Jiang Huai tossed the bodies of Ji Qingchen and the grey-clothed cultivator into the lotus lake before them. The corpses floated on the lake’s surface for a moment before a large fish with black scales leaped out, swallowing both bodies. It then sank back into the depths in an instant, its powerful splash soaking the grass on the shore.
Many rare treasures emit spiritual qi, which is beneficial to ferocious beasts. Thus, these beasts often guard these treasures. Clearly, this large fish was the demonic beast guarding the seven-colored lotus.
“I’ll drive this ferocious beast out of the lake. Daoist friends, you two will restrain it, and she will slay it. What do you think?” Jiang Huai looked at the two rogue cultivators, his expression returning to one of gentle refinement.
The two rogue cultivators nodded. They had already seen that the demonic beast guarding the seven-colored lotus was only at the late Nascent Soul stage. However, none of them were skilled in water combat, so it was a good thing if they could lure the beast out.
Jiang Huai silently raised his hand and took out four Fire Dragon Talismans. The talismans hung in the air. One of the rogue cultivators recognized them. “A single seven-colored lotus, and you’re using such a grand method?”
A Fire Blast Talisman was worth a thousand spirit stones, but a Fire Dragon Talisman was worth three thousand. However, Jiang Huai had merely modified the Fire Dragon Talismans into Fire Blast Talismans. The cost of spiritual fluid was only a few hundred spirit stones. But this was a business he couldn’t engage in, as modifying talismans consumed divine soul power. His divine soul power had already been depleted by fifty percent from drawing talismans and restraining the grey-clothed cultivator earlier.
“Just give me two more petals later.” Jiang Huai smiled casually, then activated the four Fire Dragon Talismans. The talismans suspended in mid-air instantly transformed into four magnificent pillars of fire. The pillars of fire descended upon the lotus pond, and in an instant, mist rose from the pond. Soon, the entire lake water became boiling hot, and mist began to fill the air. The surroundings became scorching, and birds and beasts fled. The fish demon, due to the boiling water and impending dryness, leaped out of the lake.
To Jiang Huai’s surprise, the fish demon also had small legs, though it was clearly not agile. The two rogue cultivators had been waiting for some time. The moment the fish demon emerged from the water, they drew their swords. Bai Li, holding the Night Condensation sword Jiang Huai had given her, began to search for the fish demon’s vital points.
Jiang Huai stood aside, no longer participating in the fight. Instead, he kept a close eye on the two rogue cultivators. He believed it was wise to be cautious; if they dared to attack Bai Li amidst the chaos, he would preemptively kill them with his Water Moon Sword. Fortunately, his concerns were unfounded. The fish demon’s body was soon riddled with wounds. Bai Li, who had been observing for a long while, finally found an opportunity. She leaped forward, her sword light flaring. The blade plunged into the fish demon’s forehead. She lightly tapped its forehead with her toes, and the fish demon’s body collapsed with a thud.
Bai Li leaped up and lunged towards the lotus. She pulled up the entire stem, and counted twenty-four petals. She handed the lotus to Jiang Huai. After carefully counting, Jiang Huai plucked off ten petals, giving five to each of the two rogue cultivators. He asked with a smile, “Is that enough?”
“Yes, yes, thank you.” The two rogue cultivators accepted the petals with a hint of gratitude. After all, they hadn’t contributed much. Jiang Huai’s use of the Fire Dragon Talismans to drive the fish demon ashore was crucial, and Bai Li’s finishing blow was perfectly timed, preventing further delays.
“Thank you, Young Master Jiang Huai. We shall take our leave.” The two rogue cultivators prepared to depart. Jiang Huai nodded slightly, watching them disappear into the distance. Bai Li kicked the fish demon’s corpse back into the nearly dried-up lotus pond. Jiang Huai then took out another Fire Dragon Talisman, thinking that since they had killed it, destroying the evidence was important. After the fish demon’s corpse turned to ash, Jiang Huai and Bai Li turned to leave together. Bai Li held the petals in her hand and looked up at Jiang Huai, “Can I eat them directly?”
“No, wait for me to refine them into pills for you to eat.”
“Okay.” Bai Li nodded obediently. Having avenged her grievances, Bai Li was clearly very happy, skipping as she walked. Sometimes, Jiang Huai looked at Bai Li’s immature face and inadvertently treated her as a little girl, even though she was a year older than him.
The two found a lakeside without any ferocious beasts, and there happened to be a cave nearby. Jiang Huai sat in the cave and began refining pills. The remaining fourteen lotus petals were refined into seven Lotus Essence Pills. Jiang Huai took two and gave the rest to Bai Li.
“You take more?”
“My qi sea is broken, so I can’t increase my cultivation. I’ll take two for my junior sister at the sect.”
“Oh, then I’ll take three. You can give the rest to them.”
“Junior Sister’s cultivation is already at the peak of Foundation Establishment. Taking these Lotus Essence Pills will only consolidate it; taking too many won’t help.” Jiang Huai smiled helplessly and pinched Bai Li’s small face. Her cheeks were soft. Bai Li no longer refused and accepted the five pills. “Can I eat them all at once?”
“Yes, you can. After you eat them, start refining, and I’ll guard you.” So, Bai Li ate all five Lotus Essence Pills at once. The surging spiritual qi entered her qi sea, and she sat down, diligently refining the medicinal power. Jiang Huai stood by, quietly gazing at her face.
…
“How is it?”
“Late Nascent Soul.” Bai Li opened her eyes, which were visibly brighter. She then rubbed her belly and looked at Jiang Huai. Just as she was about to say she was hungry, Jiang Huai handed her a roasted chicken leg.
“You know me best.” Bai Li took the chicken leg and took a big bite.
They had only entered the secret realm for three days, but the gains were quite substantial. Jiang Huai now had seven Golden Scale Fruits, which would help him cultivate the tenth level of the Immaculate Golden Body. He also had over forty thousand spirit stones. Bai Li’s cultivation had reached the late Nascent Soul stage. Next, they would explore the First Area to find the Dragon Blood Spirit Flower. Bai Li’s goal, however, was the Dragon Crystal from the dragon corpse.
The sky had already darkened, and night had fallen. Bai Li wanted to bathe, so Jiang Huai accompanied her. After confirming that no one was around, Bai Li sat by the lake, carefully removed her dress, and slowly walked into the water. The lake was not deep, reaching just past her collarbone. The ethereal, hazy moonlight fell on her cheeks, casting a slight glow on her snow-white hair that fell to her shoulders.
Jiang Huai sat by the lake, guarding her. Bai Li suddenly asked him, “Do you want to come in and bathe too?”
“Hmm, I’ll wait until you finish bathing first.”
“Hehe, putting on an act again.” Bai Li suddenly reached out and tugged at his calf. Before he could react, Bai Li had pulled him in. Immersed in the lake water, Jiang Huai stabilized himself and gave her a slow look. He began to undress, removing all his clothes. After undressing completely, he opened the bathing flower dew he carried. Bai Li leaned closer and blinked at him, “I want some too.” She took Jiang Huai’s hand and walked towards a shallower area. Gradually, her body emerged from the water. Jiang Huai, with his back to her, looked at the slender, snow-white figure of the girl under the moonlight, feeling a sense of unreality.
The surrounding trees cast long shadows, as if they were primitive people living in the mountains. They hunted at sunrise and returned to their caves at sunset. When they got dirty, they bathed in the water before returning to the cave to do unspeakable things and sleep in each other’s arms.
Jiang Huai poured some flower dew onto her back and began to gently rub it in. Damn it.
“Quick, turn around and look at your little tongue.” Jiang Huai reached out and placed his hand on her smooth, snow-white shoulder. Bai Li turned her head, her lips slightly parted. However, her pink tongue looked incredibly normal this time. Jiang Huai was startled and looked at her gently swinging little pink tongue. “Your tongue…?”
“I’m at the late Nascent Soul stage now, and my tongue has taken human form. It looks almost the same as yours now.” Bai Li’s smile was charming, and she slyly glanced down. “So, what about you now?”
“No, I’ll wait until you’ve finished bathing.”
“I have a way.” Bai Li tilted her head slightly. “If you want to do something bad to me, some of my Snake Clan divine abilities will scatter onto you. When my mother finds me, she’ll want to kill you to retrieve the Snake Ancestor’s divine power. Think about that.” Bai Li stared directly at Jiang Huai for several seconds, then blinked innocently. “What? You were afraid of my tongue before, but now you’re not afraid of anything?”
“…” Jiang Huai was speechless. He heard Bai Li happily laugh, “Then should I transform back into my true form?”
“No, no, no! That’s too scary.”
“Then that’s that. Be patient, quickly help me apply the flower dew. The wind is so cold.” Jiang Huai gazed at the girl’s slender, snow-white body in his sight. Damn it, this brother treated him as a brother; how could he have impure thoughts about his brother! Jiang Huai, be obedient, or he’ll punch you if you’re not!
Jiang Huai diligently continued to apply the flower dew to Bai Li. Her body was smooth and tender. After finishing her back, Bai Li turned to face him. “You need to apply it to the front properly too.” Jiang Huai hastily closed his eyes and thrust the bottle of flower dew at her. “You do it yourself.”
“Hahahaha!” Bai Li laughed heartily. Jiang Huai kept his eyes tightly shut, but after a moment, the girl’s tender, white hand landed on his chest. “Then let me help you apply it.” The girl’s small hand, perhaps from being in the water, was slightly cold. It gently massaged his chest, and after a while, it moved behind Jiang Huai. Feeling the soft touch on his back, his body trembled, and his voice stuttered, “Is this… is this also applying flower dew?”
“Didn’t you write it in Floating Clouds Flowery Records?” Bai Li answered innocently, stretching on tiptoes to barely reach his back. She rubbed hard, and as she rubbed, peach blossoms seemed to bloom quietly in the snow. “You’re too unfair. I didn’t even want to sleep with you, but you want to sleep with me.” Bai Li’s voice seemed to carry a hint of complaint.
“I have sinned, I repent.” Jiang Huai was dejected. He really wanted to punch Jiang Huai.
“Forget it, forget it. Want me to rub you a bit?”
“Are you just teasing me for fun?”
“Yes.” Bai Li answered innocently, then jumped back in front of him. “It’s actually okay. Why don’t you seriously think about what you want to play? As long as it’s not too excessive, I’m fine with anything.”
“No, no, no!” Jiang Huai shook his head. Bai Li looked at him seriously for a while, then suddenly laughed and reached out to pinch his face.
“You’re so cute,” she said, laughing.
