Ye Tian didn't immediately push the door open. He waited outside for a moment until things quieted down inside before he knocked.
"Ye Tian, since you're here, why don't you come in?" Xiao Yaoyao's voice came from inside the room.
Ye Tian pushed the door open and walked in. Xiao Yaoyao was already fully dressed, standing quietly by her vanity and looking into the mirror. The mirror, of course, wasn't made of glass, which didn't exist in that era.
It was made from a polished Crystal Stone that contained the Light Element. The surface was perfectly smooth and could clearly reflect a person's features. Xiao Yaoyao was currently in the middle of slowly getting herself ready.
Ye Tian quietly walked up behind Xiao Yaoyao, slowly wrapping his arms around her waist. "Why are you getting all dressed up?" he asked gently. "I won't be able to control myself. What are you up to?"
"Heh, you're just a smooth talker," Xiao Yaoyao said. "Haven't you ever heard that a woman makes herself beautiful for the man she loves? You don't blame my father for the academy's punishment, do you? He was actually doing it for your own good! It's just... I'll miss you so much after you leave Linyuan Academy. It breaks my heart just thinking about it."
Ye Tian gently turned Xiao Yaoyao around to face him and studied her carefully. She seemed especially beautiful today, but her eyes looked a little misty.
"Don't overthink it," Ye Tian said slowly. "I'm not leaving you for good. Going to the Imperial City Academy is just a chance to improve my strength. One day, when I'm powerful enough, you'll be able to stay by my side forever. But that goal is still far away, so we both have to be prepared to endure this."
Xiao Yaoyao gently hugged Ye Tian, nestling into his embrace. To her, his chest felt warm and safe.
Ye Tian didn't move, seemingly savoring the tender moment as well. After a while, Xiao Yaoyao said, "I want to love you with everything I have today."
As soon as the words left her lips, she gently kissed Ye Tian. He didn't hesitate for a moment, and what followed in that room was not for young eyes...
"Ye Tian, being your woman is the greatest happiness of my life," Xiao Yaoyao said gently. "Even though I can't be with you right now, I believe we'll be together in the future. I'll work hard on my Cultivation so I can be with you sooner."
Ye Tian glanced at the sky outside the window. "Yaoyao, it's getting late," he said. "I still have things to take care of. My detention starts tomorrow. If you miss me, you can come find me in the Detention Chamber."
"I will!" Xiao Yaoyao said. "As soon as I've finished with my own affairs, I'll come and keep you company."
Ye Tian placed a gentle kiss on her forehead, then got up, dressed, and left the room, leaving Xiao Yaoyao to gaze after him reluctantly.
After leaving, Ye Tian went straight to the academic building. He was sure Ye Feifei would be there, but when he entered, he found that neither she nor Qin Xiaowan were around. He found this a little strange.
However, Zhou Xiang, Chu Hongyuan, and Qian Xiaohao were inside. They saw Ye Tian and immediately waved him over. Ye Tian had been about to leave, but he held back when he saw their expressions.
"Boss, what brings you here?" Zhou Xiang asked. "Are you looking for our sister-in-law?"
"That's right. Have they been to the academic building today?" Ye Tian asked.
"Nope! I thought it was a little strange, too," said Chu Hongyuan. "You stopped coming, and then so did they. Do you think they went into the private chambers to focus on their Cultivation?"
"That's possible," Zhou Xiang said. "Boss, do you need her for something important? I can go check the private chambers to see if they're there."
"I'll go," Ye Tian said. "You three focus on your Cultivation so you can join me sooner. And whatever you do, don't stir up any trouble. I won't be around to help you out."
Inside the academic building, Lin Ling was explaining some common problems and insights related to Cultivation to a group of students. Ye Tian gave her a slight nod as he walked out.
A flicker of disappointment crossed Lin Ling's face, but she didn't want to show it in front of her students. She had just been hoping Ye Tian would talk with her before he went to the Detention Chamber.
Just as Chu Hongyuan had suspected, Ye Feifei and Qin Xiaowan were in the private chambers, cultivating. Perhaps Ye Tian's situation had spurred them on, making them train with exceptional diligence.
Both of them were cultivating in the standard private chambers, so it was easy for Ye Tian to find them. This time, he went looking for Ye Feifei directly. Things would be much more convenient in one of the chambers.
Ye Feifei was deep in Meditation, slowly absorbing a Spirit Stone she held in her hand. Ye Tian stood where he was and waited patiently. Although he was anxious, he didn't want to disturb her, as it would be detrimental to her Cultivation.
Time trickled by. After Ye Tian had been standing there for over two hours, Ye Feifei finally stopped absorbing the Spirit Stone. She slowly opened her eyes and was startled to see him.
"Brother Tian, what are you doing here?" Ye Feifei asked as she stood up. "Do you need me for something?"
"I do," Ye Tian said with a serious expression. "I need your help to solve a problem I have. It's just that it will cause you a certain amount of pain. I have to fix this before I go to the Imperial City Academy. Otherwise, if it's discovered, it will mean my death."
"I'm not afraid of pain!" Ye Feifei said urgently. "As long as it helps you, I'd even give my life. Quick, tell me what I need to do!"
Ye Tian looked at Ye Feifei. "I've been practicing a Body Cultivation Martial Skill and I've broken through to the Fourth Layer," he explained. "But a strange phenomenon has occurred. Whenever I'm struck by a powerful external force, my body is instantly covered in Dragon Scales."
"You understand what that means. If anyone else sees these Dragon Scales, my identity will be exposed. The only way to solve this problem is to coat my entire body with your blood. It will take a lot of it."
"Of course, there is one other way. I could find the Fire Phoenix Robe. It's the ultimate treasure of the Phoenix Race, so obtaining it is incredibly difficult. For one, no one even knows where the Phoenix Race is. What's more, my strength is so low right now that if I actually met a member of the Phoenix Race, they could probably kill me in a single blow."
Ye Feifei stared at Ye Tian in astonishment. "The Fire Phoenix Robe? It sounds like that's truly impossible for you right now. In that case, let's use my blood! Do you have a vial? As long as it keeps you safe, I'd willingly drain every last drop of blood from my body."
"I brought a vial," Ye Tian said, his face full of guilt. "But it's not as serious as you're making it sound. I won't need that much. Feifei, I'm sorry to put you through this. I hope you can bear the pain."
"Brother Tian, what are you talking about?" Ye Feifei said. "I'm your woman. It's only right that I do anything I can for you. Don't you remember? I was ready to kill myself to protect my honor back in the Demon Beast Region. Don't overthink it. I'll get the blood for you right now!"