Chapter 1124: Elder Xinran fulfills her promise— a kiss?

They spent three full days gathering all kinds of materials; basically all the mature ones were taken, and Chen Chuyang scored a big haul.

This haul can truly be called a windfall; at the very least, these spiritual herbs are enough for him to use for a long time—within the next ten years he need not worry about herb supplies, and when the second batch from Longshe Shan matures, he'll need even less than two or three years; if things go fast, a year will suffice.

Elder Xinran's planting talent is still quite good; most of the spiritual herbs grow very well, surpassing those of Longshe Shan. In fact, the Mangshan Mountain Range has abundant spiritual energy internally, so many herbs need little tending—they can just grow on their own.

Only a minority need careful tending; they don't require constant supervision. Once familiar with the herbs' traits, one knows which deserve attention and which do not—Elder Xinran has a good sense of this.

"Elder Xinran, you've worked hard these past years."

Chen Chuyang thanked her in person, expressing gratitude for Elder Xinran's efforts—managing so many spiritual herbs alone is truly not easy.

Elder Xinran waved her hand: "It's not hard; this is what I ought to do."

She naturally felt happy inside, receiving Chen Chuyang's acknowledgment and praise; her years of effort were not in vain, she breathed a sigh of relief, finally not having messed things up—that sense of success felt great.

At this moment she felt she had succeeded; in spiritual herb cultivation, she hadn't expected to have some talent as well.

In the future, she will work even harder to tend those herbs, ensuring their normal growth.

"No need to be so polite; this is your achievement, no one can take it from you. Elder Xinran, how would you like me to thank you?" Chen Chuyang said with a smile.

He looked at Elder Xinran, who blinked, then waved her hand: "No, no, no need to thank me; this is what I ought to do. You've protected me for so many years and given me many elixirs—between us there's no need for such formality."

The elixirs she cultivates, as well as other resources, are all provided by Qinglong Daoist, which amounts to Chen Chuyang's provision; he also shields her—any one of those would be enough to offset years of her hardship, let alone having them all.

The one who should be thanking is her, not Chen Chuyang.

Elder Xinran had not forgotten her station, nor did she boast of her achievements.

"You've already given me a lot; I'm content."

"These past years, thanks to your protection I've achieved what I have today, Chen Chuyang—if anyone should thank, it's me, not you."

She kept public and private affairs distinct.

Elder Xinran remained steadfast, her heart unmoved by Chen Chuyang's words.

Chen Chuyang walked up to Elder Xinran and simply stood there, looking at her.

Seeing this, Qinglong Daoist tactfully withdrew, leaving space for the two of them.

Elder Xinran's heart tightened; she unconsciously glanced at Chen Chuyang, feeling very nervous inside.

"Elder Xinran, the thanks you mentioned earlier—shouldn't it be fulfilled now?"

Chen Chuyang arrived at Tianwai and immediately learned what Qinglong Daoist knew.

Including the schemes Qinglong Daoist had played on Elder Xinran—he knew them all. He hadn't expected Elder Xinran to agree; he himself… couldn't resist teasing this woman. To be frank, Elder Xinran is truly different—her icy demeanor also has this side.

Elder Xinran's face flushed; she lowered her head, not daring to look at Chen Chuyang.

She was simply too shy.

Chen Chuyang kept looking at her, not shifting his gaze despite her shyness.

Being stared at made Elder Xinran increasingly nervous; she whispered, "Could you please not look at me like that? I'm very nervous."

Nervous, she was restless.

Chen Chuyang smiled: "Elder Xinran, what you promised should also be fulfilled now—I'm waiting for you."

Teasing Elder Xinran felt genuinely satisfying; Chen Chuyang had never seen her like this before—she really is different.

Acting contrary to her nature to tease her, that icy, proud Elder Xinran actually blushed—truly unexpected.

Even when Chen Chuyang earlier helped her soak in medicinal baths and helped her suppress those sword qi, they'd had many contacts, yet Elder Xinran never felt shy, nor did she act like a bashful maiden.

Naturally, Chen Chuyang took a good look; there aren't many things that can make Elder Xinran blush.

Elder Xinran's face flushed and her body trembled.

She gritted her teeth and said, "You…"

She lifted her head, met Chen Chuyang's eyes, her heart gave a sudden jolt, and she immediately lowered her gaze.

She couldn't meet his gaze, nor could she keep staring at Chen Chuyang.

She didn't know why, but this time she felt shy.

Before, she never was like this.

Taking a deep breath, Elder Xinran steeled herself again and said, "Turn around, I'll fulfill my promise right now."

She uttered those words with all her strength, her whole face flushed crimson.

That posture was truly alluring.

Chen Chuyang couldn't help but stare; such Elder Xinran had a different charm.

More beautiful, more pleasing to the eye, more alluring.

"Elder Xinran, since you're fulfilling your promise, you ought to do it openly—how can you hide?" Chen Chuyang laughed: "I never do things sneakily; I, Chen Chuyang, act openly and aboveboard."

Elder Xinran: "…"

He's clearly trying to embarrass her, and also making it hard for her to comply.

That's exactly the effect Chen Chuyang wanted; he stepped closer, chuckling: "Elder Xinran, come on—I'm ready, you'd better not… back out."

Elder Xinran gritted her teeth: "Rest assured, I won't forget what I promised, nor will I… break my word."

She gritted her teeth, took a step forward, gathered her courage, and tiptoed.

She touched his cheek with a point—this moment Elder Xinran's face reddened.

It grew redder, like a ripe peach.

Chen Chuyang turned to the other side of his face; Elder Xinran instantly understood, touched the other side as well, and wanted to retreat.

How could Chen Chuyang let her retreat? He then pressed his point to her lips.

At that moment, Elder Xinran's pupils widened, her eyes filled with disbelief.

For a moment she forgot to struggle, forgot what she was doing.

She blinked, then immediately shoved Chen Chuyang away, her body darting back three meters, her breathing turned ragged, her whole frame trembling; Elder Xinran glared at him resentfully, teeth clenched: "How… how could you?"

Her first kiss was gone, snatched by the man before her—under these circumstances.

She had no defenses at all, and just like that she was……

Her heart was filled with shyness, nervousness, and a hint of complex secret delight.

Chen Chuyang pursed his lips and said satisfiedly: "The taste is not bad, Xinran Zhanglao, once more—I haven't had my fill of the flavor yet."

Xinran Zhanglao's pupils widened again; without a word, she turned and fled.

Her speed was such that she vanished in the blink of an eye.

"Hahaha."