Chapter 160 - Indirect Kiss
Despite the tense atmosphere, Guo Fan urged Yijun to change her clothes first.
Yet, Yijun persisted in scrutinizing Xinyue.
Xinyue returned her gaze innocently.
Guo Fan gently touched Xinyue's head, introducing, “This is Older Sister Yijun. Come on, address her as ‘Older Sister'.”
Confused, Xinyue nodded and attempted, “Change…”
Guo Fan was rendered speechless.
Yijun fixed her gaze on him.
When would this confusion resolve?
“Ahem, Xinyue, be a good girl. Come and sit here. We'll play when the commotion subsides,” Guo Fan gestured towards a clean spot near the bonfire, seating Xinyue beside him to ensure her comfort. He adopted a cross-legged position to conserve energy.
He still had about half a vial of blood left. Any further injuries might have proved fatal before he could escape.
Yijun watched Xinyue intently before approaching Guo Fan. Squatting down, she hugged her knees, her eyes shifting between his hands, then she leaned closer, lowering her head slightly.
Guo Fan was momentarily taken aback before chuckling involuntarily, reaching out to pat the girl's head.
Could this be jealousy?
He grasped the situation. When Xinyue was younger, Yijun didn't perceive her as a threat due to the age gap. However, as Xinyue matured, Yijun considered her as an equal, feeling her own position threatened.
Now that Xinyue was older, Yijun perceived her as a peer, thus feeling her own status jeopardized and reacting strongly.
“Yijun, you should also change your clothes first. It wouldn't be good if your condition worsens later,” Guo Fan coaxed, noting Yijun's slightly red nose, which made her look even more endearing.
Yijun complied, finally nodding.
Yijun removed her outer garment, revealing a small black undergarment that accentuated her slender figure, unable to conceal her flat, snow-white stomach.
“…”
Guo Fan's lips twitched, swiftly turning away to gaze at the bonfire.
Li Xieren appeared to be attired in the same hue…
Could it still be a mother-daughter duo?
Guo Fan's gaze flickered, his mind wandering to unknown realms.
With Hammer dispatched for scouting, Xinyue was instructed to remain indoors. She was their sole wielder of Spiritual Energy amidst them, every ounce of it precious.
Hammer, that coward, would likely flee if confronted with trouble. Seeking a way out suited him well.
Guo Fan endeavored to enter a meditative state to access his inner vision, yet found it elusive.
It appeared this dungeon favored physical tasks exclusively. Hammer, being a demon, held a natural advantage in strength.
While cultivation also involved the transformation of Spiritual Energy into the body, like purifying the marrow from Qi Refinement to Foundation Establishment, enhancing cleanliness and receptivity to spiritual energy, thus augmenting strength and resilience significantly.
Each advancement equated to Vitality growth akin to an augmented Health Bar. Defense soared dramatically, rendering even a Core Forming Stage Immortal Cultivator impervious to mortal (including martial artists) assaults, their defense unbreachable.
This chasm between cultivators and mortals was insurmountable.
Nonetheless, the physical constitution and strength of a sword cultivator remained relatively feeble.
Had it not been for the chaos, Xun Yimu might have appeared ostentatious. Even though she seemed frail, how weak could a Void Refining Stage practitioner be?
Recollecting when he left them on Sword Singing Platform, Xun Yimu appeared on the verge of tears, fearing his sacrifice.
Now, ensnared with no escape, he resembled a lost soul, unaware of the anxiety his absence stirred.
Sun Fen's favorability toward him locked the moment he sent her away, offering a modicum of solace amidst the tide's tumult.
Relaying Fang Xiang's message, he assured Sun Fen of his confidence and plans, urging caution in their search, albeit masking his true identity.
There was also Gu Chao. Guo Fan arranged for Fang Xiang to vouch for him, ensuring Song Ru and two disciples from the Soaring Wisdom Sect, who also attended the Sword Singing Conference, would escort them back to the Jade Void Sect. No major issues were anticipated.
He yearned for their reunion, aspiring to present himself as a standout disciple radiating positivity.
Despite being deceived by his master outwardly, Yin Fen remained his true mentor. Ultimately, Guo Fan was merely a conduit for knowledge.
Time constraints compelled him to convey only these matters then.
As for Xun Yimu…
He could only hope for her to remain relatively quiet… Well.
Nonetheless, the identity of “Xia Shui” was bound to become widely known.
The sudden emergence of the Second Sword Singing Ranking was already startling, but when coupled with the unexpected Asura Arena, it elevated Xia Shui to a heroic status, hailed for rescuing an entire city.
Eliminating some negative influences could be deemed beneficial.
Despite still being somewhat underpowered, he had reached the Core Forming Stage and, aided by the illustrated handbook, progressed to the Void Refining Stage.
Indeed, most strategists no longer needed to fear. Guerilla tactics were primarily reserved for five-star characters. Those below that tier had no need to panic.
“Humph, achieving such heights in just two months, most transmigrators likely can't match. If I had my own weapon, I'd have eliminated all five-star characters for you to witness.”
However… Li Xieren's status as a five-star character still posed a current challenge.
Guo Fan gazed at the longsword in his grasp. The fiery patterns adorning the dark blade dimmed, and the once-menacing weapon now lacked its former extraordinary aura.
Yet, he could still sense the firm grip that had guided his hand in wielding the blade. It was a potent and trustworthy sensation.
Despite his flawed personality and penchant for treating people like toys, he remained the esteemed elder of the Heavenly Treasure Pavilion, certain to uphold his dignity when necessary.
Previously trapped within the sword's body, the Jade Snow Great Tide must have incurred a significant cost to emerge and aid him.
After the sword stroke, the spirit whispered that it would need to retreat for a time. Its remnant soul, nearly fully integrated, now faced a setback.
Guo Fan touched his ear. Before Xiahou Cenyi departed, she couldn't resist leaving a teasing remark.
She was the same as Li Xieren.
She even bit at the same place.
Guo Fan had a subtle feeling in his heart.
He sensed an unusual connection between the two, almost like an intangible, subtle form of indirect communion.
While deeply appreciative of Xiahou's assistance, Guo Fan couldn't shake off his concern. Hindered by the map's constraints, he couldn't employ Spiritual Energy to aid Xiahou's recovery, leaving him uncertain about her recuperation.
Unbeknownst to him, Xiahou had quietly been assimilating the residual soul of the sword spirit during that period. She seemed to have harbored some clandestine intentions all along.
No wonder her demeanor had seemed tinged with resignation and remorse back then.
Guo Fan caressed the longsword, an inexplicable sense of unease washing over him. He pondered what Xiahou might have done upon emerging from the sword had this unforeseen event not occurred.
“Best not to dwell on it too much.”
Escaping this place took precedence now.
Currently, he couldn't utilize any of his belongings. Thankfully, his past courage to slay foes had left him with a weapon at least.
These restricted maps and dungeons were the most irksome and challenging in the game.
Normal players couldn't rely on stacks of level maps to overcome them. Regardless of one's level, without Spiritual Energy, spells were inaccessible. Only players with high physical damage output could be effective.
This held true for everyone. Regardless of the specific restriction, it posed significant inconvenience.
While the difficulty wasn't exceedingly high, unsavory incidents often occurred among players.
For instance, certain instance dungeons necessitated players with specific traits, leading to absurd scenarios where groups formed with a peculiar rhythm, bargaining for entry and refusing to proceed without payment.
Subsequently, they were thrust into the whirlwind of the game's dominion, reminiscent of the nationwide online game, ‘Obsidian Tribes'.
It was so terrifying.
Those were the halcyon days etched into the memories of veteran players.
“It appears there's only one instance dungeon with a Spiritual Energy boost… and conveniently, it lies along our predetermined route, where the White Dragon River flows.”
Guo Fan surveyed his surroundings. It could be labeled as a cave, yet it also bore resemblance to a tunnel, especially with the sensation of water trickling from above, suggestive of proximity to an underground river.
Yijun had previously mentioned leading her father into White Dragon River from below, heightening the likelihood of this location being subterranean.
“Martial Monarch Cave Tomb… situated north of the Central Prefecture, nestled at the base of a cliff adjacent to the White Dragon River. A level 50 to 60 restricted dungeon; if indeed this is the dungeon… it just so happens to align with my return journey, saving me considerable time…”
Guo Fan found himself torn between amusement and exasperation.
Initially intending to journey westward from the Central Prefecture, circumvent Shu Country, and seek refuge in the Sword Pavilion before heading northeast towards the Soaring Wisdom Sect to locate Song Na.
The entire route formed a loop. His plan involved delving into the Martial Monarch Cave to acquire the legacy for Huo Bai.
It appeared his mother's destiny still awaited alteration.
Ordinarily, such a voyage would span several months, but this time, fortune favored him. The current surged at a speed surpassing the legendary “thousand miles a day in Jiangling.” Thus, escorting half his retinue to certain northern locales of the Central Plains on this day didn't seem outlandish.
“Regrettably, Xiang entrusted me with the Map of the Dubhe Earthstring, which remains within the Universe Creator Formation. I must await the return of the hammer to confirm.”
Contemplating this, Guo Fan suddenly felt a tap on his back, twice.
“Yijun? What's the matter…”
He turned around to see Yijun, her clothes damp, and her slender arms partly exposed.
Her voice nasal, the girl spoke from behind him, “I'm finished.”
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