"Uh..."
Ji Fuyao was abruptly jolted out of her profound, mystical state of enlightenment, her face instantly heating up. Although she had been completely lost in her comprehension for hours, she was acutely aware of the strange, involuntary sounds she had made—and her Master had been right there the whole time!
The thought made her face flush crimson. How embarrassing!
Ji Fuyao licked her delicate lips and looked at Lu Xuan. "Master, did you... hear all that just now?"
Lu Xuan nodded simply. "I did."
Ji Fuyao’s blush deepened to a scorching red. How could she have let such sounds escape her in front of her Master? But the feeling of that mystical power had been so overwhelming, so soul-stirring, that she couldn't control herself. She quickly tried to suppress the memory of him holding her in Willow City.
Ji Fuyao felt her face growing warm. She glanced at Lu Xuan, finding that he wasn't looking at her at all.
Stop having indecent thoughts! she chastised herself.
A moment later, Ji Fuyao composed herself and returned to the thatched hut to clean the dishes.
"Once you’re done tidying up, come to the cave dwelling," Lu Xuan instructed. "I’ll treat your injuries."
Ji Fuyao's beautiful eyes shone. "Yes, Master."
"Oh, right," Lu Xuan added. "A while ago, Fang Yan and Luo Lingkong came to Azure Mystery Peak looking for a spar, but since you were out, Ye Chen fought them instead."
Ji Fuyao’s eyes widened with curiosity. "Did Junior Brother Ye Chen win?"
Lu Xuan grinned. "He won."
Ji Fuyao smiled radiantly. "It’s been too long since I saw Junior Brother Ye Chen."
Lu Xuan nodded. "Ye Chen said he’s going to refine some pills for you when you get back."
"I look forward to it," she replied, a hint of anticipation in her voice.
Soon, Ji Fuyao had the hut spotless.
"Follow me," Lu Xuan said.
Ji Fuyao followed Lu Xuan into the cave dwelling. She sat cross-legged, her fiery red dress flowing around her, accentuating her perfect, curvaceous figure. Her neck was delicate and white, like snow against the frost. Her face was exquisite, her eyes sparkling like stars, and a faint, sweet fragrance wafted from her breath.
She looked up at Lu Xuan, her dark hair cascading down her shoulders, her breathing quickening slightly. "Master, how should I proceed?"
Lu Xuan instructed, "Turn your back to me."
"Oh," Ji Fuyao murmured, turning to present him with a flawless back.
Lu Xuan sat cross-legged behind her. Slap! He immediately circulated the spiritual art of his medical scripture, placing his palm directly onto her back. Even through the fabric, he felt the soft, delicate texture of her skin.
Ji Fuyao’s body trembled slightly.
"Don't move," Lu Xuan commanded.
Ji Fuyao nodded her snowy neck. "My apologies, Master."
Instantly, a profound, gentle energy flowed from Lu Xuan’s palm into her meridians. A wave of warmth washed over her heart. Lu Xuan’s power from the Dao of Medicine was like a spring breeze and nurturing rain, revitalizing her inner world.
Her injuries from burning her soul in the battle at Willow City had severely damaged her soul and meridians. The healing pills she took were only temporary suppressants; without proper treatment, her future cultivation would be ruined.
Ji Fuyao slowly closed her eyes, feeling the power circulate, nourishing her soul and repairing her meridians. Her injuries were truly being healed.
"Fuyao," Lu Xuan said, "next, I’m going to use some secret acupoints on your back. Try not to move."
Ji Fuyao replied, "Understood."
Soon, Lu Xuan placed both hands on her jade-like back. His palms moved slowly, tracing her spine, sending shivers down her body.
Ji Fuyao's skin grew warm. Her eyes fluttered, and she felt her spirit sway, an incomparable sense of comfort washing over her.
"Mmm..."
"Ah..."
Ji Fuyao couldn't hold it in; a soft, involuntary cry escaped her throat.
She froze. It happened again!
Her face flushed bright red.
A few moments later, sweat beaded on Ji Fuyao’s exquisite face, and her breath came in soft pants. Her delicate body trembled. Though she tried to suppress it, she could no longer control her physical reactions!
Drip! Drop!
Drops of fragrant sweat rolled down her face, and her eyes glazed over. The sweat had completely soaked her fiery red dress. She looked down, her heart pounding. Her current state—her thin, wet clothes clinging to her snow-white body, revealing her perfect, curvaceous figure—was completely visible to her Master!
Ji Fuyao whispered, "Master, should we... take a break?"
Lu Xuan pursed his lips. "What are you afraid of? There are no outsiders here. Just hold on for the time it takes an incense stick to burn."
Ji Fuyao bit her lip. "Very well, Master." She pinched her own slender leg with her jade hand, muttering to herself, What are you thinking? Stop these chaotic thoughts!
Ji Fuyao felt that something within her had fundamentally changed. Ever since her Master held her in Willow City, her Dao Heart had become unsettled. Impatience! A thousand emotions, ten thousand desires... Suppress them!
An incense stick later, Lu Xuan slowly spoke. "Fuyao, it’s done. Go back and rest. A few more treatments and you’ll be completely healed."
Ji Fuyao snapped out of her daze. "Thank you, Master."
She looked down and saw that the spot where she had been sitting was soaked with her sweat. Blushing, she didn't dare linger. She bowed respectfully to Lu Xuan. "Master, I will return to my cave dwelling now."
Lu Xuan nodded. "Good. Circulate your spiritual energy yourself, regulate your meridians, and get some rest."
"I will," Ji Fuyao said.
She swiftly departed, her fiery red dress fluttering behind her.
Watching her go, Lu Xuan shook his head slightly, then immediately collapsed onto the Profound Ice Bed. Time for a nap.
Meanwhile, as Lu Xuan lay on the Profound Ice Bed, the System’s voice chimed in.
[Ding! Host’s Eldest Disciple, Ji Fuyao, is cultivating! Beginning cultivation synchronization!]
[Ding! Host’s Eldest Disciple, Ji Fuyao, has gained enlightenment in the Path of Spirit Fire! Beginning synchronization!]
As the voice faded, a torrent of pure spiritual energy surged into Lu Xuan’s body like a great river, rapidly boosting his cultivation foundation.
Lu Xuan blinked. Wait, what?
Didn't he just tell Ji Fuyao to go rest and regulate her meridians? How was she already cultivating? Fuyao is too damn diligent! This made him feel slightly guilty, or at least, a little awkward about his own laziness.
With a sigh of contentment, Lu Xuan simply shifted his position on the bed.
***
Far away, five million li distant, at the Tianluo Hall Sub-Branch, Emperor Canyang sat cross-legged in the main hall. His face was lined with wrinkles, but his eyes were deep and profound. His black robes billowed as he cultivated a supreme secret art. Ominous energy swirled around him, and brilliant spiritual runes flickered.
A moment later, he slowly opened his eyes. "Truly worthy of the supreme secret art bestowed by the Main Hall."
"Congratulations, Hall Master! Our deepest congratulations!" Several Elders surrounding Emperor Canyang bowed respectfully. "With the Main Hall’s reward, Hall Master’s strength will surely skyrocket, and our sub-branch’s status will rise even higher!"
They were filled with envy. To receive such a reward from the Tianluo Hall Main Hall indicated Emperor Canyang’s immense contribution. He had even earned the recognition of the Main Hall Master, Soul Severer.
Emperor Canyang retracted his aura, slowly rose from his seat, and stroked his beard, laughing heartily. "Hahaha! This is all thanks to the intelligence provided by the Drunken Immortal Pavilion!"
The Elders looked puzzled. "Hall Master, what kind of intelligence? The Drunken Immortal Pavilion is just a Quasi-Emperor tier faction in Cangzhou. They don't even have a Great Emperor. They just happen to be doing well in Cangzhou. What valuable information could they possibly possess?"
Emperor Canyang’s smile widened as he stepped down from his throne. "This matter involves a supreme secret. I cannot reveal the full details. However, I can tell you this much: it concerns the Fuyao Dynasty, which was annihilated three thousand years ago."