The courtyard was filled with the gentle patter of rain. The sound of the rain mingled with Ji Qingxuan’s gasps. She couldn’t even be bothered to use her spiritual energy to shield herself from the raindrops. Her soft, supple skin was now slippery and crystal clear. It was impossible to tell if it was rain or sweat. Her delicate pink lips parted slightly, like tender flower petals waiting to be nourished.
Jiang Huai felt as if he were watering a plant. Ji Qingxuan, who had initially been limp and dispirited, now seemed to have become resplendent and alluring. In the end, she languidly draped herself over him, waiting for him to carry her to the bathhouse for a good soak.
Raindrops fell into the bath, creating ripples. Ji Qingxuan sat in the bath, her white and tender little feet swaying gently in the water. Jiang Huai took her foot into his hand, carefully washing it. Her body was particularly sensitive at this moment. Just a simple touch caused her toes to curl tightly and tremble incessantly. Jiang Huai pried her delicate pink toes apart one by one, only to have them close again in a hurry, like a shy mimosa.
Looking at her current lazy, cat-like demeanor, Jiang Huai felt that her temperament seemed to have changed once more. His fingertips slid across her skin, and the smooth, moist touch made him reluctant to let go. After a long while, he finally carried her out of the bath, took a towel, and carefully wiped her dry before helping her dress. They then walked out of the courtyard together.
Perhaps the daytime indulgence had brought Ji Qingxuan some shame. A faint blush colored her cheeks, and she remained silent all the way, obediently letting him lead her by the hand to Ji Nianchen’s courtyard.
Jiang Huai watched her step onto the spirit boat. Their gazes met across the air. Only after Ji Qingxuan disappeared from his sight did Jiang Huai finally turn to leave.
***
Jun Anshui had already transformed into her dragon form and was flying towards the Dragon Clan World.
Meanwhile, Su Qingyi and Bai Li had just woken up. Jiang Huai came to their courtyard and woke them up, telling them that their mother had already left. Bai Li tilted her head and looked at Jiang Huai. Jiang Huai winked at her, “Wanwan has already prepared your room in advance.”
“Oh.” A smile touched Bai Li’s lips, and her body once again transformed into its petite form. Compared to her usual noble and sacred Dragon Lady appearance, she preferred her current petite form. It was light and small, and she didn’t have to maintain that cold and dignified demeanor. After all, there were no downsides to becoming Little Bai Li, and she could hold onto Jiang Huai even tighter.
Now that the Five Regions Grand Competition had settled, Lin Qing was dead, and Jiang Huai had become the undisputed champion of the competition. However, he could no longer receive the rewards for the Five Regions Grand Competition. The Secret Realm Entrance on Life Source Island had shattered and merged with the outside world. As a result, all the spirit plants inside withered due to the lack of nourishment from the Life Divine Tree, so there were no leaves from the Life Divine Tree left.
Jiang Huai, accompanied by Bai Li and Su Qingyi, went to Chu Xianning’s courtyard. Luo Yueguan and Chu Xianning were having tea. Seeing the three of them arrive, Luo Yueguan took out a spirit boat. The moment the five of them boarded the spirit boat, another figure suddenly descended.
It was Jiang Zhi.
Today, she was wearing a jade-colored qipao, looking dignified and aloof. Her eyes swept over Jiang Huai lightly, and she said in a low voice, “I have something to tell you.”
So, Jiang Huai and Jiang Zhi went to a room on the spirit boat. As soon as Jiang Huai sat on a chair and poured tea for Jiang Zhi, she suddenly lifted her slender, snow-white legs from beneath the qipao. Her white and tender little feet were clad in lotus-colored high heels. Now, her ankles were resting naturally on his leg, and she said calmly, “Let’s talk while you attend to my feet.”
“Huh?”
She had been aloof just a moment ago, but now her lips curved into a charming, playful smile. She was completely unruly. Yet, how could Jiang Huai dare to object to this madwoman’s words? He had no choice but to reluctantly take off her high heels. Jiang Zhi’s white and tender jade feet were still wearing extremely thin and transparent flesh-colored stockings. They were hazy, and after being soaked by the flower dew, they looked incredibly seductive.
Jiang Zhi raised her hand, and a green spirit source appeared in her palm.
“This is the Green Vine Spirit Source obtained after refining Lin Qing. Its efficacy is almost equivalent to nearly a hundred leaves from the Life Divine Tree. It is more than enough to heal your injuries. I know you participated in the Five Regions Grand Competition for Chu Xianning’s old injury. Therefore, you only need to refine this Green Vine Spirit Source with her, and both of your injuries will be healed, and your cultivation levels will advance by several small realms.”
“How do we refine it together?” Jiang Huai asked instinctively.
Jiang Zhi tapped her toes in dissatisfaction and said calmly, “Use your Yin-Yang Dual Cultivation secret technique.”
Jiang Huai felt a pang of shame. His expression became a little awkward. How could he bring himself to say this to Chu Xianning? Would his Master, out of shyness and annoyance, refuse to be healed? But then, he suddenly froze for a moment.
No, it wasn’t like that. He and Chu Xianning were no longer like they used to be. Yet, he still had rigid and stubborn thoughts. Why should he be afraid of Chu Xianning disliking him now? Even if Chu Xianning was unwilling, they could still sit down calmly and have a good talk. Why bother cautiously guessing each other’s thoughts and ending up misunderstanding each other?
So, he carefully put away the Green Vine Spirit Source and said in a low voice, “Thank you, Sister.”
Jiang Zhi’s expression remained indifferent and arrogant. Such a gaze seemed particularly seductive when she used her feet to punish him. Jiang Zhi was becoming more and more skilled at this. Indeed, practice makes perfect no matter what it is. Her white and tender feet became more and more agile and enchanting, with many new tricks. Then, Jiang Zhi glanced at him indifferently and said, “Last time you asked me to investigate the Rebirth Church for you, I have found out for you.”
“Hmm?”
“Lin Qing was the current leader of the Rebirth Church. They still have three Mahayana stage protectors in the Southern Region Rebirth Church. Their cultivation levels are all around the Mahayana fifth stage, with the highest being Mahayana seventh stage, as well as a bunch of Seventh Realm miscellaneous individuals. They were all affected by Lin Qing’s Azure Water Green Vine Divine Art. It’s harder for me to find their hidden locations. However, if you cultivate the Azure Water Green Vine Divine Art to the sixth stage, you will be able to accurately pinpoint their general whereabouts.”
Jiang Huai nodded lightly. After a moment of hesitation, he slowly said, “Then, when I cultivate the Azure Water Green Vine Divine Art to the sixth stage, I will personally find their location.”
Jiang Zhi’s white and tender feet closed slightly, and she said calmly, “At that time, you can go with your Master. Coincidentally, you can refine that Green Vine Spirit Source together along the way, increasing each other’s cultivation levels a bit, which will provide more assurance.”
Jiang Huai’s expression suddenly became a little strange. Jiang Zhi had even thought of this for him. He was about to say that he planned to let things take their natural course, but Jiang Zhi’s white and tender feet suddenly sped up their punishment, making his words somewhat garbled. After a while, Jiang Zhi’s toes closed tightly. She leaned back slightly, looking at him with a contemptuous and disgusted gaze. When she lifted her white and tender feet again, the gaps between her toes had already been filled.
“You are now at the peak of the Mahayana third stage. When you and Chu Xianning have finished refining this Green Vine Spirit Source, your cultivation should touch the threshold of the Ninth Realm. Then, your cultivation will undergo earth-shattering changes, and at that time… we will meet again.”
Jiang Zhi’s body floated in the air. The hem of her qipao was lifted, and she disdainfully removed the now-soiled stockings. Jiang Huai had already fetched water in the room to bathe her feet. Jiang Zhi seemed to particularly enjoy this humiliating game. As Jiang Huai bathed her feet, she reached out and stroked his head, saying softly, “During this time, what do you plan to do?”
“Get married,” Jiang Huai answered sincerely.
His wedding with Qingyu was approaching. Once they chose an auspicious date in the spring, they could get married. After Qingyu, he would marry Wanwan in another month. Fufu always wanted to marry at the same time as Wanwan. Jiang Huai had thought that having them marry separately would show more sincerity? But Wanwan didn’t care about such things, so he didn’t insist. He would marry Wanwan and Fufu together then.
Then he would have to start preparing for the next wedding.
“You’re getting married already… little one.”
A hint of indescribable confusion appeared in Jiang Zhi’s eyes, but it vanished after a moment. She simply smiled and said, “Will you invite me?”
“If you’re willing to come, I’ll send you an invitation. Just don’t cause any trouble.”
“Do I seem like such an unreasonable person in your eyes?”
“Yes.”
Although Jiang Zhi liked to play pranks, when it came to important matters, she never trifled with Jiang Huai. Jiang Huai took a towel and wiped her slender feet clean. He suddenly looked up and at Jiang Zhi in front of him, “I have a question.”
“Hold it in.”
Jiang Zhi seemed to guess what Jiang Huai wanted to ask, so she rolled her eyes directly. Jiang Huai had no choice but to silently swallow the words again.
He wanted to ask Jiang Zhi what she meant when she said they would have dual cultivation one day, and he also wanted to know the origin of the Limitless Chaos Dao Fruit on his body and why his Heavenly Way lightning tribulation could trigger so many Nine Heavens Divine Lightning. However, Jiang Zhi showed no intention of clarifying things for him. She simply bent slightly, reached out, and gently caressed his face, her tone becoming a bit gentler.
“You don’t need to worry. One day, you will understand everything. I have never harmed you, and I never will.”
“Mmm, I understand,” Jiang Huai replied softly.
If Jiang Zhi had truly wanted to harm him, she could have made him vanish with a mere flick of her finger the moment they first met, and no one could have stopped her. Why would she do so much for him?
Jiang Zhi lifted her leg again. Jiang Huai helped her put on her lotus-colored high heels. Seeing her stand up, she said calmly, “Then I’ll leave now. If you need anything, just transmit a message to me using the jade token I gave you.”
“Mmm, understood.”
With that, Jiang Zhi turned to leave. However, Jiang Huai, who had just cleaned himself with spiritual energy, stood up and suddenly said softly, “Sister… wait a moment.”
Jiang Zhi turned to look at him, a hint of confusion in her eyes.
Jiang Huai walked up to her and said in a low voice, “Hug me.”
Jiang Zhi was silent for a moment, her eyes instinctively dodging, but she still obediently extended her hand. As if reluctantly, she was gently embraced by Jiang Huai. Jiang Huai held her tender and soft body, hugging her tighter, and said softly, “Thank you, Sister… for everything you’ve done for me.”
“You’re welcome.” Jiang Zhi’s voice was still slightly cold, but as Jiang Huai slowly leaned closer, she was momentarily stunned, instinctively forgetting to dodge. Therefore, Jiang Huai gently kissed her lips.
