Holding his junior sister on the ** bed all night, Ye Wen accomplished nothing.

"Indeed, still recovering from a major injury," he thought. Glancing at her sleeping peacefully in his arms, she had fallen asleep mid-conversation with him. When he finally opened his eyes again, it was pitch black outside. The faint moonlight filtering through the window revealed their situation: his junior sister remained cradled in his embrace. He speculated she hadn't escaped because of his tight grip - and her own reluctance to wake him up.

Adjusting their positions carefully to make her more comfortable, Ye Wen observed Ning Ruxue's peaceful slumber.

The twenty-year-old was at her most radiant peak, both physically and aesthetically perfected through years of wandering. Her matured aura from these experiences made her even more desirable to him now. The thought of claiming her right there lingered in his mind.

Considering her emotional state however, he decided to proceed properly.

"Buy the ticket first before boarding - legitimacy is essential."

His mumbled remark somehow reached Ning Ruxue's ears as she drowsily responded: "Elder Brother what are you saying? What kind of tickets and cars?" "Nothing," Ye Wen patted her shoulder, watching her murmur a few more sleepy words before wriggling for comfort and drifting back to sleep.

The next morning brought surprising clarity. After lying in bed without food or bathing for five days, Ye Wen stepped outside without disturbing Ning Ruxue who still slept soundly. He cleaned up thoroughly behind the house and changed clothes.

When he returned, Ning Ruxue had already awoken but sat awkwardly by the **, her face suddenly blushing crimson at sight of him: "Elder... Elder Brother good morning!" "Morning," Ye Wen gestured to his basin and towel. "Wash up first."

"Ah?" Her dazed expression suggested mental turmoil - she hadn't heard his words until noticing the basin in his hand. Then realization struck her like a slap, prompting her to flee: "I'll just go wash at my room!" But as she stood up, another question forced itself out: "Last night... did I sleep with Elder Brother?"

"Indeed," Ye Wen confirmed. This admission sent Ning Ruxue's face burning brighter before she turned and ran.

Watching her exit, Ye Wen understood her reaction was natural given their situation. However her continued avoidance at breakfast became suspicious.

After meals, he sat in his courtyard recovering energy as the sun climbed higher while watching Ning Ruxue approach hesitantly. "Elder Brother," she began - but stopped mid-sentence. Deciding to tease her instead: "How was last night?" Her stammering attempts were cut short when Ye Wen declared bluntly: "Nothing happened, just sleeping together." The truth brought relief... until his mischievous gaze sent chills through her spine.

"Stay with me tonight!" he suddenly proposed.

"Absolutely not!" Ning Ruxue recoiled while adding suspiciously: "Huayi won't be serving you either tonight!"

Ye Wen mentally groaned - she was becoming too perceptive. Aloud he said: "Why would I?"

Ning Ruxue narrowed her eyes knowingly: "I smelled Huayi's perfume on you yesterday."

"Did your nose get better?" Ye Wen scratched his cheek awkwardly, receiving only a humph and retreat from her.

While practicing cultivation techniques post-recovery, Ye Wen noticed significant improvements in his martial arts. His meridians were stronger with expanded capacity allowing effortless energy flow. Just half a day's practice restored his skills beyond previous levels.

Testing his palm strikes against trees produced wind gusts strong enough to shake branches violently - summer or autumn would have seen entire leaves stripped away.

Switching to finger sword techniques without consciously summoning qi still produced audible blade-like effects from rapid movements.

"I guess I've finally achieved the realm where any object can serve as a weapon," Ye Wen mused, realizing his mastery now matched legendary descriptions of martial arts perfection.

The cave at the mountain's backside held further revelations. What once required great effort to reach was now an effortless leap. The cold spring and its surrounding fruits showed new growth patterns - unripe ones stubbornly refusing to fall despite evident maturity.

Tentatively touching a tree, he sensed faint warm energy coursing through it - possibly concentrated life essence.

One fruit suddenly detached with a thud, confirming his theory about sensing internal energies in plants. Picking up the fallen fruit, Ye Wen planned to give it to either Huayi or Huang Rongrong later.

Demonstrating advanced techniques like the Falling Crane Eighteen Palms and Purple Thunder Dragon Sword revealed their enhanced potency. His sword summoning technique now produced purple blades instantly anywhere he pointed, no longer requiring preparation time.

Simultaneously commanding multiple swords was finally possible without external assistance - dozens might be conjured with proper planning.

"Eventually these thousand-sword formations could even kill the Demon Sect's leader," Ye Wen laughed maniacally in his cavern. The echoing effect made it sound like many people laughing together until a question struck him: "What was the Demon Sect leader's name again?"

Descending from the cliffs, Ye Wen met East Mountain Sheng standing there with surprise.

"East Mountain... Miss," he corrected - her pink dress clearly indicated feminine appearance now.

"Ye Patriarch," she acknowledged. Her observation about the hidden cliff platform earned a reluctant admission of its importance as a secret Shushan Sect location.

This revelation prompted immediate concerns about security vulnerabilities. While his courtyard's position previously ensured control, visitors using formal pilgrimage excuses could bypass this barrier entirely.

"Cursed! I forgot to reinforce these defenses!"

Later conversation with East Mountain Sheng revealed her uncertainty about her gender transformation state. Her fear of failure required careful encouragement: "With determination, no challenge is insurmountable."

Their talk was interrupted by snowfall - a novelty for East Mountain Sheng who had only seen light flurries before. Showing her the mountain's snowy vistas proved therapeutic.

Later at a favorite viewpoint, Ye Wen demonstrated his enhanced lightness skill. East Mountain Sheng caught up effortlessly, prompting him to wonder: "Did I really let you win that agility contest?" Her contemplative expression suggested she suspected exactly that.