Chapter 529: What Exactly Is Being Tested

Zu'an turned his head and saw a young woman lying beside him. Her hair was disheveled, obscuring her face, but because he had just gotten up, the blanket had slipped, revealing a large expanse of dazzlingly white skin.

Even with just a fleeting glance, he could still make out her graceful and curvaceous figure. Her exposed skin seemed to shimmer with a crystal-like luster, appearing incredibly alluring, which instantly stiffened Zu'an.

"This isn't how it's supposed to start!"

Zu'an swallowed hard, pondering with difficulty.

According to Ya Zhang's previous description, no one had ever cleared this trial, so it should be extremely dangerous. Yet, the surroundings looked as magnificent as a palace, giving off a homely feeling, without any hint of danger.

Could it be that the greatest danger in this trial came from the woman beside him?

They're using a honey trap on me, huh… I don't think I can resist.

Wait, where's Da Manman?

His expression changed as this thought crossed his mind, and he quickly looked around. But besides the young woman next to him, there was no sign of Da Manman.

Hold on, those magnificent peaks… they seem a bit familiar.

Just then, the young woman beside him let out a soft moan and slowly woke up.

This gentle hum seemed to flow naturally from her throat, like a refreshing mountain breeze, or the soft song of an oriole, mingled with a hint of a playful witch's coquettishness. That instant was enough to make any man in the world's heart race.

Zu'an stiffened instantly, feeling as if he might explode. Yet, his mind was racing with one question: how was he going to explain this situation to the woman later?

It felt like the beginning of some cheesy drama... no, wait, dramas nowadays wouldn't dare to depict something like this.

Just then, the young woman slowly regained full consciousness. She instinctively sat up, ready to survey her surroundings.

However, she immediately felt a chill on her chest and only then realized she was completely naked.

With a gasp, she quickly hugged her arms across her chest. But how could her slender, delicate hands possibly conceal those magnificent undulating peaks?

Zu'an felt his nose warm, sensing a nosebleed was imminent.

He had already recognized her, though, and said with a chuckle, "Actually, in this situation, the first thing you should cover is your face."

The young woman, noticing a man beside her, had been about to flare up in anger, but hearing that familiar teasing tone, she was both surprised and delighted. "A'Zu?"

Zu'an smiled faintly. "Da Manman~"

He had intended to gaze into her eyes with tenderness, but his gaze, seemingly beyond his control, kept drifting downwards.

Pei Mianman noticed his eyes. Her normally captivating oval face was now flushed deep red, and her charming, amorous 'peach blossom' eyes were misty, clouded with emotion.

"Is it... pretty?" Her voice was softer than usual.

"Pretty..." Zu'an nodded instinctively, but then immediately realized and quickly explained, "Uh, I wasn't looking on purpose; it's just that this is how it was when I woke up..."

Women in this world still highly valued their chastity. Although Pei Mianman usually appeared seductive and flirtatious, he knew it was a façade; in reality, she was still a virgin. If her entire body had suddenly been seen by a man, she would probably be overwhelmed with shame and indignation.

Before he could finish explaining, a soft hand gently pressed against his lips. "Silly, why are you nervous? I'm not blaming you."

"Huh?" Zu'an blinked, momentarily unable to process her words.

Pei Mianman slowly nestled into his embrace, her face resting against his chest, and said softly, "The moment I woke up and realized I was completely naked with a man beside me, I almost went crazy. I was just thinking of killing whoever it was when I saw it was you."

"And what if it was me?" With her warm, soft body in his arms, Zu'an felt a surge of emotion and instinctively wrapped his arms around her shoulders.

The feeling of her skin, like solidified cream, was truly astonishing to the touch.

Pei Mianman pursed her lips, then tilted her head back to look at him. "If it's you, then it's fine."

"Manman..." Hearing her words, so full of deep affection, Zu'an, though still quite stiff, felt the softest part of his heart touched.

Seeing his shocked expression, Pei Mianman smiled sweetly. "Silly, we already confirmed our relationship outside, what's with that look?"

Zu'an chuckled. "Happiness came too suddenly; I didn't react in time."

Pei Mianman scoffed. "It seems you woke up before me. Why didn't you wake me up? You scared me senseless."

Zu'an stared at her, unable to resist muttering, "Your face was mostly covered by your hair, and without your clothes on, I really didn't recognize you."

Pei Mianman was speechless.

She couldn't help but feel both shy and angry, responding with a flurry of light punches.

Zu'an and she playfully wrestled for a while, their bodies intertwined, and both their temperatures involuntarily rose.

Finally, Zu'an held her hands, and Pei Mianman stopped moving, gazing at him with tender, watery eyes.

Staring at her luscious red lips so close to him, Zu'an couldn't hold back any longer and slowly leaned in.

Feeling him draw near, Pei Mianman stiffened for a moment but quickly softened. She didn't evade him and slowly closed her eyes.

Feeling her lover's lips, Pei Mianman trembled, a jolt of electricity seeming to course through her body. Her two jade-like arms instinctively wrapped around the man.

Couples who had just formalized their relationship were like this, kissing passionately and sweetly.

It was unknown how long passed before their lips parted. Pei Mianman's cheeks were flushed peach, and her voice became even more sensuous. "Your sword is pressing against me."

Zu'an's old face flushed red, unsure how to explain.

But Pei Mianman immediately realized that they were both naked in bed; how could he possibly have a sword with him?

Curious, she lifted a corner of the blanket and peeked, the mistiness in her 'peach blossom' eyes growing thicker.

Zu'an was about to say something when Pei Mianman chuckled. "I was wondering why all the men in the academy started acting strangely after the last Yaoguang Secret Realm, as if they knew some secret but kept silent about it. Before, I even specifically caught a few and interrogated them. Their vague answers left me confused, but now I understand."

Zu'an couldn't help but feel embarrassed. This woman was truly formidable; she even secretly tortured her classmates for information.

As Pei Mianman spoke, her face also turned red, and she spat lightly. "No wonder those boys secretly called you a donkey. Back then, I thought they were insulting you, but now... hehe..."

Zu'an grew a little annoyed. "Imp, are you provoking me? If I can't hold back later, are you going to take responsibility?"

Pei Mianman nestled into his arms, her slender, spring-onion-like fingers gently twirling a strand of her hair. "I'll take responsibility."

Zu'an's heart skipped a beat; for a moment, he wasn't entirely sure what she meant.

Pei Mianman again lifted a corner of the blanket and peeked inside, pressing her lips together in surprise. "I'm genuinely curious how Chu Yan's delicate body could endure that."

Zu'an couldn't hold back any longer. He rolled over, pinning her beneath him, and stared into her eyes. "Why don't you try it yourself and find out?"

Pei Mianman's eyes were full of moisture. "Silly, I've long considered myself yours in my heart. Why do you need to test me again?"

With a growl, Zu'an kissed her fiercely.

...

A moment later, Pei Mianman's delicate brows furrowed, and a hint of pain flickered across her pretty face. She quickly pressed her hands against his chest. "Wait... wait a moment."

"What's wrong?" Zu'an thought, *My dear lady, with the arrow already on the string, asking me to stop now is like asking for my life.*

It was as if the recent pain brought a flicker of clarity to Pei Mianman's mind. "A'Zu, we're in a trial right now, aren't we?"

Zu'an nodded, remembering the purpose of their journey.

Pei Mianman pursed her lips, then asked him a few small secrets that only the two of them knew. After receiving accurate answers, she finally breathed a sigh of relief. "I was worried I had fallen under some illusion, so I wanted to confirm your identity."

Zu'an laughed heartily. "Manman, you're truly meticulous." At the same time, a hint of doubt arose in his mind: what exactly was this trial testing? Could this stage really be a 'beauty trap'?