Chapter 39: If I said I was lost, would she believe it?

Meanwhile, somewhere in a valley.

Boom!

With a muffled sound, Luo Xing, who was sitting in the pool, opened his eyes and let out a long breath of stale air...

He broke through...

With the abundant spiritual energy of this blessed land and the support of 【Cultivation】 and 【Breath Cycling】, Luo Xing had broken through to the early stage of Foundation Establishment without any surprises.

Moreover, during the breakthrough process, he had unexpectedly earned a few points of experience...

【Cultivation Lv.1: 7/20】

【Breath Cycling Lv.1: 8/20】

Although he couldn't see any significant effects from these two skills yet, the fact that skills could level up was a good thing.

And Luo Xing hadn't forgotten Ye Li's instructions. As soon as he successfully broke through, he immediately jumped out of the spiritual pool.

Luo Xing circulated his spiritual energy to dry the moisture on his body while glancing toward the depths of the valley: "Hmm... she should still be in there..."

He'd go out and wait for her. After all, she said staying here too long wasn't good.

He knew what Ye Li was doing right now, but under the effect of the Clarity Pill, there were no evil thoughts in his heart at the moment. He had completely entered "sage mode"...

Of course, even if he hadn't taken the Clarity Pill, he wouldn't have had the guts...

Luo Xing walked toward the mouth of the valley, thinking about his next plan as he went...

Staying alive and protecting Luo Han—those were his two most important tasks right now.

After all, Ye Li was too unstable a factor. Who knew when she might fall to the dark side like in the original story...

So, Luo Xing came up with two options: either become strong enough that even Ye Li couldn't touch him, or max out Ye Li's "affection points"...

As long as her affection was maxed out, even if she did fall to the dark side, she probably wouldn't torment him too badly, right?

Tch...

The main problem was that he still couldn't remember the reason for Ye Li's fall. Maybe that damn author never explained it...

Annoying...

Shing!

Just as Luo Xing was agonizing over finding the "turning point of this war," a strong sense of危机 suddenly swept through his entire body. Every inch of his skin felt the piercing pain of needles and swords...

Luo Xing's whole body stiffened abruptly, as if struck by lightning, frozen in place. Then, a chillingly cold female voice filled with intense killing intent reached his ears...

"One more step, and you're dead!"

By the time Luo Xing came to his senses, several sharp sword energies had appeared before him, and his surroundings were no longer the valley entrance...

Not the valley entrance?

Luo Xing looked around in confusion, only to realize he hadn't left the valley at all, but instead...

"What do you think you're doing? I remember warning you not to come near..."

Hearing Ye Li's voice, steeped in barely concealed murderous intent, Luo Xing suddenly realized he had walked to the depths of the valley!

To the place where...

Ye Li was bathing?!

No way?!

How did he end up here?

Wasn't he trying to leave the valley?

---

On the other side, thirty yards away from Luo Xing...

By the edge of the pool grew dense spiritual plants, completely shielding the entire hot spring from view.

The pool's surface was shrouded in white mist, lightly veiling the water. A black-haired beauty stood in the center of the pool, her lower body half-submerged. Her cold, pale skin, like warm jade, glowed softly in the mist. Her ink-black hair, cascading like a waterfall, clung tightly to her body as if wearing a black garment meant only for her, outlining her slender waist and graceful curves in exquisite detail.

Seductive, yet not vulgar...

Cold, yet not weak...

Ye Li's brows were icy sharp. Her spiritual sense locked onto the youth thirty yards away, and her tone carried coldness and pressure: "What are you doing here?"

Beyond anger, Ye Li felt more astonishment at Luo Xing's actions...

She was no naive, ignorant girl. She knew full well whether her body was something others could see.

As for earlier, letting Luo Xing touch her feet, her waist, and so on...

The reason she didn't mind was, first, because he was her disciple—a little one barely a hundred years old—and second, because she didn't dislike his light touches, especially since they were done with her permission...

But!

She had never said Luo Xing could see her unclothed body!

If Luo Xing didn't give her a satisfactory explanation today...

Then she wouldn't mind losing a disciple early...

---

Hearing Ye Li's interrogation, Luo Xing nearly exploded on the spot...

What am I doing here?

I didn't mean to come here!

Not to mention that Luo Xing had no thoughts of rebelling against his master... well... at least not now... at least not in reality...

But even if he did!

He didn't have the guts to blatantly peep at Ye Li while she was bathing!

"Mas... master..." Perhaps it was the effect of the Clarity Pill; although Luo Xing was panicking inside, his expression and demeanor remained calm, "Your disciple did not mean to disturb you. Please forgive me."

He could explain how he ended up here later. For now, he needed to come up with a reasonable explanation for Ye Li. Otherwise...

"Whether to forgive you or not, I will decide. First, explain why you came here..." Ye Li's voice came through the tall, dense spiritual plants, "I remember warning you to leave here after breaking through and wait for me outside the valley. You were not to approach the depths. Did you forget?"

Luo Xing: "..."

If I said I got lost, that I took the wrong path... would she believe me...

Just as he was racking his brain for a plausible excuse, the sword energy before him suddenly advanced, pressing directly against Luo Xing's throat...

The sword energy cut through his skin, and drops of blood welled up from the youth's fair skin.

I'm going to die! I'm going to die!

Feeling the stabbing killing intent at his neck, Luo Xing's surface remained calm, but inside, he was scared enough to piss himself.

Think, damn brain! Think!

Quick, come up with a defensible reason so she won't think my "filial piety has turned perverted"!

Otherwise, this brain is really going to become a dead brain!

Think!

Think fast...

Feet...

Filial piety...

"Ding"!

A bright lightbulb lit up above Luo Xing's head...

---

"Master, your disciple has come to fulfill his filial duties."

Upon hearing this, Ye Li revealed a chillingly murderous smile...

Filial duties? Now?

When your master isn't wearing a single thread?

Do you really think I'm some child barely a hundred years old like you?

"Hahaha... very well..." Ye Li said coldly, "And how exactly do you plan to... fulfill these filial duties?"

Through her spiritual sense, she saw Luo Xing's expression calm and his tone sincere, showing no sign of wavering even with a sword at his throat.

Seeing this, Ye Li's brow slightly furrowed...

He's... not afraid?

Or...

"Your disciple is useless and cannot help Master with much... I can only give you a massage to soothe your meridians, as an act of filial piety to express my gratitude toward Master."

"Can't this wait until we go back?"

"Master doesn't understand."

Seeing that Ye Li's tone had softened, Luo Xing quickly pressed his advantage: "This blessed land is rich in spiritual energy, and the hot spring water is at a pleasant temperature. If you soak your body and then supplement it with manual massage techniques, it will make Master feel even more comfortable."

Foot Dao is also a Dao. Technique is also a method. Life or death depends on this one throw!

After hearing Luo Xing's explanation, Ye Li was silent for a long moment. Then, she withdrew her sword energy and fell silent again...

Just as Luo Xing was about to ask whether he should stay or leave, that cold voice came again...

"Come in."

"Yes."

The stone that had been hanging over Luo Xing's heart finally dropped heavily...

Safe...

He was safe...

For now...

The rest depended on whether his 【Massage】 and 【Touch Dao】 skills could surprise her enough to save his life...