Chapter 223

Chapter 223: Follow Me Back to the Western Regions (4000 words, two-in-one)

“I need your help with my cultivation.”

Mo Zhu’er’s voice echoed in Ming’s ear.

Her seductive tone was like soul-eating worms gnawing at one’s bones, making you willingly kneel before her alluring charm.

“I refuse.” Ming replied decisively.

“Hehehe but your body seems to say otherwise,” Mo Zhu’er smirked as she leaned closer into Ming’s embrace.

In the courtyard stood an iron rod used for drying clothes, perfectly describing Ming’s current state.

But Ming thought it wasn’t entirely his fault.

Any normal man would react similarly when a charming woman like Mo Zhu’er got so close. It’s human nature after all.

Especially since he was a Martial Artist, his vitality was even more robust.

“Get off.” Ming said coldly.

“But I don’t want to.”

Mo Zhu’er rested her head on Ming’s shoulder, emitting a strong scent of green tea.

“Lord Xu, won’t you practice the upper scroll of the Huanhe Way with me? Surely you’ve realized that my constitution is quite extraordinary compared to others.

Let me be straightforward— I am actually the Luo Goddess Body.

There are many descriptions about the Luo Goddess Body; one is that it can harmonize all things and finely regulate and soothe both my own and others’ Spiritual Energy.

Previously, I wouldn’t have practiced this ‘Huanhe Way.’

But now, since Lord Xu has already tasted me once, what harm would there be in tasting again?

If Lord Xu agrees to practice this Huanhe Way with me, I can further help adjust the Martial True Qi and Spiritual Energy within your body. This Huanhe Way also has many benefits for your injuries.

And if what I say is true, the Sect Leader of the Heavenly Profound Gate plans to kill everyone. When chaos ensues in the Heavenly Profound Gate, Lord Xu still bears injuries. What then? And if you go to Three Stone Peak with just your current state, it will surely not be enough.

Do you really wish to die there?”

Xu Ming: “…”

“So…this is a deal.” Mo Zhu’er whispered softly, like a succubus continuously tempting Xu Ming. “Didn’t you say before that as long as it’s not something against heaven and morality, you’d agree? Now, I’m not asking you to do anything outrageous. All I ask is…”

As she spoke,

Mo Zhu’er placed her hand on Xu Ming’s shoulder.

Xu Ming felt Mo Zhu’er’s Spiritual Energy entering his body, and just as he wanted to resist, the energy flowed smoothly like water, completely merging with his own.

Xu Ming had no way to expel it.

Xu Ming felt parched and looked at Mo Zhu’er with increasingly aggressive eyes.

“Why not agree? After all, we’ve already crossed that line. What harm would crossing it again do?” A thought suddenly popped into Xu Ming’s mind.

Quickly, Xu Ming was startled by his own thoughts.

“What have you done to me?” Xu Ming frowned, tightly gripping Mo Zhu’er’s wrist.

Xu Ming felt his desire for Mo Zhu’er growing stronger.

“Not too hard… Lord Xu might hurt me if he keeps this up~”

Mo Zhu’er’s voice was flirtatious, showing no hint of danger.

“Didn’t I tell you, Lord Xu? I am the Luo Goddess Body and can manipulate Spiritual Energy at will. Just now, I merely infused some characteristics of the Mandarin Duck Cauldron into your body to enhance the experience.

And it’s not entirely my fault either~ If Lord Xu didn’t have certain thoughts about me, that strand of my Spiritual Energy wouldn’t have taken effect.”

Xu Ming: “…”

Xu Ming felt his breathing becoming heavier. With Mo Zhu’er sitting in his lap, the softness of her figure and the faint fragrance emanating from her body were eroding his rationality.

Xu Ming’s current state was very similar to how he was during the time in the Mandarin Duck Cauldron.

Though it wasn’t as intense as back then, it was still ridiculous.

The key point was:

During the first time in the Mandarin Duck Cauldron, Xu Ming resisted with great effort, unwilling to take that step. His willpower was at its peak back then.

But now, that step has already been taken. One leads to two, two leads to three.

Xu Ming’s psychological defenses were no longer as strong.

A voice in Xu Ming’s mind kept eroding his rationality—

“Since it already happened before, what difference does one more time make? Is there any difference between once or twice?

It’s mutually beneficial, advantageous for both sides. This is merely a transaction. Why resist? If what Mo Zhu’er says is true, the Sect Leader of the Heavenly Profound Gate has a sinister plot.

I must heal my injuries now because the upcoming battles in the Heavenly Profound Gate could cause another conflict between my Spiritual Energy and True Qi.

What if I die? What if Qing Wan gets hurt? Should I regret it for life?”

“No! These are all excuses!”

Xu Ming knew these were all excuses for indulgence, yet his rationality was gradually being defeated by these excuses.

Especially after experiencing the pleasure, Xu Ming often recalled that night in his dreams.

At this moment, the suppressed desires Xu Ming had been holding back erupted like a volcano, almost ready to burst forth.

Mo Zhu’er knew Xu Ming’s mental barriers were about to crumble.

But Mo Zhu’er wasn’t in a rush. She simply waited patiently.

When Xu Ming’s gaze grew increasingly hazy, Mo Zhu’er pressed his hand onto her ample bosom.

“Lord Xu, stop resisting. This is merely cultivation. We’re just conducting a transaction. Beyond that, we have no other relationship. So why are you hesitating? Don’t you agree, Lord Xu?”

Feeling the timing was right, Mo Zhu’er stood up from Xu Ming’s embrace, slowly pulling him up, and leading him step by step into the room.

Inside the room, Shen Shengsheng was sound asleep on the bed, peaceful and drooling.

But Mo Zhu’er didn’t care.

She summoned several array flags and planted them beside Shen Shengsheng’s bed.

These flags formed a barrier.

They completely blocked out external sounds.

Even if Shen Shengsheng woke up, she would only see an ordinary room.

If Shen Shengsheng tried to leave, the barrier would first block her, then warn her, giving Mo Zhu’er enough reaction time.

This magical array was carefully prepared by Mo Zhu’er.

Mo Zhu’er went through all this trouble because she knew Xu Ming cared about this little girl, and Mo Zhu’er herself felt somewhat ashamed. Privacy measures were necessary to ensure Shen Shengsheng didn’t see anything inappropriate.

Looking at Xu Ming’s dazed eyes, Mo Zhu’er’s face turned slightly red as she tiptoed, placed her hands on Xu Ming’s shoulders, and bit his lips.

“That’s right… Mo Zhu’er and Xu Ming are merely cultivating. I don’t have any feelings for him. To me, Xu Ming is just a tool, nothing more.”

Mo Zhu’er muttered to herself.

At this moment, Xu Ming lost all his rationality.

Mo Zhu’er was roughly spun around by Xu Ming.

After finishing lunch and returning to her courtyard, Wu Yanhan sat idly, lost in thought.

Wu Yanhan had bathed thoroughly.

She had gone to the women’s bathing hall of the Heavenly Profound Gate.

Although it was separated, it still felt awkward.

Wu Yanhan knew it wasn’t because the Heavenly Profound Gate couldn’t provide each courtyard with independent bathing rooms. Rather, those female bathing halls all had spiritual springs emerging from below, aiding cultivation and injury recovery.

Now, Wu Yanhan changed into a light pink palace gown, wearing embroidered shoes with cloud patterns.

Compared to the Wu Yanhan in the magical array during the day, this young lady appeared gentle, elegant, and well-educated, fully matching the world’s fantasy of a dynasty princess.

You wouldn’t imagine such a frail-looking girl could fight on the battlefield, being a Heroic Soul Realm Martial Artist who could punch your dog’s head off.

“This celebration is indeed a bit boring…”

Wu Yanhan muttered to herself.

In the palace, there would usually be women teaching her embroidery and etiquette in the evening.

On the battlefield, she would hold meetings to discuss the next day’s military deployment.

But here in the Heavenly Profound Gate, the young lady found herself with nothing to do.

Even practicing boxing was unnecessary since she had completed her training quota for the day. Continuing would only burden her body, doing more harm than good.

“Perhaps I should find Xu Ming and see what that guy is up to?” Wu Yanhan thought.

“But it’s already nighttime. Should I visit him?” Wu Yanhan hesitated, considering propriety between men and women.

“There’s nothing wrong with it,” Wu Yanhan shook her head, convincing herself. “Because of the arranged marriage, it’s already unclear between us anyway. What others say doesn’t matter. Besides, who would see me going to Xu Ming’s place at this late hour?”

With her resolve set, Wu Yanhan headed toward Xu Ming’s residence.

A quarter of an incense stick later, Wu Yanhan arrived at Xu Ming’s place.

The magical array outside Xu Ming’s courtyard was off, but there was no one in sight. It was unclear what Xu Ming was doing inside.

“Somebody’s coming.”

Mo Zhu’er heard light footsteps and smirked. She was already drenched in sweat, panting heavily as if she had run a kilometer.

Xu Ming furrowed his brows and covered her mouth.

Halfway through their cultivation, Xu Ming regained most of his rationality, but it was too late.

It’s like driving halfway—you wouldn’t turn back now.

Since they’ve started cultivating, they might as well finish.

“Xu Ming, are you asleep?”

Standing at the door, Wu Yanhan knocked.

“Yanhan?”

Upon hearing Wu Yanhan’s voice, Xu Ming felt a sense of foreboding.

“Not yet. What’s up?” Xu Ming tried to keep his tone calm.

Wu Yanhan said, “Nothing much, just bored. Thought I’d discuss martial arts with you.”

Mo Zhu’er removed Xu Ming’s hand and bit his neck.

“Hisss…”

Xu Ming winced in pain, leaving a red mark on his neck.

Wu Yanhan: “What’s wrong? Are you okay?”

Xu Ming: “I’m fine.”

Wu Yanhan: “Then why is your breathing so rapid?”

Xu Ming: “I’m cultivating. My Spiritual Energy was a bit blocked earlier. How about we meet tomorrow? I need some time to meditate.”

“Alright, let’s talk tomorrow.”

Wu Yanhan glanced suspiciously at the door. Although she felt something was off and suspected Xu Ming was hiding something, she couldn’t intrude and disturb his cultivation, so she left.

After Wu Yanhan left, Mo Zhu’er gave Xu Ming a playful look.

Actually, Mo Zhu’er wanted to show the arrogant princess—”Your fiancé is helping me cultivate.”

But considering it might anger Xu Ming, she decided against it.

Since she had no choice but to cultivate with him, she resolved to cherish this opportunity.

She didn’t want another cultivation partner.

In fact, if it weren’t for that night in the Mandarin Duck Cauldron, she would never have had her first cultivation partner.

Another quarter of an incense stick later, Mo Zhu’er adjusted her skirt and retrieved the array flags near Shen Shengsheng.

After their joint cultivation, Xu Ming clearly felt his Spiritual Energy and Martial True Qi return to normal.

Not only that, perhaps due to the effects of the “Great Joy Path” technique, Xu Ming felt his vitality and Spiritual Energy become even more abundant.

This tangible improvement made Xu Ming want to cultivate with Mo Zhu’er again.

But Xu Ming restrained himself.

At the same time, Xu Ming realized how terrifying the “Joy Path” truly was and understood why it had so many followers.

Who wouldn’t like enhancing their cultivation while enjoying intimacy? Who wouldn’t get addicted?

“I know what you’re thinking, but it’s not allowed.”

Mo Zhu’er placed her finger on Xu Ming’s lips, her eyes gleaming mischievously like a cunning kitten.

“Many disciples of the Joy Sect fall into the trap of indulgence, straying from the righteous path.

But don’t worry, as long as you follow me properly, I’ll guide you correctly.

So…”

Mo Zhu’er pressed her body against Xu Ming’s.

“How about following me back to the Western Regions? I can help you ascend the Great Way while enjoying boundless pleasures.”

[Typhoon warning! The wind is roaring outside, and the rain is getting heavier, but it’s quite refreshing.

By the way, my Wuling Mini is parked in an open-air parking lot. I hope it won’t get flipped over. There’s even a tree nearby—oh no, come to think of it, honestly, I’m a bit worried.]