The small river was about ten feet wide, flanked on both sides by dense thickets of trees. Only the spot beneath Yan Zhen and Yi Xian’er was piled with scattered stones.
“Xian’er, wait here for me. I’ll get things ready.”
“Ready?”
Yan Zhen scanned the surroundings by the glowstone’s light, selected a massive boulder taller than himself, and then kicked it with one foot.
The boulder soared through the air and crashed into the river, sending up a massive splash.
Following the same method, Yan Zhen kicked six boulders into the river—three in front and three behind—blocking the flow and creating a simple bathing pool in the middle.
Whew.
Yan Zhen summoned the Gold-Silver Fire and tossed the flames into the water. The frigid river water instantly boiled, rising steam transforming it into a hot spring.
Only after finishing all this did Yan Zhen return to Yi Xian’er’s side. He smiled and said, “The weather’s too cold, and you’re injured. Soaking in cold water wouldn’t be good for you… This should be fine now.”
Yi Xian’er’s heart warmed sweetly. She invited him, “Then let’s go in together.”
Yan Zhen murmured his agreement.
The two turned their backs to each other in perfect sync, shedding their clothes and wrapping themselves in towels.
They spun around at almost the same moment, their gazes meeting with a flicker of heat in their eyes.
Yi Xian’er silently reached out to take Yan Zhen’s hand, their fingers interlocking. With his response, a sweet smile bloomed on her delicate face.
They walked to the riverbank. Yi Xian’er extended her exquisite bare foot to test the water, stepping in only after confirming it wasn’t too hot. Her movements were adorably childlike, drawing a faint smile from Yan Zhen as he followed right behind her.
The river water was remarkably clear. Looking down revealed a bed of clean pebbles, and stepping on them felt like a soothing foot massage.
They made their way to the center and sat down, the water level just reaching their chests.
Yi Xian’er hesitated for a moment before untying her towel. The two soft, snowy mounds it had restrained bounced free, sending ripples across the water’s surface.
She clutched the towel in one hand and modestly covered her quivering breasts with the other, her small face flushing as she explained, “Bathing with a towel wrapped around feels uncomfortable. You should untie yours too, Yan Zhen~”
Yan Zhen’s face reddened as he murmured his assent and undid the towel around his waist. Yi Xian’er took it from him.
She neatly folded both towels and placed them on the nearby boulder.
Now, not a stitch of cloth covered their bodies. Even with the heated water turning slightly murky, its excessive clarity offered no concealment whatsoever. Only the hazy night provided their final veil of modesty.
They had shared baths multiple times back at the Elegant Garden, seen each other naked, and even come close to consummation during her treatments. Yet now, they were as nervous as a young couple heading to a hotel room for the first time—ears burning, hearts pounding—because the atmosphere was utterly different.
They both knew what was about to happen, yet pretended otherwise. Each scooped water over their bodies and gently scrubbed, but their attention was entirely fixed on the other.
“Xian’er, how are your wounds?”
Yan Zhen was the first to break the silence.
Yi Xian’er shyly turned to face him, spreading her arms to fully display her jade-like body for his inspection.
“You can see for yourself.”
Yan Zhen swallowed hard, examining her intently. Her wounds had healed without leaving any unsightly scars, and he relaxed with relief.
“Good, as long as you’re okay.”
“The external wounds are healed, but I still have internal ones.”
“Internal injuries?” Yan Zhen’s expression shifted abruptly. He immediately grasped her shoulders. “Why didn’t you say so earlier… Where does it hurt?”
Yi Xian’er bit her lip, the corners curving upward slightly. Her deep purple-black eyes fixed unblinkingly on him. “Right here at the tip of my heart.”
Yan Zhen furrowed his brow, reaching out to probe—then suddenly caught on. His gaze turned utterly speechless. “Don’t joke about things like that.”
“I’m not joking.” Yi Xian’er seized his hand and pressed it to her chest. “My heart’s beating too fast. It hurts. You need to rub it better.”
She slowly leaned her face closer, her beautiful eyes reflecting her lover’s features, her breathing growing ragged.
“Xian’er…”
Under her gaze brimming with affection, Yan Zhen’s heart ignited. He leaned in as well, their lips meeting.
The young man and woman gradually pressed together, exchanging their pent-up affection in a deep, honeyed kiss that nearly breached the forbidden line.
Yi Xian’er came to her senses just in time and gripped him firmly, shaking her head. “Not this side. The back.”
She turned around of her own accord, bracing her hands against the boulder. She dipped her slender waist, lifting her beautiful hips high. Glancing back at Yan Zhen, her delicate face was awash in crimson, her eyes filled with raw desire for him.
“Yan Zhen, hurt me~”
So Yi Xian’er pleaded.
…
An hour later, Yan Zhen carried the utterly limp Yi Xian’er back to the tent. They lay down together, pulling a blanket over themselves.
Yi Xian’er lazily pillowed her head on Yan Zhen’s arm, nestling into his embrace and drifting off to sleep peacefully.
—She had finally given herself to Yan Zhen, if only halfway. It filled her with boundless happiness.
The next day dawned faintly, and though Yan Zhen awoke, Yi Xian’er had stirred even earlier. The moment his eyes opened, she greeted him sweetly with a “Good morning.”
Yan Zhen stroked her hair, his voice gentle. “Why are you up so early? Couldn’t sleep?”
Yi Xian’er ducked her head, cheeks burning. “I had a dream, and then I woke up.”
Yan Zhen’s heart tightened. “What dream?”
Yi Xian’er stammered, “I… I dreamed you were topping me from behind again. No matter how much I begged for mercy, you wouldn’t stop. It turned me into something so strange, like a wanton woman… so I woke up.”
Er… Yan Zhen felt profoundly awkward. After all, it had been his first time taking her from behind, and he’d inevitably been a bit too enthusiastic.
“Xian’er, is… is that spot okay now?”
Her cheeks burned hotter at his words. She had never imagined herself displaying such an unimaginably lewd side.
She had once mocked Ji Ya for being so lascivious during treatment, crying out so fiercely. Now she understood—it had been unavoidable.
And that had only been from behind. If it had been the front, she probably would have fared even worse than Ji Ya.
“It’s fine,” she murmured softly. “It doesn’t hurt much anymore.”
“Then rest a bit more.”
“Mm.”
…
Yan Zhen didn’t rush to search for the Evil Spirit Dragon Breath Flame, nor did Yi Xian’er hurry to leave. The two spent three blissful days in the tent, as if on their honeymoon.
Tomorrow was the full moon.
On the night of the full moon, when yin energy peaked, Yi Xian’er’s Fiend Body was sure to erupt violently. She had no confidence in controlling it.
So she had to leave Yan Zhen before then.
That night, inside the tent after another fervent round of lovemaking, Yi Xian’er collapsed softly into Yan Zhen’s arms, breathing lightly. A faint fragrance wafted through the air, masking the scent of their passion.
Yan Zhen caressed her smooth back, soothing the remnants of her desire. He said tenderly, “That’s enough for today. It’s late; time to rest.”
Yi Xian’er hummed with her eyes closed, then lifted her full breasts to his lips, coquettishly pleading, “Nibble on them for me.”
Yan Zhen planted a loving kiss there before burying his face between them.
Yi Xian’er cradled his head, her fingers threading through his hair as she let out a contented sigh. Then she closed her eyes once more and slipped into peaceful slumber.
On the fifteenth day in the mountains, Yi Xian’er slipped away silently before Yan Zhen awoke, leaving only a note behind.
