Feng Shui Chapter 156: Eating While Lying Down

That single sound fell into the chaos, instantly breaking through the gloom. The darkness faded away, as if reborn with renewed vitality. Chen Xiao’s fading form grew clear again. The shackles that bound Xi Yunqing dissolved, and he drifted toward Chen Xiao, taking his hand. Around them, it felt as though invisible hands were painting brushstrokes, instantly spreading out a fresh new space.

Where Xi Yunqing held Chen Xiao’s hand, ripples shimmered over the young man’s figure, his long brows and phoenix eyes shifting, his tall, pale frame morphing into a face with thick eyebrows, almond-shaped eyes, a straight nose, and curved lips.

Though Chen Xiao never spoke the truth aloud, he revealed it to Xi Yunqing through the dream. The earlier appearance had already stirred compassion in Xi Yunqing’s heart, but this new form pulled even deeper at his emotions. Now knowing Chen Xiao’s secret and past only made his feelings for him stronger.

He softly called out, “Brother Xiao.”

Chen Xiao’s eyelashes fluttered open, his gaze settling on Xi Yunqing’s face. Blinking, he replied, “Big Brother.”

The two floated down lightly to the ground. Chen Xiao glanced around and recognized the place, it seemed to be Fan Village, where they first met.

That first encounter had been three or four years ago, and since Chen Xiao had only been there once, his memory of Fan Village was a bit hazy. The one thing he remembered clearly was the shock of meeting Xi Yunqing.

Chen Xiao’s impression was so deep that Xi Yunqing’s aura around him began to ripple and flow, spreading magnificently in all directions. Surprised by the bending waves, Xi Yunqing asked, “Brother Xiao, what is this?”

Chen Xiao stared at the ripples as if beholding the rarest treasure in the world and said seriously, “That’s your aura. Big Brother’s aura is the strongest and most stable I’ve ever seen in my life. Even the dragon veins that govern a country’s lifeblood don’t compare to your brilliance and power. I believe even the aura of an immortal sect couldn’t match yours.”

Only then did Xi Yunqing realize this was how Chen Xiao perceived an aura, and that such a rare phenomenon truly existed around him. Chen Xiao’s seemingly exaggerated praise made him hesitate before replying, “Brother Xiao, you flatter me.”

Chen Xiao said, “It’s just a shame that back then, you and I were worlds apart, immortal and mortal, separated by heaven and earth. Meeting you was just wishful thinking. But now, thinking about how close I am to you, I feel incredibly lucky.”

Hearing Chen Xiao’s heartfelt words for the first time stirred both emotion and guilt in Xi Yunqing. Chen Xiao had been deeply impressed by him, while to Xi Yunqing back then, Chen Xiao was just a fleeting stranger met by chance.

If he had known they would share such a profound connection, and that he would later develop feelings for Chen Xiao, he would have treated their first meeting more seriously. Xi Yunqing apologized, saying, “It’s all my fault. If only I had been more mindful earlier, I wouldn’t have missed that time.”

But Chen Xiao shook his head, saying, “It’s only natural, Big Brother. You’re not at fault and shouldn’t blame yourself. You’ve already been good enough to me, I can’t ask for more.”

In the dream, Xi Yunqing’s words and actions were no longer held back by his usual personality. He conveyed sincerely, “I haven’t done enough. From now on, I’ll try harder.”

His earnestness was genuine. He truly felt he hadn’t done enough for Chen Xiao, not knowing how much Chen Xiao already valued what he had done.

Especially in the beginning when Chen Xiao was just learning body techniques, Xi Yunqing came every day on time to help him with massages and acupressure, easing his fatigue. Without that help, Chen Xiao could never have progressed so rapidly.

Suddenly, without warning, the scene shifted. Instead of the mountains and wilderness, Chen Xiao found himself indoors, sitting on a bed while Xi Yunqing stood beside him. They faced each other silently.

Xi Yunqing paused, looking around the familiar room and its furnishings. He’d come here nearly every night back then and immediately recognized the place.

Dream sequences sometimes change without reason. When Xi Yunqing turned back, Chen Xiao’s clothes had changed to casual wear, his hair damp and freshly washed, cheeks still flushed with health. Sitting there politely, Chen Xiao said, “Big Brother, could you please help me with a massage?”

Xi Yunqing recalled how soft and supple Chen Xiao’s skin felt then, almost like it wanted to cling to his palm, making him reluctant to let go.

If this had been Chen Xiao alone creating the dream, it would be nothing unusual. But with Xi Yunqing’s heart stirred by the thought, the atmosphere in the room grew warmer instantly.

Before they knew it, Chen Xiao was lying face down on the bed while Xi Yunqing sat beside him, leaning forward to press and knead his back. This time, the sensation wasn’t painful, but rather a tingling, electrifying kind of pleasure.

Xi Yunqing’s fingers traced down to the clear hollow of Chen Xiao’s waist. Stimulated, Chen Xiao’s body trembled, unable to suppress a low moan.

The “Twin Bloom Red” technique is most effective at synchronizing two people to build a shared dream. The best dreams are those based on shared experiences that resonate deeply, awakening consciousness in someone who is unaware.

Chen Xiao had once taken some medicine that was too strong after an injury and experienced lustful dreams; Xi Yunqing had been moved by those feelings when Chen Xiao’s mind was unclear.

Sometimes, it feels like you know you’re dreaming, but it’s actually a dream within a dream. Chen Xiao thought he’d woken up from the dream, but he hadn’t. Meanwhile, Xi Yunqing was swept into the same feelings, and even the surroundings shifted to a windless mountain valley.

The two of them pressed tightly against each other. Xi Yunqing’s silky hair fell over Chen Xiao’s shoulder, tickling him lightly yet feeling strangely comforting. Chen Xiao had no memory of this, now the scene was led entirely by Xi Yunqing’s recollections. Back then, Xi Yunqing had been careful and restrained while comforting Chen Xiao. But now, there was no holding back.

“Brother Xiao…” Xi Yunqing’s breath was warm and heavy, his soft lips brushing against Chen Xiao’s, lingering near his ear.

“Mmm.” Chen Xiao murmured softly, impatience clear in his voice as he turned his head to capture Xi Yunqing’s lips.

Xi Yunqing gently tilted his face, fully covering Chen Xiao’s mouth with his own. Their bodies, once merely leaning on each other, now pressed close with Xi Yunqing on top. His strong arms wrapped around Chen Xiao’s waist, and his broad chest’s weight was both thrilling and slightly overwhelming. Last time in a dream, Chen Xiao had ended up beneath him, how was it the same this time?

He tried to push him off, but Xi Yunqing’s grip was firm, leaving him powerless. Struggling, Chen Xiao raised his arms, but the kiss was so intoxicating that his hands instinctively wound around Xi Yunqing’s neck.

Their lips parted, and Chen Xiao blinked drowsily, meeting Xi Yunqing’s eyes as his arm rested near Chen Xiao’s ear. Looking up, trapped within the narrow frame of Xi Yunqing’s arms and gaze, Chen Xiao felt a strange unease. But when Xi Yunqing bent his head down again, the soft, lingering kiss left no room for any coherent thought.

The thin, soft undergarment was shed, and lying back on the special bedding Xi Yunqing had prepared, Chen Xiao’s head tilted back, uncertain whether to press his chest forward or pull away.

The strong arms holding him at the waist left no room for resistance. Though Chen Xiao had endured grueling, devilish training and built a lean, strong body, he still couldn’t match Xi Yunqing, the seasoned sword cultivator.

The smooth, pleasant sensation of skin against skin enveloped them both. As lips and tongues tangled and bodies intertwined, Xi Yunqing instinctively lifted Chen Xiao’s legs with his arms. At that moment, Chen Xiao’s internal alarms blared, there was simply no chance left to refuse…

Outside, three days and nights had passed. Tong Nuonuo and Tang Ru had been diligently keeping watch over their two companions lying side by side. They took turns staying alert, never letting their guard down, always ensuring at least one was awake.

In the cave, there were only the four of them, something they never expected. On the first day, Tong Nuonuo had explored the cave and found slippery marks on the inner mountain wall, likely left by the tunneling beast.

The narrow passage beyond had probably collapsed due to shifts in the terrain, shrinking what was once a wide space. Tang Ru optimistically thought the collapse would block the tunneling beast from coming through. Tong Nuonuo immediately dashed her hopes, explaining that the tunneling beast’s greatest skill was digging. Neither dirt nor rock could stop it.

Especially since the cave was filled with “ice velvet grass." a rare plant also known as “ice flesh.” The tunneling beast was a fierce omnivore; if it got lazy about hunting, it might come here to feed on the ice velvet grass.

Both women were on edge, terrified that the tunneling beast might suddenly decide to come and graze nearby. Every second stretched painfully long.

Tang Ru glanced at the hourglass nearby, sighed deeply, and said, “Xiao and the others won’t wake up for another two days. I don’t even know if we’ll make it through safely.”

Tong Nuonuo said, “You should get some rest. I’ll wake you if anything happens.”

Tang Ru’s nerves made it hard to sleep; she woke frequently, rubbing her eyes sleepily before lying down again.

She barely closed her eyes before Tong Nuonuo shook her awake. Opening them, Tang Ru asked, “What is it?”

“Shh, listen." Tong Nuonuo whispered.

Tang Ru’s heart jolted, and she focused on the silence. Faint rustling sounds came from within the cave, like something digging through soil, making her skin crawl.

Her scalp prickled as she stared at Tong Nuonuo in terror. Tong Nuonuo nodded anxiously, her expression one of dread.

Just as feared, the tunneling beast was coming!

“What do we do?” Tang Ru whispered. Though agile, she was a spirit herb cultivator with limited combat ability.

Tong Nuonuo was even less equipped to fight. In this cave, they couldn’t unleash their powers properly; attacking might kill the enemy but also bury them alive.

In a desperate moment, Tong Nuonuo racked her brain. Running wasn’t an option, they couldn’t abandon their two unconscious companions. And carrying the two of them out was impossible.

After a moment, she bit her lip and quietly said, “Let’s go check it out first. The tunneling beast digs fast, there’s no way the noise could be this small. Something’s off.”

Respecting Tong Nuonuo’s expertise on ferocious beasts, Tang Ru grabbed the rope in her hand and followed quietly. The two crept toward the sound.

Around the corner, in the dim light, they saw the narrow cave entrance blocked by a cone-shaped creature. Its upper half was covered in armor plates, and its snout was dark and shiny. Its mouth opened occasionally, flicking a long tongue over a patch of ice velvet grass just outside the entrance.

“...” Tong Nuonuo was speechless. How lazy could it be? It was literally lying down and eating!