Chapter 74

Thinking quickly, Qu Panyan hugged Su Lingyu’s waist and immediately started acting cute, her voice becoming soft and gentle, “Please, Sister Lingyu, can we change the punishment to something else?”

Su Lingyu held her in her arms, and her ears were filled with Qu Panyan’s soft and sweet words, which almost melted her heart. She knew her little wife was catering to her preferences—she loved it when Qu Panyan acted cute.

But this time, she wouldn’t be soft-hearted.

She knew how much Qu Panyan enjoyed every intimate moment they shared. It was like savoring honey; once you had a taste, you wouldn’t want to let go, and she would pitifully and charmingly chase after more. So, using this as a punishment was most fitting—even though it might be a bit cruel and heartless, as long as it made her remember the lesson and not make the same mistake again, it was a good method.

As for other punishments… like copying books, it was too light. As for the Thousand Thunder Platform, let alone the fact that she was afraid of thunder, she herself couldn’t bear to send her to endure such suffering.

Only this punishment was the best, as it wouldn’t harm her physically and would make her remember the lesson well.

Su Lingyu opened her lips and slowly said, “No, this is it.”

Qu Panyan didn’t want to give up, “Let me copy books! I’ll copy them five hundred times!”

Su Lingyu heartlessly refused, “No.”

Qu Panyan rubbed her head against Su Lingyu’s shoulder like a little cat, “Then, how about considering…the Thousand Thunder Platform?”

Enduring a thunderstorm on the Thousand Thunder Platform would be bearable with gritted teeth, but not being able to be intimate with Su Lingyu for twenty-three days was a much bigger deal!

The Thousand Thunder Platform wouldn’t subject her to twenty-three days of punishment!

Su Lingyu was taken aback. She didn’t expect Qu Panyan to suggest the Thousand Thunder Platform herself, considering how scared she was of thunder. Even a single thunder in the sky would make her want to hide in the ground.

Su Lingyu then smiled. It seemed that in Qu Panyan’s heart, enduring thunder was just a minor inconvenience compared to not being able to be intimate with her.

“The Thousand Thunder Platform?” Her lips curved with a faint smile, then she whispered into Qu Panyan’s ear and continued without any mercy, “No way.”

Qu Panyan: “…”

She was determined to do it, no matter what!

With a sudden “swoosh—,” a faint white flame appeared above their heads, instantly dispelling the darkness around them and illuminating their faces clearly.

Su Lingyu suddenly felt a gust of wind from the side, and she turned around, her back forced against the wall—Qu Panyan pinned her against the wall.

The white fire illuminated Qu Panyan’s face, making her beauty even more exquisite and captivating. She domineeringly held Su Lingyu’s wrist, her eyes shining with desire and the love she held for Su Lingyu.

Su Lingyu wasn’t giving in, but that didn’t mean she couldn’t take what she wanted either.

Su Lingyu remained silent, incredibly calm and composed, looking at Qu Panyan  with clear and serene eyes.

The Heavenly Fire had transformed her, making her like a reborn person with flawless and fair skin, a complexion whiter than snow. The mysterious silver-white Heavenly Fire pattern adorned her forehead, enhancing her already breathtaking appearance. In this world, there was no one who wouldn’t fall for a beauty like her, and no one who wouldn’t love her.

Her watery and translucent eyes held a deep and alluring charm, staring straight at Su Lingyu with a hint of defiance. Gone was the previous docile demeanor, replaced by a rebellious aura—her little darling wife wanted to do something to her.

Su Lingyu suddenly felt amused, her eyes filled with curiosity. Every time Qu Panyan showed a hint of assertiveness and engaged in some harmless rebellion, she eagerly looked forward to what she would do.

Silently, she contemplated what Qu Panyan would do next and chose to remain quiet, observing her actions with interest.

Qu Panyan let out a heavy sigh, saying, “Sister Lingyu, you’re truly a bad person.”

Su Lingyu: “Hmm?”

“Sister Lingyu, you better pay attention,” Qu Panyan leaned closer, raising her delicate chin, her crystal-clear eyes fixed unblinkingly on Su Lingyu’s, and she said with utmost seriousness, “This is not me wanting to ‘take,’ it’s me wanting to ‘give.'”

“Sister Lingyu, you’re not allowed to refuse.”

With that, she tiptoed and actively sealed their breaths, initiating a kiss.

As expected, Su Lingyu’s lips showed a hint of a smile. She neither refused nor responded. If she were to indulge Qu Panyan’s passionate affection at this moment, then this account would be unaccounted for, let alone teaching Qu Panyan a lesson.

If people didn’t remember their lessons, they would repeat their mistakes over and over again.

Although Qu Panyan’s passion aroused a tingling sensation in her heart, and she even began to question who was being punished, she had to endure it to ensure that Qu Panyan would remember the lesson deeply.

Sect Master Su needed to be strict with herself to be able to discipline her Madam Su.

Qu Panyan wasn’t rejected by Su Lingyu, but she didn’t get a response either. Gradually, her passion extinguished, and her rationality quickly took over, bringing her back to her senses.

Doing this and even standing on her tiptoes but not getting any response, Qu Panyan, who rarely showed her assertiveness in front of Su Lingyu’s powerful aura, became disheartened and shrank back. She released Su Lingyu’s wrist, her feet aching, and unexpectedly stumbled to the side.

Su Lingyu acted quickly, and just as her hands were freed, she pulled Qu Panyan’s slender waist, gently pulling her into her arms while saying with a warm and caring tone, “Be careful.”

She then softly asked, “Is Yan’er not ‘giving’ anymore?” with a hint of amusement in her tone.

Qu Panyan rested her head on Su Lingyu’s neck, feeling dispirited.

It was too difficult, countering this sister was just too difficult…

I actively gave it but she didn’t want it. This sister must have done it on purpose!

She finally mustered the courage to take the initiation, and how could this sister resist not responding? Clearly, when she was proactive, she was even more passionate than Qu Panyan, as if she wanted to consume her completely.

Qu Panyan, surrounded by Su Lingyu’s alluring scent, answered with a tired voice, “…Not giving anymore. Sister Lingyu doesn’t want it.”

It wasn’t a rejection, but it felt just like one. She is such a miserable woman!

Su Lingyu chuckled indifferently.

Whatever Qu Panyan wanted, Su Lingyu would give; whatever Qu Panyan gave, Su Lingyu would take—but not now.

Su Lingyu caressed her head, whispering intimately in her ear, like sharing sweet secrets between lovers. She said, “Add one more condition: If Yan’er takes the initiative again, then add another month, make it fifty-three days.”

She thought for a moment and added, “Except for hugging, nothing else is allowed; otherwise, it will be extended by one month.”

Since she was going to punish her, she wanted to do it thoroughly. However, she left some room for hugging; otherwise, she herself wouldn’t know whom she was punishing. If she punished her beloved wife to teach her a lesson, but then she couldn’t even hug her, then who was really being punished?

Qu Panyan: “!!!”

She suddenly raised her eyes and met Su Lingyu’s calm and unperturbed gaze—Su Lingyu was serious!

She quickly reached out and rubbed her lips messily, trying to wipe away any trace of her own breath. She was careful with her strength, but her momentum was fierce, as if she had to clean it thoroughly before she would stop. While rubbing, she muttered, “Just now doesn’t count! Pretend I didn’t kiss you! It doesn’t count!”

In her heart, she cried out in frustration: Oh my goodness, this sister is not only skilled at teasing, and she’s also an expert at torturing people!!!

Su Lingyu gently caught her wrist, locking her eyes on her, with a thousand tender affections in her gaze. She looked so adorable that one would want to capture her lips again, disturb her breath, and make her look at them with misty, pitiful eyes.

But she couldn’t, because she had to be strict with herself too.

Su Lingyu sighed inwardly and no longer questioned whom the punishment was really for. She scolded herself for being “confused.” How did she end up punishing both her Madam Su and herself, the Sect Master Su?

Oh well, since the punishment was given, she would just accompany her in suffering it.

Su Lingyu gently placed Qu Panyan’s hand on her own chest, sighed, and looked at her tenderly while saying, “Hmm, what happened just now doesn’t count. It starts from the next time.”

Just now, she had already considered that if Qu Panyan really wanted to kiss her, she would let her do it for a while, then add another condition after the kiss, and formally implement it from the next time. That’s why she waited so calmly for Qu Panyan’s next move.

The heavy stone hanging in Qu Panyan’s heart was instantly lifted, and she finally felt at ease.

Fifty-three days, it was almost like making her serve a life sentence.

But when she thought that Su Lingyu had cruelly rejected all intimate actions other than hugging, she couldn’t help but feel gloomy.

This sister even banned all the things that should be done between Dao companions; if she tried to guide her at this moment, she probably wouldn’t be able to touch her for a whole year.

Qu Panyan thought to herself: Alas, Xiao Qu’s journey to harmony in life is really tough.

Muttering unhappily, Qu Panyan said, “Sister Lingyu is a bad person.”

Su Lingyu looked at her.

Qu Panyan added, “A good bad person.”

This was the most she had said all day. Su Lingyu smiled and said, “If you make a mistake, you have to accept punishment obediently.”

While speaking, she suddenly remembered the little beloved wife who sat on her lap a few days ago, obediently admitting her mistakes and actively seeking punishment—like a model in the cultivation world when it comes to self-admission.

Today was a complete contrast.

Su Lingyu held her waist, letting her comfortably lean against her chest, and asked with a smile, “The little fool who obediently admitted her mistakes and actively sought punishment a few days ago seems to be gone?”

Qu Panyan paused for a moment and replied with a hint of self-deprecation, “Yeah, she’s gone. Crushed by her beloved Sect Master Su’s ruthless punishment, she’s gone for good.”

Due to the cruelty of her beloved woman, that model of self-admission little fool from the cultivation world had fled; half of her heart was already dead and the other half turned cold.

If she actively seeks this punishment again, she wouldn’t be a little fool anymore but a big f*cking idiot!

Su Lingyu couldn’t help but cry and laugh at the mention of ‘ruthless punishment’. She patted her waist and said, “No nonsense allowed.” Then she asked with a teasing tone, “Will there be another time?”

Qu Panyan desolately replied, “No more.”

If there’s a second time, then I really would be a f*cking idiot!

Su Lingyu finally showed a smile, raising her hand to smooth Qu Panyan’s hair and said, “Good girl, Yan’er.”

Then she supported Qu Panyan’s shoulders and helped her to stand up, holding her face and softly said, “You need to rest well today and meet Lou Wuhua tomorrow.”

When she heard the name of the head teacher, Qu Panyan regained a bit of her spirit, and even her eyebrows twitched slightly as she asked, “The Sect Leader wants to see me?”

Su Lingyu nodded and said, “Elder Chayue has already informed her about you and A Yiduo. She’s very concerned about you. She just used a sound transmission to ask me when it would be convenient for her to come and see you.”

Lou Wuhua was still such a caring Sect Leader.

Qu Panyan felt warm inside, and her demeanor softened involuntarily. “I can meet her now.” 

She added, “I’m feeling perfectly fine right now. I don’t need to rest.”

When she hadn’t fully integrated with the Heavenly Fire, she indeed felt uncomfortable, with a burning sensation all over her body. It felt like her skin was about to peel off from the scorching heat, so she kept scratching herself, trying to distract from the pain.

But after fully integrating with the Heavenly Fire, all those maddening sensations disappeared. Her entire body’s cracks fell off, just like a butterfly breaking free from its cocoon, symbolizing a beautiful rebirth. Now she faced the world anew, as a complete, unharmed, and brand-new version of herself.

Not only that, but she also clearly sensed an improvement in her cultivation realm. Her vision expanded, and the spiritual energy within her Golden Core became even more abundant, seemingly inexhaustible. At the center of her sea of consciousness, a white flower had grown.

The flower bud was tightly closed, and its body was somewhat hazy, as if enveloped in a faint mist.

Having cultivated for many years, Qu Panyan naturally understood the significance of this. It was the Spirit Awareness Flower, which only appeared when a cultivator was close to attaining godhood. The day the white flower bloomed marked the moment of one officially entered into the God realm.

She was on the verge of the God realm.

Su Lingyu lightly pursed her red lips, gazing at her. After a long while, she asked, “Is it true?”

“Absolutely true,” Qu Panyan’s eyes twinkled, and she offered a bright smile while holding her hands. She playfully suggested, “If Sister Lingyu doesn’t believe me, shall I kiss you to prove it?”

Su Lingyu believed her and looked at her calmly, asking, “Huh? Does Yan’er want to extend the punishment by another month?”

Qu Panyan: “!!!!” Seriously?!

Qu Panyan quickly composed herself and said seriously, “No, I don’t want to. I was just joking. Please don’t take it seriously, Sect Master Su.”

Sect Master Su was just too strict and impartial. Madam Su was truly distressed.

Not only distressed, but in her mind, she also muttered softly: Sister Lingyu is so bad! Super bad! Extremely bad!

Suddenly, Su Lingyu leaned in closer, locking eyes with her and asked with a smile, “Is Yan’er cursing Sect Master Su as bad in her heart again?”

Qu Panyan was shocked. She didn’t use the heart-to-heart communication! How did this sister know?!

At that moment, Su Lingyu added, “I guessed it.” As if she really heard Qu Panyan’s thoughts.

Qu Panyan looked at her in a daze and decided to conduct a little experiment. So, she whispered in her mind: Sister Lingyu, do you want to sleep with me?

Su Lingyu didn’t react.

Not knowing if Su Lingyu heard her, Qu Panyan decided to be more assertive in her mind: Sect Master Su, would you consider sleeping with me?!

Still, Su Lingyu remained unresponsive.

Qu Panyan suddenly understood. Su Lingyu briefly had a moment of telepathic connection with her, but it wasn’t because Su Lingyu could hear her thoughts without using the Dao Companion’s heart-to-heart communication.

Since Su Lingyu couldn’t hear her, she decided to let it go. She wouldn’t dare to say such a thing aloud, especially with the punishment still in place. However, shouting it in her mind was a different matter. Even if it was heard, she could feign ignorance and get away with it.

Su Lingyu lifted her finger and tapped Qu Panyan’s nose lightly, saying, “Curse all you want Yan’er.”

She held Qu Panyan’s hand and led her outside, saying, “As long as it makes you remember not to take risks with your life anymore, it’s okay to be a little naughty.”

As long as it ensured Qu Panyan’s health and happiness, what did it matter if she was a little naughty?

On the corridor outside, lanterns were hanging, and when the time came, the candles inside would light up on their own, casting a dim, orange light that created a sea of warm glow on the ground.

The person behind her suddenly stopped, tugging on her hand and forcing her to stop as well. She turned to look at her, “Yan’er?”

Qu Panyan gazed at her, her heart pounding incessantly because of the sentence she just heard. It was a simple confession, but she couldn’t explain why it made her heart flutter.

Su Lingyu genuinely cared for her and truly loved her.

And now, Qu Panyan also genuinely wanted to kiss Su Lingyu—blame it on her irresistible charm that always made her heart flutter endlessly.

Qu Panyan unconsciously took a few steps forward, getting closer to Su Lingyu. The warm, orange light fell on her face, softening her features, and with affection in her heart, she called out, “Sister Lingyu.”

Su Lingyu responded, “Yes.”

She blinked a few times, suddenly smiled, and asked, “Can I ask a question?”

Su Lingyu smiled helplessly, “My Yan’er can ask whatever she wants.”

Qu Panyan hugged her arm and asked in a coquettish voice, “Does kissing you through the air count?”

Su Lingyu: “…”

Su Lingyu fell silent.

Kissing through the air… Where did all these whimsical thoughts come from?

Does Qu Muqiu know? Does Lou Wuhua know?

Su Lingyu didn’t know how to answer this question for a moment and fell into an extended silence.

Taking advantage of the moment, Qu Panyan tiptoed and approached Su Lingyu’s lips. The breath from her mouth brushed over Su Lingyu’s lips, maintaining a tantalizing distance, as if she could kiss her at any moment but wouldn’t.

Then, Su Lingyu heard a clear and loud “mwah,” which made her pause for a moment.

Qu Panyan covered her mouth and said, “Too loud, let me try again.”

She approached once more, lightly made a “chu” sound, and then satisfied with her effort, retreated, as if she had actually kissed Su Lingyu’s lips and was happy about it.

Su Lingyu: “…”

Su Lingyu: “Kissing through the air counts as half a month.”

Qu Panyan: “???”

Wait a minute! This celestial sister, I’ve been kissing you for a whole month before you tell me about it? Isn’t that a bit too much?

Seeing her pupils tremble slightly and her distressed expression looking as if the sky was falling, Su Lingyu calmly averted her gaze and added, “We’ll start counting from the next time.”

Then, she turned around and continued holding her hand, leading her outside, a gentle smile unconsciously donned on the corner of her lips.

Her Madam Su was just too adorable.

Ba Tu and Wu Yi appeared after the two of them walked out. They approached slowly and showed no interest in unnecessary chit-chat.

Wu Yi got straight to the point and asked, “When does the Saintess wish to return to the Skyfire Tribe?”

Qu Panyan was taken aback, then looked at her and asked earnestly, “Do I have to go back?”

Before, she only thought about resolving the crisis of the Qu Clan and teaching A Yiduo a lesson. She never considered that after merging with the Heavenly Fire, becoming the Saintess might tie her to the Skyfire Tribe forever, prohibiting her from leaving for the rest of her life.

Does being the Saintess mean she can’t freely move around? Does she have to stay in the Skyfire Tribe and clock in for work every day? If that was the case…would it be too late for her to drive her unfilial son, Heavenly Fire, away?

Wu Yi noticed her doubts and calmly said, “Please rest assured, as the Saintess, you are the Ancestor of Fire and the child of gods. You naturally have absolute freedom, and no one in the Skyfire Tribe can interfere with your actions.”

“Your return is only for the sake of letting the clan members know that the Heavenly Fire has chosen you. They will have the chance to witness the divine presence of the newly appointed Saintess and sculpt your golden statue, to be worshiped and revered for eternity.”

Sculpt her golden statue? Worshiped and revered for eternity?

Qu Panyan: “…”

She frowned, “There’s no need for that.”

Even though she merged with the Heavenly Fire and became the Ancestor of Fire, she was fundamentally still a mortal and hadn’t done anything to deserve such devout treatment. She felt that she couldn’t bear such honors without deserving them, as she hadn’t achieved anything significant to warrant such devotion.

Ba Tu added, “Every Saintess enjoys this privilege, and you should enjoy yours as well.”

Qu Panyan pondered for a moment and said, “There’s really no need for that…”

Deep down, she believed that a golden statue of the Heavenly Fire for worship would be enough; there was no need to go through the trouble of sculpting one for each Saintess. After all, the Saintess was merely a person qualified to nurture the Heavenly Fire, and the true divinity lay within the Heavenly Fire itself.

Wu Yi asked again, “May I ask when the Saintess would like to return?”

Not having to stay in the Skyfire Tribe for work and having the freedom to go wherever she wanted was great, but she couldn’t decide when to return to the tribe

Unknowingly, she glanced at Su Lingyu, who knew she was having a dilemma, so she asked Ba Tu and Wu Yi, “Is it alright for her to return whenever she wants?”

They both nodded.

Su Lingyu said, “Alright, then let her recuperate for a few days before returning.”

Ba Tu and Wu Yi looked at Qu Panyan, and she nodded, saying, “Listen to my Sister Lingyu.”

Ba Tu and Wu Yi then respectfully bowed to Su Lingyu and replied in unison, “We will follow the orders of the Saintess’s wife.”

The Saintess’s wife, fine, I like it. A smile appeared at the corners of Qu Panyan’s mouth, and she asked again, “A Yiduo is the daughter of your tribe leader. I killed her. Will your tribe leader demand justice from me?”

As the Saintess, once she returned to the Skyfire Tribe, she would inevitably interact with the tribe leader. If the Skyfire Tribe leader sought justice in the same unreasonable manner as A Yiduo, it would be quite troublesome to deal with.

Ba Tu replied with an expressionless face, “No, he won’t.” Then he added, “A Yiduo disregarded the tribe’s rules and offended the Heavenly Fire. Facing the Saintess’s wrathful punishment who merged with the Heavenly Fire was only fitting.”

The Skyfire Tribe worshiped and revered the Heavenly Fire, so they highly valued the Saintess, who could merge and nurture the Heavenly Fire. A Yiduo had committed a grave offense by insulting and provoking Qu Panyan even after she became the Saintess, severely violating a major taboo within the tribe. Even if Qu Panyan showed mercy and spared her life, the Skyfire Tribe wouldn’t let her off the hook easily.

Given the situation, Qu Panyan decided not to dwell on it any further.

Just then, a gentle breeze brushed past, and everyone blinked only to see Lou Wuhua and Elder Chayue appeared.

Lou Wuhua hurriedly came to Qu Panyan, took her hand, and examined her from head to toe, relieved to find no injuries. Her face returned to its usual gentle expression as she said, “It’s good that my disciple is unharmed.”

Qu Panyan’s skin was smooth and fair, her temperament even more outstanding and captivating, and her features more delicate and beautiful, as if carefully crafted by a divine artisan, leaving people in awe. Lou Wuhua curiously exclaimed, “My disciple looks even more beautiful now.” Then she added with a smile, “So beautiful that even this Sect Leader might want to give her a kiss.”

The temperature around them seemed to drop instantly, and Su Lingyu’s cold warning came from the side, “Lou Wuhua!”

“Hey hey hey, no need to get so angry,” Lou Wuhua fearlessly opened her black and gold fan and took a couple of steps back.

Unfazed, she leaned close to Su Lingyu’s ear, whispering, “My disciple has become so beautiful. Why don’t you take her back to Tailing Peak and secretly steal a kiss?”

Su Lingyu shot her a cold glance and calmly corrected with composure, “Yan’er has always been beautiful.”

Lou Wuhua clicked her tongue.

Was that the crucial point here?

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Translator: Glariosa
Editor: iToon

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