53: Chapter 53 Bathing in the Spiritual Spring, Master in Seclusion

"Good Disciple, slower~, your Body Refining Cultivation Technique is too fierce, this Revered Master can't handle it anymore, wuwuwu."

...

"Wuwu~, you wretched Disciple, stop quickly, this Revered Master can't take it anymore, your Pure Yang Sacred Body is too domineering, it hurts this Revered Master to death."

...

"Rebellious Disciple, this Revered Master really can't go on, if you dare to defy me like this again, I'll..."

"Mmph~~"

Before Liu Yunshuang could finish her sentence, she let out a muffled sound, her tender, rosy cherry lips immediately being sealed again.

...

The hot spring pool was filled with misty vapor, shimmering with a faint spiritual light.

The spirit spring was living water, gurgling up from the spring vent at the bottom of the pool.

Heated by geothermal fire, it carried just the right amount of warmth.

Soaking in it, all the pores on the body opened up.

Ye Xiaoyao leaned against the edge of the pool, eyes closed, looking perfectly content.

The restless, agitated feeling he had felt earlier in his body, the excessive fullness of Pure Yang Qi, the heat and swelling caused by an over-accumulation of the essence of pure yang.

Had now completely subsided.

Like a torrential downpour extinguishing the oppressive heat of midsummer, leaving behind only the fresh comfort after the rain.

All his Meridians were clear and unobstructed, spiritual power flowed smoothly and harmoniously.

Every inch of his muscles had relaxed, soaking in the warm spirit spring, so comfortable it made him want to sigh.

He turned his head to look beside him.

Liu Yunshuang was also in the pool, about three feet away from him.

The water surface reached just above her chest, her ink-black hair wet and clinging to her shoulders and neck, the ends floating on the water.

Her cheeks were rosy, like ripe honey peaches, her eyelashes still adorned with tiny droplets of water, trembling slightly with each breath.

Those eyes were looking at him, watery, with a complex expression.

A bit resentful, a bit reproachful, but deep down, there was a certain satisfaction and appreciation hidden.

That earlier bout of exertion... had indeed been intense.

Ye Xiaoyao rubbed his nose, feeling a bit embarrassed.

The Pure Yang Sacred Body combined with his Foundation Establishment cultivation made his vitality so vigorous it even surprised him.

Although Liu Yunshuang's cultivation was profound, it was, after all, only the second time Dual Cultivating with him, so it was inevitable she found it a bit hard to bear.

"Wretched Disciple."

Liu Yunshuang spoke, her voice soft, with a hint of a nasal tone, like a coquettish complaint.

Ye Xiaoyao opened his eyes, smiling as he looked at her.

"This time, your Revered Master has regulated your body for you."

She continued, her fingers gently stirring the water, creating ripples.

"Have you thought about how you will repay your Revered Master in the future?"

The question was laden with meaning.

The corner of Ye Xiaoyao's mouth curved up, and he shifted his body closer to hers.

The water surface rippled, the distance between them closing.

"Revered Master."

He leaned close to her ear, lowered his voice, and said with a hint of mischief in his tone:

"Then of course... let this Disciple serve you once more?"

Liu Yunshuang's face reddened further, and she reached out to pinch his arm.

"You're so improper!"

But the pinch was soft and weak, not like anger, more like flirtation.

...

Continuous waves crashed against the rocks on the shore, emitting a rhythmic and steady *slap... slap...* sound.

The lingering sound echoed, unceasing.

...

Two and a half hours later.

The two emerged from the hot spring pool.

In the main hall of the Immortal Cave, the night pearls emitted a soft light.

Ye Xiaoyao was already fully dressed, wearing a green Daoist robe that accentuated his handsome demeanor.

Liu Yunshuang had changed into a semi-transparent purple gauze dress.

The gauze dress was of a light and thin texture, worn on her body, it hardly concealed much.

The full, round curves of her chest were clearly visible beneath the gauze, her waist slender, and below were long, straight, fair legs, faintly discernible through the dress.

She wore no shoes or socks, her bare feet stepping on the smooth white jade floor, her toes plump and cute, nails painted with a faint rouge.

At this moment, Liu Yunshuang had shed her Sect Master's imposing aura, appearing entirely as a mature, enchanting woman.

The Immortal Qi was still there, but it carried an added three parts of charm.

Standing there, she resembled a blooming violet, both ethereal and seductive, captivating the soul.

Ye Xiaoyao looked at her, his eyes darkening slightly.

Liu Yunshuang met his gaze, not only not avoiding it, but instead slightly straightening her posture, a mischievous smile curling at the corner of her mouth.

"What are you looking at?"

She said lazily:

"Haven't you seen your Revered Master in casual clothes before?"

Ye Xiaoyao snapped out of it and smiled, saying:

"I have, but I've never seen Revered Master dressed so... beautifully."

Liu Yunshuang shot him a glare, but her eyes clearly held delight.

The two stood facing each other, very close.

Ye Xiaoyao could smell the faint fragrance on her, her unique, intoxicating body scent.

"Revered Master."

He spoke, his tone becoming somewhat more serious:

"Thank you, Revered Master, for regulating my body this time. This kindness, your Disciple will remember it in his heart."

He paused, then continued, "In the future, if Revered Master encounters any trouble, or needs your Disciple to do anything, your Disciple will certainly spare no effort and will never refuse, otherwise..."

He didn't finish the sentence.

Liu Yunshuang suddenly took a step forward, raised her delicate hand, and gently pressed her slender jade-like finger against his lips.

The touch was warm and soft.

"Don't say it."

She looked up at him, her eyes bright.

"Your Revered Master believes you. There's no need to swear an oath."

Her finger slowly slid down, the tip lightly tapping his chin.

"As long as you remember your Revered Master's kindness, that's enough."

Ye Xiaoyao looked at her, and a part of his heart softened.

This Revered Master... really seemed different.

He reached out and pulled this voluptuous, delicate figure before him into his embrace.

Liu Yunshuang didn't resist; instead, she leaned against his chest, her arms encircling his waist.

The two held each other quietly.

The hall was very quiet, with only the sound of each other's heartbeat and breathing.

After a while, Liu Yunshuang gently pushed him away.

"Disciple."

She tidied her somewhat disheveled hair, her expression regaining some of the dignity befitting a Sect Master.

"Your Revered Master is going into seclusion again to attempt Nascent Soul Formation."

Ye Xiaoyao nodded. "When does Revered Master plan to begin?"

"In the next few days."

Liu Yunshuang said, "After your Revered Master breaks through to the Nascent Soul Stage, I will announce to the entire sect the news of accepting you as my Personal Disciple. That way... it's more prudent."

Ye Xiaoyao understood her concerns.

Nominally, he was currently Ji Chanxi's Dao Companion, and also a member of Saintess Peak.

If Liu Yunshuang publicly accepted him as her Disciple now, it would inevitably invite gossip.

The Sect Master accepting the Saintess's Dao Companion as a Disciple?

And the Saintess is the Sect Master's Personal Disciple?

Isn't there something fishy about this?

It wouldn't sound good if word got out.

But after she succeeded in Nascent Soul Formation and became a Nascent Soul Cultivator, her status would be higher, her authority greater.

By then, when she announced it, even if others had thoughts, they wouldn't dare say much.

"Alright."

Ye Xiaoyao replied.

"I'll follow Revered Master's arrangements in everything."

Liu Yunshuang looked at him, her gaze gentle as she said:

"Then you should return to Saintess Peak first. Chanxi is still in seclusion, so you should seize the time to Cultivate. Wait for your Revered Master to come out of seclusion, and then I'll properly guide you."

Ye Xiaoyao bowed and took his leave.

As he walked out of the hall, he glanced back.

Liu Yunshuang was still standing in the same spot, the purple gauze dress shimmering with a soft luster under the light of the night pearls, her figure graceful, beautiful to an unreal degree.

He turned and left, the sound of his footsteps gradually fading into the distance.

In the hall, Liu Yunshuang stood alone for a long time.

Only when Ye Xiaoyao's presence had completely vanished did she let out a soft sigh.

"If only... I had discovered Xiaoyao earlier, how wonderful that would be."

Her voice was very soft, like talking to herself.

"If only he hadn't become Chanxi's Dao Companion, how wonderful that would be."

That way, she could be with him openly and honorably, without having to worry about the Revered Master-Disciple relationship or the gossip of others.

Liu Yunshuang raised her hand and touched her own cheek, where the warmth of the hot spring and the sensation of the earlier embrace still lingered.

She was truly moved.

Not just because Ye Xiaoyao possessed the Pure Yang Sacred Body, which could help her achieve Nascent Soul Formation.

Nor just because he was handsome and pleasing to the eye.

It was the person himself.

He was different from other male Cultivators.

Unlike those Elders and Disciples who pursued her with flattery, either fawning or pretending to be aloof.

Ye Xiaoyao, in front of her, maintained respect without being servile, neither arrogant nor obsequious.

Serious when he needed to be, playful when appropriate, knowing when to advance and when to retreat.

Moreover, he had a strange aura about him.

Clearly not old in years, yet possessing a steadiness and clarity that surpassed his age.

But the youthful spirit he occasionally revealed made him feel vivid and real.

This contradiction was very attractive.

Liu Yunshuang knew she had truly fallen for this little Disciple.

She wanted to keep him by her side, not just as Revered Master and Disciple, but even more as Dao Companions.

But not now.

Their statuses, reputations, and his relationship with Chanxi... were all obstacles.

But after she succeeded in Nascent Soul Formation and became a Nascent Soul Cultivator, the situation would be different.

The Nascent Soul Stage represented the pinnacle of combat power in the Yin Yang Sect. By then, whatever she wanted to do, even if others had opinions, they would have to weigh their words.

As for Chanxi...

Liu Yunshuang's eyes darkened slightly.

That child Chanxi, perhaps she was also just using Ye Xiaoyao.

Once she obtained the essence of pure yang and succeeded in Core Formation, she might let go.

By that time...

She shook her head, ceasing further thought.

The immediate priority was Nascent Soul Formation.

The last attempt failed because preparations were insufficient, and there were no suitable auxiliary spiritual materials.

This time was different.

With Ye Xiaoyao's essence of pure yang, the success rate of Nascent Soul Formation could increase by at least thirty percent.

Coupled with the experience from last time, she had a full eighty percent or more certainty.

Eighty percent was already very high.

Liu Yunshuang took a deep breath, a smile reappearing on her face.

She turned and walked towards the Cultivation chamber.

Her steps were light, the purple gauze dress fluttering behind her like a beautiful butterfly taking flight.

The chamber door slowly closed, the Restrictions lighting up layer by layer.

Seclusion for Nascent Soul Formation had begun.