The Immortal Touches the Crown

The water rippled, her eyes lingering in a hazy mist. Jiang Xuehe remained silent for a long while. His breath brushed against her lashes, and Ti Ying snuggled deeper into his embrace. Only then did he return to his senses.

Jiang Xuehe asked in a deep voice, "Do you know the meaning of what you just said?"

Ti Ying replied unhappily, "Don't always treat me like a child, thinking I don't understand anything."

Jiang Xuehe looked at her for a long time. "If only you truly weren't a child."

Ti Ying wondered, "What do you mean by that?"

Jiang Xuehe said no more. Her temperament was fickle; she had to have whatever she wanted, a fact he had experienced more than once. Even with his extraordinary patience, he was often provoked to anger by her...

Ti Ying saw Jiang Xuehe lower his head. The hand that had been gently patting her cheek moved to her soaking wet crown, stroking it with extreme tenderness. He said half-jokingly, "If you tell me to stop again, you'll be taking my life."

Ti Ying countered, "It's because you're reluctant! I've told you, just be a bit more ruthless. I can't beat you anyway."

Jiang Xuehe said, "If I were truly ruthless, how could you be this intimate with me?"

Ti Ying looked up. A mischievous glint appeared in her clear eyes. He was right; she liked her Senior Brother precisely because he was "easy to bully" and had a "good temper." Whether true or false, the image he presented to her was one she could accept. If her Senior Brother were a dominant, ruthless person, she would surely have fled at first sight.

And in Jiang Xuehe's eyes... he truly adored this charming yet stubborn side of her. He sighed inwardly, admitting he had truly fallen deep.

Jiang Xuehe tilted her chin, biting her lip neither lightly nor heavily. When she let out a soft whimper of protest, he soothed her with a gentle lick. The numbing sensation made the young girl feel incredibly sweet. She blinked, accepting Jiang Xuehe's initiative.

However, Jiang Xuehe could feel her slight tension. She sat in his lap, her wet hair draped over her shoulders, her skin as white as snow. He leaned in close to her; this Purifying Spirit Pool was rich in spiritual energy, highly beneficial for cultivators, yet Ti Ying trembled slightly. When he became a bit more passionate, she showed a demeanor of both wanting to respond and being somewhat hesitant.

Furthermore, Ti Ying would occasionally lower her head, her gaze drifting over the bloodstains on his wrist, then secretly peeking at his robes submerged in the water. In that gaze, there wasn't much lust, but rather a "hesitation to speak."

Jiang Xuehe kissed her slowly, quickly understanding her worry: she was still afraid. With her two previous experiences, she would sob whenever she felt pain. Though she complained he wasn't ruthless enough, if he truly were heartless, she would surely be unhappy when remembering it later. This was a young girl who couldn't bear even a bit of grievance—he had only lightly swatted her once, and she had to hit back, let alone anything else?

Jiang Xuehe thought he had to find a way to make her lose her fear... He frowned slightly, wondering if he should use medicine. But in this desolate mountain wilderness, where would he find it?

While Jiang Xuehe was considering this, Ti Ying suddenly pulled back. She observed him for a moment then narrowed her eyes with a mocking smile. "Senior Brother, are you nervous?" She leaned in closer. "Are you afraid?"

Jiang Xuehe was stunned. An idea struck him, a hint of a smile appearing in his eyes as he followed her lead. "A little. Having failed so often, it's hard not to worry."

Ti Ying tilted her head, blinking. Was he just like her? Her cheeks flushed, her lashes trembled; she wanted to ask but felt shy. Ti Ying quickly glanced at something strange looming beneath her Senior Brother's misty robes... she became even more flustered.

Jiang Xuehe asked, "Do you have medicine?"

Ti Ying was confused. "What medicine?"

Jiang Xuehe: "Wound ointment. I have a few injuries; do you want to apply medicine for me?"

Ti Ying's eyes immediately lit up. Applying medicine for her Senior Brother! Getting to see his body! Ti Ying immediately replied, "I do! Wait a moment, Senior Brother, I have medicine."

Her Cosmos Bag contained many medicinal items. She pulled out all sorts of top-quality healing drugs. Seeing Jiang Xuehe slowly shed the robes from his shoulders, revealing his lean, firm muscles, white as snow and hazy as mist... His ink-black hair spilled over that white skin. He lowered his gaze to look at her, looking both gorgeous and enchanting.

Ti Ying swam closer, her touch trembling. Her mind hadn't even settled when Jiang Xuehe's robes were completely shed. Besides his firm physique, she saw countless wounds of various sizes on his body. Some were bleeding, some light, some heavy, crisscrossed with scars—completely different from the pure white image she had imagined... He had too many injuries; no wonder he never wanted her to see.

Jiang Xuehe lowered his eyes. Ti Ying suddenly grew angry. "Was... was it the Duansheng Path?!"

Jiang Xuehe chuckled softly, his expression indifferent and calm. "Help me apply the medicine." He turned his back to her. On his snow-white shoulders and back were whip marks, iron brands, and wounds eroded by chemicals... Ti Ying fell silent, applying the spiritual medicine to his wounds.

But while applying the medicine, she discovered some new wounds that had appeared recently. Recently... could they be from the illusory vision of the Earth-Bound Spirit? She vaguely remembered that during her period of memory loss, the wounds her fake parents inflicted on her left no trace. Yet on her Senior Brother's body was the "Heart-Linking Formation"... To verify her suspicion, Ti Ying rolled up his sleeve. On his arm was indeed a long, centipede-like scar—the wound from when she was pushed to the ground by her fake father. Her skin was thin; she bled just from falling. The Heart-Linking Formation had transferred the injury, making Jiang Xuehe bear it for her.

Ti Ying's fingers trembled. Jiang Xuehe glanced back. His Junior Sister held his arm, gently kissing the wound. His arm stiffened as she pressed her face against it, looking up at him. That gaze...

After a moment of daze, he said nothing, lifting her out of the water to sit on his lap before bowing his head to kiss her. Ti Ying dodged slightly, whispering, "I'm still applying medicine for you..."

Jiang Xuehe said in a deep voice, "There are wounds in the front as well."

Ti Ying lowered her head, her eyes sparkling with a mix of heartache and agitation. In her daze, she let her Senior Brother take her hand and place it on his hip. She couldn't help but give it a little squeeze; the sensation was incredibly good... She secretly peeked at Jiang Xuehe.

Jiang Xuehe leaned in close to her, asking, "Why aren't you continuing with the medicine?"

Ti Ying was dazed. "Oh, right."

She foolishly accepted her Senior Brother's kiss while trying to maintain enough logic to apply the ointment. While doing so, she accidentally looked around, her lashes fluttering like butterfly wings. She was flustered, not knowing whether to be intimate, apply medicine, or sneak a touch...

Ti Ying cried out, "Senior Brother, you're bullying me."

Jiang Xuehe rested his head on her neck, chuckling softly. He embraced her slender waist. She sat in his lap, carrying a sweet fragrance, the adorable innocence and spiritual aura of a young girl... He had racked his brains to find a way to make her relax, yet it only earned him a "bullying" accusation. His breath was a bit hurried, his voice raspier. "Be good and apply the medicine."

Ti Ying murmured a soft complaint. But her Senior Brother's breath on her neck made her heart race... In her panic, she knocked over a small medicine bottle. Jiang Xuehe quickly caught it before it hit the water and placed it back in her hand. Her palm was soaked, not just from the pool water but also from sweat... She pursed her lips, her eyes already becoming hazy, only trying to maintain a final bit of clarity not to lose to him.

Jiang Xuehe thought for a moment and said, "Just relax."

Ti Ying was stubborn. "I am very relaxed."

Jiang Xuehe frowned, somewhat troubled. Whether she was relaxed or not, he could naturally tell. He didn't even dare touch her too firmly, yet she kept tensing up... Could it be that using the medicine to distract her mind wasn't working?

Jiang Xuehe advised gently, "Xiao Ying, this between us isn't a battle; it's not about who wins or loses."

Ti Ying's ears were ringing as she countered, "Nonsense! If there's no winning or losing, why won't you admit defeat to me?"

Jiang Xuehe thought, *I've already lost to this extent, yet you don't see it...* This was the difficulty of loving an innocent young girl. He said no more, only patiently comforting her. Sometimes kissing her, sometimes gently rubbing her small waist, sometimes leading her curiosity toward himself; whenever she hesitated, he would say teasing words that made her laugh. She leaned into his embrace, holding his shoulders, and the atmosphere gradually grew warm. Ti Ying felt as if her whole body were on fire; she was uncomfortable everywhere, and she craved Jiang Xuehe.

She embraced him, trying to maintain a bit of consciousness to talk. "...So, you didn't just want to supervise my use of the Purifying Spirit Pool, but you wanted to use it yourself?"

Jiang Xuehe replied tenderly, "Yes." His voice was both clear and raspy. Ever since he recovered his voice, Ti Ying had loved hearing him speak. And at this moment, every sound he made caused her to be entranced.

Ti Ying asked, "Why? Your cultivation base is already so high; why do you still want to use the Purifying Spirit Pool with me? Do you not like my cultivation being higher than yours?"

Jiang Xuehe explained patiently, "My thoughts were a bit negative before. After breaking the Jingren Curse, I didn't expect much from life... but now, I want to fight against fate; I want to be by your side for a long time." He hesitated for a moment, then lowered his voice to tell Ti Ying that Lord Qingmu might have become a Half-Immortal.

Ti Ying was stunned and said, "Then... that's great." She remembered the movements of the Daoist in her own deductions.

Jiang Xuehe asked, "Is there anything you want to tell me?"

Ti Ying hesitated for a long time. Moon-Swallowing Village, Fanghu Mountain, the strange Daoist from her childhood... She wanted to take a step forward, to let her Senior Brother know, but she still lacked the courage, not knowing how to face it. Did she truly have to expose her scars? Besides her former Master, no one knew... Even her Second Senior Brother only knew vaguely. Did she want her Senior Brother to know about her past? Ti Ying fell into a struggle, only saying after a while, "...I'll tell you later."

Jiang Xuehe's heart tightened slightly as he softly replied. Ti Ying then asked what he had seen in the illusory vision. Jiang Xuehe also fell silent for a moment. Ti Ying noticed his breath was a bit agitated; she looked up in surprise to find his eyes deep and his expression somewhat strange.

Jiang Xuehe said, "...I'll tell you later."

Ti Ying was dazed, and though a bit disappointed, she still nodded. But just as she did, Jiang Xuehe's kiss fell again. He embraced her waist, pulling her closer. Ti Ying let out a soft cry as his lips brushed hers, his fingers gently stroking her calf before moving upward. Ti Ying sobbed as she held his head; a moment later, she heard his soft chuckle.

Jiang Xuehe laughed softly. "Not so tense anymore, are you?"

Ti Ying: "Ah..." She suddenly understood what his fingers were doing and immediately bit her lip, lunging forward in embarrassment, her hands flailing. Ti Ying said willfully, "I... I want to try too!"

She didn't have much experience, but her actions were very decisive. In the chaos, no matter what she did, he felt it all very clearly. Ti Ying heard his breath become hurried and heavy. He was rarely like this; she occasionally looked up at him, only to be swept back into the daze by him. Love unfolded like a warm current, which was supposed to begin when one's mind was no longer clear.

Jiang Xuehe was completely immersed. But suddenly, Ti Ying, who was lying in his arms, flushed and soft, tried to pull away. Her lips were red, her hair clinging to her cheeks; she was trembling but said firmly, "No... I can't..."

A hint of impatience appeared in Jiang Xuehe's heart. He was rarely forceful, but he tilted her chin up, warning her, "Things only happen once or twice; they can't happen a third time. If you keep teasing me like this, do you truly not care about my life or death?"

Ti Ying touched beneath the water, her cheeks burning. He was about to say "don't be afraid," but she was firm: "I truly have something to do. Wait for me a moment."

Jiang Xuehe raised an eyebrow. Ti Ying continued, "You... you should seal your five senses!"

Jiang Xuehe couldn't believe it. He looked down at his current state, then at her, with a bitter smile. "You want me to seal my five senses at a time like this?"

Ti Ying felt guilty but remained stubborn. "I just want you to."

Jiang Xuehe looked at her for a long time. She wouldn't budge, extremely obstinate. Finally, Jiang Xuehe had to compromise. He let out a sigh and, without a word, took her hand and placed it on his forehead, where the spiritual vein was located. Ti Ying's fingers trembled as he guided her hand to draw a talisman, sealing his own five senses with her.

Jiang Xuehe closed his eyes. He sat in the water, droplets clinging to his lashes. In the pale light, his sharp sight, hearing, and smell... all gradually became blocked. No questions asked, no karma sought. He sank into a quiet, dark void. He didn't feel Ti Ying lean down to kiss his cheek, nor did he hear her soft promise: "I won't leave."

Ti Ying embraced her Senior Brother, who had lost his five senses. There would never be anyone in this world who treated her as well as he did. He treated her this way; she wasn't made of wood or stone. She felt she loved her Senior Brother immensely and couldn't leave him. She liked him so much she didn't know what to do; right now, she just wanted to do something to make him comfortable.

Sitting in Jiang Xuehe's lap, Ti Ying took advantage of his sealed senses to quickly pull out a newly bought storybook from her Cosmos Bag. She made use of the time, reading as fast as the wind. A cultivator's memory far exceeded that of an ordinary person; she could finish many pages in an instant. This new storybook was extremely bold, gorgeous, and filled with romantic imagery. These things hadn't passed her Senior Brother's censorship, so Ti Ying saw many things Jiang Xuehe usually didn't want her to know. For example, the wedding night, the turning of the red phoenix, along with a few unclear illustrations...

Ti Ying read until her heart raced and her cheeks grew even hotter. She finished flipping through everything in an instant, then bit her lip and took out a small porcelain bottle, hurriedly pouring a pill into her mouth. Seeing the pill was as small as a bean, she feared it wasn't enough and took the risk of pouring another. Before leaving the Yujing Sect, she had prepared thoroughly, buying many strange elixirs from a disciple of the Medicine Sect. At that time, she didn't understand their use, nor why the disciple smiled so cunningly, but after reading the storybook, she vaguely understood.

Having finished everything, Ti Ying took a deep breath, full of confidence: she would surely make her Senior Brother feel comfortable. Her fingers trembled as she once again placed them on Jiang Xuehe's forehead, whispering, "Senior Brother, I'm breaking the seal for you."

Jiang Xuehe's five senses gradually restored. He opened his eyes, and as soon as he saw Ti Ying, she passionately embraced him, kissing his lips. Ti Ying urged, "Senior Brother, hurry. Time waits for no one." She was both urgent and adorable.

Jiang Xuehe was highly skeptical, but he was no Liu Xia Hui; since his Junior Sister was so moved, he naturally had to cooperate. However, Ti Ying's passion greatly surprised him. He felt something was wrong, but at this moment, his mind was muddled, and he couldn't think further. She rolled around in his arms; Jiang Xuehe's mind was in chaos. He held her waist, intending to flip her over and pin her down.

Ti Ying cried out again, "No, no, no..."

Jiang Xuehe kissed her cheek. "You don't want to again?"

Ti Ying: "I... I want to sit on your lap."

Jiang Xuehe coaxed, "You won't be able to bear it."

Ti Ying: "You're the one who won't be able to bear it!" Her cheeks were burning, full of pride. Jiang Xuehe didn't know what she was proud of, but her demeanor was too adorable; just as she said, he truly couldn't resist her even a little. He indulged her, even lightly biting her cheek.

Ti Ying narrowed her eyes. "Ouch!"

Jiang Xuehe: "Senior Brother couldn't help himself."

She burst out laughing. The snow-like beauty snuggled into his arms, acting spoiled. "You don't need to hold back; I feel very good right now." She joked, "I feel better than ever, do you believe me?"

Jiang Xuehe's mind burned, a string in his head snapping. He lost his usual calm. His hand remained on her leg, but his forehead was pressed against hers as he forcefully entered her sea of consciousness. Ti Ying was so stimulated her whole body trembled— "Jiang Xuehe!"

Jiang Xuehe didn't reply. His gaze was calm, but his breath was hurried and powerful. He stared at Ti Ying, seeing her flushed face, her sobbing, her hazy eyes, and how she held him while moaning... He tried to stop, and her eyes cleared slightly as she asked, "What's wrong?"

A hint of softness appeared in Jiang Xuehe's eyes. His physical touch and Divine Sense resonated simultaneously; he couldn't help but want to make her happy. He thought joy only went so far, but after her trembling, Ti Ying actively entered his sea of consciousness, asking arrogantly, "Senior Brother, are you refreshed?"

Jiang Xuehe was stunned. Ti Ying's wet fingers stroked his face. She looked up at him obediently. "Please, just be comfortable once, okay?"

Jiang Xuehe looked at her silently. Ti Ying continued, "Stop suppressing your emotions. You keep telling me to relax, so why don't you? I see you're not enjoying it at all... For something so joyful, your expression looks like you're suffering."

Was that so? Jiang Xuehe thought vaguely. Was his expression that bad? He asked in a low voice, "Did I scare you?"

Ti Ying replied, "No, no. I just... want you to feel what I feel. Please let go of your emotions; don't endure it anymore."

Jiang Xuehe's mind was already a mess, but he still maintained a shred of logic. He said softly, "Xiao Ying, I can't."

As he spoke, he suddenly felt Ti Ying's Divine Sense press against his own. Amidst the soul-shaking moment, he saw her Divine Sense weave into a dense net, enveloping his own. The strands of that net targeted the moving black mist of the Jingren Curse.

Ti Ying said, "You can. Just let go of your emotions; I'll help you watch over this Jingren Curse, not letting it suppress you... I'm not like before. Senior Brother, I'm not afraid of ghosts, and I can help you fight the Jingren Curse." She blushed, leaning down to kiss his lips, saying, "Senior Brother, I want to hear your voice."

Jiang Xuehe was stunned. His emotions were like a broken dam, surging forth. He lost control, embracing his Junior Sister and turning her over. The black mist of the Jingren Curse indeed appeared on his face, neck, and body. Those black mists wanted to devour his soul, but he no longer cared, ignoring the pain and stimulation as if being submerged at the bottom of the sea.

*Splash—* He and Ti Ying sank into the water together. Ti Ying's sea of consciousness nervously controlled those harmful black mists. Those black mists were incredibly powerful; touching them eroded flesh and bone, carrying the cries of countless grievances, screams, and curses. Dark power enveloped them both.

Amidst the rippling water, they were like two lonely souls in the vast ocean, only knowing to hold each other tightly. Ti Ying's forehead was beaded with sweat, but she heard Jiang Xuehe affectionately stroke her hair, saying softly, "Don't worry about it."

Ti Ying worried, "But..."

Jiang Xuehe reassured her, "It won't kill me. I'll save myself... Even if I sink to the bottom of the sea, I'll save myself to find you."

Ti Ying's eyes widened as she was pulled deep into the water by Jiang Xuehe. At this moment, she intentionally said, "Senior Brother, didn't you say we'd only play for an hour and then I'd have to cultivate with you? The time is up; should we go cultivate?"

Jiang Xuehe was helpless. He admitted his mistake to coax her. "Senior Brother was wrong. Today I was greedy; I beg you not to cultivate anymore, but to... play with me." Ti Ying laughed joyfully.

Jiang Xuehe had many things he wanted to say to Ti Ying. In the illusory vision of the Earth-Bound Spirit, after he died, Ti Ying had completely forgotten him. She said he always constrained her, that his emotional purpose was too strong and untrustworthy. Jiang Xuehe had been immersed in that vision for a long time, sitting in the darkness of being forgotten, watching her laugh with others. Initially, she remembered, but as time passed, she forgot him entirely. He had to face his greatest fear— "Oblivion."

After escaping the vision, Jiang Xuehe often hesitated. He didn't know how to say it... If he didn't constrain her, if he treated her well, would she still feel he had a purpose and was untrustworthy? If he were simply her Senior Brother and lover, would he have a chance to be chosen by her among her future fated encounters? If he changed, would she choose him?

Jiang Xuehe truly couldn't find a chance to say those things. But he already felt immensely satisfied. This was perhaps the most pleasurable time of his life. Since bearing the Jingren Curse, this was the first time he could sleep soundly and have a good dream without external interference. In his dream was Tian Mountain and Ti Ying; that was the deepest obsession in his heart. Though the dream was short, when he woke up, his mood was visibly better.

Ti Ying slept very well. Waking up the next day, she found herself neatly tidied, lying in a tree hollow next to the Purifying Spirit Pool. She rubbed her eyes and sat up. In the morning sun, she vaguely saw the figure of a youth in black robes. He was tall and lean, one knee down, hand on his chin as he looked at her. She was still groggy, unable to see his half-smiling expression clearly, and called out the wrong name: "...Brother Ye Sha?"

The youth in black raised an eyebrow, a faint smile appearing. "Who are you calling?" His voice was clear yet tinged with a soft raspiness; Ti Ying immediately recognized it was her Senior Brother. Fearing he would be angry, she quickly corrected herself. "I'm muddled from sleep; you're Senior Brother."

Jiang Xuehe smiled at her, showing no sign of anger. Ti Ying sat up, finally seeing him clearly. His black hair fluttered slightly, his sleeves were tied tight, and his whole being radiated a sharp, spirited aura. He had shed his usual gentle, harmless appearance; his aura was completely different, no wonder Ti Ying had mistaken him.

Ti Ying thought, *What's wrong with him? He looks like... he's in a very good mood? Is it because of her?* Thinking that Jiang Xuehe might have found some of his youthful confidence and spirit because of her, Ti Ying was overjoyed. She smiled with squinted eyes. "Senior Brother?"

Jiang Xuehe: "Hmm?"

Ti Ying's body still felt a bit unnatural, but she still lunged forward to wrap her arms around his neck, looking up at him. She asked naively, "Is my 'this' very 'that'?"

Jiang Xuehe raised an eyebrow. She wrote a word in his palm: *Big?*

Jiang Xuehe nodded in a daze. Ti Ying grew even more proud. "Then is my 'this' very 'that'?"

What "this" and "that." Jiang Xuehe didn't know whether to laugh or cry, seeing her continue writing: *Hard.*

Jiang Xuehe's gaze wavered. He vaguely understood what kind of wrong book she had read... Sigh, she never read proper books, always picking interesting words and stringing them together into nonsensical sentences. Jiang Xuehe nodded seriously. "Yes."

Ti Ying was elated. "Am I powerful?"

Jiang Xuehe finally couldn't help but burst out laughing. He scooped the little treasure into his arms, kissing her repeatedly, pinching her cheeks, and coaxing her while suppressing his laughter. "Powerful, you are the most powerful. You are both big and firm, with outstanding ability and excellent technique. I am completely in awe of you, not even a hundredth as good. It's all thanks to your guidance. Our Xiao Ying is truly a grandmaster in the bedroom; you can graduate now. Please give some pointers to a dullard like me."