ISWTDB Ch17

Chapter 17: The Disfigured and Blind Sect Leader (17)

However, the “Qingyuan Jue” having a water beast guarding it was indeed a problem. The experiences in this secret realm had made Xiao Lie take it more seriously.

This place was truly as dangerous as Wen Renming had said. It seemed that every step required utmost caution.

With this in mind, Xiao Lie returned to the team from the Piaomiao Pavilion. He instructed the disciples of the Piaomiao Pavilion to set up camp by the lakeside for the night, to rest and recuperate, and that everything would be discussed the next day.

Since Ying Zhao was the only one in the Piaomiao Pavilion who still had a Qiankun Bag, which contained the necessary items for camping, he quickly set up a tent and let Wen Renming rest inside.

The other disciples of the Piaomiao Pavilion, seeing that Wen Renming had low cultivation and was responsible for leading the way and finding items, had no objections.

This journey to the secret realm was crucial, so Nan Zheng had provided everyone with Fasting Pills beforehand. These pills prevented hunger for a month, saving a lot of trouble.

As night fell, everyone in the Piaomiao Pavilion fell into an exhausted sleep. The journey through the secret realm had taken its toll on everyone’s physical endurance.

The only ones still energetic were probably Ying Zhao and Wen Renming. After all, they hadn’t engaged in any battles with the vines in the secret realm. Wen Renming, with Ying Zhao’s help, had successfully overcome the Heart Demon Realm and was not affected by it.

Later in the night, as it grew darker, Ying Zhao instructed Xiao Bai to scout the area, ensuring everyone was asleep before he quietly got up from the tent.

Ying Zhao nudged Wen Renming’s cheek and whispered in his ear, “Wen Renming, wake up. Come with me!”

Wen Renming blinked in confusion and sat up. Although he didn’t know where Ying Zhao was taking him, he obediently followed.

Ying Zhao took Wen Renming’s hand, sniffed the air, and walked in the direction of the scent. After a short walk, they arrived at another cave near the lake.

Ying Zhao’s eyes lit up as he saw a small hot spring inside the cave. He had smelled a faint sulfur scent earlier and had Xiao Bai explore the area, confirming the presence of the hot spring.

Excited, Ying Zhao, who loved playing in water and bathing, couldn’t wait to relax in the hot spring after such a tiring day.

He eagerly pulled Wen Renming’s arm, saying joyfully, “Wen Renming, I found a hot spring. We can relax tonight!”

Wen Renming crouched down, touched the warm spring water, and looked at Ying Zhao in disbelief.

Even though he was familiar with the Wen family’s secret realm, he had never noticed a hidden hot spring here. He asked Ying Zhao, “Yunping, how did you know there was a cave here with a hot spring?”

Ying Zhao hesitated, unsure how to explain. Should he say it was because he was a spiritual beast and had an extraordinary sense of smell?

After a moment’s thought, Ying Zhao frowned and lied, “While you were resting earlier, I explored the area and found this cave, but I didn’t tell anyone. We’ve been so exhausted, Wen Renming, let’s not worry about it and just enjoy the hot spring!”

Wen Renming hesitated for a moment but didn’t object. Before he could respond, he heard the rustling sound of Ying Zhao undressing.

Though cultivators could use a Dust Removal Spell to clean their clothes and bodies, both Ying Zhao and his original self preferred the feeling of bathing in water. He always felt that using the spell was too wasteful for such an enjoyable activity.

After undressing, Ying Zhao tested the water temperature with his foot. It was a bit hot, but it was perfect for relieving fatigue.

Eagerly, he immersed himself in the hot spring. The water depth was just right, reaching his chest, allowing him to lean comfortably against the stone wall.

Relaxing in the water, Ying Zhao sighed contentedly. Then he realized he had forgotten something and turned to see Wen Renming standing there, completely frozen.

Ying Zhao remembered that although Wen Renming was blind, he could still see him using his spiritual sense. Smiling, Ying Zhao tried to overcome his shyness, reached out, and pulled Wen Renming into the hot spring.

Wen Renming, recovering from the initial shock of seeing Ying Zhao’s body through his spiritual sense, found himself suddenly pulled into the water.

After splashing around for a moment, he stood up, drenched, and faced Ying Zhao with a helpless expression. Ying Zhao laughed heartily, splashed him with water, and then swam over to press Wen Renming against the stone wall, undoing his belt.

“Why, Wen Renming, do you like bathing in clothes? That’s a strange habit.”

Wen Renming looked at Ying Zhao helplessly, thinking that it was Ying Zhao who had pulled him into the water without warning. Ying Zhao enjoyed seeing Wen Renming’s helpless expression, his smile widening. After undressing him, Wen Renming’s pale, unblemished upper body was exposed.

Ying Zhao lowered his eyes. He knew that cultivators, after reaching a certain level, would cleanse their bodies, removing old scars. Wen Renming’s scars had disappeared after cultivating the “Mieyuan Jue.”

However, the scars on his face from the Heavenly Fire were still there. Even though the physical scars were gone, the pain had been real.

Feeling heartache, Ying Zhao gently caressed Wen Renming’s face. He moved closer, memorizing his lover’s features with teary eyes.

Not wanting to be overwhelmed by sadness, Ying Zhao hugged Wen Renming and whispered in his ear, “Wen Renming, I want to kiss you.”

Without waiting for a response, he kissed Wen Renming. Having practiced in their spiritual sea, Ying Zhao eagerly applied his new skills with his beloved, engaging in a long, passionate kiss.

Just as their intimacy peaked, a sharp screech echoed from outside the cave, sounding like a child’s cry, causing Ying Zhao a headache.

Startled, Ying Zhao pulled away from Wen Renming and turned toward the cave entrance, frowning. He asked Xiao Bai in his spiritual sea, “Xiao Bai, what was that noise? What’s happening outside?”

After a moment, Xiao Bai replied, “Host, it seems the people from the Piaomiao Pavilion have caused trouble. They appear to have disturbed the water beast in the lake.”

Ying Zhao looked at Wen Renming, sighed, and reluctantly ended their intimacy. Muttering “trouble” under his breath, he hurriedly dressed and told Wen Renming to wait, then rushed outside.

Wen Renming, of course, didn’t stay behind. He quickly dressed and followed Ying Zhao.

In the secret realm, Wen Renming had a sense of what was happening. He knew what the Piaomiao Pavilion members had done, but he didn’t expect them to cause such a commotion, disrupting his time with Yunping. His face briefly showed a flash of gloom.

When they arrived at the lake, they saw a giant beast half-emerged from the water, screeching at the Piaomiao Pavilion members.

Ying Zhao’s mouth twitched. He couldn’t help but think, “What a huge sea rabbit!”

He had seen similar creatures in other secret realms before. Were water beasts now mass-produced?

The sea rabbit extended its crawling limbs, and Ying Zhao found it hard to muster any interest in attacking it.

Moreover, the water beast’s main target was Xiao Lie, who was dodging its sound waves, looking very distressed.

Ying Zhao noticed a black jade slip tied to Xiao Lie’s waist, identical to the one that contained the “Mieyuan Jue” in Wen Renming’s memory.

Eyes gleaming, Ying Zhao realized what had happened and stood aside, watching the show. Since Xiao Lie had brought this upon himself, he should face the consequences.