Chapter 595 - 198: Top of the Hidden Dragon List, Passion in the Night

Yang Jing could also clearly feel the romantic atmosphere. His heart suddenly sped up, THUMP-THUMPING against his chest, and even his breathing grew ragged.

In his heart, he had long been fond of this gentle and considerate senior sister before him, and he could clearly sense her feelings for him as well.

From her care for him back in Yuhe County to her support during his cultivation, and then their mutual reliance after he joined the Xuanzhen Sect—he remembered every single moment.

But a thin paper window had always stood between them. If it wasn’t pierced, then no matter how close they were, they would forever remain just senior sister and junior brother, unable to take that final, crucial step.

At this moment, Yang Jing actually felt a little nervous.

’Is it time to pierce that paper window and take that step?’

Even though he had lived two lives, faced with this innocent yet ardent affection, his heart couldn’t help but pound, leaving him flustered and at a loss.

He took a deep breath to calm the fluttering in his heart and prepared to open his mouth, to confess his feelings to Senior Sister Ning Xiang.

KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK—

Just then, a series of rapid, crisp knocks on the door suddenly shattered the romantic atmosphere in the courtyard.

The words on the tips of Yang Jing’s and Sun Ningxiang’s tongues were instantly swallowed back down, as if someone had abruptly cut them off.

Yang Jing felt a tightness in his chest. The words had been right at the tip of his tongue, burning so hot they were about to erupt, yet he was forced to pull them back. The frustration was so intense he wanted to slam his fist on the table.

"Senior Sister, wait a moment. I’ll go see who it is." Yang Jing suppressed his frustration, stood up, and strode to the courtyard gate, which he opened with a sweep of his hand.

Beyond the gate stood, of all people, Senior Sister Si Jiawen.

She was tall and slender, dressed in a set of moon-white martial robes. Her features were exquisite, her temperament as cold as ice, and she exuded an unapproachable, distant aura.

Yang Jing immediately bowed. "Greetings, Senior Sister," he said respectfully.

Si Jiawen stood outside the gate, her gaze sweeping casually past Yang Jing to the table in the courtyard behind him. The table was laden with a sumptuous spread of food and wine, the candlelight flickered, and it was clear they were having a small, celebratory drink.

Her gaze then fell on Sun Ningxiang by the table. Seeing her flushed cheeks and the slightly hazy look in her eyes from the wine, she raised an eyebrow. She looked at Yang Jing and said in a teasing tone, "Have I come at a bad time again?"

’Yes!’ Yang Jing nodded frantically in his mind, wishing he could say it out loud. On his face, however, he could only force a smile and shake his head. "You jest, Senior Sister. Any time you visit is a good time."

Si Jiawen was clearly pleased by his answer. She gave a slight nod, stopped her teasing, and said in a serious tone, "Tomorrow at 7:00 AM, come to the Lingxi Great Hall to meet with Master. He will take you to the Main Peak to see the Sect Leader. Your rewards from the Fushan Grand Tournament will also be distributed then."

Yang Jing nodded and cupped his fist. "Thank you for informing me, Senior Sister. I’ll remember."

Si Jiawen grunted in acknowledgment. "Now that the message is delivered, I’ll be on my way," she said lightly.

Yang Jing made a polite attempt to have her stay. "Have you eaten dinner, Senior Sister? Why don’t you join us before you go?"

Si Jiawen waved her hand, her tone laced with mischief. "I won’t disturb you two. However, Junior Brother, I must give you a word of advice—on the path of the Martial Dao, a man’s vital essence is of utmost importance. As the saying goes, ’refine essence into the Dao,’ and this ’essence’ refers to one’s vital energy, qi, and spirit."

She paused, her gaze sweeping between Yang Jing and Sun Ningxiang, before adding, "So, you must exercise restraint."

With that, Si Jiawen said no more. She turned and walked away under the moonlight, her posture ramrod straight, and quickly vanished into the shadows of the mountain path.

Yang Jing stood at the gate, completely petrified as if he had been hit by an Immobilization Spell.

’Restraint?’

’Restraint from what?’

’What do I have to restrain myself from?’

’He and his Senior Sister were just having a celebratory drink, completely innocent. What the Senior Sister said could be so easily misunderstood!’

A moment later, Yang Jing finally came to his senses. Not knowing whether to laugh or cry, he closed the gate and walked back into the courtyard.

Sitting back down, he looked at Sun Ningxiang, whose face was so red she had practically buried it in her chest. He opened his mouth, but the confession he had been brewing for so long now felt stuck in his throat, impossible to get out.

The intimate, affectionate atmosphere from before had been utterly destroyed by Si Jiawen’s sudden visit.

Some words, some feelings, are only meant to be spoken in a specific situation, a specific atmosphere. Once that moment is lost, it’s hard to ever get back into the right state of mind.

The candlelight still flickered and the food and wine were still warm, but the mood between them had quietly soured. In the end, the words hidden in their hearts remained unspoken.