CHAPTER 41
Sisters Bathing Together
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"What are you going to do?"
"Sister Qinghan asked Shiyu to freshen up and join us for dinner later."
How could Li Shiyu possibly have an appetite for food now?
Her mind was completely occupied by Sister Qinghan. She had prepared everything, yet her sister still refused to let her suffer.
Dongfang Jue looked at Li Shiyu with some surprise. Had this girl gotten into a fight? Why was she so filthy…
Though Li Shiyu was a bit of a scatterbrain, she’d always maintained the pristine image of a saintly maiden. But after sneaking out for several days, it was inevitable she’d be covered in dust.
In the kitchen hall, noticing Dongfang Jue trailing far behind Li Shiyao, Ye Qinghan casually set up a barrier while slicing vegetables.
"Master, there's something puzzling me. I hope you can enlighten me."
"Hmm? Speak."
[Is it about Li Shiyao? Could it be that Qinghan doesn't know what's wrong with that girl either?]
"I was just speaking with Dongfang Jue. She mentioned that you bestowed two innate treasures upon Qinghan. Knowing that your gifts are never ordinary, I refrained from responding."
[She recognizes innate treasures? How is that possible?]
【Both the Ling Shuang Sword and its scabbard underwent shape-shifting transformations. They absolutely couldn't have been recognized!】
【What unknown method is this? Or perhaps a magical artifact?】
"Did she mention anything else?"
"To avoid speaking ill fortune, I refrained from further conversation with her."
"You handled it well. The matter of the Primordial Treasure must remain within your heart—this is absolutely not something to boast about."
"This disciple remembers. What about Dongfang Jue's side?"
【If that's the case, Dongfang Jue can't be left unchecked. At the very least, we must ascertain how many others know of this matter.】
【Should the world learn of the Primordial Treasure's existence, it would surpass what Qinghan and I alone could resolve.】
【When they seek to frame us, they'll find any excuse. Possession alone is a capital offense.】
【As a precaution, we must engrave a spatial anchor point on Qinghan. It is the only way to protect her.】
The rhythmic thudding of chopping abruptly halted, then resumed. Ye Qinghan heard yet another unfamiliar term.
Spatial anchor points? What are they?
Engraved on oneself?
Su Cheng's mind was in turmoil, yet his hands moved with practiced ease as he stir-fried the vegetables.
[But how could I tell Qinghan? Was I supposed to say, "Be a good boy, take off your clothes, and I'll carve a few words on your body"?]
【Given Qinghan's temperament, wouldn't he fight me to the death?】
Huh?
Master, you actually expect a fox demon to act with noble intentions?
Fight to the death?
If that's what you desire, Master, I'll start undressing right now!
But I fear it might be you who fights to the death!
【No, no. Better to probe Dongfang Jue first and see what she knows.】
【If she truly threatens Qinghan, then she cannot be allowed to leave.】
Ye Qinghan turned her head, gazing at her master's retreating figure. All she wanted now was to shed her clothes, to offer herself to her master at this very moment.
Even in her heart, the Master had never once considered herself, her thoughts solely fixed on her disciple.
"Qinghan, stop overthinking. Eat first. I'll handle everything."
【That fox-like mind of hers is wandering again.】
Ye Qinghan stared blankly at her master, listening as he called her a fox-brain.
"Alright."
The Lingxian Hall had never been so lively. Su Cheng cooked several dishes. With nothing else to do and unable to cultivate, he decided to practice calligraphy and learn to cook instead…
"Where are they?"
Su Cheng looked at the empty courtyard, a look of bewilderment on his face.
[Lingxian Hall has protective mechanisms. Without the jade pendant, it's impossible to enter or exit without a trace.]
"Qinghan, go find them and call them for dinner."
Before long, Ye Qinghan found the two outside the Lingchi Hall entrance. Li Shiyao still looked filthy, her white dress now resembling camouflage.
"Didn't I tell you to wash up? What are you doing standing at the gate?"
"Shiyu didn't know which one was the Spirit Pool Hall."
"Didn't I just point it out to you? This is the Spirit Pool Hall."
"But…"
Ye Qinghan had no intention of letting this filthy little fool join their master for dinner. She simply grabbed Li Shiyu and pulled her into the Spirit Pool Hall.
Dongfang Jue had nothing better to do, so he followed along.
"Take off your clothes!"
"Uh…"
"Come on, come on, I'll accompany you."
Having helped out in the kitchen hall earlier, Ye Qinghan was covered in grease and smoke. Since she was already here, she figured she might as well soak with them.
If possible, Ye Qinghan hoped to be fragrant before snuggling up to her master. Surely he'd like her more that way.
"Sis, Shiyu is shy…"
Oh, since you're shy, Sister Qinghan will help you undress.
"Don't fidget! Look how self-aware Dongfang Jue is!"
Dongfang Jue had already stripped completely and was standing by waiting…
After some fussing, Ye Qinghan finally managed to strip Li Shiyu bare. Both Ye Qinghan and Dongfang Jue couldn't help but gasp in admiration.
Ye Qinghan considered her own figure to be top-tier!
Yet Li Shiyao held her own in this regard. Despite always wearing that white dress, looking like an innocent housewife…
Who would have thought that fluffy, signature snow-white dress was actually the seal of a saintly young lady!
Ye Qinghan couldn't resist teasing her: "Sister Shiyu, next time you see Xu Zhanfeng, you should make him call you 'Grandma'."
"Why?" Shiyuo covered herself with both hands, her face flushing bright red!
"Because you've earned it."
Dongfang Jue could barely contain his laughter. This guy may eat a lot, but none of that nutrition ever reached his brain! Looks like all the nourishment got sucked up by useless flesh!
Ye Qinghan stowed her treasures in the compartment, grabbed the Frostsword, and entered the Spirit Pool Hall, leaning the sword case against the pool's edge.
"Sis Qinghan, are you bringing the Ling Frost Sword into the bath too?"
"Master's command—the Frostsword must never leave my side."
Dongfang Jue listened silently. He had thought Ye Qinghan might not recognize these two innate treasures, but that notion was now clearly unfounded.
Ye Qinghan clearly understood the immense importance of these two innate treasures, and Su Cheng had also emphasized this point.
"Sis, you mean this pool, right?"
"What else? Is there another pool in the Spirit Pool Hall?" Ye Qinghan looked displeased. That little fool always asked such silly questions!
"Actually, Shiyu just came in to look. This pool is filled with spirit liquid. Shiyu thought it was for refining medicine…"
Ye Qinghan gave a helpless smile, recalling her own initial shock upon first seeing it. But she'd grown accustomed to it now, occasionally coming to soak in it.
Ye Qinghan decided to lead by example and stepped straight into the pool. Li Shiyu and Dongfang Jue followed suit.
Ye Qinghan watched as Li Shiyu stuck out her little tongue and licked a mouthful of the pool water. He quickly spoke up. "Hey, Shiyu, what are you doing?"
"I just wanted to taste it—is it really spirit essence?"
Dongfang Jue chuckled, "I'd heard Master Su dislikes extravagance. Seems the rumors hold true?"
"Master… Hey! Li Shiyu! Stop drinking!" Ye Qinghan tugged at Shiyu's golden hair, pulling her little head up.
"There's so much. It's fine to drink a little, right? Besides, it tastes pretty good—it's sweet."
Ye Qinghan was speechless. This little fool needed constant supervision!
"Sis, is it because you bathe in spirit essence that you're so powerful?"
"When I first became a disciple, I thought this spirit liquid was magical. Now I realize it's mostly just for beauty and nourishment—not much else."
Ye Qinghan answered honestly. Beyond beautifying the skin, the essence now mainly served to refresh her mind and relax her body after cultivation.
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