Chapter 5: Entering the Great Marsh Desert, Reaching the Southern Fortress
The next morning, when Yan Zhen woke up, Yun Xiu was already awake, sitting by the table, staring blankly into space.
She was wearing her moon-white dress. Although it was quite conservative, it couldn’t conceal her alluring curves. Her figure was graceful and elegant, her aura cold and ethereal.
Her face was veiled, her clear eyes, visible through the fabric, fixed on him, unblinking.
She looked like a celestial being from a painting, her beauty almost unreal.
As soon as he opened his eyes, she flinched, like a startled rabbit, quickly turning away. She was clearly upset.
He sat up, scratching his head. He had gotten too into character last night, leading to some… excessive behavior.
For example, he had claimed he would just “touch,” then proceeded to thoroughly “fill” her, his fingers constantly teasing her sensitive spot.
He hadn’t intended to humiliate her. He had just wanted to… have some fun. But after only a few times together, she probably couldn’t accept this.
And he hadn’t been satisfied with just one round. He had switched positions, continuing their activities until midnight. Thankfully, she wasn’t the type to moan loudly. Her sounds had been soft and suppressed.
Which had only made it more exciting for him.
— Ahem, I shouldn’t dwell on those memories. It’s not conducive to getting out of bed.
“Good morning, Yun Xiu.”
She turned her back to him.
“Get up. We’re leaving soon. Don’t be lazy.”
Her tone, like that of an elder lecturing a junior, made him want to laugh, but he held it in, not wanting to anger her.
“I’ll just wash up. It won’t take long.”
After their activities last night, simply brushing his teeth and washing his face wouldn’t be enough. He enjoyed a leisurely bath, then changed into his travel clothes, before joining her downstairs to check out of the inn.
…
The most important things for traveling through the desert were a map, water, and food. He purchased several different maps, then, using an empty storage ring, stocked up on water. As for food, he packed some dried meat, biscuits, and other non-perishable items.
He didn’t have time to refine pills. Otherwise, packing some Fasting Pills would be ideal.
Most travelers to the Water City rode giant camels or other desert-traversing beasts, but he, besides traveling, also wanted to use this opportunity to practice his new Mystic Skill, so he chose to walk.
They donned cloaks that covered their entire bodies, shielding them from the sun and sand. He wore black, she wore white, then they left Green Mountain Town.
…
About ten miles from the town, the vegetation disappeared, the land covered in sand.
There was a weathered stone tablet by the roadside, its inscription warning, “Danger! Sand Scorpions ahead!”
This marked the boundary of the Great Marsh Desert, the territory under the Water City’s jurisdiction.
The temperature rose sharply. Even he, a Fire Mystic Power cultivator, felt a slight heat.
This was just the edge of the desert. He could only imagine how hot it would be deeper inside.
However, the heat made his Fire Mystic Power more active, beneficial for his cultivation.
He said, “Yun Xiu, I’m going to start training now. Try not to interfere.”
She nodded.
“I won’t intervene unless your life is in danger.”
…
They entered the desert.
The wind blew, sending sand swirling around them.
About fifteen minutes later, they encountered their first Sand Scorpion.
A scorpion the size of a child suddenly emerged from a sand dune, its hooked tail lashing out, aiming for his leg.
He had been waiting for this. He kicked the scorpion’s tail, sending it flying, then, his fingers clenching, a thin blade of Gold and Silver Fire shot out from his palm, slicing the scorpion in half.
Sand Scorpions had incredibly tough exoskeletons. His Beautiful Sect Master had instructed him to use his Gold and Silver Fire to slice them open, training his fire control and developing a “fiery sharpness,” preparing him for forging the Gold and Silver Fire into his personal weapon, as well as laying the foundation for his swordsmanship training.
He crouched down, examining the cut. It was rough and uneven, created by melting the exoskeleton with intense heat, far from his Beautiful Sect Master’s standards.
Without the Mystic Tool Embryo’s assistance, he could only condense the Gold and Silver Fire into the shape of a sword, but not a sharp blade.
It seemed this training wouldn’t be easy. But that was fine.
[Ding! Detected training session that can be skipped.]
He felt a surge of excitement. As expected, the system’s “skip” function had activated!
Cultivating in the desert was a tedious process. Even his Beautiful Sect Master rarely offered guidance. After all, this trial was about perseverance.
And he had already instructed Yun Xiu not to interfere. There shouldn’t be any interactions.
“Skip!”
The scenery around him sped up, like fast-forwarding a video, and night quickly fell.
A wave of exhaustion washed over him, his steps heavy.
“Yan Zhen, it’s getting late. We shouldn’t travel at night. Let’s find a place to camp.”
“Mmm, I scanned the area with my Spiritual Perception. There are some Ironwood Cacti up ahead. We can camp there.”
…
He secured the tent to a sturdy cactus, then, using Raikiri, the tool-knife, carved an “X” into the cactus. Water trickled out.
He soaked a towel, then handed it to her inside the tent.
“Thank you.”
She used the wet towel to wipe her body. Although Mystic Lords didn’t get dirty, she was still accustomed to cleaning herself daily.
After she finished, he re-soaked the towel, wiping himself clean.
He entered the tent, finding her already dressed.
In her usual white dress, of course. She wouldn’t be wearing his black robe again anytime soon.
“Let’s eat.”
They shared some dried meat and biscuits with water, then settled down to sleep.
The temperature difference between day and night in the desert was extreme. He retrieved a blanket, covering them both.
They lay side by side, facing each other, their gazes meeting in the darkness, a mixture of joy and shyness in their eyes.
She had never imagined sharing such a peaceful and intimate moment with him.
“Go to sleep.”
He said softly, his voice filled with exhaustion. He quickly drifted off to sleep.
She sighed with relief. She had been worried he would… try something in the desert.
Gazing at his sleeping face, her heart felt peaceful. She reached out, her hand gently caressing his cheek, her touch tender and careful, as if handling a precious treasure.
…
After a long while, she too fell asleep.
…
Ten days passed.
He didn’t touch her during those ten days, focusing entirely on his cultivation, occasionally asking her about sword energy.
After sacrificing hundreds of Sand Scorpions, his ability to condense flames into blades had significantly improved. And they had finally reached the Southern Fortress, one of the four fortresses guarding the Water City.
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