The universe was silent, the starry sky frigid.
Jingliu stood on the planet of eternal night. The black blindfold she had removed was clutched in her hand, fluttering with her moon-white hair in the stellar wind.
"That place... it might not have been a mere illusion brought on by the Mara. It may be somewhere far more bizarre and unpredictable."
Jingliu gazed again in the direction of the Xianzhou.
"The Luofu..."
She was born on the Cangcheng, and raised on the Luofu.
She had been the unparalleled sword master of the Xianzhou, the creator of the Cloud Knights' undefeated legend.
Now, her name had been erased, and she had become a traitor to the Xianzhou, walking the razor's edge of Mara corruption, relentlessly pursuing the sorrowful wish of a bygone era.
"Should I go?" Jingliu asked herself softly.
She did not trust Ye Feng. She even still believed that what she had experienced might have been a hyper-realistic illusion brought on by the Mara.
Otherwise, why would Ye Feng be so... knowledgeable about her?
Inside and out.
He even knew about her ability to control every part of her body.
After all, the 'tā huà' aspect of the Mara corruption caused the original body to begin growing mutated organs. If she could not precisely control every part of herself, she would be unable to maintain her current form.
The thought of Ye Feng's lewd smile made her sword-heart waver.
The reason she desperately fought against the 'tā huà' was not to add to his amusement in bed.
"I really want... to cut him down."
Jingliu discovered that she was still unable to remain as tranquil as a still well.
After all, after being fucked by him for an entire night, how could there be no ripples?
However,
"...Baiheng."
The face and laughter of her dear friend had not faded with the passage of time.
On the contrary, they had only grown clearer.
And whenever this happened, the roiling hatred in Jingliu's heart intensified.
In her youth, Jingliu's home—the Xianzhou Cangcheng—had been devoured by the living planet, the Antimatter Legion's World-Eater Leviathan. At that time, she could only watch, helpless.
In her adulthood, the Xianzhou Luofu became her second home, for it was there that she had dear friends she could call "family." Jingliu believed she had the strength to protect the precious things before her, but during the Calamity of Shuhu, Baiheng was killed in battle.
The tragedies wrought by the Abominations of Abundance were countless.
Hatred burned through Jingliu. She swore that no matter the cost, she would absolutely cut down the source of this tragedy—Yaoshi, the Aeon of Abundance, the Plaguescourge.
But, if Baiheng were still alive...
Indecision flickered across Jingliu's face. A crimson light flared in her eyes, and the black aura of her negative karma swirled around her.
Her head split with pain, and her figure swayed. Even with a will as indomitable as hers, she had to press a hand to her forehead and let out a pained groan.
But this time, the "attack" was shorter than usual, and her mind recovered more quickly.
Hm?
What happened?
The Mara's flare-up... was weaker than before?
Jingliu, of course, did not believe this was the result of Ye Feng's claim of "helping her with treatment."
And that was not the question she needed to consider right now.
"The Xianzhou Luofu, is it? Though the time is not yet ripe, it is not a journey that cannot be made."
Just as Ye Feng had said.
Try. Just give it a try.
Reason told Jingliu that she should not harbor any unrealistic expectations for this journey.
But deep in her heart, a sliver of hope remained.
And that sliver of hope was quickly swept away by the memory of Ye Feng's detestable forearm.
Jingliu placed a small hand below her abdomen.
Her competition... was not over yet.
This was just the halftime break.
So be it.
Jingliu tied her blindfold back on and thought no more of it.
---o---
"I wonder if that Jingliu dame will go to the Xianzhou."
Ye Feng looked at the three-dimensional "map" unfolding in the void.
If Jingliu went to the Xianzhou, it was highly likely she would unlock a new map. Then he would have new NPCs to play with.
Ye Feng was particularly fond of the Grand Diviner's white stockings. They were truly fragrant, sweet, and silky smooth.
Ye Feng had even drunk some before he came to this world.
Well, it was the limited edition collaboration drink from Chatime.
This time, perhaps he could get a taste of the real thing.
Oh, Master, you must not disappoint your disciple.
"...Master."
Ji Lin approached with graceful steps.
This beautiful, virginal wife was already bright-eyed and elegant, but after being tended to by Ye Feng, she appeared even more gorgeous and moving, a hint of seductive charm in her brow.
Sensual, but not wanton.
A perfect, water-like gentleness.
Her figure had also returned to its original state.
Though not large, she was still a top-grade "small steamed bun."
About the same as Cangxuan.
As soon as Ji Lin came over, Ye Feng pulled her into his lap and began to massage her.
The beauty let out a soft whimper. Though displeased, she did not resist.
"Ah Lin, I'm just helping you stimulate your circulation. Maybe you'll even have a second growth spurt."
"..."
Ji Lin's robe was half-undone, slipping from her fragrant shoulder to reveal her delicate collarbone.
"Hm? What's Ah Lin wearing underneath? Wow, is that a dudou?"
Ye Feng feigned a loud cry of surprise, causing Ji Lin's face to flush crimson.
"Master... please, do not be like this..."
"Alright."
Ye Feng released Ji Lin.
This surprised her. He had actually let go.
"...Thank you, Master."
"Don't mention it. After all, it's not often that Ah Lin comes to find me on her own initiative. I can't scare you away. I have to at least pretend to be a gentleman."
Ji Lin was speechless.
If he were a gentleman, he wouldn't have put his hands all over her the moment he saw her.
Ye Feng suddenly stared at Ji Lin, scrutinizing her carefully.
His gaze made her a little flustered, but thinking of the question she had to ask, she forced herself to endure it.
Her experience in the library had made her grow up overnight.
"I suddenly understand why everyone likes the 'naked apron' so much."
"?"
Ye Feng smacked his fist into his palm and said with a straight face:
"Wearing just a dudou is pretty much the same as a naked apron, isn't it? It covers the front and is tied with a string in the back. So the love for naked aprons is a tradition that 'has existed since ancient times'."
"..."
Ji Lin did not reply.
She didn't know how to reply.
"Ji Lin, how about you only wear the dudou today?" Ye Feng asked for her opinion.
Ji Lin looked extremely reluctant but still nodded.
"Ye-yes... Master."
"Hm? So obedient."
Seeing the beautiful wife's troubled expression as she was forced to comply, Ye Feng was thoroughly satisfied.
Ji Lin shyly removed her armor, until only the dudou was left covering her front.
Her two smooth, jade-like legs were pressed together, her hands covering the area below her abdomen. She bit her cherry lip with her pearly teeth, looking so ashamed she was on the verge of tears.
"Alright, speak. What is it?"
"Eh?"
"For Ah Lin to come find me on her own, and be so well-behaved... as your Master, I must reward you properly."
"Um..."
Ji Lin lifted her bright eyes and asked softly, "Master... why can't Cangxuan and Danzhu wake up on the outside?"