Chapter 27: Beauty Under the Moon

The Archmage’s eyes gleamed with delight. He closed his eyes, and the surrounding elements began to fluctuate, enveloping his body. Half an hour later, Claybaffy let out a sigh of relief. “Xu Feng was right—it seems I won’t die this time.”

“Wow—the Archmage can actually use elemental energy to repair damaged meridians! That’s incredible!” Xu Feng was utterly stunned.

“Thank you!” Bartel stepped forward, about to kneel and bow deeply to Xu Feng. “Thank you for saving my master!”

After all, even though an Archmage possessed the ability to heal his own meridians, it would be futile if he couldn’t locate the injured areas. This time, it was truly thanks to Xu Feng.

The young man quickly helped him up. “You’re far too kind. Corona and I are good friends—I was happy to help.”

That night, Xu Feng stayed there.

After a day of travel, he was already exhausted. There was no television on Hailanxing, so sleep became his only pastime. Just as Xu Feng was about to rest, faint footsteps suddenly sounded outside the door. In the profound silence, the sound was exceptionally clear.

Could it be…

As if confirming his suspicion, Corona’s pleasant voice came through. “Xu Feng, are you asleep?”

His heart immediately began pounding. He glanced out the window—the wind was high, and the moon was obscured. At such an hour, Corona had come looking for him—man and woman alone together in a room. Could it be that, grateful for saving her mentor, she… For a moment, Xu Feng’s imagination ran wild.

His pitifully virgin life was finally about to bid farewell!

Overjoyed, Xu Feng quickly ran his hands through his hair several times, checked himself in the mirror, deemed his appearance presentable, rushed to the door, and let Corona in.

The girl had just bathed and wore only a moon-white bathrobe. Gentle moonlight cascaded down, rendering her beauty like polished jade bathed in silver light—ethereal and mysteriously enchanting.

The robe hung loosely, yet failed to conceal Corona’s graceful curves. Her impressive bust and perky buttocks were faintly visible beneath the fabric, making Xu Feng nearly drool.

The air, too, was filled with her natural fragrance—a subtle yet intoxicatingly pleasant scent.

Corona was also slightly nervous; a beautiful blush colored her stunning face. She possessed a deeply sensual, captivating beauty—and now, mingled with maidenly shyness, it was simply… enough to drive men mad.

Such a beautiful night was truly… the perfect time to taste the forbidden fruit!

“Xu Feng, thank you for saving my master.”

“No, no need to thank me!”

Her astonishing beauty left him breathless; his words tumbled out incoherently.

“What’s wrong with you?”

Hearing the oddness in his voice, she curiously looked up at him, a puzzled expression crossing her lovely face.

“Corona, you’re so beautiful!”

Hearing his compliment, Corona blushed, a glimmer of joy flashing in her eyes. Suddenly, she rose onto her tiptoes and gave Xu Feng a kiss as light as a dragonfly skimming water—delicate, fleeting, and tender—on his lips. Then, like a graceful butterfly, she fluttered toward the doorway, evading his eager hands. She turned back with a smile. “This kiss is to thank you for saving my master. Xu Feng, I permit you to pursue me.”

Having said this, her face burning, Corona fluttered back to her own room.

Savoring the lingering fragrance on his lips, Xu Feng relished the soul-stirring taste of that kiss—and shook his head. “What a shy girl.” It was clear that Corona’s feelings for him had deepened beyond mere fondness into genuine affection—she was simply too modest to admit it outright.

Should he follow her?

If it were elsewhere, Xu Feng wouldn’t have hesitated for a second. A nighttime advance could be thrilling indeed. But here? He glanced at the thatched cottage. The soundproofing was terrible—the Archmage and Uncle Bartel lived right next door. Xu Feng certainly didn’t want anyone eavesdropping while he was with a girl!

Forget it. Progress had been smoother than expected anyway. The beauty would belong to him sooner or later. Since that was the case—why rush?

Their first time should still be somewhat romantic!

Early the next morning, Xu Feng rose to find the table already laden with delicious-smelling breakfast. Corona’s cooking skills were truly impressive.

“Master Claybaffy, you look much better.”

The Archmage nodded with a smile. “I must thank you, young friend—this old man’s injuries have completely healed.”

“Yes, when the young lady claimed Young Master Xu Feng was the continent’s foremost divine physician, I still harbored doubts. But now it seems heroes truly do emerge from the young,” Bartel chimed in from the side.

Claybaffy stroked his beard and smiled. “Young friend Xu Feng—you saved this old man’s life. Though great kindness needs no thanks, without some gesture, my conscience would be uneasy. Whatever request you have, feel free to speak it.”

*Whatever request—feel free to speak…* That was truly an enormous statement. Yet Claybaffy wasn’t boasting. With his strength as a Saint Expert—one of only two remaining Archmages among humankind—there were very few things in the world he couldn’t accomplish.

“Master, you are too kind.”

Xu Feng had already decided what he needed—but outwardly, of course, he had to decline politely. “You are Corona’s teacher. Treating your illness was my duty.”

The Archmage and Bartel exchanged a glance, further confirming that Xu Feng and Corona’s relationship was no ordinary one. Claybaffy smiled. “Even so, the fact remains—you saved this old man. Whatever your request, speak it!”

Xu Feng paused for a moment before slowly speaking, his eyes brimming with eagerness. “If Master insists on expressing gratitude, then… I hope to be accepted as your disciple.”

“You wish to become this old man’s disciple?”

“Yes—I wish to follow you and learn magic.”

This condition was something Xu Feng had long contemplated. Now he was already an Imperial Viscount—