Zhang Xian removed his outer robe and stepped into the pool. The warm water immediately enveloped him, its temperature perfect. The spiritual spring, harmonized by Li Fuxi’s power, felt like a gentle spring breeze tenderly nourishing every inch of his meridians. He sighed contentedly and leaned against the green jade at the pool’s edge.

“Master’s method is truly wonderful,” he said, closing his eyes to track the flow of spiritual energy within his body. “We should cultivate like this more often. I’ll keep the flying vessel hovering near the sect; it’s even quieter here than on the mountain.”

“Mhm.” Li Fuxi’s response was short and strained, as if forced through clenched teeth.

At that moment, she was biting her lower lip, her cheeks burning fiercely. She had underestimated the intimacy of the situation and was already beginning to regret it.

To precisely control the spiritual energy, she had to constantly monitor his condition with her divine sense. Even though she couldn’t see him through the mist, it felt as though she were personally running her hands over his entire body. Worse still, as she guided the water to massage his meridians, her fingertips seemed to phantomly brush against the firm muscles of his back.

“This is incredible,” Zhang Xian stretched comfortably, completely oblivious to her embarrassment. “The water feels alive; it even gives a considerate massage.”

Li Fuxi took a deep breath, forcing herself to focus on the circulation of spiritual energy. She offered a silent prayer of thanks to the thick mist for concealing her; otherwise, her flushed face would have betrayed her instantly.

“Is this faster than our usual cultivation?” she managed to ask.

“Hah… much faster. Several times faster than before,” Zhang Xian let out a satisfied sigh. “And it’s so comfortable. I wish it could always be like this.”

Hearing this, Li Fuxi’s ears turned an even deeper shade of red. She had never imagined that she would one day serve her own disciple in such a manner.

Forget it, she quickly consoled herself. I owe him so much, and he even upgraded my spiritual treasures. This small favor is nothing.

More frighteningly, she realized she wasn’t repulsed. Instead, she felt an indescribable sense of pleasure. The thought made her hand tremble. The water flow suddenly surged out of control, splashing up and drenching Zhang Xian’s face.

“Master?”

“N-nothing!” Li Fuxi hurried to regain her focus. “Perhaps the energy from the top-grade spirit stone is too violent. I’ll harmonize it again.”

“Don’t overexert yourself, Master.”

“It’s no trouble.”

Two figures, separated by a watery curtain and lost in their own thoughts, remained immersed in the warm spring.

Three days passed. The flying vessel slowly drifted into Yunmiao Sect territory, the mountain gate faintly visible through the morning mist.

Supervisor Wei, ever the social recluse, quickly bid his farewells without a face-to-face meeting, leaving only a recorded message.

Zhiyin looked at Zhang Xian with a teasing glint in her eyes. “If the other disciples knew you’ve been keeping Master Fuxi on your vessel all this time, who knows how many would wail in despair.”

Zhang Xian maintained a mask of calm. “Sister Zhiyin, don’t talk nonsense. We were just cultivating properly!”

“Yes, yes,” Zhiyin drawled playfully. “I won’t tease you anymore. Supervisor Wei asked me to convey his gratitude. He plans to forge a new body for me and then fully assist you in building a new flying vessel.”

“This current one can’t be upgraded further; we’ll have to start from scratch. Since you still need a ‘golden house to hide your beauties,’ the cost of modification versus rebuilding is about the same.”

Zhang Xian remained silent, unable to refute her.

He returned to the sword chamber inside the vessel. This chamber was a world of its own; the moment he stepped in, the green jade floor expanded. The original ten-zhang space transformed into a vast, hundred-zhang training ground. Spirit stones embedded in the walls emitted a soft, clear light.

The dome resembled a vast starry sky, with countless stars flickering. Fine starlight occasionally drifted down, dissipating into pure spiritual energy before it could touch the ground. This chamber was a custom addition he had commissioned from Sister Zhiyin as payment for gifting her the Earth-grade puppet body.

In the center of the field, Li Fuxi moved with graceful agility. Her two spiritual treasure swords transformed into streams of light swirling around her. Combined with her slender silhouette, it was a breathtaking sight.

The money was well spent, Zhang Xian thought.

“You’re back?” Li Fuxi sheathed her swords and stood tall. A few damp strands of hair clung to her forehead and fair cheeks. Her chest rose and fell slightly; practicing with spiritual treasures was still a taxing, unfamiliar effort.

“We’ve reached the sect.”

“Mhm!”

“I plan to bring Yinyin over as well.”

Li Fuxi fell silent for a moment before unfastening the jade token from her waist. “She’s in seclusion on the back mountain. You can enter with this.” The jade token still carried the warmth of her body and a faint, delicate fragrance.

After Zhang Xian left, Li Fuxi gazed at the twin swords in her hands, an inexplicable melancholy welling up in her heart. The blades reflected her complicated gaze. Yes, he still has Yinyin… and Liu Qingxuan.

“What am I thinking…” She shook her head, forcing herself to focus. The twin swords clashed with a crisp ring, echoing her chaotic emotions.

On the mountain path of Green Wood Peak, Zhang Xian flew past on his sword. Disciples along the way glared at him. News that their treasured Supervisor Liu Qingxuan had been “defiled” by him had already spread. If sect rules hadn’t forbidden it, they would have beaten him bloody.

In the herb garden, Liu Qingxuan was bent over her plants. Hearing footsteps, she looked up, and a smile bloomed on her face. However, Zhang Xian noticed a lingering trace of worry.

“What’s wrong?” he asked, approaching her.

Liu Qingxuan sighed softly. “It’s my father. At the secret realm entrance, he should have been the one to enter, but Elder Xingyin stepped forward first. They’ve been friends for years. Father feels guilty; he thinks Elder Xingyin must have sensed the danger.”

Zhang Xian recalled seeing Liu Huaigu recently; he had indeed looked dejected. He pondered for a moment before taking a jade box from his pouch.

“How about giving Uncle some Immortal Ascension Pills? Improving his spirit root might lift his spirits.”

“No!” Liu Qingxuan quickly pressed her hand over his. “Father doesn’t even dare use Ascension Grass.” She lowered her voice. “He is at the ninth layer of the Golden Core, but he knows he cannot survive the Heavenly Tribulation. If taking pills attracts it… it would be a disaster.”

Zhang Xian understood. The barrier between the Golden Core and Nascent Soul stages was a chasm few could cross. Most who tried simply perished in the lightning.

He stowed the box and produced a small cloth pouch instead. “Right… this is a Green Qiao Leaf seedling from Elder Su Ling. See if you can grow it.”

Liu Qingxuan took the vibrant leaf and gasped. “This looks like an ancient spiritual plant! How would I even know how to cultivate this…”

As she spoke, her face flushed red. She knew his excuses by now—this was just another gift.

“You! Using this trick again! I really shouldn’t accept this.”

“Think of it as an experiment. Who else could I give it to?” Zhang Xian leaned in with a mischievous grin. “Besides… what are you afraid of? You’re already mine.”

“Who is yours?! You must reach the Golden Core stage before my father will even acknowledge you!”

Zhang Xian pressed closer. “Our short separation makes this reunion sweeter…”

“Do you want to die?! This is Green Wood Peak!”

“Then come to my flying vessel.”

“No!” Liu Qingxuan stamped her foot. “Wait until Father feels better… then I’ll find you.”

Zhang Xian suddenly wrapped an arm around her waist and kissed her firmly.

“Mmph!” Liu Qingxuan’s eyes widened. “Let go! The disciples saw!”

“So what? Does the Yunmiao Sect forbid love?” He tried to kiss her again.

“Mmph… I think someone just fainted…” She blushed furiously, pushed him away, and ran off with her face in her hands.

[Ding! Successfully gifted Earth-grade Green Qiao Leaf seedling!]

[Return triggered! Obtained 10 Packs of Earth-grade Green Qiao Tea Leaves.]

[Item Description: Earth-grade immortal tea. Drinking significantly enhances comprehension!]