Chapter 121: Alone Together

A solitary island.

The island’s soil was damp and small—no larger than a soccer field. It was devoid of life, save for a few lonely saplings scattered about.

Amid the vast, boundless sea, this island was but a tiny speck, scarcely noticeable. Though small, it brought great relief to Shi Yan.

Carrying Xia Xinyan on his back, Shi Yan finally allowed himself a breath of relief upon reaching the island. Only those who have survived a catastrophe can deeply understand the joy of being alive.

Setting Xia Xinyan down, Shi Yan stretched his limbs wide and lay back on the beach sand beside the island, unwilling even to move a finger.

He was utterly exhausted.

He hadn’t rested for a moment these past days, constantly pushing his body to the limit, nearly depleting all his vital energy.

Even an iron man would falter under such intense exertion. Shi Yan’s persistence until now was thanks to his shocking willpower and the dwindling energy within him; otherwise, he would have collapsed long ago.

Xia Xinyan, placed beside him, lay sideways on the sand, equally drained.

They were separated by just three to five meters. Shi Yan glanced at her with a smile, teasing, “Looks like even if you wanted to die pure and undefiled, that’s probably not going to happen.”

Xia Xinyan’s expression shifted, a cold gleam flashing in her bright eyes. “You dare.”

Her strength had yet to fully return, her internal energy chaotic and unstable, making it difficult to summon her vital force in the short term. If Shi Yan had any ill intentions now, she truly would be powerless to resist.

Thinking of Shi Yan’s nature, a hint of panic stirred in her heart, yet her face remained composed and noble, her eyes filled with a threatening aura.

“Hahaha,” Shi Yan laughed heartily, head thrown back.

Xia Xinyan was enraged but unsure of his true intentions. She struggled to move her limbs slightly and, with some difficulty, shifted further away to create more distance.

Shi Yan hadn’t meant to tease her, but seeing her guard up like that, a mischievous idea sparked in his heart.

Suddenly, on the beach, Shi Yan rolled over, closing the gap between them in an instant.

In a moment, the distance between him and Xia Xinyan was less than half a meter. His burning eyes locked onto her clear ones.

With a playful smirk, Shi Yan said, “Run all you want, but can you really escape here? Xinyan, if we were to fight now, who do you think would win? Hmm, I remember you said that if I beat you, then we could... ah?”

“Shameless,” Xia Xinyan snapped coldly, her face stern. “Don’t come any closer, or once I recover, I won’t let you off.”

“If I really wanted to do something to you, I wouldn’t wait till now to act,” Shi Yan sneered disdainfully. “Last time at the Misty Rain Pavilion, if I had the mind, could you have escaped?”

“…Then why didn’t you… touch me?” Xia Xinyan was stunned, curiosity flickering in her eyes.

Back at the Misty Rain Pavilion, Shi Yan had spent the night with two courtesans but had not laid a hand on her. From what she knew of him, he was clearly a lustful wretch, even brazenly taking another man’s bride in front of Ling Shaofeng.

Such a mad demon chilled Xia Xinyan’s heart whenever she thought of him.

Yet at the pavilion, despite seeing her incomparable beauty, Shi Yan had not harmed her—an enduring mystery to her.

“Why would I want to touch you?” Shi Yan’s expression turned uncharacteristically serious. “I’m a man with natural needs. I pay for the company of courtesans, and I see no shame in that. As for Mo Yanyu, we have a bitter history. If not for my luck, I’d have died by her hands long ago. Such a venomous woman deserves to suffer in my grasp. Besides, Ling Shaofeng poisoned my father, who never practiced martial arts. Those two scoundrels deserve their fate.”

He paused, glancing sideways at Xia Xinyan. “As for you, aside from that time in the Deathly Swamp when you tried to force me to join the Xia family, which made me extremely displeased, we have no real grudge. I’m no saint, but I pick my targets. Either it’s consensual, or there’s deep hatred. Otherwise, I don’t act recklessly.”

Xia Xinyan fell silent.

After a long while, she said, “I hope it’s truly as you say.”

Shi Yan smiled and nodded. “I’m no gentleman, but I’m not an animal driven by lust. By the way, how are you feeling now? You used to recover quickly. Why is it so slow this time?”

“I’ve used up all my Heaven-Repair Pills,” Xia Xinyan sighed softly. “Without them, I’d need at least three months to fully recover. I was injured this time, so the healing will be even slower. I need three days to stabilize the chaotic energy inside me. During this period, I can’t exert any strength and am as helpless as an ordinary person.”

“Alright, focus on stabilizing your energy these three days. I’ll take care of your meals,” Shi Yan nodded, looking up at the sky. “I’ll rest now, then prepare food once I wake.”

With that, Shi Yan took a deep breath, suppressing his fatigue, sat up on the sand, closed his eyes, and began circulating his vital energy.

Xia Xinyan lay on her side, her curves delicate, legs stretched straight, eyes filled with puzzled wonder as she stared at him.

At this moment, Shi Yan was utterly focused and resolute, his face stern, exuding an unshakable, mountain-like steadiness—so unlike his usual self.

What kind of man was he, really?

After a while, Xia Xinyan gently shook her head, turning away, maintaining the same posture, concentrating on restoring her energy.

She didn’t know how much time had passed when Shi Yan awoke, the glaring sunlight making him squint.

The sun blazed high overhead.

Shi Yan rose, feeling refreshed and invigorated.

The lost energy had recovered seventy to eighty percent after this period of rest, and the fatigue had vanished without a trace.

He glanced at Xia Xinyan and found her still lying sideways, her clothes dry, pant legs fluttering in the sea breeze.

She lay there gracefully, her figure alluring. The gentle sway of her pant legs in the wind revealed a glimpse of her snow-white ankle, shimmering like jade in the sunlight—heart-stirring.

Shi Yan greedily looked at her a few more times, then took a deep breath and plunged into the sea.

Fifteen minutes later, he emerged holding two fish nearly as long as his arms, then walked over to Xia Xinyan and cleared his throat.

Her long lashes fluttered, and she slowly opened her eyes. She seemed to have regained some strength and silently sat up, glancing at Shi Yan. “What is it?”

“Got any flint?”

“Yes.”

Xia Xinyan touched a jade-green ring on her slender finger, and a strange light flickered. A piece of flint appeared in her palm.

She casually tossed it to Shi Yan, then stood, cheeks flushed, and quickly walked toward a small tree not far away, whispering, “I’m changing clothes. You’re not allowed to peek.”

Shi Yan nodded in agreement, but a gleam of delight shone in his eyes.

The sapling was only as thick as a man’s thigh. Xia Xinyan stood beside it, turning her body so her silhouette aligned with the trunk, quietly slipping off her clothes.

The tree was too thin—though she stood sideways, her exquisitely curved beauty could not be fully concealed.

Rustle, rustle.

As Xia Xinyan undressed, one hand shielded her ample chest, while her lower back and hips revealed a patch of snow-white skin…

Her rounded, firm hips were full and smooth, glowing with a porcelain-like luster, as if crafted by the heavens themselves—captivating and utterly enchanting.

Shi Yan was dazzled, his gaze filled with desire as a physiological reaction surged within him, his lower body rising prominently.

That patch of white skin was only a fleeting glimpse before Xia Xinyan donned a green dress that completely covered it.

Relieved, Xia Xinyan dressed neatly, resembling a vibrant green leaf slowly stepping out from behind the tree.

But as she glanced at Shi Yan, her face immediately darkened. She fixed her gaze on him and scolded, “Shameless.”

Shi Yan straightened his back and stood on the beach like a javelin, a bulging tent clearly visible beneath his abdomen—anyone could tell he had improper thoughts.

Under Xia Xinyan’s angry stare, Shi Yan remained calm, not even adjusting the tent, but instead chuckled, “I didn’t peek; I looked openly. Actually, I didn’t see much, so don’t get upset.”

“Didn’t see much? Didn’t see much? Then why is your reaction so big?” Xia Xinyan was so furious she nearly spat blood, wishing she could regain her strength immediately to teach him a lesson.

“My… needs are strong. If I don’t touch a woman for days, the little guy gets excited,” Shi Yan laughed awkwardly, then quickly turned away toward a withered tree.

“You…” Xia Xinyan was so angry she couldn’t finish her sentence.

Growing up, every young man in her presence was polite and somewhat reserved. Their conversations were about cultivation secrets or poetry, never a hint of frivolous speech.

Only this man either mingled in brothels or shamelessly discussed matters of love and lust, often brazenly teasing her. This left the usually aloof and superior Xia Xinyan feeling bewildered, wronged, and embarrassed.

Yet now, in this special situation, with her strength not yet restored and knowing his wicked nature but lacking means to control him, her anger intensified. She exhaled repeatedly, her chest rising and falling with agitation.

Before long, Shi Yan returned holding dry wood, as if nothing had happened, calmly lighting the fire with the flint and roasting the two fish.

The rich aroma of cooked meat quickly spread.

“Hungry? Eat something first. If you’re mad at me, shout all you want—no one’s around to hear. Besides, I already saw you, so it won’t hurt to vent a little,” Shi Yan chuckled, flipping the fish with ease, then handed her a skewer.

“I’m not hungry,” Xia Xinyan gritted her teeth, turning her face away coldly.

But her stomach betrayed her at that moment, grumbling loudly.

“Heh,” Shi Yan laughed mischievously, stepping forward boldly and shoving the grilled fish into her hand. “Why bother? It’s just a glance. You’re not losing any meat. At worst, I’ll take responsibility and force myself to marry you—how about that?”

“Shut up,” Xia Xinyan grabbed the fish, glaring fiercely at him before resigning, “Forget it. I should have known what kind of person you are.”

“Yeah, yeah, I’m a villain, a big-time villain,” Shi Yan said carelessly, tearing into the fish and eating heartily.

“Barbaric,” Xia Xinyan muttered softly, taking out a small knife to carefully slice her pieces.

…

P.S. Monday’s coming, and I’d appreciate some recommendation votes. Brothers with recommendation votes, don’t forget to send some my way. Thank you! V