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Chapter 7 - A Moment of Enchantment

Kris felt like he was about to explode. Summoning the last shred of his sanity, he tried to lift his head, only to realize Duoxi had treated him like a pillow, muttering softly as she pressed her face against his. Her cherry-red lips landed directly on his.

Kris froze, instinctively capturing her lips between his, gently licking them. Then his tongue took the initiative, capturing her lazy, evasive tongue, entwining and sucking it.

His other hand softly caressed her smooth, delicate abdomen, then moved upward, slipping under her light blue bra, cupping her firm, porcelain-like breasts. He stroked them gently, then reached out to tease the crimson bean that had somehow slipped onto her chest.

Finding the light blue restraint inconvenient, Kris reached behind her to unfasten it, but his movement was too abrupt, causing her breasts to jiggle like jelly.

His mouth continued to savor her soft lips, then trailed down her smooth chin, swan-like neck, and delicate collarbone, before dipping his head to taste the crimson bean resting on her chest.

The room filled with heavier breaths. Duoxi's hands instinctively pressed against Kris's head, while her slender legs tightened and rubbed together uncontrollably.

As Kris savored the crimson bean, he released her breasts and reached down to the edge of her light blue panties. She lifted her hips cooperatively, allowing him to remove the last restraint.

Kris's mind was foggy, his body burning with heat, his core throbbing as if about to burst. He desperately sought a way to cool down.

But just then, a hand gently covered that place, and a voice whispered, "Don't." The urgency in Kris's eyes faded as he came back to his senses.

Looking up, he saw Duoxi's face flushed, her moist eyes conveying a mix of refusal and invitation.

In an instant, the Calm the Fire technique activated within him, swiftly cooling his desire. Kris got off the bed, dressed, then gently helped Duoxi put on her underwear and covered her with a blanket.

Duoxi said nothing, her sapphire eyes half-closed, her consciousness unclear.

But Kris was now fully awake, realizing how close he'd come to losing control. He couldn't use this situation to test his discipline—or perhaps the technique itself amplified desire? He'd nearly lost control just now.

Tucking the blanket around her, he turned to leave but paused, leaned down, and kissed her smooth forehead. "Wait for me," he whispered before closing the door behind him.

Lying in bed, Duoxi's lips curled slightly in her sleep.

Seeing Huimei sleeping soundly on the sofa, Kris carried her to the bedroom as well.

This time, he decided to go all the way. The situation demanded it—he had to leave his mark.

Soon, like Duoxi, Huimei awoke with a flushed face, but this time, Kris noticed immediately.

He dressed her again, but Huimei wasn't so easily fooled. Her large eyes fixed on him, making him feel as if he'd truly gone too far.

Kris leaned in, kissing her again under her disbelieving gaze, until she went limp, instinctively embracing him.

"Sister, wait for me."

Leaving the same words and kissing her forehead, Kris got up, grabbed a trash bag from the living room, and left.

Only when he was walking down the street did Kris finally breathe a sigh of relief. The Calm the Fire technique slowed, and he thought, This world is full of temptresses. I almost became a fallen youth—too dangerous.

But recalling the experience, he chuckled to himself.

On his way home, Kris silently activated the Dragon's Secret Technique, channeling his true energy along its intricate pathways. The route involved numerous meridians, including the 12 primary channels and several collateral ones. By the time he arrived home, he'd only completed half the circuit.

An hour later, Kris checked the time and finished the cycle. Strangely, after one round, the energy flowed on its own, as if he'd practiced it for years.

He recalled how quickly he'd mastered the breathing technique—just two days, and now he breathed naturally without conscious effort, even in his sleep. He wondered if it was the technique's nature or his own adaptability.

Sitting at his desk, he opened his laptop and searched for part-time jobs at gyms. The Dragon's Secret Technique required strength training, and a gym was the perfect place.

But he couldn't spend all his money before university. Working at a gym would be ideal.

He noted down some phone numbers, planning to visit them the next day.

He also opened a shopping site and bought weighted equipment to enhance his training.

Finally, he browsed food websites, noting affordable buffet spots and large, cheap restaurants, saving their names on his phone.

Closing his laptop, he lay in bed, familiarizing himself with the Beauty Technique's pathways. Once he'd mapped them all, he fell into a deep sleep.

---

The Next Morning

Kris ate breakfast while silently practicing the Beauty Technique.

He decided to keep the Beauty Technique active at all times, using the Dragon's Secret Technique during long-distance runs and strength training. His goal was to progress as quickly as possible.

After all, cultivation was his top priority, not last night's sensual distractions.

After breakfast, he paid 10,000 won (about $8) with a sigh. Life was tough.

He had 2 million won in savings, just enough for four years of tuition, not including living expenses.

His daily meals alone cost at least 40,000 won ($32), and the Dragon's Secret Technique might increase his appetite further, given the intense training.

At this rate, food alone would cost 14.6 million won ($11,680) a year, leaving only one year's tuition.

Rent was another issue. Though his landlady didn't charge him, he couldn't freeload entirely. The cheapest gosiwon in Seoul was 300,000 won ($240) monthly, totaling 3.6 million won ($2,880) a year.

In short, even without spending, he'd go bankrupt after a year, unable to afford tuition.

Sigh, even after transmigrating, I'm still worried about money.

"Ding!"

Kris picked up his phone. It was Peilin:

"You're really skipping school today? The teacher's furious and wants to punish you!"

Kris smiled. That school, which deletes videos when trouble arises, isn't worth attending.

If they feared rumors, they should've released the video to silence everyone. Deleting it only showed their bias.

"As long as I can take the college entrance exam, it's fine," he replied.

Peilin sent a shocked emoji, followed by one bowing to a deity.

Kris replied with a smile.

After a pause, Peilin messaged:

"Can you get your rent back?"

Recalling the landlady's furious expression, Kris replied:

"No."

Peilin sent a disappointed emoji, then:

"Class is starting. Talk later."

Kris didn't care about the rent. After last night, he knew staying with Meijing's aunt would jeopardize his self-control, so he avoided that "fairy den."

He'd either advance to the next stage or master the Calm the Fire technique to remain pure.

"Ding!" ×2

Two messages arrived.

"What are you up to? Want to explore Myeongdong this afternoon?"

—Duoxi.

"Last night was understandable, given it was your first time seeing a woman naked. I share the blame. But since we lack emotional connection, let's pretend it never happened. We'll be siblings from now on, okay?"

—Huimei.

Kris replied:

"Duoxi, I'm studying hard to get into Jise University. Let's have dinner together this weekend after my shift. I'll treat you and Huimei."

Switching chats:

"Sure, Huimei. I'll get into Jise University, and we'll meet there. Let's have dinner this weekend after my shift. I'll treat you and Duoxi."

A harem? Not a chance. They'll be my wings.

---

Meanwhile, Duoxi, after reading the message, felt restless, her face flushing as she recalled last night.

She'd actually been awake during the kiss but hadn't resisted, only stopping him at the last moment. Yet even then, her heart hadn't truly objected.

She was conflicted—grateful yet expectant, or perhaps regretful. Logically, they'd only met hours ago, but emotionally, he felt safe, which explained her and Huimei's boldness.

His restraint proved his reliability, but did she truly lack charm in his eyes? How could he stop in such a situation?!

Feeling resentful, she wondered if he'd only wanted to take advantage of her. She texted him to test his intentions, only to receive such a reply.

Her heart raced. She wanted to confide in Huimei but feared judgment. After all, he was just an 18-year-old boy.

Little did Duoxi know, Huimei's heart was even more turbulent.

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