Dashing Student

On the morning of the next day, a thin mist enveloped the Ten Thousand Mountains, and the birds chirped crisply in the forest.

Chen Nan opened his eyes, a mysterious light seemed to flicker in them. After a night of training, his spiritual power had stabilized, and a formless pressure accompanied his every move.

"Let's go." Chen Nan stood up and brushed off the dew on his robe.

Hu Lie, after a night of recuperation, looked much better. Supported by Hu Die, he stood up.

The three of them continued along the winding mountain road!

Through dense primordial forests and across rushing mountain streams, by evening, the familiar outline of bamboo buildings finally appeared in the distance.

"We're here!" Hu Die pointed ahead excitedly.

Tiers of stilted houses rested against the mountainside, with thin smoke curling upward. Several men in Miao attire were patrolling in front of the village gates.

"It's the Sect Leader! The Sect Leader has returned!" A sharp-eyed guard suddenly shouted, causing the entire village to stir.

Soon, dozens of Gu Sect Disciples were rushing in from various places, led by the Great Elder.

Seeing the black jade thumb ring on Chen Nan's hand, the Great Elder's dull eyes suddenly gleamed, and he immediately knelt on one knee: "Welcome back, Sect Leader!"

At this, the others also respectfully knelt down!

Chen Nan quickly stepped forward: "Master, there's no need for such a grand gesture. Aren't you putting too much on this young one!"

To receive such honor from others he felt was deserved, but the Great Elder was Wu Mazi's father, and in terms of seniority, he was Chen Nan's master, which made him uncomfortable accepting it!

But the Great Elder was resolute: "Customs must not be abandoned!"

Chen Nan sighed helplessly, then looked at the crowd and said, "Please rise!"

"Yes!"

The crowd agreed at once and stood up!

The Second Elder immediately ordered preparations for a dinner party to celebrate Chen Nan's return with Hu Lie!

The village soon became lively, with long tables laid out on the plaza in front of the bamboo buildings.

Miao girls in festive dresses carried bamboo wine cups as they wove through the crowd, and a whole mountain boar roasted on the hearth, emitting fragrant aromas.

The Great Elder led Chen Nan to the head seat, personally pouring him a cup of Hundred Flower Brew: "Sect Leader, this is wine made with a hundred kinds of mountain flowers, only to be consumed when the newly appointed Sect Leader assumes their role."

Chen Nan accepted the bamboo cup, the liquid within was clear, exuding a captivating floral fragrance.

He raised his head and drank it all, immediately feeling a warm current spread throughout his body, even invigorating his spiritual power.

"Good wine!" Chen Nan praised.

The Great Elder smiled as he stroked his beard: "As long as the Sect Leader likes it. I've already arranged for the inauguration ceremony to be held in three days, and the village chiefs of the seventy-two villages of Miaojiang will come to witness it."

"Is it going to be this grand?" Chen Nan expressed surprise, as his character was low-key; he disliked being the center of attention!

The Great Elder laughed: "The Gu Sect stands above the seventy-two villages of Miaojiang, so naturally the appointment of a new Sect Leader will be quite ceremonious!"

Though Chen Nan wasn't fond of being in the spotlight, as the saying goes, when in Rome, do as the Romans do!

As they were speaking, a girl in an indigo Miao outfit approached timidly, holding a delicate silver platter with several unusual fruits on it.

"Sect Leader, these Spirit Mist Fruits were just picked from the back mountain, please enjoy them." The girl's head was bowed, her voice was soft as a mosquito's buzz.

Chen Nan picked up a fruit, its skin transparent and gleaming and its fragrance rich and enticing. He gave a gentle smile: "Thank you!"

Upon hearing this, the girl raised her head, but as soon as she met Chen Nan's gaze, she quickly lowered it again, her ears flushing red as she retreated.

Hu Die, standing nearby, remarked teasingly: "Sect Leader is quite charming!"

Chen Nan blushed, knowing Hu Die was feeling jealous, considering they had been intimate in the Ten Thousand Mountains, and he had become her first man!

He gave an awkward smile, saying nothing further!

After the banquet, Chen Nan returned to the bamboo building prepared for him by the Great Elder.

The room was simply yet tastefully furnished, with a bamboo bed spread with new wax cloth, and a table with a burning tung oil lamp emitting a faint pine scent.

He had just sat cross-legged, preparing to continue studying the "Gu Scriptures," when a soft knocking sounded at the door.

"Who is it?" Chen Nan asked.

From outside came Hu Die's almost inaudible voice: "It's me!"

Chen Nan stood up to open the door, seeing Hu Die standing under the moonlight, having changed into a light pink Miao outfit, her silver ornaments sparkling in the moonlit glow.

Her cheeks were flushed, and she twisted the hem of her clothes nervously with both hands.

"It's so late, is there something you need?" Chen Nan asked, puzzled.

Hu Die suddenly looked up, her eyes glinting with a strange light.

She abruptly lunged into Chen Nan's arms, her soft body pressing tightly against him: "Sect Leader... I..."

Caught off guard, Chen Nan was enveloped by a gentle fragrance.

His instinct was to support Hu Die by her shoulders, only to find her body unusually warm.

"What's wrong with you?" Chen Nan frowned, keenly sensing something amiss.

Hu Die's eyes were hazy, her breath quickening: "I... I don't know... I just feel so warm..." She reached out, trying to undress Chen Nan!

Chen Nan was dumbfounded, why was she so anxious?

Without thinking further, his spiritual power instantly probed inside Hu Die's body.

Indeed, in her meridians he found a trace of unusual energy—a Love Gu!

"Someone has bewitched you!" Chen Nan said gravely, unable to comprehend how, within the Gu Sect, someone dared to plot against Hu Die!

His fingers poised like swords, he intended to expel the Love Gu from Hu Die's body!

But at that moment, Hu Die grasped his wrist, looking at him with deep affection: "I used the Gu on myself···"

"I··· I want to dual cultivate with you once more!"

Though she had dual cultivated with Chen Nan once before, it was a tense situation; she hadn't truly savored the experience!

Now, having returned to the village, she earnestly wished to feel the dual cultivation process, to compensate for the regrets in her heart!

Chen Nan was utterly astonished, never expecting Hu Die to use a Gu on herself. Looking at her charmingly alluring face and the intense affection in her eyes, he felt a strong urge rising within him!

He then bowed his head, a face full of affection as he leaned towards her inviting red lips···

Moonlight streamed like silvery gauze through the cracks in the bamboo windows, casting mottled light and shadow across the wax-dyed sheets.

When Chen Nan's lips met Hu Die's cherry lips, he felt her soft body quiver gently within his embrace.

Her lips were softer than the most delicate petals, carrying the unique sweet fragrance of a young girl.

"Mmh..."

Hu Die let out a soft hum, her lithe fingers skillfully untying the sash at Chen Nan's waist.

The bells on her silver neck ornament chimed lightly with her movement, crisp and clear in the quiet bamboo building.

Chen Nan's large hand caressed her slender waist, through the thin embroidered Miao blouse, he could distinctly feel the heat emanating from her skin.

His thumb gently traced the sensitive curves of her waist, provoking yet another quiver from Hu Die.

Saying no more, he scooped the girl effortlessly into his arms.

Hu Die let out a small cry, instinctively wrapping her arms around his neck, her ample curves pressing against his chest, the spring in her eyes even more pronounced····