Studying Scriptures in the Bathhouse

After Jiang Jiu had fully experienced the flow of his meridians, starting from his chest and ending at his thumb, Xiao Wu did not rush to teach him the next one; she wanted to let him contemplate it for a moment.

Jiang Jiu's current sensation was truly extraordinary.

It was as if he had opened his eyes to the world, or as if his nearsightedness had suddenly been cured.

In the past, his soul power had naturally traveled through these meridians, whether during his daily meditation or when he channeled soul power to specific parts of his body to enhance his physical activities.

But in his own perception, he had been unable to "see" the existence of these meridians, as if his brain had autonomously obscured them.

Now, it was completely different; this meridian, which had always existed, was very distinct in his perception. To call this feeling an enlightenment or an awakening would not be an exaggeration.

"To know the 'what,' and to know the 'why.'"

"I still need to strengthen my studies."

Xiao Wu blinked, having only understood the part about "strengthening studies," so she began to guide him through the second meridian.

Xiao Wu's finger moved from the thumb where it had just rested, circled around the web of his hand, and touched Jiang Jiu's index finger.

It traveled all the way from the index finger, along the outer side of his arm, up to his shoulder, and then wrapped around to his neck.

"Be extra careful when we reach the head and neck," Xiao Wu reminded him in a soft voice.

Jiang Jiu nodded, channeling his soul power as gently as possible.

Another major meridian was "lit up," and Jiang Jiu no longer cared about the environment of the bathhouse; learning made him happy.

However, the next major meridian made him feel a bit awkward.

This time, Xiao Wu's hand slid all the way down from Jiang Jiu's head and neck, past his chest, then his abdomen, and finally reached the outer side of his leg.

Xiao Wu half-squatted, her breath caught by Jiang Jiu's skin, and the posture looked rather precarious.

"This path is a bit long, so let's take it slowly a few times."

Xiao Wu's finger finally came to rest on the outer side of Jiang Jiu's second toe.

"Mm."

Jiang Jiu adjusted his breathing; Xiao Wu was being so serious now that he couldn't afford to be distracted.

Once this one was learned, Xiao Wu's finger moved from the outer side of the second toe to the big toe, traveling all the way up the inner side of his leg toward his abdomen and chest.

This time, Xiao Wu's hand was practically brushing against him.

But by now, both of them were focused and undistracted, so this meridian path went very smoothly and succeeded on the first try.

"Xiao Jiu is amazing!"

"..."

Had Xiao Wu switched careers to become a preschool teacher?

Still, a "loli mom" wasn't bad either.

Next, Xiao Wu's hand moved from Jiang Jiu's chest toward his armpit, slowly wandering along the inner side of his arm toward his little finger.

After these few meridians were completed, Jiang Jiu's front had basically been touched all over by her.

Then, it naturally became the turn of the back half of his body.

Shoulders, back, spine, buttocks, the back of his legs, feet—everywhere had been touched.

Once the back was finished, it was the sides.

The hips were fine, and there were major meridians running along the inner thighs, so Xiao Wu's hand specifically circled around them.

Because this was the last meridian they were learning, Xiao Wu and Jiang Jiu relaxed, no longer as serious as before. Xiao Wu didn't stop after circling once; her two fingers drew incomplete circles.

The center of the circles was, naturally, a fun place.

"That's about enough, right?"

"What are you talking about? The meridians here just happen to run this way; I have only the best intentions," Xiao Wu said righteously.

The facts were indeed as she said, but that didn't change the fact that Xiao Wu herself wanted to tease him there for fun.

"Why is it so lifeless? Is Xiao Wu-jie not charming enough?" she muttered to herself.

Jiang Jiu rolled his eyes and silently channeled his soul power along this last meridian, which started from his toe and extended all the way to the area under his chest. He had already memorized it during Xiao Wu's first demonstration.

Having practiced the previous eleven meridians, he was slowly becoming familiar with the process.

While Xiao Wu was rolling her lively, large eyes, Jiang Jiu silently "lit up" this final major meridian.

His soul power accumulated in his ribcage, then continued to move upward, and then, very naturally, it connected with the first major meridian that had started from his chest.

After that, the flow ran smoothly downward, starting from the first meridian he had learned.

The meridians Xiao Wu taught were all in order, which could be seen from the movement of her fingers; she was completing a full cycle on Jiang Jiu's body over and over again.

Jiang Jiu closed his eyes, feeling as if he were about to soar with pleasure; this was the joy of cultivation.

From his heart to every finger and toe, there was a pulse of soul power.

What kind of miserable life had he been living with his previous meditation sessions?

"Ha, huff. Sigh, Xiao Jiu, let's go eat breakfast." In the end, Xiao Wu chose to give up.

"Xiao Jiu?" Xiao Wu pulled a bitter face.

Oh no, he was already obsessed with cultivation before; he won't train even harder now, will he?

"Fine, you go out first. I'll come out once I've changed."

"What's there to avoid?" Xiao Wu muttered, though she still walked out.

By the time the two arrived at the cafeteria, there were already quite a few people inside.

Completing the practice of the Twelve Standard Meridians still took a fair amount of time, but in terms of efficiency, Jiang Jiu was definitely a talented individual in this regard.

Many people had their Twelve Standard Meridians severely blocked, making it quite difficult to complete a full cycle.

"Xiao Jiu, why don't we go to the second floor today?" Xiao Wu suggested.

There had never been this many people when they ate breakfast before, and she had just received her Spirit Master subsidy from Spirit Hall, so she could afford to splurge a little.

Jiang Jiu nodded.

He had been wanting to go to the second floor to eat meat for a long time.

"Here." Xiao Wu pulled a gold spirit coin from her pocket and handed it to Jiang Jiu.

"What do you want to eat?" Jiang Jiu took the gold spirit coin naturally.

"The same as you." Xiao Wu found a seat on the second floor and sat down.

"Boss! Boss, you're here for breakfast too?"

On the second floor, Xiao Chenyu saw the two of them and hurriedly stood up.

"No kidding."

"Ah, I misspoke. Let me treat you, let me treat you."

"Do you think I'm short on this little bit of money? Go away and leave us alone." Xiao Wu's gaze remained fixed on Jiang Jiu, who had gone to order food.

Xiao Chenyu followed her line of sight and realized he shouldn't be bothering them.

After his defeat yesterday, he had carefully inquired about the work-study students. Although he still hadn't learned anything about Xiao Wu's background, he had no intention of provoking her anymore; accepting her as his boss was settled.

"Then I won't disturb your date, Boss."

"Oh, right! Boss, I've arranged for people to take over the work-study students' chores. The pay remains the same; consider it compensation for me bullying people earlier. You won't refuse this, will you?"

Xiao Chenyu mentioned this before leaving.

"That works." Xiao Wu was a bit surprised, but she nodded in agreement.

If she didn't have to do the work-study cleaning tasks at all, then she and Xiao Jiu would truly be free this afternoon.

Yesterday, Tang San had cleaned the garden by himself, while she and Xiao Jiu had spent the entire afternoon lounging in Dorm Seven.

When Jiang Jiu returned with the food tray, she spoke up.

"Xiao Jiu, let's go shopping this afternoon!" She was certain that Jiang Jiu had heard what Xiao Chenyu said just now.