Chapter Thirty: In the Hollow Tree

Shi Yan awoke suddenly midway through.
His body was still moving, waves of intense pleasure washing over him. Without opening his eyes, he understood exactly what he was doing.
One hand pressed against Di Yalan's lower back, pulling her delicate body tightly to him, while the other kneaded her proud, full chest.
The fiery body of Di Yalan in his embrace wound around him like a water serpent, her eyes hazy, sweat glistening on her skin, unconsciously following his rhythm and heightening his pleasure.
A series of thoughts flashed through his mind, yet Shi Yan kept his eyes shut, his hands unmoving, his lower body continuing its motions, indulging in the wondrous sensations.
His movements, once rough, softened as clarity returned; the force diminished, but his skill increased greatly.
His hands, as if imbued with magic, roamed Di Yalan's body, seeking her most sensitive spots, making her tremble even more intensely.
At some point, she was turned over, her proud chest pressed against the tree wall, her back to him, hips raised and swaying, bearing his renewed assault in a new position.
Mu Yudie, flushed all over, leaned weakly against the other side of the tree wall, her eyes glazed, staring blankly at the two.
Shi Yan, eyes closed, surrendered to the moment, primal desire bursting forth, seemingly accelerating the purification of energy within his meridians.
Di Yalan had long since lost herself, merely responding to his movements.
No one knew how much time had passed before Shi Yan felt a tide of pleasure surging over him, impossible to suppress. Along with it, a torrent of strange energy overflowed from his meridians.
As that strange energy rushed into his lower abdomen, it split into two—one part merging with his essence, the other fusing with his vital fluid, which he released into Di Yalan's body.
Amidst the suppressed gasps of man and woman, Mu Yudie sank powerless to the floor of the tree hollow, her breath rapid, mind utterly blank.
...
Shi Yan slowly moved away from Di Yalan, pulled up his trousers, and sat down in silent meditation.
Di Yalan collapsed on the ground, her skin flushed. After a long while, she gathered herself, face crimson, tugged her leather skirt up, and sat quietly in the tree hollow.
The three resumed their original positions.
Mu Yudie was the first to recover, her face red, her beautiful eyes wandering between Shi Yan and Di Yalan, as if waiting for something.
Shi Yan’s expression was serene, eyes closed, focused on absorbing the strange energy now mingling with his essence, guiding it through his body, seizing every chance to strengthen himself.
Di Yalan did not open her eyes, but she felt Mu Yudie's gaze upon her. Ashamed, she dared not look up, wishing she could disappear into the earth.
Shi Yan had taken her in front of Mu Yudie, in this tree hollow, and she had not put up much resistance; halfway through, her behavior had become so... so shameless. Though she was naturally forthright, even she felt overwhelmed by such madness, too embarrassed to face Mu Yudie.
A strange energy slowly spread from her sensitive depths, making her shudder, nearly moaning again.
Restlessly twisting her body, she cursed herself for her wantonness and hurriedly focused her mind to examine herself.
Careful contemplation revealed that the strange energy was partly flowing toward her abdomen, while another portion rooted itself in the veins and flesh of her chest, subtly altering that area.

She distinctly sensed the bones, flesh, and veins in her chest undergoing an incomprehensible transformation...
The strange energy that had merged with her essence in the lower abdomen released a surging current.
Her essence soared!
Di Yalan’s body quivered. She hastily focused all her attention, guiding the transformed essence along a special trajectory, circulating it through her body.
...
Moonlight spilled into the tree hollow, banishing darkness.
Shi Yan slowly awakened, drawing a deep breath.
The Second Heaven of Innate Realm!
With the aid of that strange energy, he had advanced further, smoothly breaking through to the Second Heaven of Innate Realm.
Upon waking, he noticed the wound on his shoulder no longer hurt; the damaged muscles and bones, assisted by the "Undying Martial Soul," were slowly healing themselves.
At this rate, he would be fully recovered in a few days.
He opened his eyes slowly, and saw a pair of bright eyes staring intently at him. As he looked over, those eyes quickly turned away.
“Miss Mu, why aren’t you asleep yet?” Shi Yan asked calmly and naturally.
Mu Yudie, flustered by his gaze, turned her head, her alluring face glowing red. She huffed, “With all that noise, how could I possibly sleep?”
“Heh, my apologies for disturbing you. Next time, I’ll be more careful.” Shi Yan laughed awkwardly, explaining, “My strange illness suddenly flared up, and I lost my senses. Truly unforgivable.”
“You dare claim you were unconscious the whole time?” Mu Yudie sneered, “I was watching you closely. Later on, you were definitely awake! Otherwise, otherwise your actions wouldn’t have been so... so...”
Face flushed, she could not finish. She had seen with her own eyes how Shi Yan had played out so many tricks.
An unconscious man would not remember so many techniques in the act; she was certain Shi Yan had regained his senses early on.
“Uh...” Shi Yan froze, stunned for a moment before smiling bitterly, “So Miss Mu was observing all along. Then I won’t explain any further. I’m indeed a scoundrel.”
“You? What kind of person are you!” Mu Yudie pinched his thigh fiercely, and Shi Yan cried out in exaggerated pain.
Seeing Shi Yan grimace, Mu Yudie felt a little better. Looking around, she noticed Di Yalan, face flushed, eyes shut, motionless.
Annoyed, she suddenly slapped Di Yalan’s leg sharply.
Di Yalan, feeling guilty, shuddered, but kept her eyes tightly shut, mistaking the touch for Shi Yan’s mischief and cursing him inwardly.
“Sister Lan, how long are you going to pretend to sleep? Your face is red as a tomato, and you’re still acting like you’re cultivating? Do you take us for fools, unable to see anything?” Mu Yudie pouted, angrily challenging her.
Yalan let out a soft breath, finally opening her eyes reluctantly. Embarrassed, she stammered, “...I, I just woke up too. What were you discussing just now?”

Mu Yudie suddenly fell silent, her beautiful eyes shining, darting between Di Yalan and Shi Yan, the meaning clear: are you really going to pretend nothing happened?
Under Mu Yudie’s pointed gaze, Shi Yan remained composed, his face thick enough to build a wall, as if nothing had occurred.
He could sense that Di Yalan was not too bothered, perhaps even a little infatuated. Knowing she wasn’t devastated, he was unconcerned.
Di Yalan could not match his composure. Under Mu Yudie’s questioning glare, she hesitated, feeling she should at least display some anger, lest she appear utterly shameless.
Though she had experienced indescribable pleasure, beyond anything her late husband had ever given her.
“You brat!” Di Yalan suddenly stood, pointing at Shi Yan, her voice furious, “What did you just do to me? How could you behave like that?”
“Keep your voice down, don’t attract beasts, and remember, the Dark Nether people are still hunting us.” Shi Yan reminded her.
Yalan nodded, her bravado vanishing, lowering her voice, “You scoundrel, what are you going to do about this?”
Shi Yan saw her response and was reassured; she truly was not too concerned, and her accusations were merely prompted by a woman’s sense of propriety.
Amused, Shi Yan put on a contrite face, head bowed, admitting honestly, “I was wrong, Sister Lan. You decide what should be done.”
Di Yalan was stunned, caught off guard. She had only stood up to scold him for appearances, not really considered how to punish him. Now, thrown off by his reply, she was at a loss.
“Maybe you should just hit him a few times?” Mu Yudie’s pretty face was full of mischief, testing the waters. She could see her Sister Lan had no intention of punishing that scoundrel seriously.
“Fine, he deserves a few beatings.” Di Yalan nodded fiercely. “When he’s healed, I’ll make sure to teach him a lesson, just to satisfy you, Little Butterfly!”
Mu Yudie rolled her eyes, speechless. What did this have to do with her? Was punishing him only meant to make her feel better?
“Do as you like. I’m going to sleep.” Mu Yudie finally realized she was meddling for nothing, muttering under her breath, “Wretched, wretched, the affair started long ago, poor me, not only poisoned in spirit, but my eyes defiled as well...”
Her muttering was quiet, but in their close quarters, Di Yalan and Shi Yan heard it clearly.
Shi Yan chuckled, closing his eyes to rest.
Di Yalan could not stand it, lightly spitting, cursing, “You brat!”
Mu Yudie glanced at her sideways, humming, “Behave yourselves tonight, you two. I really need some sleep, please don’t cause any more trouble. I can’t take it.”
Di Yalan’s face was crimson, annoyed and embarrassed, “Got it, go to sleep, you brat!”
...