Meanwhile, at the peak of Moon-Gazing Peak, Bai Xiaoxiao’s whole body ached unbearably. She was hazy about what had just happened. When her consciousness finally cleared, she realized she was surrounded by unusual warmth, with the faint sound of water echoing in her ears.
When she opened her eyes, she found it was no illusion. She was indeed immersed in a hot spring.
Warm spirit spring water covered her body, making her feel as if every pore had opened wide. Her limp, aching body was instantly relieved.
But after a satisfied sigh, she suddenly realized something was off.
She was currently leaning against Shen Zhiyue’s embrace. Both of them had shed their clothes entirely, skin pressed against skin, scalding hot.
Bai Xiaoxiao looked up and saw a stretch of night sky. So it was already evening.
It must have been Shen Zhiyue who brought her to the hot spring. Feeling the comfort spreading through her body, Bai Xiaoxiao thought that hot springs in this Cultivation World were indeed different from those in modern times.
“Moon-Gazing Peak has a hot spring?”
Bai Xiaoxiao murmured.
Perhaps because she’d soaked for a while, she felt her strength returning. She sat up a little straighter, creating some distance from the woman behind her.
The state of total exposure was too much, even though they’d done this many times before. Just thinking about Shen Zhiyue being unclothed made her feel shy.
“You overexerted yourself in training. Without soaking in spirit spring water, you wouldn’t be able to get up tomorrow. This hot spring is my private property. In the future… if your body is unwell, you may come here again.”
Shen Zhiyue spoke slowly.
Bai Xiaoxiao paused. But before she could ponder whether the words carried a hidden meaning, she felt a light touch on her back.
The finger seemed to be playing, tracing an idle, lingering path down her spine. When it reached her tailbone, Bai Xiaoxiao suddenly trembled.
A month of intimacy was more than enough for the two to become familiar with each other’s bodies.
Bai Xiaoxiao had never known before that having her tailbone touched would feel so electrifying.
Dense mist rose continuously. At some point, a crisp, loud splash of water resounded through the air.
Bai Xiaoxiao finally couldn’t endure it anymore. She turned around and caught the hand that was being mischievous on her back.
“Your Eminence is teasing me again.”
She said softly.
Shen Zhiyue’s face was cool, but behind the veil of mist, her eyes seemed to ripple with moisture, wanting to speak yet holding back.
Bai Xiaoxiao’s eyes trembled. She swallowed unconsciously.
She read a clear desire from those eyes, which meant…
Shen Zhiyue wanted her.
Bai Xiaoxiao’s breath caught.
She thought, Shen Zhiyue truly understood how to stoke her desire. Even a single glance made her heart pound uncontrollably, drowning in the passion that colored those eyes.
“You enjoy it, don’t you.”
Shen Zhiyue’s lips curved slightly, her smile like a snow lotus blooming in slow motion. Even though her hand had been caught, she didn’t pull back. Instead, she reached out with her other hand to caress Bai Xiaoxiao’s cheek.
Bai Xiaoxiao’s heart quivered, sinking into that rare smile. Subconsciously, she nuzzled into the palm.
The hand caressing her cheek was dripping wet. When it lifted, water droplets fell in a steady patter. Bai Xiaoxiao felt a warm, damp sensation and stared straight at the woman before her.
Gazing at a beauty through the mist was a charm like no other.
Shen Zhiyue rarely smiled in daily life. But now, warmed by the hot spring water, her ice and snow seemed to melt all at once, making one feel as if a spring breeze had arrived.
“Splash—”
Using the buoyancy of the hot spring, Bai Xiaoxiao swam toward Shen Zhiyue and pressed against her with ease, face to face, noses touching.
Her long hair spread evenly across the surface of the hot spring behind her from the motion of swimming forward, rising and falling with the ripples. Bai Xiaoxiao raised a hand to brush aside the strands that hung over her chest, then smoothly traced along Shen Zhiyue’s neck and down to her back.
The half-embracing position made it easy for Bai Xiaoxiao to perceive every reaction from the person in her arms, even the lightest tremor.
The skin beneath her fingertips was like the finest mutton-fat jade, maddeningly addictive. Bai Xiaoxiao didn’t stop. She continued to touch, tracing down her spine, feeling the trembling in her arms grow stronger with each passing moment.
“Your Eminence, does this feel good?”
Bai Xiaoxiao pressed against her cheek, whispering softly in her ear, as if repaying the earlier teasing.
Shen Zhiyue didn’t speak. Her lips were caught gently between Bai Xiaoxiao’s teeth, all the sounds about to escape trapped in her throat.
Bai Xiaoxiao pressed closer. After a few breaths, she slowed her actions, gently nuzzling her cheek in comfort.
She still couldn’t bear to let the other feel wronged, even if this could only be considered lovemaking play.
Her fingertips finally left the sensitive spine and moved to other territories.
Having soaked in the hot spring for so long, their body temperatures had become nearly identical. But when Bai Xiaoxiao touched there, she still felt an unusual heat.
Warm, impossibly soft.
“Not here.”
The fingertips about to move abruptly stopped. Bai Xiaoxiao pulled back from her neck and said softly, “Why? Your Eminence, this is spirit spring water. Even if a little gets in, it shouldn’t be a problem.”
Shen Zhiyue’s brows were steeped in spring passion, which she barely suppressed. Taking a light breath, she finally spoke. “Here… is not permitted.”
She didn’t say why, only that it wasn’t permitted. But Bai Xiaoxiao, looking closely at her expression, realized she was actually more flustered than angry.
Bai Xiaoxiao smiled. Her usually innocent, obedient face now carried a hint of allure. She said softly, “But Your Eminence, don’t you want to try it here?”
Even as her mouth asked, her fingers had already begun to move. Thus, Shen Zhiyue’s unspoken words turned into a series of gasping breaths, ringing out with restraint and control.
From the stimulation, her body began to take on a faint pink tint, a beautiful sight to behold.
Bai Xiaoxiao knew this was tacit consent. Her hovering fingertips finally found their purpose.
The warm spirit spring water had many benefits—effective for both injuries and cultivation, and sometimes even calming to the mind. Shen Zhiyue often enjoyed coming here.
But today, the calming effect had vanished without a trace. The warm water entered her body in an unimaginable way, embarrassing her while simultaneously making her tremble with undeniable excitement.
Shen Zhiyue’s gaze gradually lost focus. Low, muffled whimpers leaked from her lips.
“Your Eminence…”
Bai Xiaoxiao murmured softly, occasionally nuzzling her long, slender neck, comforting the person whose emotions were surging too high.
The splashing of water continued unabated. The person in her arms suddenly tightened her hold, then after a long moment, the strength gradually loosened.
Bai Xiaoxiao turned her head and gently bit her plump earlobe, licking it intermittently.
The fair earlobe quickly tinged pink, then flushed red under the sustained stimulation.
The sides of Shen Zhiyue’s ears were very sensitive. Bai Xiaoxiao loved to give her extra stimulation at times like this, then watch with satisfaction as her back stiffened beautifully.
It truly was beautiful beyond belief.
Hot springs were truly wonderful.
Bai Xiaoxiao marveled.
The hot spring pool gradually returned to silence.
But the two maintained their embrace, savoring this moment of tenderness.
After who knows how long, Shen Zhiyue’s voice drifted out faintly. “How was class today?”
Bai Xiaoxiao was taken aback, not expecting her to ask. She sensibly released the other and moved back to an appropriate distance before replying, “It felt… okay, I guess.”
She felt rather awkward saying it. “It was uncomfortable at first. Fortunately, that child Fushui was there. Talking with her eased the awkwardness.”
Shen Zhiyue nodded faintly. After a long pause, she suddenly said, “You and Elder Chen’s disciple seem to be on good terms.”
Bai Xiaoxiao blinked, hesitating for a moment, unsure whether to say yes or no.
After thinking it over, she said, “Since Fushui is the one who usually delivers my medicine, we’d exchange a few simple words. I wouldn’t call it particularly close… I suppose.”
Shen Zhiyue had already closed her eyes.
Bai Xiaoxiao carefully studied her expression, but couldn’t discern what Shen Zhiyue was thinking, so she wisely fell silent.
“You want to learn swordsmanship?”
The voice suddenly rang out, catching Bai Xiaoxiao off guard. “I…”
She wanted to say no, that today’s sword arts class had been an accident. But just as the words were about to leave her mouth, she hesitated.
A moment of silence was enough to say many things. Bai Xiaoxiao snapped back to her senses and wanted to backpedal, but she heard a splash.
Shen Zhiyue had already left the hot spring. When she looked up, the other had already climbed ashore and dressed.
Bai Xiaoxiao stirred the water. She felt she’d soaked long enough—her soreness and pain had disappeared, replaced by a refreshing sensation through her entire body. It was truly comfortable.
So she followed toward the shore, preparing to get out as well.
But just as she was about to step out, a long sword suddenly appeared before her.
Bai Xiaoxiao abruptly stopped, looking up at Shen Zhiyue in astonishment. “Your Eminence, what are you… doing?”
Shen Zhiyue looked down at her from above, her long lashes lowered, casting a faint shadow beneath her eyes.
“This sword is called Cangqing. It was gifted to me by my master when I first began learning swordsmanship. Today, I gift it to you. You—didn’t you want to learn swords?”
Bai Xiaoxiao was completely stunned. She never expected Shen Zhiyue to give her a sword, let alone the sword she’d carried when she first began learning—a sword of profound significance.
She was at a loss, instinctively wanting to refuse. But the person before her suddenly bent down. “Since you want to learn, then learn. As long as I’m here, there’s no need to hesitate or overthink.”
Bai Xiaoxiao’s ears grew hot. Meeting Shen Zhiyue’s calm gaze, a small flame seemed to kindle in her heart.
So she accepted the long sword. “Thank you, Your Eminence.”
Shen Zhiyue nodded. “Mm. It’s late. Let’s go back.”
Bai Xiaoxiao scrambled into action. Just then, the night wind blew, and she shivered from the cold.
But before she could find something to dry herself with, her body suddenly became dry, and her clothes were being put on for her.
Shen Zhiyue had dried her off with spiritual power.
Bai Xiaoxiao pulled her cloak tighter, blocking out the night wind, and hurried after her.
It was only at this moment that she realized this hot spring was also located at the peak. She just rarely wandered around, and it seemed to be protected by a formation that made it difficult to stumble upon.
It must be Shen Zhiyue’s private hot spring.
With that thought, Bai Xiaoxiao’s steps faltered. She looked up at the woman’s figure ahead and let out a soft breath.
Shen Zhiyue had a cold temperament and spoke few words on ordinary days, yet she treated Bai Xiaoxiao better than could be imagined.
Bai Xiaoxiao would constantly admonish herself in her heart. But the effect of those admonishments grew weaker and weaker. Until now, those thoughts were like bamboo shoots after spring rain—growing with wild abandon.
