Mother and Daughter of One Mind, the Misunderstanding Deepens

"Cough cough..."

Shui Qingrou was, after all, the head of a sect. Although she was extremely embarrassed inside, she forced herself to remain calm on the surface.

She rose gracefully, straightened her slightly disheveled veil, and said seriously, "Yan'er, don't talk nonsense. I just saw that Dongfang Master Dongfang had been traveling for days and was too tired, so... I was just giving him a massage to help him relax."

"Massage?" Shui Yan'er looked at her suspiciously, then turned her gaze to Dongfang Yueming on the bed, her eyes clearly saying, "I don't believe you."

Dongfang Yueming was filled with bitterness; this was a situation she couldn't clear her name even if she jumped into the Yellow River.

He coughed lightly, quickly sat up, and explained, "Um... Yan'er, I heard you were in seclusion to meditate as soon as I arrived, so I didn't want to disturb you."

Upon hearing this, Shui Yan'er's previously resentful gaze softened instantly.

She recalled the towering figure on the Astral Battlefield who, to save her, risked his life alone to fight two Nascent Soul.

[So... he's always been thinking of me.]

A sweet feeling welled up in my heart.

She no longer cared about the "catching them in the act" drama, and pounced on him, grabbing Dongfang Yueming's arm and nuzzling him affectionately. "Hmph, at least you still have a conscience!"

Feeling the youthful energy of the girl on his left, and then glancing at the mature charm of the beautiful woman on his right, Dongfang Yueming, sandwiched in the middle, felt... a bittersweet mix of pain and pleasure.

[This... who can withstand this?]

No! We have to change the subject quickly!

He took a deep breath, straightened his expression, and said, "Actually, I've come here today to ask you for a favor."

"Ask?" Shui Yan'er was taken aback, looking at him with some disbelief.

In her mind, this man was already invincible, capable of instantly killing even two Late-Stage Nascent Soul. What could he possibly need their help with?

Shui Qingrou also looked curious. "What are your orders, young master? Please speak freely."

Shui Yan'er's eyes darted around, and suddenly, as if she had thought of something, her pretty face flushed red.

[He... he's so strong, what could he possibly need from us?]

[Except for... except for that...]

She glanced at her mother instinctively, her Spirit Transformation strange.

[Mother just... she was already like that...]

[Could it be... that he wants... us... mother and daughter...?]

[Together...?!]

Thinking of this, she felt a surge of heat throughout her body, so ashamed she wanted to disappear into the ground. But deep down, there was actually... a tiny bit of... anticipation?

She secretly gave her mother a "flirtatious" look.

Shui Qingrou was initially a little confused, but seeing her daughter's expression and recalling the embarrassing scene from earlier, she instantly understood!

"Boom--!"

Her face was so red it looked like it was about to bleed!

[This... this brat! What is she thinking?!]

[but...]

She stole a glance at Dongfang Yueming Yueming's handsome profile, and surprisingly, she didn't immediately feel any resistance.

[Does he... really mean that?]

Shui Yan'er chuckled inwardly as she looked at her mother's shy expression.

[Hmph, I knew it, Mother would definitely refuse. But it's okay, as long as I use a little trickery... I'll make it a fait accompli... Hehe...]

However, the next moment, something completely unexpected happened!

After a brief moment of hesitation, Shui Qingrou surprisingly... nodded almost imperceptibly!

"Wh... what?!"

Shui Yan'er was completely stunned!

[Mother... Mother actually... agreed?!]

Shui Qingrou looked at her daughter's horrified expression, sneered inwardly, and curled her lips into a smug smile.

[You little brat, trying to make your mother look bad? You're still too green!]

[Since such an unparalleled genius has come knocking on our door, how can we possibly turn him away?]

If we're going to seize it, we must seize it firmly!

She turned her head and looked at Dongfang Yueming, her watery eyes filled with tenderness and... submission.

"Anything you, young master, desire..."

"Qingrou... I will always grant your request."

[She... she actually agreed?!]

Shui Yan'er's eyes widened, her face filled with disbelief.

She glanced at her "affectionate" mother, then at Dongfang Yueming's "dumbfounded" expression, and felt a mix of emotions.

[Hmph! Since Mother has gone all out, do you think I'm afraid?]

She gritted her teeth, straightened her back, and said to Dongfang Yueming, "Since that's the case, then... then I agree! Whatever you want, we... we'll give it to you!"

Upon hearing this, Dongfang Yueming was overjoyed.

[It seems that although this mother and daughter have very different personalities, they are both quite reasonable when it comes to matters of principle.]

He didn't suspect anything wrong; he simply assumed they had guessed the purpose of his trip—to seek more advanced martial arts techniques.

After all, he asked for Nascent Soul Chapter Soul Formation Chapter last time, so it's only natural that he would ask for the Deity Transformation chapter this time.

"Thank you very much then," he said sincerely.

Shui Yan'er and Shui Qingrou exchanged a glance, and the atmosphere became even more subtle.

"Um..." Dongfang Yueming looked at the two of them and asked tentatively, "Now... can you give it to me?"

"Ah?!" Shui Yan'er's pretty face instantly turned bright red, and she stammered, "Now... now? Here? Isn't... isn't this a bit too fast?"

Seeing her daughter's flustered state, Shui Qingrou chuckled inwardly, but outwardly remained calm and composed, saying softly, "Since you're in such a hurry, young master, then naturally... there's no problem."

Dongfang Yueming breathed a sigh of relief.

[Great! With the Soul Formation Chapter, my strength can reach another level!]

He looked at the two of them and said earnestly, "Besides the Soul Formation Chapter, if there are any Void Refinement, or even higher-level methods, I... want them all."

"What?!"

"Power... power technique?!"

Shui Yan'er and Shui Qingrou exclaimed in surprise almost simultaneously!

The two stared blankly at Dongfang Yueming, their expressions as if they had been doused with a bucket of cold water, instantly chilled to the bone!

[After all that...]

[What he wanted... was just a cultivation technique?!]

In an instant, embarrassment, shame, and utter disgrace overwhelmed them, making them wish they could disappear into the ground!

Especially for Shui Yan'er, those "bold" associations she made just now seem like a complete joke!

Shui Qingrou, on the other hand, is the leader of a sect and possesses exceptional mental fortitude.

After a brief moment of embarrassment, she quickly regained her composure and her gentle smile returned to her face.

"So... Young Master wants the Soul Formation Chapter technique." She covered her mouth and chuckled, as if she wasn't the one who had just "thought inappropriately." "No problem, I have the Soul Formation Chapter here. However... the techniques for Void Refinement and above are closely guarded secrets of the ancestral court of the Upper Realm, and I truly don't have them here."

"It's alright." Dongfang Yueming waved his hand. "The Soul Formation Chapter is enough."

Looking at her mother's calm and composed demeanor, Shui Yan'er secretly admired her.

[Old ginger is indeed spicier! He can remain calm and collected even in a situation like this!]

"But..."

Shui Qingrou changed the subject abruptly, her beautiful eyes shifting, and a hint of something indescribable appeared in her gaze as she looked at Dongfang Yueming.

"I also have a matter I would like to ask for your help with, young master."

"Oh?" Dongfang Yueming asked curiously, "What is it?"

Shui Yan'er, standing to the side, was startled and looked at her mother warily.

[Mother... is she going to take this opportunity to make that request?!]

Shui Qingrou merely glanced at her indifferently, her eyes filled with smugness.

She slowly rose, walked to Dongfang Yueming's side, gently leaned on his shoulder, and said in a soft, fragrant voice, "Just now... with your help, I feel that the bottleneck that has been troubling me for many years seems to be loosening."

"I wonder if, sir... you could lend me another hand?"

Her movements were intimate and natural, full of implications.

Shui Yan'er was so angry she stomped her feet!

[How cunning! This is clearly an attempt to get close to her!]

Dongfang Yueming thought for a moment.

[They just promised to give me the cultivation technique; it wouldn't be right not to help with this small favor.]

"Okay." He nodded.

Upon hearing this, Shui Qingrou revealed a victorious smile.

Just then!

A sudden, urgent message broke the enchanting atmosphere in the room.

A disciple respectfully reported from outside the door:

"Reporting to the Sect Master! An invitation has arrived from Storm Mountain!"

"They've invited my Water and Fire Sect to Storm Mountain tomorrow to witness their... alliance ceremony with the Purple Thunder Sect!"