...
She didn't notice the first eight needles, because they were placed so quickly, and she was fully focused on Xiao Che's technique. This awareness made it temporarily impossible to calm the ripples within her heart.
At this moment, her back had been pierced with 23 needles. Xiao Che's speed had significantly decreased as well. If Xia Qingyue were to look back at this moment, she would find his entire face faintly flushed, his forehead covered in beads of sweat. For the first 20 or so needles, Xiao Che's handling was quite effortless. However, when sweat began to appear on his forehead, his left hand holding the needle also began to tremble. Furthermore, his movements had noticeably slowed down. Before, he could pierce a needle in one breath, but then gradually it took several breaths - after thirty needles, it took longer and longer each time.
