Chapter 297: Blossoming Heart

Chapter 297: Blossoming Heart

"Happy birthday!"

Ji Xinghuo quickly greeted Ren Mian and said with a smile, "Sister Ren, why didn't you tell me earlier? I didn't even get you a birthday present."

He had known Ren Mian for three years, and this was the first time he had learned of her birthday.

In the blink of an eye, it was already May of the year 2226.

It had been another year for him in the Star Realm.

At the same time, he found it a bit odd. Sister Ren had never celebrated her birthday before, but today she suddenly made it so formal.

"Thank you, but you don't need to get me a gift," Ren Mian said with a soft laugh. "I just remembered it suddenly. Having you here to celebrate my birthday with me is the best gift. Now come on, eat before the dinner gets cold."

Ji Xinghuo started eating, but he couldn't help glancing at her frequently, feeling perplexed. Although they were already in the warm season, the weather was still cold. She had not only changed into a new skirt but also put on light makeup, enhancing her allure and charm.

After a few bites, he couldn't help but stare at her.

"Why aren't you eating?" Ren Mian asked.

Ji Xinghuo smiled and said, "Sister Ren, you look so beautiful today that I feel like just looking at your beauty is enough to fill me up. I don't need to eat."

"Flatterer," Ren Mian hummed, but from the smile in her eyes, it was clear that she was pleased. She poured some fruit wine for Ji Xinghuo and said gently, "This is the fruit wine I made using the bluesky fruit. Try it and see how it tastes."

"This is too extravagant!"

Ji Xinghuo exclaimed, his eyes widening as he looked at the pale green liquid in his cup.

A single bluesky fruit could sell for around 30 million Asian dollars on Earth, and to use it for brewing wine was simply extravagant.

Ren Mian poured herself a cup as well. "Anyway, I have too many bluesky fruits to deal with, and selling them for money isn't that useful. Might as well turn them into fruit wine and drink them."

"Uh..."

Ji Xinghuo was speechless.

"Happy birthday, Sister Ren!" After offering his greetings once again, he took a sip of the fruit wine. It was cool and sweet, with a unique blend of flavors from the bluesky fruit and other special plants. The alcohol content was not low, and the taste lingered on his palate.

"It's really delicious!"

Ji Xinghuo exclaimed sincerely, smacking his lips.

This small sip of fruit wine would have required three or four bluesky fruits to brew, and he had just consumed a small fortune in one sip!

Ren Mian didn't seem to care about the value of the fruit wine at all. She took a sip from her cup and said happily, "If you like it, drink more. There are a few more bottles in the cellar."

"Okay," Ji Xinghuo agreed without hesitation and finished the cup in one go before pouring himself another.

Accompanying the expensive fruit wine, the two chatted as they ate.

Unknowingly, they finished the entire bottle of fruit wine. With Ji Xinghuo's physical condition, he naturally wouldn't get drunk, but the alcohol did make his body feel a bit warm, although his mind remained clear.

Ren Mian was also slightly tipsy, her cheeks tinged with a hint of redness and her eyes shimmering like water.

"I'll go wash the dishes," Ji Xinghuo said as he got up to clear the table, but Ren Mian stopped him. "Don't rush, let them be for now." She pulled Ji Xinghuo to sit by the fireplace. They each took a rattan chair, placing them side by side close to each other, with a soft carpet under their feet.

The warm flames illuminated her beautiful face, and in that gentle and quiet moment, she exuded infinite charm.

Ji Xinghuo's heart skipped a beat as he smiled and said, "Sister Ren, you're acting so strangely today!"

"It's my birthday," Ren Mian said, tucking a strand of black hair behind her ear. "I'm another year older, so it's natural to feel a bit different from usual."

"Even after this birthday, you're still only 29 years old, not even 30 yet. You're still very young, so don't overthink things," Ji Xinghuo consoled her.

In the 23rd century, even cancer was no longer considered an incurable disease. The average lifespan of humans on Earth had exceeded 90 years. Aliens had even longer lifespans. As long as one evolved into an alien, they could easily live past 100 years old.

With each subsequent evolution, their lifespan would extend further. A high-level alien could live to be 120 years old.

Advancing to a super alien was another huge leap, and they could easily live to be 150 years old.

Legendary aliens had even longer lifespans.

In the nearly two centuries since the Earth Star Gate had opened, not a single legendary alien had died of old age, implying that legendary aliens could live to be at least 200 years old!

As for king aliens, a conservative estimate put their lifespan at 300 years.

With Ren Mian's talent and strength, advancing to a legendary alien would be effortless, and becoming a king alien wouldn't be much more difficult. She didn't need to worry about her age, and the ravages of time wouldn't affect her beauty for at least a few hundred years.

"You don't understand..."

There was a flicker in Ren Mian's eyes, and she continued, "I've fused with the plant original body, and these days I've been rethinking my evolutionary path. My perspectives and attitudes towards many things have also changed."

"What things?" Ji Xinghuo asked curiously.

"Many things," Ren Mian replied. "For example, life.

Nonetheless, this was the first time he had heard Ren Jie mention her past.

"Does Ren Jie not have any family?" he asked.

Ren Mian shook her head gently. "I'm like you; I'm also a ward of the state, but my situation is a little different from yours..." She trailed off midway through her sentence.

Ji Xinghuo was confused. "What do you mean?"

"You'll find out later. Let's not talk about this today," Ren Mian said, changing the subject. She suddenly stood up and straddled Ji Xinghuo's lap, continuing, "Anyway, my point is that I want to change my lifestyle. I want to be more relaxed and indulgent, and not just live for evolution. I want to experience things I've never felt before. Do you understand what I mean?"

She held his face in her hands, her breath carrying the scent of the fruit wine mixed with her body's natural fragrance, filling his nostrils.

Even a fool would understand what she meant at this point.

Ji Xinghuo's heart pounded, feeling the firm elasticity of her legs as their gazes locked, sparks flying between them.

However, Ren Mian made no further moves, instead shyly closing her eyes.

Even the most captivating woman, no matter how assertive, would eventually shed her hunter's shell at the last moment, her instinct for self-preservation causing her to switch roles and become the prey, leaving the final strike to the man.

Ji Xinghuo's heart raced as he gently pressed his lips against hers.

This time, their kiss lasted longer than the one in the underground city, growing more passionate and intense.

Ren Mian's eyes seemed to drip with desire.

"Upstairs..." she murmured.

Ji Xinghuo immediately stood up, cradling her in his arms, and carried her upstairs to the second-floor bedroom. Although it was his first time there, he was very familiar with the layout, having scanned it countless times with his electromagnetic sensing.

When the two were finally alone, only two words remained in Ji Xinghuo's mind.

Delicate branches bear abundant fruit, a breathtaking sight!

He was so flustered that he forgot what he was supposed to do, his limbs trembling more than they would when facing a Heavenly King-level opponent.

"Why are you just standing there?" Ren Mian teased.

"Coming!"

Ji Xinghuo quickly opened the interface of the Myriad Astral Eyes and invested 18,000+ spiritual source energy to upgrade the Thousand Spirit Dexterous Hands.

Soon, the Thousand Spirit Dexterous Hands leveled up.

[Ability: Myriad Spirit Body (Level 6, 1/88,667)]



The super-limit ability, Myriad Spirit Body, enhances not just the hands but every part of the body, making them incredibly flexible and controllable.

As a soft moan escaped her lips, Ji Xinghuo also leveled up.

Outside the wooden house, it was a snowy winter landscape, with howling winds, but inside the room, spring had come early. Their two burning hearts pressed together as they soared to the heavens, reaching ecstasy.

The nights in the Star Realm lasted 24.8 hours.

Ji Xinghuo utilized his advantages and strengths, working diligently throughout the night to train his Myriad Spirit Body, fighting against the Rubber Body, another super-limit ability. Training with an opponent of equal strength brought the most progress, and his upgrade progress soared.

From starlight to darkness, the sky gradually lightened, and the snow outside stopped.

The golden rays of the sun bathed Peach Blossom Gorge in light, and the gentle breeze blew through the peach blossom forest by the flat lake shore, causing a rain of pink petals to dance in the air, a colorful and breathtaking sight.

Ji Xinghuo had practiced his ability tirelessly throughout the night, yet he was still reluctant to stop.

However, knowing that they had all the time in the world, he embraced Ren Mian and sat up, using his spiritual energy to open the window, taking in the beautiful sunrise.

"It's so beautiful..."

Ji Xinghuo couldn't help but voice his admiration.

"No matter how beautiful the scenery is, it will eventually become boring if you look at it for too long," Ren Mian said suggestively.

"How could that be?" Ji Xinghuo turned to her and smiled. "As beautiful as Peach Blossom Gorge is, it pales in comparison to your peerless beauty. I could never get tired of looking at you. I wish I could stay here with you forever, Ren Jie."

"What about Zhao Manying?"

Her question was like a thunderbolt, causing Ji Xinghuo's entire body to stiffen. He had been heated with passion just a moment ago, and now he almost wilted.

Ren Mian continued with a smile, "Why aren't you saying anything now?"

"Cough..." Ji Xinghuo regained his senses and laughed dryly, "Does Ren Jie know Manying?"

"I know her, but she doesn't know me." Ren Mian's eyes still held a smile. "The Sword Immortal who tops the Heavenly Ladder, how could I not know of her? Manying, you call her so intimately. No wonder she's the Sword Immortal's boyfriend."

Ji Xinghuo was already sweating.

As expected, Ren Jie also had access to Earth's information in the Star Realm, and she had probably known about his relationship with Zhao Manying all along but pretended otherwise.

"Go ahead, I'm listening."

Ren Mian crossed her arms, adopting a stance that challenged him to make excuses.

Ji Xinghuo's gaze was involuntarily drawn to her, making it hard to look away from something so captivating and bouncy. He reluctantly averted his eyes and began to explain, "My encounter with Zhao Manying was actually a coincidence..."

He briefly recounted how he met Zhao Manying and their agreement to date for a hundred days.

However, he refrained from revealing Manying's secret.

"So, Zhao Manying took the initiative to be your girlfriend?" Ren Mian asked, somewhat surprised, fixing her gaze on Ji Xinghuo, "You're indeed a charmer, pursued by the global goddess, yet you're still not satisfied. Now you're trying to seduce me as well."

"What can I say, it's a blessing of my handsome looks!" Ji Xinghuo replied shamelessly with a smile.

Ren Mian was left speechless for a moment.

She suddenly sighed, "You and Xia Qingyu are indeed father and son, both of you are such flirts." Ji Xinghuo had told her about Xia Qingyu before.

"Why are you comparing me to Xia Qingyu?" Ji Xinghuo was displeased, "Xia Qingyu is insensitive and has peculiar tastes. My aesthetics and standards far surpass his by a wide margin. I don't even give most women a second glance, and I'm far more devoted than he is."

"And you're proud of that?" Ren Mian scoffed, "Doesn't having a foot in two boats make you unfaithful?"

Ji Xinghuo quickly corrected her, "I've only boarded one boat."

"Hmm?" Ren Mian was puzzled.

"Although I'm living with Manying, our relationship is pure, and we haven't taken that step yet." Ji Xinghuo explained sincerely.

And today, you were the one who gave me the ticket to board.

He thought to himself but didn't voice it out loud.

"Hehe..." Ren Mian's eyes shifted, seemingly pleased but trying to hide it. She asked in a calm tone, "With Zhao Manying's stunning beauty, how could you possibly resist?"

"Because I have you on my mind." Ji Xinghuo hugged her soft shoulders and sincerely confessed, "If I had given in to my impulses at that time, I wouldn't have been able to hide it from you. Ever since I first laid eyes on you, I've fallen for you."

"Sweet talker." Ren Mian's expression remained unchanged, but she didn't resist Ji Xinghuo's embrace, "Did you say the same to Zhao Manying?"

"Absolutely not!"

Ji Xinghuo shook his head immediately, Zhao Manying didn't even know about Ren Mian's existence.

However, Ren Mian's next sentence left him stunned, "I don't care what your relationship is with Zhao Manying, how you handle it, I'm not interested, nor do I want to know. But when you're with me, you must be wholeheartedly devoted, and you can't mention other women or let me find any traces of them on you. You have to clean them up thoroughly. And don't let anyone else interfere with me or affect my life, or else don't blame me for being impolite."

What does that mean? Ji Xinghuo was perplexed for a moment, then he exclaimed in shock after a few seconds, "Are you saying that you don't mind if I continue my relationship with Manying?"

"I didn't say that." Ren Mian shook her head.

Ji Xinghuo asked again, "So, does that mean you support it?"

"Don't push your luck." Ren Mian let out a cold huff, "I admit that you're outstanding, and you've made me develop feelings for you. The fact that you gave up the plant original body also proves that you're a man worthy of entrusting my life to. But don't expect me to agree to you having your cake and eating it too."

"Actually, I've been thinking of changing my lifestyle lately and experiencing the various flavors of life."

"That's why I'm not making things difficult for you in this emotional entanglement and tolerating your actions."

"Otherwise..."

Ren Mian stared at Ji Xinghuo, and a gentle smile suddenly appeared on her face, like a hundred flowers blooming and filling the room with spring, "Let's cherish this beautiful morning, and let's not talk about such mood-killing topics."

She, too, was savoring the sweetness, having tasted it for the first time.

Ji Xinghuo finally understood, and his heart blossomed. He pushed the messy thoughts to the back of his mind and began his morning practice.

Until the sun was high in the sky.

His Myriad Spirit Body progress had increased significantly.

Suddenly, a beam of light flew in through the window, and Xiao Qi looked at the two of them, surprised, "Sister, why are you and Brother Xinghuo not wearing any clothes and fighting?"

Ren Mian's ears turned red.

Ji Xinghuo quickly pulled the blanket over them and said awkwardly, "Little Sunflower, Sister Qinghong, go play. I'll make you some delicious barbecue later."

Qinghong instantly teleported into the room and took the bewildered Xiaokui away.

Ren Mian poked her head out and exchanged glances with Ji Xinghuo, then she burst out laughing.

Ji Xinghuo rubbed his hands together, "Continue! Continue! I've been practicing the Thousand Spirit Dexterous Hands for many years, and today I'll let you experience it fully..."

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end