Chapter 333: Cold Spring Blues

Chapter 333: Cold Spring Blues

As they flew through the forest, Hui gradually began to notice a pure, cold qi seeping through the air. The further they flew, the stronger it became, until thick tendrils of mist began to snake through the forest below, and the air grew clean and damp.

Ahead, scenery like an immortal paradise appeared. A white waterfall, delicate as a skein of silk, descended from a rocky, moss-encrusted cliff and tumbled down into a series of round blue pools, as clear as gems, their stone floors visible from where Hui and the others flew. Flowers bobbed at the pools edges, intermingled with a soft, carpet-like moss that itself was spotted with tiny white flowers. Thick mist swirled about, obscuring the scene as if they approached it from within a cloud. The cool, pure qi filled the air. With every breath, Hui absorbed it and breathed it out, his chest refreshed by the icy air.

Here we are. Cloud Ice Spring, Ji Taiyu announced, touching down.

Hui leaped off his sword, sending it back into the node with a wave of his hand. The springy moss compressed under his feet. Cold exuded from the spring, sinking around his ankles, so that even though he stood on dry land, it felt as though hed dipped his feet into water. He strode toward the pools slowly, mesmerized.

A sword appeared in front of him. Hui froze and threw up his hands, startled.

This Cloud Ice Spring is a holy land, and should be treated with respect. Remove your outer garments before you enter, Ji Taiyu intoned gravely.

Eh? Did he think I was going to jump in with all my clothes on? I was only going to dip my hand in and test the water Hui shrugged to himself and backed up, joining Ji Taiyu by a corner, where the other man removed his shoes.

Bao Huli hurried over and helped Ji Taiyu out of his robes, her eyes shining the whole time with unbridled greed. Hui hesitated, still fully dressed, and coughed. Er, Ji Taiyu, the the girls, they should

Over here! Theres a second spring around the corner. We can divide by gender, Song Weilai offered, calling from the far side of a stand of bamboo. Hui could barely make out her waving through the thicket.

Thats right. Bao Huli, dont be improper. Go to Song Weilai, Ji Taiyu instructed.

The group of four followers emerged from the bamboo and nodded at Ji Taiyu and Hui, setting down their baskets as they prepared to enter the water.

Bao Huli glared at Hui. Hui stared back, unimpressed. I dont want your Master. I really dont, I swear.

With a harrumph, Bao Huli turned away. Ying Lin bowed and followed after her. Hui watched her go with worry. I dont want to send her off alone with Bao Huli and Song Weilai but it wouldnt be proper to have her enter the pond on this sde with myself, Ji Taiyu, and Song Weilais roughs, either.

No longer annoyed, Hui settled into a lotus pose and focused on circulating his qi. Beside him, Ji Taiyu assumed the same pose. Between the handsome youth and the serious middle-aged master, the scene looked quite studious except for the excess of bare male flesh.

Some time passed. The roughs lounged in the pool, chatting quietly. Occasionally, theyd shoot covert glances at the two cultivators under the waterfall, but no gazes lingered long.

A near-silent whistle sounded, too quiet to be heard over the roar of the waterfall. The roughs exchanged a glance, then nodded and silently climbed out of the water. They quickly dressed, swallowing a blue-colored pill as they did so. Blinded by the thick qi in the waterfall and deafened by its pounding rush, Hui and Ji Taiyu noticed nothing.

The whistle changed tones. The flowers at the edge of the pond trembled and released a thick pollen. Carried by the mist, it swirled around Hui and Ji Taiyu, further dulling their senses and subtly influencing their minds.

The waterfall has gotten stronger? Ill fight back harder! Immersed in training, Hui focused on expanding his qi. He willfully neglected his outer senses. Zhubi should notify me if anything happens. Itll be fine.

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Song Weilai nodded at the roughs, all of them once more fully dressed. Now, the roughs all exuded low-grade fifth stage cultivations, the kinds that had been forcefully pushed to fifth stage with pills and had little hope for future advancement. Song Weilai gave off the more refined pressure of a high-grade, well-built fifth stage cultivation, the kind usually only found in a righteous clan or sect of some reputation.

She nodded at the roughs. Are they asleep?

They might as well be. The Freezing Blue-White Lily should dull their minds, and the Cloud Ice Spring will seal off their qi. All of us have taken the antidote. Everything is ready, the tallest of the rough cultivators replied, clasping hands to her.

Song Weilai snorted. I had a whole excuse planned to lead him to this spring who knew that hed come here willingly? It seems the heavens are smiling on me.

She glanced over her shoulder at the spring shed led the girls to.

Bao Huli and Ying Lin sat under their own waterfall. Ying Lin sat peacefully, while Bao Huli twitched, fighting to awaken but unable to escape the combined effects of the spring and the pollen. Zhubi drooped from a bamboo stalk, half-awake.

Song Weilai smirked. Ive eyed that fox for a long time, and now we can finally capture her! The snake is a bonus. Move quickly. I want to be far from here before any of them know what happened.

Yes! The roughs clasped hands to her and rushed off.