Key

Xiao Ran carried his drunken master on his back, walking through the dim bamboo forest.

The transplanted flowers and plants on both sides had already merged with the new soil, branching out and scattering leaves. The buried seeds had also broken through the soil, sprouting tender buds in the sparse moonlight.

Xiao Ran could even hear the stirring and rustling of all things growing.

His master's picturesque and radiant face leaned against his right shoulder, her breath smelling of wine like the fragrance of spring, slowly entering his ear, warm and slightly itchy.

Even with a wide robe to cover it, Master's figure is visibly well-endowed, Xiao Ran thought. Yet, carrying her on his back, she felt surprisingly light.

Perhaps it was because cultivators had a light density. Her weight might not exceed a hundred jin, or perhaps just over a hundred. For a woman over 1.7 meters tall, it was the perfect weight.

"This is a luxury supercar!" Chu Yan followed beside Xiao Ran, supporting Lingzhou Yue's waist.

Although it wasn't necessary to support her, she insisted on holding her waist just in case, to repay the Sword-Wielding Elder's waist-hugging love from back then.

Her waist was cool and refreshing, as firm as a sword, yet as soft as willow.

"Even I can easily dissolve the effects of the wine, yet Grandmaster is unconscious. She must have an unknown past."

You call her Grandmaster so familiarly.

Xiao Ran simply said:

"It's also possible that Master is just a drunkard, even drinking poison with gusto, with no intention of detoxifying."

Chu Yan pouted her little mouth.

"I see that you want to vilify Grandmaster, so I'll distance myself from her, so you can monopolize her. It's useless. I just like Grandmaster's unrestrainedness!"

The two bickered all the way.

They followed the deep, winding path north until it suddenly opened up to a vast sea of clouds.

Hot Spring Cliff was shrouded in the gentle moonlight and curling mist.

Surrounding it were jagged rocks, interspersed with clusters of Hundred Spirits Grass and Little Cherry Blossoms, surrounded by forest on three sides, facing the azure sea of clouds.

The water surface was filled with a clear mist, drifting with fragrant flowers and plants, resembling a fairyland under the gentle azure light. The mist and the sea of clouds merged into one, as if one were in a heavenly palace.

Moonlit sea of clouds.

The water and sky merged into one.

A small path curved and twisted deep into it, reaching the edge of the pool.

Xiao Ran carried his master on his back, lightly stepping onto the path and arriving at the pool.

He leaned her against a small stone chair beside a jagged rock, wrapping a large Bamboo Fiber Bathrobe over her Azure Daoist Robe.

Do not look at what you should not.

For safety's sake, Xiao Ran silently retreated and said to Chu Yan, "Alright, the task of undressing Master is entrusted to you."

"O-okay... okay."

Happiness came so suddenly that Chu Yan's pair of straight, slender legs trembled, and she couldn't even speak smoothly.

Xiao Ran retreated into the bamboo forest.

Just as Chu Yan tremblingly reached out her childish, fair, and delicate little hand, reaching into Lingzhou Yue's Bamboo Fiber Bathrobe—

Lingzhou Yue suddenly grabbed her wrist!

"What are you doing?"

Lingzhou Yue asked groggily, her tone surprisingly sonorous.

Chu Yan's voice trembled slightly.

"Chu Yan is undressing Grandmaster to enter the pool."

Lingzhou Yue sat up cross-legged with a stern expression, but said:

"Your hands are impure. Have your master do it."

Ah, this...

Can a cooked duck still fly away?

Chu Yan hurriedly argued, "But Master is a man."

Lingzhou Yue only said faintly, "His heart is pure, not as lustful as you."

Good heavens! How did I become pure-hearted? Xiao Ran panicked.

He suddenly remembered the men who had pursued Master before, and they all ended up dead.

He immediately felt like he was sitting on pins and needles.

If I see something I shouldn't see while undressing Master, or touch something I shouldn't touch, and get any ideas halfway, will I be killed? "What are you waiting for?"

Lingzhou Yue called out from afar.

Helpless, Xiao Ran could only bite the bullet and go.

Arriving at the edge of the pool, he naturally stood behind Master.

He calmed his mind, not deliberately closing his eyes or fearing physical contact, as that would only show that his heart was impure.

Listening to all things, resonating in his heart.

He calmly reached into the robe.

Because Master was wearing loose and few clothes, he only touched her shoulder the entire time. If he needed to touch anywhere else, he would gently shake the robe, using the power of resonance to shake it off.

Unobtrusive, without any deliberate feeling.

Naturally, he undressed Master in the bathrobe.

Then, he gently helped Master into the pool.

[Congratulations to the Host for obtaining 3 Filial Piety Points!]

A thrilling pass, Xiao Ran breathed a sigh of relief.

Chu Yan was dumbfounded.

How many women would you have to undress to develop this skill? Even the eunuchs in the palace aren't as skilled as you! Lingzhou Yue entered the pool, her expression relaxed.

The water was only waist-deep, warm, smooth, and clear, with a refreshing coolness like melting ice and snow, mixed with a hint of sulfur.

The stones at the bottom of the water were clearly visible, and aquatic plants grew luxuriantly. There were even colorful warm-water fish swimming back and forth, gently pecking at Lingzhou Yue's skin, making her feel itchy and extremely comfortable.

Xiao Ran and Chu Yan couldn't help but look over.

Hidden in the thick fog, Lingzhou Yue's black hair was scattered, like a dark spring waterfall, a beautiful sight.

Her smooth, snowy skin was like a bright moon in the clouds in the thick fog, and the warm pool water covered the cherry blossoms within her robe.

The sea of clouds, starlight, moonlight, and mist blended perfectly into one with the people and the water, the water and the sky.

[Congratulations to the Host for obtaining 1 Filial Piety Point!]

[Congratulations to the Host for obtaining 1 Filial Piety Point!]

[Congratulations to the Host for obtaining 1 Filial Piety Point!]

[……]

Filial Piety Points skyrocketed! At this rate... Xiao Ran even felt that if he worked hard tonight, he might reach one hundred Filial Piety Points by tomorrow morning.

After a little thought, he took the liberty of sitting cross-legged by the pool, and began to massage Master's shoulders again.

Lingzhou Yue acquiesced.

Xiao Ran's strength was unhurried, his fingertips gradually increasing pressure. After warming up, he began to use the power of resonance.

This time, Lingzhou Yue was prepared. Her body adapted to the power of resonance, following Xiao Ran's massage rhythm, her body gradually heating up, and the heat slowly transmitted into the pool water.

Comfortable!

[Congratulations to the Host for obtaining 2 Filial Piety Points!]

[Congratulations to

"Where's the wine?"

Lingzhou Yue suddenly spoke.

Xiao Ran had given the entire barrel of wine to his master, only keeping a few jugs for himself, just in case.

Lingzhou Yue took a sip of clear rice wine, her expression becoming clear and soft, a layer of halo floating around her, as if reminiscing.

"From now on, the Sword-Wielding Mountain's wine-making task will be yours."

"Yes, Master."

Chu Yan sat obediently cross-legged on a strange rock to the side, watching and silently memorizing Xiao Ran's technique.

Xiao Ran continued massaging until his master fell asleep again, then he stopped, because his Filial Piety Points had reached their limit.

He glanced at the system panel, a total of 80 Filial Piety Points! Still a little short of Qi Refining...

"Let's go."

Xiao Ran was about to leave the pool.

Looking back, he felt like something was missing from the hot spring.

The pool water was flowing, quickly carrying away the floating flowers and herbs that had been artificially scattered.

The lack of medicinal power was secondary; the main thing was the lack of that poetic feeling.

But constantly scattering flowers and herbs by hand was too tiring.

Xiao Ran suddenly had a flash of inspiration.

If there was a cherry blossom or peach tree, preferably a Scenic Spirit Peach, that bloomed in all seasons without bearing fruit, with flowers constantly falling and drifting into the hot spring with the wind, then flowing away with the waterfall...

That would be amazing! He immediately searched his storage space, and Lin Yunzi had indeed prepared quite a few Scenic Peach and Ever-Changing Cherry Blossom trees.

Among them, one Scenic Peach tree looked quite old, with gnarled old branches, almost no peach leaves, and extremely lush blossoms.

That's the one!

Xiao Ran surveyed the pool for a while, found a perfect spot where the wind direction was just right, with three spiritual veins converging, providing a constant and abundant water source.

He had Chu Yan dig a deep pit, connect the spiritual channels, place the compost, then bury the fertile soil, and plant the peach tree.

If all went well, peach blossoms would be floating into the pool by midnight.

Chu Yan was puzzled.

"This peach tree is just ordinary wood, is it just for looks?"

Xiao Ran's gaze was profound and meaningful.

"This is to add a soul to the pool water, you should learn from it."

After taking care of the peach blossoms, Xiao Ran took Chu Yan back to the disciple quarters.

He gave a general introduction to the layout of the house and their respective resting areas.

"This is the kitchen."

"This is the bathroom, and next to it is the outhouse."

"The second floor is where Master cultivates in peace."

"The master bedroom on the first floor is where I sleep."

"If you want to sleep, you can add a small bed in the study on the first floor."

Looking at Xiao Ran's exaggeratedly large bed, Chu Yan imagined some unpleasant scenes.

"Cultivators don't sleep, I want to accompany Grandmaster on the second floor to meditate and cultivate in peace."

"Suit yourself, I'm going to sleep anyway."

Xiao Ran then took her to the bathroom.

"This is the bathtub, you're tired today, you can take a bath later—that's it for tonight, tomorrow you take my warrant, go to the Main Peak to complete the formalities, then get your daily necessities, and return to Sword-Wielding Mountain, you will officially be my disciple, Xiao Ran's disciple."

Chu Yan stared at the warm water in the bathtub.

"Did you put medicine in it?"

"I did."

The words had just left his mouth when Xiao Ran regretted it, and he quickly explained,

"I didn't put in the kind of medicine you're imagining, just some herbs for sterilization and spiritual enhancement."

Chu Yan asked again,

"What do you do when I'm taking a bath? Are you going to peek at the grandmaster?"

"I'm going to sleep!"

Xiao Ran turned his head and went back to the bedroom, slamming the door shut with a bang, and lay down on his super-large eight-square-meter bamboo bed.

Comfortable!

...

A fine night.

All was silent.

Insects chirped softly, and warm currents gurgled.

A light mist filled the surface of the water in the tub, drifting with fragrant flowers and plants. The bright moonlight sprinkled into the bathing room, merging with the mist.

Chu Yan, with her hair tied in a Daoist bun, applied spirit soap to her petite body, leaned against the corner of the tub, and shrank into the warm water.

So comfortable...

She thought, how wonderful would it be if one day she could soak in a hot spring with the Sword-Wielding Elder!

Although Xiao Ran was annoying, she was grateful to him for giving her the opportunity and hope to get close to the Sword-Wielding Elder.

This person was very strange.

In half a day, he went from being an enemy to a master, effortlessly, calmly, and naturally drawing you closer, as if you had known each other for a long time.

In three days since joining the sect, she had developed a tacit understanding with the Sword-Wielding Elder like an old married couple.

He was clearly a Mortal, but he seemed to know everything and was proficient in everything.

Or rather, he was clearly proficient in everything, but he just couldn't practice Qi Refining? This bastard must be hiding a huge secret...

It seemed that the road to the grandmaster must go through the master. Now that she had a goal, she couldn't be lazy anymore. She had to study this master carefully.

He must have the key to unlock the Sword-Wielding Elder!

...

Midnight.

Hot Spring Cliff.

Lingzhou Yue slowly opened her picturesque and radiant eyes.

Under the moonlight.

Cherry-red petals floated in the water, drifting towards the edge of the cliff.

*Where did these peach blossoms come from?* She frowned slightly, turning her head to look at the peach tree beside her.

The peach blossoms were bright and beautiful, as if without beginning or end.

She remembered counting peach blossoms in the courtyard as a child...

At that time, she asked, "Passing through thousands of flowers, without a leaf touching my body, Mother, my peach blossom luck has been too strong lately, and I don't know which one to choose."

*Does a man who can allow me to glimpse the Heavenly Dao really exist? A person of destiny?* She smiled slightly.

...

Late at night.

Xiao Ran was sleeping soundly on his eight-square-meter bamboo bed when he was suddenly awakened by the system's notification sound.

[Congratulations to the host for obtaining 38 Filial Piety Points! Total of 118 Filial Piety Points.] ```

I haven't done anything at this hour, so where did all these Filial Piety Points come from? After thinking about it carefully, it turned out to be the time when the cherry blossoms started to fall.

You should know that using the power of resonance to massage shoulders, barbecue, brew clear rice wine, or soak in the hot springs has never suddenly increased my Filial Piety Points by 38! "Does Master really like cherry blossoms that much..."

Wait!

That's not the point! The point is... I'm about to reach the Qi Refining stage!

"There's no need to wait any longer. Tomorrow at Chen Hour is when the Disciple Challenge begins. It's time to end all doubts and begin inheriting the sword."