Chapter 126: Eve of Departure (I)

"Leave Chief Disciple Lei Ji to me," Thunder Empress said calmly and majestically.

Thunder Empress was an Elder of Leiyin Palace and also Chief Disciple Lei Ji's Master. Seeing her arrive in person, Lin Chen felt a weight lift from her heart; handing Chief Disciple Lei Ji over to her was naturally for the best.

Lin Chen bowed respectfully and said, "This Disciple thanks you, Elder."

Thunder Empress nodded slightly, took Chief Disciple Lei Ji, swept a profound gaze over Lin Chen, and said indifferently, "You did very well. When you go to the Nether Ghost Realm in three days, do not disappoint us."

Having said that, she disappeared into the lightning with Chief Disciple Lei Ji.

After Thunder Empress vanished into the lightning with Chief Disciple Lei Ji, before Lin Chen could fully regain her composure, a gentle voice came from behind: "Lin Chen, are you alright?"

Fairy Qimeng appeared quietly beside Lin Chen, her face full of concern and affection.

Fairy Qimeng gently held Lin Chen's shoulders and looked her over carefully. Only after confirming that she was not injured did she let out a sigh of relief.

"You really scared me to death. Just a moment ago, I almost intervened to help you."

Lin Chen shook her head with a smile, "Don't worry, big sister, I'm fine."

Just then, a verdant figure rushed quickly toward Lin Chen—it was Princess Hu Qinlan.

Her expression was anxious, and she shouted with a worried face, "Lin Chen! Are you okay?"

Before Lin Chen could respond, Princess Hu Qinlan had already embraced her, holding her tightly as if afraid she might suddenly disappear.

Lin Chen felt a little embarrassed by Princess Hu Qinlan's enthusiasm and softly comforted her, "Alright, alright, I'm fine!"

Only then did Princess Hu Qinlan let go, though she remained close to Lin Chen, looking at her with a face full of reliance.

Xuanyin Qin Sect.

Spirit Dew Hot Spring.

Amidst the swirling mist, Lin Fan and Bai Youyou were soaking comfortably in the hot spring.

The warm spring water enveloped them both, cutting off all outside disturbances; it was truly enjoyable.

Bai Youyou leaned lazily against the edge of the pool and sighed slightly, "You really know how to enjoy yourself, actually bringing me to this Spirit Dew Hot Spring."

Lin Fan did not answer directly but instead changed the subject. His brows furrowed slightly, and his tone was solemn, "Youyou, you are sending those young Disciples to the Nether Ghost Realm. Aren't you afraid they might meet with some accident?"

Bai Youyou sighed softly, her tone carrying a trace of helplessness, "Naturally, I am worried, but what else can be done? Supreme Mingye has long intended to provoke a conflict. If we send Elders, he will likely use that to stir up even greater strife, and it will be impossible to resolve."

Lin Fan suppressed his excitement and said in a low tone, "Why not let me go as well? Even if Supreme Mingye acts personally, I can protect them and keep them safe."

Bai Youyou turned to the side and looked at him tenderly, her eyes filled with attachment and reluctance, "Brother Bai Fan, I naturally believe in your ability. It is just that I cannot bear for you to take such risks."

Lin Fan chuckled mischievously, leaned close to her ear, and whispered, "Can't bear for me to go? Then why don't we get intimate a few more times right now, so you'll miss me even more?"

Bai Youyou's cheeks flushed red, and she pushed him away softly, "No, no, mmm…"

At this moment, Lin Fan and Bai Youyou were quietly clinging to each other in the water.

After bathing in the clear spring, the moon shines bright,

Jade-like skin slightly exposed, glowing with luster.

A gentle breeze stirs not, the heart of the waves is still,

Endless affection enters the lingering dream.

Just as the two were immersed in this quiet atmosphere, the stone door suddenly rumbled, and someone pushed it open from outside.

Bai Youyou was startled and whispered urgently, "Someone is coming! Brother Bai Fan, hide quickly!"

Lin Fan quickly submerged into the water, hiding beneath the rippling light.

Bai Youyou sat steady, covering her figure, her expression tense as she tried not to reveal anything.

The air was heavy, but beneath the water, Lin Fan felt Bai Youyou's lithe figure and felt secretly pleased.

His fingertips brushed lightly, like spring water caressing a willow; amidst the tenderness, faint whispers and sighs could be heard.

Bai Youyou suppressed her racing heart and whispered, "That is enough. If you continue like this, I will find it hard to restrain myself."

Lin Fan, however, seemed to act as if he were listening to the wind, his movements becoming increasingly tender and lingering. Amidst the rippling water, the affection between the two grew, all unspoken.

At this moment, Thunder Empress walked in carrying Chief Disciple Lei Ji. Her gaze swept over Bai Youyou, and her expression froze for a moment before she quickly regained her composure and bowed respectfully, "I did not expect that you, Grand Elder, were also here."

Bai Youyou forcefully suppressed her unease, her tone steady yet slightly choked, "Rise, there is no need for such formalities."

She took a deep breath, forcing down the panic in her heart, and gave a light cough to mask her emotions, "Why have you come to the Spirit Dew Hot Spring so late? Is there some important matter?"

Thunder Empress held the unconscious Chief Disciple Lei Ji in her arms, patted her shoulder gently, and said, "This visit is for no other reason than for my precious Disciple. After her battle with Lin Chen, her spiritual power was nearly exhausted, so I wish to come to this hot spring for recuperation."

Bai Youyou's gaze was soft as she peered into Chief Disciple Lei Ji's body. Detecting the empty spiritual power and slightly reduced Impurities, she whispered, "It is true that her spiritual power is empty, and the Impurities are indeed fewer. This is the result of Lin Chen forcibly drawing upon the power of lightning."

Her fingertips trembled slightly, but she maintained the demeanor of an Elder and said slowly, "Bring her here; I will tend to her recovery myself."

Thunder Empress nodded and carried Chief Disciple Lei Ji toward the hot spring, not noticing Lin Fan, who was lurking in the water and feeling secretly smug.

Bai Youyou could hardly restrain herself; her cheeks were flushed like peaches, and her heart was surging with tumultuous waves.

She bit her lip to hold back a whimper, feigning calmness on the surface.

She reached out to lightly rest her hand on Chief Disciple Lei Ji's slender palm, injecting a trace of spiritual power to examine her condition.

A moment later, a look of joy flashed in Bai Youyou's eyes, "There is no cause for concern. The skillful hand of Lin Chen has already proven effective in washing the marrow and cutting the tendons. This spring water can both help her physical strength recover and allow her spiritual power to become purer and double in potency."

Bai Youyou said with a soft smile, "You may withdraw; I will take care of Chief Disciple Lei Ji myself."

Thunder Empress felt reassured, bowed gratefully, and said, "Thank you, Grand Elder. This Junior will take her leave."

As Thunder Empress left, the stone door slowly closed.

The air gradually returned to calm, while beneath the water, the affection between Lin Fan and Bai Youyou surged in secret, the ripples of the hot spring reflecting a poetic scene.