Mentor Yu Xuan lifted her head, her watery eyes gazing at Yan Zhen.
“How does it feel, Yan Zhen?”
Yan Zhen thought for a moment before replying,
“Like soaking briefly in ice water.”
“Hehe, that’s a very apt description. It’s also the ideal effect of Drip Dew.”
“Will this last a full day?”
“Half a day to a day, depending on the person and the environment. For someone like me who cultivates Water Mystic Force, it easily lasts a full day indoors. But if you’re out in the sun the whole time, it might wear off after just half a day.”
“Then with my Fire Mystic Power, won’t the effect be greatly reduced?”
Mentor Yu Xuan pursed her lips in a smile.
“Yes, indeed~ But people who cultivate Fire Mystic Power aren’t afraid of scorching heat anyway, so they rarely use Drip Dew.”
Yan Zhen scratched his head.
“You’re right.”
As the two chatted, their eyes met without realizing it. Silence fell, and the previously harmonious atmosphere instantly turned awkward.
Night had come. They were alone in her boudoir—a man and a woman together—enough to stir the imagination.
Yan Zhen didn’t feel much about it. Though Mentor Yu Xuan wore thin sleepwear that revealed her alluring curves without restraint, her skin as smooth and white as milk, her whole being radiating the intoxicating allure of a mature woman, he knew full well that this was a no-female-lead power fantasy world. Aside from a flash of admiration in his heart, he wouldn’t entertain any deeper thoughts.
Mentor Yu Xuan, on the other hand, seemed as if her secret thoughts had been exposed. She quickly lowered her head and looked away.
As she did so, she noticed that she was still unconsciously clutching Yan Zhen’s hand, as if reluctant to let go. Startled, she hurriedly pulled her hand back and changed the subject.
“By the way, Yan Zhen, I have several other kinds of Drip Dew here. Would you like to try them?”
Yan Zhen blinked. Is this an endorsement pitch? Though he had no interest in Drip Dew, he didn’t want to dampen Mentor Yu Xuan’s enthusiasm, so he nodded.
“Does the mentor collect a lot of them?”
“Not a huge collection—just three or four kinds, each with different effects. Come take a look.”
With that, Mentor Yu Xuan tugged Yan Zhen’s arm over to the vanity. She pressed down on his shoulder to make him sit properly, then selected a small bottle etched with cloud patterns from among the array of vials and jars on the table. She introduced it like a prized treasure.
“This one is called Water Cloud Dew. Its greatest benefit is moisturizing—suitable for both winter and summer.”
As she spoke, Mentor Yu Xuan uncorked the bottle and poured some into her palm. She set the small bottle aside, took hold of Yan Zhen’s hand, and smeared it onto his arm.
“How does it feel?”
Yan Zhen sat there stiffly like a wooden puppet as Mentor Yu Xuan manipulated him. His mind hadn’t quite caught up yet when he blurted out,
“It feels… like the mentor’s hand is really soft.”
Mentor Yu Xuan’s cheeks flushed pink with a healthy glow. She gave him a playful glare.
“What nonsense are you spouting? I’m asking about the Drip Dew’s effect.”
“Oh, right—the Drip Dew.” Yan Zhen paused to consider before saying, “It feels like I’ve just stepped out of a bath.”
“Exactly! In winter, it prevents your skin from drying out and cracking. In summer, apply some and then enjoy the evening breeze—it’s so refreshing~”
Yan Zhen found it a bit strange.
“Does the mentor, who cultivates Water Mystic Force, really need something like this?”
“Of course I do.” Mentor Yu Xuan applied some to her own fair wrist, then held it up to Yan Zhen’s nose. “Give it a sniff. Doesn’t it smell wonderful?”
Yan Zhen inhaled.
“Is that the scent of orchids?”
“Not quite—it’s a special fragrance based on orchids, even more elegant and subtle. If I had to describe it, it’s like ‘orchids by the water,’ blending the floral aroma with the ‘fragrance of water’ itself.”
“The fragrance of water…”
It was like water vapor entering his nostrils—a subtly moist sensation.
Not bad. The mentor really has a way with words—quite poetic.
Yan Zhen silently gave her a thumbs-up in his mind.
Seeing his thoughtful expression, Mentor Yu Xuan smiled faintly and selected another bottle from the vanity.
“This one is Tranquil Dew. As the name suggests, it’s for nighttime use. Apply it to your face, and you’ll sleep soundly. When you wake up the next morning, your skin won’t be dry—it’ll still be plump and firm.”
But the mentor cultivates Water Mystic Force, so her skin shouldn’t dry out in the first place, right? Yan Zhen still thought it was odd.
“Is this one fragrant too?”
“Yes. What does it smell like to you?”
Just like before, Mentor Yu Xuan dripped some Tranquil Dew onto her hand for Yan Zhen to smell.
Yan Zhen prided himself on having a nose even keener than a dog’s. After a couple of sniffs, he said confidently,
“Lavender.”
Mentor Yu Xuan looked surprised.
“Yan Zhen, you’re that familiar with lavender? It’s pretty rare around the Garo Kingdom.”
Yan Zhen let out an “Mm-hmm” and made a show of adjusting his nonexistent glasses.
“I’ve read a lot of books.”
“I never would have guessed—you’re a real bookworm.” Mentor Yu Xuan was in high spirits, her beautiful face lit up with the kind of smile that came from pure bliss. “Tranquil Dew is formulated from lavender essential oil, but its scent is softer than regular oils, making it even better for promoting sleep. Here, give it a try.”
Mentor Yu Xuan poured out a bit more Tranquil Dew and, with a smile, applied it to Yan Zhen’s face—first his left cheek, then his right, and finally lifting his bangs to dab some on his forehead.
Her soft, boneless jade hands kneaded the flesh of his face, combined with the relaxing properties of the Tranquil Dew. It felt wonderful, like a simple head massage.
“How’s that? Comfortable?”
“Very comfortable.”
Yan Zhen nodded vigorously. It was mainly because Mentor Yu Xuan’s hands were so soft and tender, carrying a faint, elusive moistness—nothing like his own dry, rough ones.
Mentor Yu Xuan rubbed for quite a while before reluctantly releasing his face.
“If cultivation stress keeps you from sleeping, you can come to me. I’ll apply some Tranquil Dew for you.”
“Thanks, Mentor~”
“Let me show you one more kind.”
With that, Mentor Yu Xuan hummed a little tune as she rummaged through the vials and jars on the vanity for her next selection.
Yan Zhen’s eyes caught sight of a particularly eye-catching hot-pink bottle amid the dense cluster. It had a heart-shaped relief carving on it—very girly. Curious, he asked,
“What’s that one?”
Mentor Yu Xuan followed his pointing finger. Her face instantly turned red, and she stammered,
“Th-that’s… just regular perfume. Nothing special.”
Even as she spoke, she tried to tuck the thing away. But Yan Zhen reached out with one hand and snatched the hot-pink heart bottle. He examined the small print on the label and read aloud,
“Dawn Dream Dew?”
The name rang a bell.
That’s right—it showed up in the script. It’s a bath product designed for women, with a mild aphrodisiac effect that enhances… intimate experiences.
The Xiao Family’s Xiao Shi had once concentrated Dawn Dream Dew to create Spring’s Secret Medicine. He’d planned to do something nefarious, using Xiao Xinyan as a test subject by secretly pouring it into her bathwater. Then he’d hidden outside her room to listen for results.
In the end, Xiao Shi couldn’t hold back after hearing her reactions and tried to pull off an incestuous fling. Unfortunately for him, Yan Zhen had just mastered Divine Soul Power at the time. A quick scan had uncovered Xiao Shi’s misdeeds, so he’d dealt with him on the spot.
After that, that wicked woman Xiao Xinyan never bothered Yan Zhen again.
Cough cough. Who knew Mentor Yu Xuan uses stuff like this too? As expected of a mature woman!
Yan Zhen’s expression took on a knowing glint, but mindful of a lady’s reputation, he feigned ignorance and asked,
“What kind of Drip Dew is this?”
