tears fell from the corners of Jiuwu’s eyes. She truly wanted to grab him by his collar and beg him to give her back her older brother…

Some things, once you make up your mind to do them, are easily mastered without a teacher.

Like kissing.

The salty kiss caused Xuanyi’s gaze to stall. In his distraction, his jaw was unhinged, his slightly parted lips covered and ground upon. Her soft tongue scavenged for the moisture within his mouth, forcing his breath to mingle with the scent of wine.

Despite his resistance, a flush spread across that unassailable face.

Xuanyi had never imagined he would one day be so molested, and by this person—the "Junior Sister" he had personally brought back to the sect.

"Madwoman… mmm."

Jiuwu seemed to have developed a taste for it. She pressed her fingertip against Xuanyi’s lips, and as he spoke those words, she slid it inside…

Jiuwu withdrew her finger, a trail of transparent saliva flowing from the corner of Xuanyi’s slightly parted mouth.

Xuanyi’s eyes fluttered, a trace of humiliation flashing through them, accompanied by a rare flicker of anger. Yet, unable to close his jaw, he could only watch helplessly as Jiuwu savored his current state of disarray with evident interest.

"Senior Brother, you’re quite the wanton one." Jiuwu wiped her fingertip on the thin fabric of his chest.

Xuanyi shifted his gaze away, his eyes reddened with fury, refusing to look at her.

Having had her fill of the sight, Jiuwu restored his jaw and