NovelYeni Chapter 170: Beneath the Starlit Sky
Chapter 170: Beneath the Starlit Sky
Ji Ruxue and Xie Xiaojing led Jiang Chen to the third floor.
Unlike the lower levels, this area was adorned with pink and white, radiating a vibrant and youthful energy.
Jiang Chen watched closely as the two women each took a pill and began practicing their primary cultivation techniques to absorb the pill’s benefits.
Meanwhile, Jiang Chen was also cultivating, all the while maintaining a watchful eye on the women.
Impressively, the concentration of spiritual Qi in Ji Ruxue’s quarters was even higher than in his own mansion, despite his status as the Holy Lord’s disciple.
Time slipped away unnoticed.
Before they realized it, Ji Ruxue and Xie Xiaojing had fully absorbed the medicinal benefits of the pills. They opened their eyes and looked towards Jiang Chen for his assessment.
"Come closer, let me check your conditions properly," Jiang Chen said, slowly ending his cultivation session with a gentle smile on his face.
"Mm-hmm, thank you, Brother Jiang Chen!" Xie Xiaojing, ever the enthusiastic admirer, quickly agreed. She then turned to Ji Ruxue and suggested, "You should go first, Ruxue."
"No, it’s your turn," Ji Ruxue insisted, her cheeks tinged with pink.
To be honest, the thought of Jiang Chen staying in her modest home made her quite shy.
If it had been solely her decision, she probably would have said no.
However, having her bold friend Xie Xiaojing there took away some of her discomfort.
"Alright, I’ll go first then," Xie Xiaojing said, her face lighting up with a delighted smile as she stepped forward toward Jiang Chen.
Jiang Chen extended his right hand and gently placed it on Xie Xiaojing’s wrist. He allowed his divine sense to slowly permeate her body.
He quickly conducted a thorough examination of Xie Xiaojing’s physical condition.
Even though this was his first time practicing the Thousand Green Pill Heart Records, his technique was impressively stable.
Simultaneously, he activated his Villain Eye, revealing her information panel:
[Name: Xie Xiaojing
...
Intimacy: 80 (Infatuated)]
’Interesting! She seems to have reached a plateau in her emotional attachment.’ As Jiang Chen processed this information, he began to devise new strategies.
Returning his focus to the present, Jiang Chen reassured Xie Xiaojing with a comforting smile, "There’s nothing amiss. You’re in prime condition."
His gaze then instinctively shifted towards Ji Ruxue.
Responding to Jiang Chen’s unspoken cue, Ji Ruxue nodded and stepped up to Xie Xiaojing’s side.
The mere thought of losing him was daunting enough to make her adapt to any changes, including the notion of sharing her husband.
This principle was also true for Mu Tao and Miao Xiaoru. For these women, Jiang Chen was an almost unattainable figure, revered and admired from afar.
Their lives underwent a dramatic transformation when he ascended to the Heavenly Origin realm. His acceptance of their presence and willingness to maintain their relationships had been more than enough to reassure them.
Furthermore, his guidance had opened up new possibilities in their Cultivation Paths, enriching their spiritual journeys and deepening their bonds with him.
The current situation, however, painted a starkly different picture.
Xie Xiaojing and especially Ji Ruxue were distinct from the other women in Jiang Chen’s life. They hailed from prestigious origins—tracing back to the Purple Heaven Holy Land and the Everflowing Truth Central Domain.
Their statuses alone differentiated them significantly.
Moreover, they were the treasured daughters of their respective families. The idea that these beloved young women might be relegated to the roles of secondary wives or concubines was abhorrent, something their families would find utterly unacceptable.
Despite Jiang Chen’s potential to reach the Third Step of the Cultivation Path, his status as a Villain didn’t elevate him enough within societal ranks to sway their families into accepting an unconventional arrangement like his.
His current position did not provide an easy solution that would conveniently make their families agreeable.
The stakes were higher than ever, with the risks equally magnified.
He recognized that by revealing his intentions too soon, he risked losing these women altogether.
This was a gamble he couldn’t afford to take, whether viewed from the selfish desire to keep the women he cherished close or from the strategic necessity to diminish the protagonist’s Heavenly Fate Value.
With no other viable options, Jiang Chen resolved to press forward with his plan, aiming to achieve his goals first and handle the repercussions later. His approach had to be careful and clear-cut.
With this renewed determination, Jiang Chen rose from his bed. After confirming that Ji Ruxue was still deeply engrossed in her cultivation, he quietly made his way towards Xie Xiaojing, who was lost in thought under the starlit sky.
"Junior Sister Xiaojing," Jiang Chen’s voice suddenly pierced the night’s quiet, "I’ve noticed your glances—the ones that linger even when you think no one is watching."
"I, I don’t understand what you mean." Xie Xiaojing’s cheeks flushed as she stammered, her eyes widening slightly.
Jiang Chen moved closer, maintaining eye contact. "You’re a terrible liar, Xiaojing," he gently teased, his voice low and calming.
Caught in the moment, Xie Xiaojing momentarily forgot the warmth and familiarity in Jiang Chen’s tone.
As his words echoed between them, her cheeks warmed, but she maintained her composure.
Her eyes locked with his, showing a spark of defiance despite her obvious embarrassment.
A heavy silence fell, filled with unspoken words and restrained feelings.
Jiang Chen waited patiently, his steady gaze encouraging her to continue.
Finally, Xie Xiaojing gathered her courage, her voice barely a whisper, "Alright. I’ve been thinking about you, about us..."
A flicker of amusement appeared on Jiang Chen’s eyebrows. "Oh? And what conclusions has our charming Xiaojing come to?" he inquired, his tone light, inviting her to share her thoughts more openly.