It was the end of March so the river water in Jiangnan was bone-chilling.
Even the strongest nerves would be affected by the cold river water. Thus, the moment Ling Yun's body hit the water, it took him a long time to slowly get accustomed to the water's temperature.
The dried blood all over his face, body and clothes turned the surrounding water dark red immediately. However, since the river flowed continuously, the fresh blood and impurities that were washed out of his body were quickly washed away by the water.
Ling Yun felt satisfied as his body slowly became clean and fresh.
However, what made him even more satisfied, was the whiff of Shichiyou herb scent that he caught.
The Great World of Cultivation was bustling with aura. Thus, the Shichiyou herb could only be considered as a low-level supplementary herb. Typically only the amateurs, those in the peak of physical tempering to Qi Cultivation Stage Level 2, would utilize the herb to support their training. However, Earth in comparison only contained as much spiritual energy as a vacuum space. Thus, the Shichiyou herb was basically a miracle herb in Ling Yun's eyes.
The fats on Ling Yun's face trembled endlessly. He could not help but shudder as he caught whiffs of the Shichiyou herb's fleeting scent. Finally, he was truly grateful to the heavens that he had cursed at countless of times.
As he followed the source of spiritual energy, Ling Yun confirmed that the Shichiyou herb was hidden in a random bush at the opposite side of the river. However, he did not go over to look for it immediately.
As much as he was excited, he did not rush. Ultimately, there was no one here who would recognize this type of spiritual herb. Needless to say, no one would be fighting for it. For Ling Yun who always hoarded treasures, the Shichiyou herb had already belonged to him.
His glasses were then covered in water droplets and he could not see clearly. Thus he casually removed them and threw them towards the riverbank while mumbling to himself, "This little thingamabob is really awkward!"
Ling Yun lightly rubbed his eyes and wiped the water from his face. He looked around and figured no one would go there at midnight. Thus, he removed all his clothing and started cleaning his obese body in the river.
As he cleaned up, he went on ranting, "D*mn, look at this body covered in fat. I really have no idea how this useless scum eats. To be able to eat till he's this fat? I can only hope I'm half as handsome as I used to be after I lose weight..."
Unfortunately, Ling Yun did not have much of a choice. He could only silently draft up a weight-loss master plan.
*Screeeeeeeech!*
A loud braking noise startled Ling Yun who was leisurely cleaning himself in the river. He knew someone was coming. He instinctively crouched down, leaving only half of his head out to observe any movements on the riverbank.
The silhouette of a beautiful girl exited the car and clumsily walked towards the riverside. Then, the car engine revved and immediately sped off right after that.
What's going on? Is she thinking about committing suicide by jumping into the river at midnight? Being alive is great. She must be bored out of her mind to be committing suicide... Wait, is it possible that she's here to steal my Shichiyou herb?
Ling Yun was secretly pondering as he slowly moved towards the riverside while avoiding the girl's field of vision.
*Crack!*
It was apparent that the girl was somewhat impatient and panicky since she did not even notice the clothes that Ling Yun left by the riverside. She stumbled as she ran towards the riverside and started vomiting violently into the river.
The crack that was heard previously caused Ling Yun's facial muscles to twitch. He moaned painfully, "That's it, my glasses that have been through so much, it didn't even get damaged after getting run over or thrown around. Then this girl just crushed it by stepping on it!"
Even though he still found it awkward to wear the glasses, he would have just thrown it away if he did not want to wear it, so why step on it?
By then he could see the contour of the girl's face clearly. Her delicate little face seemed even prettier in the haziness of the night sky. Her body was flawless, curves were in all the right places. Her long and slender legs were exceptionally eye-catching in the night especially since she was wearing a miniskirt.
For unknown reasons, this girl's clothes were a little unkempt. It was just the perfect angle for Ling Yun to take a peek at whatever she was hiding under her collar when she bent over to purge. It was getting hot and steamy for him.
That's humongous! Such fair skin!
Ling Yun may be a cultivator, but he was definitely not one with high moral values. With such a beautiful creature bent over before him, he could not get enough of the view. Initially he wanted to sneak a few more glances, however, something happened suddenly.
This girl obviously drank way too much and was completely unable to balance herself. She slipped and her body fell forwards and into the water!
*Splash!*
Ling Yun broke out in a cold sweat! Even though he was fat, he was still 1.8 meters in height so the water level only reached his armpits. If the girl did not know how to swim, she was going to drown to death for sure.
He got his answer quickly. The beautiful girl really did not know how to swim. The panic from suddenly falling into the river coupled with her choking on the ice-cold water made her struggle while she shrieked for help.
He could tell this girl had an interesting backstory by a single glance. Initially, he did not want to get involved in any trouble. However, he knew if the girl's shrieking attracted people's attention, he was doomed to be sued for sexual harassment.
It was past midnight and his own clothes were at the riverside as he stood naked in the water. The girl was madly crying for help as she struggled in the water in her unkempt clothes. What would others think if they saw this?
Ling Yun did not have much time to consider other factors. He went up to the beautiful girl immediately. He wrapped his left arm around her waist and lifted her head above the water while covering her rosebud lips with his right hand to prevent her from screaming.
Ling Yun felt that her skin was soft to touch. He focused his intense gaze on her breasts.
Hmm, definitely saw it right, it is indeed huge and fair!
He would be an idiot if he did not take the advantage of the situation. He stared intensely at her ample bosoms and considered it as a token of appreciation and gratitude for saving her life.
However, the girl was not surprised that he saved her. Her large and twinkling eyes sparkled in the night. But fear and disappointment filled her eyes!
"Mmmmm!" She was unable to scream out loud, but her delicate body continued to struggle. With her legs kicking about under the water, she tried to wrestle herself out of Ling Yun's arms.
Since they had full skin-to-skin contact, she could obviously feel that this fat guy, who came out of nowhere, was completely naked.
This little lady was also completely drenched. Her clothes tightly clinging onto her slender and graceful body. Ling Yun was completely naked and could feel the heat radiating from the girl's body. His self-control was dwindling to nothing.
Out of nowhere, these few words from this world suddenly flashed through his brain.
Wet, body, seduction.
"Don't move! I'm saving your life! Struggle again and I'll throw you into the water!" Ling Yun tried to scare her. He never knew how to be gentle and caring towards girls.
As if he finally understood the girl's fear, Ling Yun was rendered speechless instantly. He wondered whether he actually looked like a bad guy. He flashed his teeth, giving her a friendliest smile he could muster and said softly, "Miss, I'm not a bad guy. I do not have bad intentions. I've been bathing here way before you got here and it was you who suddenly interrupted me. As long as you promise me you wouldn't scream, I'll let you speak, how's that?"
This beautiful girl also seemed to have realized that Ling Yun was indeed here before her and did not come over just to take advantage of her after she fell into the water. However, the position they were in was just too intimate. She even felt that there was a strange movement in a part of Ling Yun's body.
Thus, she quickly nodded her head and blinked furiously. She was also signaling Ling Yun to stop covering her mouth.
Ling Yun moved his hand slightly. He was afraid that the girl would go against her words and start screaming again. In their current state, he would never be able to defend himself!
The surprising thing was, the girl really did not scream. She only said softly, "I'm not a girl, you... please let me get out of the water first."
"Not a girl? If you aren't a girl, are you a boy instead?" Ling Yun was slightly disappointed. If it was not for the dim night sky, he could have seen that the girl was already blushing furiously. Even though he was a little reluctant to let go of the beautiful girl in his arms, he still brought the girl to the riverside immediately and carefully helped her to the ground.
"You're not allowed to come out!" The girl was afraid that he would follow her up to shore so she panicked and screamed the moment her feet touched the ground.
Ling Yun still had a bit of awareness. As much as he enjoyed admiring her and despite the fact that he was unable to control his natural physical reaction, he truly did not have any other intentions towards the girl.
Thus, after he brought the girl up to shore, he stayed in the water conscientiously. Sometimes, he even crouched down into the water, leaving only his head above the water.
"Achoo!" The cold night wind brushed against her bare skin the moment she got on shore. The river water was already ice-cold to begin with. So, the moment she was able to relax, her drenched body shuddered and she sneezed.
"My coat is over there, but it's wet too. You can put it on after squeezing the water out. However, you have got to leave my pants, I still have to leave the water later."
As much as Ling Yun was unable to be gentle and caring towards girls, he was still an honorable man. Therefore, he offered up his clothes willingly after he saw her slender legs shivering in the night wind.
"Then…then what about you?" The beautiful girl asked with hesitation. Even though she seemed touched, she did not turn her head back.
"Me? I'm a winter swimming hobbyist, this little bit of cold is nothing to me. I'm already used to it!" Ling Yun started spouting nonsense, "In addition, I'm so fat, this fat-covered body is better than any kind of clothes for keeping me warm!"
After being splashed by cold water, the girl was already completely sober. She obviously knew that he was just lying through his teeth.
A winter swimming hobbyist who is this fat? Swimming here at midnight? Bullshit!
However, she knew that Ling Yun truly did not harbor any bad intentions. She finally turned around despite her shyness and asked him as she secretly glanced at him, "My name is Lin Menghan, thank you for saving me. What's your name?"
Ling Yun did not want to have anything to do with this beautiful girl. He replied her with a face filled with righteousness, "To save a life is better than building a seven-storied pagoda for the gods. I do not expect gratitude after doing a good deed. You may leave now, don't suffer in the cold..."
Since he already offered up his clothes to her, it was unnecessary for him to bring up his broken glasses. It was rare for him to perform good deeds so he might as well go all the way.
Lin Menghan secretly glanced at his face filled with righteousness.
Actually, this fat guy isn't unattractive and he has a good heart. Too bad he's just too fat... Oh God, what am I even thinking about!
A gust of cold wind interrupted Lin Menghan's outrageous thoughts. She could no longer be bothered with courtesies in the cold. She quickly found the coat that Ling Yun mentioned, casually squeezed it a little and put it on.
She felt a lot warmer instantly after putting on the coat.
Ling Yun did not even bother with the coat. What he truly wanted was for Lin Menghan to leave quickly, so he could go look for his Shichiyou herb at the riverbank across.
He saw that Lin Menghan still had something to say, thus he quickly interrupted her, "Miss, I'm begging you. Even though I'm good at handling the cold, I've been in the water for two hours already. Please, pity me a little and take your leave. I want to leave the water and put on my pants alright?"
"I'm going to repeat myself again, I'm not a girl!" Lin Menghan thought this fat guy was intentionally trying to humiliate her so her expression turned ice-cold as she scolded him.
As if she was suddenly reminded of the intimacy between them just now, a hint of shyness appeared on her slightly angered face. Finally, she glanced at Ling Yun with a perplexed look, turned around and ran away.
After Ling Menghan delayed his progress, Ling Yun started to panic. He waited till he could no longer see Lin Menghan as she ran off into the night. Then, he quickly got up to gather his clothes and got dressed on the other side of the river. After getting dressed, he quickly looked around for his precious Shichiyou herb with his arms bared.
Ling Yun used his heart to feel the slight hint of spiritual energy. With his entire body laid flat in the bushes on the riverbank, he looked around carefully, following the scent of the herb.
Found it!
Ling Yun was so happy! For Ling Yun, who was extremely eager to improve his abilities in order to protect himself, nothing was able to compare to a luxuriant Shichiyou herb, not even countless of beautiful girls.