Chapter 376: Ultimate Secret Technique: Forcibly Acting Cool

Chen Shu lay in the bathtub, closing his eyes to rest his mind.

Come to think of it, Zhang Suannai's talent and opportunities were truly no joke—

Although she was one grade higher than Ning Qing, she had skipped grades; in reality, she was even a little younger than Ning Qing, seemingly having her birthday during the summer vacation. Even in the Ancient Cultivation Group, she was considered young. To put it bluntly, she was the youngest High-level Practitioner in history.

She was also the first, and so far the only, person to promote to High-level before finishing university.

Once this generation of geniuses passes, if the gods do not launch a "Talent Emergency Cultivation Plan" in the future, perhaps there will not be another High-level Practitioner in their twenties or thirties for many years to come.

At the very least, they would have to be fifty or sixty years old.

"Splash..."

Chen Shu scooped up a handful of hot water and poured it over his exposed neck, creating a clear splashing sound.

In a daze, he recalled his freshman year, when he had been lying right here and was seen completely naked by Ning Qing. And now, that person was just outside, likely lying quietly on the bed reading, waiting for him to finish washing and come hold her to sleep.

He would have to find a way to get her to wash with him in the future.

"Splashing..."

A chaotic sound of water splashing.

Chen Shu stood up, pressed the bathtub drain, wiped himself dry with a towel, put on a tank top and shorts, and walked out.

Only the bedside lamp was on in the bedroom.

Just as in the image in his mind, Ning Qing was leaning against the headboard; the pillow behind her back had long since deformed, the quilt covering her looked amazingly fluffy and soft, and she was holding a book titled "Half-Read Book" in her hands, head lowered, reading intently.

Chen Shu walked over, climbed onto the bed, and slipped under the covers.

Ning Qing quickly closed the book in her hands, placed it on the nightstand, then shifted her body downward, lying on her side facing him, and hugged his body. She first sniffed his hair forcefully, then leaned against his shoulder, and amidst her steady breathing, she quietly savored the scent on him.

This person used her body wash and shampoo, and he carried her scent.

This scent was naturally one she liked.

Otherwise, she wouldn't have bought it.

However, after he had finished washing and soaking, this scent had become very faint, very, very faint. Yet for some reason, she felt it was exceptionally pleasant, as if it had turned into a scent slightly different from what she was familiar with.

"What are you doing again?"

"..."

Ning Qing did not answer him, only leaning against his body, one hand wrapped around his waist, eyes closed, quietly feeling.

Until he called out:

"Qingqing."

"Hm?"

Ning Qing finally responded in a low voice.

Then she heard him say:

"Kiss me."

Ning Qing was helpless and had no choice but to shift her body up a little, offering her lips to his mouth.

The familiar taste of toothpaste.

That person's hands became restless again, though still somewhat restrained; he only held her lightly, stroking her arms, her shoulders, and her back... One could clearly feel the agitation in his heart from his movements; he began to pull her into his embrace with force, the two of them pressing closer and closer together.

That pair was deformed as a result.

Ning Qing felt again that she was being prodded by a Sword.

It was a red-hot Sword.

Ning Qing suddenly turned her head and said in a low, calm voice: "Mr. Chen, do you not intend to play this game slowly anymore?"

"Who told you to hug me and seduce me every day, making me endure so painfully."

"Heh..."

Ning Qing chuckled softly.

She felt he wasn't that miserable.

Although he had a young body, an Intermediate Cultivator had strong control over their own body, even being able to control the growth rate of their hair, so suppressing these desires was a piece of cake. Of course, perhaps he didn't want to restrain himself, but his mindset was not that of a hot-blooded, ignorant youth in his twenties; this was not the first time he had played this "game," and he knew how to obtain things step by step to make it the most interesting.

He just wanted to extract some things from her in advance.

Ning Qing pursed her lips and asked in a low voice:

"What do you want?"

"Emmm..."

Chen Shu grabbed her hand and, just like before, carefully toyed with her palm, feeling that the flesh there was soft and delicate—truly comfortable. He played with it as if it were a rare treasure, never tiring of it, then whispered:

"Qingqing, your hands are so soft."

"..."

Filthy thoughts.

Ning Qing was expressionless.

"How does it feel? Mr. Chen," Ning Qing asked coldly.

"It feels great, absolutely great." Chen Shu chuckled happily, playing with her hair, and couldn't help but sigh, "Ah, this is what you call feeling completely at ease..."

"Don't let it happen again."

"So that means keep up the good work?"

"In your dreams, you can have anything."

"Qingqing, I love you..."

Chen Shu turned to hold her, burying his face in her neck.

It wasn't that he said it deliberately; it was truly that the love in his heart was full, unable to contain it anymore, and it spilled out uncontrollably.

Ning Qing was silent for a long time before she said:

"Be faster next time."

"Haha..."

Chen Shu did not answer.

In fact, after reaching the Intermediate Stage, the strength of this function becomes meaningless. Because a Cultivator can control it themselves; they can last for a whole day without worrying about chafing, or they can finish in a second, so what matters is finding a time point suitable for both parties to enjoy the deep fusion of their Spirit Souls. Blindly pursuing longevity is something only those who don't possess it would do.

The little girl carried a cup and walked downstairs.

Taozi held a small plastic water bowl in her mouth, following behind her.

"Gulp, gulp..."

The little girl first filled a cup for herself, then took Taozi's small bowl and filled it for her, then carried the cup in one hand and the bowl in the other, carefully moving upstairs.

During this, she looked back—

The sofa was empty, whereas usually, either the older sister or the brother-in-law would be sleeping there.

This was all her own merit.

The little girl felt quite proud.

The two roommates were once again not in the Dormitory.

Zhang Suannai rested her chin on her hand, frowning.

Empty, cold, desolate, miserable, and sorrowful.

The days of an empty-nest Suannai are truly hard to bear.

Those two roommates are really something...

Seeing that it was already March, in a few days she would have her thesis defense, and after the defense, she would graduate; she couldn't stay in this Dormitory for many more days, yet they still ran out every other day and didn't even know to stay behind to keep her company. Fortunately, she had earned enough money from buying stocks earlier and had already agreed on a price with the owner of the small courtyard next to Qingqing's, and would go buy it in a couple of days. Otherwise, if they couldn't see her in the future, it would break their hearts.

And that silly vegetable, he still hadn't popped up in the group chat.

She didn't know if he knew she had promoted to the Seventh Stage.

Maybe he knew, but he felt ashamed and inferior inside, so he pretended to be lurking, not daring to pop up.

Or maybe he didn't check the group yesterday.

Zhang Suannai leaned toward the latter.

This person was sometimes active in the group, and sometimes didn't look at his Mobile Phone at all, fickle and unpredictable. Moreover, he should also be working on breaking through to the Seventh Stage recently; perhaps he was fully occupied with engaging in a promotion race with her, so it was reasonable that he had no time to look at his Mobile Phone.

But it didn't matter.

It just so happened that she was going to find them with her little sister today, and showing off in person would be more effective.

"Aiya..."

The air of the Seventh Stage is truly sweet.

Zhang Suannai sighed, scratched her messy hair, and walked into the bathroom.

After washing up, she stood before the mirror but didn't leave, instead putting on a relaxed expression:

"Yeah, I succeeded.

"Succeeded yesterday.

"Seventh Stage, well, it's just like that.

"No, no, that's not it."

Zhang Suannai shook her head and constructed a scene in her mind.

After the Seventh Stage, the whole person changes; normal people might not notice these subtle changes, but it definitely wouldn't escape Qingqing, Chen Shu, and Xiaoxiao. If they discovered it and asked, she would wave her hand and say: "I didn't use any skincare products, why would I use skincare products? I just promoted to the Seventh Stage two days ago, this is the natural change after promoting to the Seventh Stage, it just looks like this on the outside, hey, actually it's nothing..."

But it was also very likely they wouldn't ask.

Then, if she suddenly bounced out, full of energy, and casually asked, "Do you see any changes in me today?", that would also fit her persona, right?

If the above conversation failed to unfold smoothly, she would hint at it subtly: "Sigh, I'm here to mooch a meal from you guys again. I just broke through to the Seventh Stage yesterday, and it just so happens I came here today to replenish my nutrition, what a coincidence."

Look—

She only mentioned that she broke through to the Seventh Stage; as for whether she succeeded or failed, she wouldn't say, letting them ask themselves, which would seem very natural.

Showing off, after all, has to be natural.

"Buzz, buzz."

The Mobile Phone vibrated.

Zhang Suannai picked it up to look, replied, put on a pair of flashy high-top sneakers, and went out.

Not long after, she arrived at the small courtyard with her little sister.

Qingqing glanced at her, not making a sound.

Yes, this is a cold goddess.

Xiaoxiao glanced at her, also not saying a word.

Yes, Xiaoxiao also speaks very little.

Taozi glanced at her and went back to playing with a paper ball by herself.

Yes, Taozi cannot speak.

Chen Shu glanced at her with a smile on his face:

"You're here?"

"I'm here."

"..."

"..."

They didn't even ask?

The first move failed.

Zhang Suannai remained calm; fortunately, she had prepared in advance.

She hopped forward with a face full of smiles, looking full of youthful vitality, and asked, "Do you see any changes in me today?"

Ning Qing stared at her expressionlessly: "Your IQ has dropped."

Xiaoxiao turned her head and glanced elsewhere.

Taozi continued playing with a paper ball; it had placed a small, overturned cardboard box in the courtyard and was now sparring with its left and right paws, seeing which one could kick the paper ball into the box.

"No changes."

Chen Shu blinked his eyes as he looked at her.

"?"

How is that possible?

Zhang Suannai stared at them and said urgently, "Look at me more carefully!"

"Your IQ has indeed dropped."

"Qingqing is right."

"..."

Zhang Suannai fell silent for a moment.

The second move also failed.

Good thing I am brilliant, thinking three steps ahead for every one I take, with a foolproof plan.

"Oh my, I'm here to mooch a meal off you guys again. I always come to mooch your food, I feel a bit embarrassed," Zhang Suannai said, acting coy and sighing, then suddenly seemed to remember something, "Oh right, I just broke through to the Seventh Stage yesterday, and today I came here to replenish my nutrition. What a coincidence, hahahaha..."

She peeked at their expressions while laughing.

"What's wrong with that?" Chen Shu shook his head, his expression gentle, "If you like eating here, just come often."

"How could I be so embarrassed..."

Zhang Suannai rubbed her hands and said bashfully.

Then she quickly reacted—

Is this the point? Obviously not!

I almost got led astray by this person!

Zhang Suannai gave a start.

Fortunately, at this moment, Chen Shu finally asked: "You broke through to the Seventh Stage?"

"Yeah."

Zhang Suannai secretly clenched her fists, repeating "I succeeded," "I succeeded," "I succeeded" in her heart.

"When?"

"Suc... the day before yesterday."

Zhang Suannai was almost choked to death by him.

But surely he should ask now, right?

Zhang Suannai stared fixedly at him.

Under her burning gaze, Chen Shu's action of opening his mouth seemed to turn into slow motion, slowly opening his mouth, slowly spitting out the sound that reached her ears.

It's coming, it's coming, this is it!

The youngest Cultivator in history is about to make a dazzling appearance in front of two roommates and this silly vegetable! By then, it will surely change the big roommate's impression of her, and maybe she'll even harvest a wave of admiration from the little roommate!

"That's good..."

Chen Shu nodded at her and said.

"Pfft, cough cough!"

Zhang Suannai felt a sharp pain in her chest.

She didn't expect the third move to fail as well.

Why doesn't this person play by the rules?

Zhang Suannai was silent.

It seems she can only use that move...

Chen Shu walked toward the exit, saying as he walked: "It just so happens we haven't bought groceries yet, let's go together. What do you want to eat?"

"What?" Zhang Suannai looked at him blankly, "How did you know I advanced to the Seventh Stage?"

"?"

"..."

"..."

"Woof?"

The few people and the cat all turned their heads to stare at her.

The atmosphere was a bit awkward for a moment.