If not for her Nascent Soul mana protecting her essence, I fear...
"Senior Sister, donât be upset. Junior Brother will restore your primordial qi for you."
Xu Ping laughed heartily at these words, echoing in the hot spring pool.
He gently embraced the beauty in his arms, feeling the warmth and fragrance emanating from her. His hands started to caress True Monarch Lan Lingâs back, channeling a gentle flow of wood element mana into her body.
This mana, like sweet dew, nourished True Monarch Lan Lingâs physique, replenishing the exhaustion from their intense exercise moments ago.
True Monarch Lan Ling felt a warm current coursing through her body, and her originally weary physique began to slowly regain vitality.
"Junior Brotherâs wood element mana is truly magical, even more effective than those precious restorative pills."
True Monarch Lan Ling remarked with a hint of delight in her eyes.
Xu Pingâs wood element mana was not only pure but also rich with vitality power.
This power was extremely effective for healing and recovery, far superior to those priceless pills.
"Senior Sister, youâre too kind. Itâs merely the characteristic of the wood element cultivation technique," Xu Ping said humbly.
Xu Pingâs hands gently caressed the smooth back of True Monarch Lan Ling, feeling every curve of her body.
Thus, the two quietly embraced in the hot spring pool, enjoying this rare moment of warmth.
The pool water was warm as spring, spiritual qi wafted around, and various exotic flowers and grasses emitted a subtle fragrance, creating a dreamlike atmosphere.
...
The two lingered in the hot spring pool for a while longer, until the night deepened before getting up.
Xu Ping dressed True Monarch Lan Ling, tidied her hair, and then left Blue Water Peak, returning to Cyan Cloud Peak.
Underground cave dwelling.
Xu Ping glanced at the growing Profound Celestial Embryo and Dragon Blood Fruit, then entered the secret chamber.
Xu Ping sat cross-legged on the stone bed, operating the cultivation technique to adjust his breath.
Yet, he couldnât help but recall True Monarch Lan Lingâs stunning face and exquisite figure.
Honestly, his development with True Monarch Lan Ling was somewhat unexpected.
Originally, he hadnât intended to reach this step, as he would soon leave the Nanchuan Realm for the Wind Origin Realm.
In the years to come, he wasnât sure if he could return to the Nanchuan Realm; he naturally didnât want to carry emotional debts.
But things developed too quickly, and sometimes he couldnât refuse.
"Forget it, itâs already happened, no need to overthink it."
Soon, Xu Ping cleared his thoughts and quietly focused on cultivation.
He needed to adjust his state to optimal for the upcoming quest to hunt the Thunder Spirit.
...
A month later.
Feeling adequately prepared, Xu Ping decided to venture to the Yellow Dragon Desert to hunt the Thunder Spirit.
Before departing, he specially went to Blue Water Peak to bid farewell to True Monarch Lan Ling.
Atop Blue Water Peak, clouds drift by.
Xu Ping stood side by side with True Monarch Lan Ling.
"Senior Sister knows Junior Brotherâs strength, but now the Wind Origin Realm is about to invade, the situation is turbulent, you must be cautious."
True Monarch Lan Ling donned an elegant palace gown, returning to her usual coolness, yet the concern in her gaze towards Xu Ping couldnât be hidden.
"Senior Sister, donât worry."
Xu Ping nodded, his tone steady.
True Monarch Lan Ling gazed at his resolute profile, remained silent for a moment, then suddenly smiledâa smile like the thawing of an icy river, spring returning to the earth.
Stepping forward, she extended her slender jade hand to gently straighten Xu Pingâs collar, a tender and meticulous gesture.
"Before you go... will you stay with Senior Sister for a few more days?"
True Monarch Lan Lingâs cheeks reddened slightly, leaning into his embrace, her voice as soft as a mosquitoâs whisper.
...
Another three days passed, indulgence finally ceased.
At the peak of Cyan Cloud Peak, the fierce wind howled.
Xu Ping cast one last glance at the blue silhouette standing atop the peak, hesitated no longer, transformed into a streaking cyan light, tearing through the sky as he sped into the distance.
Six months later.
Yellow Dragon Desert.
Between heaven and earth seemed only a silent ochre.
In view, endless yellow sand stretched, boundless and vast, like solidified golden fury waves, layer upon layer surging towards the horizon.
Boomâ
Suddenly, overhead, ink-black clouds loomed like an invisible giant hand, twisting and boiling, gathering into a sky-covering black tide.
Thick and terrifying purple-white electric pythons violently split from deep within the rolling ink sea, writhing and twisting, clawing and biting, enveloping a thousand-zhang area.
This was the catastrophic magnetic storm that made Golden Core cultivators tremble!
In this apocalyptic scene.
An embodied cyan escape light, like a fish swimming upstream, not only didnât avoid but instead with an unwavering stance, boldly charged into the core of this lightning hell.
It was Xu Ping.
The fierce thunder power instantly engulfed him.
Sufficient to vaporize a Golden Core Cultivator instantly, the terrifying electric currents now struck the thin cyan mana shield around him, only sparking ripples, emitting a low "zzz" sound.
"The worldâs might that Golden Cores see as death, to Nascent Souls, is but a gentle breeze."
Xu Pingâs expression remained calm, allowing ten thousand pounds of thunder to pile on, his figure drifted among the fierce electric serpents, like a leisurely stroll.
His powerful divine sense penetrated through layers of thunder barriers, meticulously scanning every inch of space within the storm region, searching for the legendary spirit born of the thunderâs essence---the Thunder Spirit!
However, despite the meticulous search by his divine sense, aside from the violent chaotic thunder energy, this area still remained dead silent, with no sign of living activity.
"Nothing!"
A trace of vexation crossed Xu Pingâs mind.
He had delved deep into this deathly desert for over two months, investigating several major magnetic storms, expending considerable effort, yet still hadnât seen any sign of the Thunder Spirit.