Chapter 33: Never Judge by Appearances, Junior Sister’s Hidden Magnificence

The clothes on both of them were shredded. In this close embrace, their skin pressed together in many places. Yet, despite having “soft jade in his arms,” Xiao Yifeng had no mind to enjoy the romance of the situation.

They tumbled helplessly inside the Water Tornado.

For a Qi Refining cultivator, holding one’s breath underwater for a few minutes was trivial. But enduring the crushing pressure of a vortex while oxygen-deprived was another matter entirely.

Ling Sisi was already in trouble. She had choked on water before being pulled in, her breath control shattered. Her consciousness was fading.

The tornado was only growing stronger. Xiao Yifeng’s own supply of crafted Talismans was exhausted.

Gritting his teeth, he reached into his Storage Bag and pulled out his last resort—a life-saving Talisman gifted by his master’s wife, Lin Ziyun.

It was a jade-green slip, pulsing with the power of a Foundation Establishment cultivator.

He didn’t hesitate. He flooded the Talisman with spiritual power, and it ignited in the dark water.

BOOM!

Countless beams of sword light erupted from the burning paper. Xiao Yifeng gestured sharply, guiding the torrent of energy straight into the heart of the vortex. The sword lights tore through the spinning currents like they were dry weeds and rotten wood, shattering the tornado’s structure in an instant.

Seeing the Talisman still held a charge, Xiao Yifeng seized the momentum. He redirected the remaining sword lights toward the Heavenly Luo Crocodile.

A rain of jade-green energy slammed into the beast. Unlike Xiao Yifeng’s earlier scratches, this was the power of a Foundation Establishment expert. The lights carved deep gashes into the crocodile’s hide, forcing the massive beast to curl into a defensive ball to survive the onslaught.

Xiao Yifeng didn’t stay to watch. While the beast was pinned down, he tightened his grip on Ling Sisi and flashed away, diving into the very tunnel the crocodile had been guarding.

He flew through the submerged passage at breakneck speed until his lungs burned. Finally, he spotted an air pocket—a natural cavity in the rock above the water line, roughly 30 cubic meters in size. They had rested here before.

He burst from the water, landing on the dry stone floor with a heavy thud.

The cave was pitch black. Xiao Yifeng dropped to his knees, gasping for air.

In his arms, Ling Sisi was coughing violently, hacking up river water. Her pretty face was flushed, and wet strands of hair were plastered to her cheeks. She looked utterly disheveled.

After a few deep breaths of fresh air, the feeling of drowning receded, and life returned to her limbs.

She closed her eyes, trying to calm her racing heart, when a voice spoke close to her ear.

“Junior Sister Ling, are you okay?”

Her mind was still reeling. She looked up blankly, only to find Xiao Yifeng’s concerned face inches from her own.

Startled, she realized she was clinging to him like a koala. She let out a squeak and scrambled back, nearly tripping over a loose rock in her haste.

Xiao Yifeng’s hand shot out to steady her. “Careful. It’s dark.”

He raised a hand and fired a jade-green night pearl into the ceiling. It embedded itself in the stone, casting a soft, eerie glow over the cave.

He turned back to her. “Junior Sister, are you—”

The words died in his throat.

In the soft light of the pearl, the extent of the damage was clear. Ling Sisi’s robes were in tatters, barely hanging onto her frame. Large patches of creamy skin were exposed to the damp air.

Worse, the wet fabric clung to her like a second skin, ruthlessly outlining every curve. Usually, her Daoist robes hid her figure, but now… the sight was undeniable. Her chest was magnificent—far more endowed than her petite frame suggested.

She stood there shivering, completely oblivious to the spring scenery she was displaying.

Xiao Yifeng took one look, his eyes widening slightly, before he hurriedly spun around, facing the wall.

Sin, sin. Who knew this little lass was hiding such lethal weapons?

“I’m fine, Senior Brother. What did you say?” Ling Sisi asked, her voice trembling. Seeing him turn his back so abruptly, she frowned in confusion. “Senior Brother, what’s wrong?”

“Uh, Junior Sister Ling… do you have spare clothes?” Xiao Yifeng asked, his voice strained.

“Clothes?” Ling Sisi looked down.

She froze.

Her face instantly turned as red as a monkey’s bottom. She let out a stifled cry, crossing her arms over her chest and dropping into a crouch to hide herself.

“I… I didn’t bring any,” she squeaked, her voice as faint as a mosquito’s buzz. tears pricked her eyes. “I don’t have a Storage Bag yet.”

“Wear mine.”

Xiao Yifeng didn’t turn around. He pulled a spare outer disciple robe from his Storage Bag and held it out behind him.

Ling Sisi took the robe with trembling hands. Ignoring the fact that she was still soaking wet, she hurriedly pulled the dry garment over her shredded clothes, wrapping herself in its oversized folds.

The thought that Xiao Yifeng had seen her like this—that he had held her body against his for so long—made her want to dig a hole and die. She couldn’t even lift her head.

“I… I’m dressed. Thank you, Senior Brother.”

Xiao Yifeng let out a breath and pulled out a fresh set of robes for himself, changing quickly. He was grateful for his habit of over-preparing; otherwise, they’d both be fighting naked.

He turned back. Ling Sisi was now a shapeless bundle of cloth, her face still burning red. She had tied the excess length of his robe into a knot at her waist to keep from tripping.

Xiao Yifeng circulated his fire-attribute cultivation method. White mist rose from his body as the heat evaporated the water on his skin and hair.

“Junior Sister Ling,” he asked with a wry smile, “do you know any fire techniques?”

“No,” she shook her head, watching the steam rise from him with wide eyes. “I have a single water spiritual root.”

She stared at him in shock. All this time, Xiao Yifeng had used water techniques just like her. She had assumed he was a water cultivator. But now, waves of heat were rolling off him.

“If you don’t mind,” Xiao Yifeng said gently, extending a hand, “I can dry your clothes for you. Touch my hand, or I can place a hand on your shoulder. Staying wet isn’t good for your health. If you’re uncomfortable with it, I won’t force you.”

Ling Sisi hesitated, then let out a soft “Mmm.” She timidly placed her ice-cold hand in his.

Xiao Yifeng gripped her small hand and channeled his fire-attribute spiritual power.

Warmth flooded into her body. Ling Sisi felt the heat travel through her meridians, evaporating the moisture from her clothes and hair in moments. It was a comforting, safe warmth.

When she was dry, Xiao Yifeng released her hand immediately and turned his gaze toward the dark water of the pool. He deliberately changed the subject to ease her embarrassment.

“The beast was injured by the Talisman, but it won’t let this go. It will be here soon. We have to hold the line. We cannot let it break through to the main river.”

“Senior Brother… I’m sorry,” Ling Sisi whispered, her head bowing again. “I held you back. I made you waste that precious Talisman. I…”

“Talismans are just external objects. They exist to be used,” Xiao Yifeng dismissed her apology with a shake of his head. “Don’t dwell on it.”

“But—”

“It’s here!” Xiao Yifeng cut her off, his eyes narrowing.

Splash!

Several high-pressure water arrows shot out of the pool, aiming straight for their heads.

Xiao Yifeng’s sword flashed, intercepting the projectiles with precise bursts of Sword Qi. The water exploded outward, and moments later, several Green-Eyed Swimming Fish leaped from the pool, jaws snapping.