Nothing worked, nothing worked, leaving Nuantang in a dilemma and extremely anxious.

His cheeks were flushed with anxiety, his eyes darted back and forth between the lake and the large rock, and his feet unconsciously moved in small steps in place.

Various thoughts flashed through my mind like a revolving lantern, trying to find a solution that would satisfy both sides, but in my panic, my thoughts became more and more chaotic.

Time ticked by, and Nuantang took a deep breath, trying to calm herself down.

She told herself that she could not delay Young Master Qin's time because of her predicament, and she could not let her cowardice plunge her tribe into crisis.

Looking at the lake again, a hint of despair gradually appeared in Nuantang's eyes.

Perhaps it is unavoidable to embarrass myself in front of Young Master Qin, but as long as I can arrive in time, not delay Young Master Qin's arrangements, and not implicate my clan, it will all be worth it.

Nianzhi gritted her teeth, grabbed her robe with both hands, and wrapped it as tightly as possible around her body.

Just as Nuantang had one foot dangling above the lake surface, about to step into the water that caused her so much anxiety, she suddenly felt a tightness around her waist as a pair of strong hands firmly embraced her.

Suddenly, Nuantang felt a lightness all over her body, as she was gently pulled off the ground. Her mind went blank, and before she could figure out what was happening, she was already on a rock in the middle of the lake.

Instinctively, she struggled for a moment, only to find herself bound in a warm embrace. When she finally looked up, still shaken, and saw that the person in front of her was Qin Luo, her already flustered heart was instantly overwhelmed by intense embarrassment.

"Young Master Qin...you, I..."

Nuantang spoke tremblingly, the warmth from the hand on her waist leaving her momentarily speechless.

Her cheeks flushed rapidly, burning hot like a branding iron in a furnace. Her hands gripped the hem of her skirt tightly, her head bowed so low it almost touched her chest. She dared not look Qin Luo in the eye, her heart in utter panic, completely at a loss, unsure how to face this sudden situation.

Looking at Nuantang in his arms, who was so embarrassed that she was almost crying, Qin Luo couldn't help but feel a hint of interest.

He then released his arms from around Nuantang's waist, but did not step back. Instead, he gently placed his palm on Nuantang's head again, stroking it slowly and gently.

"I'm sorry, I should have considered that your current cultivation level is too shallow to walk on air. It was my oversight."

When Nuantang heard Qin Luo's apologetic words, her head buzzed and she was completely stunned.

She never expected that the high and mighty Qin Luo would apologize to someone as lowly as herself.

In her mind, Qin Luo was a powerful figure with extraordinary abilities, a distinguished guest of the fox clan, and someone she could not offend. Every word and action of his was as unquestionable as golden rules.

After a long while, Nuantang finally found her voice, and with a hint of disbelief, she stammered:

“Young Master Qin, it’s Nuantang’s fault. Nuantang is so useless. She can’t even handle such a small matter and has wasted your precious time.”

As soon as she finished speaking, Nuantang felt a gentle pat on the head.

Immediately afterwards, Qin Luo's gentle and pleasant voice rang out beside her ear: "You must not mention such self-pitying words again."

The tap on the head made Nuantang instinctively shrink her neck, then cautiously raise her eyes to look at Qin Luo.

Although his eyes held a feigned seriousness, the faint smile at the corner of his mouth, as warm as the spring sun, revealed without reservation that he had no real anger.

Feeling Qin Luo's gentle demeanor, which was like that of a friendly older brother, Nuantang's inner unease was quietly soothed.

She lowered her head and softly responded:

"Okay~ Nuantang understands."

Her voice carried a hint of shyness and docility.

At the same time, the pale purple fox tail behind her swayed gently as Qin Luo stroked her head. Each sway carried a dreamlike rhythm, just like a swaying flower, exuding the unique beauty of a young girl.

Qin Luo's gaze was inadvertently drawn to the lively fox tail. A hint of curiosity flashed through his mind, and his body reacted before his mind could process it. He reached out and gently pinched the fluffy fox tail.

The fox tail felt soft and delicate to the touch, like touching a gentle cloud, and carrying a warm, life-giving scent.

"Ah!" Nuantang was startled by the sudden movement, her body tensed instantly, and a blush spread across her face, all the way to her ears. She looked like a ripe tomato, exuding shyness and panic.

Hearing the exclamation, Qin Luo snapped out of his daze and realized that his actions had been too abrupt.

An awkward expression flashed across his eyes.

"I'm sorry, I was just curious about the medium through which your fox clan uses spiritual energy, and I couldn't help but..."

Qin Luo explained somewhat awkwardly, of course he would not admit that when he saw Nuantang's lively fox tail, the image of fox-eared maidens from folk tales flashed through his mind at an inappropriate time.

Those descriptions, whether playful and cute or charming and alluring, briefly intertwined with Nuantang's image in his mind, leading to this impulsive act.

Upon hearing Qin Luo's explanation, Nuantang shyly raised her eyelids, her slightly misty gaze fixed on Qin Luo's eyes.

Those clear, bright eyes were full of sincerity, without a trace of any strange or evil desire.

This caused Nuantang's thoughts to drift away, recalling all the tenderness and understanding Qin Luo had shown her since their brief encounter.

As these memories kept surfacing, Nuantang's previously somewhat resistant heart was torn open. She kept telling herself that if Young Master Qin wanted to do that, he wouldn't need to explain to her at all, much less show her such meticulous care.

Thinking of this, she bit her lower lip tightly, leaving a faint teeth mark on her cherry lips, her heart pounding wildly as if it would burst out of her chest.

After much hesitation, a surge of courage rose from the bottom of her heart. She cupped the pale purple fox tail behind her with both hands and handed it to Qin Luo.

The moment the fox tail landed in Qin Luo's palm, Nuantang's body trembled slightly, and her cheeks instantly burned.

She lowered her head, not daring to look at Qin Luo's expression, and said in a voice as soft as a mosquito's buzz:

“Young Master Qin, since you have such a strong curiosity about the fox tail, Nuantang… Nuantang is willing to let you examine it closely.”

It is important to understand that for the fox clan, the fox tail is a mark deep within their soul, carrying an ineffable significance.

It is not only a bridge for the fox clan to efficiently absorb the spiritual energy of heaven and earth and accelerate their cultivation process, but also a crucial part of the fox tail's privacy.

In the fox clan's belief, it is strictly forbidden to touch a fox's tail in front of someone who is not close to the fox. This taboo is deeply rooted in the heart of every fox clan member, becoming an inviolable red line.

Unfortunately, Qin Luo, being human, was clearly unaware of the profound weight behind this taboo...