Hot spring

"Thump."

Xu Qi'an quickly stripped off his clothes and jumped into the hot spring pool. The warm water enveloped him, soaking his limbs and allowing his muscles and bones to relax.

In fact, the kidneys were no longer sore and swollen. With the "regeneration" ability of a third-grade physique, the kidneys could be revitalized and restored to their peak condition in a few hours.

An ordinary person who practices dual cultivation continuously for two days and two nights like him would have died of exhaustion long ago.

Even experts from other systems would likely suffer severe injuries and require several days of recuperation to recover.

This is where the advantage of a warrior becomes apparent.

Upon seeing Xu Qi'an return, Luo Yuheng breathed a sigh of relief, his face beaming with a look of complete relief.

The Luo Yuheng of the past would never have shown such exaggerated emotional fluctuations.

"Ah, how can you soak in a hot spring without alcohol?"

Xu Qi'an waved his hand, and fragments of the Earth Book flew out from among the clothes scattered on the shore.

He reached out and grabbed a jar of yellow wine from the Earth Book space. This was a local wine he had bought when he traveled to Fuyang County.

The rice wine from Fuyang County is very famous locally; it has a slightly sour and sweet taste and tastes quite good.

"Imperial Preceptor, would you like a drink?" Xu Qi'an winked.

Luo Yuheng frowned slightly and said, "Daoist School abstain from alcohol."

The sound was as cold and detached as ever, like the crisp clinking of ice cubes.

"After drinking some wine, our dual cultivation later will be twice as effective."

Xu Qi'an revealed a sly smile.

He chickened out on the "anger" personality, he chickened out on the "desire" personality, and now, facing the "fear" personality, he decides to become a strong dao companion.

Luo Yuheng thought for a moment, then said softly, "Let's talk about it when we get back inside."

Xu Qi'an declared forcefully, "I want to cultivate together in the pool."

Luo Yuheng's beautiful eyebrows immediately furrowed, and her body slightly sank down, the hot spring water flowing over her rounded, fair shoulders, leaving only her neck and face exposed.

Her alabaster-like, sensual red lips pursed slightly as she said calmly, "Since when has it been your place to decide matters of dual cultivation?"

For a moment, Xu Qi'an almost thought that the normal Luo Yuheng had returned, and nearly shrank back and shouted, "Imperial Preceptor, I was wrong."

Then he realized something was wrong. Wasn't this a "fear" personality disorder? Shouldn't it be Xu Dalang's roar that made Luo Yuheng tremble?

He carefully observed Luo Yuheng's expression and quickly noticed something amiss. Unlike her normal state, her eyes now held more resistance and apprehension.

She wasn't resisting our dual cultivation; this morning she even invited me to have sex before leaving.

There's no need to be anxious; we've been practicing dual cultivation for three whole days.

Is this resistance to acting against societal norms? Or is it fear?

Xu Qi'an had a good idea of what was going on, and to verify his guess, he boldly said:

"Grand Preceptor, it's so boring to always be cultivating indoors. Tonight, let's cultivate to our hearts' content in the pond, with the sky as our blanket and the pond as our bed."

Luo Yuheng's eyes showed even stronger resistance, and he frowned, displeased, saying, "What kind of behavior is this?"

After saying that, she ignored him and moved to the other side of the pool, distancing herself from Xu Qi'an.

"That's interesting." Xu Qi'an smiled.

Luo Yuheng, scorched by karmic fire, is quite interesting.

Unlike the usually aloof and seemingly uninterested Grand Preceptor, she was much more humane when she was in a state of emotional expression.

When she's angry, like an English teacher or a grumpy aunt, she gets angry easily, but the way she gets upset at the slightest teasing is actually quite cute.

In a state of desire, she's like a tormenting little devil, transforming from a fairy into a witch, relentlessly exploiting and craving pleasure. And she's incredibly uninhibited, revealing a passionate and unrestrained charm.

His current state of fear is described as "steady" and "rigid," and a rigid Luo Yuheng who is rigid about sex is actually quite endearing.

The Imperial Advisor is absolutely stunning; marrying her is like having seven wives.

Steam rose from the hot spring pool, and through the hazy mist, Xu Qi'an admired Luo Yuheng's alluring, rosy cheeks.

She leaned against the pool wall, her eyes unfocused.

After a while, he swam over with the wine jar, stopped beside Luo Yuheng, and leaned against the pool wall with her.

The alluring beauty opened her eyes and glanced at him.

"Imperial Advisor, there's something I need to discuss with you." Xu Qi'an took a swig of wine, his breath reeking of alcohol.

"Um."

Luo Yuheng made a brief nasal sound to indicate that he was listening.

"Currently, there are Buddhist School and Tianji Palace forces lurking within Yongzhou City. The Buddhist School has sent one Arhat and two Vajra warriors this time. The Tianji Palace also has a third-rank combatant. I haven't introduced the Tianji Palace organization to you yet."

He first explained the Tianji Palace organization in detail, and then told her everything about the cooperation between Buddhist School and Tianji Palace, as well as the plan to use the dragon energy host as bait.

Luo Yuheng listened attentively, pondering for a moment, then suddenly snapped, "Take your claws away!"

In the pool water, a hand slid down her back, past her waist, slipped inside her silk trousers, and pressed against her buttocks.

"It's not like I haven't touched it before," Xu Qi'an muttered.

"Say it again." Luo Yuheng's expression was murderous.

"You're not afraid at all." Xu Qi'an withdrew his hand, gently lifting Luo Yuheng's firm waist, and said:

"Grand Preceptor, I plan to use a counter-strategy to capture the Arhat, forcing him to release the Demon-Sealing Nails and regain some of his cultivation."

Luo Yuheng thought for a long time, then shook his head and said:

"I can help you, but I'm currently burning with karmic flames, so it's not the right thing to do. Besides, the difference in strength between us and the enemy is huge, so I don't recommend you do it."

"Hmm~ Am I out of luck? Believe me or not, I'll chop off your claws with one sword."

She parted her red lips slightly, letting out a sweet, nasal voice, and then she flew into a rage.

Xu Qi'an silently withdrew his hand and said, "Two third-rank cultivators from the Heavenly Sect will be arriving in Yongzhou City soon. If we can join forces with them, along with Sun Xuanji, is there any guarantee of success?"

Luo Yuheng's cheeks were flushed as if she were drunk. She glared at him and spoke in a steady tone:

"It seems I have a pretty good chance of winning, but I'm still burning with karmic fire. If I suffer a backlash from that fire during the battle, the consequences would be unimaginable."

Xu Qi'an's expression hardened. "What are the chances of the karmic fire backfiring?"

After a moment's thought, Luo Yuheng assessed the situation and said, "If we cultivate diligently, the chance of the karmic fire backfiring is less than 50%. Therefore, to be on the safe side, let's wait seven days."

Less than 98% is practically suicide, right? Xu Qi'an almost spat out a curse.

Forget it, I won't discuss this with you today. You're being too cautious.

Fear of risk.

Luo Yuheng glanced at the sky, stood up, and said, "I'll head back now."

Xu Qi'an grasped her wrist. "Imperial Advisor."

The female imperial advisor glanced at him disdainfully, then went ashore on her own, put on her robe, and returned to her bedroom.

Xu Qi'an did not try to stop him. He soaked in the hot spring, half-floating and half-sitting, with his eyes closed as if he were dozing.

After an unknown amount of time, he suddenly heard Luo Yuheng's cold, almost clenched voice:

"If I hadn't come looking for you, would you not have gone back to your room tonight?"

Xu Qi'an opened his eyes feigning sleep and said apologetically, "I was asleep."

Luo Yuheng snorted and said, "Let's go back."

Xu Qi'an remained unmoved.

One person looked down from the shore, while the other pretended to be stupid in the pool. The two remained locked in a stalemate for a long time, neither willing to give in.

Thump!

Water splashed up, and Luo Yuheng was pulled into the pool by him.

Xu Qi'an cupped her face and forcefully sucked on her two sexy red lips. Her cheeks gradually became hot, but her lips remained cool.

After a long while, Xu Qi'an finally looked up and stared blankly at the beauty so close to him.

Her eyes were long and round with slightly upturned corners; her eyebrows were long and straight; her nose was straight and delicate; her lips were full and the corners were exquisitely sculpted.

His facial features possess both the gentleness of people from the Central Plains and the three-dimensionality and refinement of a sculpture.

Xu Qi'an sighed softly, "So beautiful."

Luo Yuheng turned his face away, gritting his teeth, and said, "I might as well just kill you with one sword."

Xu Qi'an laughed.

This is the "fear" personality, which is different from the anger personality, who genuinely doesn't want to engage in dual cultivation with him.

And this person, no matter how much they resist in their heart, will eventually give in obediently. Different personalities have different weaknesses.

Xu Qi'an supported Luo Yuheng's waist. In an instant, ripples spread across the surface of the hot spring.

An hour later, Luo Yuheng lay lazily on the shore, half of her body immersed in the hot spring pool, her fair back gleaming white.

Xu Qi'an, meanwhile, was retrieving clothes that had been floating in various places.

"That kid from Tianzong is here."

The Imperial Advisor said in a lazy tone.

What is he doing here?

Xu Qi'an was taken aback. He hugged the clothes he had collected, returned behind Luo Yuheng, pinched her waist, and pressed himself against her.

Luo Yuheng kicked him away, and while dressing in the water, explained in a cold tone:

"I don't know. When I went back to my room, I ran into him outside. There was a barrier I set up outside, so he couldn't see or hear anything."

As they spoke, they became neatly dressed.

With a wave of his hand, the water stains on the imperial advisor's robes instantly evaporated.

She picked up the hairpin, tied up her jet-black hair, and turned to leave.

"I always felt like you were the man, and I was the woman who was being slept with. Now that you're in your post-coital phase, you're discarding me like trash," Xu Qi'an thought to himself.

In a warm room, candlelight shone brightly and a charcoal fire roared.

Xu Qi'an warmed two pots of wine and sat down to drink with Li Lingsu.

Qingxing Garden isn't very big, but it's not small either. It has more than a dozen courtyards, so taking in Li Lingsu is no problem, as long as he can withstand the blow.

Why did you suddenly come here?

Xu Qi'an took a sip of wine and scrutinized the Holy Son.

He seemed preoccupied, his brow furrowed, and he appeared absent-minded.

Even knowing that he and Luo Yuheng had just finished soaking in a hot spring, he didn't seem to care at all, and he wasn't even jealous.

Upon hearing Xu Qian's question, Li Lingsu sighed deeply and downed the wine in her cup in one gulp.

"Senior, you didn't lie to me. My master really came, and he really is going to take me back."

He recounted how, after parting ways, he returned to the inn, accidentally discovered the Heavenly Sect's communication code, and overheard the conversation between Bingyi Yuanjun, Li Miaozhen, and his master, Daoist Xuancheng.

"Senior, he raised me with his own hands, I never expected my master to treat me like this." The Holy Son was overcome with grief.

"Master Xuancheng, the Heavenly Sect must keep its word!" Xu Qi'an thought to himself, "You're an expert," but outwardly he feigned deep sympathy and asked:

Have you ever considered why Master Xuancheng treated you this way?

"It's all because of my damned charm!" Li Lingsu said bitterly.

"The Heavenly Sect instructed me to comprehend the Supreme Path of Forgetfulness. I cultivated numerous romantic relationships precisely to comprehend 'emotion' and transcend it. It's just that my method is unconventional, and because they don't understand me, they think I'm wrong."

"Regardless of right or wrong, there's a question I've always wanted to ask you. You've gotten involved with so many women, have you thought about what will happen to them in the future?" Xu Qi'an rarely spoke so seriously, reminding him, "Although people in the martial world aren't so sentimental, many stay together through thick and thin, and many more forget each other in the martial world. But most of the women still remember you and love you, right?"

He toyed with his wine glass and said casually, "When you finally attain the state of detachment from worldly desires, will you discard them like worn-out shoes?"

Don't be like Luo Yuheng, young man, you're like a rat's tail juice.

Li Lingsu was taken aback and asked in surprise, "Senior, is there some misunderstanding?"

"Um?"

Xu Qi'an used a nasal tone to express his doubt.

Li Lingsu waved her hand. "Senior, do you know that my parents are disciples of the Heavenly Sect? Although the Heavenly Sect cultivates the Supreme Forgetfulness of Emotions, one can still marry and find dao companion. This is because the Supreme Forgetfulness of Emotions is not about being emotionless. Rather, it is about having emotions, but not being bound by them, and looking down from a detached perspective."

"Therefore, the relationship between dao companion in our Heavenly Sect is more like that of companions in cultivation. They may also enjoy marital bliss, but they do not adhere to the intimate relationships of worldly men and women. Even the Heavenly Venerable dao companion."

"Therefore, I can also dao companion, and the Heavenly Sect's rules have never limited the number. I can bring them all back to the Heavenly Sect in the future without any problem. It's just that I'm traveling the world now, and it's not proper for me to be accompanied by a group of women."

"Besides, I'm still trying to comprehend the Supreme Being's detachment from emotions. If they follow me, they'll inevitably hinder me from forming new romantic relationships."

Are you sure the relationship between the Heavenly Sect's dao companion is what your female confidantes want? What they want is the mundane worldly intimacy and endless moans. Xu Qi'an felt there were too many flaws to criticize, and he didn't know where to begin.

If disciples of the Heavenly Sect can become dao companion, then can I also become dao companion with Li Miaozhen in the future?

An image involuntarily surfaced in Xu Qi'an's mind: Li Miaozhen lying coldly on the bed, expressionless, saying to him:

"I'll give you five minutes. I still need to cultivate. Hurry up and finish this quickly."

Xu Qi'an had serious doubts about whether dao companion in the Heavenly Sect still had the inclination for dual cultivation.

"Never mind, let's not talk about this."

Xu Qi'an said, "You can stay in the garden for now. Leave your affairs with Li Miaozhen to me. You may need to make some sacrifices in the future."

Li Lingsu hurriedly said, "As long as you don't castrate me, everything is negotiable."

"Of course, you're a key figure in my plan." Xu Qi'an nodded. "Of course not."

After saying that, he finished the last sip of wine, pushed open the door, and left.

Outside the door, heavy snow began to fall, swirling and fluttering.

In the dead of night, snowflakes danced in the air.

A group of people cloaked in black arrived at Dajiaochang and knocked on the door of the courtyard where Ji Xuan and the others were staying.

These cloaked figures appear bulky, and upon closer inspection, one can discover that many things are hidden beneath the cloaks.

When the cold wind blew, the cloaks clung to their bodies, and judging from their outlines, these cloaked figures were wearing strange armor.

The majestic and robust white tiger opened the courtyard gate, glanced at the seven cloaked figures outside, and smiled.

"Azure Dragon, you've finally arrived."