Splash—
Hot water from the basin washed down over delicate skin.
Crystal-clear droplets glided over honey-colored ravines, sinking into a slender navel before continuing downward like surfers riding a wave.
Drip— Drip—
The water droplets reluctantly fell onto the azure stone tiles.
Dehya let out a long sigh of relief, feeling as if she had been reborn.
Although both places were hot, life in the Sumeru rainforest was different from life in the Sumeru desert.
The desert was relatively dry, while the rainforest was very humid.
If one didn't bathe for a while, one's body would become sticky and extremely uncomfortable.
After rinsing away the sweat from her body, Dehya wrapped herself in a towel and approached the edge of the pool.
She gently stepped into the hot spring water, causing layers of ripples to spread across the surface.
In moments, a comfortable sensation spread throughout her entire body!
The feeling of being enveloped by the warm hot water was absolutely wonderful.
Just as she was enjoying it, several girls followed her in through the entrance.
The courtyard instantly became lively.
Suddenly, a small figure pierced through the mist and floated into the pool.
"Paimon! Don't enter the pool directly without showering first!"
"Wuuwah! It's so comfortable! Traveler, you hurry up and come in too!"
Lumine sighed helplessly.
Paimon had been like this when they soaked in the hot springs with Yae Miko in Inazuma as well.
According to the proper order, one should wash clean before entering the pool.
"Eh? Dehya, you're here this early?"
"Yeah, hehehe."
Dehya had a look of pure enjoyment.
One had to know that bathing was difficult in the desert, let alone having such a refreshing hot spring bath.
"What?! Dehya is here too?"
Upon hearing this, Lumine's face instantly filled with a mischievous grin, wishing she could crawl directly from her wheelchair into the pool.
She had long wanted to have a good 'exchange' with Dehya!
Splash—
"Thank you, Dunyarzad! You are my hero!"
Lumine's gaze was full of gratitude because Dunyarzad was willing to help her shower.
She had taken a slap from The God of Righteousness, and her whole body still ached; many places hadn't healed yet.
Coming to soak in the bath was also to heal faster.
She had originally asked that fellow Paimon, but unexpectedly, as soon as they came in, Paimon went off to play on her own.
Fortunately, Dunyarzad was there.
"You are welcome, Traveler."
"I'll help you into the water."
At this moment, Collei's voice came from beside her ear.
"Thank you, Coll... Wuhu~"
Lumine had just turned her head when her eyes lit up, scanning Collei's moving, delicate body up and down, her eyes full of greed.
"Eh!?"
Collei's pretty face flushed red, and she hurriedly wrapped herself in a bath towel.
For some reason, she always felt that this Traveler's gaze was a bit of a pervert, just like Ayexia!
She had read the letter sent by Amber before, which mentioned Lumine.
It said that Lumine was the Honorary Knight in Mondstadt, had driven away Dvalin, and was incredibly formidable.
But after seeing the person herself, Collei began to worry a bit.
'Could it be that Amber was also seen naked by the Traveler!'
Thinking about this, Collei felt a bit sour, wondering if things had already happened.
"Hehehe, Collei, don't be shy~ Let me help you check if your development is normal~"
"Eh!"
Just as they were speaking, Alusha and the others also came in.
Everyone had just agreed to soak in the hot spring together after the meal.
Seeing the beautiful girls around her wearing only thin bath towels, Lumine's face bloomed with joy.
"Ehe..."
"Hehehehe..."
She suddenly felt that this place was so blissful!
Although these girls were all Ye Xi's wives, it didn't hinder her from feasting her eyes here!
Looking around, Lumine suddenly admired Ye Xi's taste.
The girls here all had graceful figures, each with their own unique characteristics, so beautiful they were unapproachable things of nature!
It was simply like arriving in paradise!
"Dehya~ Hehehe, I'm coming, Dehya~"
After being carried into the water by Alusha, Lumine leaned over with a mischievous grin.
Just like she treated Raiden Ei during the day, she buried her head in Dehya's chest and rubbed against it.
Dehya, however, didn't mind at all; after all, Ayexia used to do this too.
"So the Traveler is also a female pervert!"
"Right, right, I didn't notice it during the day."
"We have to be careful and stay a bit further away!"
Hearing the whispers of the girls nearby, Lumine gave a 'hehe' laugh: "We are all girls, what is there to be afraid of~"
Just as she was speaking, a faint sound reached everyone's ears.
"Shh—!"
Dehya's ears were the sharpest. She made a silencing gesture, and the surroundings instantly quieted down.
Once the noise died down, that sound became increasingly obvious.
"This... is—!"
"That's right! It definitely is! It seems to be right next door!"
"Lord Tree King, she actually..."
"I'll go take a look!"
A few girls tiptoed to the bamboo fence, peering through the tiny gaps to spy on the scenery on the other side.
Unfortunately, the water mist was very thick, and they couldn't see anything.
The girls let out sighs in succession.
"Is this the intellectual mature woman who has lived for thousands of years? So amazing!"
"Truly bold~"
"I thought Lord Tree King was the type of shy, delicate girl from a humble family, the same type as Collei."
"Eh!?"
Collei's face was covered in a red flush, unsure if it was from shyness or being soaked in the hot water.
Alusha, on the side, was very calm: "What's the big deal about this? This afternoon, Master and I were outside..."
"You really did go steal a bite!"
Before Alusha could finish, Dehya crossed her arms, her brows knitting together.
"Tch, anyway, I can sleep soundly tonight."
Alusha hugged herself with a look of happiness, looking just like an infatuated girl.
The two were bickering when Paimon's cry of alarm suddenly came from behind.
"Traveler, what's wrong with you!? Why do you have a nosebleed!"
"Wake up, Traveler!"
The girls turned their heads one after another, only to see Lumine floating face up in the pool, wearing an expression of supreme bliss as if she had flown to the clouds.
"What happened to her?"
"I don't know."
"Don't just stand there, save her!"
Lumine gazed at the starry sky with a look of satisfaction. The image of the girls' backs as they bent over just now was still echoing constantly in her mind.
Too beautiful!
Such beautiful scenery, unforgettable in this lifetime!
Next door.
Ye Xi was enjoying a pleasant hot spring time.
A semi-transparent panel appeared in front of him.
Displayed on it were his current various stats.
[Body Reinforcement: 58]
[Electro Elemental Power: 57]
[Spirit...]
[...]
[Abyss Unlocked Skills: Stand: The World!, Drain, Abyss Core]
Looking at the items of skills, Ye Xi looked forward to the new abilities he was about to obtain.
Before long, an ethereal voice came into his mind.
[Ding~]
[Mission [Branching] complete!]
[Body Reinforcement +12]
[Congratulations on obtaining [Dendro Elemental Power] adaptability, Dendro Elemental Power +17]
[Congratulations on obtaining the ability [Vine Binding]!]
[Vine Binding: Can manipulate vines to bind a target; the more the target struggles, the tighter the binding effect.]
[Note: Unless commanded by the host, the vines will not snap.]
[Congratulations on obtaining the ability [Intermediate Heal]!]
[Intermediate Heal: Use the ability to heal oneself or others; healing speed is relatively fast, used for severe injuries.]
Seeing this, Ye Xi was very satisfied with the rewards this time.
Although a skill like [Vine Binding] didn't seem to have much use, the [Intermediate Heal] that followed was indeed not bad.
It seemed to be an upgraded version of Basic Heal.
The most critical point was that he had obtained adaptability for Dendro Elemental Power.
So far, he had already obtained adaptability for three types of Elemental Power: [Electro], [Anemo], and [Dendro].
In addition to that, there was the adaptability for Abyss Power.
Four types of power could completely put him in a state of being semi-invincible.
Just as he was thinking this, the system's voice came again.
[Abyss Power +18]
[Hint: A new Abyss ability can be unlocked.]
Ye Xi's eyes lit up.
He could actually unlock another Abyss ability!
Previously, whether it was [The World], [Drain], or [Abyss Core], they were all crucial means for him.
He was looking forward to what the next power would be!
Without thinking too much, he directly opened the Abyss Power panel, and a query window popped up on the panel.
[Unlock new ability?]
[Yes?] [No?]
After Ye Xi chose [Yes], the fourth branch of the tree diagram began to light up!
[Congratulations on unlocking [Bestow]!]
[Bestow: Release Abyss Power towards a target, granting Abyss Power to the target object.]
[Hint: The Abyss Power bestowed upon the target will generate a significant consumption. The target object will obtain Abyss Power, thereby receiving enhancement!]
Seeing this, Ye Xi couldn't help but frown.
This ability of [Bestow] seemed to be the exact opposite of [Drain].
But based on his understanding, this [Bestow] ability was a bit dark.
If he applied this kind of power to an outsider, he feared it could directly turn the other party into a Hilichurl or an Abyss Mage!
For ordinary people, Abyss Power was a terrifying virus.
He felt that it was better to use this ability sparingly.
He might even seal it away.
Just as he was thinking this, the system issued a notification sound again.
'There are actually more rewards!?'
The rewards received this time were a bit too much; could it be because the partner was Greater Lord Rukkhadevata?
[Congratulations on obtaining Controllable Ruin Grader 10]*
[Ruin Grader: Ancient humanoid combat machine. Form is similar to Ruin Guards, but the form is more distorted and the power is stronger.]
[Obtained Energy Core 1]*
[Energy Core: Inject Abyss Power into the core to obtain motive energy!]
Ruin Grader. Ye Xi knew of this machine.
To put it plainly, it was an enhanced version of the Ruin Guard.
Besides its size becoming more massive, it could also use the core in its head to release lasers, possessing astonishing destructive power.
Obtaining ten of these machines was definitely comparable to fifty Ruin Guards!
However, this didn't attract him much.
What was truly eye-catching was the [Energy Core] mentioned afterward!
He was very curious about what the so-called [Motive Energy] was!
Seeming to sense the doubt in his heart, an answer window popped up on the system's semi-transparent panel.
[Motive Energy: Through the core, the target object will obtain an energy source to maintain continuous operation.]
Ye Xi suddenly came to a realization.
This was just like the Ruin Guards.
The power of the Ruin Guards functioned through the core in their heads.
What was ridiculous was that these Ruin Guards could still operate after more than five hundred years.
This showed that the energy provided by the core was extremely vast!
Then, what if he placed this kind of core on a train? Or on an airplane?
Previously, he was still thinking that if he used airplanes and trains to connect the Four Nations, it would definitely consume a lot of energy.
First of all, where would he find oil?
Trains could burn coal, use steam engines, or use Electro Slimes for power supply.
But without oil, how would airplanes take off?
Now with this core, he could completely inject Abyss Power into the core and then install it on the train.
In this way, the train could operate forever!
The same applied to airplanes!
Now he had stronger confidence in the matter of engaging in infrastructure!
Just as he was thinking, a soft voice suddenly came from beside his ear.
"...Ye Xi, has the fusion level of our consciousness spaces increased?"
Hearing Greater Lord Rukkhadevata's question, Ye Xi checked the values displayed by the system.
[Hint: Detected Greater Lord Rukkhadevata's sustained excitement value +11, pleasure value +22]
[Fusion level increased to 5.23%]
It actually increased by 5% in one breath!
"There is a very considerable improvement."
"That's good!"
Greater Lord Rukkhadevata breathed a sigh of relief. Originally, she thought her emotions wouldn't be too high, but she hadn't expected this kind of thing to be unexpectedly addictive.
Now she could increase the efficiency of clearing Forbidden Knowledge and also make her body feel happy; it was simply getting the best of both worlds.
"Then I'll go back first. We can continue in the room in a while."
"Eh?... Alright."
After speaking, Greater Lord Rukkhadevata wrapped herself in a thin bath towel and left the hot spring pool, her graceful back gradually disappearing into the water mist.
It had to be said, being in the hot spring was a brand new experience, very refreshing.
'It seems I can try it with Dehya and the others in the future too.'
After soaking for a little longer, Ye Xi changed into his clothes and left the hot spring.
But as soon as he came out, he saw the girls next door surrounding Lumine, who was lying to the side, looking helpless.
"What happened to her?"
Hearing Ye Xi's inquiry, Collei stammered, "It seems she fainted from soaking."
"What fainted from soaking? Actually, it's just over-excitement because she saw our... Mmph—!"
"Dehya!"
Before Dehya could finish, her mouth was covered by Collei and Dunyarzad beside her.
Ye Xi felt a bit baffled and asked, "Saw your what?"
"No, nothing! Master, don't ask!"
Collei looked twitchy and shy, her pretty face bright red.
"Alright, although I don't know what happened, but..."
Ye Xi came in front of Lumine, reached out with an [Undying Grip], and pressed on Lumine's forehead.
[Intermediate Heal]
He activated the newly obtained skill, and a faint green fluorescence appeared on his palm.
It was obvious that the light of Intermediate Heal looked much better than Basic Heal.
Within the light, there seemed to be small golden stars, making it more dazzling.
Very quickly, Lumine's nosebleed stopped gushing out.
Moreover, some bruises on her body dissipated visibly to the naked eye, revealing fair and pink skin.
These were traces left behind after bone fractures.
The dissipation of bruises meant that the bones were basically repaired.
This effect surprised the girls.
"Master, has your healing ability improved?"
"Yes! Even such deep injuries have been healed! So amazing!"
"In the future, we don't need to be afraid even if we get injured; getting touched by Master will fix it! So convenient!"
"Oh? Then if I deliberately accidentally go get some injuries, will I be able to receive Master's caress?"
"Alusha, you really are a little clever ghost!"
Ye Xi: ...
"Alusha, you remember what I said, right?"
"Your body belongs to me; don't let it get hurt."
He couldn't listen to this anymore.
Don't disbelieve it; maybe this girl Alusha would really do such a thing.
"Yes, Master."
Alusha felt happy in her heart; she sensed that Ye Xi was actually caring about her, feeling distressed for her.
The surrounding girls instantly felt envious.
At this moment, Lumine on the side suddenly opened her eyes.
"Dehya~"
Saying this, Lumine lunged into Dehya's arms, then wore a silly smile: "The Eremites are so good~"
"Join The Eremites, embrace a beautiful life~ Hehehe..."
Ye Xi's brow twitched. Why did he feel like this blonde idiot was acting like she had drunk too much?
"Hey, Dehya is my wife, not your wife. Sober up a bit."
With a single [Undying Grip], he picked Lumine up and hauled her back.
Hearing Ye Xi's words, Dehya instantly felt much happier.
Such domineering words were very effective on her.
Lumine crossed her arms and huffed: "Stingy, I want to sleep with Dehya tonight~"
Ye Xi sighed.
Whatever.
They were all girls anyway; it was nothing more than letting this blonde idiot get a bargain.
Suddenly his eyes lit up, and he joked: "You can hug Dehya, but then I'll hug your Paimon."
Paimon: "Eh—!?"
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