Chapter 39

Chapter 39

Lanterns flickered to life as the bright moon hung outside the window.

Just when Lu Yuanyin thought she would drop dead from exhaustion in that room, Huo Wuyan finally took pity on her. He draped a robe over himself, stretched out his arms, and carried her into the pool in the adjoining chamber.

Steam rose as the warm water soothed her sore muscles. It felt oddly satisfying and painful at the same time. Lu Yuanyin couldn't help but let out a soft sigh as she stared blankly at the dark night outside the window, on the verge of tears.

If she'd known Huo Wuyan was in heat, she never would've dared to rile him up with that chicken soup, even with a hundred times the courage...

Lu Yuanyin rubbed her aching wrist and saw the red marks on her palm. She couldn't help shooting another glare at Huo Wuyan, only to see him sitting in the pool, shirtless and stone-faced. His white hair fell messily into the water, swaying gently with the currents.

Through his wet white hair, his toned abs were faintly visible, covered in fresh scratches and bite marks, looking unreasonably sexy.

As if sensing her gaze, Huo Wuyan lifted his eyelids and gave her a cold stare. His eyes were dark, his expression cold, no longer that needy, lustful look from before.

Lu Yuanyin just peeked at him once and felt her scalp tingle. She pretended she didn't see and quietly looked away. She scrubbed herself clean a few times, but still felt that lingering scent of sex clinging to her that just wouldn't go away.

But by now she was too tired to dwell on it. She couldn't even lift a finger.

Warm mist filled the room as water droplets pattered into the pool. Lu Yuanyin yawned, her lashes fluttered, and in a blink she was fast asleep by the pool.

The room went quiet, except for the soft splash of water and the haze of steam.

Huo Wuyan dropped his gaze, staring coldly at the closed door. The chaos of the past few days felt like a hazy, dreamlike blur. For a moment, his mind drifted.

Noticing the steady breathing beside him, Huo Wuyan turned and saw Lu Yuanyin passed out by the pool. Her wet black hair stuck to her thin back, showing patches of pale skin, and faint purple finger marks still lingered on her slender waist.

Huo Wuyan paused, then bent down and scooped up the sleeping Lu Yuanyin and strode into the adjacent room. As soon as she hit the soft bed, Lu Yuanyin instinctively rolled over, expertly burrowing under the covers. She curled into a ball, only a tuft of messy hair poking out.

Her soft breathing came from under the blanket. Huo Wuyan rubbed his forehead, then silently sat on the couch by the window. Staring at the pitch-black sky outside, he found himself lost in thought.

Before, he'd deliberately avoided thinking about Lu Yuanyin. But now he couldn't ignore it.

During those crazy days, he'd craved her desperately, greedily drinking in her scent. He couldn't deny he wanted to be fully inside her. His usual iron self-control crumbled around her. To him, she was the strongest aphrodisiac. In those wild moments, dark thoughts surged, urging him to own her completely.

In the end, he couldn't tell if it was the rut or the desire in his own heart.

Huo Wuyan lowered his lashes, coldly eyeing the crowd on the street. Lanterns flickered as a few flower lanterns drifted across the lake.

He pushed the hair from his eyes, a new wave of restlessness rising in his chest. Remembering what Lu Yuanyin had said, he stiffly shifted his posture, wondering if she'd been satisfied with him this time.

Compared to that time in the cave, his skills should've improved at least a little.

Would she secretly look down on him again?

Lu Yuanyin had no idea what Huo Wuyan was thinking, nor did she know about the inner turmoil he was experiencing. She buried herself in the covers and slept soundly, lost in a deep, dreamless slumber.

Only now and then did a maidservant wake her to eat a little, before curling back into the blanket. After sleeping two days and a night, she finally felt human again. Cozy in the soft bed, she grabbed her medical books and started reading again.

Just then, a soft knock came from outside the window. Lu Yuanyin pushed open the window and saw Qing Nong leaning against it, grinning. "Want to go out for a stroll? It's so lively out there! Even wilder than that Four Directions Alchemy Meet last time!"

He had been stuck in the inn for days, bored out of his mind.

Because of what happened last time, Lu Yuanyin now felt a bit of dread whenever she heard the word "go out." She pointed at his still-bandaged arm. "Are you forgetting the pain now that the wound has healed? Aren't you afraid those people are still lying in wait for us? As soon as we step out, they'll have us thrown in a sack and beaten black and blue!"

After all, Huo Wuyan had killed the Black Flood Dragon and several cultivators in one go last time. That faction was definitely not going to let it go.

Qing Nong chuckled dryly at her words. "That was an accident! They ambushed us and outnumbered us!"

Seeing Lu Yuanyin about to turn around and leave, he quickly grabbed her sleeve. "How about we bring Huo Wuyan along? He's been in the inn these past two days anyway. If you ask him, he'll definitely agree!"

Lu Yuanyin gave him a strange look. If she had the power to command Huo Wuyan, she would have long since led him back to Chongyao Sect and slaughtered those beasts...

She patted Qing Nong's arm and said softly, "Why don't you go out on your own? That faction is after me. They won't bother you if you're alone."

As soon as she finished speaking, a muffled sound came from the next window, which was suddenly pushed open from inside.

Lu Yuanyin looked up and saw Huo Wuyan standing expressionlessly behind the window, his crimson eyes casting a cold glance in their direction. The warm morning light fell softly on his face but couldn't soften the chill in his brows.

The old medical cultivator stood behind him with a look of surprise, apparently not expecting him to do that. He was now craning his neck to see them.

Huo Wuyan's gaze lingered on the two of them for a moment. Seeing that Lu Yuanyin's hand was still on Qing Nong's arm, he said coldly, "The medical cultivator told me to take you out for some fresh air."

The old medical cultivator: "??"

He never said that!

Before Lu Yuanyin could respond, Qing Nong excitedly raised his head. "Great!"

Huo Wuyan glanced at him coldly and said in a deep voice, "Are you that idle? Go deal with those matters concerning the sea clan."

"???" Qing Nong was stunned. Looking at Huo Wuyan's expressionless face, he let out a mournful cry. "Have mercy on me! I get a headache just looking at those things. I'm not cut out for this! Is there anyone who can save me?!"

Qing Nong looked pitifully at Lu Yuanyin, hoping she would plead for him.

Seeing his miserable state, Lu Yuanyin silently sympathized with him. Her red lips parted, but before she could speak, Huo Wuyan turned his head slightly, his crimson eyes fixated on her. His gaze was dark. "Not coming?"

Hearing this, Lu Yuanyin quickly picked up her skirt and hurried over. She curved her eyebrows at Huo Wuyan and said softly, "Coming!"

She stole a glance at him, feeling that Huo Wuyan seemed particularly irritable today.

Qing Nong hadn't lied to her. The streets were indeed incredibly lively, filled with crowds of people and vendors enthusiastically hawking their goods. The city was so packed that it was practically shoulder to shoulder. Although Chongyao Sect was prosperous, Lu Yuanyin had been a disciple there for decades and had never seen such a bustling scene.

What surprised her even more was that, at some point, dozens of tall platforms had been erected on the Wangyuan Lake within the city. These platforms were decorated with gold-painted carvings of dragons and glass carvings of phoenixes, and even the pillars beneath them were made of priceless Rongbai jade.

Several sword cultivators were fiercely sparring on top of these platforms. Sword light flickered as immense spiritual power abruptly exploded in the void. On the transparent barrier surrounding them, ripples like flowing water spread out layer by layer. The disciples moved like swimming dragons, stepping on their swords as they shot through the sky, like arrows of feathers bursting forth in an instant.

The sparring included both one-on-one duels and group battles, with various sword lights flashing and spiritual treasures flying in a dazzling display. Watching the dozens of platforms, Lu Yuanyin felt a deep sense of amazement. These structures were clearly no ordinary works and could not have been built overnight. She wondered which faction had such deep pockets and boldness.

The next moment, Lu Yuanyin's gaze paused. She noticed that wherever Huo Wuyan went, the people around him instinctively moved aside. In such a crowded place, there was actually an empty ring around him.

Passing cultivators secretly cast covert glances at him, their expressions mixed with aversion and hostility, as well as awe and fear.

Lu Yuanyin's eyes lingered on those people for a moment. Suddenly, an idea occurred to her, and her eyes darted around.

She gently tugged at his wide robe. With wide eyes, she said softly, "Huo Wuyan, do you think my bone structure is suitable for sword training? Do you know any sword techniques? Can you teach me?"

Given Huo Wuyan's status and position, the sword techniques he deemed worthy would surely be extraordinary. If she could learn even a move or two, it would be an immense advantage for her. Lu Yuanyin nervously tightened her grip on his sleeve, unsure if Huo Wuyan would be willing to teach her.

Huo Wuyan lowered his eyes slightly and looked at her coldly. His gaze lingered on her slender arms and legs for a moment before he said in a deep voice, "Stupid by nature."

Lu Yuanyin: "..."

She was silent for a moment, gritted her teeth, and silently let go of his sleeve.

She was just pondering how to pester Huo Wuyan into teaching her some powerful sword techniques when she heard a burst of cheers from behind. A few male cultivators couldn't help but shout exultantly, "As expected of the prodigy of Chongyao Sect! What a credit to us!"

"These young people are truly impressive, they're truly something else. The disciples of our Chongyao Sect in the past two years are really remarkable!"

"Next year, Chongyao Sect will recruit many again. Their luck is incredible. Every time promising talents appear, that old man snatches them up first! Sigh..."

"..."

At these words, Lu Yuanyin lifted her head slightly and saw several disciples leaping down from the high platform. Another group followed them, looking disheveled and dejected. Watching those spirited young disciples, she narrowed her eyes, her gaze lingering on a few of them for a moment.

The leading male cultivator was dressed in blue robes with a jade crown. His handsome features boasted sword-like brows slanting into his temples and eyes like black lacquer. He carried two long swords on his back, and his blue casual clothes outlined his lean waist. Compared to his gloomy silence of previous years, he now radiated the unique vigor of youth.

Lu Sisi stood beside him with a shy expression, her watery doe eyes full of delight. She practically snuggled into his arms. "Brother Gu, you are amazing! We won again! Two more wins and we can enter the next round!"

This time, almost all the prodigies from the nearby great thousand worlds had come for the competition. Lu Sisi had been somewhat anxious, knowing that without the help of Senior Heijiao, she was no match for those people.

But unexpectedly, Gu Lingqiu's cultivation had soared, and he led them to defeat the opposing disciples one after another!

She lifted her little face, her doe eyes looking at Gu Lingqiu with adoration.

Even Tong Lanyi, who had not appeared for a long time, showed up again. She hugged her long sword and followed behind the two with an excited expression. The others also looked somewhat familiar.

Watching the joy on their faces, her expression slowly turned cold. Lu Yuanyin lowered her eyelashes and slowly rubbed the storage pouch in her hand, lost in thought.

She currently lacked the strength to kill Lu Sisi and her group under the noses of Chongyao Sect's elders. Lu Yuanyin was too irritated to watch any longer. She tugged at Huo Wuyan's robe and whispered, "Let's go somewhere else. It's too noisy here."

As slow-witted as Huo Wuyan was, he now noticed her low spirits. He paused, belatedly realizing that his earlier comment about her being dull-witted might have hurt her. Lu Yuanyin was fragile and sensitive, not thick-skinned and shameless like Qing Nong or Hong Rong.

Huo Wuyan looked at her fluffy little head and couldn't help but fall silent. After pondering for a moment, he said solemnly, "A slow sparrow should make an early start. If you work hard, it's not impossible."

"I'll teach you personally when we get back."

Hearing this, Lu Yuanyin said dryly, "Thank you..."

Gu Lingqiu walked down the high platform without looking sideways. Listening to the sycophantic flattery surrounding him, he felt a hint of impatience in his heart.

Since childhood, he had been accustomed to these hypocritical praises. Hearing them now only filled him with disgust and irritation.

His expression grew colder. He idly played with the long sword in his hand, mulling over his next move, when he saw a familiar figure slowly disappearing into the crowd. Gu Lingqiu was startled, his mind was momentarily dazed.

Before he even realized it, he pushed aside Lu Sisi leaning against him. Under the astonished gazes of the crowd, he instinctively strode forward and reached out to grab her wrist. "Lu Yuanyin! You..."

But a tall figure blocked his path even more quickly, stopping his movement.

Gu Lingqiu paused in his movement. Ignoring the tall male cultivator who blocked his path, he abruptly raised his head and stared in shock at Lu Yuanyin before him. In just a few days, he could barely recognize her. Her face was fair with a rosy blush, her eyes shimmering, and her brows and eyes were full of allure.

He sensed the scent of a man on Lu Yuanyin.

As a man, he naturally understood what it meant. It meant that before this, they had been locked in a passionate embrace. He couldn't even imagine how many times they had done it for her to be saturated with such an intense scent.

Gu Lingqiu's face instantly turned livid.

He stared fixedly at the person before him and suddenly let out a cold laugh.

Author's note:

None