Chapter 96: So Fragrant!
Within the station of the Demon Suppression Division, inside a room of a small courtyard.
Li Yunqing lightly leaned over the edge of the wooden tub, resting her arms as a pillow and propping up her face.
Her long hair draped over the rim of the tub, her eyes slightly closed as she enjoyed the warmth soaking into every inch of her skin.
Xiaolanâs face was faintly flushed, her fingers gently massaging Li Yunqingâs back.
âAs expected of a young lady from a great family, you really know how to enjoy yourself!â
Yuan Qing sat to the side, watching the relaxed Li Yunqing in the tub, her own face also slightly flushed.
Her gaze would occasionally linger on Li Yunqingâs fair and full chest.
At times, through the rising steam, she would glance toward the waist hidden beneath the water, swaying faintly with the ripples, appearing and disappearing.
When she saw those overlapping, slightly curled legs, as well as the hips that looked as if they had been softly kneaded due to sitting in the tub, her entire body inexplicably grew warm.
She raised her head and glanced at Xiaolan, who was also flushed yet silent, focused only on the massage.
âHer body is too perfect⊠overflowing with charm. Even women canât withstand it.â
Yuan Qing turned her head away, no longer looking.
Yet in her mind still lingered that jade-like, flawlessly smooth skin, making one unable to resist wanting to gently touch it.
Fortunately, she was a Yang Spirit without a physical bodyâotherwise, she would definitely be able to hear her own heartbeat right now.
Who could have imagined that simply being unclothed and bathing in a tub could make a womanâs heart race and face flush?
She felt that if a man were to see such a scene, no one would be able to restrain themselvesâthey would absolutely fall into utter madness.
Li Yunqing, however, seemed completely unaware. After two days of swaying in a carriage, soaking in the bath now made her entire body feel languid.
Especially with Xiaolanâs massage, she felt thoroughly relaxed.
Lines of text appeared before her eyes.
âFrost Sword Intent: Mastery (82% â 85%)â
After striking that sword, her Sword Intent had directly increased by three points, as if in that instant, all her comprehension of the Sword Dao had become completely interconnected.
âNo wonder sword cultivators love to challenge others everywhere!â
Li Yunqing gained some understanding. Fighting others with a sword was a form of tempering.
It tempered not only overall combat strength but also refined Sword Intent.
And as long as Sword Intent did not shatter, the more it was tempered, the stronger it became. That was likely why sword cultivators and blade cultivators loved to roam and challenge others.
Unfortunately, she had been traveling these past two days and had no time to practice her sword techniques.
Otherwise, in just a little over ten days, she might have broken through to the upper tier of the Qi Realm.
âI need to find time to establish my foundation!â
Feeling that the magical power within her sea of consciousness had already reached the ninth level of Qi Refinement and was nearing perfection, Li Yunqing felt a trace of concern.
She feared that the process of Foundation Establishment might cause too much commotion.
Others could not cultivate magical power, yet she alone could.
If those old monsters from the Age of Immortals and Gods were to find out, would they capture her and imprison her for research?
âIt would be best if I can comprehend a cultivation method of Immortal-Martial power. Then I can simply spread it.â
Thoughts surged in Li Yunqingâs mind.
As long as she could comprehend such a method and spread it, no one would bother studying her anymore.
The hardest part was the beginning.
Once there was a starting point, with the abilities of those ancient monsters and the Heavenâs Chosen Prodigies of this world, progress would surely accelerate rapidly.
At that time, it would also feed back to her.
It would definitely be faster than her deducing and comprehending alone.
She was not originally from this era and had no such sectarian prejudices.
Spreading the method and letting the geniuses and immortals of the entire world pave the path for herâthat was the way to maximize benefits.
As for whether others becoming stronger would pose danger?
She did not believe that, with her advantage, she would lose to anyone.
âMiss, the waterâs getting cold. Will you continue soaking?â
Xiaolan spoke softly, her gaze on Li Yunqing in the water, her heart beating uncontrollably.
Although she had served Miss during baths many times and had countless close contacts, she still could not suppress the flutter in her heart.
She could only blame it on Miss being too beautiful, her figure too perfect.
There was not a single flaw on her bodyâsoft, fragrant, smooth like jade.
It carried a fatal allure and impact, making oneâs heart completely unable to calm down.
âAlright, no more soaking. Help me dress.â
Li Yunqing stood up from the tub and stepped out.
Seeing that fleeting glimpse of mystery tinged with pink, Yuan Qing forcibly turned her head away.
Her hand instinctively covered her slightly warm nose.
âThis is bad⊠if this keeps up, what if I start liking women?â
âNo, no, no! Iâm a woman. When I get a body in the future, I should like men!â
âWhat kind of nonsense is liking women?â
âDonât think about it, donât think too much!â
Yuan Qing closed her eyes, muttering inwardly.
Yet the image of a beauty emerging from the bathâwater droplets sliding along her bare skinâcontinued to assault her mind.
She could even imagine those droplets freely gliding across every part of that body.
Xiaolanâs breathing grew heavier as she held a clean white cloth, gently wiping every part of Li Yunqingâs body.
Finally, she took undergarments and carefully dressed her piece by piece.
Only after Li Yunqing had put on a moon-white inner robe did Xiaolan let out a long breath, a strange thought suddenly surfacing in her heart: âWhat men in this world could possibly be worthy of such a perfect Miss?â
After washing up, just as Li Yunqing was about to walk toward the bed, a voice called out from the courtyard.
âMiss Yunqing!â
Ji Yun, dressed in a neat and handsome black robe with cloud patterns, stood in the courtyard.
In his right hand, he carried a large food box, from which faint aromas of dishes wafted.
Looking at the graceful silhouette reflected on the window by candlelight, his heart pounded as he said, âI had someone fetch some food from a nearby townâs restaurant. I invite Miss Yunqing to dine together.â
After speaking, Ji Yun suddenly felt nervous and quickly added, âThe moonlight is nice tonight. How about we dine here in the courtyard?â
âAs expected, men are all the same!â
âThey fawn over anything beautiful!â
âBe careful, he might drug you!â
Yuan Qing spoke in a strange tone, and even Xiaolan hesitated to speak, a faint hostility arising in her heart.
It was as if she had suddenly realized that these men were not worthy of her Miss.
Hearing Yuan Qingâs words, Li Yunqing did not respond. Instead, she released her divine sense, instantly covering the entire courtyard.
She clearly saw Ji Yun holding the food box, evidently having dressed up carefully before coming.
Perhaps even the arrangement of this courtyard had such intentions from the start.
âForget it.â
Li Yunqing looked at Xiaolan and said, âHelp me change. Since weâre staying in a place prepared by others, refusing would be impolite.â
It was just a meal. Although it was already night, in the courtyard, would he dare to act recklessly?
As for romance, it was nothing but self-inflicted trouble.
Even those men themselves did not careâshe had no interest in interfering.
Moreover, living in this world, unless one secluded oneself, as her Sword Saint master had said, one was destined to deal with menâthere was no avoiding it.
Maintain proper etiquette, treat things with a calm mind, and interact normally.
As for the rest, leave it to time.
In the courtyard.
Ji Yun looked at the silhouette reflected on the window and let out a slight sigh of relief as he began arranging things.
That was clearly the posture of changing clothesâthis Miss Yunqing was, as always, gentle and not rude.
Yet at the thought of dining with such a woman, his heart still raced uncontrollably.
âCreakââ
Before long, the door opened, and Li Yunqing stepped into the courtyard.
Ji Yun, refined and courteous, cupped his hands slightly and gestured toward a seat. âMiss Yunqing, please sit!â
âMany thanks, Commandant.â
Li Yunqing returned the courtesy, walked to one side of the table, and sat down, looking at the spread of dishes. âYouâve gone to great trouble, Commandant.â
âItâs nothing, nothing!â
Ji Yun replied, not daring to sit close, nor daring to sit directly opposite her.
Instead, he chose a seat two spaces away on the other side of the round table.
But the moment he sat down, a refreshing fragrance filled his nose.
It even overpowered the aroma of the dishes before him.
His heart tightened abruptly. After taking a few light breaths, his gaze unconsciously shifted to Li Yunqing.
Though she still wore a conservative, loose purple dress, her flawless face was tinged with pink, making one want to take a bite.
âShe was just bathing?â
Ji Yunâs heart pounded wildly, an image forming in his mind of a beauty emerging from the bath, water droplets clinging to her body.
For a moment, he did not know where to place his hands and feet, his mind filled with a single thought.
âSo fragrant!â
But just as he was about to introduce the dishes, a sudden sound of something cutting through the air rang out.
From afar came an angry shout.
âYou brat, youâve been playing me for a fool!â
âAnd here you are, enjoying moonlight with a woman?â
Hearing that voice, Ji Yunâs heart skipped a beat, his expression changing drastically.
âThis is bad⊠I forgot about the Commander!â