40: The water's quite warm, aren't you going to come down?

Pinching the cool Pisces Jade Pendant, Lu Yu felt a bit of a sour ache in his back teeth.

What kind of situation was this?

He'd just shared some slow-burning tenderness with his nominal fiancée, and now her actual Revered Master was sending a private VIP midnight invitation?

The time and place were even chosen with such... atmosphere.

Midnight, Cold Pond at the Back Mountain.

Anyone who didn't know better would think there was some moonlit conspiracy or a plot to silence a witness going on.

He would actually prefer it to be a conspiracy.

Rubbing his brow, Lu Yu tucked the jade pendant back into his robes.

Well, what's coming can't be avoided.

That Holy Revered Master looking for him now certainly wasn't just to look at the stars.

A check-up for his injuries? An inquiry about the battle? Or... a chat about the aftermath of those few 'deep exchanges'?

With various thoughts swirling in his head, Lu Yu didn't stop and first returned to the guest courtyard.

Lin Wanqiu had already returned and was sitting in the courtyard meditating, her small face still carrying a slight flush from excitement.

Opening her eyes at the sound and seeing it was Lu Yu, she immediately jumped up: "Revered Master, I've broken through to the Seventh Level of Foundation Establishment!"

"Mm, not bad. Keep working hard. Get some rest early tonight; I'm going out for a bit to take care of something."

Lu Yu instructed. He wasn't particularly surprised by Lin Wanqiu's Breakthrough; after all, she was a Daughter of Destiny, possessed the Nirvana Phoenix Body, and had received the Immortal Grade Cultivation Technique, the Nine Revolutions Nirvana Scripture, from him. Her cultivation resources weren't lacking either.

Breaking through from the fourth to the Seventh Level of Foundation Establishment within a month was quite normal.

No matter how fast a Breakthrough was for a Daughter of Destiny, it was a normal phenomenon!

"Going out so late?"

Lin Wanqiu blinked, a bit worried.

"I'm going to help with the patrols. The Disciples of the Canglan Sacred Sect are busy everywhere, so I should do something too. I'll also check around the Canglan Sacred Sect to see if there are any more Demon Domain Sleeper Agents left."

"Cultivate in peace. If there's an emergency, use the Communication Talisman to find me."

Lu Yu smiled and patted his eldest Disciple's head, lying through his teeth without a second thought!

After sending off his Little Apprentice, Lu Yu changed into inconspicuous dark clothing. Seeing the sky was completely dark and the moon was high, he estimated the time was about right and quietly slipped out of the courtyard.

Few people came to the Back Mountain during the day, and at night it was terrifyingly quiet.

The clamor of the day's great battle seemed isolated at the front of the mountain. Here, there was only the rustling of wind through the treetops and the faint sound of a stream that hadn't been cleared, carrying a chill.

The Cold Pond was deeper in. After passing through a twisted old forest, the view suddenly opened up.

It was a small mountain basin. In the center was a pool of water with faint white mist floating on the surface, shimmering with a cold light under the moonlight.

The air was filled with a dampness, and a wave of heat blew toward him.

Wasn't it called the Cold Pond? Why did it feel like a hot spring?

Just as he was wondering, he saw a figure sitting quietly on a smooth boulder by the pond.

It was Leng Qingshuang.

She wasn't wearing the majestic moon-white palace dress from the day, but a loose, plain green robe of soft material, like casual home wear. Her hair wasn't carefully pinned, but gathered loosely behind her head with a few strands hanging by her cheeks.

The moonlight shone on her face, softening the sharp, ice-carved look she had during the day, revealing a bit of... softness, even a hint of laziness.

She was barefoot, her ankles slender and fair, idly kicking the water at the edge of the pond.

The water splashed, sparkling under the moonlight.

This scene made Lu Yu daze for a moment. Was the Sister Leng before him still the majestic and cold Canglan Holy Master of his memory?

His steps halted at the edge of the forest, staring blankly for a time.

"Now that you're here, come over. Why are you standing there like a wooden post?"

Leng Qingshuang didn't turn around. Her cold voice drifted over, carrying less chill than usual and more of an... indescribable quality.

Lu Yu rubbed his nose and walked over.

As he drew closer, the unique icy fragrance from her body became more pronounced.

"Sister Leng."

Lu Yu smiled slightly. Since it was just the two of them, there was no need for formalities. After the last time, their relationship had changed significantly, and they both held a place for each other in their hearts.

"Sit."

Leng Qingshuang pointed to the empty spot on the rock beside her, showing no awkwardness at his form of address.

Lu Yu sat as told; the rock was ice-cold.

He glanced at Sister Leng beside him. Her profile was elegant under the moonlight, her long eyelashes lowered, her expression calm and unreadable.

"How are your injuries?"

Leng Qingshuang spoke, asking about the day's battle.

"Just some simple superficial wounds. They aren't serious; just applying some ointment will fix them."

Lu Yu rolled his shoulders. On the battlefield earlier, he had shown great prowess, slaughtering those Nascent Soul Demon Cultivators of the same Realm until nothing remained. However, he was later targeted by a Middle Stage Soul Transformation Stage Demon Cultivator. It took a lot of effort to kill him, and Su Rouxue had almost come out to help once or twice.

Although he killed the opponent in the end, Lu Yu sustained some minor injuries. When these Demon Cultivators fought for their lives, they were truly reckless and utterly crazed.

Later, a Perfection Soul Transformation Stage Demon Cultivator came to hunt him down. In the end, he didn't let Su Rouxue act, but he consumed a strand of Sword Qi given by his Fourth Senior Sister.

A Perfection Soul Transformation Stage Cultivator was not someone he, at the third level of the Nascent Soul Realm, could defeat yet. After all, the difference was more than a whole major Realm.

When a Cultivator reaches the Soul Transformation Stage, the Nascent Soul transforms into a Primordial Spirit. This is a period of a massive leap in strength and a watershed moment.

After the Soul Transformation Stage, the minor Realms are no longer divided into nine levels, but into four stages: Early, Middle, Late, and Perfection.

Being able to kill a Middle Stage Soul Transformation Stage Cultivator with a cultivation of the Nascent Soul Third Level already made him a Heaven-Defying Genius.

Feeling Leng Qingshuang's concern at this moment, his heart warmed.

"As for you, Sister Leng, you just came out of seclusion and went straight into a big battle. Are you alright?"

"What could happen to me?"

Leng Qingshuang's tone was indifferent, but lacked the strong sense of distance she usually had when referring to herself as 'This Seat'.

She turned her head, her gaze scanning Lu Yu's face before landing on his body, her eyes seemingly brewing a pool of clear water.

Leng Qingshuang suddenly spoke again, tapping the water's surface with her toe.

"This Cold Pond contains a Geocentric Fire Spiritual Vein and the Qi of Ten-Thousand-Year Profound Ice. It has miraculous effects for treating injuries and stabilizing the Origin. Come down and soak for a bit; it also has a soothing and healing effect on internal hidden injuries."

Lu Yu was stunned, looking at the pond water emitting wisps of white mist.

So... she really called him here to soak in a hot spring?

"What are you still dazing for?"

Leng Qingshuang had already stood up. Her plain green robe slid open slightly with her movements, revealing her jade-white thighs and waist.

She walked straight behind a large rock by the pond that had been smoothed by years of moisture. Her voice came from behind the rock, blurred by the mist.

"Hurry and come down."

Lu Yu sat there, his brain unable to process this.

This development... isn't it a bit too fast?

Or did Sister Leng's personality become more uninhibited after the poison was expelled?

While he was having an internal struggle, a faint rustling sound of clothes rubbing came from behind the rock. Then, a plain green robe was draped over the rock. Lu Yu's eyes widened!

He knew that was the only robe Leng Qingshuang was wearing.

Immediately followed was a very soft 'splash' as she entered the water.

Lu Yu's Adam's apple bobbed, his eyes staring blankly.

Moonlight, a Cold Pond, a hot spring, a beauty... this setup, this atmosphere!

He wouldn't even believe it himself if he said he didn't have other thoughts.

But this was Leng Qingshuang! The Canglan Holy Master! Luo Qingxue's Revered Master!

It seemed that after the last treatment, he had truly entered her heart.

Just then, Leng Qingshuang's voice came from behind the rock, even softer and more blurred than before, carrying an... imperceptible tremor?

"The water... is quite warm. Won't you... come down?"

That voice was like a feather, gently tickling Lu Yu's heart.

This voice pulled Lu Yu's consciousness back. He had actually been dazed just now. Anyone would be stunned by this image of a beauty entering the water!

He stood up with a swish, walked to the pond in a few steps, and tested the water temperature. As expected, it was warm and comfortable, with a spiritual aura that nourished the body.

Then, with a splash, he slid into the water.