No Matter How You Put It, This Is Too Much

From day to night, and yet it continued.

"Don’t you think this has gone on a bit too long?" Jiang Ningshu remarked idly to Little Yu.

"Mm," Little Yu agreed. No matter how one looked at it, it had been quite a while.

"Does Su Luo take this long with you too?"

Little Yu’s face flushed instantly, and after a long pause, she murmured, "No..."

"Then Nangong Xiyun is just insatiable." Jiang Ningshu was tempted to blast the room apart and put a stop to it.

"Mm." Little Yu nodded along, though her response was more out of politeness than anything else.

"A whole month—Nangong Xiyun is really something else."

"Mm."

"Next time, you should cling to Su Luo even longer than she does." Jiang Ningshu, ever the instigator, tossed out the suggestion without a second thought.

"Mm."

…Wait.

Little Yu finally processed the words and shook her head frantically. That was not something she could do.

"Hah, if Su Luo saw you like this, he probably wouldn’t be able to hold back."

"Stop teasing me."

Time dragged on until dawn finally broke.

"Okay, this is just excessive now." Jiang Ningshu felt her understanding of the world had been upended. She might lack experience, but surely things weren’t this extreme.

It wasn’t like they were dual cultivating for cultivation’s sake.

Little Yu also found the situation somewhat terrifying. Imagining herself in that position… no, she definitely couldn’t handle it.

Jiang Ningshu decided she’d had enough. She slammed a fist against the barrier Nangong Xiyun had erected around the room. "Hey, isn’t it about time you wrapped things up? How much longer are we supposed to wait?"

As if on cue, Nangong Xiyun emerged, perfectly composed and fully dressed. They had actually stopped a while ago—just lying there, quietly savoring the moment.

"What’s the rush? We just finished." Nangong Xiyun radiated vitality.

Su Luo followed behind, though his complexion seemed a bit pale.

Seeing him like this, Jiang Ningshu couldn’t help but comment, "Didn’t you go a little too far?"

"Don’t exaggerate. I kept it under control." Nangong Xiyun paused, then reconsidered. Well, maybe she had gotten a bit carried away.

Still, thanks to this, she’d returned to her usual self—able to interact with Su Luo normally, her entire being feeling renewed.

Su Luo waved a hand dismissively. "Don’t mind me. I could keep going if I had to."

Little Yu took his hand gently. "You should rest for now."

"I’m really fine."

"Mm, I know."

Su Luo sighed but obediently sat down. Little Yu then presented him with a bowl of nourishing tonic soup.

This was crossing the line. Unbearable!

But since Little Yu had gone to the trouble, it’d be a waste not to drink it.

Jiang Ningshu eyed Su Luo’s state and scoffed. "Tch. I don’t see what’s so great about it."

"I can’t let that slide. Turns out, I broke through." Nangong Xiyun proudly displayed her enhanced cultivation.

And it was a flawless breakthrough.

Truthfully, it had happened mid-process, but she’d been too absorbed to notice until now.

Jiang Ningshu wasn’t convinced. "That proves nothing. Could’ve just been accumulated progress. Doubt it had anything to do with that."

"Believe what you want."

"Little Yu, back me up here. Was it useful?" Jiang Ningshu turned to her for validation.

"Um… it was… nice." Little Yu answered softly.

Though she couldn’t say for sure if it had any tangible benefits, her mood had improved.

Seeing Little Yu side with Nangong Xiyun, Jiang Ningshu briefly entertained the thought of trying it herself.

"Use your own judgment," Su Luo interjected, sensing her dangerous line of thinking.

This wasn’t something to rush into. Impulsiveness led to disaster.

"Obviously," Jiang Ningshu huffed. She was only speculating—this sort of thing didn’t actually interest her. "Still, you’re a dangerous woman, wearing Su Luo out like this."

"That’s unfair. I’m not dangerous. And someone is to blame for this dragging on a whole month."

Nangong Xiyun shot Jiang Ningshu a pointed look. If not for her interference, this would’ve been over weeks ago.

"My fault, then?"

……

After some idle chatter, everyone returned to their own activities.

Which, in reality, meant doing nothing much. Little Yu was the only one diligently cultivating, while the other three lazed about.

Eventually, Nangong Xiyun suggested a stroll by the river with Su Luo.

He followed her without protest.

By the riverside, the two walked slowly side by side.

Su Luo seemed to hesitate over something.

"What is it?" Nangong Xiyun prompted.

"Just… feels surreal, I guess."

"Don’t doubt it. I know hiding my identity from you for so long was wrong, but make no mistake—I do love you."

She pressed a light kiss to his lips.

"I’m not doubting. Just didn’t expect you to move so fast."

"What can I say? I couldn’t help myself."

Nangong Xiyun’s thoughts drifted to Li Siyi, who had missed countless opportunities by hesitating for too long. Now, her chances were slim at best.

Waiting for Su Luo to take the initiative? Near impossible.

He had his own goals to pursue. Until he achieved them, he wouldn’t willingly entangle himself in romantic ties.

So she had to be the one to act.

They chatted idly as they walked, until suddenly, a female cultivator at the Nascent Soul stage approached.

"Senior Nangong! It really is you!"

"Mn." Nangong Xiyun responded coolly.

This was her usual demeanor in public—not outright hostile, but distant enough to discourage familiarity.

"I’m so honored to meet you again! Do you remember me? I’m from the Mistcloud Sect."

"Mn. We’ve met once."

"And this is…?"

Su Luo had already donned his black robes, concealing his identity.

He was a well-known figure, though his reputation wasn’t exactly stellar.

At the mention of Su Luo, Nangong Xiyun’s expression softened into a smile. "Him? He’s my beloved."

"What?!"

The Mistcloud Sect disciple was stunned. She idolized Nangong Xiyun—how had she never heard about this?

To think her first encounter with her idol would yield such explosive news.

Su Luo was equally taken aback. Was it really okay for Nangong Xiyun to declare this so openly?

If word got out, the consequences could be severe.

Nangong Xiyun: "No need to be shocked. It’s the truth."

The disciple stammered, "C-Could I ask who he is?"

"Sorry, but that’s a secret." Nangong Xiyun pulled Su Luo closer, well aware he wouldn’t reveal himself. But she wanted people to know.

Nangong Xiyun has someone she loves.

"C-Congratulations," the disciple managed, though the words felt awkward.

This version of Nangong Xiyun was nothing like the aloof senior she’d admired. Even their initial interaction had been different.

Watching the two being so affectionate, the disciple decided it was time to leave.

"I’ll take my leave now. Wishing you both happiness."

"Mn."

The Mistcloud Sect disciple hurried away.

This was huge. Should she spread the news?