Dai Mubai shook his head with a bitter smile, though his eyes were full of respect. "Since Yin-ge has his sixth spirit ring, we can finally head back," he suggested.
At that moment, Zhu Zhuyu spoke up timidly, "Um, I actually broke through to level forty during the fight. I need a spirit ring too."
Ye Yin answered her gently, "We are already in the forest, so we might as well help you find a good thousand-year spirit ring right now." Zhu Zhuyu looked up with joy and gratitude in her eyes, whispering a quick thank you to him.
However, the usually quiet Zhu Zhuqing suddenly spoke with a hint of pleading in her voice. "Yin-ge, since you can help increase the age of spirit rings, could you... help my second sister this time?" She looked directly at Ye Yin and explained, "Her talent isn't as high as mine or my big sister's, and she started training later. Having a stronger spirit ring would be very important for her future."
The area went silent. Everyone looked at Zhu Zhuqing and Ye Yin, then turned their gaze toward Zhu Zhuyu. They all knew what it meant to increase a spirit ring's age. Dugu Yan, Xiao Wu, and Ning Rongrong stayed quiet, being very sensible. Zhu Zhuyu's face turned as red as a ripe apple. She looked down and nervously twisted her clothes, her ears turning bright red.
"Zhuqing! Stop talking nonsense! I... I don't want to..." she whispered in a panic. She knew exactly how the process worked because Zhu Zhuqing had told her about it before. That was why the other girls had such high-level rings.
Ye Yin was surprised and looked at Zhu Zhuqing with a questioning look. But Zhu Zhuqing didn't back down. She even teased her sister a little. "Second sister, there are no outsiders here. Don't you think everyone can see what you're thinking?"
Xiao Wu nodded quickly, Ning Rongrong laughed softly, and Dugu Yan gave her a knowing look. It was clear to everyone that Zhu Zhuyu had feelings for Ye Yin.
"Every time you see him, you can't look away, you stutter, and you've blushed more today than in the last ten years," Zhu Zhuqing said calmly. "If you like him, why hide it? Yin-ge can help you; this is your chance and your choice. It would be nice if the three of us could stay sisters in the future."
Zhu Zhuyu felt so embarrassed she wanted to hide in a hole. She couldn't argue because everything her sister said was true. She had liked Ye Yin for a long time. His strength and the way he saved her from her family's cage had made her very grateful and attracted to him. Because she was shy and felt her status was low, she had kept these feelings buried deep inside. Now that it was out in the open, she felt mortified, but also a little hopeful.
Ye Yin understood the situation. He liked this gentle girl who had risked everything to help her sister escape. He walked over to her and asked softly, "Zhuyu, is what Zhuqing said true?"
She trembled and kept her head down. "I... I... Yin-ge, I..." she stammered, her voice full of tears.
"Look at me," Ye Yin said, gently lifting her chin. She was forced to look into his deep eyes. Her heart raced so fast it felt like it would jump out of her chest.
"Tell me, are you willing?" he asked. "Are you willing to accept my help, gain more power, and stay by my side from now on?"
Power and a chance to be with him were things she couldn't refuse. She saw herself reflected in his eyes and felt his encouragement. Her hesitation vanished. She bit her lip and nodded firmly. "I... I am willing!"
As she said those words, her strength seemed to leave her, and she leaned into his arms. She hid her face against his chest. Ye Yin held her and smiled, giving Zhu Zhuqing a look of thanks. The other girls smiled knowingly, while Dai Mubai looked away to give them some privacy.
"In that case," Ye Yin whispered into her ear, "let's find a quiet place to work on your spirit ring." His breath made her shiver, and she felt her body go soft. He picked her up and told the others to wait and guard the area.
He carried her to a secluded cave nearby. Inside, the light was low and the mood was quiet. He set her down gently. She was so nervous she could hardly breathe.
"Don't be nervous," he said softly, touching her cheek. "Close your eyes, relax, and leave everything to me."
She obeyed and closed her eyes. She felt his warm breath get closer, and then he kissed her firmly but softly. Her body went stiff for a second before softening completely as she kissed him back clumsily. A rush of passion filled her mind, and as her clothes slipped away, she gave herself over to him completely.
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