Xiao had never felt so nervous before, getting beaten up by Edrick back then had not roused so much emotion, he had gotten beaten up before, multiple times in fact, to the point of severe injuries, even, but actually speaking with a girl? That still felt brand new, especially because of the fact that it truly seemed like she was interested in him as a romantic partner.

Was this one of the perks of having the protagonist's aura? Or was it just that he looked somewhat handsome in this world? It probably helped that he had some confidence in himself, too, ironically enough, his dedication to growing stronger had actually counted toward making himself more desirable to the fairer sex in this world.

Today was not an especially warm day of spring, it fact, one could see dark clouds in the distance, indicative that a thunderstorm might roll over the area soon, but nonetheless, Xiao felt uncomfortably hot right now, he did his best to maintain his composure, but for some reason, he had a better time doing so when faced with Anoteros than in this particular situation.

"Breathe in and out, Xiao, most go through this" reassured the emerald ghost, who was looking way too excited for someone else getting a girl, but Chengzhe was a weird guy to begin with, one just needed to listen to a few of his stories to know that he had always been an odd sort… Though perhaps that strangeness had only been exacerbated from turning into a wraith stuck to a bit of emerald hanging from a necklace.

Considering how enthusiastic he was about women, he seemingly had near to no boundaries as to what sort of women he held an interest in, maybe it was only natural for him to be so excited for his disciple, surely, the old spectre was not expecting that Xiao would 'see the light' and agree with him on everything after getting a taste?

"Listen closely, Xiao… I know an easy dual cultivation technique for beginners, you just need to hear it once, and I am certain-"

'Master Chengzhe, let's not randomly use a technique'

"Killjoy! Would you at least listen to my practical tips and tricks?"

'Have I not heard many of them against my will already?'

"True, well, keep them in mind for when-" just as the ghost was speaking, Xiao arrived in front of the dormitories of Ai, the nearby areas still had plenty of inner disciples walking around and training, not quite bothered by the looming threat of heavy rain over the horizon, as long as they could train, they would, it wouldn't be surprising if some continued even if a downpour befell the whole sect.

Though, most of the inner disciples were not exactly that great, they were in majority still very dedicated to training, progress was always quick in the beginning, but it rapidly slowed down as one went on, cultivating techniques to perfection was not a matter that needed just a few months, or would happen if one was not dilligent in their training every single day, even for the simpler techniques.

Most here were just average, but Xiao had read through the perspective of an overpowered protagonist, and since a story mostly brought focus on the special characters, who were always above the rest and talented, actually seeing and interacting with the regular cultivators was a breath of fresh air he did not know he had ever needed.

Most didn't even have very big ambitions, just wanting to join cultivation clans as private soldiers, or to stay in the sect… Or even just provide for their families...

He had expected a ruthless landscape where everyone was always vying for the better resources, but it seemed that just like in his old world, even if many secretly had big dreams, they were easily satisfied with the bare minimum.

Thinking about this, Xiao felt his tension relieving somewhat, and he went to knock on the door, he had swung by many times now, and Ai could recognise his way of knocking, so soon, the door opened up, and she ushered him inside, somewhat in a hurry, it seemed…

Chengzhe just wiggled his translucent eyebrows, as though understanding far more about the situation, but the spectre remained silent.

Xiao didn't pay attention to it, but Ai tied some sort of ribbon on the handle facing the outside before closing and locking the door, taking a few seconds before turning to him.

"It's nice to see you, Xiao! I was just thinking about you" she said with both hands held in front of her body.

"The lesson with Elder Gang ended sooner than expected, so naturally, I thought to spend that unexpected free time in the best way possible" said Xiao, making the inner disciple smile a little bit.

"Smooth, not bad" the old ghost muttered to himself, looking at the scene from a distance.

"You know, Xiao… Last time, I sort of cut the grass beneath your feet just as we were about to… Today, I was thinking of making it up to you…" Xiao wasn't dense, he understood that she was referring to the time they were on the verge of doing the deed, but had stopped at the last moment as she had gotten spooked by how well-endowed he was.

"Ah… There is no need to make up for it, but I won't say no if you want to, do you have anything in mind?" he said, and tentatively took a step closer to her.

Ai looked down for a moment before speaking.

"We are alone in here right now… Let's go to my room" she didn't manage to put it in direct terms, but one would have to be especially dense not to get the hint.

Xiao swallowed his saliva.

'Oh crap, it's actually happening this time' he thought, already feeling his secondary brain gathering up some blood in preparation for the action.

Xiao glanced to the side and saw the emerald ghost giving him the thumbs up.

"Good luck, my disciple! I'll stay here until you're done, alright?"

And swiftly enough, the bedroom was entered and the door was shut, the small window was also covered up, leaving both of them in a room only illuminated by some light piercing through the small curtain, and a small flame in a lamp that Ai had preemptively lit up.

Ai breathed out heavily and undid the belt holding her robes together.

"C-Can I see it again?"

"O-Of course…" Xiao did the same and brought out the item that had frightened her the last time.

And indeed, Xiao was packing an impressive weapon on his person, it was not anything abnormal or record-breaking, but definitely of a length and girth superior to most.

"Huh… I… I am going to touch it…" she announced, voice just in between apprehension and curiosity.

Of course, Xiao did not say no to that- In fact, his secret sword responded before his mouth did by slightly twitching in approval…