C2 Little Trouble!

Half an hour later, at a certain volcano.

"Don't run, hold on!" Lian Yan's voice, filled with frustration and anger, echoed from within the volcano. Moments later, she emerged in a disheveled state, her clothes significantly scorched, eliciting a salacious gaze from Qin Feng.

"I can't hold on anymore!"

Qin Feng, of course, was scheming to take advantage of the situation.

Despite being kicked away, he managed a fleeting touch, which he found quite satisfying. Soon after, a fire bull charged out of the cave entrance.

"Senior Sister, save me!"

Qin Feng clutched a mountain in his hand, ready to defend himself. If the bull was sensible, that would be the end of it. But if it attacked, he wouldn't hesitate to retaliate.

His primary goal, however, was to take advantage of his Senior Sister, stealing glances at her whenever possible.

"Can't you show a little dignity? You're a man!" Lian Yan was on the verge of losing her temper. She had planned to sneak something from the cave and needed Qin Feng to cover for her for a bit. She had hoped he would demonstrate his valor and earn her admiration.

Instead, he fled at the sight of the fire bull and even seized the opportunity to cop a feel.

That was the last straw!

He didn't even look back after touching her and just ran off!

"Men's dignity?"

Qin Feng nearly burst into laughter upon hearing this. With a pitiful expression, he protested, "Senior Sister, unlike you, I haven't mastered any protective techniques. A single hit could kill me!"

Before Qin Feng could elaborate, he noticed a multitude of fire bulls deeper within the cave.

One, in particular, seemed to be the bull king. Its massive eyes made Qin Feng realize that not even a mountain could be relied upon for protection.

"Not only did I manage to touch Senior Sister a few times, but I also found some treasures!"

Qin Feng wasn't one to simply flee. He used the Refining Furnace to gather all the ores he encountered.

"It was my mistake, Senior Sister. Shall we give it another try?" Lian Yan wasn't ready to back down.

"Try again?"

Qin Feng hesitated. The prospect of sneaking more touches was tempting, but the danger inside the cave was a serious concern.

"Senior sister, please have mercy on me!"

"I really need that firestone!" Lian Yan pleaded with eyes that made her look like a little girl abandoned by Qin Feng.

Qin Feng's heart softened at the sight. He longed to comfort Lian Yan with a hug and reassured her as he gently touched her clothes, "Don't be scared."

"This?"

He fished a stone out of his pocket.

Lian Yan nearly lunged for it, "I need all of these, give them to me!"

"I found them myself!" Qin Feng retorted, clearly irritated.

He wasn't about to hand them over without getting something in return.

"If anyone ever bullies you, just drop my name!"

"What?!" Qin Feng's eyes bulged in disbelief.

Lian Yan was well-known for her beauty and figure, with no shortage of admirers. Using his name would likely land him in trouble, potentially bedridden for life.

Seeing Qin Feng's reluctance, Lian Yan probed, "Do you think Senior Sister is beautiful?"

"Do you want to engage in dual cultivation with me?" she asked, her voice dripping with allure.

She was considered a gem within the Heavenly Sword Sect, with countless suitors dreaming of dual cultivation. Lian Yan had assumed it would be easy to entice Qin Feng with just a hint of seduction.

"I do!" Qin Feng appraised Lian Yan, a slight smile playing on his lips before he reached out to her.

"Despicable!"

In an instant, Lian Yan, who had been coyly anticipating their dual cultivation, erupted in fury, nearly drawing her sword on Qin Feng.

"I should have known!" Qin Feng grimaced, recognizing the ploy.

He couldn't let her think he was only interested in her physically. So, he clarified, "Senior sister, I was actually eyeing the jade pendant you're wearing."

He had noticed it when Lian Yan bent over earlier.

"That's not something I can give you," Lian Yan flatly refused.

She wondered how Qin Feng had even known about her jade pendant.

"Then, I'll settle for some ores, even ordinary ones will do."

"That's fine!"

As Qin Feng's words trailed off, Lian Yan spun around and dashed off, likely having deduced why Qin Feng was aware of the jade pendant hidden in her clothing.

They had been back at Forging Mountain for two hours.

Throughout that time, Lian Yan's thoughts were elsewhere, preoccupied with her grandfather's words: if a girl's body was seen by someone, tradition dictated she should marry that person. And Qin Feng had seen everything.

"Grandfather, I'm back," she announced.

Regaining her focus, she found herself next to an elderly man with snow-white hair, a compact frame, and a face etched with wrinkles.

The old man was engrossed in his forging, though his expression was one of concern.

"Qin Feng pays his respects to Martial Uncle Lian, but what seems to be troubling you?" he inquired.

There had to be a significant reason for such dedication.

"Can't you tell? Grandfather is crafting a piece of exceptional equipment!" Lian Yan declared with pride.

"However, it was unsuccessful," Martial Uncle Lian interjected, "and I can't figure out why."

"If I knew the reason," Qin Feng mused, "could you perhaps spare some of the discarded failures you no longer need?"