The Villain Marked the Protagonist's Fiancée (Through the Book) - Chapter 3

The woman was inwardly surprised by Yun Xiao’s speed. That was remarkably quick.

Maintaining a composed expression, she glanced sideways to scrutinize Yun Xiao. After a long moment, she said slowly, “Perhaps you should think about it some more.”

Yun Xiao shook her head vigorously, like a rattle drum. “No, it’s not recorded in the manual.” Sensing the woman’s skepticism, she added, “For specialized tasks, you need a specialist. Why not find an alchemist you know and have them try?”

The woman retrieved a stack of books from her Storage Ring and handed them to Yun Xiao. “Read these. You might remember something.”

These books had been given to her by her Master when she was young. Unfortunately, she lacked the talent for Pill Refinement, so they had been relegated to the deepest corner of her Storage Ring.

For a Demon Cultivator to recall the medicinal materials needed for the Pheromone Suppression Pill so quickly, either the cultivator possessed extraordinary talent or was deliberately deceiving her.

She leaned toward the former explanation, reasoning that a Demon Cultivator’s true intentions could often be discerned from their facial expressions.

Earlier, the cultivator’s expression had clearly indicated that they neither knew where to obtain the Pheromone Suppression Pill nor who could refine it.

Yun Xiao’s refusal hovered on her lips, but when she saw the woman’s icy profile, she swallowed the words back down and reluctantly accepted the stack of books with a bitter resentment.

A faint smile curved the woman’s lips as she stepped further into the room. “The grilled fish is quite good,” she remarked.

Her culinary skills acknowledged, Yun Xiao’s mood brightened instantly, her peach-blossom eyes sparkling like stars. “Then I’ll grill extra tomorrow. Oh, by the way, I’m Yun Xiao. What should I call you?”

The woman paused, replying, “A’Luo.”

It was clearly not her full name.

Yun Xiao didn’t press the matter. She knew that one day, A’Luo would reveal her full name.

For cultivators, meditation could replace sleep.

With a blade still hanging over her head, Yun Xiao dared not slacken her guard. She retreated into the Cave Abode, retrieved a mid-grade Spirit Herb from her Inner Space, crumpled it up, and tossed it into her mouth. She sat cross-legged, absorbing the herb’s Spiritual Energy.

Before she could complete a single cultivation cycle, a familiar heat surged from her abdomen. Yun Xiao recognized this as a normal reaction to her Heat Period. She diverted some of her focus to suppress it, channeling the rest into circulating her Spiritual Power.

It wasn’t recklessness that drove her. Earlier that day, while gathering materials to build a makeshift grill, she had extended her Divine Sense across a ten-mile radius. Apart from a harmless second-tier Demonic Beast, she detected no other people or creatures.

It was precisely through this Divine Sense scan that she realized she and A’Luo were within an array.

This array must have been set up by A’Luo; otherwise, how would she dare spend her Heat Period alone in this desolate wilderness?

The fact that Yun Xiao could enter the array meant only one thing: the array was effectively nonexistent for her.

Remembering her promise to A’Luo, Yun Xiao reluctantly halted her cultivation and effortlessly retrieved seven fish from the Cold Pool.

Eating grilled fish alone was rather monotonous, so Yun Xiao decided to find some Spirit Fruit nearby to pair with it. This would also be a good opportunity to test her theory from the previous night.

She quickly made her way to the array formation. Unsure of what kind of array A’Luo had used, she cautiously reached out a hand.

No resistance.

It seemed her theory was correct. Would she never have to worry about being trapped by array formations again?

The memories she had absorbed contained no record of the original owner possessing the ability to freely enter and exit array formations. Why had she suddenly gained this ability after transmigrating?

After scratching her head in thought for a while, she still couldn’t figure it out.

Her mother had always said, “If you can’t understand something, let it be. Why waste time and energy on it?”

Passing through the array formation, Yun Xiao immediately extended her Divine Sense, spotting a mid-grade Spirit Fruit tree on a cliff eighty miles away.

Channeling her Spiritual Energy, she sped toward it.

Fifteen minutes later, facing a Fifth-Tier Eagle Beast glaring down at her from the sky, Yun Xiao didn’t hesitate. She unleashed a lethal strike.

After just two exchanges, the Eagle Beast realized it was no match for her. With a flap of its wings, it slunk away in defeat.

With the Eagle Beast gone, Yun Xiao plucked all twelve Spirit Fruits from the tree in a dozen breaths.

The crimson Spirit Fruits radiated a rich, fruity aroma. She wiped one against her sleeve and took a bite.

Sweet, brimming with Spiritual Energy, and delicious.

Halfway back, Yun Xiao realized she had no plates or bowls. Improvising, she chopped down a tree thick enough for one person to hug.

Digging with her sword proved too slow, so Yun Xiao simply transformed her right hand into a claw.

The claw wasn’t as aesthetically pleasing as her hand, but its sharpness made up for it. She quickly fashioned two large wooden plates and two wooden bowls.

Returning to the formation, Yun Xiao spotted A’Luo soaking in the Cold Pool from a distance.

A’Luo was still clad in white robes, her long black hair cascading over her shoulders. Her exquisite features glowed under the slanting sunlight, leaving Yun Xiao momentarily mesmerized.

Sensing Yun Xiao’s presence, A’Luo’s anger flared, but it subsided slightly when she noticed the plates and bowls in Yun Xiao’s hands.

Having not seen Yun Xiao within the formation, A’Luo had assumed she had already left.

Snapping out of her daze, Yun Xiao’s fair cheeks flushed crimson. Avoiding A’Luo’s gaze, she stammered, “You must be hungry. I’ll go roast the fish right away.”

A’Luo’s thick eyelashes fluttered slightly, but she remained silent, tacitly accepting Yun Xiao’s words.

Yun Xiao’s mind was still replaying the scene she had just witnessed, leaving her unable to focus on anything else.

She once again marveled at the advantages of the Cultivation World. In modern times, her absent-minded approach to roasting fish would have inevitably resulted in a burnt mess. Here, however, she could effortlessly multitask.

After placing two Spirit Fruits beside the golden-brown roasted fish, Yun Xiao felt the presentation could be improved. She retrieved a mid-grade Spirit Herb, plucked two of its tenderest leaves, and arranged them as garnish, elevating the dish’s visual appeal.

Carrying the wooden plate to the pool’s edge, Yun Xiao handed it to A’Luo. “There’s more when you’re done.”

Yun Xiao caught a glimpse of pale, slender legs submerged in the water, the air thick with the sweet, cloying scent of jasmine. Her bl00d surged, her body temperature spiking several degrees as her mind filled with sensual, suggestive images.

A’Luo reached out to take the wooden platter, the unfamiliar yet enticing presentation instantly piquing her appetite.

Yun Xiao truly possessed a natural talent for Food Cultivation.

A’Luo had realized this the previous day. The Spirit Fish Yun Xiao grilled was brimming with Spiritual Energy, utterly devoid of fishy odor, and tasted exquisite—a feat only a Golden Core Stage Food Cultivator could achieve.

To her knowledge, few Demon Cultivators bothered with such elaborate cooking. What exactly was Yun Xiao’s background?

Glancing sideways, A’Luo saw Yun Xiao staring intently at her legs submerged in the pool, two streams of bl00d trickling from her nostrils.

After the past few days of absurdity, A’Luo understood perfectly. Yun Xiao was completely infatuated.

She shot Yun Xiao a sharp glare, then freed one hand to conjure a wave of water, splashing it toward her. “Pervert.”

The icy water snapped Yun Xiao back to reality. Her face and ears burned as she scrambled away in a panic.

Returning to the grill, she covered her face with both hands, inwardly cursing herself for her shamelessness and depravity.

People would rather soak in the Cold Pool than share another moment of intimacy with you, yet you’re still thinking about such nonsense.

With that thought, her spirits deflated.

Forget it. I should just focus on making the Pheromone Suppression Pill sooner. That way, even if A’Luo isn’t marked by me during the next Heat Period, she won’t have to suffer so much.

Yun Xiao retrieved the basic spiritual herbs A’Luo had given her, studying them while taking notes.

Cultivators generally possessed excellent memories. Within just two hours, she had memorized the entire book.

Seeing that it was still early, she began reading other books.

The more she read, the more fascinating she found them. By the time she finished all the books, ten days had passed.

Storing the books back in her Inner Space, Yun Xiao stood up and stretched.

Suddenly remembering something, she hurried to the Cold Pool’s edge, calling out cheerfully, “A’Luo, I’ve finished reading all the books you gave me!”

For some reason, she felt a sudden chill.

Has the temperature dropped?

During those ten days, A’Luo had endured the torment of her Heat Period, never leaving the Cold Pool. Hearing Yun Xiao’s footsteps, she instinctively turned away, refusing to let Yun Xiao see her.

Receiving no response, Yun Xiao tilted her head in confusion, trying to catch a glimpse of A’Luo’s face.

She couldn’t see it.

Is she upset I took so long?

Nearly thirty books—I read them as fast as I could!

She unleashed her trump card: “I have a lead on the Pheromone Suppression Pill.” As she spoke, she stared intently at A’Luo’s back, determined not to miss a single movement.

A’Luo’s lowered eyelashes trembled slightly as joy surged from her heart. Suppressing the urge to turn around, she feigned composure and asked, “Can you refine it now?”

Yun Xiao shook her head, idly playing with the pool water. “I just know we need to go to the Mortal Realm to gather all the medicinal materials for the Pheromone Suppression Pill.”

After reading the books A’Luo had given her, Yun Xiao had become familiar with the Spirit Herbs of the Cultivation World and even gained a basic understanding of Pill Refinement.

The materials required for the Pheromone Suppression Pill weren’t Spirit Herbs, but ordinary medicinal herbs, which could only be found in the Mortal Realm.

During the flood ten days ago, A’Luo had felt helpless and overwhelmed. Without Yun Xiao’s presence, she didn’t know how much more she would have suffered.

A’Luo didn’t understand why Yun Xiao was so certain the materials could only be found in the Mortal Realm, but she knew she couldn’t afford to miss any opportunity.

Nor was she afraid of being deceived by Yun Xiao. Their previous clash had given her a rough estimate of Yun Xiao’s cultivation level.

Although Yun Xiao had a slight advantage in controlling Thunder and Lightning, A’Luo possessed her own means of self-preservation.

Moreover, she trusted her judgment. A Demon Cultivator who wore her thoughts so plainly on her face couldn’t possibly deceive her.

In her youth, A’Luo had been just like Yun Xiao, wearing all her emotions and thoughts on her face.

Before her master’s accident, he had playfully called her naive and innocent.

After the accident, however, her master twisted every emotion she showed, punishing and scolding her so often that she eventually learned to conceal her true feelings.

Snapping out of her reverie, A’Luo turned and waded ashore.

She cast a spell to change into a white cultivation robe, then glanced sideways at Yun Xiao, who appeared to be playing in the water but whose eyes kept darting toward her. “Let’s go.”

Yun Xiao blinked in surprise, then nodded belatedly.

Suddenly, she suggested, “Why don’t we go to the Mortal Realm again after my Heat Period ends?”

A’Luo immediately rejected the idea. “No.”

She needed to return to the sect in time for the Grand Tournament, which was only four months away.

This trip to the Mortal Realm to gather medicinal materials could take an unpredictable amount of time, so she had to hurry.

Seeing A’Luo’s resolute stance, Yun Xiao didn’t press the matter further.

After storing the important items from the Cave Abode into her Storage Ring and retracting the Defensive Formation Plate, A’Luo retrieved her Flying Spirit Tool.

Urged by her gaze, Yun Xiao climbed onto the Flying Spirit Tool.

This was a high-grade, fourth-tier Spirit Tool capable of traveling two thousand li per day, consuming one High-Grade Spirit Stone daily.

Having never ridden a Flying Artifact before, Yun Xiao was utterly captivated. She peered down at the passing scenery and reached out to touch the soft, drifting clouds.

“How much does this Flying Artifact cost?” she asked, turning her head curiously. “I want to buy one too.”

A’Luo, sitting cross-legged with her eyes closed, replied calmly, “Eight thousand High-Grade Spirit Stones.”

Yun Xiao’s mouth fell slightly open, her peach-blossom eyes wide with astonishment.

That’s so expensive!

She had been quite pleased with the five thousand High-Grade Spirit Stones she’d found in her Inner Space, but now she realized that sum wouldn’t even buy a single Flying Spirit Tool.

Her disappointment lasted only a few breaths before she rallied her spirits.

Demonic Beasts are treasure troves! I can hunt more of them to earn Spirit Stones. And if all else fails, I still have those Spirit Herbs in my Inner Space—priceless High-Grade Spirit Herbs!

However, these resources had been left by her original body’s mother as preparation for breaking through to the Demon King stage. She absolutely couldn’t use them unless it was a last resort.

Leaving the Cold Pool, the burning heat in A’Luo’s body grew unbearable. She swallowed a Clear Heart Pill and channeled her Spiritual Power to suppress the sensation, finding some relief.

Yet within an hour, the burning returned, accompanied by a cloying sweetness in the air—a storm of lust brewing.

Glaring at the person meditating half a foot away, she swallowed another Clear Heart Pill.

In truth, Yun Xiao, whose back was turned, was also struggling. The increasingly cloying sweetness in the air easily stirred her primal desires.

No, A’Luo wouldn’t like this.

Her body, however, refused to obey, leaning toward A’Luo as every cell clamored for closeness.

“A’Luo, A’Luo…” she murmured involuntarily.

Meeting A’Luo’s misty gaze, Yun Xiao’s resolve crumbled. She pulled A’Luo into her arms and leaned down to press a soft kiss against her slender neck.

A’Luo’s raised hand never pushed Yun Xiao away. Her head tilted back involuntarily, allowing her long, dark hair to intertwine with Yun Xiao’s fair locks.

Even though they had already shared the most intimate moments, Yun Xiao still felt a pang of shyness at the sight of A’Luo’s graceful figure and her eyes, now tinged with passion.

She covered A’Luo’s eyes with her hand and gently nipped her earlobe.

Deprived of sight, A’Luo’s senses of hearing and touch sharpened.

The warmth of Yun Xiao’s breath ghosting across her skin made her tremble and go weak.

Seizing the moment of A’Luo’s dazed surrender, Yun Xiao revealed her luminous tail, its tip crackling with faint Thunder and Lightning, and lightly brushed it across every inch of A’Luo’s skin.