Chapter 250: If Heaven and Earth are devoid of feeling, all things shall not be born.
Behind Pei Lianxue’s new residence on Xi Ri Peak, there was a rather large open-air bath. It was decorated with rock formations, and two crane sculptures stood on either side, spewing hot water into the pool.
Four cultivators, clad in golden-white sect uniforms, entered through the moon-shaped archway at the bath’s entrance. Passing by a screen, they arrived at the edge of the pool.
Yun Xi, her golden hair cascading behind her, walked to the edge of the pool and stopped. A hint of resentment flickered across her face as she suddenly turned to look at the two Core Formation stage female disciples from the Sword Sect who had followed her and Pei Lianxue inside.
Due to the incident on Qiong Peak, both Xi Ri Peak and Yi Shui Peak were now under curfew. The elders had also specifically assigned Core Formation stage disciples from the Central Peak to protect Yun Xi and the other two.
However, Yun Xi was not accustomed to being watched while bathing. She usually dismissed even her maids when she bathed.
After staring at the two disciples for a long time and seeing that they still hadn’t understood her expression, Yun Xi sighed lightly and pointed to the bathhouse entrance with her hand, “You two, get out!!”
The two exchanged glances, a hint of helplessness evident. After a moment of hesitation, one of them stepped forward, cupped his hands, and replied:
“Miss… Third Miss. The elders’ orders are to stay by your side at all times to ensure your safety. We can let it slide during the day when you don’t want us around, but after nightfall, please allow us to stay. If anything like what happened a few days ago occurs again, we won’t be able to report back to the elders…”
“Stop, stop!” Yun Xi raised her hand to interrupt. “Everyone knows the elders have assigned Core Formation stage cultivators to guard me. How could any cultivator be so foolish as to break in here to kidnap me? Don’t worry, nothing will happen.”
“But…”
“Besides!” Yun Xi grabbed Pei Lianxue’s shoulders and pulled her forward. “Isn’t Pei Sister here? The ones who were kidnapped last time were my two older sisters, and I wasn’t. Even if your ominous predictions come true, Pei Sister can protect me.”
The two still seemed hesitant. “What if…”
“Tsk… I’m not asking you to leave, just to guard outside the courtyard. If anything happens, you can rush in immediately.
Seeing Yun Xi’s firm insistence on them leaving, the two hesitated for a moment. thinking that there were Senior Brothers patrolling the outer perimeter of the mountain, they didn’t say much more. After respectfully bowing, they retreated through the moon-shaped entrance.
Once they were gone, Yun Xi breathed a sigh of relief. She walked to the edge of the pool, unfastened her belt with one hand, and dipped her toes in to test the water’s temperature.
Finding the water temperature suitable, she removed her bathrobe, took five steps back, then charged forward and dove gracefully into the pool.
Huala Huala—
Her entry into the water was perfect, and with no resistance from her chest, she barely disturbed the surface, creating only a small splash.
Yun Xi swam underwater to the center of the pool, her toes touching the bottom. She surfaced, gasping, “Huff-ha—”
Her wet golden hair now clung to her face, completely devoid of its usual “fiery” temperament, making her appear much more delicate.
She shook her hair, then brushed aside the strands of hair stuck to her cheeks. Turning her head, she saw Pei Lianxue still standing on the bank and waved her forward, “Pei Sister, don’t just stand there! Come down, it’s very comfortable!”
“Ah… Okay.”
Pei Lianxue responded, her steps slightly hesitant as she walked to the edge of the pool and slowly reached for her belt.
Swoosh—
With a faint sound, her golden-white immortal robe slipped from her shoulders, revealing her fair skin, which seemed to glow like alabaster under the moonlight, like a porcelain doll.
This was Pei Lianxue’s first time bathing with Yun Xi, and her first time bathing in an open-air pool. She felt inexplicably nervous and a bit wasteful.
In the past, at the Hundred Lotus Sect and Xuan Xing Sect, unless she had sweated profusely, she would only use a cloth to cleanse herself.
Moreover, while other cultivators used water stones to generate water, she would still heat water with firewood, like a mortal. A pool like this would cost at least a hundred water stones, and a single bath would cost two to three hundred spirit stones. It was too extravagant.
Pei Lianxue tentatively dipped her toes into the water, then slowly sat down at the edge of the pool, pulling her thick, dark brown hair back behind her head.
Just as she was about to enter the water, she looked up and saw Yun Xi staring intently at her. She pursed her lips slightly and asked, a hint of confusion in her voice, “What’s wrong?”
“Mmm…” Yun Xi frowned, resting her chin on her hand as she pondered for a moment. She slowly walked over, “Even though I knew, Pei Sister, you’re really quite small.”
“Small?”
“Yes,” Yun Xi sat down next to Pei Lianxue, leaning against the edge of the pool with her shoulders submerged in the water, and chuckled, “A little girl who hasn’t even grown hair yet, isn’t that small?”
“Huh?”
Pei Lianxue was still confused. She looked down, then glanced at Yun Xi. Seeing the lush growth underwater, she suddenly understood what Yun Xi meant.
She slid into the water, her brows furrowed, and asked, “Is not having hair mean you’re not mature?”
“Of course~” Yun Xi said playfully, a smug look on her face. “Only little girls are all smooth and clean.”
“…”
Pei Lianxue twisted her brows, seemingly believing her explanation. She looked down again and asked, “But I’ve already had my coming-of-age ceremony. Why haven’t I grown hair yet?”
“?”
“…”
Yun Xi had only been joking. She was actually quite envious of Pei Lianxue. But hearing her words, she turned again and saw Pei Lianxue’s brows knitted tightly. She quickly explained, “Ah… Pei Sister, I was just kidding. Don’t take it seriously, okay?”
“Huh?”
“This… this depends on your constitution. Everyone is different. It has nothing to do with maturity. I was just jealous of you, that’s why I said that.”
“Jealous?”
“Yes, Pei Sister is so pure and clean, you look even younger than Jiujiu.”
“…”
Pei Lianxue vaguely recalled that Yun Jiujiu was in her sixties. She wasn’t sure if this was a compliment or something else, but she didn’t say anything, just nodded. She then followed Yun Xi’s example, crouching down and leaning her back against the edge of the pool, closing her eyes to relax.
Yun Xi secretly glanced at Pei Lianxue’s face, inexplicably recalling the scene when Pei Lianxue had saved her from the jaws of a level four demonic beast.
At that time, Pei Lianxue had struck with her sword, her eyes showing no hesitation, instantly dismembering the level four demonic beast into meat chunks.
And a few days ago, facing the villains who had secretly infiltrated Xi Ri Peak, Pei Lianxue had been equally decisive. No matter how much they begged for mercy, she wouldn’t respond, drawing her sword and beheading them, then stabbing their bodies a few more times to finish them off.
She had always thought Pei Lianxue to be a rather cold and ruthless young woman.
However, what she had just said…
Yun Xi paused for a moment and asked softly, “Pei Sister, you don’t happen to not know how people come into existence, do you?”
Pei Lianxue tilted her head in confusion, “What do you mean, where do they come from?”
“I mean… how you were born.”
“…My mother gave birth to me.”
“And how did your mother give birth?”
“How to give birth…” Pei Lianxue twisted her brows. “My father and mother slept in the same bed, and then my mother became pregnant with me. Is that not right?”
Yun Xi looked at Pei Lianxue’s innocent and pure gaze, blinked, and asked, “Do you know the specifics?”
“The specifics…” Pei Lianxue furrowed her brows in thought, then lowered her voice and asked, “What are they?”
Yun Xi sighed softly and shook her head. “Sister will tell you…”
Just as Yun Xi was about to continue, Pei Lianxue suddenly seemed to sense something. Her brows furrowed slightly, and she quickly turned her head to look at the night sky.
In the night sky, a full moon hung high, as large as a white jade plate. And in the center of the silver-white jade plate, a black spot was appearing and continuously growing larger.
Pei Lianxue narrowed her eyes, trying to discern what it was.
“Huh?”
Yun Xi beside her was completely oblivious. “If a woman wants to conceive a child…”
As Yun Xi was speaking, Pei Lianxue felt something was wrong. She immediately released her spiritual energy, forming a shield in front of her, and warned, “Sister Yun, quickly activate your defenses!”
Yun Xi blinked blankly, tilting her head in confusion. “…Huh?!”
And in the next moment—
Boom—
A figure, like a meteor, slammed heavily into the bath.
The pool, which was at most seven feet deep, had water waves several feet high directly displaced.
The splashes hit Pei Lianxue’s spiritual shield, ringing like gongs.
Pei Lianxue furrowed her brows slightly, quickly reached out one hand, summoned her storage bag from the bank, and took out her spiritual sword. With a horizontal sweep of her arm.
Whoosh—
Ice-blue spiritual energy imbued the sword blade, cleaving a deep gash in the pool water and also clearing the mist that filled the pool, revealing the figure hidden by the mist.
Upon seeing the person’s eyes, Pei Lianxue’s eyes widened, and she mumbled, “Sh… Senior Brother?”
“…”
Ye Anping was wearing a mask at the moment, but his exposed nose and eyebrows were red, and his brows were tightly furrowed, indicating extreme discomfort. There was also a rather frightening bloodstain on his shoulder.
“—Miss Third, what happened?!”
The two Core Formation stage cultivators guarding the bathhouse entrance heard the commotion and rushed in.
Upon seeing Ye Anping standing in the middle of the pool, they didn’t hesitate. They immediately summoned their spiritual swords and attacked Ye Anping with their spiritual energy.
Ye Anping glanced at the two Core Formation stage cultivators attacking him, then instantly flashed in front of Pei Lianxue, wrapping his left arm around her neck while pulling out a dagger and holding it to her throat.
Seeing this, the two immediately stopped.
One of them raised her sword and pointed it at Ye Anping, admonishing him, “Thief! You…”
Before the two could finish speaking, Ye Anping’s eyes narrowed. He suddenly flicked his sleeve.
Several fire stones emitting spiritual light flew out from his sleeve, scattering into the surrounding pool.
Boom—
The intense fire element spiritual energy caused the pool water to rapidly expand and evaporate the moment it touched the surface.
The rising mist instantly engulfed hundreds of feet in every direction.
Their vision was obscured by the mist, and their spiritual sense was hindered by the erupting fire spiritual energy.
Ye Anping knew this could only stall the two Core Formation stage disciples for three breaths. He quickly retracted the dagger, embraced his junior sister in a princess carry, and fled in the opposite direction of the two.
As they crossed the courtyard wall, a spiritual light flashed behind them. The white mist that had obscured their vision instantly contracted, and a sword qi pursued Ye Anping.
Swish—
Pei Lianxue sensed it in advance and quickly threw out her spiritual sword, helping her senior brother who was carrying her to block the sword qi. At the same time, she asked, “Senior Brother?”
“I’ll explain later…”
Ye Anping interrupted softly, then threw several Fire Element talismans behind him.
Boom boom boom—
Amidst the mist surrounding the bath, several bursts of fire erupted, dispersing the mist and blocking the two Core Formation stage disciples who were trying to pursue them.
The two were helpless. They could only stop temporarily, channeling their spiritual energy to form a protective barrier against the talismans. By the time the talismans burned out, Pei Lianxue and Ye Anping’s figures had completely disappeared into the mountain forest behind them.
“Chase them!!”
One of them frowned slightly and was about to pursue when the other suddenly grabbed her shoulder.
“Wait. Leave them to Senior Brother and the others. We’ll stay by Miss Third’s side.”
Hearing this, the first one hesitated for a moment, gritting her teeth in frustration. “Tsk…”
“The elders’ mission is to ensure Miss Third’s safety. If this is a feint, it would be bad. With such a commotion, Senior Brother and the other Senior Sisters should have heard it. I saw that thief; he’s only at the Mid Foundation Establishment stage. He can’t possibly escape.”
“Mm…”
The other one nodded and immediately turned back to check on Yun Xi.
However, when they returned to the edge of the pool, they noticed that Yun Xi was floating face down on the bubbling water.
Perhaps it was due to the fire stones and Fire Element talismans the other person had thrown into the water, but the water was now boiling.
The two froze for a moment, then gasped in shock and rushed forward to pull Yun Xi out of the boiling water.
“Miss Third?!”
Turning her over, they saw her face flushed red from the boiling water. They held their breath.
One of them swallowed and carefully checked Yun Xi’s breathing. She then used her spiritual sense to examine Yun Xi’s condition. Only when she confirmed that Yun Xi had merely fainted did she exhale a sigh of relief.
“She’s fine. Just fainted.”
… …
————
Swish swish—
Ye Anping’s footsteps crunched on fallen leaves as he gritted his teeth, carrying his junior sister at breakneck speed through the forest. The Core Formation stage disciples patrolling around Xi Ri Peak had likely all been alerted by now.
He couldn’t use his flying sword or mobilize even a trace of spiritual energy, otherwise, the Core Formation stage cultivators surrounding Xi Ri Peak would instantly detect his location and surround him.
There was no doubt this was a last resort.
But he had no other choice.
On his way from Jian Jiu Peak to Xi Ri Peak, he had already been intercepted by a Sword Sect disciple at the Core Formation stage. However, at that time, he didn’t have the time to explain and had to force his way through.
The wound on his shoulder was a result of that encounter.
Feeling that he had reached the depths of the pine forest, Ye Anping quickly took out the jade pendant he had obtained from Si Xuanji. This pendant was originally a high-level spirit treasure, capable of concealing his cultivation and aura, which was more than enough to fool the Core Formation stage cultivators.
He held the jade pendant in his hand, then walked to a pine tree and gently placed his junior sister, whom he was holding, down.
Once Pei Lianxue touched the ground, she immediately leaned forward, shyly covering her chest with her hands.
When her Senior Brother had carried her out, she wasn’t wearing any clothes. However, she didn’t blame him. Seeing that he must have had an urgent matter, she quickly wanted to ask him for a piece of clothing or a blanket to cover herself.
“Senior Brother, do you have any…”
However, before Pei Lianxue could finish five words, Ye Anping cupped her face with his right hand, leaned in, and covered her lips with his own.
Pei Lianxue’s eyes widened slightly. Due to Ye Anping’s action, she stumbled back several steps but still couldn’t stand steady, falling directly onto the muddy ground covered in fallen leaves.
Thump—
However, upon feeling the scorching spiritual energy from Ye Anping’s mouth, Pei Lianxue understood what was happening. She calmed herself and immediately released the spiritual energy from her dantian to meet his.
The faint rustling of leaves in the breeze could be heard. Pei Lianxue also sensed that her Senior Brother’s condition seemed much more severe than any previous time. She quickly raised her hand and placed it on his back, gently stroking it.
A gentle breeze swept through the forest, and the chirping of birds was incessant.
The full moon in the sky seemed to be peeking down, its moonlight filtering through the swaying leaves and falling upon the two figures.
Streams of spiritual energy, hot as boiling water, flowed slowly from where their lips met, followed by streams as cool as mountain springs flowing into their bodies.
Ye Anping’s originally agitated heartbeat gradually calmed down, and the heavy, lead-like burden in his head slowly lifted.
He placed his hands on either side of his junior sister’s head, and their tightly joined lips slowly separated.
What met his eyes were his junior sister’s trembling eyes, filled with tears.
A tear rolled from the corner of her eye and slowly dripped onto the soil, tracing a path down her cheek.
Pei Lianxue’s lips parted slightly, as if gasping for breath, her breathing rapid. But seeing that her Senior Brother’s complexion had improved, she broke into a smile, her voice hoarse with residual tears as she asked with concern, “Senior Brother, are you feeling better?”
“…”
This question, from her tone, felt like a sharp sword piercing through Ye Anping’s chest and out his back. His brow furrowed in unease as he finally noticed that his junior sister was completely unclothed, lying naked on the ground covered in sharp, dry leaves.
He quickly helped her sit up, leaning her against his chest, then took off his outer robe and draped it over Pei Lianxue’s shoulders.
“Are you uncomfortable?”
“…”
Pei Lianxue clutched his chest, her legs involuntarily pressed together, her toes slightly curled. She unconsciously gripped the ground. She didn’t answer, only nodding slightly. Her long hair, which fell between Ye Anping’s collarbones, rustled against his skin.
Seeing her nod, Ye Anping quickly formed a sword finger with his hand and gently touched the back of her neck, closing his eyes and sending his spiritual sense into her meridians to investigate.
Logically, after his junior sister had neutralized his Yang energy with her pure water spiritual energy, there should be no side effects.
Yin and Yang give birth to all things, and the convergence of Yin and Yang produces the purest Heavenly spiritual energy. This was the fundamental reason why his junior sister’s pure water physique was coveted.
However, this time, he was not entirely sure.
Because he was now at the Mid Foundation Establishment stage, the capacity of his meridians was nearly ten times that of the Early Foundation Establishment stage. In other words, the amount of Yang energy his junior sister had neutralized this time was also ten times more than before.
Ye Anping tried to remain calm, settling his mind, and carefully probed Pei Lianxue’s meridians and the spiritual energy within her dantian. His brows furrowed tighter and tighter.
“This is…”
Ye Anping slowly withdrew his spiritual sense, then looked at his junior sister’s slightly arched feet, her toes slightly curled, and then at her misty eyes.
Puffs of hot air brushed past his ears.
“Senior Brother, I’m uncomfortable…”
“…Mm.” Ye Anping responded softly, placing his hands on her back and holding her tightly. “Are you feeling any better now?”
Pei Lianxue, her face buried in Ye Anping’s chest, slowly closed her eyes and nodded slightly. “Mm, I think I’m better… It doesn’t feel uncomfortable when you’re holding me. Can you hold me tighter?”
“…”
Ye Anping nodded slightly, his nose tip brushing against her dew-kissed neck. A faint floral scent wafted towards him. Normally, his junior sister always had a scent similar to gardenias, but now, it was much stronger.
And upon smelling this fragrance, he felt a heat rise in his chest again.
However, it was not as violent and painful as the Yang energy surge before. Instead, it felt like a warm current, slowly flowing downwards.
Ye Anping closed his eyes, slowed his breathing, and held Pei Lianxue tightly, as if hesitating or contemplating. After a long while, as if making a decision, he opened his eyes and said, “Junior Sister, Senior Brother will teach you something later, but there’s one question I need to ask you. You must think carefully before answering.”
“…Mm.”
A whisper, like a delicate orchid, escaped Pei Lianxue’s lips.
Ye Anping paused and asked, “Lianxue, will you marry me?”
The change in address caused Pei Lianxue’s misty eyes to widen slightly. A tear welled up in her eye, seemingly wanting to fall but lingering at the corner, refusing to drop.
“Yes.”
“Mm…”
Ye Anping let out a sigh of relief. He looked up at the full moon, mostly obscured by leaves overhead. He raised his left hand and slowly unfastened his belt, then removed his upper garment and laid it on the muddy ground.
“Senior Brother?”
Pei Lianxue was confused why her Senior Brother was taking off his clothes, but looking at his body, the discomfort that had filled her seemed to have lessened considerably.
Ye Anping gently laid her down on his clothes, then embraced her slender waist and whispered in her ear, “Senior Brother is going to teach you something. Close your eyes and feel it, okay?”
“…Mm.”
Rustling—
The cold winter wind swept through the forest, stirring up fallen leaves and blowing against their naked bodies, yet they felt no chill.
Waves of irritating itchiness coursed through their meridians and into their minds. Chirping and twittering sounds, accompanied by a rhythm, escaped from Pei Lianxue’s lips.
Gurgling streams turn into rapids when they pass through rocky gorges.
Tender spring shoots, with a touch of sweet dew, can grow into verdant trees overnight.
Yin and Yang merge, opening and closing the gates of existence. This is something that has been repeated countless times since the birth of spirits in heaven and earth. When did it become shrouded in a veil of mystery?
If Heaven and Earth are devoid of feeling, all things shall not be born. If all things are not born, then there is no cycle, no cause without effect.
Ye Anping looked at his junior sister’s captivating and enraptured face, no longer contemplating. He closed his eyes, lowered his head, and met the lips of one of the people he held most dear in his life…
… …
