Embracing With a Sense of Distance

Regarding hot springs, in the words of my past life: Because Japan is located between the Eurasian and Pacific plates, its geothermal resources are quite abundant.

However, in this world, it might be a different story. Perhaps it's like two rival emperors fighting for territory, and the geothermal heat is merely the aftermath of their battles?

In any case, regardless of the explanation, the fact that Japan's hot spring industry is extremely developed is undeniable.

It's just that now, due to the rampant sea monsters, large swathes of Japanese territory have fallen, and the hot spring industry, along with tourism, has plummeted...

After changing into clothes in the locker room, each person was given a small wooden bucket containing an ice towel, ice milk, and a wooden pillow.

Normally, you couldn't tell when everyone was clothed, but now, with everyone exposed, the difference in their physiques was clearly visible.

Mages deplete their Demonic Energy, not fat, so their body types vary greatly.

Zhu Wang's lower abdomen was like he was carrying a watermelon, with the characteristic flabbiness of middle-aged men. Like Xu Fang's Blondie, it was the classic nemesis of a cuckold.

Liu Xiao had dark skin and a thin build. Upon closer inspection, his face had deep-set eyes, as if from excessive rewards—a human Black Rot Corpse.

Only Wang Peng was somewhat presentable, with a flat, unremarkable abdomen.

"Holy crap, Zhang San, your muscles are something else! Did you train?" Liu Xiao was incredibly envious. "Those abs, they're like chocolate."

"It's alright," Xu Fang said, taking off his mask and putting it in the locker.

Liu Xiao was even more envious. He hadn't been able to tell with the mask on; this guy was actually that handsome?

Wearing loose shorts, he carried his small basin into the hot spring area. Zhu Wang was generous and had booked the deluxe package. The squad had a private room with two pools, one large and one small.

Above the smaller pool was a giant wooden bucket, three to four meters high. The bucket was tilted, pouring natural hot spring water from the outside with a rushing sound. The rising steam hit their faces, making their cheeks flush even before they got in.

The larger pool wasn't a hot spring but a swimming pool, slightly cooler. Inflatable boats and watermelon volleyballs floated on the water's surface.

"It's great to be rich!"

"No wonder this place costs five thousand a night."

"Let's soak for a bit. I'm exhausted from the mission today."

The Flying Tiger Squad were all first-timers at such a high-class establishment. Without thinking, they jumped straight into the pool and yelped from the heat.

Xu Fang sat on the edge of the pool, testing the temperature with his feet first before slowly immersing his body in the water.

"This feeling..."

Xu Fang continued to sink lower, only his head remaining above water, and closed his eyes to begin meditating.

In his Spiritual World, the golden Star Seed was incredibly agitated, charging wildly through the stardust, its light flashing urgently, conveying its emotions to Xu Fang—wanting! It really wanted it!

"As expected."

He had found the source that transformed ordinary spring water into natural hot springs and accelerated the growth of plants in the suburbs.

Xu Fang opened his eyes, and a word appeared in his mind: Spirit Seed.

Heaven and Earth nurture elements, and elements are graded based on their environment.

In some special places, where the element is particularly active, "seeds" with sentience are produced. If a Mage refines and absorbs one, the power of that Mage's Magic Skills will be multiplied!

"I didn't expect to find something like a Spirit Seed in such a small place."

This Spirit Seed, he, Xu Fang, would take it!

Generally, only Intermediate Mages could absorb Spirit Seeds; this small temple of stardust couldn't accommodate such a grand figure as a Spirit Seed.

But judging by the golden Star Seed's excited state, almost drooling... it was worth a try. At worst, it would be wasted!

"Hey, what are you thinking about?"

The touch on his shoulder jolted Xu Fang out of his meditation. The first thing he saw upon opening his eyes was a pair of heavy...

Xu Fang: "Oh, ho!?"

Qianqian suddenly covered her chest, her ears turning bright red. She sat down beside him without a word.

Fangfang, enjoying the show, egged her on: "Qianqian, Zhang San is so handsome, and his physique is great. He's your type!"

"Shut, shut up!" Qianqian tried to speak in a cold tone, but to others, it clearly sounded like the weak struggles of a tsundere girl.

Xu Fang leaned back comfortably on the wooden pillow and said lazily, "Do you moonlight as a matchmaker too?"

Fangfang giggled, "Isn't it for my good sister's lifelong happiness? Qianqian is single, you know, and tons of guys are chasing her. If you don't hurry, it'll be too late."

"Mind your own business," Qianqian protested.

"Me? So you're that generous, willing to give up a good man to me? Then I won't be polite." Fangfang stood in the pool, spun around, "Handsome guy, I'm twenty-three this year, have been single since birth, and I like to sing and dance. How about we try dating?"

Qianqian stared at her in disbelief, shocked by her best friend's audacity.

Zhu Wang and the others had already gone to the swimming pool, listlessly paddling their inflatable boats, their ears perked to eavesdrop on the conversation.

"Damn it, show-off. Is it because you're handsome?" Liu Xiao said indignantly.

Zhu Wang comforted him, "Fangfang is just joking. She's just a straightforward person."

"Then why doesn't she ever joke with us like that?"

"..."

They looked at each other in silence, only tears flowing.

Meanwhile.

Xu Fang looked Fangfang up and down, scrutinizing her from head to toe. Fangfang became so uncomfortable she felt like bugs were crawling on her.

"Wh-what do you think?"

Xu Fang said, "I like girls who keep their distance when hugging."

Fangfang: "???"

She subconsciously looked down. Just a hint of her chest peeked out, and she could easily see her toes.

"Pfft!" Qianqian, who was nearby, couldn't hold back her laughter. She buried her head, and bubbles gurgled up from the water's surface.

Fangfang's face turned from white to red, then from red to black. She gritted her teeth and said, word by word, "Zhang! San!"

Xu Fang: "It's your Uncle Xu."

"I'll kill you!" Fangfang shrieked and lunged at Xu Fang, intending to take him down with her. Naturally, Xu Fang wasn't one to sit idly by and fought back with all his might.

Qianqian, who was nearby, couldn't escape and was unwillingly dragged into the ensuing chaos. The hot spring suddenly devolved into a mess.

The swimming pool nearby.

Wang Peng: "Let's go."

Liu Xiao's face was blank, devoid of life. "Go, of course, we'll go. Do we even belong here?"

Zhu Wang wanted to comfort him. After a moment of thought, he patted his shoulder. "It's okay, you'll get used to it."

The three of them wisely got up and left, letting Xu Fang, the newest member of their team, endure the cruel and inhumane bullying.

Twenty minutes later.

Xu Fang emerged, carrying a woman under each arm. The women's faces were alarmingly red, and they were so limp they could barely walk. They looked like two cooked shrimp being carried.

Liu Xiao glanced at the time and said sourly, "Just average."

"They both fainted from the hot spring. Just find a fan to blow on them," Xu Fang said as he put them down.

A Mage's physical condition was no different from an ordinary person's. Spending too long in a hot spring could make anyone dizzy, let alone while playing around.

"I'll deal with you later..." Fangfang struggled to open her eyes and said weakly.

"Ah, yes, yes, yes."

Xu Fang gave a perfunctory reply. Deal with him later? He wouldn't be staying in Yangcheng for many more days. What could she do to him?