Chapter 113: Blood Lotus

Time flew—another month passed.

In this month, He Yimo hadn’t made any special preparations. His life centered on cultivation at Soot-Stained Peak. Beyond eating the pills sent by Master Bai Ling, practicing swordplay in the courtyard, playing Go with Senior Sister Mo at night, and regularly draining Wangxue’s spiritual energy, his greatest joy was the nightly “small interactions” with Senior Sister—nurturing their bond.

After all, with the “Innate Sword Saint Physique” title hanging over his head, wouldn’t failing to impress Senior Sister Mo be a waste of this emotional value?

Indeed, his sword talent filled his last gap. Now, not only did he make Mo Yuyan concede during Go matches, but even his sword practice left her stunned with widened eyes.

Mo Yuyan found He Yimo’s talent bizarre.

When she taught him a sword style, he’d spontaneously create variations, combining them into techniques even more “research-oriented” than her own. Often, when they sparred, his flashy combos dazzled her—not that they could actually harm her.

It was about combinatorial theory. Before, Mo Yuyan never imagined two “useless” obscure moves could synergize for greater-than-the-sum effects. She had to admit: He Yimo’s mind was terrifyingly sharp. Normal sword cultivators ignored such niche moves, yet he devised strange tricks.

Beyond innovating techniques, what shocked Mo Yuyan was He Yimo’s unspectacular, yet overpowered, cultivation speed. Whenever she devised a long-term plan, he’d break through halfway through it. Helplessly, she had to reward him with escalating incentives:
– First, a dance.
– Then, back rubs.
– Now, he massaging her.

Somewhere along the way, the nature of the “reward” had flipped. Though it was technically her rewarding him, the dynamic reversed: He Yimo served her nightly, massaging her legs and feet as she lay in bed, thoroughly enjoying it.

This felt wrong!
Wasn’t he supposed to be rewarding her?

Gradually, Mo Yuyan sensed the imbalance. It seemed He Yimo cultivated not for himself, but solely to massage her at night.

But…
Mo Yuyan couldn’t bring herself to address it. It was a win-win: He Yimo willingly massaged her, and she didn’t have to dance or rub his back. Besides, his hands were deft—massages weren’t just comfortable; his fingers pressed acupoints precisely, warming her usually icy body, heightening her senses. Combined with the brown sugar medicinal soup he brewed, she felt her meridians and cultivation subtly unblock.

For Mo Yuyan, stuck at the Nascent Soul bottleneck, this was rare nourishment!
Since it aided her cultivation, why refuse?

Thus, the “reward ritual” became an unspoken understanding between them.

“Senior Sister, shall I massage you again tonight?”

On their last night before departure, He Yimo carried trays of colorful medicinal pastes.

Just last night, the Imperial Alliance had issued a new mission: explore the Cangyuan Forest.

The Cangyuan Forest—the main plot of Volume II in the original novel—was far deadlier than Gu Wanglan’s trials. It featured the debut of a Moon Cult Saintess, who would clash with players as the final boss.

In the past, He Yimo might have hesitated.

But now, at full power, wasn’t the Cangyuan Forest just a bonus stage? With the original protagonist dead, who could snatch his loot and EXP there? If unlucky enough to meet the Saintess, he’d simply run. He doubted she’d chase him—she had bigger plans in the forest in the original story. As long as he fled fast, she likely wouldn’t bother playing cat-and-mouse.

After careful planning, He Yimo informed Mo Yuyan about the secret realm. With its Nascent Soul entry restriction, Mo Yuyou was understandably uneasy.
So last night, they debated again. After Mo Yuyan’s rigorous assessment, she deemed He Yimo—early Golden Core—capable of dominating his realm and escaping stronger opponents.
Convinced, she finally allowed him to go.

Tonight was their last night together.

He Yimo entered with jars and vials, intending to give Senior Sister one last “powerful treatment” before leaving.

“Go ahead. My dantian feels blocked today anyway.”

Seeing the jars, Mo Yuyou instinctively removed her outer robe, wearing only a slip-like dress. She sat on the bed, no longer reserved, giving him a look.

Once his eyes closed, she swiftly peeled off her stockings, turned, and lay face-down on the bed, hugging her pillow, naturally raising her crystal-soft, jade-like feet behind her.

After all, she’d experienced this many times. Though the first massage was shameful and her skin felt overly sensitive, her body grew accustomed to his touch’s warmth. Over time, comfort outweighed sensitivity. Now, Mo Yuyou trusted her back to him completely, closing her eyes fully, ready to enjoy.

“Senior Sister…”
“I’ve been researching manuals at the Sutra Pavilion too… developed a new massage technique…”
“For our last night… want to try it?”

He Yimo stood behind her, staring at her jade feet, cheeks flushing slightly.

Mo Yuyou paused a moment, then agreed without turning back:
“Go ahead. Trust your judgment.”

“Then…”

He fetched a stool, sat beside the bed, and lifted her pale, tender feet.

He pressed his fingers together, applied the prepared paste, then infused it with spiritual energy, instantly refining it.

Finally, He Yimo gently dabbed the concentrated essence onto her sole.

His fingers traced lightly, and using knowledge from a forbidden cult formation in his past life, he meticulously drew a complex, precise Blood Lotus—
“!!!”

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