**Chapter 229: The Female Lead Also Dared**
How did things develop to this point? Why did Lin Zhongyu harbor thoughts of wanting to bathe together in this medicinal pool… was it really just for training purposes?
If that were the case, with Lin Zhongyu’s demonstrated resilience and profound determination, she should be able to face the endless pain of absorbing fire-based spiritual energy on her own. She’s definitely a stronger girl than Yun Zhonghe ever imagined.
But why…
Yun Zhonghe had already stepped into the medicinal pool. With his Golden Yang physique and his cultivation of the Golden Yang Technique, he could greatly harmonize the fire-based spiritual energy, making it more suitable for cultivators with the Yin Gold constitution to absorb.
However, this process required his body to filter the energy first before releasing it into the pool, so Yun Zhonghe had to immerse himself in it.
And of course, he was definitely not wearing any clothes.
“Brother Yun, I’m coming in.”
Lin Zhongyu’s gentle voice rang in his ears.
Amidst the swirling medicinal mist, she stepped closer, her jade foot lightly probing the pool’s edge, followed by a long, smooth leg that entered his sight, the beauty stunning enough to keep one’s eyes glued, conjuring profound impressions of “pearls and jade.”
Her firm, full thigh was clearly the result of regular exercise, and the black silk clinging to it was definitely a powerhouse!
The perfect body proportions left one utterly awestruck; continuing upwards, years of unyielding training had sculpted Lin Zhongyu’s peach-shaped posterior, perked up and so round that just a gentle poke could evoke tantalizing sensations, provoking one’s desire to nibble playfully.
This lower half was undoubtedly the finest masterpiece carved by the heavens, with every line showcasing unparalleled beauty.
Of course, Yun Zhonghe was too chicken to continue looking. He cautiously glanced over at Mu Jixue to confirm whether she was still knocked out.
In case Huang Aotian suddenly woke up and stumbled upon him bathing with the female lead, he’d probably be subjected to a gruesome fate.
At that moment, regret bubbled up in Yun Zhonghe’s heart. Should he have been so impulsive in agreeing to Lin Zhongyu’s request?
Fortunately, Mu Jixue seemed to be sleeping like a dead pig, utterly oblivious to the outside world.
Perhaps she had been too stressed with her recent cultivation; rumors had it Master Youyue was being really tough on her, making her feel overwhelmed, hence her exhausted state.
Seeing Mu Jixue sleeping so peacefully eased some of Yun Zhonghe’s worries.
But on the other hand, why did Lin Zhongyu suddenly invite him to bathe together? Was it truly just for the sake of cultivation?
Or… did she harbor special feelings for him?!
The moment that thought emerged, Yun Zhonghe quickly extinguished it, but it sprouted like wildfires, refusing to d*e out completely, reigniting in his heart and leaving him restlessly excited.
Yun Zhonghe had never dared to think he would have any deep interactions with the female lead. He had always maintained a self-positioning: to be the friend of the main cast, keeping an appropriate distance. Besides, in the original story, he was forever the outcast and the object of disdain—a strong advance would get him directly turned into sushi!
With such a reference, how could he ever think there was a possibility of romance?
But now… Yun Zhonghe found himself at a loss.
Sitting still in the medicinal pool, from Lin Zhongyu’s perspective, he seemed like a transcendent monk devoid of worldly desires.
She pursed her lips tightly, but a gentle red began to bloom from the corners of her mouth. Her gaze was deep and alluring, as if containing unspeakable emotions, tempting Yun Zhonghe to touch and explore.
“Brother Yun, why are you so quiet?”
“I… I’m fine.”
With the mist surrounding her, Lin Zhongyu’s face looked even more rosy, resembling the first bloom of peach flowers, her lips full and dripping with color, carrying an enticing curve.
With firm determination, her graceful movements led her jade body to slowly submerge in the water, lightly brushing against the surface, leaving ripples that delicately spread out, hinting at something unspeakable while retaining a hint of modesty and shyness.
A subtle silence enveloped the two.
At that moment, Lin Zhongyu suddenly broke the silence: “Brother Yun, are you shy?”
Yun Zhonghe shivered as her soft voice danced into his ears.
Lin Zhongyu tried to make her voice sound a bit more natural: “You can look over, it’s fine. The mist is thick; you won’t see much anyway.”
“Ah… uh…”
Yun Zhonghe didn’t know what to say.
The youthful palpitations surged quietly in his heart.
But his body was very honest and gradually turned toward her.
As Lin Zhongyu said, because the pool was tinted by fire-based spiritual herbs, it indeed appeared somewhat vague, coupled with the swirling medicinal mist—he couldn’t see clearly at all.
Even so, the vague beauty only heightened his curiosity and desire.
Their eyes met, both sharing a shy and slightly awkward smile.
“Thank you, Brother Yun. Thanks to you, my technique should come together effortlessly.”
She had already begun absorbing the remnants of fire-based spiritual energy in the pool. Since she only needed it for cultivation, there was no need for excessive energy as there was enough here already.
Yun Zhonghe was curious: “What technique did the Yin-Yang Sword God pass onto you? Why do you need the Five Elements’ power?”
Lin Zhongyu tossed her wet hair: “It’s a technique my master acquired a while back. Once perfected, it can utilize the Five Elements without being constrained by one’s spiritual roots. My master noticed I could embody Yin and Yang in my sword intent, and with my Golden Emperor Sacred Eyes, it’s easier for me to handle various attributes; that’s why she specifically passed this ultimate skill to me.”
That sounded like something akin to a magical swordsman capable of wielding multiple attributes.
It reminded him of gaming days when he walked through similar guides, recalling a post that detailed how to cultivate Lin Zhongyu into a Five Elements swordswoman, perfectly blending her Golden Emperor Sacred Eyes with the traits of a Five Elements swordmaster, significantly boosting her ability and truly transforming her into a top-tier damage dealer, making even Huang Aotian nothing more than a support role.
However, Yun Zhonghe had never tried such a cultivation route and even held deep doubts about the authenticity of that guide, especially lacking key techniques. But now, watching Lin Zhongyu’s displayed strength, he couldn’t help but waver. Perhaps that guide really had its merits.
Seeing Yun Zhonghe lost in thought, Lin Zhongyu took the initiative to show him her technique. Her hands danced gracefully, as if communicating with the Five Elements around her, genuinely able to gather their power.
She informed Yun Zhonghe that she had successfully condensed the Metal, Water, and Earth attributes, which were complementary to each other, so it was relatively easy to refine. The Wood attribute’s refining was tougher but still achievable.
As for the trickiest Fire attribute, now with Yun Zhonghe’s help, her cultivation had noticeably smoothened—not only could she chat and laugh with him, but she was also quietly condensing fire spirit energy at her spiritual root and constructing a Five Elements formation.
At this moment, Yun Zhonghe finally understood why Lin Zhongyu could sweep through numerous senior brothers and sisters in the inner sect.
With multiple attributes under her belt, she could target her opponent’s weaknesses without worrying about being countered herself, providing her with an almost unbeatable advantage in battles.
Plus, with the Yin-Yang Sword God’s meticulous guidance on swordsmanship, Lin Zhongyu’s techniques had improved greatly. Yun Zhonghe might need to think carefully before challenging Lin Zhongyu again.
One couldn’t help but marvel; the female lead truly was the female lead. After all, she followed a classic narrative of a trash character’s comeback—just give her the slightest opportunity, and she could soar like a phoenix reborn, stunning everyone!
“However, it’s truly moving… Half a year ago, I was just a waste who was ridiculed by my clan, with no idea how to move forward, and who would’ve thought I could come this far now.”
Lin Zhongyu suddenly sighed, her gaze drifting out the window, then she silently edged a bit closer to Yun Zhonghe.
Yun Zhonghe: ?
A chill ran through Yun Zhonghe as the light-hearted mood he had just managed to relax into shattered instantly.
He instinctively wanted to pull away from Lin Zhongyu, but just then, her hand had gently reached out, tightly gripping his!
Lin Zhongyu’s eyes sparkled with shyness.
“Miss Zhongyu?”
Yun Zhonghe was stunned. This atmosphere… this reaction… this rapid heartbeat…
As if sensing something, he gulped.
Lin Zhongyu’s golden eyes trembled, her thin lips slightly parted as if she were brewing something important to say.
In the next moment, seemingly resolving something, she looked earnestly at Yun Zhonghe, their hands tightening together even more.
“Brother Yun, I’ve always been incredibly grateful for your contributions, I… really like you.”
“Eh?”
Wait… wait, wait, wait! Wha… what’s going on…
Yun Zhonghe’s mind went blank as his eyes widened in disbelief while staring at Lin Zhongyu.
But before he could comprehend the situation, Lin Zhongyu tilted her face and kissed him on the lips.
At that moment, time seemed to freeze.
She skipped the line.
And at this moment, Mu Jixue was still lying quietly asleep in bed.
