Chapter 45: Zhu Xuelian (1)

Chapter 45: Zhu Xuelian (1)

In the following days, Lan Xiaohui is in a bad mood. She is distracted to the point that even her sporadic cultivation does not improve much.

We head deeper into the forest, and her pace lacks the kind of strategy and reconnaissance that it had before. She heads straight south, but at least she rests when she feels her stamina approach a point where she would suffer disadvantage in combat.

During these trips, we only come across one demonic beast that does not flee from her as far as I can tell with my limited perception and after a lengthy battle she brings it down. I am pleased that her mood does not affect her combat prowess, or makes her forget that she is putting her life on the line here, but I can also tell that even this triumph brings little joy to her heart.

That afternoon, we come across a stream and she follows it to a small pond with many water lotuses on its surface. Though these lotuses are only of the Earth grade, the water itself is filled with spiritual energy.

I use my [Critical Analysis] on it and discover its mysteries.

[ Analysis: Crystal Spring Water is a Sky grade treasure. It can soothe the mind and reverse the flow of chaotic Qi. It contains a strong presence of calming ice Qi and powerful Yin energy. ]

It is a shame that it is a liquid. In its current molecular state it would take up too much space in my internal storage. Even more regrettably, ice is less dense than its liquid state. The same phenomenon that allowed creatures to live on planets, underneath the water during many Ice Ages, is also the same phenomenon that now conspires to prove difficult to transport this treasure.The initial posting of this chapter occurred via Ñøv€l-B!n.

It is a pity. This water wouldve been useful for alchemical recipes. Many of the pastes and pellets that Lan Xiaohui used had this calming quality. This quality did not refer to the state of mind, but rather the balancing force in recipes that harmonized essences of opposite affinities.

Though, with how shallow my Dao of Alchemy is, I simply cannot tell if this water is useful for anything other than drinking. And considering that Lan Xiaohui was taking off her clothes to bathe in the pond, I add bathing to the list of this spring waters usefulness.

I wonder if Lan Xiaohui even knows that she is about to take a dip into a rare spiritual treasure.

She shivers as she steps into the pool, and concealing her upper body, she reaches over to me, grabs me by the hilt and pulls me into the water.

My body is now at the Dao Vessel realm, I do not accumulate dirt anymore. Not easily or accidentally at least. Falling into the mud wont make it stick to me, but crushing bones and drinking blood might leave a mark.

Still, I do not raise objections. Perhaps performing maintenance on myself and herself will distract her. Having a task is always useful.

But that is not the only reason.

The moment I submerge into the water, I feel a change in my internal processes.

[ Refinement process: 1.94 BP/min | 1.04 SP/min ]

Even the queued up processing time is cut in half, while the abstract resources I obtain more than double.

Now that we are so deeply connected, I can sense her Dao Heart, and I know that she does not regret not killing Zhao Wei. Yet even so, her sense of self is diminished.

Why did you not resist that individual immediately? I ask her. The Yin-Yang Grass Wine had no effect on you.

She is startled out of her maintenance function and her hand now rests on my black jade core.

I still have many devils in my heart, she says.

What devils?

Her expression changes from one of distracted distance to one of darkness. She inhales deeply. I felt like no matter what I did, no matter how hard I try, I would always be worthless.

Your value is several orders of magnitude greater than that individuals. You are incomparable entities.

She cracks a smile at my words. It is a faint thing and ultimately a meaningless gesture. Her Dao Heart is still wounded. This wound I can see it now it is much older and far deeper than anything Zhao Wei couldve inflicted.

I was someones concubine once, she says in a much quieter voice. That will never change.

I dont comprehend her logic. I was a warship once. Am I, too, supposed to somehow feel diminished now?

You were deceived by lesser entities because your heart is kind and pure. Your change in social status has nothing to do with your Dao. Whether you are a concubine, prostitute or queen makes no difference, or affects how far you can walk on your journey. You are an ideal companion.

Her brows furrow and her lips press together. Then she nibbles on her lower lip and nods, tears glimmering in her eyes. I am your ideal companion?

Yes.

Maybe she misunderstands. I am largely referring to her abnormal battle talent. She truly is a monstrous existence that is uniquely suited to feeding me Blood Points.

She laughs in a very peculiar way. She tangles a finger into her black locks. That makes me feel a bit better.

I will slay the devils in her heart.

I am not entirely sure if that is more for my benefit or hers. But as long as we both benefit, I suppose it doesnt matter.