Chapter 65: Lady Yue (1)

Chapter 65: Lady Yue (1)

The woman sitting across from us lifts one arm out of the water and gently swipes her palm across her pale skin. The way the water falls away from her is strange, leaving behind not a single drop as if her skin was made of those advanced materials from my time that could completely repel water.

Her green eyes are half-closed and, for the briefest of moments, her intensity wanes as she focuses on the more immediate task. She rolls her shoulders, sighing contently. Even so, perhaps especially because she ignores Lan Xiaohuis existence, to me it appears even more malevolent, intense, and tyrannical as if Lan Xiaohuis fate is now unavoidable, even if it is delayed.

For almost a whole minute, the woman ignores Lan Xiaohui whose heart beats increasingly faster. Lan Xiaohui stares at the woman, both enchanted by her beauty and terrified by the depth of her cultivation. She too understands that escape is no longer possible and neither is resistance.

After this minute, the woman snaps her fingers with a slight smile, and the grotto quickly begins to develop significant changes.

First, the ambient temperature increases, and somewhere in the distance I feel the presence and operation of an array, but I can neither tell its location nor its bearing from my coordinates. Second, the walls of the grotto quickly become overrun with climbing vines, like those already present, and these vines produce flowers and fruits. A carpet of greenery grows from even the barren places in the ground, as if unaware that it is winter, and that the soil is unsuitable for supporting their existence.

A thick, rich Qi begins to fill the grotto as it transforms in the span of a few seconds, with the progression of nature continuing at a much slower pace.

Next, with a mere glance, the woman extinguishes Lan Xiaohuis fireplace, the flames instantly dying and even the wood losing all its embers and heat.

Only then does the woman focus her attention on Lan Xiaohui once more and, after setting her gaze on my owner, slowly approaches her, rising halfway from the water, her naked body from the hips and up entirely visible.

Seeing the womans naked body, Lan Xiaohui looks away and, perhaps becoming conscious that she also lacks the common decency and modesty expected in this situation, she covers her chest with her arms.

What brings you to my grotto? the woman asks. "Even chased away my familiars."

Lan Xiaohui opens her lips as if to speak, but no words come out. There is an expression of comprehension on her face as she no doubt realizes that either the elk or the fox or even both are the womans familiars and that they shouldve been a warning to dissuade her from making her home here.

And causing all that ruckus a few weeks ago, which interrupted my cultivation, the woman adds, settling down in front and slightly to the side of Lan Xiaohui.

The woman was only slightly taller than Lan Xiaohui, but the way she cocked her head to the side and down made it so that she regarded Lan Xiaohui from below who desperately tried to avoid the womans gaze but was unsuccessful in doing so.

Throwing both arms around Lan Xiaohuis neck and resting easily in my owners lap, the woman looks down at the exile of the Seven Killing Swords Sect.

Did you have a lover there? the woman asks.

A blushing, overheating Lan Xiaohui nods slowly at the question.

I can tell. Despite the appearance you keep up to hide it, it makes it all the more obvious, the woman says with a satisfied smile. I can see the depth of your hurt. You were betrayed?

Once again, Lan Xiaohui nods and swallows. She wiggles, uncomfortably, but finds no way to escape from the woman without offending her further.

Finally, the woman looks in my direction and I do not see the same glimmer in her eyes that others would have when they are affected by my [Avarice].

An awakened treasure, the woman says, then returns her gaze to Lan Xiaohui. A profound physique. An understanding of the Sword Law, even at your shallow cultivation. The heavens truly have blessed you. Do you feel fortunate or unfortunate?

This question causes Lan Xiaohui to stop wiggling, and her expression falters. Lan Xiaohui likely has never thought about it like this before.

Lan Xiaohui glances in my direction and then makes up her mind. Despite what happened to me, and what may happen to me in the future, I feel the most fortunate I couldve been.

The woman laughs at those words, her trilling melody resounding inside the grotto.

To you, I am Lady Yue, the woman says, and then glances at Lan Xiaohuis lily corsage. Do you want to seek the Dao, my little Lily?

Lan Xiaohui was silent for a moment, likely considering what the cost of this may be, but then nodded.

I do, Lady Yue.

It was better than dying.